Chapter Text
Magnus Chase stepped off the plane and looked around for his cousin. She should be here somewhere…
Magnus spotted her standing a hundred yards away with a sign that read Summer Boy. Annabeth Chase wore denim overalls over a purple t-shirt. Her long, curly blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail. She’s always been tan, but now her tan was deeper and freckles dotted her cheeks. When she spotted him, she raised her hand. “Magnus!”
Magnus waved back. He moved through the crowd to her. “Hey,” he said. “It’s good to see you again, Annabeth.” They haven’t seen each other in two years.
“You grew your hair out again!” Annabeth said. She threw her arms around Magnus in a quick hug. “Let’s find your suitcase.”
Magnus didn’t really like being touched and the hug made him go stiff. He forced a smile. “Um, suitcase?”
Annabeth tilted her head in confusion. “You brought a suitcase, right?” When Magnus didn’t answer, Annabeth groaned. “Tell me you at least brought a backpack?”
Magnus hefted his carry-on bag. He had what he needed; one change of clothes and some toiletries.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. “It’s a good thing we have a washing machine.” She gestured for Magnus to follow her.
They walked through the airport, Magnus falling into step with Annabeth. She was still taller than him. Now that he was eighteen, he was beginning to worry that he would be short forever. Alex was taller than him too. Not that that came as a surprise. You aren’t allowed to think about Alex, Magnus chastised himself. Alex was the reason he was on the other side of the country, after all. “Are you sure that Percy’s okay with this?”
“Of course. He’ll be thrilled to have you stay over.”
Magnus wasn’t entirely sure about that. He remembered that Percy had been kind of distant the last time they saw each other. And he was hardcore into training in a way that was kind of too intense for Magnus. But this wasn’t for training so maybe things would be different and Percy would be more relaxed.
Annabeth led Magnus to a truck that looked like it had seen better days. It smelled like goat and ocean on the inside. While she drove them from the airport in San Francisco to her apartment in Berkeley Hills, New Rome, Annabeth talked about what there was to see and do in the area. She was especially detailed about architecture like the Golden Gate Bridge, launching into facts about its construction and history.
Magnus listened with half an ear, more interested in looking out the windows. The part of his mind that remembered being homeless was making a mental map of the city and all the places that looked like good food or good shelter. He made a note of the amount of homeless people in the area - at least the visible ones - and wondered what their community was like. Well, he would find out soon enough.
It was only a thirty minute drive from the airport to New Rome. Annabeth drove up to a set of gates in the Berkeley Hills and over a cattle guard. The world shimmered for a moment as the - what did they call it? Mist? - Mist keeping New Rome hidden allowed them entry and hid them from mortal view. The world outside the windows was very green and very hilly. There were trees and shrubs everywhere. The West Coast was a lot hotter than the East Coast, but Magnus thought that he could get some good hiking and camping in here. Especially when he saw markers indicating hiking trails that disappeared into the woods.
Despite himself, Magnus began to feel a little bit excited. Maybe this fresh start would be good for him. Maybe California was the place for him.
The apartment complex was three stories tall and every apartment appeared to have a sliding glass door that led out to a balcony. It was painted lavender, which was an interesting color choice for an apartment complex. It looked like it had been there for a while, but was being actively taken care of. Flowers, trees, and shrubs were planted all around the building, giving it a welcoming vibe. People - mostly young adults - walked along the concrete paths around the building.
“We’re on the top floor,” Annabeth said. She pointed to the left hand corner of the building. “That ones ours.”
Magnus looked up. From where he stood he could make out a hummingbird feeder hanging from the ceiling and what looked like a surfboard. But that was all he could see. “Cool,” he said.
Annabeth led the way up to the apartment. She unlocked the door, paused, and took a key off the ring. She held it out to Magnus. “I had a spare made for you.”
Magnus took the key. He added it to his keyring, beside the one for Chase Space. His heart ached a little. “Thanks,” he said quietly. To change the subject, he asked, “Is Percy home?”
Annabeth pushed open her front door and went inside. “He should be. We took the day off.”
