FINDING A HOME | PJO

/ eleven /

The thought of the three girls from earlier was enough to make Nancy yank her hand from Adrian's grasp at the first moment she could. She didn't want any trouble with them, especially over some stupid boy stuff.

But the brunet didn't seem to notice. His eyes were trained on the large fire surrounded by demigods. He found a log for them to sit on and pat the spot next to him, indicating that she sit. Nancy obliged, though tentatively. 

“Connor brought marshmallows!” someone exclaimed randomly, sending the crowd of halfbloods into a frenzy, all trying to get to the child of Hermes who’d smuggled marshmallows into camp.

Nancy stayed seated, and yet within the next five minutes, she found herself with a few marshmallows in hand, tossed to her by some random camper who'd managed to pry a good amount from Connor. She plastered a scowl onto her face, but she'd felt it the moment she'd taken a seat in front of the blazing flames––everyone was welcomed here. Everyone was included.

Nancy and Adrian nibbled on their smuggled snacks as they watched the Apollo kids lead everyone in nonsense songs. The majority of campers were like banshees, singing at the top of their lungs for the fun of it, while a handful stood out amongst the crowd and carried the melody that was lost in the yells of glee.

It was ridiculous.

And Nancy found herself enjoying it.

Especially when Adrian bumped her shoulder with his and gave her the biggest smile yet.

Even with the girls from earlier glaring holes into her side from their respective spots in the sea of demigods.

She watched Percy across the fire, singing goofily to make Annabeth laugh. When the blonde shoved him, he peppered her cheek with kisses, which led to the playful bickering Nancy was growing used to.

She swayed with the out of tune songs, losing herself in the comforting warmth of the fire that shot sparks at her feet. A plume of smoke rose into the darkening sky, and briefly Nancy wondered if this was always what it was like here.

Did these people always act like a family?

It sure made this place feel more like a home, and Nancy felt a giddiness bubble up in her chest.

This could be hers. She could do this everyday!

She was so caught up in the bliss that was Camp Halfblood, sitting next to Adrian at the bonfire. Her worries were cast aside for a few moments––an earthquake could've been shaking the damp soil beneath her feet and she wouldn't have cared. This was exactly what she wanted.

She didn't have to worry about her parents, her worldly troubles, none of that.

In fact, her mind was on everything except the thoughts of her mysterious, unknown godly parent that had been plaguing her previously.

So, of course, it was at that moment that her lovely mother decided to claim her.

In front of everyone.

“Nancy,” Adrian murmured. She glanced over at him, only to find his face bathed in a deep, murky yellow. She recoiled a bit, wondering where the sudden golden hue washing over his features had come from.

The son of Tyche pointed above her head, and Nancy hesitated a second before looking up tentatively.

There, floating above her head, was a pile of. . .gold pieces? She stood, wondering what was going on, and only then did she notice that the singing had ceased around her.

Nancy looked around helplessly, her eyes locking eventually with Adrian at her side. He stood next to her.

“You've been claimed,” he told her simply, staring at the symbol above her head.

“What?” She glanced up again, unsure of what to do with herself. “By who?”

Adrian gave her a sheepish smile and shrugged. “I have no idea.”

Finally, Annabeth stood, dragging Percy behind her.

“Ate,” the daughter of Athena announced. “The goddess Ate has claimed her daughter.”

Slowly, the demigods around Nancy kneeled to her. Chiron stepped forward from his spot among them and knelt himself.

“All hail Nancy Bobofit, daughter of Ate,” he declared, his gruff voice echoing off the cabins around them.

Nancy herself stared at them all, at a loss for words. Even Adrian was on his knee next to her. Slowly, though, they all rose from their respectful positions, returning to their seats before the still blazing fire.

“Wait.” The symbol depicting a pile of gold began to fade above Nancy and she spun to face Annabeth. “Greek goddess of what?”

Annabeth's glance at her boyfriend didn't go unnoticed by Nancy, the slight reluctance evident in her tone when she answered.

“Ate is known as the goddess of evil, misfortune, obsession, guilt infatuation, mischief––”

Percy nudged Annabeth.

“Right, sorry. Ate. . .well, Nancy, you're the first.”

a / n

:O

↑ i always do that when i leave off on a cliffhanger lol.

anYways, i'm so sorry for taking forever to update. not a ton of people read this, so i kind have to prioritize my other stuff over it. but the next chapter should be up soon, don't you worry ;)

yeah, so ate isn't the best goddess. but that's the point. nancy’s made progress, but this is a redemption story, and she's not perfect.

by the way, this story is nearing it's end, lol.

and on the ship name –– you guys are so split haha, you can call them whatever you want : nadrian or adriancy.

okay, that's about all i have to say !

peace out in demigodishness and all that,

- grace 🧡🧡🧡