Chapter Text
"Everyone has a special someone in their life."
Percy could recall how his mother would tuck him to bed and run her fingers through his hair when it was just the two of them.
"We all have a soulmate, someone who you connect with instantly and have a special connection with. It can be romantic or platonic, or both, but we all have one, Percy."
What his mother told him confused him.
"We don't always find them, they could be across the world, but we find someone who we make our own connections with. Like your father. He was... he was the kindest man I have ever met."
Percy was confused why his mother would be with his biological dad if he wasn't her soulmate, why he left her and why she still seemed so fond of him.
"Sometimes, we need to move on from those connections when they leave... no matter how difficult, and find someone new. Like your step-dad-"
"Smelly Gabe is
not
my dad."
"... Of course he isn't, but he
is
your step-dad. He helps provide for us."
Percy never understood why his mother stayed with Gabe, his smelly step-dad who did nothing around the apartment and always took out his anger on Percy, if he wasn't her soulmate.
She claimed that he helped provide for them, but Percy heard the slight tremble in her voice whenever she spoke of him. Percy could tell when his mother lied to him. Percy could tell that she was afraid of leaving this man, not knowing what would happen if they tried to leave and not wanting to risk putting their lives in danger.
"I hope that one day, you will find your soulmate. Or find someone who will love and cherish you forever. I only want what's best for you, Percy."
...
"But I want you to find someone who'll love you forever, mom."
...
"Your love is enough, Perseus. Now go to bed."
Percy could remember as his mother kissed his forehead gently and he whined, wanting his mother to keep talking to him, to stay by his side, to not go where smelly Gabe was in case he wasn't there to protect her.
Percy's mother dismissed Percy's wails and left him to sleep in peace, she reassured him that she can take care of herself and that all that mattered was for him to get rest for the next day as it was the first day of elementary school.
Percy remembered when he stared up at the ceiling once his mother left him to sleep and just thought about what she said, wondering why she was with Smelly Gabe, wondering why she still seemed to adore his biological father even though he left her once he was born.
As Percy remembered how he drifted to sleep when he was so young, he felt his own eyes flutter shut, finally ready to get some rest before he had to get ready for his first day at this new high school and-
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
Percy's eyes shot open and he sat up, looking at his alarm clock and he groaned as he slammed his hand against it, making the beeping stop.
Percy heard footsteps getting closer to his bedroom door before it stopped and there were loud rapid knocks at his door.
"Percy!! Get up! It's time to get ready for school!!" Percy heard his mother shout.
"I'm up! I'm up!" Percy called back.
Once Percy spoke, he heard his mother's footsteps echo down the hallway and towards, what Percy assumed, the kitchen.
Percy groaned as he threw himself back on his bed and he stared up at the ceiling, running his fingers through his messy hair.
Looks like he had to go to school sleep deprived.