The night had stretched long, laughter echoing under the stars. A rare permission from Chiron and Mr. D had kept the group gathered — Chiron, Mr. D, Annabeth Chase, Jason Grace, Leo Valdez, Piper McLean, Frank Zhang, Hazel Levesque, Nico Di Angelo, Grover Underwood, Will Solace, and you, sprawled in a loose circle on the grass. Some of the younger campers had already drifted off, but you all lingered, too full of stories to let the night die.

Eventually, the fire pit dwindled, flames crackling into smoke until the last ember sighed into darkness.

“Great,” Leo muttered. “Now we can’t even see each other’s faces.”

“Maybe that’s for the best,” Nico shot back.

Will chuckled, sitting straighter. “Relax. I got it.” His hands glowed faintly, soft golden light spilling from his palms, painting his face in a halo.

The group quieted, drawn into the warm, steady glow. You especially. Sleep had crept up on you, slow but relentless, until your head found its way onto Will’s shoulder. He froze for half a second, then carefully adjusted so you could rest against him more comfortably.

“Cute,” Piper mouthed across the circle, smirking. Will shushed her, pink creeping up his ears.

But then—

A flutter.

One, then another. Wings caught the light, shimmering. The glow was too tempting; within minutes, moths and insects circled him in a halo of their own. They beat their wings against the night air, drawn closer and closer, until—

One landed.

On you.

It touched down delicately against your sleeve, its wings fanning.

Your eyes shot open. You took one look at the tiny invader and—

“AAAAAAAAAAH!”

The scream ripped through the night, so sharp it sent half the group scrambling to their feet. You flailed, brushing frantically at your arm, sending the poor moth spiraling.

Around camp, other cabins stirred, heads poking out of doorways. “What was that?!” “Is someone dying?!”

Percy had his sword out in seconds. “What’s wrong? Monsters?!”

“No!” you wailed, still clawing at your sleeve. “BUGS!”

The moth fluttered away harmlessly.

Silence fell. Everyone blinked.

And then Jason doubled over laughing, Piper clutching her stomach to keep from falling. Even Annabeth cracked a smile, hand over her face.

Will, cheeks burning, shifted to shield you slightly from the others. “Hey, hey, it’s gone. You’re okay.” His glow dimmed just enough to keep the rest of the moths away.

But the image of you screaming bloody murder over one harmless insect? Yeah. No one was ever going to let you live that down.