𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

149

When he recounted his dream for Percy and Annabeth, the ship's toilets exploded.

"No way are you two going down there alone," Percy said.

Leo ran down the hall waving a wrench. "Man, did you have to destroy the plumbing?"

Percy ignored him. Water ran down the gangway. The hull rumbled as more pipes burst and sinks overflowed. Hadrian guessed Percy hadn't meant to cause so much damage, but his expression reminded him of the way he looked in Tartarus.

"We'll be fine" Hadrian ran a hand through his white hair, Percy had said he looked good with it, "I saw it happening so it needs to happen, we can't run from it"

Percy looked unconvinced, "And this Mimas dude? I'm guessing he's a giant?"

"Probably," Hadrian said. "Porphyrion called him our brother."

"And a bronze statue surrounded by fire," Percy said. "And those... other things you mentioned. Mackies?"

"Makhai," Hadrian corrected. "I think the word means battles in Greek, but I don't know how that applies, exactly."

"That's my point!" Percy said. "We don't know what's down there. I'm going with you."

Annabeth seemed deep in thought, "It's unwise for us to go together anyways, the giants want our blood, the last thing we need is a boy and a girl going down there together. Remember? They want one of each for their big sacrifice."

"Then I should go with Hadrian" Percy said quickly, "two boys, no girls"

Annabeth just gave him a knowing smile that made Hadrian want to jump off the ship. How much did she know? What had Percy told her?

"But dreams... they're our most reliable way of knowing what's coming- especially Hadrian's dreams" Annabeth looked lost in thought again. "Its— Percy I'm sorry, I'm going with Hadrian. Its best if we don't try to tempt fate"

Hadrian nodded, since he didn't see any other choice. He saw Percy's eyes tracking his movement, fixed on him. He couldn't help but be pleased to see how concerned he was.

Hadrian followed Annabeth upstairs before the whole lower deck could flood with toilet water. The truth was, he was terrified of having to go, especially with Annabeth— alone.

He had essentially kissed the boy she liked for years, and he'd seen how skilled she was with her new bronze sword, he did not want her to skewer him.

Percy stopped him on the stairs. "Just— be careful, okay?"

"When am I not?" Hadrian asked. Percy grabbed his wrist, twisting his hand to better see the tattoo. He still looked worried, but some tension in his shoulders eased. He pulled Hadrian closer, pressing his lips against Hadrian's.

Hadrian tried not to yelp in surprise at the display of affection— not that he was complaining.

"Someone could have seen us, pretty boy" Hadrian grumbled instead.

"Are you embarrassed of me?"

"What? Of course not. I just don't want to force you to come out"

"It doesn't matter to me" Percy shrugged like nothing mattered more than kissing Hadrian, his eyes chased Hadrian's. "I don't care what anyone on board thinks"

"It'll be weird. With.. Jason, I mean"

Percy's face dropped at the mention of Jason but he shrugged again. "Whatever, just be careful out there, and look out for each other"

An hour later, the two of them stood on a hill overlooking the ruins of Ancient Sparta. They'd already scouted the modern city– a bunch of low, boxy, whitewashed buildings sprawled across a plain at the foot of some purplish mountains. Annabeth had insisted on checking the archaeology museum, then the giant metal statue of the Spartan warrior in the public square, then the National Museum of Olives and Olive Oil (yes, that was a real thing). Hadrian had learned more about olive oil than he ever wanted to know, but no giants attacked them. They found no statues of chained gods.