Chapter Text
Percy Jackson is not a girl. Never has been. Never will be. Percy has always been a boy, long before he had the words to describe it. He came out to his mother accidentally at the age of 6, without even realising what it actually meant - that he was different. If there was an award for world's most supportive mother, it would probably go to Sally Jackson, not that Percy’s biased or anything, anyone who has ever been in her presence would agree. The day Percy confided in her about his identity as an innocent and vulnerable child, Sally locked herself in her room and cried for at least an hour, not because she mourned her daughter, but because she was scared for her son. The day after, she spent hours at the library, finding as many books on the subject as she could. Percy began his social transition at age 5, on his very first day of school, using a shortened version of his former name.
Despite his secret, Percy managed to stay relatively under the radar, despite being generally outcast and getting kicked out of 7 schools in 6 years. The first time Percy experienced transphobia directly, was when his mom married Gabe Ugliano, his step father. Gabe had no idea about Percy’s true identity, but much like an ancient Greek monster, it was as if it could smell something off. Always making snide comments about Percy being gay, and acting like a girl.
The first person Percy ever told other than his mother was Grover, just after he started hormone blockers, as Grover has sensed something due to their empathy link. The second and only other person he ever told was Annabeth. He never meant to, it just slipped out one night while keeping watch in the labyrinth. Annabeth, having spent many of her formative years at camp half blood, had never heard of the concept of being transgender. Percy tried his best to explain it while she listened attentively.
When Percy finally finished explaining himself to Annabeth he was almost on the verge of tears.
“You have to promise me that you’ll never tell anyone,” Percy whispered, choking back a sob.
Annabeth looked him dead in the eye in the way she always did when she was being serious
“I swear on the River Styx that I will never tell another soul,” she said solemnly.
Percy smiled weakly, not making eye-contact and made a poor attempt at moving on. “You can go to sleep now if you want, I can keep watch on my own.”
“Percy I’m being serious, you have to know that you can trust me 100%, not just with this but with anything. You’re my best friend dummy,” She poked him playfully, in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Percy laughed, “Okay okay I can trust you!”
“Yeah you can!” Said Annabeth, lightly resting her head on his shoulder.