#Annabeth still believed he could be redeemed

[ganeshpnf]

I believe fandom does not talk about Luke and Annabeth's relationship enough. I mean, plus Thalia, they had to survive together. And they were like this:

Imagine what they had gone through, being this small. I always think that baby Annabeth didn't understand many things around her, despite being so smart, she was only 7.

I hc when they left May's house, Luke was so frustrated. Thalia tried to calm him down but eventually she left him alone so he can clear his head. Annabeth probably asked Thalia why he was so upset, only understanding his father is not a good man in his eyes, just like hers. So she picked up crayons Thalia found for her in the dumpster and drew a picture just for her big brother, trying to remind him that he has a new family:

I hc Luke carried the picture for years, even though he left the camp and betrayed everyone, he still carried it. It helped him to calm down.

Little Annabeth would be upset that she had to sleep in another cabin but she got used to her new siblings. But it didn't stop her cuddling to her big brother at the campfire, as they mostly thought of Thalia, silently grieving for her.

Luke would remember how she had to hold Annabeth tight in her arms as she screamed and pounded on his chest loudly as Thalia disappeared, her battle cries turning to screams. Even silliest songs wouldn't cheer them up for a while at the campfire.

Eventually, Annabeth would start to forget a bit, still visiting Thalia's tree every day and telling her stories, but her eyes starts to shine. She finally starts laughing again, being a small kid. She would love to follow Luke around, jumping up and down as Luke just wanted some alone time.

No wonder Annabeth spend years thinking he could be redeemed. He was her hero, her big brother for years. She was in denial and even cried at the botl.

I always think, just like Percy, Luke saw Annabeth at the River Styx. But probably small Annabeth, when they first met. He probably saw her hopeful eyes and the moment they become family. At the final battle, Annabeth's tears reminded him of who he lost. At that moment, when Annabeth mentioned his promise, he saw the memory again, where he gained a sister who would love him and look up to him for years. Yet, he lost her, he lost the kid he promised to protect, he promised to love. At that moment, he realized he fucked up, he became Luke again, sacrificing himself so Kronos wouldn't kill her. He was so disappointed and terrified of what he had done after seeing the blood coming out of her mouth...

At the end, Annabeth's and Luke's bond saved the war.

(Fanart belongs to silima.art!)

[godly-mistake]

Still thinking about Siren's Bay and how the scene offers some good insight into Annabeth's character early on

How up until this scene the reader has only seen Annabeth's outward reactions towards Luke and his betrayal:

At the end of TLT Annabeth does not even try to deny that Luke could do something like this, she accepts it, she believes immediately that it is something he is capable of

And earlier in SOM her only reactions towards him are hurt and anger; she yells at him, calls him insane, tells him how he's disgraced Thalia's memory and her sacrifice

It really leaves you thinking that she's basically given up on him entirely, that she's hurt and betrayed and wants nothing to do with him

but then you get to siren's bay

And you see this vision Annabeth has of her greatest ambitions, of what she wants most in the world, and amongst her visions of great achievements its revealed that one of the things she wants back most is her family

And you see that despite the hurt he's caused her already, despite his betrayal, despite everything; she still cares, she still hopes that there is some impossible way that he can redeem himself, that he can come back, that they can be a family again

It's this hope that's flamed when he argues with Atlas to spare her and she sees that hint of his old self again in TTC

It's hope that wants to find some way to make him to turn back right up until he's fully possessed by Kronos

And it's hope that keeps her trying, keeps her calling out to him when he's possessed, until she does reach him

It's amazing considering how large a part hope plays in the final book that it's talked about so little

Annabeth is such a fucking hopeful character and I will never shut up about it

[hepaidattention]

it's the way...

it's the way Annabeth, the one who Percy at first didn't trust because he was afraid of betrayal, came and watched over Percy as he fought Luke (the one who Percy was really betrayed by) and SHE saved Percy's life.

it's the way you know Annabeth came back to camp and went to Luke first. she went to him and told him everything. told him every story, every little argument, every lesson they learned and he listened as she bragged about Percy and you know Luke could see the crush she had formed on him, he could see what he meant to her. Annabeth talked about how he saved her life, she talked about how she saved his. she talked about how she thought he was dead and how afraid that he'd be killed confronting Zeus.

its the way you know how he saw her relief when he walked through those gates, alive. when she hugged onto him, Percy's face reciprocating the same rosey cheeks and bashful smiles.

its the way Luke knew how she felt about him, and Annabeth also knew he did because she could hide a crush on a boy from a lot of people, but never Luke, he knew her too well.

and its the way Annabeth knew Luke was lying, when telling Percy why they hadn't told Chiron yet about Clarisse. she didn't want to believe it because this was Luke and clearly he had some kind of reason.

it's the way Annabeth watched the fireworks with her cabin, and then saw Percy and Luke walk off into the woods where they'd practice their swordmanship. she would go and watch them sometimes, her cap on always.

it's the way Annabeth gripped her hat in her hand and took a step back from her brothers and sisters, slipped on the hat, and followed their path. because she trusted Luke with her life, but she realized, she didn't trust Luke with Percy's.

and Percy's life had become much more important to her than she ever thought possible.

and she knew it was crazy to think, because Luke would never do something so traitorous, but Luke was Percy's friend, and the full prophecy still hadn't come to pass.

and she knew Luke was a child of Hermes, who were the children of the god of theives. and she knew she was with Luke when they were on Olympus, and she knew he was more capable, than many of their fellow campers, to steal the bolt.

and she knew how much Luke hated his dad, and just how much he hated Zeus.

it's the way her intuition told her it had been Luke all along, but her heart told her she was crazy to think it.

it's the way she still didn't trust Luke, the guy she saw as a brother, who saved her life as a child, alone with Percy.

it's the way that when she found them, she stayed hidden as she listened to Luke talk. she heard Percy put the same pieces Annabeth had already put together, yet wouldn't admit. she listened as Percy, sweet loyal Percy, feel almost as betrayed and hurt as she did.

it's the way she silently cried, not revealing herself as she brushed tears from her cheeks.

it's the way she knew Percy could beat him, if he could defeat the god of war and face Zeus unscathed, after all.

it's the way she didn't have it in her to fight him. not Luke. not her family.

and it was the moment that Percy apologized for hurting him, the moment that loyal Percy stopped what he was doing and wanted to make sure his FRIEND who had betrayed him, Annabeth, and Grover, if HE was alright, and Luke responded by hurting him back.

it's the way she waited for Luke to show an attribute that glimmered of something redeemable before she disarmed him, revealing herself to be there the whole time.

and it was the moment she disarmed him and lifted her cap, looking at him hurt, betrayed, broken.

and it was the moment that he hurt Percy when he was making sure he didn't hurt HIM, looking down at him like he was going to kill him, unarmed, only because Percy had been afraid to hurt his FRIEND, that Annabeth realized Luke wasn't the Luke she thought. sure, Percy could beat him, but he wouldn't. that wasn't who Percy was. and she never thought that's who Luke was, until he held his sword in his hand, hovering over injured Percy.

its the way Annabeth chose, while on their quest, to be less like the God's and more like Percy. she didn't want to live for glory and bloodshed and pride. she wanted to live for truth and juice and empathy.

and its the way she looked at Luke, his chest heaving, his eyes ashamed at what she saw him do, at what he was about to do, that she realized Luke had been mistreated by the god's too many times now - now all he knew was glory and vengeance and strife.

its the way Luke had become what Annabeth feared the most that she'd become. he was more god than human.

it's the way Luke looked at her, suddenly every choice he made being second guessed, because Annabeth heard everything, and she still chose Percy.

its the way he ran, because he couldn't fight Annabeth. not his family.

it's the way that Luke thought, if anyone understood why he did what he did, it would be Annabeth.

it's the way Annabeth, the one Percy thought to be the first one to risk his life, saved him from her own family's hands.

it's the way that Percy had been betrayed by a friend, but Annabeth was betrayed by family.

[farewellneverland2004]

Notes Listening to the Lightning Thief audiobook for the First Time Notes:

- first chapter is the best sentence I’ve ever heard in a fiction book ever!

-love how it’s written as basically saying “oh, you don’t believe this stuff is real? Good! Keeping believing that! You’ll be safer!”

-completely forgot he’s canonically a New Yorker

-imagine almost being killed and then being gaslight into thinking it didn’t happen and the math teacher you killed didn’t exist!

- love how my girls be knitting socks for a bull at this point.

-I don’t know yet whether I like how the book or the tv series handled the finding out you’re a demigod thing better? Ones gives more excuses to learn more about the world, but the other is a bit more of a gut punch like later if you know what I mean.

-I vocally screamed when they said Grover was 28!

-I’d lowkey be down for being Haephestus’s kid. I want to know blacksmithing.

- I still wish Annabeth pushed him in the water in the book.

- imagine being Mr. D’s kids. Your dads the camp director AND doesn’t want to be in your life?! Forget being a forbidden child, where’s the payback for THESE kids!?

-The Thalia Lore was laid out better in the book.

- I think I liked the M arc in the series more, but still good.

- was that woman who saw the Chimera a Seer?

-the water park thing was funny, but I like how the series changed it to give it a more emotional feel. Just my opinion.

-Be free Marty!

- I was really hoping the 70s kid in the Lotus Casino was actually Nico but it was still good(I’m just excited to meet Nico)

-Man! Hades was Way Less creepy looking in the series.

-I was gonna make a joke about Hades probably being a don to everyone but his wife(which I will head canon) but then Percy said he had the eyes of a dictator and that kinda ruined my joke lol

- I love how Hades seems ominous and scary, but then just reveals himself to be a confused and overworked man who just misses his wife.

