★ 。＼｜／。★

𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖎𝖙𝖗𝖊 𝖖𝖚𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖊 𝖊𝖙 𝖚𝖓:
BELLE AND PERCY GET
BOTH SAD AND HAPPY NEWS

★ 。／｜＼。★

BELLE, EXTREMELY DISORIENTED and a little bit confused, woke up in a Cabin that had a golden glow to it. Her eyes opened gently and she blinked a couple of times to get used to the light. Belle went to sit up, but a sore feeling in her stomach made it hard. She groaned and felt somebody push gently on her shoulders to get her to lay back down.

"Easy, easy," Percy Jackson's voice urged. "You're still healing."

She looked down to see her entire torso was wrapped with bandages underneath her shirt, the front of it slightly stained red. "What . . . where am I? What happened?"

"You're in the Apollo Cabin. You've been out since yesterday. What do you remember?"

Belle closed her eyes for a moment and tried to remember everything. "There . . . there was a fight. I remember getting stabbed, but after that, not so much." She reached up her hand and placed it gently on his cheek. "Did we win? Is Gaea gone?"

Percy nodded. "Yeah, she's gone. The Satyrs and Nymphs reported that they couldn't sense her presence anymore. Just like Ouranos, Gaea will never be able to form a full consciousness again. Jason, Piper, and Leo's plan worked."

"And Leo?"

Percy didn't say anything for a long moment. He merely hung his head and gripped onto Belle's wrist. The girl's eyes immediately filled with tears. She had had her suspicions for a while, but Gods, she never thought it would actually come true. If only she had spoken up earlier . . . maybe there could've been a way for both Jason and Leo to survive.

"Oh," she whispered, a tear managing to drip down her cheek.

"I know," Percy responded, picking his head up again, making Belle notice his red eyes (presumably from crying.) "The Hephaestus Cabin scoured the entire valley, but . . . there was no sign of Leo or Festus. All they found was some broken pieces of the Argo II."

"Where are the others?" Belle asked, tracing her thumb against his face softly as she sniffled. "We should be with them right now."

Percy shook his head. "They're all on the porch of the Big House after the victory celebration and funeral."

"I missed it?"

"You were stabbed. Even with ambrosia and nectar, you need your rest."

Belle gritted her teeth in effort to stop more tears from falling. "And I should've been there to honor all of the fallen. If I hadn't been so stupid—"

"Hey," Percy cut in. "What happened to you out there was not your fault."

She clenched her fists. "Help me stand up."

"Belle—"

"Please," she continued, her glassy eyes practically begging him to help her. "I need to — we need to talk to them."

Her boyfriend hesitantly nodded. Belle — ignoring the slight pain in her torso — pushed herself up with the help of Percy. He helped her get to her feet and gently wrapped an arm around her waist (careful not to hurt her more) to assist her in walking.

"The second anything starts hurting, I'm taking you right back here," Percy stated firmly.

She smiled sadly. "I don't think anything's hurting as bad as my heart right now, Perce."

His eyes trailed across her face. Belle knew he understood. Leo's death — a member of the eight, the person they had traveled with for months, and who Belle had accompanied at his time at Camp Half-Blood — would leave a deep scar. She didn't know if she could take any more scars.

Very slowly, Belle and Percy walked out of the Apollo Cabin and across the common area to the Big House. Just as Percy had said, all of them were waiting on the porch. Annabeth, Nico, Jason, Piper, Frank, and Hazel all sat in the part shaded by the hot August sun. All of them looked up once the couple stopped in front of him.

"You're awake," Jason commented.

Belle, despite her sadness, managed to laugh a little. "Nice observation, Grace."

"How are you feeling?" Annabeth questioned

"All right." She winced slightly as Percy helped her set down. He sent her a warning glance, but Belle shook her head to let him know she was fine. "It's just . . . Leo, you know? I woke up and he's just . . . gone."

Jason hung his head after that, his glasses lost in the shadow. "We should have been there at the end. We could've helped Leo."

"It's not right," Piper agreed, wiping away the tears on her face. "All that work getting the physician's cure, for nothing."

Hazel immediately broke down crying, making Belle frown. "Piper, where's the cure? Bring it out."

