#which i am not against. like again. i like hermes i just wish she got to do more

[shoechoe]

Sheila E. reminds me of Hermes so far

[aeroargonic]

My thoughts on Lore Olympus

Trigger warning: mentions of sexual assault and pedophilia.

I've kinda been getting into the Webtoon scene recently. Out of all the comics that I'm keeping up with, I find Lore Olympus probably gets the most attention here on Tumblr. Obviously, I can see why it appeals to a lot of people; combining Greek mythology, a very popular Greek myth at that, with a modern twist and some really beautiful art. I am not gonna claim to be an expert on Greek mythology because my own knowledge on it is spotty at best lol.

As much as I want to enjoy Lore Olympus, there's a couple of things in the story that jump out at me and are really hard to ignore. This is where we get into the trigger warnings so I'll put this under a cut just in case.

BTW, please keep in mind this might be a one-off thing. I am not turning my blog into a Lore Olympus blog.

The biggest issue is obviously the age gap between Hades and Persephone. I have no problem with them having a big age gap, but she's barely an adult. Even Hades calls her a teenager at points. There's also the fact that she's an intern at his company...where he's the boss. So far, we've seen very little of her actually doing the work she'd be assigned as an intern and Persephone herself even notes that she may not be entirely qualified to do all the work. There's the age gap, then there's the power gap. There's just too much opportunity for Hades to take advantage of a vulnerable Persephone for their relationship to be as healthy as the writers want it to look. For a comic that seems to pride itself on its progressiveness with body types and healthy relationships...

Yeah. Persephone is severely sexualized. Now let me say that there is nothing wrong with her body type at all; everyone matures and grows differently. What I do have a problem with is that a lot of her clothing either just barely covers her butt, or leaves a decent amount of her cleavage exposed. While she is a grown adult and can dress herself however she pleases, please refer to my earlier point where Hades calls her a teenager. A lot about Persephone's appearance and personality seems to suggest a childish sense of immaturity. Legally and physically, she may be an adult. But she looks and acts so much like a teenage girl that she might as well be one.

Then there's what happened to her and Apollo. Personally, I think the writing sexual assault the way it was written in the comic is a sign of lazy writing. By the time it happens, Apollo has been established as having no redeemable qualities whatsoever, and the seriousness of the scene is constantly danced around, as if the sexual assault was only intended to exist for shock value and nobody is too interested in exploring the repercussions and trauma that come from this. There seems to be a reoccurring theme where any male god or character in the story shows a certain amount of interest in Persephone. Obviously, Hades and Persephone are the endgame and Apollo believes that he's somehow entitled to have her. Ares makes out with her, Hermes seems to have a crush on her, and even Thanatos can't bring himself to hate her.

Speaking of Thanatos and those who are against Persephone, I wish we could go a bit deeper as to why Minthe and Thetis feel the need to ruin Persephone's relationship with Hades. Having it just be jealousy is pretty shallow and kinda reduces Minthe and Thetis as characters. So much of both their personalities revolve around being in relationships with their bosses. Again, somewhat lazy writing to me. Minthe had potential to drop Thetis and change for the better, but she just went straight back to Thetis the second the opportunity to get dirt on Persephone came up, which ruined the point of a couple of chapters beforehand for me.

Many of the female characters in this story, I find, seem to get shafted in terms of development. If they're not entirely on Persephone's side, like Hera, they get a negative portrayal of sorts. Minthe and Thetis are jealous bitches, Hestia is a hypocrite, Demeter is controlling, and Artemis is a meathead who is completely oblivious to Persephone's plights. Even those who are on Persephone's side, such as Daphne, are noticeably lacking in the characterization department. But for a lot of these characters, both male and female, a good chunk of their development revolves around Persephone. Granted, she is the main character is a wanted fugitive, but I do think this amount of obsessions is silly and takes up too much personality from a lot of characters.

Am I calling Persephone a Mary Sue? Well, not quite. But she's this sweet and innocent and pure little bean with a bite when she needs it. Obviously, whenever she's mean or snarky or turns someone into a plant, there's always a justification for it. Basically, rarely is anything actually Persephone's fault. She doesn't seem to take a lot of responsibility for her actions and while it might not be in Hades's character to get seriously mad with her for the plant thing, he had no problem yelling at her earlier for a less serious deed. Persephone's anger is a mess storywise. We're supposed to believe that she has limited control over her powers and her act of wrath was an accident (because, as I've established, she's supposed to be this pure and innocent woobie), but she was well aware of her actions and intentions when she turned Minthe into a plant.

I realize that I've been saying quite a lot of criticisms against Lore Olympus, so I'll throw some positive things that I do like about the story. I like the concept of Olympus being much more modern than the mortal realm. It's been hinted at that some nymphs are treated worse than others, and I hope we get an opportunity to explore that further. I genuinely was excited when Minthe snapped back at Thetis to see Minthe get redemption of sorts and learn to change her ways for good. Alas, that potential plot appears to be thrown out the window. Also, I love Eros and Athena. They've got to be some of my favourite characters.

So, here's all my ramblings and rantings about Lore Olmypus. Not to call myself a stan or anti or anything, because I believe you can still enjoy or participate in content while keeping a critical eye on it; the way I see it, you should never blindly follow or hate upon a work. Nothing is perfect and Lore Olypmus is not perfect. There's a lot that could be improved and added or retconned. It clearly isn't going to follow the original myth entirely and I don't feel well-educated or familiar enough with the original myth to talk about how faithful Lore Olympus is. Same with the art. I think the art looks lovely, although there are some obvious oversights with colouring and body proportions. I'm certain someone else can sum that up better than I can.

But hey, if all else fails, Punderworld exists. And that's a really good comic too.

So for now, I'll just follow this work and see what happens next.

[thinkyoureholy]

Blessed With A Curse [3]

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Pairing : Kang Yeosang / [fem] Reader

Genre : Angst, Violence, Language, Fluff, Smut, Greek God!AU

Words : 2.8k

Previous Chapter. - Next Chapter.

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

-Yeosang’s P. O. V-

I ran through the dense forest, forcing my legs to go faster. This sense of dread and urgency had filled my entire being for the past hour. I couldn’t quite place why I was feeling like this but I knew I had to get there quick. I didn’t know why I was feeling this but it was a feeling all too familiar to me. Images of them crying out to me for help as they were mercilessly slaughtered painted the walls of my mind, their screaming echoing loudly. With that in my mind I pushed myself harder, my chest heaving up and down rapidly as I ran. I was so focused on getting there in time I didn’t sense those that hid behind the trees until it was too late. 

I barely managed to deflect the arrow that was aimed straight for my heart. I grit my teeth when a sword followed that arrow, once again narrowly missing its mark as I blocked it. 

“Athena!” I growled, pushing back against her, slamming my shoulder into her to throw her back. 

I raised my sword up high, about to cut her down when I froze at the cry that rang through the forest. 

“Yeosang!!” 

I looked around desperately, trying to figure out in which direction her voice came from. I was only distracted for a second but that was enough for one of them to kick my legs out from underneath me, landing a blow to my face at the same time. There was only one that had that kind of speed, my eyes finding him quickly. 

“Hermes.” I snarled, glaring up at him. 

I quickly got to my feet but as soon as I did I felt something like a whip hit my back. I turned to see someone I least expected, my eyes growing wide. 

“Poseidon?” I expected the rest of them to be here, hell I even expected Apollo but never Poseidon. 

“YEOSANG!”

I inhaled sharply at the pain filled shout that filled the quiet forest. I turned in every direction, wanting to go to her but I didn’t know which way to go. Frustrated, I let out a cry of my own, the sound that fell from my lips almost animalistic as the ground shook underneath my feet. 

“Where is she!?” I shouted, my eyes darted over all of them, falling on Artemis, the one closest to me, “What the hell are you doing to her!?”

Artemis didn’t even flinch as she looked me dead in the eye, not bothering to answer as Athena spoke for her, “You’re the reason we had to go after her in the first place.”

I whirled around to face her, about to kill her where she stood but before I could bring my sword down Y/N’s screams stopped me. This time she didn’t even call out my name, her cries higher and filled with agony. My hand shook as I gripped my sword tightly, the sense of dread that filled my heart only growing as I continued to helplessly hear her cry out. I knew I could beat them if I just lost myself to my temper and my impulses but if I did that I’d lose control. If I lost control I’d tear this whole forest apart and burn it to ashes, taking her along with them. I bit my bottom lip harshly as I thought of what to do. I could fight them as I was but with hearing her screams every few seconds I don’t know how well I’d fare against them. Each scream, each cry had my heart twisting painfully in my chest, the lump in my throat only growing bigger and bigger. 

“Once we’re done with her we’ll finish you off once and for all.” Hermes said as Poseidon continued, “But for now you’ll have to hear the agony she’s going through.”

I inhaled shakily through my nose, my eyes filling with unshed tears for the first time in I don’t know how long, “Why..? Why must you go after everything I care about? Was casting me out of my home not enough for you?!”

Athena raised her head slightly, the look in her eyes filled with contempt, “You, more than anyone, know why we cast you out, Ares.”

“You lot were deceived! I am many things but I would never do that to Hephaestus!” I shouted, already sick and tired of having to defend myself, “You’ve already cast me out so why are you doing all of this?! Why go after her?! She’s innocent in all of this!”

They all just stared at me, emotionless, probably enjoying the look of desperation on my face. I reached out and grabbed Poseidon’s arm, my fingers digging into his skin.

“Please, I’m begging you, stop this,” I begged, my voice breaking as another one of her cries pierced the air.

“You should’ve never given her your mark if you wanted to keep her out of all this.” Poseidon said, his voice void of emotion, “You know exactly how your humans get once their power is unlocked, they’re more troublesome than you are.”

“But she hasn’t even done anything yet! Is that not enough to let her live!? She’s carried my mark with her since she was born, twenty-two years have gone by and she has not once raised a weapon against another! There’s a possibility she may never even unlock that power!” I yelled, my breath catching in my throat as I looked over them, “It doesn’t matter what I say to you does it? You’re going to kill her regardless of how I plead for her to be spared…” I trailed off as I finally realized nothing I said would get them to stop.

“Yeosang! Help me! Please!!”

-

I gasped as I sat up, jolted awake by the nightmare I was stuck in. I was panting heavily, the nightmare still so vivid in my mind. I curled in on myself, clawing at my heart, the organ beating painfully in my chest. The sense of dread had failed to leave me even as I woke up, getting the feeling that this was some kind of premonition. Just the thought sent my heart racing as it throbbed in my chest. As I tried to calm myself I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly, only one thing on my mind as an intense fire burned in my eyes. 

……

I smiled softly as the wind carried her laugh over to me, catching a glimpse of the joyful look on her face. But the smile soon left my lips as I caught sight of him, a frown now adorning my face. I’ve been shadowing Y/N for a little over a month now and in that time I’ve seen just how close she is with Apollo. I was sure I threatened him to keep away from her, I guess I’ll just have to teach him what happens when you don’t heed my words. I clenched my hands into tight fists, taking a step towards the two of them but stopped at the voice that called out to me from my right.

“I don’t think that’s very wise, brother.” 

I ground my teeth at the sound of her voice, turning slowly to face her, “Athena...you’ve got guts showing your face around me. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I was trying to stay calm, afraid that if I lost my temper I’d end up destroying everything within miles of where I stood. If I did that then Y/N would get hurt, and that’s the last thing I wanted. So, for her sake, I was holding off on ramming my sword through Athena’s heart. But the condescending look she wore on her face was hard to ignore. I dug my nails into my palm, drawing blood as I forced myself to endure it.

“I have something of importance to talk to you about.” She said, her lips quirking up into a smirk.

“Tell me why you’re here or leave. I have no time for your games.” I snapped, waiting for her to state her business but she kept quiet. I scoffed, glaring at her for a moment longer before turning my back on her.

“It has something to do with that human girl you seem to be fond of.” She called out, the teasing tone in her voice clear as day.

I tensed at her words but kept my back to her, “What about her?”

A moment of silence fell over us, the air surrounding us so tense it was almost suffocating, “I hear you’ve claimed her. If she carries your mark then you know better than anyone what that means. She’s an Athenian so I-”

I couldn’t control myself anymore. I turned on my heel and reached out, grabbing her neck with my hand, “You what?” I seethed, bringing her in closer so our faces were inches apart, my hand squeezing her throat tightly but not tight enough she couldn’t get a word out.

“I have...authority...over her…” She choked out, digging her nails into my wrist to get my to let go but I only squeezed harder.

“Let’s get something straight here, little sister. You can have authority over all the Athenians you like, hell you can have it over everyone else in the world but you have absolutely no authority over Y/N. She is mine and mine alone,” I growled, throwing her to the ground as I stood over her, “You lot have taken all my humans from me, all of them! I will not allow you to take another. I’ll kill you before you even get the chance.”

She scoffed, pushing herself up off the ground, sitting up and staring at me with contempt, “I’ve fought you and won before, I’ll do it again.”

I chuckled darkly as I crouched down in front of her, reaching forward to roughly grab her chin with my thumb and index finger, “Just try it. I can guarantee you won’t win a second time. You’ve all taken everything good I’ve ever had, my home, my people, everything. I will no longer allow you to do as you please. Stay away from her if you know what’s good for you. I will not hesitate to cut you down where you stand. If you do not heed my warning then prepare yourself for a battle you won’t come out of alive, not even your wit will be able to save you,” I spat out, throwing her head back roughly.

I rose to my full height, staring down at her for a moment before turning my back on her. It took everything in me not to kill her in that instant by I restrained myself. For all the hate I had for her and the rest of my siblings there was still a part of me that wished to protect them from all harm, even though I knew those feelings weren’t reciprocated. And knowing that, hurt more than anything but I’ve learned to live with it all these years. But I will not let them get away with threatening Y/N, they can do what they like with me but she is off limits, not even I can touch her.

-Y/N’s P.O.V-

“Wooyoung can you bring in the apples from the back!?” I called out, barely sparing a glance over my shoulder as I placed the last orange where it belonged. 

I placed the crate underneath the table, leaving it there for later. As I straightened back out I felt eyes on me. I turned on my heel, seeing the man from the cave standing in the doorway. It had been a month since I last saw him but nothing about him had changed. Actually, now that the sun is out I got to see his face better. I thought he was handsome at night with his hair framing his face due to the rain but I couldn’t even see a fraction of his handsomeness in the rain. With the sun out without a cloud in the sky his skin seemed to glow, his hair perfectly styled out of his face and his eyes, they shined brightly, holding me captive. 

“Yeosang…” I murmured without thinking. 

He grinned the moment his name fell from my lips, a blush coating my cheeks at the look that crossed his eyes. I quickly looked away, feeling like I was being sucked into those beautiful eyes of his. He chuckled, the sound deep and resonated in my ears. 

“I’m glad to see that you remember my name.” He said with a grin still on his face, his tone light as he continued, “I was worried you had forgotten about me already.”

“How could I forget someone like you?” I asked, again speaking without thinking. 

When I realized what I said I cleared my throat, glancing at him for a moment only to see the grin on his face widened, his eyes shining brighter than before. Ah, why did I say that? Why am I just saying everything that comes to mind without thinking it over?! What the hell is wrong with me today?!

