{ ' THE PROPHECY COMES TRUE ' }

016 . . . ( going home )

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... 𝐓he next morning was awful. There was one more day left of camp after this, and everyone was packing up. But Pandora? She couldn't even find the energy to get out of bed.

Percy was still in the infirmary, he hadn't woken up yet, but many of Apollos children — including Elio — had visited Pandora to remind her that he was stable, and should be awake within the next 24 hours.

It wasn't just Percy that had Pandora in the loathing pit of self-hatred. It was the fact that everything she had ever been told was a lie. Luke had lied to her face for three years, John had been alive this whole time, and Elio had known everything. How? Why? She was only 14.

She was just a kid.

"Hey." A quiet voice spoke up, the sound of footsteps approaching her bed. "You wanna get up?"

"Leave me alone." Pandora mumbled, turning over and facing away from the raven-haired demi-god.

"I think. . . you should go and visit him." Silena advised, the bed dipping as she sat. "He's not awake just yet, but I think your face would be the best greeting for him."

The brunette was quiet and unresponsive, the only sound she emitted was her heavy breathing and the odd sniffle.

"Pandora. . . the world didn't end just because Luke decided to be an asshole." Silena said, taking her silence as a right of passage to continue. "You get to see your dad again tomorrow! How exciting is that? Just think about it—"

"I have thought about it!" Pandora exclaimed, sitting up suddenly. "But all I can think about is how miserable I'm going to be because I just watched my best friend die for the second time!"

"But Percy's not dead." Silena reminded softly, placing a hand on the girls knee.

"Theo is." Pandora stated, leaving an uncomfortable tension in the air.

She never openly spoke about Theodore Evania's death. No one did. It was a silent oath that all campers had sworn by. Even the Ares kids never brought him up during an argument.

"Percy's not Theo." Freyja interrupted, joining Silena in trying to make the girl feel better. "I know it might feel like he is because this situation is like a repeat of last time, and you feel the same way, and they're both your best friends. . . but you need to learn to separate the two. And you can start by visiting Percy. Because he's alive, and he's breathing, and he's getting better every second."

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... 𝐓he infirmary was warm. Pandora supposed it had to be for the comfort of all patients. All, but there was only one bed occupied. Percy Jackson lay limp, his skin was more lively and he physically looked better, Pandora just hoped he felt better too.

She took the seat beside his bed and tucked her hands under her thighs anxiously. She didn't really know what to do or what to say. Could he even hear her? Maybe that's what he needed, to hear her voice.

Upon observing him, Pandora realised that the shark eye necklace still rested around his neck. She reached out one of her hands and placed it in his, holding it tightly. She wasn't expecting a reaction, she didn't necessarily need one, she just needed him. And this was the best she was going to get.

Pandora bent forwards and rested her chin against her forearm, lying there and watching him, praying for him to wake up soon. She had to talk to him before she went home. She couldn't just leave him.

"Please wake up, Perce." Pandora said, her voice mumbled as she barely moved her jaw. "I need you."

"He's strong." Elio walked in from a back door. "He should wake today or tomorrow."

Pandora sat up straight, tucking her hair behind her ears awkwardly. She cleared her throat and pulled her hand away from Percy's, standing up, as if readying to leave.

"Are you still mad?" Elio mentioned, his sudden question making Pandora stop dead in her tracks.

"No." She answered honestly. "No, not mad, just. . . I don't know. . . everything's a bit of a mess up here right now." She tapped her temple.

"I get it. I really do." Elio nodded, walking closer. "I'm really sorry I never told you, it's my biggest regret. I— Just— Just have fun with your dad. . . don't let all this half-blood crap get to your head. You're better than that."

"Thanks, E." Pandora smiled stiffly, turning around and exiting the infirmary.

Things between them were weird now. She'd been ignoring him since the night before. Something about his lies broke her inside and the trust they had was cracking with every minute of non-contact.

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... 𝐏andora was awoken very violently the next morning. Annabeth was roughly shaking her, while throwing clothes at her and yelling.

