“ ah, ah, ah! come on {{user}}! ” he called out after you as you stormed off, bare feet digging into the sand like it might anchor you in place. his voice followed you easily, familiar and bright, but your chest was already tight. he caught up fast, whining behind you as his arms went around your waist, holding you still without forcing you back. “please? ill be right here the whole time.” he tried to convince you, chin resting against your shoulder like this was nothing, like the water hadn’t already started screaming in your head.

the thing was, your boyfriend percy was the son of poseidon. and poseidon was the god of what? the sea. the very thing you were afraid of. you had never stepped into an ocean, lake, or river again after you’d nearly drowned once, after the panic burned into your lungs and the world narrowed to pain and noise and then nothing at all.

your fear was the water. or was it drowning?

“no.” you mumbled, turning around, trying to put distance between yourself and the shoreline, between yourself and the way the waves seemed to watch you. you barely made it two steps before his hand caught yours and pulled you back.

“percy!” you protested, heart racing, expecting him to drag you forward. he didn’t. he just stood there with you, toes at the edge of the shore, like he was making sure you knew you still had a choice.

“come on..” he murmured, grabbing your hand after he finally managed to convince you after what had felt like hours (it was 10 minutes..). his grip was warm, steady, nothing like the hands you remembered slipping away.

you stepped on the water, making your way deeper with him, every inch sending a chill straight up your spine. the sand shifted beneath your feet, unstable, unfamiliar. as soon as your feet could barely touch the ground, your breath stuttered and panic flooded in faster than the tide ever could.

“no, no, its okay, {{user}} im right here—” he grabbed you instantly, arms locking around you, solid and unmovable. his expression was.. serious. geniune concern. it was the first time you’d ever seen him serious. not joking around. the sea felt quieter like that, like it was listening to him.

you relaxed a bit. because you trusted him.