- honestly don’t blame Hades for not believing them. This guy needs a vacation and his brothers to stop causing problems because he’s accusing 12 year old of stealing his duds.

-I wish they explained the cap better in the series because I thought I was smart thinking the cap was the helm, turns out it’s not cause apparently the helm is even cooler.

-Mr. Elevator man probably does need a raise!

- justice for Cerberus!

-I love how he could get away with the Mushroom joke!

-“LA was on fire” man look how ahead of its time it was. (Was that too soon?)

-honestly I’m disappointed I didn’t even realize it would make so much more sense to suspect Ares!

- No wonder only the Spartans liked Ares!

- only the ADHD kid with water powers could call a war god coward and LIVE!

-PERCY’s GOT A CRUSH!

-love how he just got a can from his bestie

-YOU HEARD IT! ADHD will save you in battle! Lol

-plot twist! The algebra teacher will be his final final boss!

- I can’t believe they’re gaslighting the world to get him out of being a fugitive!

-YES! Bankrupt the deadbeat!

-I love he’s giving us an actual playlist for this book

-headcanon! Hades didn’t copy Olympus, but the opposite. And he’s not bitter but annoyed cause Zeus likes to copy his style but make it flashy!

-Mr. P looks like my uncle.

-Zues gives me the deadbeat step dad vibes

-P&P talk is just all business

-that’s rough your own dad feels sorry you existing cause he knows you’ll eventually die.

-Sally is a QUEEN! You heard it here people!

- Mr. Swimmer man gonna have to do more than acknowledge his son before he’s considered redeemed in my book bro.

-of course deadbeat is still here! And he Is actually as bad as I thought! Didn’t think this kids book would go there! Why is it here we get dark?!

-SALLY! Leave Him Now!

-YES! STONE THE TRASH!

-Percy’s a better person than I am!

-Girlboss Sally is supreme!

-Girl said “I don��t need a god to solve my problems! I’m the queen here and and I’ll solve my own problems!”

-PLEASE DON’T LET PERCY HAVE TO GIVE UP HIS MOM JUST CAUSE HIS GRANDAD IS SCHEMING?!

-f*ck him up Sally! Literally my favorite character

-He called Annabeth Beautiful! AHHH!

-yay! Grover got his license after 28 years!

-YES! She Stoned the Trash! Get your degree girl! You deserve it!

-now I definitely want to be a Haephestus kid!

-Oh god! Grover’s actually looking his age! I’m kinda glad the series didn’t do that!

-Please come back Grover!

-Everything is WAY TOO CALM! That can’t be good!

-The deadline thing is SO REAL!

-GO TO YOUR MOM AND FIGHT THOSE MONSTERS!

-Luke Needs Therapy!

-AHHH! He’s planning to commit crimes!

-what was his quest again?

-Oh god! He really is kinda sociopathic! Who attacks people with scorpions

-lowkey Luke’s be based if he wasn’t attempting murder and wars

-bro couldn’t steal an apple and blames everyone but the man manipulating him.

-wow! He manipulated a war god?! Impressive!

-thank you Chekhov’s Gun!

-yay! She’s trying to rebuild her relationship with her dad!

-great setup for the second book!

-seaweed brain!

-love the ending! A heroes first journey ends at home !

-Final Thoughts: worth the hype! Loved it ! 9.5/10

[flower1622]

I'm writing a fanfic that Clarisse lost Chris. Clarisse matured a lot and kinda put some sense into Percy about his priorities. She and Percy became good friends. Percy broke up with Annabeth because she lied to him. He couldn't stand Annabeth making fun of him. He felt insecure about himself and wasn't so sure about his feelings towards Annabeth anymore. Feeling betrayed and Jealous, Annabeth asked help to the Hecate's cabin. The members of the cabin gave a potion to Annabeth that would bring the old Percy back, the one who loved her very much. But they gave the wrong potion, which could bring a person's other side.

Percy ends up drinking the potion and his dark side comes out and it gets very obsessed with Clarisse, who only sees him as good friend...or maybe something more... that she doesn't know yet. Percy will do anything to have her as his...even go after the things she loves the most...her mother and the camp. He may turn into a god later and kill the other gods. He becomes a vampire and turns his family. He has everything, expect one thing....Clarisse. She doesn't give in to his advances and threats because she has a hero spirit. Even though Percy tries to bring her to the dark side, he always fails. So now, the heroes (including Annabeth, Clarisse - maybe Nico and Will and the others) will have to face their biggest threat: Percy Jackson. Will they save their friend or not?

*QUESTION*

I still have some doubts about an endgame ship because I don't like Percabeth that much, but I believe that Annabeth deserves a chance to redeem herself and apologize to Percy. They can be a cute couple sometimes....and I ship Clarisse with Percy as friends or a couple. So, I'm open minded for opinions!

[moonysmates]

PJO SPOILERS

I feel so bad for Annabeth, especially in the earlier books. The person she had been closest to for 5 years, who she had a crush on, who treated her like a sister for years, trying to convince her to join his side by telling her that she was dishonouring the person who had sacrificed herself for them, who had been a sister figure to her and had protected her the whole way to Camp Half-Blood.

Early on, it wouldn't have felt real. Luke had turned, yea, but surely there must be some mistake, he had been at Camp as long as Annabeth, he was essentially the leader. He wouldn't do anything to hurt Annabeth or the others - right?

Then, Thalia's tree was poisoned, someone who Annabeth had revered, who had been like a sister to her, who had martyred herself for Annabeth's sake. Until she spoke to Luke on the cruise ship, Annabeth wouldn't believe that he had anything to do with it- Luke cared about Thalia, they were as close as Annabeth was with each of them, he wouldn't deliberately poison her tree. He must have been forced, right? He was tricked.

Then, his confession. That was the first point where Annabeth started to accept that maybe Luke was bad after all- but he wasn't irredeemable, he couldn't be, she could save him. If he could do that to Thalia- but no, maybe he didn't see it like that, she was a tree. But he wouldn't hurt a proper person, he wouldn't hurt Annabeth.

Then came Atlas, and Annabeth was forced to hold the weight of the sky. It almost crushed her, and she would have died if it wasn't for Percy, but, again, surely Luke hadn't been behind it, he'd been forced, manipulated, right? And yet, it was becoming harder to believe. Every time Annabeth looked in the mirror, she saw the white streak in her hair, an everyday reminder of the pain and pressure she'd had to go through that summer.

The more time went by, the more pain her and the people she loved had to go through, the less she could tell herself that Luke was redeemable. If he could do those things to her, and to other half-bloods, was he really the same Luke that Annabeth had met when she was seven years old and trying to survive on her way to Camp?

After the final battle of the Second Titan War, after Luke has pushed a blade into his own chest to stop Kronos, even knowing all of the terrible things he had done, things he had done mercilessly, without regret, Annabeth still missed the brother she had made when she was seven years old.

“Traveling with a Cyclops,” Luke chided. “Talk about dishonoring Thalia’s memory! I’m surprised at you, Annabeth. You of all people-”

“Stop it!” she shouted.

I didn’t know what Luke was talking about, but Annabeth buried her head in her hands like she was about to cry.

“Leave her alone,” I said.

Annabeth is a lot better than me because if my older brother told me he literally poisoned the only connection to my dead sister and then accused me of being the one in the wrong, I'm pushing him off his damn yacht. No hesitation.  

[housemartius]

Hey if you were to rewrite HoO, what would you do? (I know this is a big question)

ooooof it really is and it’s going to take me a while. also i might not even write down everything i want bc adhd but here we go:

- percy and annabeth are not part of the seven. they’ve had the first series, let them rest for a while, they deserve it. also bc i’d keep the romans has an imminent threat to chb, they’d have their hands full with battle preparations and whatnot for the ultimate showdown

- reyna and nico are part of the seven

- jason and piper are not a couple. hera would give them false memories of a romantic relationship between the two. but they wouldn’t go for it. piper being a child of aphrodite means she can sense possibilities, but why would this necessarily mean she’d earn for a positive outcome between her and jason? i think that it’d be the opposite: piper would sense nothing. how do you build a relationship based on nothing. scratch that, there is something, but it’s all fake. what does she really know about this boy that wasn’t made up by a scheming goddess? i find it hard to believe she’d immediately try to jump into romance, and for what? to get back a handful of moments that never even happened in the first place? if anything, she’d start from zero and try to form a friendship with him, but not romance... and as for jason, he’s a logical person, i think he’d be hard pressed to start dating piper right away bc he’d believe there was no basis whatsoever to their relationship. if all your memories of a person were created by someone else, then you just don’t know that person, end of. anyway, no romance between these two

- frank and hazel are most definitely not a couple. no in-depth explanations required

- hazel is still 13 y/o, but she’s allowed to be 13 y/o. she feels intimidated by the rest of the seven (with the exception of nico, who is 13 as well) due to their age differences. she feels herself lacking in both wisdom and experience. she constantly goes to nico for comfort. around the others, she’s shy and meek. her disposition in turn makes the rest of them protective of her. it has nothing to do with powers, they are more than aware hazel is strong and skillful and dangerous. it’s bc of her age, bc it’s only natural they’d want this really young girl to be safe and sound all the time

- same with nico. although he relies mostly on hazel for support, due to being siblings and of the same age, he finds himself being cared for by the older demigods quite a lot. that’s just how these things go

- yes, there’d be two children of hades in this quest. i think it would be interesting. hades is the underdog. his children are feared, mistreated and ostracized. this could be the chance to have hades and his kids not only redeemed but also viewed in a whole different light. it’s about time hades’ bad rep comes to an end

- leo and calypso are not a couple

- leo’s arc would revolve around self-love. there would be no ��seventh wheel” crap (obviously), instead, it’s about confronting and overcoming his trauma, figure himself out and grow. leo would find love in his friends. piper and jason would never see him as a pain or nuisance like they do at times in the books (ew). leo would be well loved by his peers

- calypso’s arc would revolve around self-love too. leo does land in her island, and he leaves on the little boat. but not before passing on his wisdom to her. leo is the one who helps calypso realize that relationships or romantic interests do not define you as a person. and eventually, not too long after he’s left, a boat appears for calypso

- reyna would be the unofficial leader of the seven. not the mom of the group, not the big sister, the leader. yes, she comes to develop deep and strong bonds with the rest of the crew, but she’s not anyone’s therapist. jason and frank are her right hand men

- frank’s stick might not even be a thing tbh. i don’t see a valid reason for it existing... i see his character arc more as growing from a timid boy to a capable leader

- the gods wouldn’t have that weird “greek vs roman” thing going on. like why, what’s so interesting about this in the first place? i just don’t see it

- i legit can’t think of anything else rn lol. but you get the gist, it’d about teenagers and their personal growths, just like the first series

[ashis2gay4u]

First Burn, A Modern Valdangelo Hamilton! AU

When Nico di Angelo first saw him from across the room, he felt his heart doing back-flips and front-flips against his rib-cage. He turned to Hazel, who now stood next to him, and whispered, "That one there, the elf-ish boy... That one is mine; he has to be mine."

