It was just another Monday in Metropolis, according to the morning newspaper.

Lois Lane exposed another pharmaceutical company for their illegal bypassing of FDA protocols. Clark Kent gave another rundown of last night's primetime matches that Percy never missed. Though, he wouldn't call the Gotham Knights losing by how much they did purely on the coach like Kent implied. At some point, you have to get a new freshman premiere quarterback. But the absence of Victor Stone was a whole other matter compared to what Percy cared to check last: another perfect and sunny week of weather.

Just another week, Percy thought, laying down the paper as an alarm on his phone buzzed. He tapped the screen, dismissing the annoyance, and stood up from the booth he had found himself.

The Golden Mug was surprisingly empty this morning. Percy was fine with that. He liked it when he could take a moment to read the paper in one sitting. It always took him a minute to fight through his dyslexia and puzzle-piece the words together. Add in people asking for orders in between…. It would take till noon to get past the front page.

Adjusting his nametag, he made his way back behind the serving counter and tossed the newspaper to the side. Ashley, his younger co-worker, looked up from her phone as he joined her in waiting for the next customer.

"Batman apparently caught the Joker last night," she offered up in conversation, scrolling on her device.

She was a sucker for superhero news like most young people these days. Percy didn't understand it himself and found it easier to chalk it up to the grandeur of fantasy that flying-tights brought to the world. Personally, he found the world easier to deal with when he kept his gaze down.

"What that makes that the fifth time this month?" Percy straightened the collection of straws, fixing the ones that were katywampus.

The superhero business was boring news to him these days. At first, when Superman hit the scene when he was in his early twenties, it was interesting–a nice distraction. Now, though, it was just like the morning newspaper. The same thing every week.

"The second, actually."

"Two times too many if you ask me."

"Of course, you think that," the younger girl responded.

"Repeat offenders will not seek rehabilitation like they peddle on the news. The Joker has openly admitted to the world that he finds it fun doing what he does. You don't quit what you find fun." Percy turned to her, crossing his arms. "End of the day, if I ever find out you move to Gotham, Ashley, I will personally kidnap you and relocate you to Montana with a house and everything you need."

"You would buy me a house on a minimum wage pay?" she laughed, tilting back in amusement. "Really?"

Percy shrugged, "I do this job to keep a routine to my life, and not because I need money. Seriously, I know Gotham is cheaper than here, but I refuse to allow you to live there."

"Thanks, old man," she joked, stepping by him to grab a plastic cup from the counter. "I appreciate the support, but I think I am about to move in with my boyfriend, who has a nice place nearby."

Percy's jaw dropped in feigned horror, "Old man? I'm not that old, am I?" he feigned a hand over his chest as if she had just struck him with a dagger. On the other hand, he ran his fingers through his beard. "I know I have some greys, but I'm only thirty-five."

"You are fifteen years older than me, old man." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a marker.

"Right through the heart." Percy stumbled back, clutching an imaginary wound, overdramatically playing it all off.

"You are such a child." she chuckled, rolling her eyes.

"Ah ha!" Percy shot up, all pretense of being wounded set aside and instead replaced by a snarky grin. "So, I'm not old, then?"

"No, you totally are. You are just a man-child," she sang, avoiding his swipe for the cup she was doodling on. A goofy-looking bearded man grinned up at her from the ink, its head comically larger than its stick figure body.

"That's even worse than being old! Why I outta-"

Ding! Ding!

The two straightened their spines, quickly turning to the front door. Ashley discreetly stashed the cup beneath the counter. Percy could just make out his name on the top of the plastic. He felt his cheeks warm as a smile easily grew on his face, and he forced himself to look away and towards the person coming into the coffee shop.

A man close to Percy's age smiled back at the two attendants. He was a familiar face in the coffee shop, him and his girlfriend. So, before he could even speak, Ashley was already grabbing two fresh cups to make his usual order.

"Hello, Percy," the man gave a small smile as he pushed up his glasses.

"Hello, Mr. Kent." Percy nodded to the man. "The usual for you and Lois?"

Percy and Ashley already knew the answer. Clark Kent had been a consistent face in the morning rotation of customers. He never came with the early bird bustle. Still, he always did come in at the last minute before the morning commuters officially tapered off to workers too late to care about being on time and who decided a cup of coffee could not affect them being late any worse than it already had.

