Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Percy had meant to mention it before dinner, he really had, but then Annabeth had started talking about her latest design for Olympus and she was so excited about it, he couldn't bear to interrupt her. He let her order for both of them and didn't mention anything, trusting that a steak was unlikely to cause any problems. It wasn't like they doused the steak in peanut oil, right?
He forgot about it completely, listening to his enraptured girlfriend talk about columns (so the ones with eyes did have a name) and why she chose Corinthian ones for Apollo, and didn't think twice when the dinner was set before them.
He realized he made a mistake ten minutes after he finished. Annabeth was still eating and somehow talking at the same time when he noticed breathing was becoming a little difficult. He glanced around for his bag as discreetly as possible, and realized he'd forgotten it.
Oh shit, he thought, as he felt his airway close more and started to panic.
Annabeth noticed his panicked expression and dropped her fork.
"Monster?" She asked, mind jumping straight to the obvious possibility.
He shook his head, unable to speak anymore.
"Percy?" She stood up and caught him when he fell to the ground. "What's-"
Beat.
"You have an allergy?" She would have yelled at him if he wasn't dying. "Do you have an epipen with you?"
He shook his head weakly.
"Seriously?"
He nodded. Annabeth cursed softly and yelled at a server to grab an epipen. Percy had a small moment of sympathy for the man- an angry Annabeth was terrifying and he was almost glad she was too worried about him to yell at him. Almost. He felt bad that she was worried at all.
Annabeth watched him, her grey eyes full of worry and concern as Percy kept coughing away, trying to find oxygen somewhere in his lungs and failing miserably to find enough. It felt like ages to both of them before the server showed up with two chefs, a manager, and thank the gods above- actually, no. Percy didn't like thanking them anymore- an epipen.
Annabeth stabbed his right leg with it and he gasped at the sudden rush of adrenaline. His thoughts became clearer for a moment.

The manager called an ambulance and gave them a refund, Annabeth told him later. He didn't remember much of what happened until he woke up in a hospital bed with Sally, Paul, and Annabeth staring at him worriedly. He was glad he'd gotten that refund. It was an expensive restaurant.
He told them as much and he could've sworn Annabeth thought about punching him for making a joke.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She demanded.
He shrugged. "You look cute when you're talking about something you get excited about."
"Interrupt me next time. Promise. And I'll make sure to ask before we order at any restaurant ever again. And I'm gonna carry epipens for you since you can't remember to bring them."
He sighed dramatically- of course Annabeth was going to. He didn't mind deep down; it was nice to have someone care for him.
"Thanks, Wise Girl."
She smacked his arm gently. "Don't scare me like that."
"Movie night?" He gave her a grin and she relented, nodding.

Chapter Text

Peanuts wouldn't be a problem under the sea. It wasn't like they grew in Atlantis- Percy was almost a hundred percent sure of that fact. If he told Poseidon, he'd have to deal with the god checking every single food over and over again, and Percy was a guest at the palace. He didn't want to cause any trouble. Amphitrite and Triton already weren't fans of his and Poseidon coddling him would do nothing to help his case.

He brought an epipen (more like Annabeth made sure he did) but he was confident that a week in Atlantis wouldn't kill him. His mom agreed, and that was good enough for Percy.

He did his own detective work in the kitchens (and made friends with all the cooks while at it- free food, anyone?) because Annabeth wouldn't stop IMing him about him and the risk of getting caught in one of those conversations by Poseidon was getting too high- he found it was safe (they had been confused about what he'd meant and explaining what a peanut was had been the hardest conversation Percy ever had). He'd been correct when he guessed peanuts didn't exist under the sea. It was now his favourite place.
He was also very ready to brag to Annabeth about being right for once.

Five days went by and Percy was confident that it would all be fine- he even stopped carrying his epipen in his pocket because if peanuts didn't exist, why carry it with him? He left it in a drawer in his room and almost completely forgot about it. It was nice not to have to worry about ingredient labels every time he wanted a snack.

Poseidon surprised him one evening. He'd wrangled Amphitrite and Triton into a family night with him and Percy. The god had the biggest meal Percy had ever seen set out on a table and tried his best to keep a conversation going.

Percy studiously avoided looking at their glares throughout dinner, instead focusing on his food and blocking out their voices. He knew they'd have plenty of passive aggressive comments to make tonight, and while they didn't normally bother him, it was his last night in Atlantis and he wanted it to go well.

