𝒮aving Face 〳 Percy Jackson
◟ content ! ୧ in the face of others you're enemies before you are ever lovers ⸝⸝ smut , exhibitionism ? you're somewhere outside , a little bit rushed whoops , athena daughter ! reader
"ℒisten , I just think I am the better option for this Quest , and honestly ―"
"Because you're a daughter of Athena ? So is Annabeth , and yet she doesn't insist on going."
The whole Big House suddenly goes quiet , save for a few gasps and murmurs , and your heated gaze meets Percy Jackson's. Not only because he didn't let you finish speaking , but also because he had dragged one of your sisters into your petty argument. And it wasn't the first time , and certainly wouldn't be the last.
Your mind was swirling , and so was his. To you , this seemed like another attempt of weaseling his way into a Quest he had no right to. To him , you were volunteering just to spite him.
You choose your words carefully then , not wanting to give him the satisfaction of riling you up. "If she wanted to she would ," you spoke simply , gaze briefly meeting that of your sister. The girl was aware enough to not make this about her , knowing of the constant back and forth between you and Percy. All the camp did.
A deep breath as you tried again, "I am just saying that ―"
"You're better than anyone else here , yeah. Well , I think that I am the better option then."
This time you visibly bristle , "it isn't always about you , Jackson !"
To others , this might seem like a competitive argument between two demigods wanting to best the other. But no , this runs much deeper. Percy Jackson lives to push you.
More mumbling as Demigods are unsure what to do now. But your eyes are on his ― heated , and challenging , and his are the same ... untamed sea eager to swallow you , than let you drift away. The tension isn't missed by most of the others , and so one of your brothers steps in and gently pushes you to the side , "I will go. And if the prophecy is right , then neither a child of Poseidon , nor a daughter of Athena should go."
The look he gives you is almost apologetic , knowing that you're brave , and fierce , and that you hate stepping aside.
But under his gaze , you yield , and he squeezes your shoulder in acknowledgment ,as thick tension finally leaves the room.
"Then it's settled." No one argued.
Chairs scrape against the floor. Conversations resumes in hushed voices , though more than one pair of eyes linger on you and Percy before people finally drift toward the door.
You wait until enough bodies move between you before slipping into the crowd , using that to your advantage , and vanish before the sea will drown you.
Not that a mass of people makes it any harder for Percy to find you , let's be honest.
Like liquid , he moves through the crowd until his hand catches your wrist , stealing you away for a moment to talk. Alone. And he tugs until you're stepping away from curious ears , and behind old trees that do not care for gossip , and thick bushes that swallow most of your words.
"What is it with you and constantly trying to throw yourself into danger , huh?"
"And what is it with you and constantly trying to be better than me , huh?"
"Better than ―" a frown of deep confusion crosses his face , the blue of his eyes much darker when he faces you , "that is not ― i am not trying to do that."
"Then what are you trying to do ?" You huff , and Percy realizes that maybe you genuinely only see him as a competitor. And he is quite competitive , he won't deny. But he is also just a boy seeing to what can be done to ensure your safe return. You see , feelings are complicated , and so are words.
His jaw clenches when he reaches for yours , holding you not with softness , but with quiet meaning. "You never listen ," he speaks with a frown of his own , "and you always fight me , and it's ―" he swallows thickly , his eyes searching yours for anything that gives him an answer , "it's maddening."
"Well ―" He doesn't give you a moment , swallowing whatever argument you had ready , with the purpose of a man meaning to make you understand just how much he admires your fire , yet fears it will be his undoing one day.
For a boy so clumsy with mere words , this is the only way he knows how to communicate. With you , anyway. Only ever with you.
His tongue slips into your mouth with purpose , making you yield at last. If only for this moment. Because this isn't about quests or challenges. It's about reclaiming the connection you lost , if only briefly.
Your breath mingles when he leans away , and he accidentally nudges his forehead against your nose when he glances down , noting the way your chest is moving ― adrenaline pumping in a way you're more than familiar with. The same adrenaline he sees you chase in camp games , or quests. But now it's all for him.
"Can I ―," his gaze flickers back to yours , "s' this okay ?" It's not that he's unsure , it's just that he needs to hear you say it.
He feels your body shudders against his , and this time it's your mouth on his , hands at his neck like you're contemplating kissing or killing him.
You could , he realizes with quiet satisfaction and a traitorous shudder of his own.
The sound of ragged breaths and desperation , and the faint sound of the lake behind the bushes is clouding your senses , mixed with the taste of something sweet from breakfast this morning.
You feel his warm hand slip between your thighs , skilled hands working your pants open like he can't wait to bridge your distance. And when he finally does , it's like the frustration he'd been swallowing all afternoon finally found somewhere to go. ( Inside of you , that is ).
It's a mess of limbs and awkward position , as the son of Poseidon works you open like he never wants to be inside of anything else. The strokes are quick , and uncoordinated , and a direct mirror to the lingering frustration , and the pure need.
"You can stop pretending you're better than me ," he mutters through ragged breaths , eyes not leaving your face as he drinks in the pleasure , and the defiance that swirls in your very gaze.
And you're just as breathless , fingers digging into his arm , daring him to let you fall while he presses deeper and deeper , wanting to make your brain go mushy so he can call this a silent victory as well.
But you don't give up , you never do. "I am better than you ..."
It makes him smile , boyish and unapologetic because oh how he adores this back and forth ...
ᥫ᭡.ִֶָ𓂃 this was requested ages ago , here
