Of Vines and Men

It seems silly, how much he mattered to me. How much anybody matter to me, to be honest. I was a daughter of Dionysus, cause and cure of madness. Rarely did someone ever get so close to me that I would die for them. I was closed off like that. He could terrify me and support me in someone as simple as a look. He was a goof, but a dangerous one. Someone I didn’t know very well to have such an affect on me. Such a bond, as to feel the need to protect him like my best friend.

People could say that it was because he was the child of the prophecy. I like to think that. It helped mask the fact that he reminded me of a little brother. Size and age didn’t seem to matter in this way, he needed protection and I was willing to be it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Others said I fell in love with him. It was always in the romantic sense. If they had spoken the truth, they would say I loved him like I love my mother or my best friend. Never romantically.
Rumors spread about me being jealous of Annabeth, because she always had his heart in the palm of her hand. Silly little rumors that even a son of Aphrodite denied.

The first time we met, I beat him in a duel. It was almost too easy, since he was so new to fighting. He didn’t understand how to block a simple jab at the time, even if he was only twelve. He had blushed madly at the time, demanding a rematch. He only lost again. The young boy with the minotaur horn, being beaten by a daughter of Dionysus. I remember him telling me how embarrassing it was. I remember Annabeth’s proud look when I beat him.


The way he told me horrible jokes, teasing me often. His sharp remarks on my form when dueling, all of it made me care more for the boy in front of me, the same height as me when he was fifteen. He would never admit I intimidated him, even though I could see it in the beginning. After a few years, it became a challenge to beat each other. Even as we drifted away during his time in the Labyrinth, we shared short comments to make each other grin.

Even on cloudy days when we would meet, we never addressed the prophecy. We never addressed how we were destined for oblivion, we talked about what we wanted in life. He would tell me about Annabeth, I would tell him about hopes. Mine consisted a safe place for demigods, his were for family. No matter what, we were always in the plans. Happy friendship together, godparents of imaginary children. We would exchange name ideas, occasionally making each other laugh.

Then the time for the prophecy came, and he was in the center. I saved him life many times, but he had no idea. He had no idea I cared so deeply for him that I risked my life so many times, even induced madness upon the enemies.


Percy Jackson was a puzzle that I may never solve.


I think that I will be okay with that.

Notes

Introduction to a new fic I'm writing. I probably shouldn't start it, but I've had this idea for a while.



~Nova~