Percy works with Tony Stark

17. Explain Yourself

"Calm down old man," I said jokingly, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Old man?!?! I'd like to see how old you are under there," Tony said pointing to my mask.

"Fine," I relented, reaching up to take off my mask.

"He's actually pretty young you might be shocked," Peter pipped in.

"Okay that should be enough for you," I smiled.

"Wh- what you're not going to reveal yourself anymore? Peterrrr!!"

"I'm sorry! I didn't know he'd stop!" Peter defended.

"So tell us what he looks like!" Clint asked excitedly. Peter looked towards me and I nodded my head no.

"I- can't," he said looking down in defeat. "Do you really trust me to keep this secret?? They are going to bother me forever."

"mhm, try your best."

"Hold on! We've diverged from the original topic too much!" Steve interrupted. "What happened? And since when were you a mutant?

Everyone sat down and after I waited for them to settle down I started explaining. "I was just born with my powers," I said. "As you can see, I specialize in water," I then demonstrated by moving the water in Tony's glass.

"Then why haven't you ever used these powers?" Steve asked.

"Never needed them," I shrugged.

I saw Natasha looking at the cup of water with her usual calculating stare. "Yes?" I asked, knowing she wanted to ask something.

"So just now," she pointed to the glass of water, "and back then," she thought with her hand on her chin. "Does that mean you can only move water, not make it?"

I was surprised. She just saw through one of my major weaknesses with just seeing me use my power twice. I whistled, "impressive." Of course, that was a matter of the past. In Tartarus, of course I started to crave water; who wants to voluntarily drink lava? Sure I got used to it, but that's not even something you want to get used to. About 8 years in, I conjured a water droplet. I'm not entirely sure where it came from, if I made it or managed to call it from very far away. All I know is that it takes an insane amount of energy. I passed out right when it dropped to the floor. Of course I kept practicing after that, but my limit was barely a shot glass full before I would pass out. If I had a choice, I definitely didn't want to use that ability anymore. I woke up with terrible migraines that kept me in bed the entire day.

"Anyways," I said, shaking my thoughts out of my head, "I'm literally the modern version of Hercules but without the drama Queen dad." I posed and cheekily flexed my muscles for display.

There were some awkward glances of comparison between me and Steve. "Just be glad Thor wasn't here," Clint laughed.

"Well looks like we have a new power to welcome to the team," Tony smiled. It was uncharacteristically nice of him. "We'll call you if we need any fires put out." There it is.

"We have a firefighter now!" Clint chuckled.

~~

Loki yanked my arm as we rounded the corner. "What are you doing?" 

"What do you mean?" I asked, looking away.

"Why are you keeping this charade up? They'll find out soon, and the more you drag this on, the worse it will get," Loki said. "You've had multiple chances but avoided every one of them."

"It's not time yet," I said, shaking his hand off my arm.

"So when will it be?" He scoffed. "I'm sure you know nobody trusted you back there, it's only a matter of time for that meager trust to run out."

"Well then they'll just have to trust me enough to wait for the full truth," I said. "I did give them a hint didn't I?"

"A hint?" Loki asked confused until he realized, "We don't have Sherlock Holmes here, you just want to drop a grain of rice for them to find?"

"If they are that curious about my identity, they can figure it out." I've been spouting some Greek curses recently too on accident. We'll see if anyone can connect the dots, or they just think I have an interest in Greek literature.

~~

"Mister Stark is gathering everyone to the meeting room," JARVIS called overhead.

"Alright, tell him to give me a minute."

Tony's voice came next, "you all better get your lazy asses in here."

Sheesh, looks important. I grabbed my mask and slipped out of the room. I wasn't the last to arrive because Loki slipped in right after me. Even Thor was here. He stood up when Loki entered.

"We need Loki back in Asgard, I came here to call him back," he said.

Tony stood up in protest, "we need all of you here! We finally got a lead!"

Thor turned to Tony in anger. "Would you go help Asgard before Earth? Be glad I'm not putting you in a place to choose right now." The atmosphere tensed and everyone unconsciously straightened up at the sudden seriousness.

"What's happening in Asgard?" I spoke up.

"We're being attacked. It's fine right now but we could use some more help before it worsens," Thor said plainly, looking at Loki.

"Ok I'll come," Loki agreed.

"Nice to see how we've all matured," Steve clapped. "Thor and Loki go ahead, we've solve things here and then try and help you."

Thor left with Loki and after a shout and a flash outside, they were gone.

"Looks like everyone's here?" Fury came in and sat down.

"You're listening to Fury now?" Clint asked surprised.

"Just sit and listen," Tony said. I laughed, earning his glare. "Go, on," I waved to Fury. Looks like Nico and Frank's actions have actually benefitted us. Tony was driven with his anger that they threatened Peter, assuming that they were a part of the Deadly Sins.

"I looked into yesterdays attack and it does look like they were a part of the Sins. Although they didn't leave any clues, their dirty tactics were proof. But I called you all here because we finally have a lead." Fury said.