Heavens fallen to the sea

Chapter Two: Secrets and Sparks

The next morning came too soon, the sun filtering through the cracks in the Hermes cabin walls. Brandon lay in his bunk, staring at the ceiling, already feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him. His body was sore, but it wasn't the physical aches that bothered him—it was the gnawing sense of dread in his chest. He was finally safe, or so they told him, but something about being here felt off. The way the campers smiled like they didn't have a care in the world, the way everyone acted like this was a normal summer camp. He couldn't let himself believe it.

Rolling out of bed, Brandon grabbed his bag and pulled on his hoodie. He wasn't interested in making friends. He was here because there was nowhere else to go, but he didn't plan on sticking around longer than he had to. His mission was simple: stay under the radar, don't get attached, and definitely don't let anyone find out *who* he really was. Especially not Percy.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and made his way out of the cabin, trying to blend into the morning chaos. Campers were everywhere, heading toward the dining pavilion for breakfast. Brandon's stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't eaten properly in days.

"Yo, new guy!" A voice called out.

Brandon turned, half-expecting some overenthusiastic camp counselor, but instead found Percy jogging toward him, that easy grin on his face.

"Morning," Percy greeted, falling into step beside him. "Sleep okay?"

Brandon shrugged. "Yeah, sure. If you consider a room full of snoring demigods peaceful."

Percy laughed. "You get used to it. Come on, breakfast. Best part of the day."

Brandon followed reluctantly, still feeling out of place in the midst of all this camp camaraderie. As they sat down with trays full of food, Percy started talking about the daily schedule—sword fighting, archery, other things Brandon didn't think he was cut out for.

"So, what's your story?" Percy asked after a while, his tone casual but curious.

Brandon stiffened, staring at his plate. "My story?"

"You know, how'd you end up on the run? Monsters after you? Gods messing with your life?"

Brandon gave a short, humorless laugh. "Isn't that every demigod's story?"

Percy didn't push, just nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I guess. But something about you seems... different."

Brandon tensed even more. He hated how observant Percy was. He couldn't afford to let anything slip. Not yet.

"I just... had a rough time, alright?" Brandon muttered, picking at his food. "Been running for a while. The monsters won't leave me alone."

Percy's gaze softened. "I get it. Believe me, I've been there. It gets easier once you settle in. The monsters won't bother you as much inside the camp's borders."

"Right. Monsters," Brandon echoed. "That's the problem."

Percy frowned, clearly sensing something beneath the surface, but before he could ask more, a loud cheer broke out from the Athena table. Annabeth stood up, waving Percy over. "Hey, we're setting up for capture the flag later! You in?"

Percy flashed her a thumbs up, then turned back to Brandon. "You should join us for that. It's tradition."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "Tradition? Like everyone running around trying to kill each other with swords? Sounds fun."

Percy grinned, amused. "It's more fun than it sounds, I swear. You'll like it."

"Doubt it," Brandon mumbled.

Before Percy could respond, Chiron trotted over, his centaur form towering over the other campers. He gave Brandon a kind but assessing look, like he was sizing him up for something.

"Brandon, a word?" Chiron asked gently.

Brandon tensed, nodding and standing up, feeling Percy's eyes on him as he followed Chiron toward the Big House.

When they were far enough from the pavilion, Chiron spoke quietly. "I know you've been through quite a bit, but I want you to know you are safe here. The camp is a sanctuary."

Brandon avoided his gaze, his hands stuffed deep into his hoodie pockets. "Yeah. So I've heard."

Chiron gave a soft sigh. "I've been around long enough to recognize a troubled heart when I see one. You carry more than just fear of monsters, don't you?"

Brandon clenched his fists inside his pockets. How did Chiron always seem to know more than he let on?

"I'm fine," Brandon said, his voice tight. "Just need some time to adjust."

Chiron studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. Take the time you need. But remember, you're not alone."

As Chiron turned to leave, Brandon finally exhaled, trying to shake off the tension that had settled in his chest. Alone was the only way he'd survived this long. He couldn't let his guard down, not even for a minute.

---

Later that afternoon, the camp was buzzing with excitement for capture the flag. Percy had tried to drag Brandon into it, but he'd managed to slip away, wandering near the edge of the forest. He wasn't sure what it was, but something about the forest calmed him. The looming trees, the shadows, the way it felt just slightly dangerous.

As he walked deeper into the woods, he heard footsteps behind him. Brandon turned sharply, already on edge, but relaxed when he saw Percy approaching, his hands raised in mock surrender.

"Easy, I come in peace," Percy said with a grin.

Brandon rolled his eyes. "What, you followed me?"

Percy shrugged. "You looked like you could use a break. I won't tell Chiron you ditched capture the flag."

Brandon huffed, leaning against a tree. "I didn't come here to play camp games."

Percy's expression softened, and he leaned against a tree beside him. "I get it. It's a lot to take in, especially after what you've been through."

Brandon glanced at him, his usual sarcastic guard starting to slip just a little. There was something about Percy—his calmness, the way he wasn't forcing Brandon to talk but was just *there*. It was disarming.

"Yeah," Brandon said after a moment. "It's... a lot."

Percy nodded, as if understanding more than he let on. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. But just so you know, it's okay to not have all the answers right away."

Brandon looked away, biting his lip. He didn't deserve Percy's kindness. Not with the secrets he was hiding. But there was something about being here with him, something about the way Percy looked at him like he *saw* him—past the trauma, past the walls Brandon had put up. It made him feel... safe.

For the first time in a long while.

"Thanks," Brandon mumbled, glancing at Percy. "For not pushing."

Percy smiled, soft and genuine. "Anytime."

There was a brief silence, but it wasn't awkward. It felt... comfortable. Like they could just exist there, in the quiet between the trees.

Then Percy broke the silence, his voice teasing. "You know, you're not getting out of capture the flag *forever*. I'll find a way to drag you in."

Brandon smirked, the sarcastic edge back in his voice. "Yeah, good luck with that, Jackson."

As they walked back toward the camp together, Brandon couldn't help but feel that maybe, just *maybe*, there was a place for him here after all.

But as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the camp, Brandon's thoughts wandered back to the secret he carried—the one he couldn't let anyone, especially Percy, find out.

Because if Percy knew who his *real* parent was, everything could fall apart.