The smell of ocean water hit Magnus as though he was standing beside the sea itself. He blinked, wondering if they had a candle burning or something. He was suddenly nervous about showing up here with so little notice, about staying here with his cousin and her boyfriend. Maybe he should have made other arrangements. Or he could just go back to sleeping on the streets.
“Percy!” Annabeth called. “I’m home!” She kicked off her shoes by the door and ventured past the foyer, heading toward an archway.
Percy appeared in the archway without a sound. He smiled at Annabeth and went to hug her. His smile faded the second he laid eyes on Magnus and he stopped dead in his tracks. Percy’s sea green eyes took note of the bag slung over Magnus’ shoulder and a slight furrow appeared between his eyebrows. It was immediately and clearly obvious that Percy Jackson did not like Magnus.
“This is my cousin, Magnus Chase. We helped him a few years ago,” Annabeth said. She reached on her tiptoes to kiss Percy’s cheek. “I told you he would be staying with us, remember?”
Percy didn’t take his eyes from Magnus but Magnus got the feeling that his attention had slid to Annabeth. He was silent for a few long, awkward heartbeats. Then he said, “Ah. That’s right.” In the most deadpanned tone of voice Magnus ever heard. “Good to see you again, man.”
Magnus glanced at Annabeth but she didn’t seem to notice. “We’ve got a futon in the off — other bedroom.” She gestured for Magnus to follow her deeper into the apartment.
As he passed by Percy, Magnus noted that he was even taller than Annabeth. Which of course made Magnus feel even shorter. He didn’t remember there being such a big height difference between them two years ago.
The living room was organized chaos; papers and books spread out and stacked up on every surface, two surfboards on the balcony, small bronze statues of the Greek gods and goddesses (Athena, Poseidon, Hermes, Apollo, and Hestia) on little altars, jarred candles with citrus scents and blackened wicks, a New Rome letterman jacket hung off the back of a chair, tapestries honoring Athena and Poseidon hung from the living room walls with framed photos of various demigods between them, glowing celestial bronze weapons were tucked into corners (including what looked like bullets on a bookshelf), pots and hanging baskets held a variety of plants, and there was a rather grotesque assortment of monster body parts that served as trophies. The apartment was obviously very well-lived in.
Percy followed them, but slipped into the bathroom opposite of the guest room. He closed the door behind him.
Annabeth led Magnus into a small room that looked like an office with a futon. There were more books, more papers, more potted plants in this room. As well as a massive calendar and a huge oak wood desk pushed up against the far wall. The futon was covered in boxes. Annabeth began hauling them to the floor, and nudging them out of the way with her foot. “You can use this room.”
Magnus stood awkwardly, feeling like an intruder. He was hyper aware of the sound of running water in the bathroom and he got the feeling that Annabeth forgot to mention his arrival to Percy.
“I really don’t mind sleeping on the beach, Annabeth.” In fact, he’d prefer to be on the beach than in an apartment. His mother had instilled a great love of the outdoors in him.
Annabeth looked up, narrowing her gray eyes at him. “Absolutely not,” she said in a way that didn’t invite further conversation on the topic. She finished moving the boxes, then turned the futon from couch to bed. Annabeth pushed past Magnus to withdraw a pillow and blanket from a tiny closet in the hallway. The bedding was handed to Magnus. “There are also towels in here.” She pointed across to the closed door Percy was behind. “The bathroom is there. Percy and I have our own bathroom in our room.”
Magnus set the bedding down on the futon. He’s never slept on a futon before. Hopefully it was comfortable. After a moment of hesitation, he also set his small backpack down too.
Percy emerged from the bathroom. He did not look any happier to see Magnus in their office; which is what Magnus was sure that this room was. He put his arm around Annabeth’s waist. “We should go out for dinner tonight. Show Magnus around town a little.”
Annabeth beamed. “I was thinking that too.” She elbowed Percy in the ribs. “I must be rubbing off on you.”
Percy gave no indication that he felt her ribbing. “Must be,” he agreed. He kissed her blonde curls, then stepped away, out of Magnus’ line of sight. “Do you want your jacket?”
