𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 | ᵖᵉʳᶜʸ ʲᵃᶜᵏˢᵒⁿ

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯

Percy stirred, slowly emerging from the depths of sleep as the rhythmic chug of the train lulled him back to consciousness. Blinking groggily, he glanced around the dimly lit compartment, taking in the sight of his sleeping companions – Grover, Annabeth, and Enid.

As Percy slowly came to consciousness, he became aware of his uncomfortable position on the floor of the train compartment. He remembered with a faint smile how he had insisted that Enid take the bed, opting to sleep on the floor instead. Glancing up, he saw Enid curled up in the bed, her form silhouetted by the soft glow of the sunlight filtering through the window.

At Enid's feet, Annabeth was peacefully asleep in the bed, her steady breathing a comforting presence in the quiet compartment. Above her, Grover snoozed soundly in the top bunk, his gentle snores blending with the rhythmic hum of the train.

Despite the discomfort of his makeshift bed on the floor, Percy couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him as he watched his friends sleep peacefully. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth and camaraderie of his companions, Percy felt a profound sense of gratitude for the bonds they shared and the adventures that awaited them on their journey.

As Percy found himself gazing at Enid, her lips formed a playful grin, indicating that she was far from asleep. Caught off guard by her mischievous expression. "You drool when you sleep," in a moment of unintentional bluntness. Enid's laughter echoed in the compartment, and Percy couldn't help but join in, feeling a sense of camaraderie in their shared laughter.

Percy turned his attention to Annabeth, who appeared to be sleeping peacefully in the bed. "Hey, Annabeth," he whispered softly, leaning closer to her. "Are you asleep?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, hoping to avoid waking her if she truly was asleep.

After a moment, Annabeth's voice, soft and drowsy, broke the silence. "Yes," she murmured, her eyes fluttering open as she turned to face Percy.

"You and Thalia were really close, right?" Percy's question hung in the air, a sudden shift in the quiet atmosphere of the train compartment. Annabeth's expression softened at the mention of Thalia.

"Yeah," she replied softly.

"What was she like?" Percy asked, his voice gentle with curiosity.

Annabeth's curiosity piqued by Percy's remark, she turned to him with a quizzical expression. "Why?" she inquired, her voice laced with intrigue.

Percy glanced back at her, a thoughtful look crossing his features. "She was the last forbidden kid before me, right?" he posed the question, his voice tinged with a mix of contemplation and curiosity. "She must've dealt with the same kind of stuff."

"She was tough. I mean, she knew she was a forbidden kid, she just didn't care. When Luke and Thalia found me, Luke cared for me right away. But Thalia...she made me earn it," Annabeth reflected, her voice tinged with admiration and nostalgia as she recounted memories of her time with Thalia.

Enid remained a silent observer, her presence felt in the quiet exchange between Percy and Annabeth. Though she didn't speak, her attentive gaze conveyed her interest in their conversation, adding a comforting presence to the moment.

"Is that why you give me a hard time? I gotta earn it with you too?" Percy asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and self-reflection.

Annabeth sighed softly, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah. Maybe," she conceded, her response carrying a hint of uncertainty as she considered their dynamic.