2 DAYS had passed and Percy still hadn't awoken, neither had Thalia. Luna spent the entire 48 hours beside her brother's bed in the infirmary, refusing to move until her Percy was better. However, on the 3rd day, Grover and Annabeth had finally managed to get Luna outside by promising her that they'd keep watch over him instead. They had been offering to watch him across the 48 hours too, but Luna was just too stubborn to agree. But, when the 60th hour passed by, Luna felt like she had to stretch her legs and inhale fresh air. She also needed to shower immediately.

She spent the early afternoon in the wooden restrooms, standing in the shower stalls for way longer than she needed to. When the hot water turned cold, Luna still didn't move. She just looked down at her feet, allowing the water to shower upon the back of her head. The water made her injuries sting, especially the beaten up knuckles on her right hand. Luna liked the sting, which sounded crazy, but she thought she deserved the extra pain.

Luna couldn't stop thinking about her Mom— both Hecate and Sally. She couldn't erase what Luke had said to her, about how Hecate was ignoring her because Luna hadn't joined Kronos. It seemed true, but Luna didn't entirely believe it. Maybe Luke had just dragged out the truth and made it more dramatic to make Luna feel worse. Because, if Hecate hated how the Gods treated her, what Luke was saying made sense. But... how was Luna supposed to know that if Hecate never planned on speaking to her? That was the part that didn't make sense. Luna didn't know Hecate, but she had some hope that her Mom wouldn't just throw her under the bus that quickly. Luna had only been a claimed Demi-God for a year— she was still too new to know any better. Camp Half-Blood had provided her with a new reality and, even if Luke thought it was a cult, it was a place that Luna felt safe... when it wasn't being invaded by monsters trying to break the barrier.

Luna had been thinking of Sally, and the other reality she had to live. The human life she had in New York: school, homework, grocery shopping. She had tried to write letters to Sally whilst staying with Percy in the infirmary but, even after 2 days, Luna had nothing. Every time she wrote a letter, she'd write the wrong thing or spell the words completely wrong. Luna didn't want to make Sally worry about Percy's safety, but she couldn't exactly write an optimistic letter because she was so upset. Luna would've just texted Sally, but cellphones attracted monsters. After her 7th attempt of writing a letter, Luna had started crying again; that was when Tyson walked in, apologised a thousand times, and then offered to write it for her. During the few hours, Tyson had revealed that Poseidon had offered him a chance to create weapons for the fight to come in the Forge of Hephaestus, which was a workshop for crafting advanced weapon in the depths of the ocean. Tyson had agreed to help his Father... and Luna hadn't seen him since— they had promised to send each other the occasional Iris Message.

Luna felt like she had lost two brothers.

After her shower, that consisted more of standing completely frozen under lukewarm water than actual cleaning, Luna decided to travel back to the infirmary. The feeling of her clean clothes— a fresh Camp t-shirt and long denim shorts— surprisingly made her feel a lot better. And, just got a moment, she allowed herself to think of something positive— Luna was looking forward to gaining her second bead on her Camp necklace at the end of the summer.

The slight breeze against her wet hair sent shivers through her; it was usually still quite hot during this time at Camp, but Luna guessed the weather was being effected because of Thalia's return. Luna wasn't entirely sure how she felt about Thalia— she was quite nervous to meet her, honestly. Thalia Grace had been occupying the infirmary bed beside Percy and, during Luna's 48 hours of consistently watching over her brother, she was worried that Thalia would wake up before him... then Luna would've been in a room alone with the girl who shot lightning bolts through multiple teenagers. Despite originally telling Clarisse to let her die, Luna didn't particularly want her death to involve being sizzled into human-bacon by a million volts of electricity.

Luna wondered if Thalia would join Kronos because, if Hecate had turned her into a pine tree, Luna would join the dark-side just out of spite. Thalia's return was a joyful thing for many Campers, but everybody also knew how dangerous this whole thing was.

When Luna strolled towards the Infirmary, she was met with Clarisse who was exiting the building. Luna slowed her pace, so the two girls didn't pass each other, but it seemed as though Clarisse had already seen her. In fact, it was almost as though Clarisse was looking for her. That was why she was exiting the Infirmary alone. 

"Thought you left." Clarisse said, walking towards the girl with her spear in her hand. And, for the first time, Clarisse wasn't aiming her weapon at her; instead, she planted it in the ground next to her, holding it in the grasp of her right hand.

