Chapter 6
Tony POV
The kid was pretty smart. Like damn. His glare managed to scare Fury and he annoyed him within 5 minutes. He has earned my eternal respect for that alone. Then he managed to figure out that Natasha was lying, he outsmarted the super spy and master assassin.
After asking him various questions about his life, he seemed genuine and I believed him. I could tell the rest did too. So we left him in the same room warning him to not leave before somebody comes to get him.
Right now we're back at the conference room. Natasha told him about the interview and we also watched the video. While watching the video I noticed that Percy fidgeted a lot like he never sat still, some part of his body was always moving. I concluded that he probably had a lot of nervous energy or he was ADHD. I was more inclined towards the second option because he did not seem nervous at all.
Then it was silent for a while as Nick thought about what to do. Finally he came to conclusion and started speaking, to say we were shocked was an understatement, "I want him to join the Avnegers."
He then turned and left leaving the rest of us sitting there flabbergasted (I love this word IDK why though) After a moment Fury returned glaring at us and saying, "Well you people coming or no?"
Still dumbstruck we made our way towards Percy's room following Fury. I mean he did beat us but why is Fury asking him to join?
We face life threatening situations all the time. Sure the kid was fast, smart and good at fighting but would he be able to survive? The questions swirled around my head as we continued. Finally we reached the door and stepped inside.
The teen merely gave us a nod acknowledging our presence and said in a bored tone, "So decided my fate, have you?"
Fury glances at us before replying, "I want you to join the Avengers."
Percy looks up surprised and then asks, "You mean these guys?" He says pointing at us. We all nod.
He then cautiously asks, "What will I be doing? And where will I be staying?"
Fury replies, "You'll be helping to save the world and you can stay right here at the Stark Towers which is the base for Avengers."
Percy shoots out of his seat lightning fast yelling, "No! I don't want to join this super-secret superhero band of yours." I almost laugh but shut up watching Fury's glare.
Fury turns to the teen asking him, "And why do you not want to join? You can have all you want. Money, fame in exchange for a simple job."
Percy now speaks calmly but the anger underneath is clear, "I have my reasons and no, those reasons are none of your business so leave me alone now."
Fury warns, "Think about it once again."
Then there is a flash of lightning and Thor appears in the room. Immediately spotting Percy he goes to bow but Percy stops him saying, "Thor! I told you already I hate it when people do that."
We're all shocked, why is a God bowing to a 17 year old?
Then Thor asks, "What are you doing here Percy?"
Percy replies, "Well you're friends want me to join them. What do you say?"
Thor thinks for a moment before replying, "Well it will be very easy compared to what you did before. And I believe it will also help you heal, Percy. Please join, it will do everyone good."
Easy? How is this easy? What is Thor talking about? By the expressions of the other's they are just as confused as me.
Percy huffs then says, "Fine. I'll do it. But only because he asked me to. The moment I don't like it, I will leave. Clear?"
Fury gives a simple nod. The rest of us look skeptical but I think what Fury wants us to do is get his whole story out and keep an eye on him. Which I will thank you very much, not be doing. That is a kid not an object to be manipulated. I won't give the pleasure to Fury. I can guess most of the team, surprisingly Natasha too is thinking the same thing, we are very much aware of Fury's ways.
Thor claps and cheers like his dream just came true, which it probably did judging by what he spoke next "Yes! I get to work with the greatest hero of all time. Yes!"
Percy meanwhile is blushing slightly and looking down, his confident aura just dimmed. It's perfectly clear that he doesn't like the attention.
Fury informs him about the basic things and leaves. We sit there in awkward silence for about a minute before Percy speaks.
Percy POV
"Sooo…can anyone tell me where I'm staying?"
Then the rest get up and Tony says, "C'mon follow me. I'll show you to your room. Your stuff is already brought here."
They went snooping around my house? How dare they? But I control my frustration. Not even 2 minutes and they're really making it hard for me to trust them.
Reluctantly I follow Tony to the room. He unlocks it and I enter looking around. It's huge I mean it's bigger than my apartment with a king sized bed. Beige colored walls and a desk all accompanied by an ensuite bathroom and a balcony overlooking Manhattan.
The room truly is awesome. It also has a huge flat screen TV and PlayStation pity I won't be able to use that. Demigods and technology don't work well.
Tony then breaks the silence by asking, "So, like it?"
