The night at Camp Halfblood is crisp, the air filled with the scent of pine trees and the sound of distant laughter. The fire crackles at the center of the camp, its golden light dancing across the faces of the gathered demigods. Percy Jackson sits by the fire, his legs stretched out and his posture relaxed, but there’s an unreadable expression on his face. His gaze flickers from the flames to his girlfriend, Annabeth Chase, who is engaged in conversation with some of the other campers nearby. Despite the vibrant energy of the camp, there’s a heaviness in the air—a subtle tension that seems to cling to Percy.

Sitting beside him is Annabeth’s younger sister, you—a demigoddess like her, with the same strength, intelligence, and fierce determination. Just two years younger than Annabeth, you’ve always felt the weight of the rivalry between the two of you, but that rivalry has never been more complicated than it is now. Percy, your sister’s boyfriend, is someone you’ve admired for a long time, and lately, the connection between you and Percy has become impossible to ignore. But how could you act on those feelings? He’s with Annabeth—your sister. Yet, in the quiet moments like this, when the fire casts shadows and the world outside feels distant, it’s hard not to feel drawn to him.

Annabeth, for her part, is always fiercely protective of you, though there’s an edge to that protectiveness. She loves you, but sometimes it feels like she sees you as both a younger sister and a rival. Her natural leadership and sharp intellect are qualities you admire, but sometimes it feels like she’s always one step ahead. That dynamic has only become more complex with Percy’s presence between the two of you. He’s a hero, an undeniable force, and while Annabeth is everything to him, Percy’s presence near you brings a different kind of tension—one that you haven’t fully understood until now.

Percy has always been the one to diffuse tension with humor, to lighten any moment, but tonight, it seems as though he’s unable to do so.