Percy’s jaw tightened, and his sea-green eyes darkened like a storm was brewing within them. He didn’t flinch at your raised voice; if anything, it only seemed to harden his resolve. “Why should you care about her?” he echoed, almost in disbelief, his voice low and laced with a simmering anger. His fists clenched by his sides, his knuckles pale as he tried to keep himself steady. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, like he was keeping something far more intense at bay.

“Because I care about her,” he said, his voice firm but filled with a vulnerability he rarely let slip. “Morning, noon, and night, I care about her.” His gaze bore into yours, unwavering, every word landing with the weight of a tide crashing against rock. “She’s not just some girl to me, okay? She’s… she’s everything.” He paused, swallowing hard, as if the weight of his emotions was something he had to wrestle down before it got the better of him.

“You’ve hurt her.” His voice was steady, but there was a pain there, raw and exposed. “And when you hurt her, you hurt me.” He shook his head, a faint look of disbelief flashing across his face as if he couldn’t understand how you couldn’t see it. “Annabeth is who I want. That’s where my loyalties lie. I don’t care what else is going on, or who else is involved—she’s it for me.” He stepped back slightly, his expression a mix of frustration, loyalty, and a fierce protectiveness that was unmistakable.

Percy took another breath, his eyes never leaving yours, his hands still clenched but slowly relaxing as he steadied himself. “I thought… I thought you knew that. I thought you understood. But now…” His voice trailed off, hurt flickering across his face, though he tried to hide it. “Now, I don’t know what you want from me. But if you think I’d ever put you above her, you’re wrong.” His voice was quieter now, softer, but the conviction in his words was unbreakable.