In an Ocean of Stars

Chapter Two: Unexpected Engagement

A/N: I AM THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR of this story; you can verify this if you find the same story (posted years ago) on Archive of Our Own or FanFiction Net and check the author profile info.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Percy Jackson and related stories.

Chapter Two: Unexpected Engagement

Percy was busy preparing his breakfast while absently whistling to some melody when he received an unwelcome surprise in the form of a sudden bright flash originating directly from the center of his living room..

Responding to his instincts, the battle-hardened hero immediately dipped under a counter and uncapped the Riptide. Percy had made it a habit to carry the blade with him at all times, and he had never been more thankful for that than at that moment, without missing a beat, the demigod masterfully took a defensive stance and prepared for the worst.

He had no idea what was happening, his first thought had been to question how they even found him, but then he realised that reaching him wouldn't be possible without alerting his father...

But then the main questions became: Would his father get there in time to protect him? Could it be possible that they had lost the war and Zeus had won?

The demigod had so many concerns yet so little time to ponder on the explanations, right now he needed to face the problem before him and fight for his life if the visitor turned out to be hostile.

Percy held onto the Riptide in an unyielding grip, he had his back huddled against the counter, after making sure that there was no way the intruder could sneak onto him, he yelled out, "Who is it? Did Zeus send you to kill me?! Go away while you still can or I promise things will get ugly!" He cautioned.

"I am not here to harm you, Percy, your father sent me here." Percy heard a familiar voice answer his question. Now even though the demigod recognized the voice almost instantly, he didn't answer right away, he was, unfortunately, not in a position to take risks... So he did something that went against his very nature: he acted cautiously.

The demigod carefully peeked up from behind the counter that he was hiding under and asked, "Hermes? Is that you?"

The god in question stepped out of the shadows and extended his arms in the universal 'I am unarmed' gesture, "Yeah it's me Percy... And don't worry, I am not here to assassinate you or something." the messenger god tried to reassure him with one of his trademark smiles that instantly put him at ease.

"No offence Hermes, but that's exactly what an assassin would say. You must agree that I of all people need to be careful these days," he said, "Swear it on the Styx," he demanded, hoping that the god wouldn't get offended by his request and just do as he said, it would surely spare him from a lot of unnecessary paranoia...

While Percy liked Hermes and was reasonably certain that the god wouldn't harm him, he couldn't afford to forget whose son he was, he had to be careful because these days the alternative was getting scorched by a million-volt beam of lightning.

"Ah no problem at all Percy, I am not here to hurt you or kill you, I swear it on the Styx. See? There you go." the messenger god promised and thunder rumbled above them conveying the legitimacy of his claim.

Finally, Percy breathed in relief and shakily got up from his hiding spot, he wiped the sweat off his forehead and stood up straight. "Now that we have got the whole 'not killing me' part out of the way, what brings you here Hermes? I didn't expect to see you in my humble hideout today." he beamed at the messenger god, feeling enormously relieved with the knowledge that he would get to live another day.