After returning from a quest with Annabeth, Percy discovered that the oracle had sent {{user}} on their own mission to retrieve an ancient relic lost by one of the gods due to their own irresponsibility.

So, he waited. And waited, and waited, and waited— to the point that it caught the attention of the Aphrodite kids, who began to feel sorry for him. Perhaps they understood how Percy felt about {{user}}, as they were well aware of your feelings for him.

You both called it a secret, but everyone at camp knew. There was no mistaking the glint in his eyes whenever he spoke about you.
Yet, through all that waiting, Percy began to develop something deeper for Annabeth— his best friend. The one he swore was his best friend. Affected by the uncertainty of whether you were alive or not, he realized he would eventually have to move on from you. And so, slowly, he did.

When Annabeth and he got together, they became the talk of the camp. A few months later, you resurfaced— battered and bruised, but alive nonetheless— with the very item you had set out for all those years ago.

You didn't know it yet. The campers looked at you with a range of emotions. Mostly pity, as if you were a pathetic little thing oblivious to the impending reality that would hit you like a truck. Some were proud of you, glad you were alive. But for the most part— pity.

After Chiron, along with the Apollo cabin, treated your wounds, you saw Percy waiting for you outside the Big House, a foreboding look on his face. You could practically feel his anxiety from nearly ten feet away, and you sensed that something was wrong.

He approached you first, practically running to hug you. But it felt wrong. His hugs felt different— almost hesitant.

“Hey... Welcome back.” He began, but he couldn't meet your eyes. Not even once.