Something to Fight For (Percy Jackson and the Avengers Crossover)

Chapter 30 - Long Considerations

Unedited you have been warned. 

Percy lay on the couch in one of the levels of the Avengers tower. He could see the panoramic view of the city spread out before him through the double-layered glass and watched as more and more lights flickered on as the sun set further below the horizon. Placing his arm over his eyes, he breathed. 

At this point, he had too many things to think about. His mind was buzzing, snippets of ideas and concerns flitting across so fast he barely had time to process them before they were gone. Percy took in a deep breath and held it for ten seconds before sighing. An effort to calm himself. 

The mess with SHIELD and HYDRA had gone on long enough. Although he was barely even considered a member of HYDRA (and had certainly not known exactly what it was at the time he entered), he knew enough. They were infiltrating SHIELD, and Fury - and the Avengers and everyone important in general - had no idea. 

He could only hope that Fury didn't brush aside his cryptic warning and took a good, long look at the people working under him. 

The rest of the Avengers already knew he was associated with HYDRA, and as much as he wanted to trust them, he had no doubt that Fury was already aware he was a partial member of HYDRA. But then why had he asked him to join SHIELD officially? 

Percy groaned, rolling around on the couch away from the stunning view and pressing his face further into the couch. 

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," he muttered into the leather. 

If he had known what trouble HYDRA would bring he wouldn't have joined all those months ago. Unfortunately, back then he had wanted nothing more than to hop back on the adrenaline high of battles and sparring. Camp had been his refuge, a place of comfort, but it hadn't stopped the nightmares or restlessness. 

No, he had needed more. 

But now...now it wasn't enough. He couldn't just blindly spar with the HYDRA operatives and distance himself from their deeds. Now it was closer to home. He knew the Avengers, knew what they were like and what they stood for. And somehow, even though he still barely knew them, they felt more like comrades than the HYDRA people ever did - with the exception of R and X. 

Percy rolled to his feet and paced for a few minutes before walking to the kitchen. The Avengers weren't back yet, thank the gods, and he poured himself a glass of water before settling back on the couch. 

He didn't have any more time to put Camp issues off anymore. 

Fury wouldn't expect him suddenly leaving, but Percy honestly didn't give a damn about what Fury thought of him. He wasn't ever officially recruited by the director, nor was he ever officially a part of the Avengers. He felt rather like a trial member, which was fine by him. 

It made it easier to break off anyway. 

HYDRA wouldn't seek him either. To them, he was only mostly ever there for sparring and training with other operatives and occasionally helping out R with the odd, meaningless task. It wouldn't be hard to leave them. 

Decision made, Percy pushed himself to his feet. Striding over to the door, he pressed the button and watched it slide away to reveal the balcony. He brought out the whistle and called for his friend. 

Within minutes, a dark shape landed on the large balcony, whinnying in confusion. 

"Boss? What's up?" Blackjack asked. 

That's right, Percy recalled, he had just gotten dropped off by the pegasus. Wincing, he replied, "sorry to call you back, I need you to drop me off at the Empire State Building."