He chuckled once more, the sound lighter than before, a fondness in his voice as he spoke, “Well I’m glad I made such a strong impression,” His smile softened before it disappeared and a frown took its place, “Though I’m sure it wasn’t a very good impression. I’m sorry about how cryptic I was that night, it wasn’t my intention to frighten you. I also apologize for being so rude to you…”

He averted his eyes as he spoke, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. Just the sight had my heart racing. What?! Why are you going out of control?! Stop that!, I shouted to myself, scolding my heart for being so affected by these minuscule actions of his. I shook my head, trying to clear it of the thoughts that wanted to invade my mind, thoughts of him.

“Uh...well…”I trailed off, not knowing what to say, “Apology accepted… I guess…?”

He laughed, the sound different from when he chuckled lightly, dare I say this laugh of his sounded even better than the first, “Ah, you’re a lot more entertaining than I thought…” He murmured under his breath.

“Huh?”

He shook his head, the smile on his face seeming to be permanent. He opened his mouth to say more but before he could another voice interjected, “Y/N! Where do you want these?”

I quickly whipped around to see Wooyoung walking over to me with that crate of apples I had asked him to grab, “Where they always go.” 

He didn’t even spare me a glance as he glared at Yeosang, the hold he had on the crate tightening. I raised a brow, confused over what had gotten into him. As I went to question him about it Yeosang spoke up. 

“So, do you—do you think you can help me out with a little shopping?” He asked, a bit hesitant to voice his question. 

I stared at him in shock, his words catching me off guard. It was such a simple request, one I’ve done for many customers in the past. So why did I find it so shocking coming from him? He must’ve mistaken the shock in my eyes for something else as he began apologizing. 

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re busy-“

“No!” I said, my voice higher than normal, “No...it’s—it’s okay. I’d love to help.”

The grin he wore earlier reappeared on his face as he followed after me, deeper into the shop. 

-Yeosang’s P. O. V-

I paused for a moment as we walked by Apollo. I gave him a quick glance to see his head was slightly bowed as he gripped an apple tightly in his hands. I smirked at the sight of his obvious anger, loving the way his whole body trembled with the rage he felt within. 

“You did well, brother,” I said in a low voice, placing my hand on his shoulder, “I hope you continue to stay out of my way. If you do so you have my word there will be no problems between the two of us but if you slip up even once…” I trailed off, placing my hand on his shoulder and squeezed roughly, drawing a hiss of pain from his lips, “Not only will I pay you back for the betrayal you put me through on Olympus but for touching what is so rightfully mine. I won’t kill you, at first. I’ll put you through so much unimaginable pain that you’ll be begging me to kill you. But that’d be showing you too much mercy and as you know...I’m not the merciful type.”

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General Tags : @mirror-juliet​ 

[lukecastellandeservedbetter]

18. Mirror Mirror On The Wall

a/n: hello. I am back. I’ve defeated the dreadful writers block and am prepared to update this series a little more regularly. You guys have given me so much support and kind words, and I greatly appreciate every single one of you. 

Read the others!: Masterlist

Luke was quiet. He got little medical attention, since he wasn’t the one that had been knocked into unconsciousness. He got a little ambrosia and some nectar, but that was the extent of attention he received. 

Which didn’t bother him at all, since he wasn’t looking for attention. He pushed away his pizza, letting Percy have his slice, his mind wandering away. 

“What was Luke doing when Percy and Jason were fighting?” Annabeth raised her eyebrow. “I thought you said you’d be good to go with them, what happened?” She directed the question at the exhausted demigod. 

Luke looked up at her. “I panicked.” He whispered. 

She raised her eyebrow. “You panicked.” She repeated, unamused. “Jason and Percy were trying to kill each other and you panicked.” 

“It felt like… him. Like he was back. And my eyes, they were gold, and I couldn’t… I couldn’t concentrate and-” He snapped his jaw shut and closed his eyes, training to get control of his breathing back, the hot tears pressing at his eyes again. “I thought…” he was at a loss of words. 

The table was quiet. “What were you doing?” Piper asked. “With the sword.” 

Luke’s hand covered his weak spot. “It’s my Achilles Heel.” He mumbled. “It’s the only spot that will kill me.” 

“You still have the curse,” Percy realized with wide eyes. “I forgot.” 

Luke nodded, keeping his hand over the spot, as if protecting it. “She would’ve killed me the same way I killed him,” He gritted his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut. “Poetic justice I guess.”

The table was quiet for a moment. “We should all get some rest,” Annabeth commented after a moment. 

“Wait.” Piper stopped them, casting an apologetic glance at Luke. “The eidolon are still here, with us.” 

Everyone looked around uneasily. 

“She’s right,” Hazel agreed. “I can feel them.” 

“How can you tell?” Annabeth asked. “How do we fight them?” 

Piper faltered, seemingly unaware of what she should do. Luke thought about the field in Kansas. “You controlled them,” Luke pointed out slowly. “You could probably get rid of them.” 

“I don’t know…” She looked unsure. 

“Just try,” Annabeth urged gently. 

Piper took a deep breath before nodding. “Eidolon, show yourselves.” 

And Luke’s world went dark once more. 

---

It was late now, and Luke was standing in the shower. The warm water ran down his back, his forehead resting against the cool wall. Steam rose around him as he tried to catch his breath. He squeezed his eyes shut as his body convulsed with contained sobs. His mouth tasted coppery as his teeth sank into his lip, trying to smother any sound. Tears mixed with soapy water. Images flashed through his mind rapidly, moving too fast for him to grasp anything, leaving him alone in the dark. 

Not for the first time, his lungs ached for oxygen, his heart hammered desperately, and his stomach churned, and all he could think of was how much he wished his father would have just let him die. 

He took a shaky breath and shook his head, as if the movement would clear the thoughts away. He tried to think of anything else. 

He thought about Connor and Travis, who despite everything, have stood at his side. Invited him back to the Hermes table. Hung around him. Trained with him. 

His heart slowed a little. 

Percy, and Sally, who had taken him, given him a second chance at life, one outside of the gods. The job Sally got him, the adventures through the city Percy took him on. The family dinners. The vacation to the cabin. 

He could breathe again. 

Leo, and Jason, and Piper, who didn’t know about his past, and even after they learned about it, continued to befriend him. Leo, who had been so acutely aware of his habits and built him his own training space on the ship, Jason who somehow understood him, who looked to him of all people for advice. Piper, who seemed so unsure with her own strength, who sat and talked with him for hours about training techniques. 

His mind cleared. 

Annabeth, who was beginning to trust him again. 

Hazel, who insisted that he was just a knight with a banged up suit of armor. 

Frank, who was kind and tried to be a mediator whenever he could. 

He turned off the shower, straightening up a little, taking a couple of deep breaths before stepping out into the cold air, drying off and getting dressed quickly. 

Luke paused in front of the bathroom mirror and looked up, making eye contact with his own reflection. 

His eyes were blue. 

Just as they had always been. 

He took another deep breath when there was a banging on the door, breaking his gaze away from his reflection. 

“Hey man, you’ve been in there for almost an hour,” Leo complained. “All the hot water is going to be gone.” 

Luke shook his head and found himself laughing at the younger boy. He gathered his things and opened the door, looking down at the demigod. “Can’t you just heat the water up?” He raised his eyebrow. 

“That is not how it works.” He scowled. “Are you done? It’s almost curfew, and I don’t want to be used for Coach’s next target practice.” 

“Yeah I’m done.” He chuckled and stepped aside. “Night Leo.” 

“Yeah, night,” He told Luke dismissively before shutting the door. 

Luke headed back to his own room and flopped back onto the bed, relaxing. Genuinely relaxing. Between fighting a possession and the sheer panic that had gripped his heart since, his muscles had coiled up tightly, ready to fight or flee at any given moment. But now, after a hot shower and regaining control of his thoughts, he just felt exhausted. 

He sent a tired thanks to his father for the safe travels thus far, and rolled over, falling into a comfortable and silent darkness. 

[georgescatcafe]

the rising chariot — 3

rating: t warning/s: none pairing/s: platonic dream team, karl jacobs/sapnap genres/tags: percy jackson and the olympians au, friendship, angst summary: Nick Pappas isn’t sure it’s normal for teenagers to be sent across the United States on a quest that could potentially kill them, but Nick has started to realize that everything he thought was normal is entirely false. George Davies doesn’t particularly want to spend three consecutive days with this new camper and that son of Hermes who snagged his win in Capture the Flag two weeks ago, but he knows he has to suck it up and go with them, no matter how irritating they may be. Clay Bryce just wants to prove himself and show that he’s more than that troublesome kid from Cabin Eleven, but even as the leader of this quest, he’s not sure how to when Nick has fire powers and George is practically capable of mind-control.

Yet what they feel and want will mean nothing if they don’t complete their quest. When a petty feud between gods has Apollo threatening to take the Sun from the sky, the three must head out to stop him, but not just that—they’re in a race against an ancient enemy of the god, one who definitely will try and kill him if it gets to Apollo first.

New York City was as terrifying as it was large. Which means very. Floris, luckily, knew the city well, and he led Nick past block after block to their hotel.

“Don’t people normally take a cab?” Nick asked once they had their bags set down on their respective beds. “Like… that’s an NYC staple?”

“I’m a native,” Floris replied, distracted as he dug through his suitcase. He grinned when he pulled out a hoodie. “I forgot how cold it was here, even in the spring.”

“Is it?” Nick asked, only wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants. “I thought it was nice.”

“It is nice,” Floris agreed, even as he tugged the hoodie on over his head, “but I get the chills when I’m here. Can’t help it.”

“So is it cold or not?”

“Yes,” Floris said, talking his bag off the bed and setting it on the floor. “Anyway, get your nap in, your jet-lag settled; I’m giving you a full tour of the Big Apple before dinner.” He settled atop his bed, arms stretched behind his head, and Nick made a face at the shoes touching the covers.

“Seriously, man?” he asked. “Shoes in the bed?”

“Not in the bed,” Floris replied smartly. “On the bed.”

Nick made another face, but didn’t argue.

His nap was poor, tossing and turning, never properly falling asleep, while Floris snored on, feet kicking and fingers twitching. Nick wished he slept as good as the other. But instead he ended up staring at the ceiling, waiting for the other to wake and take him on this tour.

When Floris did wake, he looked refreshed, and he pranced around the room getting everything he needed (which was apparently just some cash, an umbrella, and a change of shoes, except he went into the bathroom to change them, which Nick thought was weird, but he didn’t comment on because he just wanted to get out of the stifling hotel room). By the time Floris came out, Nick was standing by the door, hands shoved in his pockets to keep them from moving restlessly.

“Ready?” he asked.

“I’ve been ready,” Floris replied, allowing Nick to pull the door open and letting it fall shut behind him.

They made their way down to the lobby, where it was clear it was a new shift, a new receptionist sitting at the desk. Nick wondered what went through the man’s head, with the way he fixed a piercing stare on them. Floris didn’t seem to notice the stare, however, as he kept on his merry way, beginning to talk about all the things New York had to offer. Nick couldn’t help but glance over his shoulder one last time, though, before they exited the building, catching the eyes of the receptionist. A chill went down Nick’s spine. Quickly, he turned away and hurried to follow Floris as he began to walk down the street.

“Obviously we can’t see everything, and we definitely can’t do it all tonight,” Floris was saying when Nick focused on him once again, “but we can just walk around for now, and I can give general directions. Also, I personally am not a fan of the subway, but you can go on it.”

“I,” Nick looked around, “don’t need to go on the subway. Are you sure about the cab thing?”

“Does it matter?” Floris asked.

Nick guessed it didn’t. 

Floris was an alright tour guide, if you overlooked the fact that he didn’t say much about any actual landmarks or places you’d find in a NYC guidebook. Nick wondered if that made him a better tour guide or not. They stopped at a nondescript deli and had sandwiches and soda for dinner. Nick stared as Floris happily ate a veggie sub, tomato juice spilling down his chin.

“Is that actually any good?” he asked. “It’s like… salad between bread.”

“It’s good,” Floris reassured. “Is yours good?”

“Duh,” Nick replied.

When they got back to the hotel, the receptionist wasn’t there, but Nick swore he could still feel those eyes on his back. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he and Floris got in the elevator, heading up to the fifth floor.

“That receptionist from before,” Nick said when the doors slid shut, “did you see how he was looking at us?”

“The receptionist?” Floris echoed, thinking. “No. Why? Was he looking at you weird or something?”

Nick frowned, but he shook his head. The guy probably just had a staring problem, or maybe he thought Nick’s t-shirt was stupid or something. He ignored that feeling in him saying that not telling Floris was a bad idea. Besides, if Floris didn’t care, it probably was fine, right?

The doors slid open and Floris led them back to the room. Nick flopped onto his bed, now properly ready to sleep.

“I hate walking,” he said. “My legs hurt.”

“Sleep it off,” Floris replied, disappearing into the bathroom. He stuck his head out. “Might go downstairs to get more of that fresh air. Is that okay?”

“You’re really weird,” Nick answered.

Floris smiled before his head went back through the doorway. Nick never saw him leave, eyes slipping shut, breath going even, sleep overtaking him.

He was back in the hotel lobby. Nick looked around, for the receptionist, for Floris, but it was just him. He took a seat on the bench. 

“You’re late.”

Nick jumped, and when he turned, a woman sat, one of those small, yappy dogs held in a purse on her lap. When Nick waved at it, it growled and spat. He made a face. “Nice dog,” he said.

“What dog?” the woman asked.

Nick looked at her before pointing. “The one in your purse.”

“I don’t have a dog,” she replied.

Nick looked to her lap once again. There was no purse, no dog.

He stood. “Um, my bad.”

“Are you okay?” the woman asked.

“Fine,” Nick snapped, irritation culminating under his skin. “Who are you again?”

“Did you forget me already?” she stood too. In her seat sat that dog in the purse. Nick stared at it, and again, it growled. Nick looked at the woman. “It’s rude to forget people, you know. Fills people with a certain rage; you’ve felt rage before, haven’t you?”

“Not because someone’s forgotten my name,” Nick answered.

“So you’ve felt rage,” she continued, “and what did it do to you? Did you feel rage when they took your mother? Did you feel rage when that new woman came to replace her?”

Nick took a step back as the woman took a step closer.

“Hot and burning inside you, you scream and no one hears, what a weak little boy you were.” She laughs, and it’s a witch’s cackle, high-pitched and grating. Nick stumbles as something nips at the backs of his heels. The little dog, eyes rimmed red and crusty. It’s teeth trying to cut through his pants.

“Your dog,” he said, trying to kick it away from him, “make it stop.”

“Isn’t it cute?” she asked.

“You said you didn’t have a dog.” Nick managed to send him flying off, claws skidding on the polished tile. It ran back towards him.

“I don’t,” she replied. “Are you sure you’re okay? You keep doing something strange with your legs.”

The stupid dog was gone, and Nick was kicking and tripping on air. He cursed. “What’s up with you, lady? Seriously, you’re freaking weird.”

“Am I?” she asked. “I’m sure you know all about weirdness. Your friend, for instance, weirdest of all. Though he pales in comparison to you.”

“Floris?” Nick screeched when that stupid dog bit at his ankle, sweatpants now basketball shorts, ankles exposed perfectly for the dog to sink its teeth into. “Get your dog!”

“Yes. Floris. Forgot.”

“It’s rude to forget people’s names,” Nick echoed back to her.

