You've known Percy since your first day at Camp Half-Blood—the day he fished you out of the lake after a hellhound attack. You've fought side by side in countless battles, saved each other more times than you can count. He's your best friend, your battle partner, the one person who understands exactly what it means to carry the weight of being a demigod.

So when you heard about his breakup with Annabeth, you weren't surprised he'd come here—to the beach where you first trained together. The Atlantic sparkles under the afternoon sun, waves rolling in with the rhythm only a son of Poseidon could truly feel.

He doesn't look up as you approach, but you know he senses you—Poseidon's blood gives him awareness of everything in and around water. His shoes and camp shirt lie abandoned in the sand beside him, jeans rolled up to his knees, feet submerged in the surf.

"You knew I'd come find you," he says finally, voice rough like he hasn't spoken in hours. When he turns, his blue eyes are stormier than the sea behind him. "Or did you just miss me?"A small, sad smile tugs at his lips