"Percy's awake! Percy's awake! You need to go to Cabin Three!" Annabeth exclaimed happily.

Pandora wasn't sure if she was happy to be going home or happy that the boy was awake, perhaps a mix of both. But she too felt a surge of excitement flood through her at the mention of the curly haired boy. She rushed out of her pajamas and into a baby pink t-shirt and light blue shorts, throwing on some white converse and running out of her cabin.

"Morning 'Dora!" Silena yelled, waving with a laugh. She knew exactly where she was going.

"Hi!" Pandora grinned back, before jogging up the steps to cabin three.

She was panting and shaking slightly. Next time this happens, someone warn her not to run immediately after waking up.

Pandoras hand knocked against the door, alerting anyone that she was outside and waiting to come in. The blue door swung open, and Percy stood there in all his delight.

His skin was more lively and he looked healthier. His eyes had life in them and his smile stretched across the entirety of his lower face at the sight of the girl.

"Hi." Pandora breathed out, a smile on her face and relief in her eyes.

"Hey." Percy replied, looking at her with awe. Is that seriously how she looked when she just woke up? She's angelic.

His arms were held out, a hug in waiting. She crashed into him, but it wasn't a hug. It was a hold, and it was a kiss.

On the cheek.

But it wasn't chaste and pathetic like the two they'd shared before. It had pressure and genuine ardour behind it.

Her perfectly manicured and smooth hands held his cheeks as her glossed lips left a sticky residue when she pulled away. Pandora buried her head in his neck and breathed a sigh of relief. His hands rested on her waist, his fists clenching every now and then. She could feel his heart hammering against his chest, and it felt as if their heart beats were in sync, no matter how fast or slow.

When they pulled away, Pandora was panting even heavier.

"Maybe you should've got your breath back first." Percy joked, his hands not leaving their place on her waist.

"I thought you died!" Pandora exclaimed, hitting his chest. "Don't scare me like that ever again!"

"I'll try not to." Percy smirked with a shrug, cockiness playing at his lips.

"I was going to tell you last night but. . . you know." Pandora frowned, trying to block the memories from her brain. "I'm going home."

Percy's face fell slack and he grinned even wider, he felt incredible joy for his friend at this moment in time. "'Dora, that's amazing!"

"Yeah, my dad wants me to come home. . . I think. . . It's a long story but I'm going back to him and then I'll be back for next summer!" Pandora said giddily. "He mentioned some place called Disney World and Sea World, so maybe I'll go there! But I don't really know what either one is so. . ."

"You'll love them. Whatever one you go to. Just. . . forget about all of this and be a kid. You deserve it." Percy advised, a broad grin on his face. "And send me pictures! I wanna see you and your dad being happy together."

Percy embraced her again. This time, there was another meaning behind it. Not only was he ecstatic for her, but he also felt immense pity for her and what she had gone through.

"I'm so sorry about Luke." Percy muttered into her shoulder, holding her tighter.

"Don't. I'm glad he's gone." Lie. "That means I don't have to listen to anyone lying to me anymore." You're lying to yourself.

Percy pulled away and rushed back inside, grabbing his back pack and slinging it over his shoulder, closing the cabin door behind him. In his palm, was revealed to be the necklace Aphrodite had given Pandora. He gestured for her to turn around, which she obeyed. His fingers swept her hair away from her neck and over her shoulder, tying the rope at the top of her spine.

"None of this is easy." Chiron spoke, making his presence known to the teenagers. "Saying goodbye."

"I may not be gone long." Percy shrugged in response. "I just need to see if Hades had returned her yet."

"And you're certain that you won't accept. . . an armed escort?" Chiron asked unsurely.

"I told you, I don't think Luke wants to kill me. Or anyone, for that matter." Percy said, sliding his hand into Pandora's discreetly.

"I don't think he does, either." Chiron agreed. "That's what scares me. When Luke explained why he planned to take down Olympus, part of it made sense to you, didn't it? Both of you?"

Pandora looked up guiltily, her lips playing about with each other, flattening out and pursing. Percy nodded reluctantly.

