The Fourth Inheritor (A Percy Jackson/Chaos Fanfic) [Complete]

Chapter Four: A Late Gift

Underneath the tarp was a black and gray bike. It looked sleek, fast, and overall amazing. Percy's mouth dropped. He looked at Matthew in disbelief then looked back at the bike. "You know my birthday was last month, right, Matthew?" For everyone in Haven, their birthday was the day they got there, even if they remembered their old one. Percy had just recently celebrated his twenty-first birthday in Haven, making him around forty if he included his years on Earth.

Matthew looked embarrassed for a moment, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, about that... I didn't have it finished then. So, uh, happy belated birthday?"

Percy's disbelief turned to excitement, and he grinned widely. "Can I-- I mean, this isn't some sort of joke is it?"

"Nope," Matthew said, shaking his head. "No joke. This beauty is all yours. I built her myself... That's why it took so long."

"Thanks, man!" Percy turned his smile towards Matthew. "Best birthday present ever!"

"And here I thought I did good this year," Nathan muttered, although he knew nothing could top Matthew's present. Percy had been admiring the motorcycles everywhere they went for years now.

"Not that this isn't amazing," James said, waving a hand towards the bike, "but can we go now? It's almost five."

"My shift!" Nathan looked panicked, checking the time frantically. "I have to go! My shift starts in thirty minutes!" He bolted out the door, and the rest watched him go.

"Think he'll make it in time?" Bernadette asked. Then she froze. "Oh, wait, the new shipment of flowers is getting in at five forty-five, and I'm even further away than he is!"

"You have fun with that." Liam waved, walking away with James. A pale, Solid hand intertwined with a shadowy Specter's as the two got a head start on whatever they had planned for the evening.

Alison, seeming entirely unimpressed, simply waved goodbye and followed the other two out. More likely than not, she had a looming deadline to occupy her thoughts. She tended to get quieter when that happened, sparing her words for her writing. Percy was amazed Matthew had even gotten her here.

As soon as they'd all walked out, Carson called Matthew over to help him on a truck that was supposed to be finished by the next day. Percy looked over at Bernadette, who was looking at her Screen to check the flower delivery. "Assuming Matthew remembered to charge this thing, I can give you a lift, Bernadette."

She looked up at him, relief flooding her features. "Would you? I'd really appreciate it, Percy."

A minute later, they were on the road. Percy knew he'd have to thank Matthew again later for sure. Even though he wasn't technically a demigod anymore, having a new life and all that, Percy sometimes wondered if Matthew's working with cars was just a way of interacting with travelers. Either way, he knew his way around vehicles very well.

Ten minutes and they were stopping in front of Bernadette's shop, B's Flowers. Bernadette got off the bike and turned to smile at Percy. "Thanks for the ride. You really saved me there."

"No problem, Bernadette," Percy said, smiling in return. "You know I'd do anything to help out my friends."

"Yeah, I know. I still appreciate it, though. Anyways, have a good evening." She turned to head into her shop.

"See ya around," Percy responded, starting the motorcycle up again. He waved as she walked inside, waiting until she'd waved back and shut the door before he started off down the street. It had been a busy day, and now he just wanted to go home and make dinner then go to sleep.