Percy Jackson: Love Is Blind

Chapter 2

Ethan was walking with Annabeth to the pavilion, he didn't mean to use his powers on her but being an empath, he could feel her loneliness, and stress from her past. He could sense that she had been through a lot, when she was younger.

Annabeth turned to him, looking a little annoyed. "You know, I can feel you doing that."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry," Ethan said, his voice gentle and sincere. "I'm still trying to figure out how my powers work, and sometimes I can't help but feel things."

Annabeth looked at him for a moment, her expression softening. "It's okay," she finally replied. "I just... I'm not used to anyone understanding what it's like."

Ethan nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. "I know what you mean. I mean, being a son of Aphrodite isn't all love and roses." He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Annabeth smiled weakly. "Yeah, no kidding." They walked the rest of the way to the pavilion in silence, both lost in their thoughts. Once they arrived, they sat at their own tables Annabeth with the Athena cabin, and Ethan with the Aphrodite cabin. Ethan picked at his food, still thinking about what she had said. He could feel the weight of her past pressing down on him, making it hard to focus on anything else. 'Think about something else,' he told himself, anything to get her out of his head.

He then decided he would eat later and head over to the infirmary to start his shift there for a while before capture the flag starts. He walked over to the big house where the infirmary was located and entered. The smell of medication and disinfectant filled his nostrils.

*-°~<★>~°-*

It was time for capture the flag.

Ethan sat on the sidelines with the rest of the Aphrodite cabin. He wasn't much of a fighter and rarely ever volunteered for these events. He watched as Percy Jackson stepped onto the field with Luke and Annabeth.

The other team began to assemble, and before long the game began. Ethan could see Percy, Luke, and Annabeth sprinting toward the woods, their eyes fixed on the enemy's flag. He felt a surge of adrenaline rush through him as he watched the game.

Silena Beauregard turned to Ethan and nodded the direction of Percy, Luke, and Annabeth. "You know, Ethan," she said, her voice low and confidential, "I've been meaning to talk to you about your combat skills."

"Oh?" Ethan said, truning to look at the girl beside him. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I was talking with Luke the other day and he agreed to work with you." Silena says with a smile. "You're quick on your feet, and clever with your work in the infirmary. Luke thinks you should try using those talents on the battlefield, and I agreed."

Ethan didn't say anything for a moment, surprised by the offer. He had never really considered himself much of a fighter, but the thought of training with Luke and maybe even learning some new skills was kind of appealing. He nodded slowly. "Okay," he said finally. "I guess I can try it."

Silena grinned at him. "Great! I'll let Luke know after the game. I'm sure he'll be thrilled." Then, she turned her attention back to the game, cheering on the Ares campers as they engaged in a fierce battle with a few Athena campers. Ethan was unable to tear his gaze away from the action, especially when Percy found himself surrounded by Clarisse and two over Ares campers.

"Uh oh." Ethan muttered under his breath as he watched Percy. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the boy. He'd only been at camp for a few days and already he'd managed to impress a few campers with his heroic deeds. Ethan glanced over at Luke, who was locked in heated combat with his opponent. He seemed to be doing fine, but Ethan knew that Percy was outnumbered and in need of help.