Rise (Percy Jackson x Reader)

fourteen

edited: april 2, 2021; april 16, 2021; august 13, 2023
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After three hours of driving, Grover yawns, and (Y/N) perks up in her seat. 

"I can take over now, Grover," she says. The satyr nods, pulling onto the shoulder of the road and leaving the blinkers on.

The two carefully trade places, and (Y/N) adjusts the seat, cracking her neck and knuckles before steering the car onto the highway once more. She turns on the radio, playing some soft music to help keep herself awake as the sky continues to darken, and she taps her fingers on the steering wheel in time with the songs.

After a few hours, when the stars are more visible, (Y/N) can hear Grover and Annabeth shuffling in their seats to get comfortable. She looks in the rearview mirror, noticing their closed eyes. She reaches for the dashboard, glancing it repeatedly between the buttons and the road. 

Percy notices, and he gently pushes her hand out of the way. "I've got it."

(Y/N) flashes him a quick smile before placing her hand back on the wheel. Percy searches through the radio stations, considering the various channels to find music soothing enough for Grover and Annabeth to sleep to without being so relaxed that (Y/N) can't stay awake. Intrigued, he looks at her—she doesn't appear tired at all, her focus steady on the road unless she needs to check her mirrors or blind spots to change lanes.

Just how many sleepless nights did she spend for this to not faze her?

(Y/N) looks again at the rearview mirror. Her two best friends now appear sound asleep, occasionally changing positions or stretching their limbs before dozing off again. 

"What's on your mind, Blue?" she asks, and Percy blinks in surprise. Evidently aware of his reaction, she chuckles. "It's easy to tell that someone wants to ask you something when they keep looking at you from time to time."

Percy's cheeks flush with warmth. He lets out a plethora of stammers. 

(Y/N) spares him a glance, smiling. "Relax. It's okay. I don't mind answering any questions you may have for me. In fact, I'd rather you ask them so I'm not constantly thinking about it."

The tension leaves Percy's shoulders. Still somewhat unsure, he turns, examining Grover and Annabeth to ensure their sleeping state. He sighs, shifting in his seat. "It's about a lot of things," he says, trying to gather his thoughts. (Y/N) keeps her attention on the road, patiently waiting for him to continue. "I guess . . ." He purses his lips, unsure of how to phrase his curiosity.

"I would like to make it clear that multiple questions are okay," (Y/N) states, making Percy chuckle as he starts to relax.

"When we were at camp, when Hades showed up," he begins, earning a hum of acknowledgement, "you made the ground open up and burn red, right?"

(Y/N) nods. "That tends to happen when I get angry," she explains. "I try not to let my emotions get out of control like that, but sometimes I lose my restraint on them."

"But how was that possible? I mean, you're the daughter of Persephone, you have her abilities. You would be a goddess if Hades was your dad, too, right?"

"Mm-hmm," (Y/N) answers. She checks her blind spot before passing the car in front of them, rejoining their original lane as Percy continues:

"So how does that happen? You're a demigod, you're half-human. So . . .?"

"So how do I have the abilities of two different gods even though I'm a half-blood?" (Y/N) asks for him, and Percy nods.

"Yeah."