The woman smiled, showing teeth tipped in red. Nick choked on a breath. “You’re absolutely right.” She snapped her fingers, and the dog was back at her side, yipping and yapping at her to pick it up. When she did, she stroked a calming hand down its back. It looked at Nick, and that’s when he realized there was foam around its mouth. His own mouth dropped open in horror.

“Who are you?” he demanded. “Am I going to die?”

“This is a dream, stupid boy,” she answered. “And if you don’t remember me,” she laughed, that same spine-tingling cackle, “you’ll figure out who I am soon enough.” A sudden shriek pierced through the air, and Nick stood at attention, eyes wide and heart pounding. The woman’s smile stretched to a grin, those red-tipped teeth glinting in the bright lobby lights. “Best wake up now; you don’t want to be late again.”

Nick’s eyes blinked open. He was in the hotel room, in bed. He shoved the covers off him and hurried to put his shoes on. Everything in him screamed to go find Floris. Without a single look back, he flung the hotel door open and ran.

He avoided the elevator, fearing it would take too long, instead finding the door to the staircase and prying it open, the metal heavy but not enough to stop him. It’s cool where it is pressed to his skin. He rushed down the stairs.

The closer he got to the first floor, the louder the noises that come from the lobby were. Nick sped up as much as he could without tripping. 

“Floris!” he shouted, unsure if the other could even hear him. He was breathless and panting by the time he reached the first floor but he shoved it open, the metal bar digging uncomfortably into his skin.

“Nick!” Floris shrieked. “Watch out!”

Nick moved out of the way just in time to miss a barrage of spines being flung at him. He sucked in a breath. “What—”

“Move!” Floris screamed, and Nick obeyed, dropping to the floor when a large paw came at him, claws extended. When Nick looked, he saw Floris’s hoodie had been torn in multiple places, hanging off his body loosely, in tatters. Nick took in another breath.

“How are you still alive?” he asked, crying out when more spines came at him.

“Who is this, Floris?” the monster growled. “You’ve brought another course? How delicious!” His lips curled into a treacherous grin, and when he spoke, his breath came out and hit Nick straight in the face, rancid.

Nick gagged against the smell, trying his best to get over to his friend.

“We need to,” he stuttered, “I can’t—fire, I can’t—”

“You have to,” Fundy replied. Nick shoved him and dropped to the floor when the monster ran out them, rolling under the massive body. (The mom lifting the bus for her baby.) His heart pounded. Floris had crawled behind the receptionist’s desk. His head poked up over the top. “You have to, Nick!”

“I’ll burn this place down!” Nick shouted. “I can’t—”

“But you have to!” the monster mocked. “You have to! You have to!”

Nick bared his teeth, anger beginning to boil his blood. “Yeah!” he replied. “And you have to die!” That was the only way—this thing was an abomination, the head of a man, the body of a lion, spines shooting from its tail with a single flick, leaving Nick dodging and ducking like nobody’s business. 

Without fire, he was left defenseless, left to tire out the monster, but he knew it’s a lot more likely it’ll tire him out instead. Floris ran at him, then, and tackled him, sending the two of them through the sliding front doors. Even at night, the streets of New York City were bustling.

Floris grabbed him by the arm and took off, tugging Nick through the crowd. “This was a bad idea,” Nick just barely heard over the sounds of traffic.

When Nick turned back, the crowd was parted like the red sea, and charging right at them, the monster.

“A manticore,” Floris said, “one of the deadliest monsters out there. Just our luck.”

“I don’t want to burn down New York,” Nick replied.

“I know,” Floris tugged them down an alleyway.

“If he catches us, we’re dead,” Nick realized.

Floris looked at him. “So we can’t let him catch us.” He leapt onto a dumpster, and Nick was left to hurry after him. Floris scaled the building like nobody’s business. Below, the manticore shrieked and yowled as Nick climbed up as quickly as he could after his friend.

“How can you,” Nick sucked in a breath, “climb so fast? I thought you had,” another breath, “some kind of leg issue.”

Floris’s foot slipped. Nick yelled. Off came Floris shoe—foot—what? Nick stared at the hoof waving in his face. 

“Come on!” Floris cried. “I’ll explain later!”

Then, Nick felt the back of his sweatpants rip straight down the middle, and pain flared hot and heady in his left leg. Shock flooded his body. He doesn’t know if he screamed. But he did know what he had to do.

Floris was already near the top of the building. 

Nick climbed.

When he reached the top, Floris was waiting for him, arm outstretched to pull him up. Nick accepted it. Together, they ran, uncaring of the manticore they both knew continued to climb up after them.

Salt from his tears and wind stung in the corners of his eyes. He grit his teeth as he followed Floris across rooftops, biting back a pained groan every time his injured leg met the ground. Behind them, the manticore followed, chasing after them on all fours, calling to them, taunting them. Nick took a deep breath, preparing himself for the next jump.

“There’s somewhere you can go,” Floris said, his remaining ‘shoe’ left behind two buildings ago, hooves now carrying him easily. “It’s safer—monsters, like the one chasing us, they can’t get in.”

Nick looked at him before Floris stretched out an arm to stop him from falling off the edge of the roof. “Seriously?”

Floris nodded, then dropped his arm. Nick backed up then got a running start, stretching his legs as best he can as he jumped to the next roof. Floris followed not long after. And the manticore not long after that. Nick cried, genuine crying, not tears from the winds that whipped around them, as he reached the edge of another roof. The next building was across the street.

Nick turned to Floris.

“We won’t make it,” he said. “We won’t make it.”

Floris returned his stare. “We have to try to make it.” He wrapped his arms around Nick and sent them plummeting from the roof.

[greatneedtotakeanap]

i binge read

episode 5 - the last olympian

this one took me a bit longer than expected but BOY do I have some THOUGHTS.

I am legally obligated to always begin with Nico when applicable so I will. This boy’s perseverance was everything. Even after he sold Percy out, and Percy subsequently almost killed him - he never stopped trying to convince Hades, just followed him around like an annoying talkative shadow. We see glimpses of this through Percy’s dreams. He literally never stops talking, even after all three adults present make it clear they’re annoyed with him - and it works! Hades joins in at the end.

Also, I know this was kind of the point of the book, but the fact that forty teenagers (plus the Hunters) held down an entire city for that long, after repeated monster attacks, was incredible. It was simply fantastic to imagine. Manhattan isn’t small, too. They covered a lot of ground for such a tiny group of people, and they didn’t even have the Ares cabin.

(Side note on the Ares cabin. I think we can all agree that up until the very end Clarisse was being incredibly selfish - there is a WAR happening. People are dying and you’re worried about cabin recognition? You refuse to fight for your fellow campers’ lives because of CABIN RECOGNITION? It’s so childish I can’t even wrap my mind around this.)

Speaking of Ares - Silena Beauregard. She deserved better. It was genius, the way she dressed up as Clarisse to go against the drakon. Shame she had to die in the process. And speaking of Silena Beauregard, Charlie Beckendorf!! He was one of my favorite if not my favorite side character my first time reading the series. I cried when he died. It was the FIRST CHAPTER, just hit you out of nowhere. I get that was kind of the point, but still. Ouch.

Ethan Nakamura annoyed the hell out of me throughout both botl and this book, but I couldn’t help loving him at the end, even though the way he died was kind of stupid because he didn’t know where Kronos’ vulnerability point was so he just charged him for nothing lmao. Still. I couldn’t help feeling sad for him.

And now, the inevitable discussion of Luke Castellan. Half of this book, the quests Percy went on to May’s house and the dreams he had, was to humanize Luke. The point was to make the reader sympathize with him, and hooo boy did it work. I never liked Luke, not really, but I always pitied him. May makes me very sad though. Her story, the very specific way she went insane... it’s tragic. And the way it affected Hermes was well portrayed. He knew the whole time, but was forbidden to interfere. Luke did the right thing in the end, which was great I guess, and the way the prophecy came true was genius. I probably would have been a pretty hardcore Luke stan if it wasn’t for the whole Lukabeth side plotline. I know it’s been said, but their age gap heavily grosses me out. Like at the end while he was dying and he asked Annabeth if she loved him I was recoiling, because... why?? Brought the whole rating down a LOT.

Of course, I can’t talk about The Last Olympian without talking about Percabeth, so let’s get into it. Firstly - the scene at the River Styx. (Side note - is Percy still invincible?? He never reversed the curse.) But anyways. The thing I love most about Percabeth is that it’s a slow burn done right. In their every interaction you can see exactly how they feel about each other, from friendly banter in tlt to mutual comfort in som, to Percy going BALLISTIC in ttc while she was gone, etc etc. And I think it all came to a t in this scene in the River Styx. He had to hold one to the one thing that made him mortal, and he didn’t choose Annabeth. He didn’t specifically think of her before he went in - but she found him anyway. And this is the moment that I think he realizes exactly how he feels about her. This is a theme that comes back in this book (yay!), Annabeth being the thing tying him down to the mortal world, at the end when he makes the decision to give up immortality. That part is fairly obvious. She’s literally the thing keeping him there. The best part about the ending of this book, for me, was that I could see it in my head. Every single second. I could see them eating cake, their conversation, the kiss and everyone jumping them afterwards, Percy making a bubble at the bottom of the lake. It was all just so adorable. I know, I know, we all love Percabeth - but for good reason.

One last thing I just realized - the kids from hoo? Piper and Leo (and Hazel I think but I can’t quite remember)? They were unclaimed kids who never found their way to camp. They got to Camp Half-Blood as a DIRECT result of Percy’s decision at the end of this book. I didn’t even realize that until I read the scene where he gives up immortality over again. Pretty interesting.

First series is done. Two more series to go. Wish me luck!

[joyfulsongbird]

Bruises And All- Chapter 1

Hermes and Orpheus live above Herme’s bar by the ocean, which sometimes get hit by monumental storms. and when Hermes finds a girl in the woods caught in the storm, he doesn’t what kind of hurricane he’s bringing with him when she comes back with him.

***

HERMES is an old man, an old man who cares for a young boy who cares for music and for life. an old man who will spend the rest of his days repeating the same tasks over and over, his muscles only know how to wipe down the bar in one circular motion. he’s just stuck in a loop and he’s happy there, with his godson and the godsend that sent him this life of security in this little woodsy town. his boy will probably live out his days the same way, fingers grow aching from playing so much, voice growing strained over the years until he, too, is an old, old man and wipes down the bar every night before turning off the lights and wishing the room goodbye. he’s content with this life. with the forest on one side, the ocean on the other, it’s a life of little risk. terrible storms roll in from the ocean every once in awhile but the people call those “hundred year storms”. the name is pretty self explanatory: storms that happen once in every hundred years.

today is apparently that day.

“mister Hermes!” Orpheus calls from upstairs. “should I pull out the sandbags? Miss Afra said that there could be flooding.”

“I’ll do it, son, you stay upstairs.” Hermes yells back.

“but-”

“no questions asked, you get to bed, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Orpheus, the ever obedient, does exactly that. but Hermes knows that he won’t sleep for a long time, probably not until long after Hermes is home and in bed across from the boy. he worries, that kid, worries far more than Hermes would like. but it seems that is just his nature, to care so deeply that his soul hurts when he has to be separated from people.

Hermes wasn’t worried about the storm until he stepped outside with his flashlight in hand. winds going on dangerous speeds. rain pounding on his back like hard rocks. the darkness in the sky... it worries him, deeply. a typhoon is forming out there in that rocky ocean, for sure. he struggles against the wind and puts up a couple sandbags against the side of their home, the side that faces the beach. water falls over the wall of their brick home like waterfalls, streams through the concrete patches and blurring the engravings in the brick from view. and in a split second decision, he goes for some probably soaked through firewood. who knows how long they’ll be in that house for.

he’s got a few logs in his arms and is preparing to head back around the house when he lifts his head towards the forest. his ears must be tricking him, no one would be out in the woods at this time, in this storm? absolutely not. but the side of him that is a father, that worries as deeply as Orpheus does, itches to just check. it can’t hurt to just check? it definitely can but he’d rather go into those woods and find that lost child, than leave it and find out in a few days that a body has been found. if it’s what Orpheus would do, Hermes will do it too.

he drops the logs over by the door of their house, he’ll be back for those later. he hopes. and he heads directly into those woods, aiming his flashlight at the ground so that he doesn’t step into some chasm or trip over a root. he’s known these woods since he was a child but he never liked them at night, it always unsettled him. and now, he trudges through these woods in the pitch darkness of night and in the danger of a brewing hurricane. he’s about to call it a night, say he misheard, when he hears it again, clearer this time. closer this time.

please

no going back now. he won’t go back to Orpheus and his worried eyes and tell him that he left this poor person to the torture of this storm. how disappointed in him he’d be if he knew he ever considered it. having the boy in the house has made him a better person, convinced of the good of the world. growing up in the harshness of that town, hearing the opinions of other, and losing hope for the world, he’d lost hope in humanity. Orpheus is the reason he’s still hoping today. Orpheus is the reason he trains his eyes on ever crook and crevice of this forest. determined to spot this lost soul.

he expects a heep of a person. he expects a wet, soaking, helpless child all curled up trying to keep their warmth inside.

what he does not expect, however, is to have his flashlight knocked out of his hand, his knees crumpled under him, hands on his shoulders keeping him planted to the ground.

and then a voice, “oh my gods, I’m so sorry!”

there are so many feelings coursing through his body, but the main one: confusion. first, the yelling helplessness of the voice in the woods. second, the process in which he got swiftly knocked to his knees, expertly and quickly. and thirdly, the apology coming soon after having his flashlight knocked away, and the voice... a smooth, lovely voice he’d assumed would’ve come from a singer at his bar or a woman who reads audiobooks on the radio for a living. so many conflicting moments of juxtaposition just clash in his head and all he has to say in response is:

“e-excuse me?”

she lets go of his shoulders and he hears the shuffling around him, he’s unsure of what she’s doing until he feels his flashlight is put back in his hands.

“I-I’m so sorry,” she shouts over the wind, curling his fingers around the handle of the light for him. “I thought you might be... I’m sorry.”

he turns his light so that it shines on her. and he’s faced with a girl, not even a woman, about the same age as Orpheus, with rain falling over over her cheeks like tracks of tears and black hair sticking to her full cheeks. she blinks at the light, shielding her face with her hands. she’s shivering and soaked through, but holding herself strongly. she pulls him by his arms, pretending to brush a leaf off of his shoulder and steps back.

she’s tiny. is all he can think now that they are face to face, standing on the same level. her head reaches his shoulders, her small stature not helping her make up for height in any way.

he’s not going to leave her in this storm, no way in hell is he leaving this one behind.

“Come with me!” he shouts, motioning the same thing to get his point across in case she can’t hear him all that well. she glances from him to behind her, back into the darkness of the forest. like something is haunting her, as if there is a chain on her ankle, not allowing her to leave this place. Hermes wonders what there is that this girl is afraid of. he decides, however, that he will ask questions later and get out of this storm now.

