#percina

[herpsandbirds]

Gilt Darter (Percina evides), family Percidae, order Perciformes, in a stream in Missouri, USA

photograph by Isaac Szabo

[dexxty]

He actually said it… finally.

(thanks to the creator of the templates, PSD files, icons, and poses!!)

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[wingardiumiku]

dancing in the moonlight | pjo snippet

percy jackson × sabrina garcia (daughter of hecate!oc)

summary : it has been a long journey, a tiring battle. acquaintances were made, friends were lost and and sabrina somehow has gray hair now. boy did she need this party and also a little closure.

Masterlist

The music was blaring, the light shining magnificently off the golden tidbits in the building. Sabrina wouldn't lie, after three consecutive summers filled with quests, then jumping back to being a normal teenager, endless hours spent rushing through homework (and cursing her godly lineage because a brain hardwired for ancient greek certainly didn’t help), she deserved a little unwinding.

The room was filled with godlings and she got the chance to meet some of her half siblings, the immortal ones. The meeting with Zeus and the Olympians was nerve-wracking to say the least. And no, it didn't help one bit that her mama was staring her down like a hawk, all the while Sabrina couldn't move, didn't dare to, and only fidgeted with her dirt-covered attire, one hand linked with Percy's.

Speaking of Percy. . .

She was sure if she came up with a thousand words to describe him, they would still fall short. Sabrina had crossed paths with him during her first year at Yancy Academy. Of course, she was fresh meat around the block, yet to be fitted into some stereotypical bunch. That was when Chiron had contacted her, notifying her about Grover shifting to her school to keep tabs on a demigod.

Then, in the blink of an eye, he was defeating a Minotaur, being claimed by Poseidon and confirmed to be the only child of Big Three, getting accused of stealing Zeus' lighting bolt, going on a quest to acquire it and miraculously surviving. Oh, did she mention the part where she was dragged along for a free ride?

Spending three years together tended to do things to people. Through Medusa's garden, through the Sea of Monsters and through holding the literal sky on their back, they had stuck together. And demigod or not, she was but a teenager with plenty of moodswings and wilding hormones. Just her luck, crushing on the guy with the most baggage.

And if falling for the greek counterpart of Harry Potter wasn't enough, Percy also gave new meaning to the word 'oblivious'. But he was adorable so she supposed she could let that little detail pass.

If she could find him, that is.

Making her way through the chattering crowd, Sabrina made a beeline for the daughter of Athena in the far corner of the room who was talking animatedly with few who reciprocated her interest in the hall's architecture.

Sabrina tapped the girl's shoulder, covering her ears to shield them from a song Apollo had composed and given bgm to all in the matter of two minutes. "Where's Percy!"

Annabeth scrunched her brows, red in the face from talking too fast. "I saw him with his dad like an hour ago! Look outside!"

At the mention of the Sea god, Sabrina pursed her lips. Talking to her mother was more than enough, especially with the interrogation she had to endure: 'Are you sure you are alright?' 'Have you taken some nectar and ambrosia? Here, this potions works wonders on sprains', 'I need to have a nice chat with Atlas', 'What is your relationship with Poseidon's kid?', 'Aren't you a bit too young to indulge in such relationships?'

Yeah, one encounter with an immortal was more than enough.

Sabrina tiptoed towards the exit of the palace, trying her best to avoid any and every conversation.

"Percy?" Her voice had dropped to barely a whisper as she peeked into the dark hallway, a startling contrast to the lively celebration inside.

Even deserted and bathed in shadows, the gold managed to shine through, just like every other part of Mt. Olympus. She wondered how much she would earn if she nicked a tiny peice from the ceiling and sold it back home.

Worn out high tops clacking against the shimmering marble floor, her eyes followed the moon as she peered into what was possibly the most well kept garden she had ever seen.

Finding a familiar figure at the end of the path, Sabrina managed a small smile. Percy was standing by a clear pond, staring blankly at the koi fish playing tag.

She slipped outside, sneaking up behind him as her arms circled his shoulder. "Boo!"

"What the Hades!" His hands came to rest on the underside of her thighs, steadying them from toppling into the water. A chuckle was ripped from him, "Don't do that. You'll end up sending someone to the afterlife in a second."