“What do I need a jacket for? It’s only September.” Annabeth caught Magnus’ eye and rolled her own up to the ceiling. “What are you in the mood to eat, Magnus?”
Percy came back wearing a flannel. He had a silver cardigan draped over his shoulder.
“Whatever is fine,” Magnus said. After living on the streets, he’d learned not to be picky.
They wound up back in the truck, Annabeth in the driver's seat with Magnus squeezed between her and Percy. Like, literally squeezed between them. The truck was old and the bench seat wasn’t very big. Their shoulders and thighs pressed tightly together. Magnus kept his hands tucked in his lap and tried not to tip over into Percy when Annabeth took turns too fast.
Percy had one hand on the oh shit handle and the other gripping his thigh so tightly that the veins stood out. He kept his eyes on the window and didn’t speak.
Annabeth filled the truck with her voice, telling Magnus all about this street and that building and then excitedly pointing out their campus. Aside from that one time, she did keep both hands on the wheel. And she was a slightly better driver than Uncle Rudolph. But not by much.
After tipping onto Percy several times and thinking that he was going to die again, Magnus was relieved when they pulled into a parking lot and the truck rolled to a stop.
The restaurant looked like an older house, something cute and quaint. Edison light bulbs were strung up in the trees surrounding it. Flowers grew in window boxes and lined the paths. A hand lettered sign in the window written in cursive said the name of the restaurant. Inside, it was set up to half look like a lobby and half look like a bar. The bar was set up along one whole wall, serving quite a large variety of alcohol.
To Magnus’ surprise, both Percy and Annabeth made a beeline for the bar. “Do you drink, Magnus?”
“Um…” Magnus replied, trailing after them. “Red wine is alright.”
Percy snapped his fingers. The sound echoed. He ordered for them. “A bottle of red wine, a bottle of white, and a whiskey. We’ll be outback.”
“Yes, sir,” the bartender said without asking to check their IDs.
Magnus knew for a fact that all three of them were underage. Percy and Annabeth were only two years older than him at twenty. He did not bring this up.
They walked through the little house and out through the back door, onto a porch. A chalkboard sign on the porch column said to seat yourself in fancy cursive handwriting. The dining area was a grassy courtyard lined with trees and strands of Edison light bulbs strung above in even rows. The tables and chairs were wrought iron, painted in pastels. Thankfully the chairs had cushions for comfort and the tables had a circle of glass over the iron. Each little round table had a flower pot displayed proudly in the center and a laminated one page menu. The whole effect was of a fairy garden. It was cute. It didn’t seem like the kind of place that Percy and Annabeth would like.
Percy led the way to a baby blue table. There were only two chairs at the table, but he stole one from a neighboring table and sat down.
Annabeth sat beside him.
Neither of them looked at the menu, so Magnus didn’t either. “Remind me what you guys are studying,” Magnus said to break the silence.
“Marine biology,” Percy said. He was looking in Magnus’ direction but his eyes were fixed on something behind Magnus. The Edison bulbs made Percy’s eyes look glassy like marbles. He draped an arm around Annabeth’s shoulder.
Relax, buddy, Magnus thought, I’m not going to steal your girlfriend. She’s my cousin. Then again, weren’t Percy and Annabeth cousins too? Magnus decided not to think too hard about the Greek family tree. “That’s cool. Do you like the ocean?”
Percy’s left eyelid twitched. “I’m Poseidon’s son,” he said curtly. His focus shifted to something else behind Magnus and he visibly perked up.
A second later, the waiter stood by their table with their drinks. “And what would you like to order?” He asked, holding up his little notepad.
Percy and Annabeth ordered.
Magnus listened to their orders, then decided that Percy’s meal sounded the best, and ordered what he did. When the waiter left, he turned his attention back to Percy and Annabeth. “What about you, Annabeth?”
“I’m going for a degree in architecture, obviously,” Annabeth said, puffing out her chest a little. She pushed her hair out of her eyes. “It’s five years and I’ve completed two of them.” She elbowed Percy. “Percy graduates in two more years. Lucky bastard.”