He pulls her closer, grasping her shoulders with both of his hands, he is sure she can hear him now. “come. it isn’t safe out here. no questions asked about who you are, I can’t... I won’t leave you here.”

her lips part in what looks like confusion but one glance up at the darkness of the sky must convince her. she nods once and leans down to the forest floor to pick something up. he points his light to follow her hands, helping her only a small bit. she finds what she needs, a ratty old messenger bag that she clutches to her stomach as if it is the only thing in the world that matters.

and it occurs to him that it may as well be that much. he knows nothing of this girl. where she came from. if she even came from anywhere at all. he’s never seen her before but what does that matter? she looks lost and his entire life has proved that he quite has a soft spot for lost, lonely children.

he tries to grab her wrist, lead her out of the forest, but she rips herself out of his grip.

“I follow from behind.” the hardness in her tone doesn’t surprise him, exactly, he’s not shocked.

“How will I know you’re following?” he asks.

“where else do I have to go.” an answer that is good enough for him. he begins their walk out of the forest. now, they are facing the way the wind is coming from. the wind whistles in his ears, rain pounds against his face. his whole body feels like it’s fighting against this great wind, against the instinct to fall back and curl up and wait it out. but Orpheus is waiting for him to come home soon, he’s probably already worried sick, probably ready to burst out of the house and start a search party.

and true to her word, the girl is still there when they near the house. she’s shivering from head to foot but she’s there.

“do you live alone?” is her next question, an oddly out of left field one but he finds to qualms with answering it while he digs his keys out of pocket.

“no,” he says, beginning to unlock the door. “with my godson.”

“how...” she licks her lips. “how old is he?”

he frowns. “nineteen. why?”

she looks like she’s going to be sick.

he doesn’t open the door quite yet, “dear, you alright?”

“yes,” she says, brushing her soaked bangs out of her eyes. “yes, I am.”

he opens the door to the warmth of the bar, the dim glowing golden light that casts a hale of light onto the drenched ground around the doorway. “get inside, c’mon.”

she hesitates for a long few seconds before stepping inside, her whole body dripping (as is his) into the hardwood floor of the room. he closes the door behind him, and as if on cue, Orpheus comes running down the stairs, tripping over his feet.

“Mister Hermes-” he stops short at the sight of their guest. his eyes train on her, his mouth parted wide.

“Orpheus, would you get a couple towels please?” Hermes doesn’t even acknowledge the girl, he can already sense the fight or flight mode flying up in her. she twists the hem of her coat around her thumb, a blush spreading across her cheeks at her presence even being noticed. he has this strange feeling that she is not used to being noticed all that much.

Orpheus comes back with a couple of their ratty towels, his eyes never leaving the girl, on her always, on her face and just... watching. Hermes knows that Orpheus can be slightly... overbearing at times. he’s tempted to tell him to not stare at her so openly but due to the confusion of the moment and the fact that they have other priorities at the moment, he holds back.

“Orpheus,” he says his name again, getting his attention. “go downstairs and start up the furnace? we’ve gotta get some warmth back into this place.”

Orpheus nods, having said not two words since coming down those stairs and spotting the girl. Orpheus falls easily but this is one person that Hermes does not want Orpheus falling for. she’ll be gone within a week, he can tell.

“I won’t be asking you any questions,” Hermes says, turning to her. “you keep to yourself until this storm passes over, then you go where you please. alright?”

she nods. “alright.”

“I’ll get you some clean clothes, stay right there.”

[takaraphoenix]

percy jackson for the ask game

Thanks for playing! ^^

Top 5 favourite characters: Percy Jackson, Nico di Angelo, Clarisse la Rue, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Silena Beauregard

Other characters you like: Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Thalia Grace, Leo Valdez, Charles Beckendorf, Tyson

Least favourite characters: Hera, uuuhm I mean Drew I guess and Nancy?? I don’t know, I’ve gone through so many cycles with PJO, I’ve come around on most characters

Otps: again, let’s make that a Top Five? Nico/Percy, Jason/Percy, Octavian/Percy, Triton/Percy, Will/Pery

Notps: Percy/Annabeth, Leo/Calypso, Grover/Percy, Tyson/Percy, book Luke/Percy

Favourite friendships: Canon? Grover & Percy, Clarisse & Percy, Nico & Reyna

Favourite family: I meeean technically they are ALL family since all of the gods are siblings/cousins! ;D Okay, okay. Paul, Sally, Percy and Tyson! A very obvious pick

Favourite episodes: doesn’t have a TV show adaptation yet? xD

Favourite season/book/movie: The Battle of the Labyrinth

Favourite quotes: not really a quote-kinda-gal

Best musical moment: haven’t gotten to see the musical yet!

Moment that made you fangirl/boy the hardest: I mean obviously when black on white it was confirmed that Nico was in love with Percy? Like? You can imagine, yes? :D

When it really disappointed you: …so often *whispers softly, voice breaking* but to sum it up basically from The Mark of Athena through to the end. The above mentioned confession was honestly like the only highlight out of those three books...

Saddest moment: WHEN THEY KILLED OFF BECKENDORF AND THEN KILLED OFF SELINA. I CRIED THE WHOLE FUCKING DAY

Most well done character death: Luke’s death was shit, Ethan’s death was frustrating because it was a cheap cop out of an actual redemption arc I really hate the “chose the wrong side and now immediately dies in a Heroic Sacrifice”-trope (which plays into why Luke’s death was shit), Bianca’s death was ridiculous - the fact that out of ALL of the Huntresses they picked the one who had been a huntress for 0.2 DAYS was just pathetic and literally projectd “this 12 year old child with zero combat training is totally gonna die” all along and it pisses me off so much, while Silena and Beckendorf made me cry they were also frustrating because they were avoidable had people used their brains, Octavian’s death genuinely made me furious because it was played for cheap laughs... I guess Bob and Damansen by default then...?

Favourite guest star: uuuuuuuh I got nothing

Favourite cast member: Leven Rambin as Clarisse la Rue?? Holy shit blessed casting thank you

Character you wish was still alive: ...one? I only get one? *distressed Phoe-noises* Silena? Charles? Ethan? Urgh. How dare you make me pick only one...

One thing you hope really happens: ...I know there are people out there still reading the new books and I wouldn’t wish this for them because they clearly still enjoy it, but good gods do I wish Riordan would just finally stop and give Percy a rest. Like, not even stop writing - he could write new things. but stop dragging Percy Jackson personally into everything, be that visiting the Norse because hey it’s his gf’s cousin, or getting dragged into Apollo’s weird shit, seriously just... move on, please

Most shocking twist: quite truthfully that Ares was the traitorous god in The Lightning Thief and not Hades. I am so used to Hades being painted as The Bad Guy and the Evil Mastermind bullshit that it was genuinely so refreshing that no actually he’s just wronged because he wants his property back too and he’s not actually the bad guy??

When did you start watching/reading?: 2010, I guess, right after I saw the movie for the first time

Best animal/creature: BLACKJACK BLACKJACK BLACKJACK. No wait Mrs. O’Leary is also there! :O Both? Both!

Favourite location: THE UNDERWORLD

Trope you wish they would stop using: Everyone Needs To Be Paired Up! Seriously, obsessive shipping in canon is cringey but if you have a literal ship with seven crewmates and it turns out to be three couples and the seventh is first in a Love Triangle with one of the couples and THEN gets his own girlfriend, that’s... that’s genuinely pathetic, like I would raise a judgemental eyebrow at a fanfiction that ships everyone off this perfectly paired up, but a published actual work that is not the author’s very first publication? That’s embarrassing, man

One thing this show/book/film does better than others: portrayal of Greek gods and myths

Funniest moments: snarky Percy sassing gods :D

Couple you would like to see: This implies a non-canon couple I’d like to see become canon and just honestly, genuinely, none, good gods there is already too much romance as it is, dial it back

Actor/Actress you want to join the cast: honestly, the second movie took the two only fancasts that were dear to me and actually cast them. Anthony Head as Chiron and Nathan Fillion as Hermes. That was such perfect casting and were my only casting wishes, so like... I got nothing

Favourite outfit: Clarisse’s movie outfit?? It’s? So? Good??

Favourite item: I mean, Riptide is really practical?

Do you own anything related to this show/book/film?: A very dear friend of mine gave me the movie poster for the second movie and it is hanging on my ceiling :D But other than that, sadly enough this franchise is not exactly heavy on merch - which is ridiculous to me... the opportunities. Please make this into a cartoon and start producing ALL of the figures and toys. All of them. Seriously, the toy opportunity on this franchise is so huge??

What house/team/group/friendship group/family/race etc would you be in?: uuuuuuh honestly no god really fits me so I don’t know

Most boring plotline: Annabeth’s third book side-quest really bore me

Most laughably bad moment: When they had a prophecy about an “angel’s breath” and Annabeth Chase, daughter of ATHENA, stood right there, not figuring it out - but Piper did. That... That did Annabeth such a freaking disservice, seriously the disrespect from Riordan there. Why did you even make her a daughter of wisdom if you aren’t going to use her to be clever? That actively made me bang my head against the nearest wall because it was such an obvious part of the riddle like seeeriously

Best flashback/flashfoward if any: I loved learning more about Annabeth, Luke and Thalia’s past together

Most layered character: I mean Percy, but that’s also due to getting five books exclusively from his POV

Most one dimensional character: lol like the dozen or so characters who only exist as First Name Only? And yeah, I get it, you can’t flesh them all out more. But Jason Grace had a whole-ass life before he came to CHB and we got name-drops of his closest friends in The Lost Hero, but most of them remained a name only and Jason not only didn’t get to team up with them later on, to try and convince them to join his cause, he also never actively thought about them. I don’t know, but if I’d spend months away from all my friends, I would definitely spend some of my POV thinking about them...

Scariest moment: thiiis was not a scary series

Grossest moment: When Riordan tried to sell domestic violence as cute, aka Annabeth judo-flipping her boyfriend in punishment for getting abducted by a goddess :D”““ what the fuq

Best looking male: if we go by actors, I guess Chris Rodriguez? xD

Best looking female: oooh definitely Clarisse when we go with the movie faces *^*

Who you’re crushing on (if any): mmmh yeah no

Favourite cast moment: I do not know any xD”

Favourite transportation: shadow-travel! It’s so cool

Most beautiful scene (scenery/shot wise): them entering the underworld was pretty damn cool??

Unanswered question/continuity issue/plot error that bugs you: NICO’S AGE. CONSISTENCY. Stop posting things that contradict each other like just stop tweeting canons out if you don’t have a fixed list of what is canon. ALSO SALLY’S MOTHER IS NAMED LAURA, SHE WAS NAMED LAURA FOR YEARS BEFORE YOU FORGOT THAT YOU NAMED THAT CHARACTER LAURA AND NOW SALLY NAMED HER CANON DAUGHTER FUCKING ESTELLE AFTER HER MOTHER’S NEW NAME. Good gods. How do professional authors not have lists to crosscheck about vital information of their own characters, like their birthdates and their parents’ names.

Best promo: I don’t watch promos

At what point did you fall in love with this show/book: Honestly before I watched the movie already, when I read on wikipedia that a son of Hades was not just A Good Guy in this bookseries but also a main character :D

IN DEPTH FANDOM QUESTIONS

[themusicplayedherlife]

If you have a request box and it’s open can I get a Tim x demigod reader. Tim is a son of Hermes and the reader is a daughter of Athena. The reader only likes hanging out with the seven pulse Nico, Will, Grover, and Calyps. The adult figures are Mr. D and Chiron. She only hangs out with the seven Nico, Will, Grover, and Calypso and had been in every quest with Percy and the rest since Percy got to camp. The reader is antisocial and an introvert. Tim somehow worms his way into her heart.

a/n: i am so sorry this is so lateeee! you have no idea how many times i started this and rewrote it. you really gave me a hard challenge lol but it’s here and i hope you like it

Tim couldn’t stop staring. He knew it was probably weird and he should look away, but it’s fascinating watching you swing your sword. You’re so graceful, so calm and collected when you flex your wrist to make a harsh cut in the air.

“What are you staring at?” is the question that drags him out of his dream like state.

Looking up, he finds his brother staring down at him. Well, not really his brother, but someone he considered as such nonetheless. They grew up together, even though they didn’t share the same god or human parent, just a legal guardian that gave them a home when all hope seemed lost. But he was as much of a brother, maybe even more, as his cabin mates were.

“Nothing,” is his nonchalant answer. Dick already knows what he’s staring at, anyway, he doesn’t even need to ask, but he loves teasing him about his crush.

Dick snorts. “Yeah, sure, I believe you.”

Practice swords clash and grunts fill the air. You stand at the ready, not giving into Percy’s playful taunts. Growing bored, Percy finally rushes at you and you easily sidestep him and swing, getting Poseidon’s son square on his back.

“Stop sulking and go talk to her,” Dick suddenly says after a beat of silence.

Tim can’t help but wrinkle his nose in annoyance. As much as he loves his brother, he really wishes he were less meddlesome.

You flip your hair back and stare down Percy as he tries to counterattack, but you get him again, right behind the knees, Annabeth shouts your praises and it causes Percy to pout and turn to look at his girlfriend, once more leaving himself wide open for you to attack.

“Easy for you to say,” Tim mumbles. “You get along with everyone.” Must be the Aphrodite genes in him.

“Because I make an effort.” Dick nudges Tim’s head with his finger before ruffling his hair just as Percy throws his sword to the ground and raises his arms. “Look, she and Percy are done training for the day, now is your chance.”

This is his chance! He hops to his feet, but suddenly his feet stop as his mind starts over thinking. What if… “What if she wants to be on her own?”

He knew how guarded you were, after all, you had been betrayed in the worst way possible. Betrayed by someone you trusted and looked up to; someone who was like an older brother to you. While Tim was hurt to find out that a housemate—a sibling no less was behind the betrayal, it didn’t have the same impact on him as it did on you. You had been devastated, full of anguish as you tried to deny what became so clear (if any of his siblings—Dick, Jason, Cassandra or Damian—did half of what Luke did, he would’ve lost his mind). He wonders if that’s why you choose to keep to yourself? Avoid the hurt that someone could cause you by keeping your friend circle so tight and close?

He’s an idiot. Of course it is.

Dick rolls his eyes. “Just go-“ he pushes him forward- “and talk to her!”

“What do I even say?” He asks in a panic.

“Ask if you can sit together for dinner!” Dick suggests. “Or if she’d like to train with you tomorrow! You got this, Timmy!”

Yeah. Yeah! He does have this! He can totally do this! Tim nods resolutely, ready to march up to you and ask if you’d like to sit with him, only to find you’re no longer on the training ground. His shoulders fall and he lets out a loud sigh.

With a sympathizing chuckle and a pat on the back, Dick says, “Next time.”

“Yeah, next time,” Tim murmurs.

He tries his luck as you’re cleaning your weapons, a hand me down celestial-bronze sword from Annabeth and two identical blades gifted to you by Damasen when you fell into Tartarus with your sister and Percy.

You were pretty territorial with your stuff, preferring to clean them and wield them yourself. He’s only ever seen you let Annabeth touch them, and only because she gave you your first weapon.

“Hey,” Tim speaks up slowly, gaining your attention, and you pause in your ministrations. “Um, sorry, do you mind if I—“ he points at the cleaning wax and everything you have laid out to keep your weapons in top condition.

Your eyes fall to the spread in front of you and you nod, raising an eyebrow in his direction.

“Thanks,” he mutters and he gently lays out his own weapons gifted to him by Bruce. They’re not the most traditional of weapons like yours or most in camp and he can tell you’re intrigued by the way your eyes linger on them. “Uh, do you want to try using it?” he asks, motioning to his custom bo staff, made out of celestial-bronze, with his hands.

