✩ ━━━ chapter eight, memories of old age. ❝A hand that can't be reached without; we're turning around now, each on a different path,❞

"SWEETIE, DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN!" His mom's voice is faint, too far away to wake him up properly. Percy breathed out a soft groan, burrowed deeper into the bed, stretching underneath the weight of his warm blankets. The light was still shut off, and his bedroom remained dark; the only source of life was the sunlight filtering through the curtain, setting a warm orange cast, and the opened door. He heard the faint sound of the wooden floor creaking under the weight, light steps coming to a stop next to him. Percy's eyes fluttered shut as the weight of the bed shifted.

"Is it nap time?" Micah whispered, close enough to Percy's ear to make him keep him awake for another second, settling underneath the bedcovers. "I love nap time."

Percy nodded a little mindless, barely conscious. Micah laughed lowly, and if Percy focused, he could hear his mother's steps in the living room and the sound of a radio playing.

Micah's arm wrapped itself around Percy's stomach, his hand grasping Percy's own. "Close the door," Percy's voice cracked. Micah made a sound of consideration, cradling their joined hands to Percy's chest.

He felt Micah's forehead pressed to the back of his head. "No thank you. Don't think I don't know about Medusa's severed head," he laughed quietly.

Percy buried a sleepy smile against his pillow. "So, you know I'll use it if you don't shut the door," He laughed when Micah kicked him, wrapping his leg over Percy when he began to move away.

Micah held him tight. "But we're comfortable right now, Percy. Will you really get up to fetch the old hag's head when you have me in your bed?"

Percy covered his head with the blanket. "I—It's nap time; shut up!" He couldn't stop smiling. "Why are you even here, anyway?" He asked, trying to calm the way his heart kept beating a little too fast.

"I am here to take a nap." Micah declared, hand traveling under Percy's shirt mischievously. "Since I finished my quest earlier than expected, I figured I could stop by since I was around the neighborhood."

Percy lifted the blanket, unable to stop a goofy smile from surfacing. "You said your quest was to Mount Othrys... I don't know about your geographical skills, Micah, but San Francisco isn't that close to New York."

"So maybe I had to travel a little." the older boy commented nonchalantly, pitching Percy's hip. "Nothing too far to keep me from seeing you,"

His mother's singing echoed through the hallway, and Micah looked at the opened door, tilting his head. "And I don't know about you, Percy, but Sally is a little ridiculous if she thinks an opened door will stop me from kissing my date."

Percy let out a small noise when Micah wrapped both his hands around his hips, bringing him closer. "Date?" He asked a little breathlessly. Micah raised an eyebrow, face awfully close to Percy's.

"A little bird," Micah said with shining eyes, and for a second, Percy swore he heard chirping out his window, "told me a certain son of Poseidon was planning on skipping their class prom."

"Poseidon already had another kid? That was fast—Micah!" Percy screamed as Micah dropped his weight on top of him, kicking and thrashing around with mirth, covering his face with his hands but nothing stopped Micah from planting a loud kiss on Percy's knuckles.

"I've volunteered to be your date, of course." He nods his head, to make it clear there's no doubt nor willingness to negotiate "Sally already has a frame reserved for our picture."

"Silly mom," Percy whispered. Micah repeated with a fond smile, "Silly Sally."

"Ah, you better prepare, Jackson. We're competing for the title of Prom King," Micah said; Percy peeked at him through parted fingers. "But I'm willing to comprise for you. I wouldn't mind being titled Prom Queen as long as you are my first dance."

Percy looked at him for a minute, at the wild pitch-black hair and the champagne color of his eyes, the solemn expression despite the ridiculous cheesy words; he couldn't help but give in and laugh uproariously. "You are lucky you're handsome, Micah; saying things like would never get you a date in the mortal world, you creep. "

"I supposed it doesn't help in either realm, considering I am single, still." Micah tilted his head, lip twitching at Percy's reddening face.

Percy covered Mica's face, pushing him away jokingly. "And I wonder why that is, idiot." He cuddled closer to the son of Hypnos, settling in his arms in a way that had his heart soaring. He tangled their legs together again, Micah's hand running through his hair.

"One day," Micah mused, voice achingly soft and full of wonder, pulling him closer to his hold. He pressed his forehead against Percy's, but the boy was already deeply asleep, soothed by his presence. "When the time is right, and we are free of the Fates, I'll meet you with an equal heart, Percy Jackson."

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He was startled awake. Lord Hypnos was looking at him unimpressed. "Do you always think of my son?" The god asked. Nico covered his smile with his bony hand.

Percy blushed. "I don't—We—What do you want?" He shook his head, feeling a little dizzy and faint. "What did you do?"