Hazel smiled, her golden eyes flashing with something Nico couldn't quite place, before she turned and headed off towards the boy in skinny jeans and suspenders.

Nico watched helplessly, mind racing, "What..."

What is she doing?

"Where are you taking me?" the boy asked.

"I'm about to change your life," Hazel said, smiling warmly.

"Why, lead the way~" he replied, smirking.

Nico let out a gasp when she led him right over to him.

Their eyes met, brown versus ebony.

Nico felt his heart stop.

Helpless, he thought, helpless against those gorgeous eyes.

"Hey," the boy said, and Nico, in all his glory, stuttered a reply.

"H-hey! U-uhm, N-Nico di Angelo!" he said, cheeks a bright red as he bowed.

"di Angelo, eh?"

"My brother," Hazel said, smirking.

"Oh, Leo Valdez! I'm a mechanic for Hades."

"T-thank you for ah, working so hard!" Nico said, his heart still racing.

"If that's all it took for us to meet, then it'll have been worth it~"

~

Nico was happy as he hung off of Leo's arm. After years of receiving love letters and sending them back, they were finally married.

Percy Jackson stepped up to the stage, laughing, face red and drunk, "Alright, alright! Let's get this party going! But first, from the maid of honor, Hazel Levesque!"

Hazel stepped up, her purple dress flowing behind her. She gladly took the mic from Percy, who patted her hair, before turning to smile at her older brother... And Leo.

"A toast to the grooms!" She said, raising her glass.

Everybody repeated what she said, laughing and smiling.

She looked around the room, and noticed Piper, Percy, and Will were already drunk, laughing as they talked among themselves.

"A toast to your union!"

"To their union!"

Nico looked so happy, but Hazel could see how Leo watched her every movement, her every word.

She brushed it off as him just listening intently.

"May you always be satisfied!"

"YASSS!" Percy and Piper screeched, earning laughter from throughout the room, as well as face-palms from Jason and Annabeth.

Hazel stepped down and went to sit with the others, sitting down next to Frank, who gently grabbed her hand.

She smiled at him, though her mind decided to wander.

She remembers that night. The dreamlike candlelight of the office party her father had hosted.

She remembered all the boys and girls falling over themselves to earn hers and Nico's praise, how many had failed.

But not Leo.

No, he had won them both over by storm...

"May I have this dance?"

Hazel jumped, whipping around to face the impishly smiling boy with chocolate skin, curly black hair tied back into a ponytail, and the warmest brown eyes she's ever seen.

Those eyes. She could stare into them all day...

"U-hm," she stuttered, forgetting her name as she stared into his eyes.

"Uhm?" he teased, smirking.

"I'm Hazel, Hazel Levesque-di Angelo."

"Leo Valdez. di Angelo, eh?"

Hazel blushed, nodding as he took her hand and placed the other on her hip, swaying them gently into a waltz of sorts.

Hazel felt complete, her chest was filled with warmth, her stomach aflutter with butterflies.

"You look like you've never been satisfied before," Leo suddenly said out of the blue.

Hazel's expression hardened, and her guards went up, "I'm sure I don't understand, you forget who you're talking to."

"I meant no ill will, I was just stating you're like me."

"What?"

"I've never been satisfied, either."

"Never?"

"Never."

Hazel couldn't believe it. There he was, perfect as can be, just like...

No, he's dead.

She turned to look to her brother as they parted ways, only to find he was watching Leo with a love-struck look.

He looked absolutely helpless.

So, she went over there and listened to him go on about Leo, and felt her face fall when he said, "That one there, the elf-ish boy... That one is mine; he has to be mine."

She knew he needed him more, so she gave up.

Her brother's happiness means more than hers, anyways.

Always.

"Where are you taking me?"

"I'm about to change your life."

"Nico di Angelo."

"Leo Valdez~"

Hazel was shaken from the memories when Percy announced that the activities will soon begin.

She turned to her brother and Leo.

Leo met her eyes for a second, only to look away and kiss Nico's forehead, causing the taller man to giggle.

At least Nico's his husband. At least she keeps his eyes in her life...

He will never be satisfied, and neither will she.

~

Leo knew it was a trap from the beginning. But with being promoted to the head of the work shop and with Nico and the kids gone, he couldn't handle the loneliness or the stress.

So, when Calypso came by, he didn't say no.

Gods, does he wish he did.

~

"Don't tell a soul," Leo snarled, glaring at Octavian and his lackeys.

Octavian smirked, turning to his brother, Luke. "Should we tell his husband? Poor, poor little Nico will be crushed!"

"I can prove I didn't steal from the company; I can prove it!"

The two brothers exchanged a look with Dakota, who seemed resigned.

The alcoholic merely shrugged, "Nobody was in the room where it happened."

"Is that a yes?"

"Uhhh... Yes," the three of them said.

"Great, I'll get started."

~

"Did you read the news?"

"Poor Nico!"

"He cheated on him, how ignorant-"

"Leo Valdez is a monster!"

"A cheater, too!"

Octavian and Luke watched and listened; they knew it was only a matter of time before the downfall of the enemy.

~

It was almost midnight when Nico di Angelo stormed into his husbands repair shop, slamming the pack of letters down onto the worktable Leo Valdez was sat at.

Leo looked up, and stared at his partner in crime in confusion, "Nico? What's wrong?"

"I saved every letter you wrote me."

"Oh? Why bring them here-"

"As soon as I read them, I knew you were mine, you said you were mine, I-I thought you were..."

Leo's eyes widened, "Nico-"

"Do you know what Hazel said when your first letter arrived?"

Leo shook his head, "No, but-"

"She said to be careful with you, that you'd do anything to survive. She was right, according to the news!" Nico's voice cracked, and he could feel his eyes watering.

Leo nearly fell out of his chair. "N-no, Nico, wait!"

"Do you know how much your words affected me? How good they made me feel? I was always so excited for the next one, your words flooded my senses, Leo," Nico said, glaring Leo down. "You built me a fucking castle made up of empty promises and broken trust disguised as love."

"Nico, just stop and listen-" Leo tried, eyes wide. He felt like he was being doused in gasoline and set on fire, the panic building up in his chest.

"I re-read the letters you wrote me, searched for an answer in every fuckin' line, looking for the answers as to when you were mine and mine alone... You published the letters she would write you, all so you could clear up where you were when all that shit happened at the company! In clearing your fuckin' name, you tarnished mine and ruined our fuckin' lives!"

Leo stood up, and took a step towards the taller man, only to have Nico step back, "Don't take another fuckin' step in my direction, Valdez!"

Leo winced. He and Nico both knew that on their wedding certificate, Leo had taken the others name.

That was a low blow, and Leo knew he deserved it.

"You told the world how you brought this girl- Calypso- into our bed! Do you know what Hazel said when she saw the news? 'You've married an Icarus; he's flown too close to the sun'. You're so paranoid about how others view you, so obsessed with carrying on your mother's legacy and work that you forget what's important!

"The world has no right to my heart! Has no right to my bed! They don't get to know what I fuckin' say on the subject!"

"Nico, please-" Leo begged, cheeks drenched in tears. He let out a hiccup, followed by an ugly sob.

Nico's tear drenched face contorted into something out of a horror movie, a look of pure pain and suffering, "As soon as somebody whispers something, you fucking scream in response!"

Leo was about to speak when Nico raised a hand, his lips breaking into a broken, watery smile, "I know about whispers, Leo, I've had them following me all my fuckin' life! Not to mention, I see how you look at my sister!"

"Ni-"

"DON'T! I'M NOT NAÏVE!" he screamed, balling his hands into fists. "I have seen women and men around you, how they fall for your charms!"

Leo sat back down, defeated as he watched Nico walk away. He returned with a torch in hand, and tossed the letters on the ground. "I'm burning the letters you wrote me; they don't mean anything now. I'm burning the memories, the last bit of proof to prove that you're a decent guy, the last thing that could've redeemed you. You can just sit there and watch."

Leo didn't say a word, merely watched, gut wrenching at the sight as Nico set them all aflame.

"When the time comes, you can explain to Maria-Bianca and Sammy what you've done, the pain and embarrassment you've put me through, how you dragged our name through the mud."

"Nico..."

Nico laughed almost hysterically, before going stone faced and ripping off his ring, tossing it to Leo, "You forfeit the right to my heart."

Leo stared at the ring as he caught it, eyes wide as he looked back up at Nico, "No-!"

