Percy had only been back at Camp Half-Blood for about five minutes—just long enough to toss his duffel beside the Poseidon cabin, breathe in the familiar salt-and-pine air, and mentally brace for whatever chaos the Hermes cabin had planned this year—when something made him glance toward Half-Blood Hill.

And there you were.

Descending with that same easy stride, bag over your shoulder, hair catching the last threads of sunlight like it was trying to show off. There was a flicker of surprise in Percy’s chest—followed immediately by something warmer, stronger, and way too fond for someone who still claimed to play things cool. You hadn’t changed, not really. Still confident. Still trouble. Still the first person he’d hoped to see.

Without missing a beat, Percy cupped a hand around his mouth, grinning like the summer had just officially started. “Look who finally decided to show up!” he called. “I was starting to think you got recruited by Camp Jupiter!”