Piper, obviously bewildered, reached into the pouch on her belt. She pulled out the package surrounded by the chamois-cloth. However, when she unfolded the cloth, it was completely empty. Belle's eyes widened, and she vaguely felt another tear drip down her cheek. Everyone turned to look at Hazel.

"How?" Annabeth inquired.

Frank comfortingly put his arm around Hazel. "In Delos, Leo pulled the two of us aside. He pleaded with us to help him."

Hazel, through her tears, explained how she had used the Mist to switch the real physician's cure for an illusion so Leo could keep the real vial. Frank then went on to tell them about Leo's plan to destroy a weakened and charmed Gaea with a huge massive fiery explosion. Leo, after talking with both Nike and Apollo, had been certain that an explosion like that would kill any mortal within a quarter of a mile, so he knew that he would have to get far away enough from everyone so that they wouldn't die.

"He wanted to do it alone," Frank continued. "He thought there would be a slim chance that he, a son of Hephaestus, could survive the fire, but if anyone was with him . . . he said that Hazel and I, being Roman, would understand about sacrifice. But he knew the rest of you would never allow it."

Belle could tell the others were angry at first. All of them looked like they wanted to scream and throw things. She was also angry too, but that whole line in the Prophecy basically did tell them that either Jason or Leo was going to die. But as Frank and Hazel talked about the situation, the rage dissipated into the summer air. It was hard to be mad at Frank and Hazel in general, but even more so when they were both crying. Not to mention the plan sounded exactly like the sneaky and ridiculously heroic thing Leo Valdez would do.

Finally, Piper let out a combination of a sob and a laugh. "If he were here right now, I would kill him. How was he planning to take the cure? He was alone!"

"Maybe he found a way," Percy suggested. "This is Leo we're talking about. He might come back any minute. Then we can take turns strangling him."

Perhaps he was right. Nevertheless, it gave them a sense of hope. That was all they really needed right now.

The next day, Belle's torso was almost completely better with the combination of Will Solace's treatments, ambrosia, and nectar. It was still a little sore when she moved, but at least she could walk by herself. However, Katie, Connor, and Travis never left her side the entire time they were helping both the Romans and Greeks clean up the warzone and tend to the wounded. Belle didn't mind. Throughout the entire voyage, the one thing she wanted to do was get back to them. Walking around and helping care for their home with her three best friends was the best way to spend time with them again. It seemed like old times.

Belle did manage to escape the three of them — just for a little while — to check up on the others. Percy and Tyson were practically attached at the hip as they tried to rebuild some parts of the Cabins that had been destroyed. Reyna, Annabeth, and Piper were also inseparable as they checked on the progress of repairs around the Camp. Frank and Hazel escorted Chiron around the Roman troops' field camp at the strawberry fields so he could praise them for their bravery. Jason was going back and forth in between the Greeks and Romans to figure out what needed to be done. And, of course, Belle joined her Cabin and some of the Ceres kids to regrow some of the plants that had been destroyed.

By that evening, the general mood at Camp Half-Blood had somewhat improved. Belle had never seen the dining pavilion so crowded. The Romans were welcomed like old friends, and the entire Demeter table was filled up with both children of Demeter and Ceres. Belle got a chance to meet some of her new siblings that had shown up and her siblings on the Roman side. By the end of dinner when they were just talking, she had a new Demeter girl sitting on her lap. Her name was Lavender and she was four years old. Belle couldn't help but smile at the way her big green eyes got bright as she told her about her adventures and had a conversation about their favorite plants.

And then announcement time came, where Chiron stepped forwards and raised his goblet. "Out of every tragedy comes new strength. Today, we thank the Gods for this victory. To the Gods!"

All of the Demigods joined the toast. However, the enthusiasm seemed muted. Belle understood. She felt the exact same way. They had all saved the Gods yet again, and now they were supposed to thank them? Honestly, she was kind of over it.

"And to new friends!" Chiron added.

That received a much better response. "TO NEW FRIENDS!"

Hundreds of Demigod voices echoed across the hills of the Long Island Sound.