"You forfeit the right to our bed."

"Nico, please just listen-"

"You sleep here instead!"

"No, I-"

"When will you learn, Leo?" Nico mused; voice soft for the first time since he got there.

"L-learn...?"

"When will you learn," Nico said, voice raising to a shrill sound, "That our children are your legacy? That I am your legacy? That we are your legacy?! When will you learn?!"

"I'll try harder, I'll do better! Please-!"

"Stand back and watch it burn. Watch all that we've built burn to the ground!"

Nico stormed off towards the door, tossing the torch aside.

He stopped with his shaking hand on the door handle, before turning to flash that same, broken smile at Leo over his shoulder, his black hair messy and tangled, his ebony eyes shattered

"I hope that you burn," he said flatly, a sob ripping itself free from his throat right afterwards.

He left, slamming the door shut.

Leo sat there, gripping the ring he held in his hand, and broke down, crying and screaming.

~

"Leo!"

"Hazel!"

"Congratulations."

Leo stared in shock.

"You've invented a new kinda stupid, the open-all-the-cages-in-the-zoo, kinda stupid, no, worse!"

"Hazel..."

"Do you realize what you've done, Leo?"

"IT.. It was an act of political sacrifice!"

Hazel froze, staring him down, "Sacrifice? I languished in a loveless marriage in Rome for a long time before I found Frank, and even then all I could think of was you for years!"

"Hazel-"

"But you know why I'm not with you? Because I saw how he looked when he looked at you, how happy he was! I know my brother like I know my own mind, you'll never find anybody as understanding and as kind...

“I love my brother more than anything in this world, I'd sacrifice my happiness for his every time! Nico is the best thing in our lives, so don't forget that you've been blessed with the best husband!"

"..."

"So yeah, congratulations! For the rest of your fucking life! Every choice you make is for my brother, give him the best life!"

"Hazel-"

"Congratulations."

~

"WHERE IS SHE?!"

Will stood by the bed, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, Leo, but with the entry point of the wound, she-"

Leo pushed Will out of the way, rushing to kneel by Maria-Bianca.

"P-papa, I-"

"Shh, I know-"

"I did as you said, I aimed my arrows high-"

"Shh, I know, sweetheart, save your strength and stay alive, please-"

"Where's my daughter? How is she? Will she survive this?! Leo, did you know?!" Nico cried, tears running free as he knelt next to his husband, brushing the hair from their daughter's face.

"Dad, I'm sorry..." Maria whispered, coughing.

"It's okay, it's okay, shush, sweetling, save your strength."

"I remember what you taught me... How we played piano-"

"Yes, I know. You always changed the tune," Nico whispered back.

He took Leo's hand, gripping it to steady himself. Leo squeezed back just as hard.

"I always changed the tunes..."

Nico began to sing, "Une deux trois quatre-"

"Cinq six sept huite neuf-"

"Good. Une deuz trois quatre cinq six-"

"cinq six..."

"Sept huite neuf... Sept huite neuf... Sept huite-"

You could hear a pin drop in the deafening silence that ensued the death of their daughter.

Nico stood up and left, Leo in tow.

~

"Can you imagine?"

"How cruel can the world be?"

"If you see Valdez walking through the streets and talking to himself, don't judge, he's going through the unimaginable."

"Poor Nico. First a cheating husband, now a dead daughter."

"Shh, here comes Valdez."

~

"Leo, you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Leo, we need to talk. You can't keep saying that."

Leo turned to look up at Nico, who was standing at his shoulder, "Why? You hate me."

"I don't, I could never..."

"..."

"I love you."

Leo looked up at him once again, shocked, "After all I've done...?"

"Yes, Repair Boy, after all that you've done."

Leo broke down at that, standing up and grabbing onto Nico, sobbing into his shoulder.

Nico merely picked him up and sat down, placing the Latino on his lap.

"I love you, Drago."

"I love you too, Angel..."

And they kissed. After so long, the sparks were still there.

And Leo fell in love all over again.

~

"If you see them walking, they're trying their bests."

"Nico called off the divorce, his father is pissed."

"Don't judge them, they're going through the unimaginable."

~

When Leo died, Nico was crushed.

"You always wanted more time... Now I'm stuck with just that..."

He had Hazel, up until she passed away due to a car crash.

He and Frank mourn together, and Hazel is buried near Leo and Maria-Bianca.

Nico visits them every year on their birthdays and death days.

He always leaves them roses from their garden. Always.

And for Leo, snapdragons. He was always obsessed with dragons, had managed to build a dog size mechanical one named Festus.

He and Sammy keep him company, with frequent visits from Frank and his friends.

He'll make sure the world will tell Leo's story.

{La Fin}

~Ashton Bende

[berrychowder]

Ready As I’ll Ever Be

“I’ve come too far to see the end now, even if my way is wrong.”

This is based on this song and video. A certain scene REALLY reminded me of Annabeth leading an army into battle. I worked around it. This is a permanent wip. It’s basically comprised of the lyrics of the song, who is saying what, and notes for what would happen in the scene. If anyone wants to build on it or do something with it, cool! Keep me updated. 

The basic plot idea I had was that Reyna sent Will out to do something (sent him on a quest) and he ended up getting killed. This really hurts the progress Nico made with his mental health. While Nico is upset and mourning, spirits/ghosts take the opportunity to manipulate and play with Nico’s head. Much like Luke, Nico decides to take out his anger on everyone who wronged him. This leads to a bunch of stuff that I never fleshed out, and now we end up here. With Nico kidnapping Reyna, and preparing to take over the world with the help of Tartarus (?). Annabeth and Jason are leading the Greek and Roman camps into battle to fight Nico, while Frank and Hazel attempt to bring the real Nico back. Idk. Not a very good plot design. That’s why I scrapped everything. This is long, so prepare for a lot of scrolling if you’re on mobile. 

NICO: Any moment now, your highness. -Nico finished fully tying Reyna up with the rope, assuring that she wouldn’t get out. Reyna grunted a bit at the tight ropes covering her.

Believe me, I know -his head is down.

I’ve sunk pretty low -he’s a completely different person now.  A step down from the happiness he used to feel in his life. Again, he’s bitter and angry. A villain.  

But whatever I’ve done you deserved -his eyes pupils downsize to slits as he looks at his own reflection on an empty glass bottle. He flings it aside. Shatter.  

REYNA: Nico! -she could get through to him. Nico is still in there.

NICO: Quiet! -he puts a hand to his head as if another voice besides Reyna’s is speaking to him. He slams his other hand on the table he’s working on.

I’m the bad guy, that’s fine -he puts his hands down slowly and takes a deep breath; calming down.

It’s no fault of mine -he spreads out a map and looks over it, tracing points with his finger.

And some justice, at last, will be served -Nico’s eyes drift to a framed picture sitting on the far edge of the desk. A picture of a slightly younger version of him smiling brightly. A blonde boy’s arms wrapped around his waist holding him close. A rainbow flag covering both of them, flowing in the unseen wind. Will.

REYNA: Please listen! -Nico’s far gone, but not far enough where he can’t come back.

NICO: Now it’s time to step up -he jabs a push pin into a spot on the map, seemingly in the middle of a deserted wooded area nearby.

Or it’s time to back down -his hands clench into fists, he spins around to face Reyna.

And there’s only one answer for me -his hands land on the hilt of his sword.

And I’ll stand up and fight -he pulls the black sword free from its sheath and presses the point to Reyna’s neck.

Cause I know that I’m right -he pulls it away leaving a thin cut on Reyna’s neck, already starting to bead with blood.

And I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready -he makes his way to the small block of a balcony, shadows black as Night herself streaming behind him. Reyna shivers from the cold that suddenly developed in the room.

Ready as I’ll ever be -he leaned forward, if he went any further he’d fall right off the railing. Shadows and bright blue fire swirled together around him. The temperature continued to drop. The trap was set. All he had to do was wait.

ANNABETH: Now it’s time to rise up -she handed the binoculars back to Leo and turned to face the large crowd behind her. The Greek and Roman camps have come together once more to fight. Not with each other this time, but to get one of their own back and to stop Nico di Angelo from destroying everything and everyone.

Or it’s time to stand down -oh Nico. She didn’t want to fight him. Nico’s been through so much, even by half-blood standards. Will’s death broke him. Nico was being manipulated once again, Annabeth isn’t so sure that they can bring him back this time. It’s Luke all over again.

And the answer is easy to see -she had to stay strong. The lives of billions are more important than her personal feelings. She picked up her drakon bone sword from where it rested against a tree.

And I swear by the sword -she almost let a tear slip out. Nico’s blood might soon be on it.

If you’re in, get on board -they needed to get moving. Nico is waiting. Waiting for Annabeth to lead everyone into a trap. Into a possible massacre.

Are you ready? -she looked around her. Jason, Percy, Leo, Piper. None of them had seen Hazel and Frank. The latter was desperately needed to lead the legion. Jason was serving as a replacement. Annabeth could only hope that Hazel didn’t side with her brother.

JASON: I’m ready -Jason shouted out commands to the legion.

PERCY & LEO: We’re ready -Percy looked downright miserable. It really is the Titan War all over again.

CAMPS: We’re ready

ANNABETH: Ready as I’ll ever be -this is it. She took the lead. Jason still shouting out orders beside her. Percy took her hand in his.

==

FRANK: Are you quite sure we can do this? -life isn’t fair. Sometimes things can’t change.

HAZEL: Together we will guarantee -Hazel nodded confidently, she kept her eyes on the abandoned tower her brother has taken refuge in. Meanwhile, rank’s eyes were locked on the horde of monsters and ghouls guarding it, ready for a fight.