The Fates must have heard him and laughed, he thought later. No rest for Jackson.

The table was tense and Poseidon knew it. He pulled a bag- a mortal superstore bag, Percy realized- out of nowhere.

"I brought chocolate bars?" He offered, sounding slightly unsure.

They were European, it turned out, which made Percy laugh (and Poseidon's eyes glittered with happiness at the noise). He didn't recognize any of the brand names so he picked a random one and waited while Poseidon cajoled his wife into picking one, too. Triton refused completely- and eventually, Poseidon gave up trying.

Percy didn't check the label; he'd gotten too used to the safety of the seas and the thought to do so never crossed his mind. Nor did he realize his mistake until he was already swimming back to his room for the night.

It had been an hour and half and he was surprised when he started feeling off. It was way too late for a reaction.

Except his head was swimming and his throat felt numb and breathing in water wasn't supposed to be this difficult. He sat down in the middle of the hallway, putting his head between his knees and gasping.

The water, he realized. It had been trying to heal him but now it couldn't keep up with the attack on his body.

Oh, he was going to hear it from Annabeth- and then everything faded to black.

Chapter Text

Jason was rarely confused. He was an analyst by nature, and anything he didn't comprehend, he could usually figure out with context and clues.

Not these-

"They're Epipens," Percy rolled his eyes, grabbing them out of Jason's hands before the other demigod could react.

"Epipens?" Jason was fairly certain Camp Jupiter didn't have those- or he would know what they are. They must be a uniquely Greek thing, he decided.

Percy chuckled and then stopped. Did Jason really not know? They were common, allergies that needed Epipens. He glanced at his shoes briefly, suddenly becoming self-conscious. Did they only seem normal to him because he'd grown up with it? But Annabeth hadn't been confused-

"I grew up with wolves, man," Jason said easily, drawing Percy's eyes away from his feet. He may not know what those yellow markers were, but he knew Percy well enough to know he was uncomfortable. "I didn't know what a fork was until I was eight," He continued, trying to put Percy at ease.

It worked. Percy chuckled again and pocketed the Epipens. "They're for allergic reactions. Peanuts, for me. I stab myself with one so I don't die."

"Stab?" Jason paled. Stabbing was a terrible thing to do to yourself. He'd been using swords long enough to know that.

"Not like that," Percy assured him. "It's a needle. Y'know, like- do you guys do flu shots?"

"Does Camp Half-Blood?"

"Fair point. It's similar, just bigger. But don't worry- you won't have to use one."

Hopefully. Percy loved Jason, he really did. He trusted the son of Jupiter with his life in a fight, but with an allergic reaction? Jason was a Roman legionnaire; he didn't have enough experience in the mortal world for Percy to want him helping.

He'd even prefer Thalia- she, at least, knew how to dial 911.

It really was just Percy's luck that the very evening of the day he wished that, Jason was trying to uncap the Epipen while Percy laid there panicking, feeling slightly helpless in the whole ordeal. An unfortunate monster attack while they were out shopping had ended in a Five Guys' kitchen.

Not Percy's best moment.

"Got it!" Jason exclaimed, right as Percy was about to accept his death by peanut fries.

"Stab it in," he wheezed as Jason held the Epipen unsurely. "It'll do the opposite of kill me."

"Right. Saving you from allergic reaction," Jason nodded. He still hesitated, but Percy could think clearer now.

"Do you know how to call 911?" He asked, and Jason chuckled tightly in relief.

"I'm from Camp Jupiter, not Mars."

Chapter Text

For the most part, Percy's school had a strict allergy policy, and they were good at enforcing it. But a high school is far less easy to control than an elementary school, and parents didn't pack lunches for their kids anymore. The school did their best- they had teachers in the dining hall, ready to confiscate the blatantly obvious allergy foods, like peanut butter sandwiches and Reeses' cups. Other foods weren't as easy to catch. Peanut brittle that looked like regular chocolate, or a snickerdoodle cookie that looked like a regular sugar cookie.

Percy knew and Percy was used to it. Even at camp, some kids enjoyed eating their peanut snacks at the dining hall. Those were moments when he was slightly relieved he had his own table- and that food magically appeared. His would always be safe from peanuts (and it had only gotten better after a certain god of the sea had specially enchanted Percy's cups and plates).

