Chapter Text
Percy and Dick decided to have fun getting ready for the opening ceremony. The night before, they decided to paint their nails. Percy painted his dark blue and Dick helped him paint little stars on them. Dick did a mix of red, white, and blue paint on his fingernails. Many of the swimmers who had swims the next morning, like Percy did, were skipping the opening ceremony in order to rest up for the competition but Percy wasn’t worried about it, he wanted the experience of attending the opening ceremony and seeing the Olympic flame lit.
He and Dick stuck together for the opening ceremony, for the walk into the stadium. Percy had put in his golden inhibiting earring before heading out for the opening ceremony, he planned to wear it until he was done competing for this Olympics. Percy tried to enjoy the jovial atmosphere but he found it a bit overwhelming, he was glad that Dick was there with him. Dick was friendly with everyone, casually engaging in conversations with their teammates around them.
When it was time to light the Olympic flame, Percy felt a sense of awe as he beheld the Olympic flame as it was carried in by the torchbearer. He could sense the presence of Hestia in the sacred flame. The people here did not know the flame was truly divine and yet they venerated it still. When the cauldron was lit, Percy almost saw a vision of a young girl, Hestia, and a winged woman, Nike.
When everyone was loosely milling around at the end of the ceremony, Percy approached the cauldron, entranced by the flame. He dropped to one knee and he prayed in his mind in Greek, praying for a safe competition, praying for himself to compete fairly, praying to do his best in his quest for glory. He felt warmed by the flame, his mind started to drift…visions of oiled up men with laurel leaves of victory in their hair, from a time long, long ago.
Dick had noticed him wander off, he came over and got Percy’s attention, helping him to his feet. “What were you doing?” Dick asked, sounding concerned.
“Just…praying. It’s beautiful,” Percy admitted quietly.
Dick just wrapped an arm around him and guided him back to the group. Percy still felt a bit dazed for a while, he continued to hold Dick’s hand to help him feel grounded. He was vaguely aware of someone making a disparaging comment towards them, maybe because they were holding hands or their nails were painted? Percy still wasn’t paying much attention. Percy knew he was safe as long as he was with Dick, so he didn’t have to be aware of things.
They ended up back at the dormitories, back in their room. Dick was trying to get Percy’s attention, Percy blinked a few times as he zoned back in.
"Percy, are you okay?” Dick asked, concerned.
“I feel fine,” Percy replied.
“You weren’t responding, it looked like you were dissociating or something,” Dick said.
“Knew I was with you so safe, didn’t have to be vigilant. I don’t know, guess maybe got overwhelmed? Started tuning everything out at some point,” Percy said.
“I’m glad you feel safe with me, but it worried me when you weren’t responding,” Dick said, “You started acting far away after you were…praying at the flame. Do you want to talk about it? What were you praying to?”
Percy hesitated a moment, “The Olympics, it’s Greek, it honors the Olympians. The flame of the torch is sacred to Hestia. The games themselves are sacred to Nike, goddess of victory. Praying to them I guess, they watch over the games. Guess just overwhelmed by the legacy of it all, and how it connects us to the ancient Olympic games, such an immense span of time.”
“Percy, we haven’t really talked about it but….do you consider yourself pagan? You said you observed the solstice and don’t believe in Christmas, now you talk of praying to Greek gods…” Dick trailed off.
“I mean, there’s actual proof that the Greek gods exist, or at least used to exist, because Wonder Woman is a daughter of Zeus, yes? So I guess yeah if there’s anything that I believe in, it would be the Greek Pantheon. Don’t really use the term pagan though,” Percy admitted.
“Just…be careful, that you don’t attract trouble by praying to such gods. And be careful if it makes you feel far away like that, that isn’t normal and I was worried about you,” Dick cautioned.
“I’ll be careful, and I’ll try to be…more aware,” Percy said.
“Got your first swim tomorrow, do you feel ready?” Dick said.
“Yeah, swimming is easy for me, and it’s the 400m which I feel reasonably confident about. How do you feel about qualifying tomorrow? Your gymnastics stuff is much fancier, much more for you to be ready for,” Percy said.
“I’m well prepared, I’m confident about qualifying,” Dick replied confidently, “Well, we’d both best be getting some sleep.”
At first Percy tried sleeping in his own bed but then he started feeling anxious about tomorrow, so he ended up joining Dick in his bed. Dick just scooted aside then wrapped him in his arms, cuddling him securely as they slept.