"Yeah, thank you." I reply sincerely. He looks kind of taken aback by my sincerity. Then leaves me alone to unpack and sort things out. Before leaving he says, "If you need anything ask me or anyone on the team. Also we aren't going to rat about you to Fury, the man doesn't know when to leave people alone." He says the second part a little hesitantly. I had sensed the same thing for Fury and despite Tony's reassurance I don't think I trust them just yet. He did seem genuine though but trusting them will take time, especially since they kidnapped me.
I pick my bags up and start removing the stuff. First up are the photos I have. Most of them are of me and the seven along with Grover, Thalia, Reyna and Nico. Next few are of mom, Paul and Estelle. The last ones are of Annabeth.
A few tears gather in my eyes while looking at them but I push them back and wipe away one or two which slipped out.
I place them around and continue sorting my clothes. At the end I come across the album the campers had made for me. It had a brown leather cover with Percabeth emblazoned in cursive on it. It contained pictures of me an Annabeth from our quests and some captured on dates or random pictures. We looked so happy and so in love that it physically hurts me to look through them. Especially the underwater kiss. But I love reliving those memories too, they remind me of happier times.
I shake my head out of the past as JARVIS (the building's AI, Tony told me) informs me to come for dinner.
Natasha POV
Percy comes in through the door looking a bit sad but we don't question it. We're having pasta for dinner made by Steve. The kid serves himself with a nod at everyone's direction. Thor replies with a smile but Percy doesn't smile back.
Now that I come to think of it, I've never seen the kid genuinely smile. Sure he has smirked but never smiled. Jeez, what happened to him? I can tell it's the million dollar question on everybody's minds but we have decided not to push him further.
Right now the silence at table is getting awkward. Clint clears his throat and starts, "So Percy, what video games do you like?"
Percy awkwardly looks down before saying, "I, uh, don't play video games." Clint drops his spoon in a shock both he and Tony have eyes as wide as saucers. Seriously what kid doesn't play video games?
Then Tony asks him still shocked, "Do you have a phone?"
He sheepishly shakes his head before replying, "Um, Gadgets and I don't really mix so I don't use them."
Tony jumps out of his seat exclaiming, "First things first kid we are going to get you a phone."
Percy just shakes his head replying, "Tony I don't want a phone. I'm fine without it."
Tony starts to drag him along, this seems to make Percy mad as he almost shouts, "Tony! I don't want one. If I need something I'll just ask, okay?"
With that he storms out. Poor Tony looks like a kicked puppy under all our glares. He stutters out an apology before rushing out. Presumably to hide in his lab as always.
Bruce shakes his head before saying, "Gods Tony is gonna push that kid over the edge. I'll have to warn him about that oh, and that reminds me he needs a check-up. He hasn't had one since he was 12. And you all need to be there too in case he refuses and I need back up."
He too leaves then. I'm feeling pretty tired to so I headed off to sleep in my room bidding night to Steve and Clint.
-Page Break-
I'm shocked awake by a blood curdling scream piercing the night. I quickly grab a weapon in case it's an intruder. The screams are coming from the direction of Percy's room. I can see the rest of the team too. We all bolt towards his room. Tony hurriedly tries to open the door but it's locked.
Then Steve tries to break it down bit it doesn't budge. Finally Stark yells at JARVIS to unlock the door and we burst into the room. Various weapons in our hands but as it turns out we don't need them.
Percy is thrashing around on the bed, whimpering and muttering incoherent words, his face contorted in pain. He's also screaming occasionally.
Suddenly he shoots up letting out an even louder scream like someone in pure pain. He doesn't notice us, at least not yet.
He curls himself into a ball and buries his head in his knees. His body is shaking like a leaf and he's still muttering some words breathing heavily.
Eventually he calms down and reaches out a hand towards his nightstand where I notice a leather bound book of some sort.
He picks it up and begins to scan through it. We're all still standing there dumbly. Finally Steve takes a cautious step forward and the floorboard makes a loud creak.
Percy leaps up at an inhuman speed. His hands reaching towards his pocket, he has a panicked expression in his eyes but once he sees it's us he slumps down again.
His eyes downcast and voice shaky he asks, "Um, h-hey guys, um, what are you doing here, right now?"
Steve gently replies, "We heard you screaming Perce. You were shaking and mumbling in your sleep. Do you want to tell what happened?"
He stares at the floor for a minute before replying in a small voice, "Sorry for waking you guys up. I just had a nightmare. Honestly, it's nothing to worry about. I'm going to take a walk. I'll- I'll see you guys tomorrow."
And before any of us can stop him he stumbles out of the door, obviously still shaken up but we respect his wish to stay alone so we let him be. At least for now.
One by one everyone leaves but I hang back a bit. I know it isn't right but I need to know something about him. I decide to look for the book he was reading earlier.