Born to Die (Percy Jackson x reader)

3⭒ The Lightning Thief

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They were pretty miserable that night. They camped out in the woods, a hundred metres from the main road, in a marshy clearing that local kids had obviously been using for parties. They had taken some food and blankets from Medusa, but they didn't dare light a fire to dry their damp clothes.

Y/N was leaning against a tree with Annabeth fast asleep with her head on her lap. Grover fell asleep too not much later. Percy said he'd take first watch, but she just couldn't sleep. She was making little braids in Annabeth's curly blonde hair.

Percy looked over at her and said, "You should get some sleep." He was leaning against a tree, just like her.

"I can't," she sighed. The moon was shining brightly above them, casting a soft glow that allowed them to see each other.

Percy noticed the necklace she was wearing and commented, "Your camp necklace."

"14 beads total," she replied, knowing what he meant.

Percy couldn't contain his curiosity any longer and asked, "But you only get one bead every summer, right? And you don't look any older than fifteen, so..how does that work?"

She explained, "I've been at camp since I was a baby. This is my first time out in the real world."

Percy shook his head in disbelief, saying, "They're keeping you hostage or something? That's crazy... Trust me, there's a whole world out there beyond these...wet clothes and dirty woods."

She chuckled and replied, "I sure hope so."

"But..Why didn't you just live with your dad?"

"I wish I knew.." she sighed. Percy kept quiet, not wanting to ask pressuring questions. Y/N heard Percy yawn and looked at him.

"You can sleep. I can take first watch."

Percy was completely wiped out, and he couldn't hide it. "You sure?" he asks. "Yeah."

With a nod, Percy closed his eyes and fell asleep.

*****

Percy was abruptly awakened as someone shook his shoulders violently.

"Well," Annabeth said, "The zombie lives."

"How long was I asleep for?" He asked drowsily.

"Look enough for me to cook breakfast," Annabeth said as she chucked a pack of chips at Percy's face. "And Grover went exploring. He brought a friend."

"He's so cute!" Y/N squealed. Percy's eyes widened, momentarily thinking she was referring to him. However, his eyebrows furrowed when he looked over at her and saw a pink stuffed animal in her lap. No, It appeared to be pink poodle.

The poodle seemed to enjoy Y/N running her fingers through his fur. But he looked up when he saw Percy. It yapped at him suspiciously.

"No, he's not," Grover said.

"Are you... talking to that thing?" Percy asked. The poodle growled at him.

"This thing," Grover warned, "Is our ticket west. Be nice to him."

"You can talk to animals?"

Grover ignored his question. "Percy, meet Gladiola. Gladiola, Percy."

Grover looked at Percy, as if wanting him to actually say hello to the poodle.

"I'm not saying hello to a pink poodle," he said petty. "Forget it."

"Percy. Say hello to Gladiola," Y/N said strictly.