“That’s me. It’ll be nice not having homework,” Percy said with a sigh. He sipped his whiskey; which Magnus was pretty sure not how you drink whiskey.
“Maybe I’ll make you get another degree so that I graduate before you,” Annabeth teased. She took a sip from her white wine.
“I never graduated high school,” Magnus commented. “I died before I could. So college isn’t in my cards.” He picked up his red wine, studying it for a while. He’s never been a big drinker, but, well, they were drinking. He took a sip. It was tart and dry. Magnus struggled to keep his expression neutral.
Annabeth noticed. “Magnus, you don’t have to drink that if you don’t want to. We always get waters after the first glass, anyway.” She smiled and kissed Percy’s cheek. “Whichever one of us is the most sober gets to drive home.”
“I think that’ll be me,” Magnus muttered. He set his glass down.
Percy picked up his whiskey and drank it in one swallow.
Almost as soon as his glass was empty, the waiter appeared with a fresh one. “Your food will be out shortly,” he said.
“Can we get a round of water too?” Annabeth asked.
The waiter nodded. He disappeared for about two minutes then came back with ice cold glasses of water.
Magnus reached for his water and drank half of it in one go. It tasted bland after the wine. He struggled to think of something to talk about. The truth was, that aside from Chase Space and Alex, Magnus didn’t have a lot going on in his life. He hadn’t been called on another quest, didn’t have to save the world again, and was dead so normal mortal things like finishing school and working weren’t really necessary. Magnus didn’t even have to eat: he only did it for fun. “Have you guys been back East since you moved here?”
Percy’s whiskey glass shattered in his hand with a loud crack that drew the attention of other diners. He bit his cheek as he shook the glass from his palm. It rained bloody and unmusical onto the table.
Annabeth glanced at Percy but didn’t seem fazed. She looked at Magnus again. “Well, I go back pretty often...but Percy doesn’t. He can’t fly.” She glanced down and made a face. “Shoot! It’s getting in my shirt!” Annabeth jumped to her feet and ran for the bathroom.
Magnus’ eyes had gone wide when the glass shattered. He looked around, saw another table with napkins, and swiped them. He held them out to Percy. “Are you okay?”
Percy took the napkins and dabbed at his hand. “Fine.”
The waiter hurried over, eyes wide, looking concerned. “Are you alright? I’m so sorry about that. I don’t know how it broke. Your meals will be on the house tonight.” He began picking up the glass with a cloth napkin and putting it on a tray to dispose of.
Percy gave a nonchalant wave with his good hand. “It was my fault. Sometimes I don’t know my own strength.” He flashed the waiter a smile.
“Again, we’re so sorry. We have a first aid kit -“
“No need,” Percy said. He took the napkin away from his palm and showed the waiter. “See? Just a few tiny scratches. Nothing to worry about.” The amount of blood on the glass said otherwise but no one could argue with the visual evidence on Percy’s palm.
“If you’re sure,” the waiter said, appearing mystified. “I’ll take care of this and be right back with your food. Did you want another whiskey?”
“Yes, please,” Percy said.
Magnus wasn’t stupid. He could read a room...or a table, as the case may be. He knew that the topic of going back East was a sore spot with Percy. And yet...and yet he opened his mouth and asked, “You really haven’t gone back in two years?”
Percy carefully folded the bloody napkin. “No, I haven’t.” His words were short and clipped. He didn’t look at Magnus.
That was so at odds with the person Magnus knew before. He remembered Percy as the excited big brother who wanted to spend his time babysitting his little sister. What was her name? Estelle? What happened to him? Magnus wasn’t stupid but he couldn’t figure it out. “But why?”
Percy gave a harsh, annoyed sigh through his nose. He looked past Magnus, then met Magnus’ eyes. His gaze pinned Magnus to his seat, like a needle through a bug. “Annabeth,” Percy said and he could have stopped there but he didn’t. “She doesn’t want me to get distracted from school. I barely managed to get my GED.” Percy’s face turned pink. “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life and I’ve been to Tartarus. I’d have to take at least two weeks off of school to go back East and if I want to graduate, then I can’t spare the time.”