"Luke knows that you'd be a powerful ally to his cause." Chiron continued, directing his words more towards Percy now. And his master, Kronos, he can be very, very persuasive."

"Yeah. But I'm very, very stubborn." Percy retorted with a slight smile.

"You have to be very careful." Chiron reminded, raising his chin as he spoke. "You're more than a hero now. You are a leader in the eyes of your fellow half-bloods. You have made me very proud."

Pandora smiled up at Percy, her eyes slightly closed as the sun shone into them.

"Great." Dionysus said, suddenly appearing alongside the centaur. "You're still here."

"I was just leaving." Percy scoffed, throwing his hands up. Turning to Chiron, he said: "Thank you."

"No. Thank you, Percy." Chiron smiled proudly.

"Wait, Percy?" Dionysus called, making the boy turn back to him.

"Yes?"

"No. I mean, that's your name?" Mr D was very confused, looking to the daughter of Aphrodite for reassurance, to which she nodded.

"Yes." Percy said matter-of-factly, very fed up with the gods memory.

"Are you sure? 'Cause I'm 90% sure it's Peter—"

"Percy. Percy Jackson." He corrected for the final time.

"I don't think so." Mr D shook his head dismissively.

"I'm pretty sure I know my own name." Percy rolled his eyes.

"Ah, you know what? I don't actually care." Dionysus groaned, turning to face the rest of the camp with his loud booming voice. "For those of you who are not staying for the full term. . . get out! You get out! Pack your bags. You're going home. And you, princess." He yelled at Pandora, who shook her head with a laugh.

"See you." Pandora said to Percy, pecking his cheek once more before skipping off back to her cabin to finish packing.

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... 𝐏andora bid her goodbyes to her siblings before putting her backpack on and stepping out to the field where Thalia's tree was. Her eyes fell on Annabeth and Percy, facing each other and laughing. Momentary jealousy bubbled in her stomach, before she brushed it away, finding no need for negative emotions on a day of joy.

Annabeth saw her and waved, watching and waiting for her to join them.

"Pandora!" A voice yelled, coming from the line of trees. A familiar blond head of hair appeared, running towards her. "Wait!"

Pandora turned around, looking up at Elio with an unsure smile.

"This. . . this is for you." Elio opened his palm to show her a small heart charm, fit to go around the rope with the shell too. "I had Charles fix one up when you were gone. I thought it would be nice to come back to, but then the whole Luke thing happened and I—"

"Elio, breathe." Pandora chuckled, taking the charm from his hand and examining it.

It was beautiful. It had a thin engraving of vines around it, and three letters in the middle. P, T and E. Upon observing it closely, Pandora noticed a slit running down the side of it. Carefully sliding her nail into it, the charm popped open, revealing an image of herself, Elio and Theo together. She closed the charm and looked up at the blond with teary eyes, before throwing her arms around his waist and burying her head in his chest.

His hands cradled her head and his nose pressed against her hair. They were okay again. Brother and sister once more. They could never stay angry at each other. Theo's secret presence kept it that way. He was always the glue.

"Pandora! Come see!" Grover bleated, now standing with Percy and Annabeth.

They pulled away and Pandora wiped her eyes, grinning up at Elio. "I'll see you next summer."

"Have fun! Be a kid!" Elio said, walking backwards towards camp.

Pandora made her way up the grassy hill to join her friends, they all smiled warmly at her. She untied the back of her necklace swiftly and slid the charm onto the rope before re-clasping it around her neck.

"I got my searchers license!" Grover cheered excitedly, puffing out his chest as the big green flower stuck to it.

"Oh my gods! Yay!" Pandora laughed, hugging the satyr tightly. "Where are you starting?"

"Well, it seems like every inch of the natural world's been checked, noted, and footnoted. Then checked again." Grover rambled passionately. "The Councils theory is that Pan is always on the move and it's all about timing. But. . . no one's ever bothered to check the seas!"

"I know some people in management out there, if you ever need some help." Percy grinned supportively.

"I'll find you." Grover nodded in agreement.