He brought his own lunches and avoided the tables he knew were always sharing some homemade snack. His swim team sat with him, joking and rough-housing each other. They never brought peanuts, either- not after learning their star swimmer was allergic. They'd banded around him the minute he joined the team, and even more so when he carried them to win a state title. Percy could inspire a special kind of loyalty.

"Dude, you gotta try these," Matthew shoved a container of crackers in Percy's direction. "My dad brought them over from England during his last trip and they're so much better than what we have here."

Percy raised an eyebrow and looked at the crackers.

"I checked the labels already, dude. They're good. Even have a picture of it if you wanna check for yourself."

Percy tilted his head slightly and Matthew handed him his phone. Scrolling to the right picture, Percy looked at it for a moment.

May contain: nuts
Made in a facility that processes: nuts, soy, gluten

No mentions of peanuts, so Percy tossed the phone back to his teammate and grabbed a handful of the crackers. They finished eating and Percy started heading to his last class for the day.

English. His step-dad's class. Somehow, his favorite class. He still wasn't the best reader- or writer, for that matter- but Paul knew Percy and Paul knew how to work with Percy, not against him.

He settled in his regular seat and twirled his pen while waiting for Paul to finish handing out corrected essays. When it was his turn, Paul ruffled his hair.

"Good job, kiddo. Best essay in the class."

Percy grinned up at him and shoved the essay in his backpack. Sally was going to want to read it- and probably hang it up.

By the time Paul was back at the front of the class, Percy's lips felt puffier. By the time Paul started talking, Percy felt panicky and off.

By the time Paul looked over at him about a question he asked, Percy knew it was the crackers.

"Dad-" he whispered.

Paul barely even registered the name, the fact that Percy had called him dad. Class was dismissed faster than it had begun.

When Percy woke up, he felt nauseated. But Paul was there, holding his hand, and looking at him in concern...

the entire time.

Chapter Text

"Chiron is unfortunately away at the moment, so if any campers have any issues, they're welcome to keep them to themselves and not tell me," Dionysus announced before he let anyone eat that night.

The news was ignored by every single one of the campers. Chiron had already told them to pester Dionysus if they needed anything - it is his job and he will be held accountable - and when they were hungry, any news went in one ear and out the other. One of the many reasons the camp meetings had a snack bar.

Most of them went to Percy or Annabeth, anyway.

Once they'd all begun eating, Castor shuffled over to the Hermes cabin and whispered something to Travis. Travis shot up, grinning, and passed the news over to Katie from the Demeter cabin. It made the rounds until Malcolm from the Athena cabin told Annabeth, and Annabeth told Percy.

Tonight, at the beach. We're having a hula hoop competition.

Percy raised an eyebrow. That wasn't particularly exciting.

With prizes.

Interest picqued, but Percy would still prefer to spend a quiet night in his cabin.

Winner doesn't have to do the cabin checks for a month.

Percy was sold on the idea.

Even though there was nothing in the camp rules against hula hoop contests on the beach, there was an unspoken agreement to wait until Mr. D disappeared into the Big House for the night. The minute the door closed, the Hermes campers were dragging hula hoops, someone from the Apollo had provided an old radio that worked questionably well, and the Demeter cabin set up snacks.

Percy didn't win by any stretch, but he did secure a cleaner for his cabin for a week in one of the consolation rounds- and then he cheered as Annabeth managed to win the elimination game (she always won, and no one was surprised).

"Who ate all the guacamole?" Katie shouted from the snack table. She immediately pin pointed Travis with an accusing glare and Percy, laughing, slipped away from the beach.

Probably best not to let Katie catch the actual culprit.

"You demigods are impossibly loud."

He almost jumped, but gods had appeared around him often enough. Percy didn't even turn to acknowledge Mr. D.

"It was fun."

"You're leaving."

"Katie's threatening whoever ate the guacamole. I'd rather not get caught."

Mr. D huffed and took a drink of his soda. "Coward, Peter Johnson."

"It's Percy Jackson," he answered, more out of habit than anything else.

"Whatever," the god rolled his eyes. He narrowed his eyes at Percy after a beat. "No smart answer?"

Percy couldn't think of a smart answer- or he could, but he couldn't figure out how to put words to it. He bit on his lip and oh gods-

"Jackson?" Dionysus said, a little more urgently. He pretended not to care- he called them made up names and kept his distance, but that was because when you are immortal and watch everyone you care for die, you learn to keep your distance.

Percy looked up at Dionysus. "I think I'm having an allergic reaction."