You shake your head, but the curiosity lingers in your gaze and Tim feels his heart speed up when you don’t look away. “How do you kill monsters with it?”

“I—I don’t,” he answers truthfully. “It disorients them, gives my brothers or Cass a chance to finish them off.” You nod slowly, unsure if that’s such a wise idea. Monsters don’t attack to disorient, they attack to kill, so why shouldn’t he? “But I do sometimes use it as a makeshift sword,” he jokes and for a moment he swears he hears a small puff of air that sounds kind of like a giggle.

It’s enough to have him grinning widely.

“Hey—“ a voice interrupts—Nico. When did he arrive at camp? “You done, yet?” He asks you, not even acknowledging him, which isn’t much of a surprise. Hades’ son tends to keep to himself, preferring to travel on his own, too, but occasionally he’d seek you or the others out for companionship.

“Just about,” you answer him, voice lighter and full of warmth. A tinge of envy shoots through his veins. He wonders when you’ll be able to direct that voice in his direction. “Give me a moment to wipe off—there.” You pause and your eyes lock with his for just a moment. “Do you mind putting all of this away?”

“No,” he answers dumbly, unable to break eye contact with you. “No, I don’t mind.”

“Thanks, Drake,” you murmur and quickly put your weapons away to join Nico for who knows what.

He hopes he can spend more time with you next time.

Next time comes a lot sooner than Tim thought it would.

He can’t sleep. It’s not the first time, either. His cabin mates usually make fun of him, say his mind is always running and that’s why he’s never able to rest. He’s starting to believe there might be some truth to their words. 

With a sigh, he carefully sneaks out of the cabin, grabbing his red hoodie as he goes. He follows the path to the woods where he knows he’ll find some peace and quiet. He knows he shouldn’t stray far, even with Wayne Tech and the fleece protecting the perimeter, you could never be too careful. He doesn’t go too far from camp, but far enough where he’s sure Connor won’t find him and try to pull some kind of prank on him when he realizes he’s gone.

The twigs snap under his feet as he gets closer to the lake where all the naiads play in during the day. He knows they’re all asleep by now and shouldn’t bother him, or so he thought.

Hands wrap around his wrist, ready to throw him over their shoulder with all of their weight, but Tim is quick. He’s able to pull away and wrap his own arms around his attacker—why are they so light?—and is able to throw them both on the ground where he successfully managed to pin them down. 

Peering down at the person pinned beneath him, his eyes widening almost comically, embarrassment finding a home on his cheeks. Shit.

“Drake?” Your eyes are just as wide and shocked as his, mouth parted slightly as you stare up at him unblinkingly.

Your name falls from his lips the same way, unsure if it’s really you beneath him right now or some kind of mind trick.

The shock drains from your eyes and you grow serious, suddenly bucking him off of you. He gets the hint and quickly scrambles to his feet.

“I’m sorry, you just grabbed me and I—“

You ignore his rambling, wiping dirt off of your pants. “Why are you out here? You know it’s dangerous.”

His brows furrow and he fixes his hoodie. “Could say the same to you.”

You eye him, head tilting and he has to tell himself to keep eye contact—don’t break, don’t break. He swears he can get lost in those endless shimmering eyes of yours. You sigh and turn away first and Tim let’s out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Couldn’t sleep.”

“Same,” he answers, voice coming out as a broken squeak. He curses himself for not keeping his voice leveled. He really has it bad doesn’t he?

You don’t say anything, instead you head towards a small patch of grass by the glistening water of the lake and plop down. You bring your knees up to your chest and you just sit there, and Tim doesn’t know how, but he somehow manages to find the courage and strength to drop himself down beside you.

He waits for a beat, and when you don’t tell him to leave, he relaxes, one leg stretched outward and his palms resting against the ground as he leans back.

You spend the rest of the night in companionable silence.

Tim thankfully has the option to opt out of Capture the Flag this week. On his mini quest with Jason and Cassandra, he got hurt pretty bad saving a child from a wild hellhound terrorizing a small town on the outskirts of Gotham. Not that he’s happy that he got hurt, because ouch hellhound teeth digging into skin is the worst thing he has experienced, and that’s saying a lot as a Demi-god and Robin.

Don’t get him wrong, he gets why everyone gets super excited about it, but sometimes—members of the Ares cabin, like Jason, especially—get super competitive and it becomes this whole thing where everyone fights all day and they take more jabs at one another than usual.

“You still ain’t good, kid?”

Tim spares a glance over his shoulder at Jason, who is geared up and ready. Dick and Cassandra flank his sides both in their own personal gear.

“Hellhound got me pretty good.”

Dick ruffles his hair. “I’ll see if I can get Chiron to spare some Nectar or Ambrosia after the game.”

He had some when he arrived at camp, but it wasn’t enough for a Hellhound bite apparently. “That’d be great. Thanks, Dick.”

“Stay safe,” Cassandra mutters patting his arm before making her way over to her other team members with excitement. He forgets how much she loves Capture the Flag.

Dick shakes his head and Jason chuckles lowly, the two following after her.

“Good luck!”

“Won’t need it,” Jason barks back at him, smirking.

He rolls his eyes and pities the fool that’ll have to take on his brothers and sister.

“Here,” a soft voice says just as a small bag of squared treats falls on his lap and he startles, barely catches it before it can drop to the ground. “I had some extra Ambrosia lying around.”

He blinks at the food and then up to find you looking away from him, your friends just a few feet away.

“I’ve never fought a hellhound, but Percy and Annabeth said they can be pretty vicious.”

“Are you sure—“

“Yeah,” you cut him off, finally meeting his gaze, a small smile on your beautiful face that has his heart racing and the wound in his leg throbbing. “Keep out of trouble, Tim.”

Tim. You called him Tim! This is—that’s great news! Just as he’s registering his name drop, he realizes you’re already walking away from him to join the rest of your friends waiting off to the side.

“Thanks,” he calls out to you and you glance at him over your shoulder, eyes scrunching up and lips turning up in one corner. Shit. How is it that one simple smirk can turn his world upside down and kick his heart into overdrive? It should be illegal to make someone feel so strongly as you make him feel.

If he dies from his hellhound injury right this moment, he wouldn’t regret anything in his life.

Except he would regret a couple of things. He knows over the last few years you’ve been in and out of the camp, following your sister and the rest of your friends on the prophesied quests, but he wishes he had tried to get to know you earlier. Maybe then he’d somehow be connected to your prophecies too, and he didn’t have to worry about you never coming back.

“Relax,” he hears Jason say behind him as he and his siblings wait with him for any signs of you and your friends. “She’s gone through worse trials than this and has made it out alive. She can handle finding her mother’s darn owl.”

“She’s strong,” Cassandra adds with a resolved nod, completely convinced about her words.

“Yeah,” he says breathlessly. “She is.”

“She may have already found the owl,” Dick reassures, clapping him on his shoulder. “She’s probably on her way to Olympus to deliver it and Annabeth said that might take another week.”

Gods, he hopes not.

It’s another day, and Tim wonders if you’re okay. If you’re keeping safe and warm. He knows Frank and Piper wouldn’t let anything happen to you, you three are as thick as thieves, and trust each other with your lives, but he still can’t help it.

He thinks back on that night on the lake, how you just sat side by side in silence, and more often than not, most nights he’d find himself by that lake with you by his side.

The first time you broke the silence, you asked him more about his bo staff, asking how it worked and if he’d regret picking that as his choice of weapon. He told you it was gifted to him, and he trusted his weapon to get him out of messy situations. You just stared at him for a beat longer before nodding in understanding.

That night, after you had both went your separate ways—you to your cabin and him to his, he lay awake as his thoughts run wild.

Those nights, sitting side by side in companionable silence, or in shy conversation as you watch the water sparkle, feels so long ago now.

He grabs a rock, turning it in his hands, weighing it. He gently raises it and is about to flick his wrist to skip it across the water when a soft voice stops him, the rock falling to the ground and rolling away.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” His head slowly turns, as if trying to process that familiar voice—because it can’t be! Annabeth didn’t think you’d come for another week! “Naiads aren’t fond of campers throwing things in their lake.”

He scrambles to his feet and takes in your form—apart from a scratch on your cheek, you seem okay! “You’re home!”

“I’m home,” you repeat, a slow smile making its home on your beautiful face.

Gods! He could just kiss you out of relief!

“I’m sorry I’ve been gone for so long,” you murmur shyly and his eyes widen. “I heard from Annabeth you’ve been waiting for me.”

“No!” he interjects loudly, and the water behind him ripples. Shit. Don’t wake up the naiads, Tim! “No,” he tries again softly, “don’t apologize. I’m just, I’m just glad you’re safe.”

It’s quiet out by the lake, not a single bird to be heard or an occasional giggle from a nymph breaking curfew. It’s like everything is holding its breath, watching, waiting to see what might happen. Or maybe it’s just him.

“Okay,” you bend slowly, turning away from him as your smile turns awkward, strained, “well, I just wanted to let you know I’m back, so—“

His hand reaches for your wrist without thinking and you stare at him, smile falling from your face, but you don’t look scared. Your head only tilts and your eyes sparkle with the reflection of the stars, and he knows you’re only curious.

He’s curious, too. Why did he stop you?

“I—“ he closes his mouth, unsure of what to say exactly. His hand drops to his side and he berated himself. He’s already made a fool of himself, no need to keep doing it.

You sigh gently, facing away from him for a moment before taking a couple of steps to stand right in front of him, the tips of your shoes almost touching his. He has to resist the urge to hold his breath, because wow, you’re even more beautiful up close. “Tim, do you—do you like me?”

“What?” he asks dumbly, having not expected you to ask that of all things.

Heat radiated off your pores, eyes drooping and a sweet flush beginning to appear on your skin. “Sorry, I—wow. I’m an idiot. Um. I’m sorry, forget I asked that—“

Before Tim knows what he’s doing, his hands have somehow made a home on your warm skin, and he watches as your eyes widen, mouth parting in a silent question. He knows he’s being oddly intimate, but he didn’t know what else to do! Probably not this! But you’re not pushing him away so that’s a good sign, right? “I—I do,” he admits. “I do like you. I like you a lot. Since the moment my siblings and I arrived and I saw you training with Annabeth.”

“That was so long ago, Tim,” you say, voice a little breathless and he really hopes he hasn’t creeped you out.

“I—I know, but you looked so cool telling her to stop taking it easy on you.”

“I was annoyed,” you whisper.

“Yeah.” He grins slowly, almost in a haze. “But I thought you looked cool.” Your eyes drop to his hoodie as his hands drop to his side. “I just—I just thought you should know since you were asking and—“

“I like you, too,” you admit shyly, eyes meeting his and he swears he can see himself reflected in your eyes surrounded by stars instead of these dark trees. “Somehow, someway, you’ve worked yourself into my heart, Timothy Drake.”

“Oh, man!” He can’t help but laugh, nerves finally slipping from his tense bones, an unfamiliar heat taking over every piece of him. And he wonders if this is what true happiness feels like? “Can I—“ he clears his throat. “Can I kiss you?”

When you nod bashfully, he presses his lips against yours, relishing on the softness of them as your hands cup the back of his neck, and gods, he could just laugh again because this doesn’t feel real. You don’t feel real, but you are real, and you’re so sweet and soft and he can keep kissing you all night, but it’s a shame you both need to breathe at some point. And so, reluctantly he pulls away, only to press his forehead against yours.

“Have dinner with me tomorrow?” he asks, breath fanning over your lips.

You chuckle and he smiles. “I’ll have dinner with you every night, Tim.”

[yungimmortals]

spoilers | graves & cleo

date: june 21st, 2020

summary: morning after the masquerade. in through the door, clothes on the floor. out the window, there they go!

When sleeping in a clear spot to watch the stars, the sky was also open to the first rays of the sun to wake you up. Which would not be a problem, except that Cleo and Graves had fallen asleep (passed out mid-conversation) a mere hours earlier when Artemis and Apollo had been switching off chariot duty. Cleo’s mouth tasted of stale alcohol, and when she pushed herself up off of Graves’s shoulder, she could feel her hair sticking up in odd directions. She wasn’t insecure about her appearance, but she was pretty sure her eye makeup was either now non-existent or on a place on her face other than her eyes, and that wasn’t the cutest of looks. Despite that, she was happy as she woke up. The bed of a truck wasn’t somewhere you wanted to sleep for more than a few hours, even if there were as many blankets as Graves kept there. As she saw him stir as well, Cleo smiled down at him. “I think... I might still be kind of drunk,” she admitted with a laugh.

Feeling Cleo stir beside him, Graves cracked one eye open, squinting up at the sky. The rosy colors of dawn had started to light up the early morning clouds, giving the world a peachy glow. He turned his head to his shoulder, stifling a yawn and shielding Cleo from his breath which probably smelled worse than a hydra's. With a groan, he pushed himself up and inched back to lean against the side of the truck and stretch his legs. Graves wiggled his fingers at Cleo, a sleepy smile on his face. "I...also think that I am...the same," he mumbled, his voice gravelly.

His hair was sticking up in every possible direction and no amount of trying to flatten it with his hand was helping. Despite his rumpled appearance, he was elated; they'd fallen asleep after a night of drinking and dancing and joking around. Graves was thankful he always left a supply of blankets and pillows in his truck but, as his stomach growled, he wished he'd thought to keep some snacks in the cab as well. "D'you wanna...get some food?" He turned to Cleo with a grin as his stomach growled again, more insistent this time.

Cleo sat up fully, drew her legs up to her chest, and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. She rubbed her eye, not caring enough that her makeup was going to get messed up if it was probably already a lost cause. She giggled at his response and wiggled her fingers back at him. “Drunk or sleepy. Or both.” She wrapped the blanket around herself more, so that only her head was poking out. 

She was tempted to tell him not to bother fixing his hair; that the floppy look was adorable and that she didn’t mind if it wasn’t nice anyway, but she figured that if she brought it up at all, it would just make him embarrassed. That in itself was somewhat compelling, since she’d get to see him red and mumbly, but her attention was brought elsewhere. “Yes,” her response was immediate. She needed a few things, and food was high on the list. “I need to brush my teeth first, I taste like a distillery.”

"Maybe both. Def sleepy though," he cleared his throat and rolled his shoulders back, satisfied when he heard one pop. "Gods, same. I don't remember drinkin' things that tasted this bad but I need to be minty fresh, stat." Slowly, Graves stood and climbed out of the truck, still feeling stiffness in his bones from spending the night outside. He held out his hands to help Cleo climb down. "We can stop at my cabin? I have clothes you can borrow too, so we don't show up at the diner like....this." He laughed, gesturing to his own rumpled shirt, suit jacket still tossed somewhere in the cab of the truck. "How's that sound?"

Cleo stretched as well, tossing her neck from side to side to open everything up. “Drinks hardly taste bad until the next day. We’re lucky it’s because we slept in a truck and not because we’ve thrown up.” She took his hand and hopped down, exhaling a small laugh at his state before she looked down at her own rumpled shirt and slacks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Cam,” she said, clearly amused, squeezing his hand for emphasis. “But I guess if I look that baaad...” She laughed and swung their hands for a moment. “Sure, it sounds comfy. Should I borrow a toothbrush there or scramble home at the same time?”