==

NICO: I’ll make them hear me! -he wouldn’t be overlooked anymore. Everyone will pay. Feel the pain that he felt. Feel the pain that Will felt.

CAMPS: Now it’s time to redeem

Or it’s time to resolve

ANNABETH: Prove they can trust me -an alliance may have been formed with the Romans, but they are far from putting their full trust into the Greeks. After all, they didn’t make a very good first impression.

CAMPS: And the outcome will hardly come free

HAZEL: I’ll save my home and family -she’ll never give up on Nico, just like he never gave up on her. She’ll save her brother and her home.

CAMPS: Now the line’s in the sand

And our moment’s at hand

JASON: And I’m ready

ANNABETH: I’m ready

HAZEL & FRANK: I’m ready

NICO: Ready as I’ll ever be -Nico grinned. They’re here.

[apolafsi]

     THE MAJORITY OF THE BATTLE IS SEVERAL FEET IN FRONT OF DELILAH.                     she was behind a group of demigods, trying to drag an unconscious hero to the safety out of the street           (           or at least as safe as they could be           ),           when she heard a roar. the sound felt like claws down her spin, and she spun to see the biggest lizard she had ever laid eyes on           -           a drakon.

     it was charging toward her           -           not her specifically, but her direction. delilah continued to drag the body to the sidewalk, struggling in her panic. her heart was thudding in her chest, hoping and praying to any god that would listen that her death wasn’t going to be her mushed out like a pancake via a drakon belly. it’s then she heard percy, calling to mrs o’leary. she sees them out of the corner of her eye, charging the monster, and her stomach drops. part of her believes there is no way they could kill that massive beast, but the other part of her brain speaks up           -           if anyone can, it’s them. 

     she sets the unconscious body down, looking out at the sea of fighting to her side. it didn’t look good. the centaurs had panicked under the onslaught of giants and demons. an occasional orange camp t-shirt appeared in the sea of fighting, but quickly disappeared. arrows screamed. fire exploded in waves across both armies, but the action was moving across the street to the entrance of the empire state building. they were losing ground. there’s a roar behind delilah then, and she whips around in enough time to see annabeth driving her knife into the drakon’s back. she rolled out of sight, and delilah switched her vision to see the enemies surrounding the empire state building. they were loosing. this was it.

     then there was a rumbling sound. it came from a different side, where camp lay, and a wide grin spread on delilah’s face. the ares cabin had come through.

     a dozen war chariots charged into battle. each flew a red banner with the symbol of the wild boar’s head. each was pulled by a team of skeletal horses with manes of fire. a total of thirty fresh warriors, armor gleaming and eyes full of hate, lowered their lances as one           -           making a bristling wall of death. the girl leading the charge held an electric spear, and delilah almost laughed with joy. clarisse had finally come to her senses. 

     while half of the chariots charged the monster army, delilah ran to catch up with the six chariots clarisse was leading to fight the drakon. something was bugging her in the back of her mind, something about clarisse. clarisse didn’t look like ... clarisse. she was wearing the armor, she held the spear, but she seemed smaller than when delilah last saw her. her voice was shriller, and if delilah looked hard enough, she saw fear in bright blue eyes under her helmet. clarisse didn’t have blue eyes.           ❛           ares !           ❜            clarisse shouted, leveling her spear and charging the drakon. then everything went in slow motion.

     faintly in the background, delilah heard percy yelling. the monster looked down at the charging girl           -           almost in contempt           -           and spit poison directly in her face. she screamed and fell, delilah screaming with her. because suddenly it all clicked, and she knew it wasn’t clarisse. in fact, clarisse was landing in a flying chariot several feet away. they both reached the fallen girl at the same time, tears already stinging delilah’s eyes. because the fallen girl was none other than silena beauregard herself.

     clarisse was screaming and cursing.           ❛            curse you, why ? why ?           ❜            delilah could only sob, holding her sister’s hand as campers struggled to get the smoking armor off of her. clarisse turned to the drakon for a moment, screaming more.            ❛            you want death ? well, come on !            ❜           

     later, delilah was told clarisse reached a new level of intimidating. killing the monster with her electric spear to it’s eyes, the glowing red aura of the blessing of ares           -           clarisse was on her own level. but delilah couldn’t look away from silena. blue eyes were focusing in and out, but they landed on delilah for a brief moment, filling with tears.            ❛           what were you thinking ?            ❜           delilah whispered, squeezing silena’s hand.             ❛           wouldn’t ... listen. cabin would ... only follow her. i am ... so sorry. so sorry ... delilah.            ❜

     everyone seemed to gather around now, clarisse returning to cradle silena’s head in her lap.            ❛            you stole my armor. you waited until chris and i went out on patrol           ;           you stole my armor and pretended to be me.            ❜           the ares girl turned to her cabin, anger radiating almost as much as her power.             ❛           and none of you noticed ?            ❜

      ❛           don’t blame them,           ❜           silena said.            ❛           they wanted to ... to believe i was you.            ❜

      ❛           you’re and idiot.           ❜           delilah sobbed, tears rolling freely down her cheeks now.            ❛           you didn’t think to tell someone ? me, or percy, or annabeth ? we could have helped you ! you didn’t have to charge that drakon and you did ! you’re stupid, you’re stupid and you’re selfish and           -            ❜           she’s cut off by percy placing a hand on her shoulder. she couldn’t take it anymore, only able to sob as she continued to hold silena’s hand.

      ❛           it’s all my fault.            ❜           silena said, a tear streaking the side of her face.            ❛           the drakon, charlie’s death ... camp endangered           -            ❜

      ❛           stop it !            ❜           this came from both delilah and clarisse at once.            ❛           that’s not true.            ❜

     but then silena opened her hand. i her palm was a silver bracelet, with a scythe charm, the mark of kronos. all eyes seemed to widen, and delilah felt her stomach drop. it couldn’t be true. it just couldn’t. silena wasn’t the spy type. she was good, one of the best people delilah had ever met. her brain started to swirl at the thought, making her sick. it just couldn’t be true. yet it was, with the proof right there           -           silena had been the spy all along. she was the cause of so much destruction and trust issues, and delilah just couldn’t believe it.

     silena tried to speak.            ❛           before ... before i liked charlie, luke was nice to me. he was so ... charming. handsome. later, i wanted to stop helping him, but he threatened to tell. he promised ... he promised i was saving lives. fewer people would get hurt. he told me he wouldn’t hurt ... charlie. he lied to me.            ❜  

     delilah was shaking with anger. she had never met luke, but the stories she had gotten from percy and annabeth seemed to paint the picture of someone who was just misguided, who could have been redeemed. but this was irredeemable. he had manipulated someone delilah had cared about, lied to her face. if delilah ever met luke castellan, they would be having a few choice words. 

     the tears were still coming, delilah looking down at silena’s face. rage now mixed in with the sadness. this wasn’t silena’s fault, it never was. but she was paying for it, hurting for it. it made delilah’s stomach bubble, and she sobbed again. silena took a heavy, painful breath.            ❛           forgive me.            ❜

     delilah shook her head, squeezing silena’s hand.            ❛           don’t say that. you can’t leave us. you can’t leave me. please, please, please. silena please.            ❜           each word cracked in her voice, trying to hold herself somewhat together while watching her sister die right in front of her. 

     silena looked at delilah with her own tears.            ❛           i ... i am ... so sorry delilah. i ... i should have been better ... for you. you are ... going to be the best ... the best of us.            ❜            her gaze drifted to the open sky, and she seemed to relax.            ❛           charlie ... see charlie ...            ❜

     she didn’t speak again.

     it was too much for delilah. a blood curdling scream ripped from her throat, all the pain she felt in that moment exploding out of her. if one had been in the air at that moment, it would have seemed like a rose colored wave of dust emitted from where delilah knelt, reaching throughout kronos’ army. they all seemed to get smacked at once, freezing in their spots and looking at the camp’s forces in confusion. it was as if they had suddenly forgot what they were fighting over, deeming it unnecessary. instead of killing, several of the monsters dropped their weapons and one leaned in to try and hug one of the campers, resulting in a cloud of dust popping up where it once stood. the monsters seemed to loose any maliciousness they had. 

     delilah wavered for a second, having to be caught by percy. her eyes were lidded, pupils rolled back in her head. all of her anger, her sadness at silena’s death, rolled off of her in waves. it didn’t reach but half of the army, but that half now posed no threat. they walked around congratulating each other on their armor, hugging each other like old friends who had been reunited. several had taken an interest in the demigods, patting their heads. it confused the camp’s forces just as much as it confused the other half of the titan army. percy knelt by delilah for a minute, calling for ambrosia and necter. annabeth handed it over, and after a small bit delilah opened her eyes again. 

     dark brown irises met with sea green ones, and the girl sprang up right in a panic, which only made her dizzy.            ❛           whoa there, lilah. take a break. that was ... a lot for you.            ❜           delilah looked at percy with confusion, and then past him at the friendly monsters. it took a few seconds for it all to register, but then her eyes glassed over with tears again. her head slowly turned to where clarisse was still cradling silena’s lifeless body. it hadn’t all been a war time nightmare.

     her eyes closed for a second, trying to steady her breathing. the last thing she needed was another outburst           -           it would probably kill her.            ❛           i’m sorry. usually i can control it better than that.            ❜           her voice was bitter and stretched, trying not to break into more tears.

     percy watched her closely, but it was annabeth who spoke up.            ❛           what was that ? are all those monsters ... nice now ?            ❜

     delilah shook her head.            ❛           not forever. just for a while. the timing of it, i haven’t figured out but ... i guess you could say i pushed all the bad out of them for a little while. it takes a lot for me to use that power, at least in that kind of massive form. i’m sorry guys, i didn’t mean ... i’m just ...            ❜            her voice was breaking again, and percy rest a hand on her shoulder.