"I did..." Luna replied, "To shower." And having a civilised conversation with Clarisse felt strange. Luna was used to feeling rage and hatred whenever she spoke to her, but that negativity seemed to have vanished. It had been fading out for a while now.

"Right." Clarisse nodded, "That's good. I mean— Annabeth just said that you'd been in the Infirmary since... So, it's good you... you know, you're outside."

Luna stared at her, "Yeah. Guess so." She cleared her throat, "So, uh, what're you doing here?"

"I, uh..." Clarisse hesitated, "I came to see you— tell you that Chiron put me in charge of training our Strike Force. For the fight to come."

Luna waited for the girl to continue, but she didn't. Luna wasn't entirely sure why Clarisse wanted to tell her that. They weren't exactly friendly enough to hug each other in congratulation. Luna blinked, "Cool."

Clarisse finally added, "Could use you, too."

"Me?" Luna relaxed at the comfortability of using sarcasm to tease her, "Did Chiron force you to ask me?"

Clarisse mused, shrugging slightly, "We work well together, Red."

Together? They stared at each other for a moment, before Luna raised her eyebrows, "Do I have to remind you about Polyphemus' cave?" She gave a short and quiet chuckle.

"Yeah, please don't." Clarisse shook her head with a small smirk, before pausing to think of her next words. She added genuinely, yet sarcasm laced through her soft tone, "I, uh... never thanked you for that, by the way. I mean, presuming you were the one who used magic to make sure I didn't land on the floor. When I fell."

"Magic? Definitely not me." Luna replied sarcastically, "Maybe it was Grover's reed-pipes." And they exchanged a quiet scoffed chuckle. Luna paused before adding, "But, I mean, you still passed out."

Clarisse shrugged softly, "You still tried to help."

Luna couldn't help but give a small smile, "Well you helped me, too. A shit-load of times. I was just... repaying you, I guess." She paused, "You know, when we don't hate each other, we do work... well together."

Clarisse's eyes lit up slightly, "So you'll join the Strike Force?" She questioned, trying to sound casual.

"With you in charge of me?" Luna remarked in subtle disagreement, "I don't—"

"I know you hate being told what to do. You're stubborn, Red." Clarisse cut in, explaining, "But it could work. We could... work." She hesitated, before adding quickly, "To protect Camp."

Luna sighed truthfully, "Clarisse... if you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly the most liked here. Most people on your Force probably hate my guts. Or, they're scared of me... and I don't want you to lose members 'cause of me."

"I'd wanna lose them if they don't agree with you being there." Clarisse retorted confidently.

Luna shook her head, "You don't mean that."

"I do." Clarisse explained truthfully, "It was my Quest, but you helped like it was your own. And, even though I got all the glory, I... couldn't have done it without you, Red. So, if they give you shit for joining the Strike Force, I'll sort them out."

Luna didn't think the Ares girl was capable of kindness, and she didn't entirely know where it had came from. She asked, "And by sorting them out, you mean... beating the shit out of them?" Clarisse nodded simply. Luna blurted out, "Why?"

"Why what?" Clarisse's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Just... why're you doing this?" Luna questioned, "I mean, we've never exactly been friends, Clarisse. And, not that I don't appreciate this— I just never imagined us being... friends."

"That's 'cause we're not friends." Clarisse said smartly, yet sarcasm laced her voice, "Ever. I still think you're an asshole."

"Well, good." Luna defended, "Because I still think you're a bitch."

"Good." Clarisse smirked in amusement at the girl's quick reply.

"Good." Luna repeated, before realising she was actually beginning to get offended by what Clarisse had said. She let out a breath, staring at the girl in front of her who was smirking to herself.

Clarisse mused, "The Strike Force will be good for you. And your anger problems—"

"I don't have anger problems." Luna cut in too quickly.

"You sure?" Clarisse questioned with a small chuckle.

Luna muttered, holding back a smile, "Fuck you." She lowered her head so Clarisse couldn't see her flushed cheeks. Luna cleared her throat, giving a small nod, "I'll think about it."

Clarisse informed, "Well, think quickly. Training starts soon."

She nodded, rolling her eyes, as the two stared in silence for a moment. Luna asked sarcastically, "Can I go now?"

"Please." Clarisse remarked, watching as the girl strolled away. But Clarisse didn't walk, she simply stayed, as if she was waiting for Luna to turn back.