Magnus swallowed. He suddenly wished he’d drink more wine and fumbled for his glass. After a long swallow, a few drops of which escaped his mouth and needed to be licked up, Magnus set the glass down, nearly knocking it over in the process. “Summer…?”
The look Percy gave him was part pity and part mocking. He shook his head. “I need to use summers to study for next year and retake classes I failed.” He looked past Magnus and grit his teeth.
Annabeth returned seconds before the waiter arrived with their food. Her shirt looked like nothing had been spilled on it. “Oh good! Foods here just in time.”
After that, there wasn’t really time for talking anymore. Magnus was grateful. He felt like he’d stuck his foot in his mouth. If Percy didn’t like him before, he definitely didn’t like Magnus now. The food was good. Magnus found himself finishing his plate and drinking the rest of his wine. He sipped his water, hoping that between it and the food that he wouldn’t be too impaired to drive them back to the apartment.
Percy was on his fourth shot of whiskey, his cheeks colored red and his eyes gleaming with madness. For all that he looked unhinged, Percy didn’t act it. He spent half of dinner with his face buried in Annabeth’s hair and his arm around her waist.
Annabeth was on her second glass of white wine. Her face was pink, but not yet flushed the deeper red of Percy’s. She tolerated Percy’s antics for a few minutes before pushing him away with a: “Percy, we’re going to be here forever if you don’t eat.” Then she laughed.
Percy straightened up, ate a few bites, and found his way right back into Annabeth’s hair. “I’d rather eat you,” he said, voice low and meant only for Annabeth to hear.
Which prompted another laugh and another shove from Annabeth. “Magnus doesn’t want to see this, Percy. Eat your food.”
Magnus really didn’t want to see this. Not because it was his cousin and a dude who didn’t like him, but because Magnus wasn’t a big fan of PDA. At least not when he wasn’t involved. There was something horrifically embarrassing when other people were lovey dovey.
Percy did finish his food. “Happy?” He asked Annabeth.
Annabeth grinned. “Never.” She unclipped the key ring from her belt loop and tossed them to Magnus.
Magnus caught them without thinking.
“Can you drive?”
It was a little late to ask that question. “Probably,” Magnus said. He stood up. The world didn’t spin, which he took as a good sign.
Annabeth stood up too. She shivered. “I wish it was warmer. We could go for a walk before we go home.”
Percy stood up and then stood very still for a few moments in the way that drunk people trying to get their bearings do. Finally, he said, “Cardigan is in the truck.” His words were slow and careful.
“Oh good!” Annabeth said, smiling. “Let’s get it and go for a walk. What do you say, Magnus? It’s a nice area.”
“Okay,” Magnus agreed. He clipped the keys to his belt loop so that he didn’t lose them.
They got Annabeth’s cardigan from the truck and Percy held it while she slipped her arms in. As they walked, they did so with their arms around each other’s waists. This was even more awkward to watch because they were out of sync and all over the sidewalk.
If they were like this often, Magnus was going to go live under a bridge or on the beach. “Do you guys drink often?”
Annabeth laughed. “No. Excessive drinking is bad for our grades. We shouldn’t be drinking tonight because we have school tomorrow...but it’s a special occasion.”
Well, that was a relief.
The trio walked a half mile up the street. It was fairly well lit, with old fashioned lamp posts and strings of Edison bulbs like at the restaurant. All of the little houses turned out to be businesses and they all had the same fairy cottage aesthetic whether it was a record store or a dentistry. Aside from the restaurant, the only store still open was a tattoo and piercing shop.
“Is this part of New Rome?” Magnus asked. He didn’t remember driving through the Mist a second time.
“It’s on the border,” Annabeth said. “This is as close as mortals can get before the Mist confuses them.”
They came to the end of the block and turned around to walk back. Between the food, the water, and the walk, Magnus felt a little more sober and a lot more confident in his ability to drive them home. Still, when it was his turn to drive the truck, he took it slow.
Annabeth gave Magnus directions. She kept going off on tangents, talking about some such thing that happened to them on this road and that corner. The truck, apparently, has broken down several times.