"He just needed to check your memories. " Nico informed him. "Lord Hypnos believes Hiroki might've left something to prove his innocence with you. We have to hurry, though; Typhon had made it to the Mississippi River."

Percy frowned. "Why would he leave something with me? And why do I still need the Curse of Achilles? Micah isn't a traitor."

"Woohoo, that's great!" Nico said drily. "Doesn't mean he won't try to hurt you to uphold his phony alliance to Kronos—or that Luke won't kill you, or the Titans and their army. Even Zeus, while we are at it. Ares isn't fond of you either. My dad kind of hates you, too."

Percy grumbled, struggling to his feet. "Yeah, yeah."

They were already near the River Styx; the roar of the rushing water made Percy's head pound. The River Styx's current swirled with all the dreams people had thrown away—ripped-up college diplomas, wedding rings, broken toys, and dream journals. The water of the river was polluted, black and oozed through stones unnaturally.

"So," Percy broke the silence. "I just jump in?"

"You have to prepare yourself first," Nico said, "or the river will destroy you."

"It will burn away your body and soul," Hypnos said. It was a little bizarre—no matter how silly and baby-faced he looked, he's still a god. "This is no joke." He warned, raising a little finger to point at him. "There is only one way to stay anchored to your mortal life. It will make you powerful. But it will also make you weak. Your prowess in combat will be beyond any mortal, but your weaknesses, your failings will increase as well."

"Sounds fun," Percy muttered. "Awesome. How do I do this?"

Hypnos explained carefully. "Concentrate on your mortal point—Imagine one spot of your body that will remain vulnerable. This is the point where your soul will anchor your body to the world."

Before he could change his mind, Percy nodded. He pictured a string, connecting him to the world from the small of his back, and without another moment of hesitation, he jumped into the river.

It felt like bathing in pure acid—but nothing hurt more than the remainder of what it felt like to thrash underwater, unable to breathe, the phantom of Micah's hands on his head but instead of a soft caress, it was cruelty keeping his head underneath the water as he drowned.

It was supposed to be a good day, Percy thought as every nerve in his body burned, it was supposed to be a good day. He had been so sure Micah was going to ask him out, finally. They met by the lake at nighttime, and it was going to be everything Percy dreamed of; a kiss, a soft question from Micah, a shy yes from Percy—but then Micah betrayed him.

He found a way to cancel his powers and held Percy's head underwater to make him drown, nearly killed him to prove his alliance to Kronos before deserting the camp.

The pain was too much; it felt like his soul was being ripped from his body. What was happening?

"Percy," His eyes opened under the toxic water of the Styx at the sound of his mom's voice. Right, right—the Styx, he was swimming in the River Styx—Why was he swimming— "I give you my blessing."

Oh, right. Suddenly, there was a tug in his lower back. His mom. Sally Jackson, the best person in the world. The first person to ever love him no matter what; he's a foot taller than her now and more than a little dangerous, but she still treats him like a little kid.

Who else would keep him tied to the world but his mom?

The water stopped hurting, and he could finally think. Percy swan up to the surface, inhaling sharply. Hypnos flew towards him, his little hand stretched outward.

"Are you okay?" Nico stammered. "Your skin. Oh, gods. You're hurt!"

"I'm fine, I think," Percy replied, looking at his arms. They were bright red and blistering, flesh missing from his fingers, but everything seemed to heal almost immediately. "I think the river thing worked," He said, choked-up with amazement and fear.

"Oh gee," Nico said sarcastically, still breathing heavily from the panic. "You think?"

Hypnos' wings fluttered happily. "Time to save my son!" The little god cheered; Nico looked exasperated, a little overwhelmed.

"Time to fight a war." He added with less enthusiasm.

Hypnos brightened even more. "With my son's help!"

"You have things to do, Lord Hypnos," Nico said trying not to sound too harsh. "I have to speak with my father."

Hypnos nodded, white curls bouncing. "You're the only person who might be able to get Hades to listen."

"That's a depressing thought." Nico sighed. "All right. I'll do my best. Besides, he's still hiding something from me about my mom. Maybe I can find out what."

"Alright!" Lord Hypnos shot up with excitement, gold dust exploding from his hands. "Nico is going to speak with his father, Percy is going to win a war, and I'm going to prove my son's innocence!"

Percy nodded, gearing himself up—after this, he is going to be free; no more prophecy, no more lying. He'll be free and more importantly, Percy will be with Micah.

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𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ! ! !

a memory of happier times before hirocah snapped lol. and more on that one time he was like time to drown percy for the sake of being poetic! i joke about it but it's really sad and traumatizing for percy

hint for next ep; birds!

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Until next time!