      ❛           you were awesome. you single handedly took out half of that army. you shouldn’t be sorry for anything.             ❜           his words were sincere, but delilah couldn’t help but dismiss them. she might have taken out half a titan army, but she couldn’t save someone that mattered to her. what kind of hero was she ?

     clarisse stood up then from where she had been sitting. her eyes were red, just like delilah’s, but she looked more menacing than pathetic.            ❛           there’s still half an army left then.            ❜           her voice was masked with anger and hurt, just like delilah felt.

     annabeth nodded.            ❛           we have to fight. she gave her life to help us. we have to honor her.             ❜           her vice was brittle, but her face was a blank slate. 

     clarisse sniffled and wiped her nose.            ❛           she was a hero, understand ? a hero.            ❜           delilah couldn’t help but nod in agreement. no matter what anyone said from now on, silena would be known as a hero to her. she had done what was right in the end           -           she had saved the camp. in no way was she going to be roped in with the traitors. 

     on the other side, the other half of kronos’s army had come to their senses. they kept attacking the demigods and centaurs, but it was hard with their brethren under delilah’s magic frowning at the violence and refusing to get out of the way, declaring that there should be no fighting. delilah watched as a pack of telkhines tackled a giant in a hug pile until it collapsed into dust, then moved on to the next foe who was cramping their loving style. as much as the army wanted to push forward and reach the empire state building, they had lost their numbers and lost their edge.

     delilah struggled to stand, wobbling a bit as she picked up her dagger from the ground where it had fallen. percy reached out to steady her, shaking his head.            ❛           delilah, no. you need to rest, with that stunt you just pulled. you could’ve seriously injured yourself or worse           -            ❜

      ❛           percy, i’m fine.            ❜           she snapped, which took both of them aback. delilah wasn’t one to use such a tone in any situation, but this was new. she had never felt this much anger or sadness before. silena had been her family, the first one she ever felt truly at home with. there was a knot in her chest that burned, and it wasn’t going away. but she wasn’t going to take it out on percy. there’s a sigh as she straightens herself out.             ❛           i’m fine. i’ll make it. we have bigger things to worry about, and you’re going to need everyone you can get.            ❜ 

     he didn’t seem to like the idea, but delilah didn’t wait for him to argue with her further. she pushed past percy, clenching her dagger tightly. she could hear clarisse roaring somewhere nearby, and saw the end of a drakon tail out of the corner of her eye. when delilah plunged into the sea of fighting, she only had one goal           -           to make kronos pay.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Up In Smoke by Annabeth Albert

Hot Shots #4

 This book left a smile on my face. It was a steamy-sweet romance between two men that so deserved to find happiness. No major drama for the couple though taking on the care of an infant baby girl was definitely not easy…but so much easier together than it would have been for either to do alone. It almost had a fairytale feel to it and was perfect reading for me the day I read it!

 What I liked: * That the backstories of the two men had commonalities

* That I felt both men were “equal” and brought qualities that would support the relationship

* That the two men communicated openly and maturely

* Shane: good brother, musician, loving uncle, has goals and dreams, a good person

* Brandt: firefighter, a bit of a rambler, professional, caring, team player, a good person

* The growth in both main characters

* How the two dealt with the situation they found themselves in

* That they were there for Jewel, the baby, and for one another

* That there was no major drama between the two men

* That it felt believable – mostly

* The fairytale feel of the story that might have been less believable but that was very nice indeed

* The happy ending

* Seeing/hearing about some of the characters from previous books in the series

* Wondering if there will be more books in the series

* That there was no “bad guy”

* All of it really except…

 What I didn’t like:

* Being reminded that firefighters have a tough life and that they sometimes die as a result of the job(s) they do.

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

 Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 4-5 Stars

Up in Smoke by Annabeth Albert is available in eBook, mass market paperback and audiobook formats on April 27th!

  Book Description

Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft with explosive chemistry and heartfelt feels.

 Freewheeling smoke jumper Brandt Wilder thrives on adrenaline. He’s never met a parachute he can’t repair or a dangerous situation he couldn’t wrangle his way out of. He’s popular and fun-loving and not at all looking to settle down or form lasting relationships. It’s a lifestyle that’s served him well…right up until the day he finds a baby on his doorstep.

 Shane Travis is used to putting his country music career—and his own happiness—on hold after his sister rolls through his life. Like last spring when she convinced him to try skydiving for his birthday—and she walked away with the hot parachute instructor.

 Now he gets to deliver the piece of news that will upend Brandt’s carefree life: he very well might be a dad.

 Shane’s niece is safe in Brandt’s strong, capable hands, but too many questions remain unanswered. Co-parenting while they sort it out leads to late-night talks, and soul-bearing confessions lead to a most inconvenient attraction. Still, Shane can’t leave this makeshift family behind—even if it means playing house with the one man he can’t resist.

 Hotshots

Book 1: Burn Zone (available now!)

Book 2: High Heat (available now!)

Book 3: Feel the Fire (available now!)

Book 4: Up in Smoke (coming April 27)

  Read on for an excerpt from Up in Smoke.

 Brandt’s deep chuckle rumbled straight through Shane. Damn. This was torture. Then the other man wrapped an arm around Shane, positioning his muscled forearm where Shane could see his fancy-looking watch gadget. “Now this is my altimeter. It tells me when we’re at five thousand feet and ready to deploy the chute.”

“Got it.” Shane wasn’t about to study that meaty arm any more than he absolutely had to.

“Okay, it’s go time.” Dallas’s voice echoed though the room. Brandt quickly unclipped them, but as soon as he stepped away, Shane’s pulse kicked up. Maybe he couldn’t do this. Jump out of a plane? Who was he kidding? He was a ground dweller, through and through.

Right when he was about to turn away, though, Brandt grabbed his biceps. “Nerves hitting you? Trust me. You’ll be just fine. I haven’t lost a jumper yet.”

Shane barked out a laugh. “Not exactly making me feel better.”

“Listen, I can tell you all day about how awesome this is.” Brandt looked him dead in the eyes, gaze serious for once, all his charm turned to raw intensity. “But until you do it, you’re gonna think it’s all BS. Sometimes you gotta take a leap of faith.”

“Not very good at those,” Shane admitted quietly as he stepped free of the other guy’s grip. He couldn’t keep meeting his eyes either. Too much power there, like a shot with an extra kick.

“Okay. You want me to tell Dallas you want out?”

A yes was right there on the tip of Shane’s tongue, but then he heard Shelby’s laugh ring out. She’d love it if he chickened out. Not only would she get bragging rights for all of eternity, she’d get what she’d wanted and get to go with Brandt. And for whatever reason, Shane hated that most of all. “Nah. I’m going.”

He white-knuckled his way out to the small plane, spared a nod for the female pilot, and squished his eyes shut until Shelby jostled him into looking at the valley underneath them, the green canopy of the national forest contrasting with the pristine blue sky. Random snippets of lyrics danced through Shane’s head, ways that he might try to describe this view. But then, right as he was settling into something resembling comfort, everyone started shuffling around, getting ready to go. The wind rushed in as the hatch opened, and a full-body shiver raced through Shane.

Then Shelby gave him and Brandt one last coy grin before she and Dallas were away, her whoop echoing across the sky.

“Ready? Here we go.” Brandt nudged Shane closer to the open hatch. Shane wanted to say no, wanted to drag their clipped-together bodies back inside the plane, wanted to both hurl and yell. But in the end, all he could do was nod. Only one way down.

His knees had locked up even as his thighs trembled. Behind him, Brandt was sure and solid. He could push Shane out the hatch pretty easily, but he didn’t. He was letting it be Shane’s choice. And somehow that patience and restraint gave Shane a jolt of courage. One step into nothingness. That was all it took.

Brandt was right behind him, smooth as if they were on a dance floor, not open sky. And now they were fall­ing. Falling so fast. Faster than a car on the interstate with the windows all down, faster than a dirt bike on a steep incline, faster than the whoosh down a water slide. There was no describing the feeling of the wind on his cheeks, the roar in his ears, the shout that probably be­longed to him, the adrenaline that crashed through him as he tried to remember what they’d practiced about po­sitioning. Damn. Hard to think.

Which was funny because that was the one thing he was good at. Shelby was forever teasing him about overthinking. But now, his brain couldn’t even pull two words together as they rushed through the air. Brandt yelled something, but Shane was too busy hurtling through the sky to focus on it. And then he was pulled backwards, a hard yank as the parachute deployed. No more freefall. And the oh-my-God-about-to-die adrenaline quieted enough that he could look down, really look.

“Oh my word. It’s… .”

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Brandt’s voice was deep and rich, like warm honey over Shane’s still jangling nerves. Now that the air wasn’t rushing so fast, he could hear him better. Almost too much better, because it felt like they were soaking up each other’s awe and wonder. Sharing something warm and tender and perfect.

“Yeah.”

“Nothing like it.” Brandt whistled low, a sound that hit Shane somewhere soft. “Never gonna get tired of this view.”

“Me either.” Shane almost didn’t recognize his own voice, up this high, this far removed from everything that usually weighed him down.

“Hey, Superman. You want a turn steering?” Brandt didn’t wait for Shane to reply, grabbing his arms, guid­ing his hands.

“Whoa. Wow. I’m doing it. Look at us.” They swooped gently from side to side, and it was quite possibly the best feeling Shane had ever experienced.

“Look at you. Didn’t know your smile muscles even worked.”

“Screw you. I can smile.” Shane was feeling so good that he had to laugh.

“Well, then get ready. The landing crew will snap your pic as we land. It’s your rock-star moment.”