Percy fell asleep on the drive back, cheek pressed into the window. From the glimpses of him that Magnus got, he looked even less relaxed now than when he was awake.
When he pulled into the apartment complex parking lot, Magnus was feeling pretty good about himself. He got them from point A to point B safely and without anyone getting hurt. Or any mailboxes getting taken out on the way.
“Help me get him upstairs,” Annabeth said. She nudged and poked Magnus until he got out of the truck. Then she followed, going out the drivers side.
“Does he always pass out when he gets drunk?” Magnus asked. They walked around to the passenger side. Percy was still asleep, face still smooshed against the glass.
Annabeth took out a cell phone and snapped a picture, giggling to herself. “He’s going to hate this,” she snickered as she slipped the phone back into her pocket. They opened the door and Annabeth caught Percy before he fell out of the truck. “He doesn’t handle change as well as he did when he was young.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m dating an old man.”
Magnus frowned as he moved to help Annabeth. He got an arm around Percy to support him and kicked the truck door shut. A demigod who couldn’t handle change wasn’t likely to live long. Even the flexible ones didn’t live long.
Together they walked Percy upstairs. He was only marginally helpful, sometimes holding his own weight and walking but mostly hanging limp between them. Percy was heavy and he smelled like the ocean and whiskey and man musk. When they got upstairs, Magnus struggled to unlock the door and not drop Percy. He could drive alright but fine motor skills were tricky. The key kept scraping against the lock instead of neatly sliding into the keyhole like Magnus wanted it to. It was a relief when they finally got into the apartment.
Annabeth kicked her shoes off by the door as they entered the foyer. They carried Percy to bed and more or less just dumped him on the mattress. Their bedroom smelled faintly of sex.
“Thanks, Magnus,” Annabeth said. She yawned and crawled into bed. In seconds, she was out cold.
Percy still had his shoes on.
Magnus sighed. He untied the laces and then pulled each shoe off and let it fall to the floor. There. His good deed was done for the night. Not that Percy would appreciate it, Magnus was sure. But whatever. That done, Magnus closed their bedroom door and went to the room they loaned him. He took off his shoes and crawled onto the mattress. It wasn’t the worst surface he’d ever slept on.
It had been a long, busy day, and Magnus was exhausted. He fell asleep quickly.
He dreamed of suffocating in something dark that wasn’t earth and wasn’t water...and the tinkling of glass falling onto glass.
It felt so real that sheer terror woke him up and for a few terrifying moments, Magnus couldn’t breathe. Then his lungs remembered how to work and he sucked in a painful breath of air. He lay back, panting, staring at the shadows and moonlight that danced across the ceiling. The sheets were twisted in his legs and a thin sheen of sweat made his skin cold and sticky. Magnus’ mouth was dry.
When his heart settled a little, Magnus got up and shed his t-shirt. The cool night air made the sweat dry faster. He was so thirsty. Magnus climbed out of bed and opened the door.
Movement in the bathroom across the hall made him freeze.
In the time it took for Magnus’ eyes to adjust and realize it was Percy, Percy had noticed him too. His sea green eyes reflected what little bit of moonlight reached the bathroom, making his irises light up like fairy fire. He was crouched in front of the sink, the cupboards open.
Something about his gaze made Magnus’ skin crawl, like he’d walked in on something he shouldn’t have. Magnus found this whole thing strange but couldn’t remember why. His heart raced a million beats a minute. “I, um, had a nightmare.”
Percy’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t move.
“I’m just going to get a drink,” Magnus said. He shuffled to the side, not quite willing to turn his back on Percy until he was out in the wider space of the living room. The hairs on the back of Magnus’ neck rose and he looked over his shoulder...but he didn’t see Percy. Magnus hurried to the kitchen, found the glasses, filled one with tap water, and drank it all in a few gulps. The water helped make him feel a little better. By the time he got back to the hallway and peeked into the bathroom, Percy had gone back to his own room. Magnus went back into the office and laid down on the futon. Despite the strangeness of his encounter with Percy and the nightmare, Magnus fell asleep again quickly. He did not dream this time.