"The only reason I helped is so your father wouldn't kill me."

"Sure, Mr. D.," Percy chuckled quietly. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Chapter Text

Near the end of every summer, Camp Half-Blood hosted a swordfighting tournament; Percy had been banned from competing and instead was the co-arbitrer with Annabeth. They had to give the other kids a fighting chance for the laurels and title.

It was a huge affair. The Hermes cabin and the Demeter cabin combined resources to create a banquet that even Olympus would be jealous of, and even ordered European food baskets months in advance.

And every summer, Will Solace spent a sleepness night drilling his siblings and preparing the infirmary for the slew of patients that would be coming in. Austin triaged them as they arrived, Kayla took the minor cases- a graze or a broken jaw- and Will spent his day in the back, making sure no one died from the tournament.

The Apollo Cabin had tried petitioning for it to end, but there had been no luck.

Mr. D had been adamant that it continue.

It was the first year Nico was competing- he'd never been around or interested enough before, but he was an excellent swordsman and with some encouragement from Hazel (and some coercion from Thalia), he found himself in the arena, ready to face his first opponent.

He dispatched him quickly; a step in, a parry to the side, flats of the blade, point to the chest. An Ares girl was next, and she was harder to win against. She grazed his cheek, Nico sidestepped and tripped her. She kneed him as she came down, he twisted to evade a sword and disarm her. He made it through his first round.

Hazel and Thalia cheered him on the loudest. Percy, who by virtue of being an arbitror, was required to remain impartial at all times, snuck him a wink. They'd spent hours training together during Percy's time off from university.

He cleared the arena, letting the next round begin, and propped his sword against a tree before grabbing a cup of water. Thalia was already waiting for him at the food tables, with two plates in her hands: one for her, one for him.

"That's my little cuz," she grinned, handing him a plate and then ruffling his hair.

"I'm older than you. Technically."

"I'm immortal."

"Did I do okay?"

"You did great," Thalia smirked. "Annabeth looked a little too smug. I don't think she's as impartial as she's pretending to be."

"Percy winked at me," Nico smiled back at her. It was hard not to be excited with Thalia. Her energy quite literally was infectious. He hadn't been able to prove it, but Nico was certain it was something the Zeus kids could do: transfer electrons at will and share their energy.

He started nibbling at the food as Thalia kept talking, sometimes throwing in his own thoughts. There was some time before his next round, and they watched from the side of the arena as they ate.

Percy was out of his seat almost before the commotion began- so fast that Thalia barely had time to shout before he was there.
His mind was working overtime the second he started moving.
This was all too similar.

"I don't-" Thalia began, but Percy wasn't listening. He had his Epipens with him (he always carried them now; he didn't fancy another letter from Hades complaining about how Poseidon would react) and even if he didn't know what Nico's allergy was, he knew it was a reaction.
It was all the symptoms he always had.

Percy Jackson did not hesitate.

"You didn't know you had an allergy?" Will whispered yelled, hours later, once Nico was feeling better and Percy had calmed both of them down.

Nico shrugged; he certainly didn't have any medical records and he didn't remember anything from before the Lotus Casino. How was he supposed to know?

Will huffed, adjusting his lab coat, and sat down on the bed next to Nico. "I gotta test you later. That was definitely a reaction and you are definitely allergic to something you ate."

"I lost the contest."

"Nah, Percy put it on hold. He said they'd finish it when you were back."

"I can go now-"

"Day in the infirmary. Doctor's orders. And I gotta test you."

Nico started pouting, but Will curled up next to him and started playing with his hair before he had a chance to.

"I gave him the food-"

"Still not your fault, Thalia," Percy repeated himself. Again. He'd lost count of how many times he'd told her.

The contest had already been cleaned up- after Percy's announcements, everything had disbanded in the blink of an eye. No one wanted to continue without Nico. The two cousins were walking along the deserted arena as they talked, giving Nico some time with Will before they smothered him, too.

"Nico will be fine. He'll get Epipens and he'll learn to live with it. I'll help him. I've gotten pretty good at it."

"I fed him-"

"You didn't know. Now, we do. We'll be careful."

"You're not careful, though," Thalia side-eyed him. She knew it wasn't her fault, but Nico was her little cousin. It was hard to see reason. "Actually, Jason told me once about-"

"My point is, Nico will be fine," Percy said quickly. "Maybe him and I can be the allergy duo."