Work Text:
Percy had never expected himself to live past 18. Let alone get married and have 4 kids with the love of his life. Nothing could have prepared him for having a child for the first time. He had never expected how much a person could love. The moment Charlie and Zoe were born he was sure that his life would never be the same. And he was right, both his and Annabeth’s lives changed for the better. He also had the privilege to be at home with them for the first 3 years of their lives. There wasn’t anything more magical for him to watch his babies discover everything for the first time. Although parents aren’t supposed to have favourites, Percy had a soft spot for Charlie and Zoe (especially).
Annabeth was on a business trip for the weekend and Zoe, Lana, and Theo were sleeping over to other houses. That meant that Percy had the house for himself on Saturday night as Charlie had a party and wouldn’t return until it was at least 12 which was totally fine as he was the most responsible out of the siblings.
Percy felt sometimes that Charlie was putting too much pressure on himself so that he could be the best in something. Sure, that could also be a good thing as he was succeeding in all of his goals. In his Sophomore year, he managed to get on the Varsity Football Team and be in the top 3% of his class. Percy was sure that he got that quality from Annabeth. Well, he was sure that all of their children took all of their good qualities from Annabeth and not from him. But after that night he kind of changed his mind.
Let’s get this thing straight. Charlie was one of the last people who would get in a fight. It just wasn’t his kind of thing. He couldn’t understand why people would rather solve a fight with violence. His philosophy was either finish what you started or don’t start it at all. Well, that night at the party his philosophy went down the window and he got into the first and last fight of his life.
Charlie was good with people. He was never involved in any drama and if he didn’t get along with someone he wouldn’t do anything to provoke them. He found no point in screaming and shouting in the halls of the school. That was one of the many reasons people liked him.
The Quarterback of the football team was having a big party at his house and almost the entire school was invited. Charlie went with Colin and Nate as Zoe and Bianca had concert tickets for that night. Jake certainly knew how to throw a great party. Every time he was having an even better party. Charlie was minding his own business with some of his friends from the football team when he overheard Bianca’s ex-boyfriend trash-talking her. Then one thing lead to another, and he threw the first punch. And the second and the third. Tyler punched him in the eye, but he didn’t have any more strength, so Charlie decided to let him go as it was never his intention to punch the guy unconscious.
“I’m getting out of here,” Charlie said to Colin and Nate.
While they were making their way to the exit many people including Jake congratulated him. He couldn’t understand on what planet it made sense to congratulate a person who punched another guy. “I need a second.” Charlie sat on the side of the pavement.
“Where do you want us to take you?” Colin asked him as he handed him a cold water bottle to put on his eye so that it wouldn’t swell until they got home.
“Home. Only my dad is going to be there.” Charlie’s nose started bleeding badly.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go to my house and patch you up before you go back home?” Colin questioned him. “The bruises are a bit incriminating, and you might get in trouble.”
“So? I punched Tyler to the point his eye closed shut. That’s kind of a reason to get me in trouble. Just get me home.”
“Whatever you say.” With a little help from Colin and Nate, he managed to get up and walk.
“You did the right thing punching him. I don’t have the guts to do something like that.” Colin admitted. “I know that you’re against violence or whatever, but he deserved it.”
“I just wanted to punch him. I wanted to do it for a very long time, and it just happened.”
They got inside the house from the kitchen door. Charlie sat on a chair while Colin handed him some ice for his hand that started numbing.
“How and you’re home so-.” Percy started saying, but then he saw Charlie. “What happened?” He asked him.
“You guys can go. We’ll talk tomorrow.” He said to Colin and Nate who both left without thinking it twice. Then he turned to Percy. “I can explain everything. Can you help me make the bleeding stop?”
Percy brought the first aid kit. He gave Charlie a piece of Ambrosia and after his nose stopped bleeding, he gave him more ice. He flinched from the pain when Percy placed the ice pack on his hand “Can you tell me what happened now?”
“It’s nothing.” Charlie sighed.
“You aren’t the kind of kid to get in a fight over nothing. If you don’t want to tell me, it’s fine. But if you tell me I’ll be able to cover for you until the Ambrosia kicks in your system.” Percy reassured him. “I am not mad or anything. I was just wondering.”
Charlie looked at his dad. “There was this guy, that Bianca used to date. He said some awful things about her and-“ He paused. “I was mad. I was holding it back for weeks now. I know that getting in a fight is stupid and reckless, but I felt deep down that he deserved to get punched. No guy should mess with a girl like Bianca and get away with it.”
“I would have done the same. But please promise me that you won’t do something like this again.”
“Be sure about it. I know that it was a mistake I just felt the need to do it.” Charlie explained. “It must be on top of the stupid things that I’ve done. It will never happen again.”
“I’m sure. It just felt personal. I totally get it. You and Bianca are friends.” Percy isn’t stupid. He knew that Charlie liked Bianca, but he was oblivious about it like he was with Annabeth. He pretended not to notice that Charlie flustered a bit when he brought up Bianca. “Let’s just put it behind us and never talk about it again. How does that sound?” He proposed.
“Works for me.” Charlie had an appreciative look on his face. “Thanks for helping me and not making a big deal out of it.”
“Anytime.”
That night Percy found out that Charlie hadn’t gotten just Annabeth’s good qualities but also his extreme loyalty towards the people he loved.