Praetor's legacy

Chapter 18

"Mind tell me what's gotten you in such a happy mood?" asked Thalia as she plopped down on a log next to Percy.

He sent her a small smile (an actual smile!) and whispered, "Aidan."

Thalia smiled when she heard the name. "You Iris Messaged with Aidan? That's all it took to get you out of your funk?"

He smiled wider (again, an actual smile!) and said, "Reyna too. I talked to them both last night and I woke up this morning feeling better than ever."

She sent him a little smile. "I'm glad you're finally out of your funk. It was seriously getting annoying."

"Just admit it. You were worried about me," Percy told her smugly as he poked her in the ribs.

She sighed, as if they next few words were physically exhausting about you. "I guess I was a little worried." She winked at him when he sent her a mock-hurt face.

She shoved his shoulder, hard. "That's for making me scared about you, Jackson! I thought you were never going to get better!"

He grabbed her arms and pinned them to her sides as he hugged her tightly, silently laughing.

"Trust me Thals, that wasn't me. That was a different person. But he's gone now, and I'm back."

She rested her head on his muscled shoulder. "Well, I don't know about you, but I never want to meet that other guy ever again."

He rested his chin on top of her head. "Me neither Thals, me neither.

Percy was taking a little break from swordsmanship when he heard footfalls. They sound as if they were running towards him. He held his sword out in front of him, on edge.

He almost dropped his sword when a feminine voice from behind him startled him. "What do you think you're doing? Trying to maim me or something?"

He turned around to see Hazel standing behind him with her hands on her hips staring at him. Although she was pretending to be annoyed, he could see in her eyes she was happy and just joking around.

"Hey Haze," he greeted her.

"Perce," she said back, getting over him trying to protect himself from her.

"So... what are you doing at the arena anyway?"

"Came to see you," she replied with a smile. "I wanted to see if you were actually back."

"What are you talking about? I've been here the whole time," he said questioningly.

"Sorry. I wanted to see if you were back to normal. And I can see that you are. What happened between last night and this morning that made you get out of your funk?"

"Aidan and Reyna," he answered with a smile. "Reyna Iris Messaged me, and I got to see Aidan. I've fully recovered from my funk."

Hazel squealed and launched herself at him. "I'm so happy you're back to normal!"

Percy wrapped his arms around her petite frame. "Me too Haze."

Percy was walking down the beach, facing his demons. This was where his heart died earlier. But he was fully recovered. He didn't even have a pang in his chest anymore. He was finally back to being happy.

Water lapped around his feet with the tide. The setting sun made the sand look white. He started playing with the water. He formed the water into a hacky-sack and bounced it off his foot and off his shoulder. It reminded him of the time he played hacky-sack with Grover and Annabeth on their first quest.

It didn't even hurt to think about Annabeth anymore.

He heard footsteps behind him and he turned around slowly, as to not startle whoever was behind him.

Piper was behind him, walking towards him on the beach wearing a long, strapless dress that reached all the way to the sand. Her hair was pulled in a tight ponytail, and the wind was blowing her ponytail everywhere.

She smiled at him brightly. "Percy!" She ran towards him and hugged him tightly.

"Hey Pipes. You're dressed really fancy, you know that right?"

She looked at him weirdly. "Not really Perce, these dresses are actually pretty casual. They can be worn for a fancy occasion, but some people like to wear them casually. Like me."

He gave her a mock-pout face. "I thought you got all dressed up just to see me."

She rolled her eyes and gavce him a playful shove. "Think what you want. Nice hacky-sack, by the way."

He laughed and gently bumped his shoulder against hers. "You totally wish you had my control over water."

"Well obviously!" she laughed. "Care to tell me what has you in a happy mood all of a sudden?"

He laughed. "Why is everyone asking me that? First Thalia, then Hazel, and now you too?"

"Well excuse me for being curious! You were all depressed yesterday, but then suddenly this morning you're all smiles and laughter. What happened last night?" she questioned.

"I Iris Messaged Aidan and Reyna last night." A wistful smile appeared on his face. "It brought me out of my funk."

She laced her fingers between his. "I'm so happy for you, Percy! Now when are you finally going to ask your Baby Momma to be your girlfriend? Because it better be soon rather than later!"

He laughed loudly, squeezing her hand tightly. "Way to be blunt about it!"

She shoved his shoulder again. "Just being curious!"

"Should I ask her out? I don't want her worrying about me while I'm halfway around the world fighting Gaea, you know? How would a long-distance relationship even work? What if she says no?"

She giggled. "Woah, slow down casanova! One question at a time, please."

Percy rolled his eyes at her. "Should I just wait until after the war's ended to ask her out? It'd make it a lot easier to be with her if the war was actually over before we got together. And it'd make it easier on Aidan."

Piper squeezed his hand. "Your decision, not mine."

He nodded. "Thanks Piper."

She gently let go of his hand and threw her hands into the air dramatically. "Just call me the Love Expert, Jackson!"

He laughed until he couldn't breathe.

The rest of the night was spent chasing, playing, talking, and laughing with Piper.

Unknown to the two demigods, Jason and Annabeth were standing in the shade of the trees watching the two friends goof around. They were out of earshot, so they couldn't hear any of what was being said.

By the looks of it, it looked like the two friends were on a secret date.

Some nasty rumors were going to be spread by tomorrow.