Acceptance

Return

Percy Jackson had been missing for three years now. His friends and family were searching tirelessly for him. The entirety of CHB was sending out search parties in search for the lost hero. Annabeth, who had broken up with the Son of Poseidon on mutual terms, felt the blame was on her for his disappearance. Days after the break-up, the campers had discovered Percy's bunk empty. There was no evidence he was kidnapped or taken against his wishes.

Chiron had inquired the whereabouts of Percy many times to the Gods, but he would never get a relevant answer. "He is on a mission, of sorts, for the gods and is in no way in any danger." This was the reply he got everytime he mentioned Percy to Dionysus.

His closest friends ran themselves ragged to locate him. Nico had already scaled the USA twice to find clues that would lead him to his brother. He would spend hours interrogating monsters and dead alike to see if they had faced him. Piper and Jason were living peacefully in New Rome, but they too along with Frank and Hazel, would search for their missing friend in their free time. Leo and Calypso were not the ones for living a peaceful life. Perhaps, staying on an island would do that to you. They would go from place to place to explore and keep an eye out for the whereabouts of Percy.

The only exception to this was Thalia. The punk girl was surprisingly calm about the whole situation. Moreover, the hunt was less and less at CHB since the whole ordeal. The campers were obviously delighted by the fact, seeing they would not have to deal with violent man-hating girls, but Chiron could not help but be suspicious. The hunt would always arrive in fewer members than actually present and never would Artemis be with them. He could not help but shake the feeling that this was somehow connected to Percy.

/\

It had been four years since Percy went missing.

It was a sunny day in CHB with birds chirping loudly and the camp bustling with activity. Annabeth and Piper were free at the time and having nothing to do, they decided to just relax and talk near the Golden Fleece.

They were just talking with each other about some unimportant stuff when Annabeth's mind went to Percy. As she was thinking about her friend, a hunting horn sounded.

The hunt had arrived

Chiron galloped to the entrance of the camp to greet the hunters and possibly lady Artemis. Many campers had abandoned their activities too, to watch the hunters arrive.

Imagine their surprise when they saw the entirety of the hunt along with Lady Artemis and some raven-haired male holding Artemis' hand.

The campers and Chiron gasped when they saw the familiar sea-green eyes shining with mischief and the unruly mop of black hair. Annabeth along with Chiron, Piper, Jason, and Nico had tears gathering at the edge of their eyes as they faced the teen.

"Hey guys," Percy said with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. "It's been a while, huh?"

Annabeth was the first one to snap out of her shock. "Percy?"

"That's my name, Wise Girl, don't wear it out," Percy said cheekily as he spread his arm outwards.

Annabeth surged forward and crashed into his embrace, her eyes prickling with tears of joy. Percy held her just as tightly and looked towards his friends. "What? No hug? Seriously, you guys wound me." Percy said feigning hurt.

The others snapped out of stupor too as they ran forwards towards Percy. "Doggy Pile!" Percy heard someone shout as they all jumped over Percy and Annabeth. Percy was all laughs as he was crushed by the weight of his friends.

Eventually, they got up and individually hugged Percy. They didn't say anything, still in shock of his return. Percy himself had tears in his eyes now. As he was hugged by everyone, he noticed Chiron, his eyes shining with joy at his favorite student's return. Percy walked towards him and gave him a big hug.

"Percy, my boy, you have no idea how much we missed you!" Chiron exclaimed

"I missed you all too, Chiron" Percy replied. "I missed you all too."

"Wha-how are-what?" Nico stammered, unable to form sentences.

Percy laughed at his best friend's eloquence and said. "I will explain everything guys in the big house guys. Chiron, can you please call everyone who knew me personally to the big house?" Percy requested.

Chiron nodded and proceeded to do so. Percy turned towards the hunt and smiled. "Will you come with me Artemis?"

Artemis nodded as Percy took her hand and led them towards the big house, ignoring the awestruck stares from the campers.

/\

"So", Percy started, "What do you want to know about?"

"Where were you?" Annabeth demanded, her happiness turning into fury.

Percy unfazed by her anger, replied. "Well, after we broke up, I needed some...time alone. I went to Olympus, hoping they would give me some task so that I could make myself busy. They had some discussion on the subject before they finally decided to send me to the hunt."

"Huh?" Nico furrowed his eyebrows. "But isn't the hunt solely for girls? How did they accept you?"

Percy just shrugged, "Well they didn't' at first. They were barely tolerant of me at first. They would prank me heavily and provide me with extra chores but then they warmed up to me with time. Now, they consider me as their brother in their family."

Everyone's eyes widened when they heard this as Percy continued. "As for how did the council come up with this decision? Simple. Since I had just ended a relationship, they understood I was not looking for love. Artemis trusted me enough to know I would not make a move on the hunters and Zeus took everything into account and surmised that I wouldn't commit myself into a relationship."

"That turned out well," Artemis muttered under her breath. Percy heard her and smiled.

"So...are you single Percy?" Piper inquired.

Percy grinned roguishly. "I never said that, did I?"

Everyone looked confused at the statement. "But didn't you just say..." Leo trailed off.

Percy smirked. "When I took the oath, it specified to not flirt or pursue any relationship with the hunters. But Arty here isn't a hunter, is she?" Percy said looking at his girlfriend.

His friends just stared and blinked before realization dawned on them. "You are in a relationship with Lady Artemis?!" Jason asked incredulously.

"Yes, he is my boyfriend," Artemis confirmed, pulling Percy into a side hug. "But aren't you the virgin goddess?" Annabeth asked, still in shock.

They both just shrugged and Percy answered. "Yes, she is still a virgin and I don't intend to change that. Also, being a virgin doesn't make her asexual. She still feels love towards someone. In this case, the person is me." Percy finished with a soft smile, holding Artemis close to himself.

Artemis gave him a sweet kiss at his promise to never pressure her in their relationship. By now his friends were gaping at the duo, Annabeth still feeling guilty over their break-up. Percy noticed her expression and pulled her into a hug.

"C'mon Wise-Girl, it's not your fault. Don't feel guilty over something we decided on together. Yes, I was a bit hurt at what happened but it turned out for the good. Right?" Percy comforted.

Annabeth nodded gratefully before stepping back. "Are you going to stay here?" Nico asked hopefully.

Percy shook his head sadly, "Sorry guys, like I said the hunt gave me a new family and I'm gonna stick with them for a little while. That being said I promise will visit frequently."

Looking at the glum faces of his friends, Percy started. "Well." Percy clapped cheerfully. "Let's go to the beach, right now. We can worry about me staying here later. Right now, we have a lot to catch up on, eh?"

The others snapped out of their stupor and cheered loudly at the suggestion.

Percy Jackson was back to his first home.