Aquaphobia (Percy Jackson Fic)

Love in Southampton

A/N: So, this chapter is kind of short, but it is mainly a filler before the drama starts. I started synchro again, so I am busier now, but I am trying not to go back to having months between updates. Shout out to @Kiannarae2007 for voting on my chapters.

Warning: There is a really brief self-harm mention in the first paragraph, so if that could trigger you just skip it. I am here to talk if any of you need it.

Disclaimer: It is clear I don't own the Percy Jackson franchise. I only own any characters I create and most of the plot line.

I come to slowly. The first thing I notice is the thick blanket placed over me that definitely wasn't there before. Next, I notice slight movement on the other end of the coach. Too tired to worry, I turn my head to see who it is. I snap up when I see Derrek. "Good morning love" I relax hearing his cheerful tone. I sit up and move to the other end of the couch to cuddle against him. "Good morning" I say back. He lays his head on top of mine and we look out the window to watch the sun rise. "I noticed the cuts on your arm" I curse myself, finally noticing that I am in a short sleeve shirt. Derrek hands me his hoodie and I quickly slip It on. I turn back to him, worried what he might say. "Don't worry" he starts, "I'm not mad." A rush of reliefs flows through me. "Just don't let the others find out." I nod my head rapidly; he chuckles lightly and wraps an arm around me. He kisses the top of my head. "That's a good girl. I am going to go get dressed." He gets up to leave but stops at the door, "Oh, and keep the hoody. I like seeing it on you and it will let Greyson know who you belong to." I don't have time to worry about his mention of Greyson before he is gone.

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It's another hour or two before the others show up. I was going to leave after they start eating, claiming I already ate, but a glare from Percy has me back in my seat picking at some eggs. "We should dock today, get off the boat," suggests Greyson. I mull it over and decide it isn't a bad idea. I look at Derrek for his approval before I back the idea and he gives me a slight nod. "I think that sounds great." I say to Greyson, "but is there any land nearby?" I question. "We should be reaching the coast of England sometime today" interjects Percy. "We could dock in Southampton." This time I look around the table for everyone's opinion. "Any objections?" I ask. When no one speaks up we start planning our pit stop in Southampton.

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We dock at around noon in a cove a short way away from the pier. Percy manipulates the mist to cover the boat before we make our way towards Southampton. "We should split up," suggests Derrek. "Percy can go and find any long-lasting foods that don't need to be refrigerated, Elani and Greyson can look for any supplies that might help in Tartarus, and me and Aria will go deeper into the city to look for supplies for the ship." I don't want to split up, but I stay quiet. Derrek has been so angry lately; I don't want to be alone with him. "What do you think Aria? You are the quest leader, after all." He says the last part quite forcefully, as if to remind everyone of my position. Derrek won't like that. "I think Derrek is right." I say, and the man in question smirks beside me. "Okay then" says Percy. He turns and walks away. "What's his problem?" says Derrek. Greyson goes to say something, but then he looks at me and stops. "Let's just go, see you at the boat." He and Elani walk away. Derrek turns to me. "Follow me."

We enter the city streets. It is full of people all going from one place to another. I keep my hand near my neck, ready to summon my daggers should a monster attack. Derrek leads me through the winding street with no particular destination. We stop at a few places to buy supplies for the ship, mainly things that were damaged in the monster attack. We get some rope, wood, nails, and buy some extra food in case we lose the plates. "I have to admit that I didn't really want to split up for supplies," Derrek confesses. I look at him slightly confused. "We rarely had time to ourselves at camp" Derrek continues, "and we never got to leave. I wanted to take you on a proper date." I blush and give him a small smile.

"I would love that." Derrek pulls me into an ice cream parlor. He buys two vanilla cones. We take our ice cream and walk around the streets of South Hampton. We take photos and just enjoy each other's company. We sit on the top of a bridge as the sun sets. "We should head back soon," I say.

"Soon" says Derrek, "but not yet." He takes me in his arms and kisses me deeply. I immediately respond, but it doesn't feel like it used to, less magic. I ignore my thoughts and keep kissing him.

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We are the last people to the ship. The others were in the common area, each doing their own thing. When we arrive Percy motions to everyone to meet at the table so we can discuss our next steps. "It looks like we should be arriving in the Mediterranean tomorrow," says Elani. "We need to remember that monster attacks will become much more frequent when we get past Gibraltar," reminds Greyson.

"I think it would be smart for us to take another pit stop in Malta," suggests Percy. "The people there are super chill, so we could dock and the peer and if someone saw through the mist, they wouldn't even care." Everyone looks at me expectantly.

"I agree with Percy. Thoughts Aria?" Says Derrek.

"We should do it" I say, "Percy knows this part of the world far better than we do, so we should trust his judgement." Everyone nods and we begin to disperse to our rooms. "Aria," a voice calls. I turn to see Percy looking at me expectantly. "Can we talk for a second."

"Yeah sure" I reply.

He leads me up onto deck. Its dark, so I can't see the sea moving beneath us, but I can see the stars. There is no other light, so every single one is perfectly clear. I lose my breath as I stare upwards. I know where I will be coming next time, I wake up at 3 am. "You know you don't have to agree with everyone, right?" I look at Percy questioningly, waiting for him to elaborate. "You are the leader of this quest Aria; I just want to make sure you realise you have a say. Don't let the rest of us drown you out. Don't let anyone make decisions for you, especially not Derrek."

"Derrek doesn't make my decisions for me," I quickly defend.

"I see you look at him before finalising any decisions, and I see him nod yes or no."

"What? Am I not allowed to get my boyfriend's opinion?"

"You are, but I think it's more than that. You are in charge of the quest, the prophecy said so. Derrek isn't even mentioned in the prophecy, he is here because you decided he should be. You make the decisions, not him." I nod, pretending to mull over his words.

"I'll remember that." I say, trying to get him off my back.

"Just don't let him control you. I'm going to bed, goodnight." I bid him a good night and he walks off to his cabin. I lay on my back and stare up at the stars. Do I regret letting Derrek take control of the quest? If I didn't, he would have just gotten mad and used other methods to get me to agree. I didn't really have a choice. That thought makes me think, when was the last time I actually had a choice with Derrek. I dismiss the thought as soon as it arrives, relationships are about sacrifices. I am not choiceless, I just choose to follow Derrek's lead. I return my thoughts to the stars and let their light wash over me.

A/N: So, I know it kind of sucks, but next chapter will be better, I promise. I am mainly trying to show that Derrek does love Aria, or at least he thinks he does, and he doesn't fully realise the extent of his actions. Do you think Aria is starting to realise what an ass Derrek is? Do you think she will ever leave him?

I have been getting so many comments lately, and it is beyond awesome! Thank you so much for reading!

Stay traught!