“Feels like it,” he said right before Brandt took over and set them down softly in a clearing, barely even jarring Shane’s knees. “Damn. That was…”

“It was something.” Brandt was looking right at him, like he could see straight through Shane’s layers, strip him bare. And Shane held his gaze, held the moment as long as he could.

 Copyright © 2021 by Annabeth Albert

 Add Up in Smoke to your Goodreads!

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  About Annabeth Albert

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

 Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

 Connect with Annabeth Albert

Website: http://annabethalbert.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabeth_albert/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477494.Annabeth_Albert

[eclecticbutch]

Hogwarts Houses: An Analysis

Disclaimer: I haven't read the books in a while and my memory is shit but I had a good conversation today and wanna post my thoughts but I'm not gonna pull direct quotes or anything.  I’m also putting this under a cut because goddamn this is text heavy.

So. Hogwarts houses. A system so popular it's widely used as a way to describe people in our universe, and characters from other universes. It used similarly to a Dungeons and Dragons alignment chart, but focuses on character traits, not morals. However, the Houses have many flaws: 

Sorting system:

Firstly, summing people up to a core trait just isn't realistic. Humans are complicated beings. While Hatstalls (instances in which the hat takes a long time to choose a house for the wearer. Example: Minerva McGonagall) do exist, it still doesn't change the fact that people are more than a single core trait. Many headcanons have been made about hypothetical students who aren't the stereotypical example of a House's trait, and even then it still boils down to "smart, brave, loyal, or ambitious," just in unconventional ways.

 Also, summing up someone to a single core trait, when they're ELEVEN? While core traits are generally constant throughout someone's life this is still just... a bad idea. Plus surrounding a young impressionable child with similar people, it sort of molds them all in a similar way. While it is true that there a lot of diversity in the houses, as core traits don't define your entire personality and values, and many people between houses are friends, the houses are still pitted against each other in competition with a "House first" mentality. And the older student who grew up in the same environment have similar views that affects the younger students so it's a big batch of potential peer pressure and (hopefully) unintentional grooming. 

This is especially true with Gryffindor/Slytherin rivalry which leads me into:

Stereotypes: Because the Houses are designed after one core trait, stereotyping is practically inevitable. Gryffindors are reckless, Ravenclaws are smart know-it-alls, Hufflepuffs are just nice, Slytherins are evil and racist/pureblood supremacy (honestly why couldn't Rowling cut back on metaphors a little and just make it what it is?). These stereotypes, especially that of Slytherin, causes strain between houses, and families outside of Hogwarts. I'm mainly going to discuss the house stereotypes, and end each section stating what the true canon traits are, plus what I believe are the "secondary" core traits of each House. 

Hufflepuff:

It is extremely apparent that as a whole, Hufflepuff is overlooked. LOYALTY is overlooked. Hufflepuffs are seen as nice because loyalty is often shown through kind gestures towards friends and family because no one is in a position for others to stand up for/with them 100% of the time. 

It's my personal opinion that if James, "would consider it the height of dishonor to mistrust his friends," Potter wasn't a Gryffindor, he would be a Hufflepuff. (quote may not be word for word but it's darn close) 

Besides, loyalty is expected in any relationship, which doesn't devalue it, but it's treated as a devalued core trait. 

Hufflepuff is often seen as the "extra" house. You're brave, smart, "evil," or you get put in Hufflepuff since 3 core traits don't describe a majority of people in the slightest, bringing back to the Sorting issues. But that is simply untrue.

Hufflepuff is about loyalty, and its secondary trait is generosity. Both of these can fall under kindness but that is not all they are.

Slytherin:

Oh where to start with Slytherin. It deserves its own subgroups honestly, but I'll try not to ramble too long. 

Stereotype: Slytherin is evil. Wrong. Salazar Slytherin was not a good man. I disagree with all of what little we know he stood for. However, as a House, Slytherin is not evil. 

Society says they are, and therefore this pressure can groom those in the house, especially if their families do so as well. There is a correlation between why so many families aligned with the Dark Arts are from Slytherin, and that has to do with the founder's, and more importantly, Voldemort's values and actions. One or two bad things ruin the whole. In this case, reputation  and the families within the house.

Again, you will see posts about Slytherins who aren't "evil." Draco Malfoy himself, while he made many mistakes, and was in no way "good," he is somewhat redeemed as a manipulated youth rather than condemned as an unforgivable villain. He is redeemed somewhat further in the Cursed Child, which while it has it's own muddle of issues, is technically canon. He is redeemed in the eyes of many fans... even if some of that redemption is probably undeserved and rooted in the wide fascination with the “bad guy to boyfriend” trope. I would not say he was evil. His father, yes. Most of the Lestrange/Black/Malfoy family and any other connections I would call evil. But there are exceptions. 

A better example of someone who was Slytherin, but not evil is Slughorn. I don't like Slughorn as a person. But he's not a bad one. He fought against Voldemort in the battle of Hogwarts. He never supported Voldemort, except when he told Tom Riddle about horcruxes, something he could never have guessed the consequences of. 

Heck, even Snape was technically a good guy. I hate him, and don't think his love for Lily ever will redeem him, but he was technically aligned with the good.

Slytherin while it has an undeniable dark history and unsavory characters within it, it is not evil. It values ambition, and it's secondary value is pride. Many with these traits don't have a greater capacity for evil, however they may give in more easily. However, this is not always the case.

A good example of an ambitious, prideful, undeniable good guy, as good as anyone could be aligned, is Annabeth Chase of the Percy Jackson series. She is very ambitious, and says herself her "fatal flaw" is pride. While it is a fault for her, pride is still a value if managed correctly. 

Side Note: (Percy Jackson himself would give up the world for his friends. That's his fatal flaw, he would be a Hufflepuff. Not all main heroes are Gryffindors!) 

The most I have to say about Gryffindor and Ravenclaw is there are different kinds of bravery and smarts than just reckless rushing in and having straight As. Gryffindor is about courage and honor, chivalry. Ravenclaw is about knowledge, but also the wisdom of how to use it and the wit to use it creatively.

  The Houses were a system made in good faith, but it is most definitely a flawed system. These are just my thoughts, feel free to further discuss or correct me if I got some example wrong.

[graciepiefinale]

The minute I read the first line of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, I was hooked… Because who doesn’t want to be a demigod? Admittedly, I was introduced to Percy Jackson through the first film (starring Logan Lerman), and I fell in love there and then… Little did I know that the books would be so much more and pretty much take me into a world that I return to it almost as often as I return to Harry Potter.

As I said, I was late to party when it came to reading Percy Jackson, the entire series had been out for a while and a second movie was being made. Now fans of the books are not necessarily fans of the movies. The movies changed the storyline too much to be forgiven by the fans of the books, in fact, don’t even mention the movies to them unless you wish to be given a death stare worthy of Medusa. But I think, what has been agreed upon in the fandom, that Logan Lerman was an excellent choice to play Percy Jackson…. even if they aged the character up a bit. I actually found (through my obsessive scrolling through Pinterest) that someone had found images of Logan when he was younger and compiled them in order of the ages that Percy should have been in the films.

Whilst the movies don’t do the books justice, the fans have answered the call. Just look up the fan art. My personal favourite (and a lot of others’ favourite as well) is an artist called Viria (follow the link to see more of her work). She has often be dubbed the unofficial official artist for the fandom, because of how well she seems to capture the characters, I have even been reduced to tears because of how perfect her work is.

Art by Viria, Percy Jackson

Where the films seemingly failed, the fans took up the call and produced some amazing art work – be it scenes from the story or just interpretations of the characters. Here are some more examples  (it is incredibly difficult to choose from the amazing art so be sure to look some others up yourself):

If we take a step back and look at the actual story and characters that Rick Riordan has produced, it is pretty easy to see why the fans are so dedicated and protective of the series. Percy Jackson really exemplifies the message that the Disney film Hercules produced: “For a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.”

Percy’s fatal flaw, as we are constantly told, is that he is too loyal to his friends (and family). It’s his fatal flaw that we, as readers and fans, make us fall in love with him time and time again. That and his sass when he is speaking to the gods. I honestly could go on and on about Percy, but there is more to this series than the main protagonist. Because what is Percy without Annabeth or Grover or Luke? Each character that Rick introduces us to, teaches us a lesson (something I find lacking in a lot of YA/children’s novels).

Grover: a satyr. Grover introduces the readers the importance of nature, and why we need to take care of it. His journey to find Pan, and his witnessing of Pan’s death was one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the series, but its message was clear: it is not up to a god to save the earth, it is up to each and every one of us.

Luke:  a fallen hero. Talk about a redeeming character. Luke was a reminder about how bitterness can turn into something ugly if you cannot learn to get passed it. Luke almost destroyed the world because he hated his father… But it was his family (Annabeth) who brought him back to the light… He proves that a hero isn’t someone who has done great deeds, it is some who learnt from his mistakes and tried to make things right.

I had to add this, because it’s true. Sea of Monsters was not loved by the fans at all, but this moment almost made up for it

Nico: the adopted baby brother of the fandom. Nico represents the difficult task of accepting yourself. Nico is a child who is seemingly in the era. He grew up learning that being gay was wrong, something to be ashamed of. He seems to hate Percy with everything he has, but in truth he loves him so much that it hurts. He thinks people will turn away from him because of who he is, so he doesn’t let himself get close to anyone. Which is why Will Solace is so amazing, he doesn’t let Nico feel sorry for himself, he doesn’t let him lock himself again… (I know I fangirled so hard in Blood of Olympus)

Annabeth: what can I say about her that you don’t already know? She is Percy’s other half. She keeps him from making an complete idiot of himself (most of the time, it’s a difficult job okay?) Her relationship with Percy is the most cherished thing in the series (aside from Percy himself). It grows from her disliking him (seemingly) to them falling in love. They work well as a team and complete each other. It made perfect sense that the daughter of Athena and the son of Poseidon would fall in love, because of the feud between Athena and Poseidon. Their relationship helped heal the divide between the two gods. Percy learned from her, he became better because of her.