Sabrina hummed quietly, relishing in the chirping of crickets mixed with steady ripples drawn on the surface of the pond, their faces reflected in it as though it was a massive mirror.

With a dry gulp, Percy started, "I was thinking—"

"Don't hurt yourself."

"As I was saying, before I was very rudely interrupted", he glared.

If it was up to her, Sabrina could spend an entire lifetime staring at his green, green eyes.

"What if Luke isn't really the bad guy?"

His words snapped her out of her stupor and she scowled hard. "What makes you say that?"

His thumbs twiddling, Percy clutched the hem of his shirt, a clear sign of hesitancy. "I don't know. It's just. . ."

A pregnant silence reigned over the two. "I didn't ask for any of this to happen."

Sabrina jumped down from her perch on his back, tugging at his hand to make him sit beside her on the concrete that encircled the small body of water.

"Dont you think it's a little unfair how the gods get to sit here and enjoy a feast, sleep around and whatever while their children have to fight their battles for them?"

Percy's eyes looked anywhere else but her as he took in a shaky breath. "Being a demigod, the one supposed to save Olympus. . .I don't think I'm cut out for it. It's not me, it can’t be me."

It was quiet for a long time as she observed the subtle shade of red around the waterline of his eyes.

She could fathom what he meant, to some extent. They didn't get a say while being thrusted into a life with danger in every step of the way. Some let it get to their head and some didn't live to see a year past the acknowledgement of their status.

"You're right", she muttered finally, playing with his fingers. "It's not fair; never been and never will be. But what Luke is doing, that's just blowing it humongously out of proportion."

"But it's okay for people to die in vain when our parents can easily fight this war on their own? Why did Bianca have to die? What will Nico say when we get back to camp without his sister, huh? She was his only family left!" Percy snapped before his voice broke. "I gave him my word."

Sabrina flinched but her gaze softened as he sulked beside her, reaching out to pat his back. "It isn't okay. But what can we do? At the end of the day, we're just kids."

Percy rolled his eyes. "And that makes it so much better."

She let out a laugh. "Nope. It just goes to show that we can't do everything on our own."

Sabrina continued, unfurling her legs from where she sat crisscross, dipping them in the pond. "Percy, its true that we can't bring Bianca back but we can give Nico a family. Or a spot in whatever royally messed up dysfunctional group we are."

Percy glanced at her, finding her crystal blue eyes directed to the fish who came by to say hello. They didn't appreciate her making their home a pedicure spot but he thought better than to tell her that, lest she threatened to turn him into a stingray again.

Under the undisturbed rays of the moon, her crimson tresses seemed to glow. Come to think of it, she always had that certain aura around her—one that was willing to listen without judging hastily, always sharing her honest opinion but in a way that made insults sound like compliments.

People said it was easy to talk to her. He couldn't understand how. All he felt was his heart performing somersaults whenever she was near.

Heat rushed to his face as he remembered the day he had accidentally spoken out loud, questioning if she was an angel. Grover had nudged him with his elbow, the satyr wriggling his brows while Annabeth gave him one of her infamous smirks.

Faced with Sabrina's teasing smile, Percy had vehemently claimed that it was a joke. But as he sat wondering the same thing now, the butterflies that lived in his stomach went feral.

Sabrina blinked when Percy stood up suddenly, a hand outstretched towards her. She took it gingerly, without a question.

"What's on your mind?" She said when he laced their fingers together.

Relieving a breath he didn't know he was holding, Percy shut his eyes momentarily. Opening them again, he found himself staring at endless pools of ultramarine. Oh, right. It was her fault that he searched for that exact shade of blue in everything.

"Westover Hall", he managed meekly, "We were interrupted. I think I owe you a dance."

A smile curled on her lips. Giggles fell from her mouth at his attempt of managing them into a slowdancing stance. "Alright, merman. Just don't get cold feet, okay?"

One of the melodies playing inside, muffled but still decipherable, floated in the air.

 I found a love, for me

Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead

Her hands came up to his waist, his breath hitching when she stepped closer to him. In his too bold of an attempt, he had disregard the fact that he had two left feet.

Noticing his dilemma, Sabrina chuckled. "Relax. Nobody's watching. I won't judge, I promise."

Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet

Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

Their first meeting, a simple exchange of pleasantries in the dean's office was stuck on replay in his head.