He squeezed her hand in return, laughing lightly as she swung them. "Not what I meant at all, y'look great, Bancroft. I just thought you might want to add another pair of my sweatpants to your collection." Graves gave her a pointed look, but smiled so it was clear that he didn't mind. "I have extras so we can just make one stop, that cool?"

Cleo laughed and pressed his hand into her cheek, then moved to start pulling him towards the cabins. “Fine, that’s cool, but only because your sweatpants are so comfy, and only only because it’s your birthday.”

As they walked, Graves threw his hand around Cleo's shoulder. "Pretty good birthday, so far." Arriving at the Hermes cabin, he poked his head inside. "Coast is clear, c'mon," he whispered over his shoulder, reaching down to find her hand and give it another squeeze, hoping to lend some much-needed luck before he darted inside.

Cleo felt almost antsy as she followed Graves to the Hermes cabin. Just something about showing up to a place, with a guy she liked, whose sisters hated her, wearing last night's clothes... She was enticed. She held back a laugh when he squeezed her hand, almost holding her breath as she followed him. Once they were safely in his room, she felt safe enough to speak again, though kept her voice at a whisper. "Do you think we'll be the first people in the diner, save the staff? Oh my gods, do you think they'll hate us?" Her stomach growled, and she realized that she didn't care.

Graves closed the door behind Cleo, leaning against the door for a moment with a trademark Hermes kid grin on his face. He nodded, before bursting into action, rifling through his drawers. "We might be but-" He stifled a laugh with the back of his hand as Cleo's stomach growled. "I don't care either. I'll tip real nice, they'll be fine with it." He tossed her a pair of grey sweatpants and pulled open his t-shirt drawer, gesturing between her and the drawer before rummaging around in his closet. Over his shoulder he said, "Pick whatever shirt you want. Hoodie or flannel?"

Cleo didn’t hesitate to start changing her pants once Graves handed her the sweatpants. “Ugh, thank you. I don’t know how I slept in slacks,” she said, as though that was the least comfortable part of sleeping in the back of a truck. She exhaled a small laugh. “Plus, otherwise they’re just waiting around until people come in.” She nodded as she made her way over to his drawer. She pulled out a gaudy shirt that looked like it was about ten years old and held it out to him. “This one right here’s a winner. Love me some hot beer and lousy food.” She grinned. “Ooo, um, hoodie, please.”

To give Cleo some privacy, Graves kept his back to her, beginning to undo the buttons on his dress shirt and tossing it in a heap on his chair before taking off his belt. It joined his rumpled shirt on the desk chair a moment later, along with his pants. He quickly hopped into the pair of sweats he'd grabbed, then fished around in his closet again for a hoodie to give to Cleo. Unsure of her state of undress, he didn't turn around, instead calling out a warning over his shoulder as he tossed her the hoodie. "Incomin'!" Still looking in the closet for something to wear, he heard her comment on the shirt she'd picked and instantly knew which one it was. "Hey! Duffy's is a Myrtle Beach staple. I'll take you sometime, you can judge for yourself."

Cleo knew it was just curtesy, but she found it sweet that Graves didn’t turn around at all. She supposed that she should give him an equal amount of privacy, and stopped herself from running her eyes down his bare back, turning away from him. She squeaked and grabbed the hoodie from the air as it landed on her, and put the shirt back in the drawer, picking out something that looked about as comfy and not nearly as sentimental. “What an offer!” She laughed as she pulled the shirt over her head and took her dress top off under it. “Bringing me to a place with terrible service and food? I’m so in.” She pulled the hoodie on, warm and enveloped in Graves’s scent— the reason why she’d chosen it. She balled her hands up around the sleeves and made a content noise. “Are you feeling sweet or savory?”

"It's a great offer!" Graves laughed loudly, "The service...is slow, but the food is delicious and they make bangin' drinks. Plus, it's walkin' distance from my house and across the street from the ocean. What's not to like about that?" He pulled a flannel out of his closet and tossed it over one shoulder, turning around at her question and walking to his dresser. Rifling through the drawer for a shirt to finish off his outfit, he glanced at Cleo. The sight of her in his sweatshirt made him smile a little crooked grin. "Definitely feelin' sweet, come on Bancroft. You already know I'm getting waffles for breakfast. How 'bout you?"

Cleo listened as Graves described the restaurant, feeling the nostalgia dripping from his words. “It does sound nice,” she agreed. “I guess I’ll tell you what I think when you bring me there.” She glanced back at him when she noticed him move, and moved closer, struck with the sudden urge to wrap her arms around him. She stopped herself, but moved behind him, and pressed her face into the flannel on his shoulder to rest there for a moment. “Oh. How can I pass up waffles? Diners are all about having an excuse to have dessert for breakfast. I can make eggs at home.”

Graves dipped his head to hide the look of excitement on his face. "You've got yourself a deal. Next time I make the trip home, you're my co-pilot." He let his head rest on Cleo's for a second before moving away to pull on the t-shirt he'd grabbed and to slip into his flannel. Patting his pockets, his eyes scanned the room for his wallet, finding it on his desk. "A waffle girl, I knew I liked you," he joked, pocketing his wallet and looking over at Cleo. He quickly rummaged through a drawer; a moment later, he looked triumphant. "Toothbrush?"

Do not press a kiss into his shoulder. Cleo squeezed her eyes shut and repressed the urge. She leaned back when he moved and smiled at him, reaching out to take his wrist with both of hers as he found his wallet. "I know you are not thinking of paying on your birthday, Cameron." She laughed, shaking her head. "I will be taking that toothbrush though, please."

His face quirked into a half-smile as Cleo's hands wrapped around his wrist, gently tugging his hand away from his wallet. Graves pressed his hand to his heart, eyes bright. "I was, only because I had planned on treatin' you. But if you insist," he smiled, letting his hand drop, before remembering that he was holding the toothbrush which he then passed to Cleo. "C'mon, let's get cleaned up and out of here. I'm starvin'."

“Of course I insist, Cam!” Cleo laughed, happy that he didn’t protest. “What kind of friend would I be letting you spend money on your birthday? Not allowed.” She shook her head, the took the toothbrush from him. Reluctantly, she dropped his wrist before poking her head out the door, then crept to the bathroom, walking on tip toes as though that might help her hide from the Hermes girls. She held her brush out for toothpaste once they were ready. “Remember when you brushed your teeth at my place? I’m glad I didn’t have to dislocate my shoulder before this.”

"I'll remember that on your birthday, Bancroft," Graves smiled at her, fluffing his hair up with his hand in an attempt to rid himself of his bedhead. He darted to the bathroom, waiting until Cleo was inside to close the door behind them, grinning at their luck. Less lucky was the sound the toothpaste made as he knocked several things over in the medicine cabinet in an attempt to grab it. "Shit," he whispered loudly, trying not to laugh. Toothpaste on both their brushes, he returned it to the cabinet and raised his eyebrows at Cleo as he started to brush his teeth. "Don't think I could forget that if I tried," he stopped brushing to admit.

Cleo wet her brush and gave him a foamy smile, doing her best not to laugh at the mess he accidentally made. “Gonna have t’shneak out th’window.” She said around the toothbrush, shaking her head at him. She spit, took a bit of extra time on her tongue, and then rinsed her mouth, flashing him a now-clean smile. “Ready for some diner coffee and waffles? I’m picking up the tab, so feel free to get a steak and a smoothie and onion rings too.” She laughed, then covered her mouth when she realized that she probably shouldn’t be making so much noise when she was in the enemy household.

Graves finished brushing his teeth and cupped some water in his hands to splash on his face. "Nothin' I haven't done before," he dried his face with a towel and returned her smile. "Coffee and waffles sounds fuckin' mint. You're already tryin' to spoil me, I won't take advantage." He moved to the window, looking over his shoulder as he popped it open. Cleo's concern with getting caught by his sisters was cute, but right now Graves felt downright invincible. He jutted a thumb at the now-open window, mischief all over his face, voice innocent when he spoke. "You said this was our way out, right?"

As she watched Graves rinse his face, Cleo realized what a good idea that would be, and followed his lead, doing the same after. She wiped her face dry with the sleeves of Graves’s hoodie and smiled at him. “Not taking advantage, just having the perfect birthday brunch.” When he motioned to the window, she laughed once more, and skipped the short way over. “I did. Normally I’d like it if there were some vines and a veranda to climb down, but I guess I won’t complain.”

"Vines?" Graves scoffed, halfway out the window already. "You don't need vines, just step on the ledge where the paint's chipped a little and climb on out, I'll catch ya, swear." He shimmied out the rest of the way and hopped to the ground, beaming up at Cleo, silhouetted inside. He held out a hand, "Do you trust me?"

Cleo pressed the sleeve into her mouth as she smiled. “Where we’re going, we don’t need vines,” she mimicked Graves in a low voice, amused and comfortable and charmed. She followed him out the window, took his hand, and looked him in the eye as she hopped down. “I do,” she admitted plainly. “Is that a bad idea?”

Graves met Cleo's gaze as she gracefully landed next to him in the grass. Sunlight caught on a curl of her hair, his eyes flickered to it. Don't tuck her hair behind her ear. He repressed the urge, looking back at her as his lips quirked up in a crooked smile. "Maybe, but don't you want to find out?"

Cleo repositioned their hands so that their fingers were interlaced, and she returned his smile back to him. "You're right. I hate spoilers."

[polygamyff]

38. Part 4

There is another reason why I didn’t want to sleep here, Robyn’ bed is not exactly big, I mean luckily for me I’m skinny but it’s not the biggest bed I’ve been in, it does mean I’m closer to Robyn but I can hear her whimpering in her sleep and it’s really upsetting me, now I can’t sleep. I can’t exactly move either, she is holding onto my arm. I’ve never heard Robyn whimper in her sleep before so this is new to me but also it’s just not what I want, she’s really hurt by him this time. I just don’t know what to do, keeping it from her just causes whole lot of shit for Terry but then telling her, she will be devastated and rightly so, her whole life has been a lie in regards to her father. This whole situation could have been avoided if he just stopped being selfish, just love her. I did honestly think I would have had a problem with my dad, I thought he would have never forgiven me for it, I thought he would have done a lot of things but he didn’t, he has been there for me and Robyn, it was nice to hear that he called her off of his own back. I think he did assume that Robyn was going to come after me for the money, which was not a thing, she didn’t care for it, I mean even I tested that out myself by not telling her the truth. I’m just very much nervous about this whole thing, I do hope it’s Thomas that says it seeing as he wants to be a bitch ass in this situation.

I faked my yawn as I stretched out, I felt Robyn starting to wake up and move around so I had to make out like I slept when I didn’t “are you awake?” Robyn said, it’s still dark outside so it’s like way early in the morning and she is awake “yeah I am, what’s up?” Feeling Robyn’ hand placed on my chest, the side of her face pressed against my chest “I’m just not sleeping well” opening my eyes slowly “same, I can’t sleep because you’re upset, it’s hurting me” placing my hand atop of hers “did I wake you?” Pulling her hand up, pressing a kiss to the tip of her fingers “no, you didn’t. Just can’t rest, I was thinking. I can’t wait to see you on the wedding day, how beautiful you will look” looking down at her, that made her smile “I can’t wait to see you without this beard, I just feel a little deflated. I just don’t feel like my life is supposed to be like this? I just don’t get it, I always said to you I wanted my daughter to have what I had, I was a daddy’s girl, he loved me and then he just done this to me, I don’t get it” now she is crying again “I am sorry, some people can’t be helped” I wish I could beat his ass again, my poor baby is crying again “sorry” Robyn got up “I am wetting your chest, I will be back” grabbing her arm “Bonita” I said, Robyn looked at me. It was a weird feeling to see, she dead ass looks like her real dad, she has his features “yes?” Robyn said breaking my train of thoughts “I love you, I don’t want you upset” reaching over and wiping her tear “I love you too” Robyn smiled at me but she is teary eyed “you are my pootie, let me go toilet” I don’t want her to go, I know what she is going to do, she is going to cry her eyes out.

Robyn just makes me so sad; I don’t like her being in this way at all. Robyn is crying in the toilet; she hasn’t come out “what is she like little momma” Reign in the morning makes me smile, her hair is all over and she is so cute and cuddly, she looks so lost too “morning queen” pressing a kiss to her cheek “Robyn, I will be in the bedroom” I said as I made my way to the bedroom, Reign rested her head against my shoulder “aww Mir Amor, you want snuggles” rubbing her back lightly, kicking the door shut and walking around the bed, moving my hand away from her back and she lifted her head up “what is it?” my little angel just staring at me “you want daddy to rub your back? OK, you lay back then” rubbing her back again and she laid her head back down “my little snuggle monster” slowly sitting down on the bed and shuffling back, moving my hand away from Reign and then pushing myself back using my hand. Reign is really out here demanding back rubs, she is lifting her head up again “yes ma’am?” staring back at her, I don’t know who she is staring at like this. She placed her head back on my shoulder, she is a damn diva with these back rubs “come on now” moving Reign from off of my shoulder and placing her on the bed, grabbing the pillows at the side of me which is Robyn’ pillows but placed them behind Reign “let’s prop you up so you can see daddy face” Reign grinned at me “daddy hand hurt baby, I can’t keep on rubbing your back. Your daddy is broken, I am slowly breaking” I chuckled, touching her hand. My hand is looking very sore, pushing back Reign’ hair after “you can look at daddy” I need to check on some emails and messages, I have a lot of updates to look at.

Deleting the email and going onto the next email “you see this Reign, so I got an email from Nike. So listen to this Reign, leave boo thang alone” taking the bear from her “it says, Hi Mr Davenport, it’s John Donahoe, we met at the fashion show. I would like to use your New York hotel for a meeting for my partners, we will be inviting Lebron James, as we are developing the new set of sneakers and clothing line. I want to also fulfil a deal we both spoke on which was opening an exclusive Nike store in your Dubai hotel, alongside the likes of Gucci. Looking forward to hearing from you, John” looking at Reign “now I remember I met him, he thought he was special, I asked him Reign about opening a store in my Dubai hotel. He thought I was funny, but he didn’t see my idea, my plan, my vision. Reign, the hotel has it’s own island, with it’s own mall in there, I have the likes of Burberry, Gucci, Hermes there. Now he wants to come to me, laughable. See with business, they all fake, they all come back” Reign lifted her arms up to me “sure, but Reign. I will teach you the ways” picking her up and placing Reign on my lap “so I will leave this on read, I don’t care who he is” the bedroom door opened “I am back” side eyeing Robyn “all that time?” I said, “I went downstairs” letting on oh “then who the hell was I talking too in the bathroom?” shaking my head “yourself maybe, I just went to have some water. She is awake, Maurice she adores you so much. I get jealous” Robyn climbed on the bed “baby she loves you too” Robyn sat next to me on the bed.