Whilst walking, Luna remembered the conversation between Clarisse and Percy on Long Island. Percy had accused the girl of pushing Luna away and, when Clarisse asked him what he was implying, the boy replied that he didn't think Clarisse would want him to say it out loud. The conversation had been haunting Luna's mind ever since it had happened but, following the recent events of Percy being in the infirmary, Luna was distracted from it. However, she remembered it again now. And something inside of her triggered her quick impulses; Luna turned around,

"Hey, Clarisse? What did Percy mean?" She called to the Ares girl, who was slightly further away now. Luna explained, "That day on the Quest. Before we boarded the Princess Andromeda. He said that he didn't know if you'd want him to say something out loud." She paused, "What was it?"

Clarisse looked at her from across the path, curiously folding her arms across her chest. She stared at Luna, almost wondering how the girl didn't know; Clarisse thought that was why Luna followed her onto the ship afterwards, to talk about it... but they never did.

Luna stared back, waiting.

"Luna."
A new voice spoke from behind the girl, and Luna looked back towards the Infirmary doors behind her to see Grover. He beamed a smile, "Percy's awake!" Luna smiled in relief. Grover's eyes shifted to Clarisse in the distance, as he gave the girl a cautious smile, but the Ares girl just rolled her eyes sarcastically and finally walked away. Grover looked at Luna, "You okay?"

"Yeah." Luna said, but she kept her eyes on Clarisse as she walked away, "We just talked, shockingly."

"What about?" Grover questioned curiously.

Luna finally turned around when the Ares girl vanished out of her sight, "The Strike Force." She replied, as they both walked back inside the building.

"Really?" Grover frowned in confusion, "She wants you to train with her?"

"Don't ask." Luna remarked. But mainly because she had no idea how to answer him. She was just as confused as Grover was.

***

Luna hadn't left Percy's side since he awoke, making sure to give him the tightest hug and then proceed to apologise a thousand times. But the boy didn't seem to mind, in fact, he was just happy to see his sister again. They mentioned sending Tyson an Iris Message but, before that, Percy insisted on seeing Chiron again, especially now that he was Camp Director again.

The four entered the Big House, meeting with Chiron in horse-form. Luna would've been lying if she said that she was interested in what he had to say, since the girl was too distracted by the thought of Clarisse. She just wanted to know what Percy meant but, if she asked Percy, Luna was afraid that it would lead to a conversation involving her telling him her secret. Maybe it was time to tell him... but Luna decided to wait until she was ready. She hoped she was ready soon. Maybe telling Percy that she liked girls would help her accept herself more; she hoped it would. Luna was getting pretty tired of hating herself. It was kind of exhausting.

Chiron continued speaking, and it caused Luna to finally listen, "You deserve to know the truth about what really happened that night that you arrived."

Grover frowned, repeating curiously, "What really happened?"

"I remember this," Annabeth shook her head, "I don't need to relive it."

"The story you remember didn't end the way you think." Chiron explained, "I know because I saw everything. I prepared to defend the young girl. The Furies kept their distance. Did not attack. Instead, they spoke. Until they said too much. The Furies had delivered a message from Hades, who knew exactly how to drive a wedge between father and daughter."

Luna listened to the Centaur as he told the story of how Thalia Grace was turned into a tree as punishment from her own Father, Zeus. Honestly, Luna wasn't surprised— she had always imagined Zeus to be an asshole, and now he was living up to Luna's reputation of him. Chiron told the four teenagers that Thalia tried to rebel against her Father's words and, before she could leave Camp with Luke and Annabeth, Zeus' only way to stop her was to turn her into a tree. If Luna was Thalia, she'd be pissed. Her teenage years were frozen in time to serve as the Camp's tree-barrier. Yeah, Luna would be fucking pissed. She remembered that Grover and Annabeth knew her personally, meaning their reactions were filled with a feeling of betrayal. Percy listened too, but Luna guessed that he was still nervous for Thalia to awaken, and Luna didn't blame him at all.

The more they learned about Thalia, the more Luna doubted that she would be on their side of the War. Because, if Luna had returned after being a Tree for years, she'd confidently have enough rage to destroy Olympus. The more Luna thought about it, the more she thanked that she hadn't been turned into a tree, or been born a Forbidden Child of Zeus, Poseidon, or Hades. Not that Hecate was any better, especially now Luna was aware of why she was getting the silent treatment. Maybe all the Gods were just assholes but, then again, that was why some Campers decided to turned to Kronos. Luna wouldn't turn to Kronos, she'd liked to think so anyway, because she was smart. If she had problems with the Gods, why would she turn to the Being who was literally the equivalent to the Devil?! Yeah, Luna considered herself smart enough not to be brainwashed by a Titan who ate his fucking children.

