¹𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀. percy jackson

LV.

ｔｈｅ ｌａｓｔ ｏｌｙｍｐｉａｎ

ANNABETH, LUCIA, AND PERCY were on their way out of Olympus when Lucia felt Percy's absence. She looked to see that he stopped walking, and his eyes were locked on something in the distance. As she followed his gaze she saw Hermes standing in a side courtyard of the palace. The God was staring at an Iris message in the mist of the fountain.

"Go ahead, Percy." Lucia said, "We'll meet you at the elevators.

He turned to her, "How'd you—"

"I know you." She shrugged,

He nodded, "You really do..." was all he said before walking away

"Come on Beth—" A blond figure near the ruins of the old amphitheater caught Lucia's eye, "On second thought I think I have my own meeting to attend. Can we—?"

"Of course Lucy. You're not going anywhere."

"Well, let's hope not." Lucia teased

Annabeth's face dropped. "You're not funny."

The brunette squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry. Bad joke. I'll be right back Beth."

"You mean it."

She nodded,

"Good," Annabeth said,

Lucia reassured her with a smile and made her way to her Father.

He took the shape of the same blonde sixteen-year-old. Which now felt weird considering he looked barely any older than her. But something had especially caught her eye this time as she walked to him. She noticed his resemblance to Lee Fletcher, and grief pulled at her heartstrings.

"Hi."

"Oh hey, little star. How ya doin'."

"Not good." She admitted. "But I'm going to deal with it."

"I know you will." He nodded, "You're a strong kid."

"He said that too." She laughed, but it didn't seem to reach her eyes, "Right before he died... He said I was strong enough. You know just because I can handle pain doesn't mean I should have to."

Apollo opened his mouth to speak.

"You lied to me." She stopped him

"I didn't lie." He argued, "I hid the truth. You're my kid you know the difference."

"Yes. And it doesn't make it any better." She huffed, "At the end of the day my father isn't who I thought he was and he didn't die the way I thought he did. I spent my entire life thinking he abandoned me. That it was my fault he didn't want to be alive. That I make people leave simply because I'm me. And living with them...only made me believe it more."

"You were too young to understand." Apollo said, "And I couldn't have been there if I tried. You know—"

"I know." she sighed "This isn't an ordinary situation, I get that but it doesn't mean It's right."

"You think I made a mistake." He said, "Bringing him back?"

"I think that it was selfish. To bring him back and leave him in a world he had no idea how to navigate. Especially knowing you couldn't have been together like before...but a part of me understands your reasoning. And I know that what came from your decision wasn't in your hands...even if you did know it would happen... because you did, didn't you?"

"No one can tamper with fate, Lucia, not even me. If I had warned him of what was to come, or tried to influence his choices If I would have involved myself with you before it was time. I would've made things even worse. Staying silent, staying away from you both . . . that was the hardest thing I've ever done."