Then it was time for the campfire. Belle opted to sit next to Percy this time since she had been with everyone else all day. His arm rested comfortably around her shoulder as they sang songs underneath the stars. A couple times, Belle dared to look up at them. Her heart filled with melancholy. Silently, in her head, she said hello to them for Bob. If it hadn't been for him (and Damasen, of course), she wouldn't even be sitting here among her friends right now. She owed everything to him.

After a few songs, Reyna and Frank, the two Praetors, were called up to the front of the campfire. Both the Greeks and Romans gave them a thunderous round of applause as they walked to the center of the amphitheater. Underneath the moonlight up on Half-Blood Hill stood the Athena Parthenos. Belle could feel her power even from here. Somehow, it told her that they would be okay. Maybe not right now, but they would be.

"Tomorrow, we Romans must return home," Reyna announced. "We appreciate your hospitality, especially since we almost killed you—"

"You almost got killed," Annabeth corrected.

"Whatever, Chase."

Oooooohhhhh! the entire crowd said together. Everyone then started laughing and pushing each other around. Percy shook Belle's shoulders a little, and she chuckled before resting her head against his.

"Anyway, Reyna and I agree this marks a new era of friendship between the Camps," Frank voiced.

Reyna clapped him on the back. "That's right. For hundreds of years, the Gods tried to separate us
to keep us from fighting. But there's a better kind of peace — cooperation."

Piper stood up from the her place in the audience. "Are you sure your mom is a war Goddess?"

"Yes, McLean. I still intend to fight a lot of battles. But from now on we fight together!"

That earned a big cheer from everyone.

Frank raised his hand to signal the crowd to be silent. "You'll all be welcome at Camp Jupiter. We've come to an agreement with Chiron: a free exchange between the Camps — weekend visits, training programs and, of course, emergency aid in times of need—"

"And parties?" Dakota, a son of Bacchus, asked.

"Hear, hear!" Connor shouted, making Belle roll her eyes playfully with a smile.

Reyna spread her arms in agreement. 'That goes without saying. We Romans invented parties."

Another big Oooohhhhhhhh! from the crowd.

"So thank you," Reyna concluded. "All of you. We could've chosen hatred and war. Instead we
found acceptance and friendship."

She then walked over to the shadows and pulled out Nico into the firelight. Belle's smile grew as Reyna said something to Nico before giving him a big hug. The crowd roared in approval for them.

"You think he's gonna leave again?" Percy questioned to Belle once the noise died down.

Belle sighed. "I hope not. Staying would be good for him, I think." She looked up at him. "Hey, don't wait up for me tomorrow morning. I have to have some conversations."

"With who?"

"People."

"About what?"

"Things."

Percy shook his head. "I'm not getting an answer out of you, am I?"

"Not a chance, Aqua Boy," Belle replied before turning back to the campfire, watching as the Apollo Cabin began to play a song on their lyres. "That's for me to know and for you to find out."

"I love you."

"I love you too, but that's not going to help you."

"Worth a shot."

And with the smallest of smiles on her face, Belle began to sing along to the familiar tune. "Oh, things couldn't be worse, when your parents run the universe . . ."

⭒  ☆  ━━━━━━━━━━━━━  ☆  ⭒

BELLE HAD BEEN running around all morning. First, she met up with Annabeth to make sure the plan was good for her too. Then she talked to Frank and Reyna before the Romans left to make sure everything was okay on that end. After a very tearful goodbye to them, Hazel, and the rest of the Romans, Belle entered the Big House to finalize things with Chiron.

"I think you're good to go, Belle," Chiron revealed.

She gasped excitedly. "Are you for real?"

"Yours, Annabeth's, and Percy's transcripts have all been sent over. So yes, you'll all be going there together."

"Oh my Gods, thank you, Chiron," Belle responded.

Chiron's eyes glittered. "I think you'd better go tell Percy. Something tells me he'll be extremely happy."

Belle nodded rapidly before leaving the Big House. Once she got to the bottom of the steps, she looked around the common area for the boy she adored so much. Finally, she saw him walking across the green grass with his hands in his pocket, his black hair rustling in the wind. An involuntary smile made its way onto Belle's face as she approached him.

"Hey, you," she greeted to announce her presence.

Percy looked down at her and grinned. "Hey, Beauty. What's up?"

