𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍° ! percy jackson

𝐢.𝐯𝐢𝐢 - 𝐢 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 (𝐚)

The beautiful ocean reflecting aquamarine eyes of Percy Jackson pleaded desperately, wide and earnest. His fingers fidgeted nervously as Aurora searched for the right words to say.

She knew how much his mom meant to him. And, although Aurora couldn't exactly relate to having a loving mortal parent, Sally Jackson seemed like a queen among women. And Percy really loved her. How could she deny him?

Damn, you play dirty, Jackson.

"Okay." She sighed, her body becoming increasingly heavier as soon as the word was uttered. It was like an anvil fell on her shoulders, dragging her down to the pits of Hades. Aurora was sure he'd love to torture her as soon as she stepped foot outside the borders of Camp Half Blood.

"Fine," she groaned, ignoring how happy Percy looked. His smile was like a puppy dogs', and she rolled her eyes. "Fine. Don't make me regret this, Perseus."

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"So," Gracie sighed, handing Aurora an orange Camp Half Blood shirt. "A quest."

Gracie Warner was Aurora's favorite "sister"/aunt, and they were the closest out of the Demeter Cabin. While Aurora arrived at camp when she was five years old, and then Annabeth coming when she was seven, Grace arrived at eight. The three girls had been at camp for the longest time, and grew extremely close—especially Aurora and Gracie, being related and all.

Gracie was the kind of beautiful that Aurora strived for. They shared the same sun kissed complexion, freckle dotted noses, and carefree personality, and they were around each other so much, you would've mistaken them for biological sisters. However, while Aurora had her strawberry blonde hair, Gracie's was a deep auburn color. Her eyes were a pale blue, like clear glass.

Aurora's grandmother was beautiful, and she birthed beautiful children.

Aurora loved Gracie as much as she loved Annabeth; she loved her sister more than she even loved herself—which, to be fair, wasn't that much of a feat.

Gracie was the one who came up with the nickname Rory for Aurora.

"You must be thrilled." The brunette deadpanned, snorting at Aurora's pained expression.

"Oh yeah, I'm ecstatic." She replied, her voice strained and sarcastic. "Just what I wanted, a stupid quest. More monsters, more fighting. And, best of all, we're going to the fucking Underworld. How ironic. Like, what the fuck? Okay, Hades, just come for me then."

Gracie sucked in a sharp breath, shoving a granola bar into Aurora's full backpack. "Good luck with that. Hades, I mean."

Aurora shrugged, tugging at her zipper, which had gotten stuck from how many items were in her bag. "Maybe I can bargain with him, you know? I could be useful on this quest. Pull the whole 'my mommy would want us to leave alive, she'll hear about this if we die, don't you miss her?' act."

"That new Poseidon kid Percy was super insistent on you going." Gracie's tone was suggestive, but Aurora couldn't seem to figure out what she was insinuating. "I overheard earlier."

"Yeah, I don't really know why, but you can't turn down a quest." She sighed, staring at her hands. "No matter how much you want to."

The Demeter girl grabbed Aurora's hands, taking them into her own. Gracie's palms, like many of the other Cabin Four residents, were calloused and rough with scabs from working in the garden. She could see a scrape of dirt on Gracie's pinkie nail. Gracie's touch was so familiar, so comforting. It made Aurora forget that she could very much possibly die on this quest.

"Rory, look at me." Aurora obliged, meeting the blue eyes of her sister. They were creased with concern, but also with love. "Please," Gracie begged, her voice pleading, "please come home safe. Alive, at least."

Aurora felt a crooked smile splay onto her lips, and she wrapped her arms around the brunette. "I'll try my best."

Gracie squeezed her hard, the embrace filling the two with a comforting warmth. Gracie withdrew, sniffling slightly as she placed her hands on Aurora's shoulders. "And Ror?"

"Yes, my darling?" Aurora answered, smiling.

"You were picked for this quest. You will do a phenomenal job. I know it. There's nothing you can't do." Her words of encouragement, although having sweet intent, went through one ear and out the other. No one could talk Aurora out of her mind, not even Gracie.

"Hey," Gracie snapped her fingers in front of Aurora's face. "I know what you're thinking."

Blinking, she smiled absently and wrapped her arms around her friend. "I love you."

Gracie sighed, resting her chin on Aurora's shoulder. She could feel Gracie's breaths become shaky, but Aurora didn't want to cry too. If they both started, then Aurora would never be able to leave. "I love you more."

Aurora placed a quick kiss on Gracie's cheek, sharing a melancholy beam. "Impossible."

"You'll be back." It wasn't a question. Gracie said it like she was positive.

"Of course." Aurora responded immediately, putting on her backpack. The weight wasn't too heavy, and the snacks would disappear as soon as they got on the bus, knowing Grover.

Her heart was the one that weighed the most.

Peaking through the door, Aurora could see Grover, Percy, and Annabeth walking towards the Big House, where she would meet them.

Her heartbeat was starting to pick up, her pulse quickening through her veins. This was the first time she would step foot out of camp in seven years.

Gracie patted her back with a reassuring smile. "You've got Annabeth. And Grover. And your new favorite person. You got this."

Aurora nodded, repeating her words inside her head like a mantra as she took a step out the door and into her new world of chaos. 

ೀ⋆｡🌷 notes ...

word count: 1533

date published: feb 18, 2024

thoughts: cute little chap before the quest