Chapter Text
Penny came too, laying in her own bed. She blinked, unsure how she had gotten home. She sat up, her head hurt. She got up and padded on bare feet from her room to Percy's. If she was home, surely, he would be as well. Her hand tried to turn the knob to his room and found it locked. She blinked. His door was never locked. She took a step back from the door and heard footsteps behind her.
"Sweetheart, you're awake." Her mom smiled as she approached her. Penny threw her arms around her mom, the tears starting to sting her eyes.
"Mom, something weird is going on. I saw… well I saw Percy turned Mrs. Dodds, our math teacher, into dust."
Her mom sighed. "Come on, Sweetie. Come and sit for a minute. I have a lot to tell you."
*Percabeth-Redo*
Annabeth woke first, snuggled to Percy's chest. She lay there and listened as his heartbeat, and he breathed in and out. She smiled; it was so mortal. So perfect. Percy could usually banish the nightmares away, though sometimes even his presence wasn't enough. Sometimes her own presence wasn't enough either and they had to take turns comforting the other until the moment passed. It was a reminder of the bad years when they were in open season before the monsters finally backed off. And here they were, twelve again. However, they were much better prepared now. Even if they had not the same combat level as the world they had just left, they had the knowledge of how they had gotten to that point. Last time, they had to learn the hard way. This time, they had each other and their memories. They would become strong again in no time at all.
Percy came too, with a snort. She chuckled and took the pillowcase and wiped the drool from the side of his mouth.
"You're drooling again. I guess you really are a Seaweed Brain. That's why you never run out; it just comes out of the endless supply in your skull."
He rolled his eyes as he sat up. "I can't help it. But at least this time school has been easier. This is nothing compared to college, and I can use Greek for note taking. Shame I cannot write my test answers in Greek, but the internet is useful for Google translate."
"Don't forget, the internet isn't as safe anymore. We are younger again, so we must avoid such convivences."
"Ugh, don't remind me. I had a vision in my sleep. It was of your cousin, Magnus, and his mother. I think it was from our world."
She pursed her lips. "So, maybe we can save him and his mother? I like the sound of that. Perhaps we can bring him to camp to train, so he doesn't need to go to Vahala this time round. Let me think on it."
He nodded, used to her way of dealing with things. Truth be told, her ADHD brain was always trying to push her into action as Percy's did his. She was just better at slapping her brain and reminding it who was the boss. Perhaps not a good comparison but it felt fitting now. Her ADHD was worse than ever at this moment, and it was taking all she had not to be bouncing in place on the bed. Percy had told her that being with her made his brain like the tranquil sea, calm and lazy. She wished he had the same effect on her, but he made her want to be doing. Specifically kissing and other bedroom activities. She settled for now with a brief peck on the lips.
"Come on, Seaweed Brain. Let's go and see what we can get for dinner."
That got his attention, and he was up and on his feet in an instant.
"My mother's cooking? Sorry I would even leave bed with you for that."
She giggled and rose. "So would I, and there is not much that can drag me from my boyfriend's arms."
They headed for the door. That was when they heard Penny screaming at Sally.
*Percabeth-Redo*
Sally was not surprised Penny was screaming at her, calling her a madwoman. She had expected Percy to do the same the first time she told him, but the arrival of Grover and the fleeing from the Minotaur had gotten in the way. She reached out and cupped Penny's face, helping calm her ADHD daughter down before the pipes exploded. She sighed, now she had two bundles of hormones that were a menace to water equipment.
"Listen, I know how it sounds. But your father is a Greek god. This will not change no matter how mad you are. You saw the Kindly One. You saw Percy vaporize her with a sword made of Celestial Bronze."
Her daughter sat down, her head in her hands. "Why? Why us? Why can't we be normal kids and not have to worry about things trying to eat us?"
Sally felt guilty as she sat down next to her. "It's just the way it is, sweetie."
Percy entered her vision and approached his twin. "I know it sucks. It sucked for me when I found out."
She looked up. "Is that why you've been more distant lately? You found out this crazy world of Greek Mythology was real?"
He nodded, not a lie technically, Sally noted. "Finding out was a burden. Plus, if I had told you the truth, you would have been in even more danger. When you know what you are, a Demigod, the monsters know you know. They come for you even harder. We have to go to Camp to get stronger."
"That would be the Camp Halfblood?" She asked Sally who nodded. Then her eyes landed on Annabeth. "Why are you here, Annabeth?"
"I'm here in case a monster attacks while Sally told you everything and got you ready for Camp. I've been training since I was seven."
"Alright… but why are you wearing my brother's shirt?"
Sally shook her head and laughed. Penny was just as incontinently perceptive as Percy. Annabeth blushed deeply.
"There is more to the story, sis." Percy said. "But until you've been in the world a little longer it might be best to not tell you everything. Just know Annabeth and I have a connection. A deep understand no unlike the one you and I share but also different. We have a mission that will differ from your own, but we will still be by your side as much as we can."
Penny sniffled and hugged her brother. Sally smiled at them both. "Now, let's have dinner. I'll be taking you three to camp tomorrow. You'll like it there, Penny. I know Percy loves it there."
He grinned. "Oh yes, one of my favorite places in the world."