"You lied." Grover said sadly, "You saw what happened... and you lied."

Chiron hesitated, "Six years ago, Zeus ordered me to lie. To say that the Furies had mortally wounded Thalia, and that he had spared her life. When you first told me about the Quest this year, I realised what Kronos intended. To use the power of the Fleece to raise his champion. I feared that champion was you, Percy. But I was wrong."

A distant rumble of thunder distracted Luna once again, as her blue eyes shifted to the window to her left. She watched as raindrops started spitting against the glass, the gentle patter slowly becoming more forceful. Luna stared in confusion. Why was it raining?

Annabeth worried, "You don't mean..."

Luna interrupted mindlessly, "It's raining." Why was it raining in summer? Percy, Annabeth, and Grover all looked at her, unimpressed at the girl's inability to read social cues in this moment. Annabeth was holding back tears, but now she just looked annoyed. Grover just looked at Luna, as if to say now was not the time. Percy was used to his sister interrupting everybody, but he more concerned about the tears in Annabeth's eyes, so he suddenly cared that Luna cut in with a random weather update. However, Chiron didn't seem to mind— in fact, it seemed to make his expression falter with realisation. A crack of thunder ripped through the dark sky, then a bright flash of lightning illuminated the room around them.

But, just as Chiron was about to speak, the Big House doors swung open with a sudden bang, causing the teenagers to flinch back. The lamp next to Luna started to flicker slightly, an accidental use of her magic caused by fear. Because, standing in the doorway was Thalia Grace. And Luna wasn't entirely sure what the girl was capable of doing next... was this how the other Campers felt around Luna?

Thalia walked inside, her breathing heavy. She kept her eyes on the familiar face of Grover, frowning worriedly, "Where's..." and her accent was different to theirs. Thalia's eyes darted around the room, swiftly meeting with Luna and Percy. Then finally, Annabeth stepped into view, and Luna watched as Thalia's expression softened, "Annabeth?" She stared at the girl, who she remembered to be little, and it took her a while to process the new world around her. Thalia added, "You've grown." Tears rolled down Annabeth's cheeks, as she walked towards the girl and hugged her tightly. Thalia opened her eyes, but refused to let go of the little girl for a moment, "Where's Luke?"

At the mention of his name, Luna's stare hardened. Grover glanced at her, then to Percy. Her brother was glaring at Thalia, almost puffing out his chest as a gesture to his fearlessness. But Luna knew he was afraid— maybe not of Thalia, but he was afraid of losing Annabeth and Grover. The daughter of Zeus glared back, pulling out of her hug with Annabeth but still holding her close. And, when Luna looked down, she realised Percy's hands were clenched into tight fists of frustration.

"Where is he?" Thalia demanded.

Gods, Luna thought, just when she thought her life at Camp might've started to become peaceful. She let out sigh of annoyance, before deciding to support her brother by glaring at Thalia now too. Luna didn't want to have a problem with Thalia, mainly due to the whole electrocution-thing, but she made a promise to protect Percy. Protecting him was her job. And whilst she may not have been a Satyr, Luna was still his sister— that was much more dangerous. She would protect Percy, no matter what or who got in her way. Because an older siblings' job was to protect. And maybe it made more sense why Hecate was her Mother, because the Goddess was told to be a protector too.

But, if what Luke said was true, and Luna had brought shame to Hecate for not joining Kronos, she promised herself that she would make her Mother proud by protecting her family. Because that was what Hecate did to earn her name as the Guardian of Oikos. Maybe then, her Mother would finally speak to her.

a/n:
hey everyone!! sorry it took so long for this chapter to be posted <3

SEASON 2 IS OFFICIALLY OVER i miss it already omg s3 hurry up now.

thank you so much for reading this fanfic it honestly means so much to me and i love all your comments so much. like 85K reads is SO insane im honestly so grateful for all of you <3

YES lunaclarisse hasn't happened yet but trust the process!!!! i just wanted lunaclarisse to be SLOWWW burn because i wanted to make the enemies to lovers trope realistic for their characters :))))

anyway thank you so much!!
—my next fic is the walking dead, if you're interested<3 a few chapters are already posted :)

SEE YOU ALL IN S3🩷