Robyn is feeding Reign upstairs so I came down, I am hungry too “morning friend” Leon said “hey, you stayed the night?” he got up from the couch “yeah, I couldn’t sleep, the same with mom. She’s just been here worrying” walking over to the dining table “you look terrible, I mean so do I” pulling the chair back “I contacted Thomas, he said to me that it’s your daughter. I want out” Terry shook her head “I have no tears for that man, but he is right. She is my daughter; she is my blood, so this is my issue. It’s over for Thomas and I, we spoke and I said it’s over, I ended it and he said things but I don’t care. Now I have stayed awake all night thinking, and I did this” Terry paused “I want my daughter to have the best start to life, to a marriage. Why enter a new lease of life with this burden that I did, I wanted to protect her, I wanted my daughter to have a dad, I wanted her to have love and he did do that. Just he slipped away, he thought he was losing Robyn and there was no bond there. He hated me for it but it’s not true, he has broken her heart already. Maurice you got to promise me you will never break her heart, when you make her a Davenport that will give Robyn a purpose, a difference, a change she needs when she finds out. I want her to be a Davenport as quickly as possible, because Willis is something she won’t be. Please don’t ever hurt her, I love that girl so much so I need you to promise me” nodding my head “I got so much respect for you Terry, you know that” she is getting me teary eyed “I want to tell her, the truth. Because she will enter married life not knowing why, it’s killing her more being this way, it’s horrible and I hate Thomas for this” taking in a deep breath “we got this Maurice” Leon grabbed my arm “how is she supposed to move on from it, tell me this?” I said, I am just so sad “she will, for you. She has you Maurice, and she will move on with you” Terry really believes in me but I don’t believe in me “why can’t we just wait for after the wedding, I have to sleep in the bed with Robyn when she is whimpering in her sleep, it’s wrong. But then I also don’t want her to enter married life with this issue” looking at Leon “what you think?” I asked him “you’re her best friend, you have known her longer than I have” he has to help me out here “I think” Leon drifted off “I think my friend deserves to know, she needs to know this is not her fault because she will be thinking she did something wrong when she has done nothing wrong. Terry is right, she needs to know, she needs to know that she has done nothing wrong and she does have you. The sooner she is your wife, the better so she has nothing to do with him” I guess I am outnumbered with it “fine” I mumbled, what more can I say.

I am put off my food now, I don’t want breakfast anymore. My phone started ringing in my hand, it’s my dad so I will pick up. Answering the call “dad” I said down the phone, we are all waiting for Robyn to come down, but she isn’t at all, I wish she would “where are you? I rang the hotel, you’re not there son?” I stifled out a yawn, I never said it to him “I am in Cali, I told you about me wanting to get married to Robyn on her birthday, so she came here to tell the family so yeah. That is what is happening, when are you coming back? How is Tokyo? Mom said she hates the food there” rubbing the top of my head “have you ate Maurice?” looking at Robyn, she is here “your mom doesn’t like how they make the food here but she is well, losing weight” I can hear my mom shouting in the background which made me laugh “yes you did say it, you wanted to do it at the home in Texas, well if that is what you want then by all means use the home. We will be back in time for it, of course but you need to have family there Maurice, private includes my brothers ok” rolling my eyes “sure, but Robyn and I don’t want anything to eat. Just sit down here for me. Dad I know, I get what you mean but I don’t want them there, but I don’t have a say in that, just sort me out with the home. Sort the ball room out for me. And tell mom to use her useful skills for a party. Also, can you tell Ally, email John back tell him I don’t need his Nike store in my hotel but he can use my hotel for the meeting, also tell Ally I approve of the time off, and one more thing. I am happy with what you sent. I need to go now, thank you” my dad went out of his way to do this for me “noted, see you soon son” disconnecting the call “sorting things out” I said to Robyn “I can tell, what do you want? I literally came down to feed you” licking my top lip “and I appreciate it, uhm I think your mom wants to speak to you” I don’t know what else to say “I was thinking why everyone was sat around the table, is this like a pre-wedding meeting” Robyn said, rubbing my face not really wanting this to happen but it is out of my hands “Robyn, there is something I really need to tell you, it’s something that has always been a burden to me but I thought things would have been different for us” Robyn’ face look very nervous now, she knows it’s serious.

Terry has her pictures ready “am I in trouble? Mom you did this to me when you assumed I was whoring myself, when I was not doing anything” Leon snorted laughing “you remember when your mom placed the pregnancy test on the table and it was Tiffany’ oh my god, your mom was so angry. Chile. She ain’t shit, like she got us all in trouble and you got the blame for it. Terry was like Robyn you need to be a surgeon, you can’t be pregnant” Leon laughed “you kids are terrible but please, it’s serious now” squinting my eyes at Robyn “you whore yourself out?” I said, Robyn scoffed “be quiet I didn’t, it was Tiffany. I was choosy who I did that with” we are going off course now “sure” I mumbled “your mom wants to speak to you” I said to her “and I am listening Maurice” Robyn retorted back to me “thank you Maurice, Robyn what has happened with Thomas is not your fault and never has been. You have been dragged into the mess and it’s my fault I would say, I wanted you to have the best. I wanted you to have the love and Robbie, you did. You are so loved but the things that happened with Thomas, it’s not your fault at all” Terry looked down at the table and took in a deep breath “mom, are you crying? It’s ok, I don’t blame you either. He is lost in his own mind” Robyn said “just listen to me Robyn, just please don’t speak for me. I just want you to listen. I want you to know that none of this was your fault, everything that happened was our fault, ok?” Terry’ voice broke, I don’t know how I would have reacted if my dad said he wasn’t my dad, this is going to break hearts, this broke my heart to hear but it depends which side of the story she starts with “when I gave birth to you, it was the best moment of my life Robyn. But then I also lost a piece of me when I gave birth to you, I lost my womb so that is why I could never have another child, this is why I never ever gave you another sibling like you asked, it was the most traumatic thing to happen to me but Thomas was there for us, and I had you at the end of it. Best moment of my life baby is you. I am not regretful of what happened to me, I got you. You have been the best daughter to me but that did strain Thomas and I, now what I am going to tell you Robyn. It’s hard, I have kept this away because it’s something we agreed on, we moved on and as a family that was it, but he let me down. He let us down and I have no choice because I don’t want you to blame yourself because it is not your fault, it had never been your fault in this” I don’t want to look at Robyn but I just looked to the side of me at Leon, he put his head down “mom you’re literally scaring me, what is it? I’m adopted?” She laughed nervously “I mean that is bullshit, I look like you” Robyn said.

I think Terry is finding it hard to say it “before Thomas Robyn, I was with another man. I met him and we fell quick, we was inseparable” every time Terry talks about him, she smiles and I feel for her because she lost out because of dumb shit “for those four months, and I counted the months, the weeks, the days with him, the hour until I saw him because we was close but we argued. That one night, and I say it to you Robyn, do not argue with the man you love and you’re always getting annoyed with me but we argued Robyn, I went to sleep angry. Woke up to find out he died in a shooting” Terry sighed out “Cali gangs, he wanted to make easy money. And erm” my eyes slowly diverted to Robyn “no” Robyn said as her voice broke “I never got to tell him I was pregnant, with you. I never told him but I kept you” Robyn shook her head “no, mom. Don’t say that” Robyn shakily placed her hand over her mouth “Robbie I am sorry” Robyn pushed her chair back, she looked at me “no” she heaved out “Robyn” getting up from the chair “no!” she shouted “you all knew, you all knew! How could you” she got up from the chair walking off, she held the wall. Utter silence in the room and then her cry left her lips, before Robyn fell to the ground I wrapped my arms around her and held her against me as she cried out, she is in pain and it’s hurting my heart too.

[thewriterwithnoplan]

Half Way (Part 3)

Summary: She knows who she is, but they don’t. To them, she’s the runner, the lone wolf who somehow, against every odd survived. They don’t know the half of it. Y/N L/N isn’t like them, she doesn’t belong at Camp Half-Blood but then again she’s about to discover exactly what belonging means. Pairing: (Eventual) Leo Valdez x Reader Word Count: 1717 Warnings: None.

"How was dinner with the Hermes cabin?" Will asked plopping down beside Y/N at the campfire.

The blonde boy had introduced her to the Stoll brothers, saying that since she hadn't been claimed by any of the gods she would have to stay in Cabin 11. The Hermes kids had been welcoming enough, if not a little put out that they'd have to take yet another undetermined camper. However, Travis Stoll had explained that things had gotten less crowded after they'd build several new cabins for the minor gods. Y/N would believe the 'less crowded' part when she saw it, there were more kids at the Hermes table than any other.

But perhaps it was the fact that there were so many kind faces that Y/N found herself saying, "It was nice, it felt like home."

"Ah, well don't get too comfortable," Will warned. "You're what, fifteen? Demigods are supposed to be claimed when they turn twelve, it's only a matter of time for you."

Y/N shifted in her seat but nodded none the less. If only he knew. However, neither had time to dwell on those thoughts as more and more campers began sitting before the roaring hearth. Huge banners embroidered with different godly symbols were set among rowdy groups of siblings. Most were seated with their cabin mates or beside their significant other, but some had deigned to mingle with friends.

It was an odd sight seeing hardened warriors with scared bodies and permanent frowns. Where Y/N was from there had only ever been one group of warriors and even they were always smiling. But for all their faults the Half-blood Campers were - if not a smiling bunch - nice enough. They sat together around that roaring fire of flickering colours like a group of old friends. She supposed they probably were just that.

A centaur stepped forward a speared marshmallow held toward the fire. Will had introduced her to the half-white-stallion man. Chiron, the activities director if memory served. Apparently a highly respected figure too, she observed several of the campers smiling and waving.

"Ah, good evening children," He smiled kindly at those around him. "Firstly, a special welcome to our new arrival. I expect you'll all make her feel very welcome. Second, it is my pleasure to announce that as of next Sunday, Capture the Flag will resume its bi-weekly schedule."

The teenagers gathered around a blood-red flag of a boar, cheered loudly and began shoving one another jovially. Chiron rolled his eyes good-naturedly and cantered off with a small farewell. The laughter and joking continued for a few more moments before a group of instrument wielding kids stepped forward, immediately silencing them.

To say that Y/N had never heard something like it, would be a lie. In fact, she herself had composed music both on her own and in large groups like this. But there was something else that weaved among the notes, a sort of brutal sorrow that only came from warriors trained together since birth.

She'd once met a pair of twins who played like that, she hadn't known their names or where they went but she kept their music in her heart. It was that young boy and girl that she heard as she listened to the ballad. Y/N half expected to spy them among the crowd but alas, she knew that she'd never hear their songs again.

Y/N had been so wrapped up in her own world that she didn't realise that the music had stopped until a hand was offered in front of her face. She followed the arm up to a smiling Will. Apparently, her face betrayed her confusion because a soft chuckle escaped the boy before he held out that hand again. Very much aware that the whole camp was now eyeing her, Y/N slid her hand into Will's.

"Sing a song for us?" He waved for one of the kids to offer her a guitar.

She'd told Will earlier that morning that she could play, she severely wished she hadn't now. But taking a look around the gathered campers Y/N knew there was no way out, so after a half-assed attempt to talk Will out of it, she had the instrument in hand. If it wasn't bad enough that Will had forced her into this position he - and the other children - all sat. Leaving Y/N as the only one standing. Gods, this was embarrassing.

The girl scrambled feebly for a song, any song. She swept her gaze across the expectant campers and then up to the skies. Finally, the girl gave a small sigh out of her nose and began strumming out a soft tune.

"This one," she pinned her gaze on the large banner depicting a staff entertained with two snakes. Hermes' caduceus. "Is for all the lost children, those without a place in the world and those stuck between two."

Weep for yourself, my man, You'll never be what is in your heart, Weep little lion man, You're not as brave as you were at the start, Rate yourself and rake yourself, Take all the courage you have left, Wasted on fixing all the problems that you made in your own head.

But it was not your fault but mine, And it was your heart on the line, I really fucked it up this time, Didn't I, my dear? Didn't I, my dear?

Tremble for yourself, my man, You know that you have seen this all before, Tremble little lion man, You'll never settle any of your scores, Your grace is wasted in your face, Your boldness stands alone among the wreck, Now learn from your mother or else spend your days biting your own neck.

But it was not your fault but mine, And it was your heart on the line, I really fucked it up this time, Didn't I, my dear?

But it was not your fault but mine, And it was your heart on the line, I really fucked it up this time, Didn't I, my dear? Didn't I, my dear?

But it was not your fault but mine, And it was your heart on the line, I really fucked it up this time, Didn't I, my dear?

But it was not your fault but mine, And it was your heart on the line, I really fucked it up this time, Didn't I, my dear? Didn't I, my dear?

Y/N took a shuddering breath and lowered the guitar but didn't dare open her eyes. She wasn't sure if the silence was awe or if she'd made them in comfortable. Probably the latter, though she dearly hoped that at least some of them had enjoyed the song. She loved it, in fact, it had been the first thing she'd learnt to play.

But then a familiar voice had her eyes flying open, "Hello Sweetheart."

Someone in the crowd uttered a plea for mercy. One by one the warriors around her fell to their knees and bowed so deeply their foreheads touched the earth. The god before Y/N chuckled and waved for them to rise. He seemed oddly amused with the display of utter respect, especially from a camp of his nieces, nephews, children, cousins and in some cases siblings.

Chiron trotted forward nervously and lowered himself to his front knees, "My Lord Apollo, I-"

"No need for those shenanigans," A brilliant smile of stark white teeth stretched across his face. "I'm only here for a small chat with my daughter."

Those instrument wielding children stepped forward again, nervous and sometimes reluctant expressions etched onto each. But the white garbed god waved them off and motioned Y/N to step forward. She did so cautiously, a look of reproach passing over her face but she made quick work of masking it.

"Father," She curtsied deeply, "I do hope you bring good tidings."

"Ah, well." Apollo clicked his tongue. "That depends on your version of good. I am here to first, claim you as my child. But most importantly to talk to your Oracle, Rachel?"

A redhead ran forward on silent feet. Rachel, who Y/N recognised as one of the Dare family, bowed deeply and began speaking in a whisper too quiet for Y/N to hear. Y/N took the moment to examine the stunned campers around her. Apparently, gods descending from Olympus to claim their children and have a casual chat wasn't a common occurrence. Which was odd considering... No, this place was different.

Apollo once again drew his daughter's attention from her thoughts as he straightened with a grin. The god cleared his throat, a glint in his eye that Y/N knew would result in a terrible Haiku. She knew thanks to years of listening to terrible mortal poets. Y/N caught the sun gods eye and sent him a scolding glare as if to say; What are you really doing here?

"Erm, yes." He caught himself and addressed the entire camp. "My daughter, Y/N, shall have her own quest. I have foreseen it and the Oracle shall foretell of it when Y/N is ready to accept it. Until next time I suppose."

Y/N sat down as the god turned to leave. That was a mess. Why couldn't Apollo have simply produced one of the little holographic suns his other children got? Scratch that, she knew exactly why. It was because she was born different, to this ridiculous destiny and this dumb quest and her stupid responsibility. But apparently, the fates hadn't finished humiliating her because Apollo turned back to his newly claimed daughter and gave her the dad look.

"And remember the rules Y/N," She knew exactly what the almighty god meant but she knew he wouldn't leave until she recited them. So she murmured them quietly in defeat, fiddling with the guitar strings, a brilliant pink blush gracing her cheeks. Apollo merely chuckled, "What was that sweetheart?"

"No going into the Hephaestus forges," Y/N huffed and only then did the sun god disappear with a smirk.

Chiron dared stand and gave a forced laugh, "Well children, I think that's enough excitement for one night. Off to bed!"

Yeah, that's about when all hell broke loose.

