Percy jogged up the hill, hair messy from training and a crooked grin tugging at his lips.

“You should’ve seen Annabeth today,” he said, plopping down beside you in the grass like it was the most natural thing in the world. “She totally destroyed me in capture the flag. Again.”

He laughed, not noticing the way your shoulders stiffened. “She just… always knows what to do. Like, even when everything’s falling apart, she’s got this plan ready, y’know? It’s kind of amazing.”

Then he turned, finally catching the flicker of something in your expression—tight lips, the way you avoided his eyes.

“Hey… are you okay? You’ve been quiet. Did I say something wrong?”