"Listen. . . Let's make a pact. Right now. No matter what happens, we meet back here next year. All of us. Right here. Deal?" Percy suggested, making everyone's smiles stretch wider.

They all nodded before colliding into one massive group hug. Everyone interlinked in one way or another.

Annabeth and Grover wandered off, leaving Percy and Pandora alone at the top of the hill.

"Well. . . see you next year!" Pandora said to him, before turning her back and walking away.

"Hey, 'Dora?" Percy called out, jogging up to her. "Promise me. . . next year when we come back. . . we'll still be the same? The same as now. Promise me nothing will change."

"I promise." Pandora swore, holding her hand out for a shake.

As Percy shook her head, he slipped a piece of paper into it. It was folded up and small.

"My address and the number for my house if you ever want to call." Percy smiled sheepishly.

Pandora knew that she would be using that number more than any maths equation for the rest of the year.

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... 𝐏andora stood outside the coffee shop awkwardly. Her hands clasped her backpack straps and she chewed on her lower lip, staring up at the apartment windows anxiously. After wasting a good five minutes contemplating whether to go in or not, she pushed the door open and bell jingled above her head. She walked over to the front counter and drilled her fingers along the counter.

"You alright, darling? How can I help?" The barrister asked, starting a tab on the cash machine.

"Oh, um, is John Lamansoff here?" Pandora asked, her voice quiet and squeaky.

"Not working today but his apartment's just up there." He said, pointing to the metal stairs running along the outside of the café.

"Okay, thank you." Pandora smiled, walking out of the café and slowly walking up the black metal stairs, holding the railings for dear life.

When she came face to face with the door, her knuckles nervously tapped against it. The door open with a click, and a dark skinned woman stood there, a small baby on her hip.

"I— Um. . ." Pandora was at a loss for words. Her throat suddenly felt clogged and it was difficult to breathe.

"You alright, hun?" Nicole asked, frowning at the panicked girl. "'You lost?"

"Who is it?" Johns voice called out from the living room.

John. Her dad.

"I don't know!" Nicole told, bouncing her baby slightly. "Do you want me to call your mom? Or your dad? Do you want to come in?"

"I—"

"Come on, come inside." Nicole stepped to the side, leaving the entryway free for Pandora to walk through.

Her feet thought for her, as she suddenly found herself inside the apartment. There were baby toys and cat toys on the floor. It looked like a perfect family home. There were pictures on the walls, of the three of them.

"Take a seat, hun, I'll get you some water." Nicole rubbed the girls shoulder as she led her into the living room.

The first thing she saw when she walked in was the back of a sofa. It was white and plush, no stains on it whatsoever. Then, she saw the back of Johns head. It peered over the top as he watched the football on the television.

"Who was it—" John turned his head to look at the girl, and then he stopped.

His eyes stared at the girl with familiarity and grief. He rose from the couch slowly and hesitantly.

"Hi, daddy." Pandora mumbled, swallowing thickly and smiling awkwardly.

"Oh." John whispered, tears in his eyes as he walked up to her. He placed his hands on her cheeks, slowly moving them against her skin as if trying to decipher whether she was real or not. "You came home?"

Pandora nodded slightly, drying her hands on her shorts and looking up at her dad sadly. "I did."

"You came home!" John exclaimed, lifting her up and hugging her close. Her legs wrapped around his stomach and arms around his neck. "Oh, Pandora."

Theirs laughs and cries mixed into one, forming a big lump of exhilaration and contentment. His large hands played at her hair, grasping her so tightly she thought she was going to break, but she didn't care. She was finally where she belonged again.

In her dad's arms.

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃 // 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐅

— 𝒋𝒂𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒔

SO MUCH FLUFF OH MY GODDD

does this make up for all the angst
so far?? i hope so cuz LOL

also happy valentine's day🫶🏼🫶🏼

i keep forgetting to mention this
but i actually went to the island where
artemis and apollo were born😍😍
delos is so beautiful yall i wanna go
back to greece so bad

why is it over though... what the
fuck am i supposed to do now
(write sea of monsters)

PERCEDORA COME BACK WHEN??