"So you call her by her first name but not me?" the man teased Percy, adjusting the glasses on his face. Percy always thought those frames looked a little silly on the big man.

"She threatened to beat me over the head with my own lovely collection of paper straws if I didn't. What could I do but give in to Lois?"

Mr. Kent chuckled, "I feel like I should be surprised by her actions, but I cannot say I am." He slid the cost in exact over the counter. "Am I going to have to threaten you too?"

"Nah," Percy swiped the cash and coin into the register. "I wouldn't believe it from you anyway."

"And why is that? I could write something in the Daily. This place could be busier than the morning rush all day long."

"Bold threat, but I think I know you well enough to know you won't do that. That is too evil for you," Percy smirked.

"Oh, is that so?" the reporter scratched the back of his head, feigning embarrassment.

Percy nodded matter-of-factly, "How you take your coffee tells me a lot about a person. Certain people fit certain molds."

"You know, Lois said something similar to me once. Maybe you should look into joining the Daily Planet, Percy. You and Lois could expose the rest of the world for who they are based on the coffee they drink alone."

Ashley placed the freshly filled cups onto the counter. Instead of names, neat little smiley faces decorated the sides. One had cartoonishly long hair, and the other had large round glasses. Clark's eyes dipped to the faces while his hand dropped two bills larger than any normal tip should be into the mason jar that sat on the counter.

Percy shivered, "As funny as that could be"— he pushed the man his two coffees —"I'm afraid I enjoy the simplicity of making drinks too much."

"Fair enough, I suppose. You and Ashley do make the best in Metropolis." He raised his cup, toasting the two.

"Thank you, sir," the young blonde blushed. Percy just nodded. Clark said something along those lines every time he came by. Percy never even made the drinks. It was always Ashley.

"You two take care, yeah?" the reporter said, bidding them farewell. The door dinged on his way out.

The two employees watched Clark go before turning to one another.

"He is so Superman."

"Percy, that has to be the dumbest thing you've ever said."

"I bet you a house in Montana on it." He offered his hand to shake on it.

She just turned away, "That's the second dumbest thing you've ever said."

Percy grinned, crossing his arms and leaning back against the counter, "You're afraid to take the bet 'cause you know I'm right. Clark Kent is Superman."

"How? How is he the Man of Steel? He's afraid of blood. Do you remember that one time you cut your finger, and he recoiled? Superman would not be afraid of some blood."

Percy shrugged, turning to look where he had last seen the reporter, "People can put up an act, you know?"

"Right. People just casually go around faking who they are for a living. Next, you are going to tell me you are Batman."

"Are you saying you don't believe I could be a hero, Ashley?"

"No. I don't think you could. You are too boring."

"And that's why I think Clark Kent is Superman."

"Because he is boring?" she raised a brow, a hand on her hip.

"Among other things. I mean, Superman is always saving Lois Lane, and there was that one FMZ thing with a picture of them kissing. Then, we personally know that Clark and Lois are dating. Explain that one?"

"Maybe she was grateful, and they weren't dating yet?" Percy raised an eyebrow at her, causing her to blush. "He wears glasses. Superman doesn't."

"Contacts, or better yet, it's his silly disguise."

She couldn't help but roll her eyes as she stepped away, calling back over her shoulder, "Glasses are not a disguise, idiot. I've seen Superman's face like a million times on Tweeter. There is no way adding glasses to his face would make him look like Clark."

"House in Montana. I'll even throw in a boat."

"Where are you ever going to use a boat in Montana?" Ashley turned back at him, her lips slightly opened in confusion.

"Couldn't tell ya, but I'm that sure he's Super-Clark."

"You're crazy, Percy. I didn't think you could go crazy at forty-nine."

"Thirty-five. Thank you very much."

:P LINE BREAK d:

Apollo's chariot had just passed the midway point of the day, and Percy was already making his way home for the day. Perks of opening the shop, he was the first out. So, as the son of Poseidon whistled a jaunty tune and bopped his head back and forth to a song stuck in his head, he never gave notice to what was happening in the sky above. Rather, he didn't care to give it his notice. That was Superman's job.

