Percy Jackson and the Bonds of Destiny.

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Percy sat quietly beside Thalia, who lay unconscious, her breathing steady but faint. The dim light from the surrounding area cast soft shadows across her face, highlighting her features in a way that made Percy's breath catch in his throat. He had always seen Thalia as a fierce warrior, a friend and ally he could trust in the thick of battle. But now, in this rare moment of stillness, something in him shifted.

His eyes traced the lines of her face—her strong jawline, the defiant arch of her eyebrows, even in rest. Her dark hair, usually wild and untamed, fanned out around her like a halo, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. There was a vulnerability in her expression that he wasn't used to seeing, a softness that contrasted sharply with the fierce, determined Thalia he had come to know.

Percy's gaze drifted lower, taking in the way her battle-worn jacket hugged her form, the way her hands, usually so quick to summon lightning or wield a weapon, now rested peacefully by her sides. He could see the strength in her, even in her unconscious state—the strength that had always been a part of her, both physically and in spirit. But there was something more, something that stirred feelings in Percy he hadn't allowed himself to acknowledge before.

He admired her for her courage, her unwavering loyalty, and her fierce independence. But now, he found himself drawn to her in a way that went beyond admiration. There was a warmth in his chest, a kind of longing that made him realize just how much she meant to him. Percy's heart beat a little faster as he reached out, almost instinctively, to brush a strand of hair away from her face.

"She's beautiful," he thought to himself, almost surprised by the realization. Not just in the physical sense—though he couldn't deny that she was—but in the way she carried herself, the way she fought for what she believed in, the way she always seemed to stand tall, no matter how many times she got knocked down. Percy had always respected her, even admired her strength, but this was different. This was something deeper, something that made him feel protective, yet in awe of her at the same time.

As he sat there, watching over her, Percy couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion he hadn't expected. He wasn't sure what to do with it, wasn't even sure he fully understood it, but he knew one thing—he cared about Thalia in a way that went beyond friendship. And in that moment, with the chaos of their situation pushed to the back of his mind, Percy allowed himself to simply feel it.

Percy shifted his position slightly, trying to get more comfortable as he sat beside Thalia. His eyes flickered over her again, this time more casually, as if he were just passing time. He leaned back, stretching out his legs, but he couldn't help but notice the way Thalia's jacket was slightly rumpled, a testament to the constant battles they'd been through. Her hair, usually wild and spiked with determination, had fallen loose, framing her face in a way that was unexpectedly soft.

 Percy flicked away the sliver of hair with a small, amused smile. He let his gaze linger, not out of anything deliberate, but more out of a kind of idle curiosity. Her face, usually so intense and focused, was peaceful now, and Percy found it weirdly comforting. Thalia was always the one charging headfirst into danger, a storm ready to break. But now? She looked... normal. Just a girl, resting.

His eyes drifted to her hands, rough from years of wielding weapons, but now still. He'd always thought of Thalia as tough—lightning bolts and battle scars—but there was something different about seeing her like this, so... quiet. He found himself wondering what went on in her head when she wasn't commanding the battlefield or trading sarcastic comments with him.He let out a soft sigh, glancing away for a moment, only to find his eyes trailing back to her without even thinking about it. "She's a pain sometimes, but she's pretty cool," he muttered under his breath, almost absentmindedly. It wasn't a big revelation or anything, just something he felt in the moment.

He tapped his fingers against his knee, half paying attention to the silence around them, half noticing how even in sleep, Thalia had this air of strength about her. She wasn't the type to let her guard down easily, and seeing her like this was... well, it wasn't something he saw every day. Percy gave a little shrug to himself, as if brushing off the thoughts.

He couldn't exactly explain it, but there was something about Thalia that kept drawing his attention. Maybe it was because she was always so fiery, always so strong. But in moments like this, when things were calm, it made him appreciate her even more. Not in a grand, dramatic way, but in the way you'd notice something beautiful in the middle of chaos and find it grounding.

A/N can anyone believe its been like 2 yrs since i started this book? crazy right?