"Remember yesterday when I said not to bother me this morning because I had to have some conversations?" Belle asked. Percy nodded, and Belle moved to stand in front of him so that they stopped by the hearth. "Well, this conversations were a part of a surprise for you."

He raised an eyebrow. "A surprise? For me? What kind of surprise?"

"Well, you're going to a new school this year called Alternative High School." She paused for a moment. "As it turns out so are Annabeth and I." His mouth opened, but she held up a hand to stop him. "And as you asked me before, we're all going to college in New Rome together. After that, our two favorite Praetors told us we could stay there as long as we'd like."

Percy stared down at her, not saying anything for a moment. Before she could even say anything else, Percy surged forwards and wrapped his arms around her waist tightly. He picked her entire frame up from off the ground and spun her around. Belle laughed loudly, the sound echoing throughout the common area as she held onto him.

"Oh Gods, your stomach," Percy rushed out, frantically setting her down on the ground. "Are you okay? Does it hurt? Did I—"

"Percy," Belle cut him off, laughing slightly as she placed her hands on either side of his face. "I'm fine. Really. In fact, I am more than fine."

She then noticed a new figure approach them. Belle turned to see Nico walking towards them from the direction of the Apollo Cabin. She dropped her hands from Percy and smiled widely at the boy.

"Hey, man," Percy said once Nico approached. "Belle just told me some good news. Sorry if I got a little crazy."

"Annabeth, Percy, and I will be spending our senior year together in New York City," Belle explained. "And then after we graduate—"

"College in New Rome!" Percy exclaimed, snagging Belle's waist in his arm and pulling her close to him. He looked down at her adoringly, making her heart race. "Four years with no monsters to fight, no battles, no stupid Prophecies. Just me and Belle—"

Belle rested her hand on Percy's chest. "And Annabeth."

"—getting our degrees, hanging out at cafés, enjoying California—"

"And then after that . . ." Belle trailed off, pressing up onto her toes and kissing Percy on the cheek. "Reyna and Frank gave the approval that we could live in New Rome as long as we'd like to."

"That's great," Nico replied. "I'm staying too, here at Camp Half-Blood."

"Awezome!" Percy responded.

Belle felt happiness fill her heart. "That's really amazing, Nico."

Nico studied Percy's face for a moment. "So, since we're going to be spending at least a year seeing each other at Camp, I think I should clear the air."

Percy's smile wavered a little. "What do you mean?"

"For a long time, I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know."

Percy blinked at Nico. He then looked down at Belle, who merely shrugged. There was nothing wrong with it. Love was love, and if Nico had a crush on Percy, Belle couldn't blame him. The heart wants what it wants. Also, who wouldn't have a crush on Percy Jackson if they liked men? Come on, it was Percy for crying out loud.

He then looked back to Nico. "You—"

"Yeah," Nico agreed. "You're a great person. But I'm over that. I'm happy for you guys."

Belle nodded. "Thank you, Nico. I'm happy for you, too."

Percy, however, was still shocked. "You . . . so you mean—"

"Right," Nico confirmed.

Belle's blue eyes began to sparkle. She offered Nico a small smirk.

"Wait," Percy continued. "So you mean—"

"Right," Nico repeated. "But it's cool. We're cool. I mean, I see now . . . you're cute, but you're not my type."

"I'm not your type . . . wait. So—"

"See you around, Percy," Nico finished, a ghost of an amused smile on his face. "Belle."

Belle raised her hand to Nico for a high-five. Nico obliged before walking back across the green to the Apollo Cabin, where Will Solace was waiting for him. Belle laughed slightly at the way Percy was still standing there in shock, as if he was trying to calculate everything in his head.

She patted his chest twice before walking away from him. "Let's go grab some lunch, yeah?"

"What . . ." Percy stated. "I—"

Belle turned to face him again, crossing her arms across her chest. "You, my love, are so incredibly clueless. Now, come on. I promised Travis I'd help plan for his and Katie's one year later."

Percy shook his head and followed after her towards the dining pavilion. And maybe, just maybe, Belle Adair started to believe that everything would be okay.

— [ ♡ ] —

one more chapter and then the bonuses???? wtf???? I'm so sad no

anyways I ended up on jason grace slander tiktok and I'm not happy about it

gifs by 1-800-SIMPINGFORSEB !