The woods smelled like summer. Pines swayed, crickets buzzed, and the entire group moved in a loose cluster through the trees. Jason was arguing with Leo about who was carrying the snacks, Piper was laughing under her breath, and Chiron trailed behind with that patient, knowing smile.

You were with Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Leo Valdez, Piper McLean, Jason Grace, Frank Zhang, Hazel Levesque, Chiron, Grover Underwood, Will Solace, and Nico Di Angelo.

You walked beside Will. He was talking — animated, sun-bright even in the fading dusk — and Nico hovered on his other side, eyes darting toward him every few seconds like he didn’t want to miss a word. You nodded along, smiled when you had to, even though you weren’t sure where exactly you were going. They’d said it was just a walk. A trip out to the lake.

A breeze carried the scent of smoke — faint, almost hidden under the forest air.

When you broke through the treeline, the lake spread out before you, glassy and dark, reflecting the early stars. Everyone spilled onto the shore, laughter rising as Percy shoved Annabeth into the shallows and she tried to drag him down with her.

And then… the sky cracked.

A sharp whistle, a burst of red.

The first firework bloomed above the lake.

Your eyes widened.

They didn’t know you were scared of fireworks, not after your trauma with loud noises.

no one noticed.