As it just so happened, Superman was already on hand, battling a swarm of humanoid robots in the clouds. Just another Monday in Metropolis.

Bzzt. Bzzt. Bzz—

Percy put his phone to his ear, "Hey mom."

Sally always called her son every other Monday around when he got off work. No matter how busy she or he was, they always took the call. It had been this way for over a year or two now, and Percy would not give it up for the world.

"How are you, sweetie?"

"Same old, same old," he said, crossing the street. "Walking home right now."

BOOM!

"Oh, jeez. What was that noise, Percy?"

"Uh…." Percy looked at the pile of metal smashed into the pavement ten feet before him. A smoking silver hand extended from the concrete, reaching out towards him. Then, red and blue landed on the metal instantly, destroying the metallic being.

Superman turned towards Percy and nodded once before blasting back into the air. Percy watched him ascend back into the sky, the red cape billowing in his wake.

That is so Clark, Percy thought.

"Percy?" her concern bled through the phone.

"Sorry. Superman is just doing heroic things around me."

"Oh, so you're fine?"

"Of course, mom," he said. " You know I can handle myself."

He heard her sigh over the phone, "And yet, I will always worry just like any mother. You'll know what I mean when you become a dad, yourself."

"Yeah…." Percy trailed off, pained. "I guess. Someday…."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," she responded quietly.

"I know, Mom…. I know."

The two lapsed into an uneasy silence. The only sound Percy could hear was his own footfall and people gasping at the sky above, but he still didn't hang up. He never would hang up on his mom. Instead, he let the silence reign, waiting for her to break it.

"She called me, y'know? Said she's been trying to get a hold of you. Something about you ignoring her calls."

"Did she now?" Percy feigned interest.

"You really should talk to her. If not for her sake, then for yourself. You two need closure. I mean, what happened between you two was horrible. You two were so young as well. You've come a long way since then. You need to finally put a close on that chapter of your life."

Percy was rather fine not opening that can of words, actually.

"I'll think about it, but hey, something just came up, and I need to go handle it," he lied. "I need to get off the phone."

"Oh, okay," Sally replied, disappointed by the brevity of their talk. "You go take care of whatever it is, honey. Don't forget your sister wants to see you soon."

"I will keep that in mind," he replied, leaving the phone at his ear. He waited for her to hang up, but as the moment became seconds, he spoke one last time. "I love you, mom."

"I love you too, Percy. Don't forget to take your medicine when you get home."

"I will. I love you."

Content, Sally hung up.

Percy let out a slow breath as he pocketed his phone right next to his pen.

He loved his mom. He really did, but there was a reason he was dodging her calls. She had been trying to get ahold of him for a few weeks now, but Percy couldn't find the will to answer. He never could. They were better left in the past.

He forced himself to stand a little taller, lifting his head up as he neared home. It didn't matter at the end of the day. At least, that was what he had been telling himself for some years now. Life moved on. The sun rose, the sun fell, and then the sun rose again. He had moved on with his life, even if that wasn't something as glamorous as being the most requested architect in the United States.

Percy was content with his current situation. Life was simple and easy. All he had to worry about was being at work on time. Things were just better when he was on autopilot like this.

The demigod stopped outside his apartment building. It was a new building sponsored by the Luthor Foundation, and its design reflected the wealth of the man who built it. Percy really didn't care about that, though. It was just four walls and a roof to him–a place to lay his head.

Percy typed in his pin to the outmost door. The touchpad blinked green twice as the doors unlocked, and he entered the lobby. He nodded to Greg, the security guard who loitered near the door, and then to Amelia as well behind the reception counter.

The son of Poseidon then hailed the elevator and pushed his floor near the top of the building. Thankfully, the ride was quick, with no stops to allow anyone else in, and in no time, Percy had his shoes off as he fell back onto his couch. Before he knew it, he was dozing off deep into the hands of Morpheus.

"We made a deal, Perseus, and soon, your end of the bargain shall have to be met. Prepare yourself. Once more, the world and the universe will rest upon your shoulders. Once more, you shall have to be our hero. So come now, my hero, wake from your rest and wait upon the falling star. Wait for the arrival of your destiny. Rise and rage against the dying of the light. Rise and meet me above bloodied water and rage into the night."