When new characters (Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel and Frank) were introduced in Heroes of Olympus, it was difficult not to compare them to the original characters.

Jason: our new hero…. my first thought when I met Jason in The Lost Hero was he is no Percy. He is respectful, follows rules, is neat, polite and able to control his temper. But I loved him any way. He grew into himself, discovering that just because his dad was a Roman god (Jupiter) did not mean he had to conform the one set of rules. He brought together the two sides together. Maybe it was because we traveled and grew with Percy that we could never really love Jason as much. But in a way, he still under estimated the strength of the Greeks as this post from pipercyofficial.tumblr shows.

   Leo: the humorous best friend…. I loved Leo. But again, he was no Percy. It seemed to me that Rick divided what we loved about Percy into two characters. Leo was a perfect example of how people try to hide their pain through humor. Better to appear happy than allow people into your pain.

Frank and Hazel: I’m putting these two together because I don’t really have much to say about them. Hazel was brought back from the dead and used her second chance to save the world. Frank… the nicest child of Ares/Mars…. depicts how looks can be deceiving. He possible has more power than any of the other demigods, but is the sweetest and most caring out of all of them. He is riddled with insecurities that make him endearing, but he is also proof that sometimes you can only become who you are supposed to be by accepting who you are and proving your worth to yourself.

Piper: She was my least favourite out of the new characters. Every time it was her turn to narrate, I had to suppress a scoff… It wasn’t that she wasn’t brave or intelligent or powerful… It was that the only thing that appeared to matter to her was Jason… And I just could’t get passed that… Or maybe it was that one of the first things she said about Percy (after meeting him) was that he was unimpressive compared to Jason… I was like: “Excuse me girl… You’ve known him (Percy) for what 5 minutes and you are judging him because he doesn’t look impressive? And you called Drew shallow…”

And then there are the gods… I think this is Rick’s most important lesson… You can believe in whatever higher power you want but without you, they are nothing. Gods cannot interfere with the lives of mortals but they need the mortals to believe in them to remain powerful. It makes sense that the children of gods would feel abandoned if they had no contact with their parents or their parents won’t help them no matter how many times they might ask. It shows that BELIEF is a powerful thing. Believing in yourself, in others, in higher powers.

On the subject of the Greek gods, I have to say that Poseidon is my favourite. Out of the three “big”  gods of olympus, Zeus is actually the weakest. Hades controls the legions of the dead and Poseidon controls the oceans (it helped me realise how powerful the ocean actually is). Zeus controls the winds and lightning… But he struggles to admit when he is wrong and needs help. In the Battle of Manhattan (The Last Olympian), Poseidon was the deciding factor when it came to defeating Typhon and the demigods would have been defeated had it not been for Hades’s help.

One of my favourite things about the fandom is that the fans want Percy and Annabeth to be happen… When Rick threw them into Tartarus, the fandom exploded!!!! Like “you just separated them! Made Percy forget everything except Annabeth and then they finally are reunited and you do this????? Just leave them in peace!!!!!” But when Rick releases a new book (or series) the first question is: Is Percy in it? Is Annabeth in it? How can you write a book without them?

Percy Jackson is a series that is timeless. It is well-written, easy to read and for all ages (I’m looking at you, the people who classify it as a children’s book). Rick Riordan and his fans have a wonderful relationship (if you don’t believe me check out his twitter or just look at the dedications for House of Hades and Blood of Olympus).

Maybe if we are really good, we might live to see an accurate television of movie series of the books… (*fingers crossed*)

[Repost] Look, I didn’t want to be a Demigod….. The minute I read the first line of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, I was hooked...

[cathygeha]

Blog Tour Intro from Annabeth

 I’m so thrilled to be here today celebrating my latest release, BURN ZONE, which is also my 15th release from Carina Press and is available at all your favorite retailers! This is an older brother’s best friend forbidden romance between two smoke jumpers on the same team. For today’s excerpt I wanted to share one of the turning points early in the story, when things start to shift towards the growing sensual tension between the heroes. I also loved this scene because we’re in Linc’s head, and we get to see all the ways in which Jacob throws him for a loop. Linc’s battle between what his heart wants and what he believes to be the right thing was so gratifying to write—this is a hero who is loyal to his very core and who feels deeply. I hope you enjoy him as much as I do!

Blog Tour Excerpt

[…] Linc ended up heading outside to the firepit like he hadn’t known all along where he was headed. Jacob was just working on lighting the thing as the evening temperatures dropped. “Need a hand?” he asked, squatting down next to him. “Yours? Always.” Jacob was far too flirty for his family being close by, but Linc liked the warmth in his tone too much to call him on it. “Here.” Linc handed him some kindling. Same as with the baby, they worked together silently, doing this task like they’d done it a thousand times before, when the reality was that the firepit had always been Wyatt’s domain, not Jacob’s. He liked working alongside Jacob, something that had both annoyed and buoyed him the last week, the way Jacob could often read his mind, anticipate what he was about to ask. And somehow once the fire was going, they ended up the only two out there in the big wooden chairs, alone but not really. They sat in a companionable silence for a while before Jacob shifted, leaning forward, voice a bare whisper. “You know, I’ve been thinking—” “Please don’t.” Linc wasn’t trying to be funny. The look on Jacob’s face, at once mischievous and earnest, so damn appealing, both turned him on and put him immediately on edge. “We need to get this—” Jacob gestured between them “—out of our systems. Once and for all.” “No.” It didn’t work like that, and it spoke to how damn young Jacob still was that he thought it did. “Hear me out. One night. Then we can concentrate on work after. Put it behind us. Take away the mystery maybe.” Linc snorted. It might be simply curiosity for Jacob, but it sure wasn’t for him. “It wouldn’t work.” “Maybe not, but I at least want to try. You don’t?” “I’m not an itch you scratch once.” “That sure of yourself, huh?” More like he was that sure of Jacob, but he said nothing, just stood. His no might be firm now, but he wasn’t made of iron either. Enough wheedling from Jacob and he might get twisted up enough to agree to that ridiculous plan. “Night. You have a nice time now with your family. And see you tomorrow. At work.” He chose his words carefully, reminding them both about the two big reasons they couldn’t do anything foolish. “Just think about it,” Jacob urged. “It’s cake time!” someone called from the house, saving Linc from answering. But he would. He’d think about it all right. He’d think about it tonight, alone in his bed. And probably tomorrow, in the shower. And he’d want it, just like he had for years now, every cell in his body aware of what he could have but wouldn’t allow himself. Lord, how he’d want it, especially now that Jacob had made this diabolical little offer. One night. And it didn’t help that a small piece of himself kept whispering, It might work. Never know. It could work. That part was wrong, of course, but it spoke to his want, wormed its way into his thoughts until he wasn’t sure how long his willpower could hold out.

REVIEW

Burn Zone by Annabeth Albert

Hotshots #1

Lincoln Reid and Jacob Hartman have known one another for decades. Jacob is the little brother of Wyatt, Lincoln’s best friend. That Jacob had an unrequited crush on Lincoln is not a secret but Lincoln has avoided Jacob and the chemistry between them for a long time. When the two men find themselves on the same fire crew preparing for the next season it is a wee bit uncomfortable for both of them...in more ways than one. Will Jacob wear Linc down? Will Linc be able to set aside the promise he has made to Wyatt in the past? Will the two be able to find a happily ever aver or not? Well, since this is from HQN-Carina the odds are pretty good their relationship will work out just right for both of them.

What I liked:

* Jacob – a bright, happy, positive man with a goal he wanted to achieve.

* Lincoln – conflicted for more than one reason and not willing to take a chance on happiness

* The team the two men work with – seem like a good lot to work with

* Jacob’s family – there for one another, for the most part

* The bits about fire fighting

* The dogs – dogs always add to a story

* Domestic scenes: cooking, TV, family events

* The reminder that a person can have both good and bad – thinking of Wyatt – and how two people who know that person with two sides will not see that person the same way

* That the two finally ended up on the same page together

What I did not like:

* Being reminded just how dangerous being a firefighter is.

* The reminder that bigotry and homophobia are a real thing

Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? I think so

Thank you to NetGalley and HQN-Carina for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

BLURB

Introducing Annabeth Albert’s Hotshots series: The emotions and intensity of Chicago Fire with the raw, natural elements of Man vs. Wild. Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts… Smokejumper Lincoln Reid is speechless to see Jacob Hartman among his squad’s new recruits. Linc had promised his late best friend he’d stay away from his little brother. And yet here Jacob is…and almost instantly, the same temptation Linc has always felt around him is causing way too many problems. Jacob gets everyone’s concerns, but he’s waited years for his shot at joining the elite smokejumping team, hoping to honor his brother’s memory. He’s ready to tackle any challenge Linc throws his way, and senses the chemistry between them—chemistry Linc insists on ignoring —is still alive and kicking. This time, Jacob’s determined to get what he wants. Close quarters and high stakes make it difficult for Linc to keep his resolve, nevermind do so while also making sure the rookie’s safe. But the closer they get, the more Linc’s plan to leave at the end of the season risks him breaking another promise: the one his heart wants to make to Jacob. This book is approximately 90,000 words One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise! Hotshots: Book 1: Burn Zone Book 2: High Heat Book 3: Feel the Fire

AUTHOR BIO

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

Connect with Annabeth Albert

Website: http://annabethalbert.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabeth_albert/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477494.Annabeth_Albert

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Annabeth-Albert/e/B00LYFFAZK