&. d r o w n i n g

“Woah-! Dude, I don’t want to die!” He stumbled a few times, not expecting the sudden weight on his back. The demigod took a moment or two before he steadied and sighed a bit. Arms hooking under her legs, and straightening up, easier to support her this way. “A little warning next time?” he uttered and he started walking. “Hope you know I’m headed off to do an errand, does this mean you’re gonna keep me company?”

The words caught him completely off guard, enough that it felt like the floor had been stolen right beneath his feet. There’s a confused look on his face, staring up at her with … suspicion. Not on purpose, but the sea child hasn’t exactly dealt with any positive interactions with Gods or Titans. Even other demigods at times if they were at odds. Hell, his relatives. 

Take a small breath.“Sorry… it’s kinda been wired into me at this point,” he supplied with a soft mutter, shoulders tensed a little. It’s just– it’s hard for him not to be on guard.

Percy continued to stare at Jinx for a few more moments, her words causing him to pause in those movements. “...” well he had two options here, he could or couldn’t go through it. Oh well. Knocks the water bottle over. 

Leo looks at him, deadpan at the ‘sign’ comment, and raises a brow. “If I hear one quip about being a Leo while my NAME is Leo, I’ll kick your ass, Jackson.” But then she smiles. “Nah like- literally the science of stars. That’s what I’m into.” She raises a hand, gesturing at the sky. “They’re all dead, man, by the time we see them, because no matter how fast light travels, they’re all too far off for us to see. There are stars out there right now that we can’t see, because their light hasn’t had long enough to travel- we have no idea they exist. That kind of shit.”

“No you don’t, and perfect is overrated.” The answer didn’t come with any hesitation. Firm and quick. Because that’s honestly what the taller believed. Leo was messy, he made mistakes, he could be quirky, and do some weird things. He was also determined, brilliant, thoughtful, and brave. All of that was much better than some boring perfect image. Percy certainly had no interest in anything perfect, imperfection had it’s own glow– it’s own flare.  

It’s own spark.

Percy bumped against him, “Screw perfect.”

“We all have things we don’t want to talk about, things we’ve done that-- are better not spoken about.” He turns to face his friend, the air around them somber, and quiet. Percy’s not sure of what brought this about, what caused this topic to come about. But he wasn’t about to dismiss it, Jinx opened up a little bit to him about this. The sea child recalled how difficult it had been for Thad to tell him anything about his past. Well, it’s not like the blond speedster actually told him in the first place. Someone else did, or at least started to. Nevertheless, after living for this long, and seeing how mortals can change and evolve into better or worse versions of themselves. Not really one to judge anymore. As much.

He’s still a jerk at times.

“You don’t need to talk about it, you know? But-- I’ve got your back,” he reassured her. “I mean, I’m no saint either, I’d be a hypocrite if I judged you or Thad. Or any of my friends really.”

A smile. 

“But, for real, I’m serious.”