a breathless laugh falls from plush lips as her toes leave the sand, swept up in his embrace. he’s warm despite his lack of attire, and her cheek presses to his for a breath or two before the find themselves parting. she’s missed him, that much is painfully obvious. perhaps because being with percy was easy, effortless, even – something she hardly had to think about. as natural as breathing, an old friendship falling once more in stride without missing a beat.
❝ —– you’ve been back in town for five minutes and you’re already worried about me ? ❞
affection laces her reply, amusement evident. did she seem down ? perhaps she was. it was hard not to be, when it seemed like everyone around you was moving forward and you … well, weren’t. she’s made a name for herself, sure, has a cute place, a shop she’s proud of, teaches classes off and on, and yet can’t shake the feeling that she’s settled for something less in life than she’d been meant for. perhaps that was what wore on her the most. the thought that perhaps she was made for more than what she lived out in this rainy little town.
❝ i’m okay, perc. i promise. just bored, that’s all – i’ll go cliff diving or something and the adrenaline will perk me right back up. same old emmeline, really. ❞
a lie, of course, but she can’t bear the thought of his concern for her. she could take care of herself, she’d been managing it for years. she was okay, truly. not as vibrant as he may have remembered her, but still bright, still a beacon of something … more.
❝ nope – seaweed free. though i hear it’s a great conditioner. ❞
teasing. she pops on her toes once more, delicate digits tousling his dark locks for a moment as if to prove her point, before the swan drops back onto the beach with a grin, a shrug. there’s a storm to his gaze, something brewing just beneath, but she knows better than to try and pry anything out of percy jackson that he wasn’t ready to share.
❝ well, i do live here, you know —- but, ah. i’m not sure, really. aspen was a little agitated. the storm i think. i figured i’d let her run it out a little, and no sane person would be on the beach right before a monsoon. yet here i am in your company. so much for that plan of mine, hm ? ❞
Percy would constantly worry about her, even when he wasn’t in the mortal world. Everyone down there knew. They knew he had fallen for a mortal, even his father who didn’t really get upset with the fact. The problem was --- gods had to watch the ones they love die. When Percy heard that, he had to come back and make sure she was still there, still her, his sun. Even now, his heart clenched.
Looking at her now, that sadness appeared within reflective ocean illuminated eyes of his. A haunch said she was getting better, but still hurting from something. Percy didn’t want to push her on it, if she wanted to tell him, she would. Right now, he didn’t want to dwell on the sad things. He wanted to spend time with her no matter where they were. She seemed like she was leading an okay life here whereas he felt as if there were something missing in his own. The underwater Palace was his home, yet not really.
Brows arch at her statement in slight horror. Cliff diving? He knew that was a sport and mortals were dumb to test Poseidon’s patience let alone his own. That small statement did quicken his anger, even if it were a joke. To throw away your mortal life by doing some stupid stunt just for a rush--
❝ no cliff diving --- and i...always worry about you. you kind of made a big impression on a dork like me. ❞
The moment her fingers threaded through his dark thick hair did he hold her gaze. Did she realize that no one touched the hair? With her, he’d make an exception --- the sensation felt rather nice anyway. Nice enough for Percy to melt right into it, slightly leaning his head forward. The storm within his eyes calmed replaced by a gentleness. In a matter of seconds, he flashed a crooked grin,
❝ what storm? i promise my uncle won’t smite you with lightning. ❞