Chapter Text
I sat on the shore of Camp Half - Blood, watching as the sun rises from the waves.
The sky was so beautiful it almost helped me forget the reason I was up this early. nightmares.
No place felt safe anymore.
the only place that was safe for demigods was no longer safe for me.
Hera took me from my bed IN MY CABIN.
Annabeth sat next to me, her head on my shoulder.
"Couldn't sleep?" I asked quietly and she hummed.
"You?"
"Nope"
she sighed.
"This is the third night in a row Percy, you need to sleep." she looked at me with her oh so beautiful eyes. and I felt guilty.
I knew she was struggling too but here she is, worrying about me.
"I'm okay wise girl." she smiled sadly at me.
"You're not". I sighed but had no choice but to agree with her.
"I'm not".
no point in lying. it was clear on my face.
I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat.
I wasn't like Annabeth, she had her projects to distract her from what we've been through.
it wasn't healthy but at least she could sleep and eat.
I had no such purpose.
I was always the "hero", always the one that was supposed to die but somehow didn't.
does dying inside count?
"You need to go home Perce" Annabeth said so quietly that I almost didn't hear her.
her fingers moved through my hair in a soothing motions.
"What?" I must have misheard her.
"You need to go back home Percy, you need a place to feel safe in, and its no longer here."
she smiled sadly, looking at me so intensely as if trying to memorize my face.
"I don't want to be away from you"
she kissed my lips softly.
"I don't want that either seaweed brain, but I want you to be okay. we could talk on IM and honestly, seeing you entering that cabin every night gives me anxiety, I always feel like I wont see you in the morning".
Percy cursed Hera in his head again for doing this to her.
"You really think I should go?" she nodded.
"I haven't been there since Jason's funeral".
She kept playing with my hair.
"What if they don't want me there? they barely wanted me there before what happened. plus what can I say? Hi fam. Percy here. Sorry for disappearing for five years, but I'm here now?"
She kissed my shoulder and then placed her head on my shoulder, holding my hand.
"Everything will be okay Percy, you just need to go there." she promised.
drawing shapes - or more probable, battle plans - on the back of my hand with her other hand.
"Do you really think so?"
She kissed the back of my hand. "I do".
"Okay".
"Today?" she whispered.
"today" I answered, matching her tone.
The next few hours passed in a blur.
One second I was sitting with Annabeth on the beach and then I was standing in front of the iron gates of Wayne manor. bag packed and goodbyes done with.
With a slightly shaking hand I pressed the buzzer.
"This is Wayne Manor, I am Alfred Pennyworth, what can I assist you with?"
The familiar voice almost brought me to my knees.
"Sir?" he asked again after receiving no answer.
"Hey Alfie, it's me.. it's Percy"
For a terrifying second nothing happened.
but then the gates opened.
The door opened as soon as I arrived.
"Master Percy" his voice wavered slightly, he pulled me into a quick hug.
"I've missed you" I whispered into his warm hug.
He didn't give many hugs, but when he did, they were the absolute best.
"And I you, Master Percy"
He then took a step back and looked me over. His gaze lingered for a second on my hair but it was gone as soon as it appeared.
"Come Master Percy, your room is exactly as you left it"
he led me down the familiar corridor.
"The family became quite large since your disappearance, Master Percy, I'll inform them all to come to dinner tonight, so you can properly meet them."
"Thank you Alfred".
"No thanks needed Master Percy" he smiled kindly at me before leaving me alone at my old room, letting me rest before seeing everyone again.
The room reeked of my lineage.
The walls were blue.
The toys were ocean themed.
Every single drawing was of a sea animal.
Even the sheets were blue.
There were a few pictures with Bruce, Dick and Jason.
A few with Alfred.
A few with my mom.
My old skateboard lay discarded on the side of the huge room.
This was the room of a boy I could barely remember.
This was a life I almost forgot.
A knock sounded from the other side of the door.
without noticing, it's been two hours.
It's time to re-meet the Waynes.