Her coming to check up on him when he had cooped himself in his cabin—too spacious and vacant a place—after the eventful Capture the Flag, something she wasn't obligated to do, her blasting Matt Sloan on his butt after obliterating a Laistrygonian, willingly taking half of the weight of the sky onto herself to spare him the agony, those were memories he wanted to cherish forever.

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love

Not knowing what it was

Despite her calm facade, the previously minuscule nagging voice inside her head had morphed into hollering cheers.

It was a sight for sore eyes—two teens fumbling in the dark, neither having a clue what the correct steps were supposed to be but they danced still, to a faded serenade.

And it was fine. As long as they were accompanied by each other's presence, the random comments made that kept them laughing through the whole thing, it didn't matter if they were flawed.

To fall in love with the other's imperfections was a lesson they were glad to have learned.

I will not give you up this time

But darling, just kiss me slow

She wasn't sure how it happened. In the spur of the moment, she had lifted her head from the crook on his neck, yanking him down by the front of his shirt.

The moment she pressed her lips to his, she knew epiphany. Growing up reading cheesy romance novels to pass time, cheating the sequence to skip to the 'first kiss' scenes, always envisioning what it'd feel, Sabrina could now surely say, it was euphoric.

No, there weren't fireworks magically exploding in the sky but the warmth that spread through her was immeasurable. Like downing a whole mug of hot cocoa on a cold December night.

Her heart was working overtime, senses clouded with the scent of ocean waves and a hint of peppermint, to the point he was all she could think about.

Your heart is all I own

And in your eyes, you're holding mine

It was short, a fleeting moment of bliss that left remnants of it behind as it went. His ears were burning and his legs felt like jelly. Percy thought Sabrina was blushing too.

"I—"

"Wow. . ." Whatever she was going to say was cut off by his awestruck exclamation.

Percy felt goosebumps shoot up his spine. He was sure he was shortcircuiting right then and there. With his heart hammering inside his chest, he flashed a lopsided grin.

"Can I- Can I hug you, please?"

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark

With you between my arms

Two demigods who didn't know any better, at a place that was more than likely out of bounds, content with just being in each other's embrace. These little things, Sabrina was starting to understand, were the reason they fought so hard for.

Sure, tackling troubles that no normal kid should, fighting monsters from myths and facing loss everyday wasn't a choice they made for themselves. But it was either they could keep complaining or make the most of the time they had together.

Barefoot on the grass

Listening to our favourite song

"Annabeth! What are you doing outside with a camera? They're serving—"

"Shh!"

". . .Is that. . .Seaweed Brain and Scarlet Witch?"

"Yeah. Took them long enough. I thought I would die without seeing Percina happen."

When you said you looked a mess

I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it

Darling, you look perfect tonight

[awesomebanditlove]

Percina evides. Jordan & Copeland, 1877.

Geographic Range Gilt darters are native to North America and can be found from eastern Minnesota to western New York, south to northern Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Currently, its geographic range is declining due to erosion, siltation, man-made water obstructions, and pollution. (“NatureServe”, 2010)

Habitat Gilt darters inhabit relatively clear, freshwater streams and rivers. Inhabited streams and rivers range from 20 to 100 m wide, with flow rates ranging from 0.5 to 1.2 m/sec, year round. Gilt darters migrate to different depths depending on season. During spring and early summer, they spawn in shallow, swift moving riffles and raceways of the stream. After breeding season, gilt darters reside in the deeper caverns and sediment-free, gravelly beds where they remain for the rest of the year. (“Minnesota Department of Natural Resources”, 2011; Hatch, 2004).

Gilt darters are polyandrous, as multiple males mate with a single female. Demonstrates dramatic nuptial color changes in males. Different color morphs may be found within different locales.

Range length 5.08 to 7.62 cm 2.00 to 3.00 in

Source: http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Percina_evides/

Photo credits: NANFA.org

[dexxty]

I feel like something's coming out of hiatus 🫣

[herpsandbirds]

Gilt Darter, Percina evides, family Percidae, in a stream in Missouri, USA.

photograph by Isaac Szabo

[pultakhen]

Old cons with feelings stuff

[pultakhen]

My cyclops 👶 from Cons with Feelings a project of mine