Percy's eyes snapped open as he was awoken by a series of sickening coughs. Each cough tore through his lungs, burning as they escaped his lips. He could feel his insides melting as he dashed for his medicine. He held a hand to his mouth as he stumbled into his bathroom. He could feel warm liquid splash against his hand as he continued to hack. His other hand opened the cabinet behind his mirror, and he snatched the shiny black flask on the highest shelf.

He pulled the freezing cap off and swung it back, downing the final third of the burning liquid inside. Instantly, he could feel his throat burn but no longer sting in pain. He could feel the heat race into his stomach as his body shivered through the chills that ran across his nerves.

It was never easy taking his medicine. No amount of years could dull the feeling of it going down.

He stared at the hand he had covered his mouth with…. It was almost entirely red, dripping into his sink.

He turned the facet on and washed away his blood from the cracks of his hand. Once his hand was mostly clean, he washed his mouth and lips, and even some blood that had come up through his nose.

The son of Poseidon stared at himself in the mirror as he finally settled his heart. His depleted sea-green eyes stared back into his own soul. But, in the silence of his actions came the voice of his dreams.

"Prepare yourself, my sweet, sweet hero…." the woman purred. "Prepare yourself to rage against the dying of the light."

Percy closed his eyes and opened them once more.

Long tresses of black hair dangled down his shoulder as he ignored the weight of the woman's head there. Instead, he stared at the galaxies that swirled in her eyes. The white freckles on her black skin twinkled like stars in the night sky.

"Mine." her cold breath ghosted his ear, and goosebumps blossomed across his skin as his body hair stood, reaching for her voice.

He closed his eyes once more, and when he opened them, she was gone. Not a trace of her divine presence anywhere in his bathroom. She had simply vanished into the darkness behind his eyes.

"I need a pick me up," he muttered to the exhausted man in the mirror. The day had finally come, and he by no means was awake enough to deal with the words circling in his head.

Percy pushed away from the bathroom. The burning of his medicine weighed like lead in his stomach, the molten magma doing what it did best as it haunted him. Unfortunately, he would need to get more before the following Monday after next.

Yet, that would be a problem for tomorrow-Percy. Tonight-Percy had a date with the pool. He needed that jolt of being submerged beneath the water.

He changed into something more fitting of someone going for a swim and grabbed a towel for appearances before he left his apartment. Back into the elevator, a few stories changed, and he walked the short hallway towards the gym and pool.

Thankfully, nobody was inside either room, so he had the whole place to himself. With a slight tug on his gut, the cameras inside the room misted over so that he could submerge himself as long as he wanted without drawing attention. He pulled his shirt over his head and threw it into a pool chair with his shoes and towel.

Percy hovered at the edge of the deep end. Six feet of water awaited below him, beckoning him in, but he waited.

In the ripples of the water, the man who stared back at Percy held his hand over his stomach, where a long scar dragged from one side of his side to the other. The blackened skin that had scarred over was not unlike that of the woman in the mirror. He could even still feel the phantom touch of her frigid finger.

She had saved his life on the terms of a deal….

He surrendered himself to the water. Tipping forward, there was no splash as he entered the water, for the water clung to him like glue. The molten lead in his stomach sizzled out as the goosebumps returned to flushed skin.

Six feet below the waterline, his problems were not but a thought. So, Percy stayed there, undisturbed. He remained anchored to the bottom as the night grew to its apex. He stayed under because he knew the moment he rose, he would have to face the music.

He would have to answer the call.

The call he had waited years to receive.

He knew it was coming. One day or another, he knew.

So even as their shadows lingered at the pool's edge, he ignored them for a minute longer.

It would be his final minute before the world needed the Hero of Olympus once again.

It would be his final minute as just Percy, a man working in a local coffee shop.

"Rise, my sweet. Rise into the night," the goddess purred.

He obeyed.

What a fool he was.

Perseus Jackson, two-time Savior of Olympus, Slayer of Legends, the Bane of the Divine, and a dead-man walking, rose.

Standing atop the water, he stared down the three most prolific heroes of the world.

"I was wondering when you would approach me, Clark Kent."

AN: Join Discord link in bio! Follow, Favorite, Review!
(Revised Sept. 24th, 2024)

Hope all is well.

-Manke