When Pirates Clash (Percy Jackson Pirate Au)

Chapter 16

Annabeth was shocked. She couldn't stop staring at Percy as he hugged his mother. The princess came next, practically launching herself at Percy. The King was slower to approach, his eyes not quite believing what he was seeing, but soon enough, he joined them too.

The pirate captain - or prince - hugged them fiercely back.

Annabeth glanced at her friends, wondering if they had known about Percy's secret, but they seemed equally as shocked as she was. Everyone in that room that wasn't a royal had slack jaws and wide eyes. Annabeth was still trying to wrap her mind around it. 

She thought about all the little things that Percy had said to her, and somehow, everything about his mysterious past made sense.

Annabeth couldn't believe that she had spent the last couple weeks traveling with her enemy. But mostly, she couldn't believe that Percy hadn't turned her into his family. He knew how valuable she would be as a prisoner with the war going on, and yet he did nothing. 

At the same time, however, Annabeth knew that Percy would never do that. He was so loyal and kind and seemed completely against the war that was constantly waging around them.

The royals pulled away and Queen Sally put her hands on the sides of Percy's face, studying him. 

"It's been so long, Percy. Where have you been?"

Percy swallowed and glanced at his friends for support, but they were all just staring at him. He sighed and pulled his mother's hands away from him.

"The better question would be where haven't I been?" He answered his mother.

King Paul put a hand on his shoulder. "What have you been doing?" He asked.

"I've been helping people, and not just our people. Athens too."

The King withdrew his hand. "But they're our-"

Percy stopped him, "No, they're not. Not when they're civilians, and certainly not when we have a common enemy and they need help." Percy folded his arms across his chest. 

"You don't know what you're talking about son."

"Have you been out there? Have you seen innocent people being hurt by pirates like Luke Castellan?"

His father flinched, and Annabeth had the idea that that was not the first time King Paul had heard that name. 

"Percy, you know I haven't."

"Exactly," Percy said, "Why can't you and the Athens just make peace so we can stop him? You know how dangerous Luke is, and he is set on destroying everyone."

Paul looked at him, and studied his face. What he said to Percy was what Annabeth was expecting least. "You've grown up so much since you've been gone."

Percy said nothing, just stared at his father.

The tension was thick between the two, and Annabeth could tell that Sally wished that she could stop the feeling when Estelle ran up and hugged Percy again.

Percy looked down at the girl in his arms and smiled. "Hey, Estelle. You've gotten so big!"

Estelle looked up at him from her position. "Don't ever leave for that long again, understand?"

Percy nodded. "Yes ma'am."

Estelle pulled back and punched Percy in the arm. Percy flinched, and Estelle sniffed at him. "That's what you get for leaving for so long."

Percy rubbed his arm. "Good to see you too, I guess."

Finally Jason couldn't take it anymore and cleared his throat.