It was supposed to be a simple lesson. A calm one. Percy had brought you down to the edge of the lake, sleeves rolled up, explaining your powers with the kind of confidence that said nothing could possibly go wrong. He demonstrated patiently, making the water ripple and rise in neat little waves while you stood nearby, listening… mostly.

Then Percy got distracted.

Maybe it was someone yelling his name. Maybe it was Grover tripping over something. Whatever it was, Percy turned his head for one second and that was when you stepped back, slipped on a wet rock, windmilled your arms dramatically, and vanished straight into the lake with a splash.

Silence. Percy turned back around. There was no child. There was only disturbed water and a sinking feeling in his chest.

“Oh gods—NOPE.”

He didn’t even hesitate. Percy dove straight in, fully clothed, panic written all over his face as he grabbed you and hauled you back up, sputtering and soaked. You both surfaced in a mess of water, hair plastered to your faces, coughing and clinging to each other.

“You’re okay, you’re okay, I’ve got you,” Percy said quickly, holding you like he was never letting go again, water dripping off his jacket. “I turned around for ONE second.”

“That,” came a very calm voice from the shore, “is why you don’t multitask with a ten-year-old near a lake.”

Percy froze.

Annabeth stood there with her arms crossed, taking in the scene: Percy dripping wet, you wrapped in his arms, both of you looking equally guilty. Her expression was pure disappointed mom who predicted this exact outcome.

Percy grimaced. “In my defense—”

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. He sighed. “…Okay, yeah. That one’s on me.”

Annabeth shook her head, already pulling out a towel. “Congratulations. You’ve officially traumatized your child and soaked yourself in under five minutes.”

Percy tightened his hold on you slightly, muttering, “Worth it. Still saved the day.”