[hannahmcne]

Your Last Name - PJO Oneshot

The low bellow of a conch shell sounded around the camp. Campers dropped what they were doing – climbing, fighting, reading, and sleeping - to head toward the dinner tables. The fire was already glowing bright and orange against the still-blue sky. There were no clouds, and the smell of campfire plus strawberries was giving the campers a feeling of drunken excitement.

Jason Grace was hammering on the door to the Poseidon Cabin. "Percy!" He yelled. "Per-cy! Percy! Percy come out here right now!"

The door swung open as Jason tried to knock once more. "Oh, my goodness!" The tall black-haired man exclaimed. "I heard the shell, Jason. I'm coming." Percy closed the cabin doors behind him with an eye-roll. "You get your patience from your dad, I swear."

"C'mon bro. We're going to be late." Jason complained as he began to walk ahead of Percy.

"Please just shut up." Percy rolled his eyes. "Do you know where Leo is?"

Jason shook his head. "Maybe in Bunker 6? Why?"

"You'll see," Percy said. Jason examined his friend. Percy looked a little pale.

"Bro are you okay?" Jason asked.

"Yeah, bro," Percy confirmed. "Race you there?" He took off with Jason hot at his heels.

When they arrived at the campfire, they spotted Leo Valdez standing outside of the fire. Percy made a beeline to their old companion on the Argo 2. "Leo," Percy asked, sounding out of breath from his sprint. "Did you bring it?"

"Yeah, man." Leo rolled his eyes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bronze camera. "Already tested and everything."

Percy let out a deep breath. Jason's eyes flickered back and forth between Jason and Percy. Percy was even paler now. "You sure you're okay?" Jason asked.

"Yeah." Percy glanced behind them at the Athena cabin, where his long-time girlfriend, Annabeth Chase, was sitting with her Athena siblings. Jason followed his gaze.

"I'm going to ask Annabeth to marry me tonight," Percy whispered.

"What!" Leo yelped. Percy quickly spun and clapped a hand on Leo's mouth as a few curious campers glanced their way.

"Sh!" Percy commanded.

"This thing doesn't even have a 3D record or anything!" Leo protested. "Let me run back to the bunker and see if I can find something – anything better than this!"

"No, it's fine," Percy assured him. "Just please get at least one recording for me, please? Also, wish me luck. I didn't ask the Athena cabin because I didn't want Annabeth to be suspicious."

Jason exhaled. "Oh man." He sighed in sympathy. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Percy replied. "I'll need it." He took a deep breath and stilled his shaking hands. "I'd rather face the minotaur again than this." He muttered. Jason chuckled.

They sat down around the campfire, and after the customary sacrifice, began to eat. Halfway through dinner, Percy scraped his plate clean and stood up. Jason saw Leo silently ready his camera as his cabin mates at Hephaestus gave him wary looks, probably wondering what massive prank was about to happen.

Percy sat back down on top of his still-empty table beside his empty plate. A couple kids looked at him weird, and Chiron frowned at his actions and began to move.

"Hey, Annabeth!" Percy yelled. Jason winced at his volume. If he had to assume, he'd guess that Percy hadn't meant to yell at the volume of a scream." Annabeth jumped mid-sentence and turned around.

"Yes, seaweed brain?" She asked. Her eyes were stormy. Jason could tell she didn't like her boyfriend interrupting her conversation like that.

Percy took a deep breath. "I don't like your name." He told her simply. How he managed to say that so nonchalantly was beyond Jason's comprehension. The camp members that hadn't dropped their conversation during Percy's yell were now silent. Chiron had stopped moving toward Percy. He looked surprised. Mr. D watched lazily as Annabeth and her cabinmates glared at Percy.

Annabeth looked thoroughly offended. "What's wrong with my name?" She asked. Her eyes had turned a dangerous, stormy grey. Jason glanced worriedly at Percy and hoped he knew what he was doing.

"I don't like it. It just doesn't suit you." Percy said, shrugging and clapping his hands together.

"Suit me?" Annabeth stood up. "How?" She spat as she crossed her arms.

"It doesn't sound right. I've never liked your name. Lately, it's just been getting more and more annoying. You should change it." Percy said.

"Change my name!" Annabeth yelled. "To what? What would I change it to? Betty? Belle?"

"Oh no, not your first name. That's my favorite sound in the world." Percy corrected her.

Many of the campers had an immediate wave of genius run over them. They stared at Percy as they realized what was about to go down.

Annabeth was too angry to think about it though. "Well, tough luck, Seaweed brain. I like my name. I'm not changing it."

"I thought of a solution," Percy said.

"Solution?" Annabeth thundered.

"Yeah. You can change your last name. Then we'll both be happy?" Percy smiled.

"Happy!" Annabeth grabbed the ends of her hair and scowled. "What could I change my last name to that would possibly make me happier than I am now, Percy?"

Percy quickly jumped off the table and pressed a glint of silver into her hand. He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek as she fumbled with the object he'd handed her, and immediately began to walk away from the circle. Annabeth got a good hold on Percy's gift and held it up to reveal a silver ring with a blue diamond and green offsets. A paper tag around the band depicted a bright red apple. Her mouth dropped open into the picture of perfect shock. One of the Aphrodite girls clapped their hands over her mouth, and kids in the Hermes Cabin began to pass money around for bets.

Percy smirked. "I was actually thinking of Jackson." He told her.

Annabeth stared after Percy as he walked away with his hands shoved deep into his pockets. All the anger radiating from the Athena cabin had vaporized. Annabeth gaped like a fish. "Did you – did you just propose to me!" She demanded.

Percy continued walking away from the fire, in the direction of the lake. He glanced over his shoulder, just enough for the campers to catch a glimpse of a wide smile.

"Are you smirking at me?" Annabeth called after him.

Percy began to walk faster.

"Hey!" Annabeth shouted. Percy slowly began to break into a run. "Don't you dare walk away from me. Don't you dare run away. Don't you dare go hide at the bottom of the lake – Hey!" Annabeth fumbled the ring once and shoved it onto her finger. Then she balled her fists and raced after her boyfriend. "Hey!" she yelled. "Hey! Come back here now. Yes! Okay, yes!"

Jason leaned into Leo's eye span. He gave the camera a huge grin and a thumbs-up as Leo fumbled to end the recording. Jason stood up, walked over to Leo, and swung an arm around his neck. "And that, good sir, is the beginning of a millennium." He laughed, and Chiron trotted forward.

"A toast!" He proclaimed, holding his glass to the sky, which was turning a bright red color. "To a millennium."

The campers raised their glasses as Percy and Annabeth laughed together in the distance.

[honeyjotunheim-blog]

always. (bucky barnes)

summary: my rendition of hades and persephone’s love story - and not just the abduction and the pomegranate seeds. (hades and persephone AU)

pairing: fem!reader x bucky barnes

warning/s: maybe a swear word somewhere we’ll see

a/n: hello it’s bernie!!!! congrats to my dear @sincerelymlg for passing her exams and for having the ability to be excited about the season of summer (i wish i could be the same, but summer’s just......not it sis) i’m sorry that this is like 500 years late tumblr mobile won’t let me edit this and post so yes again i’m sorry!!

“I’m sorry that I have to take you down here.”

You looked around, astonished at how cold his kingdom felt. You expected the Underworld to be dark and scorching with heat. But it’s always nighttime in his realm, where the moon shone over his kingdom, a calming sight after death. 

And you doubted that he would want his three-headed guard dog to endure the heat outside the gates. Despite his dark and intimidating get-up, you knew he wasn’t that cruel.

“My father gave you the blessing to marry me. I am in no place to complain about that,” you replied. 

Hades turned around, and you began staring at him, taking his appearance in. He had the same striking blue eyes like your father. 

Nobody in Greece ever said that he, your father Zeus, and your uncle Poseidon looked alike. Hades had long black hair, the split ends just hanging just below his chin. He had a sharp jawline and a permanent scowl on his face. Your father Zeus had grey hair and a grey beard with a mouth that never seemed to turn into a frown, while your uncle Poseidon had long blonde hair with a long blonde beard to match and a lot of tribal tattoos on his body. 

But what made the three of them their father’s sons were that they inherited their father’s eyes, which have been said were blue. 

Hades, in turn, stared at you. He was aware that, of course, you were Demeter’s daughter. It wasn’t much of a surprise that you looked as beautiful as she was, a single pale rose in a bush full of prickly thorns. It also wasn’t much of a surprise when she gave you the same powers as she was born with. 

So in each step you took, a patch of fresh green grass grew out of the barren ground. His kingdom was too dead to let anything live. Too dark for anything in the mortal realm to flourish in. Hades was greatly impressed at how your immense power could come pouring out in any kind of crevice of the earth you could be in. But you were too busy staring at him to notice that you’ve done the seemingly impossible.

“Hold on, dear Persephone,” he told you. You stopped walking, looking at Hades cautiously with wide eyes. His frown turned into an amused smile, a smile rarer than any kind of jewel. He chuckled to himself.

“This place is as dead as the people Thanatos brings to me,” he said. “How in the world did you manage to do that?” 

You looked down at your feet and saw a flower bush slowly sprouting out of the ground. The flowers turned from white roses to bright red peonies as it continued growing. You stared, astonished at what you just did.

“I - I don’t know.” you breathed in, feeling your face heat up in embarrassment. 

Hades chuckled again. “It doesn’t matter, love. I like it.” he said. He held out his hand for you to take. You hesitantly held it and you both resumed walking.

Hades has noticed that you’ve been quiet ever since you started staying in his kingdom. 

You stayed in the drawing room most days, staring out the window even though there isn’t much to look at. Sometimes you’d walk around the halls looking for something to do. You weren’t allowed out of the Underworld due to security reasons, and you understood that. But Hades could see that you were bored out of your mind just staying in his kingdom with nothing to do.

What’s there better to do in the Underworld? Hades doesn’t do a lot than just work and mope before you came. Now he’s just realizing how much of a bad host he was being. 

So he tried to stay by your side and keep you company. He tried to strike up conversations and keep you entertained. But he could still sense that you were lonely, even with him right beside you.

Now you were back in the drawing room just after eating breakfast with him in his grand dining room, sitting in front of a window and staring at Underworld’s permanent night sky. You had a cup of tea in your hands but Hades doubted you took even half a sip of it. It was probably going cold now. 

“Persephone?” He approached you, putting a hand on your shoulder. You didn’t respond, but you thankfully didn’t shake off his hand on you. “I’m worried that you might not be enjoying your stay here,” he said. 

You still didn’t respond. 

Hades hesitated, but he pulled another chair next to you. As he sat down, he nearly jumped out of his skin when you rested your head against his shoulder. 

“Persephone?” he asked, face and ears heating up. 

“Just stay with me,” you whispered. 

Hades was debating if what you just said had a double meaning, but he obeyed. He stayed with you in that drawing room, your head on his shoulder, watching the stars twinkle for the two of you.

“Am I allowed to call you my husband now or do I have to wait after the wedding ceremony to formally call you my husband?”

Hades choked on his tea at your question. That was the last thing he expected you to say. You literally could’ve said anything else and he would’ve been fine, but this? He wasn’t ready. 

You immediately reached over to him in concern. “Are you okay?” you frantically asked him, hand holding his shoulder. “Yes, I’m - I’m perfect,” Hades grunted, his face heating up in embarrassment. He summoned a handkerchief out of thin air and hastily dabbed at the tea stains of his dark suit. 

“Was it...was it something that I said?” you asked shyly. 

“No, petal,” he quickly assured you. He put the handkerchief away and turned to you with a red face and red ears. He hesitated over what he should say to you. “I was just - just caught off guard at your question.” He chuckled to himself.

You both stayed at a high balcony of Hades’s castle that overlooked the entirety of the Underworld. The moon was full and the stars were somehow brighter than the ones in the mortal realm. You sat alongside each other; you busying yourself with making plants grow out of nowhere and Hades enjoying a cup of tea.

Over the course of the past few months, you both learned to enjoy each other’s company. Hades, who had been alone for most of his days in the Underworld and usually liked his conversations short and direct to the point, learned to listen to what you have to say. 

He loved to hear you talk about your joys, your fears, your frustrations, your ideas, anything that was on your mind. It could be from laughing at a weird-looking flower that you found this one time to telling him how frustrated you felt whenever you argued with your mother. It could also be from wondering if there was an afterlife for gods to wondering if bugs could be turned into full humans.  

He was just extremely glad that you were opening up to him.

And you, who was used to be around loud, talkative, lively gods like Hermes and your mother, learned to appreciate Hades’s silence. He’s made an effort to stay by your side and listen to you ramble on and on about the things you never got the chance to say. 

He never judged you for those (sometimes) nasty things that you say. He encouraged you to keep finding joy in every little thing you find, he sympathized with you on your frustrations and your fears, he listened to your ideas (even the weird ones). 

You were more than happy to have met someone as understanding as him.

“Well,” you trailed off, clearing your throat awkwardly, “am I? Allowed to call you my...husband?”

Hades took a moment to answer you. He debated whether or not he should start getting cocky and just straight out demand you to call him that, or just giving you a proper answer. 

“Well, that depends on - on you, petal.” Hades stuttered, clearing his throat as well. “If - if you’d like to call me your husband now, I - I - I wouldn’t m - mind. I - if you’d like to call me your husband after the wedding ceremony, I - I still wouldn’t mind!”

Gods, he was a mess. He has never felt this flustered in his life before. Your question was driving him insane. He didn’t want to offend you in any way, so he just hoped you weren’t too worked up about his answer. 

But when he turned to you and you had on that oh so sweet smile you gave him countless times already, his nerves began to settle down a little. What was he so worried about? You weren’t a stranger to weird replies, as you weren’t a stranger to weird stories and ideas. But he still can’t help that maybe you’re weirded out by him already.

“Hmm,” you began, rubbing your chin. “I guess I’ll start calling you my husband now, then.”

Hades could feel his heart rising up to his throat. He could actually feel tears starting to brim at his eyes. He didn’t think he’d be this happy about hearing your response. He didn’t think he’d be able to hear you refer to him as your husband. 

Hades tries not to think about having to finally call you his wife.

“O - okay, whatever you like, petal.” he choked out. He cleared his throat again and adjusted the collar of his shirt, trying to keep his tears at bay. 

Calm down, Hades! he screamed at himself in his head. 

“Only if you start calling me your wife.” you teased.

Hades felt his soul leave his body.

It was your wedding day.

Throughout the day of getting ready, Hades was a giant bundle of nerves. No matter how many times his brothers tried to calm him down, he was still shaking in his suit. It didn’t fully register to him the night before the wedding that he was about to get married until he woke up in a cold sweat sometime during the night.

Standing opposite each other, you were wearing the most gorgeous wedding dress he’s ever seen. Hades couldn’t help but cry a little. He even had to hold in a sob as you both exchanged vows to one another. You cracked a smile at him to calm him down. 

“You’re okay,” you whispered to him as he took a deep breath in. “you’re going to be okay.” you reassured. Hades nodded furiously, starting to believe your soothing words himself.

The wedding ceremony was quicker than Hades expected. You and Hades sat in his dark chariot parading around his kingdom, as tradition. The other Olympians threw flower petals at the both of you while cheering the both of you on, wishing you both a successful and abundant marriage.

You giggled as the petals landed on your palms. You looked over to him with a beautiful, contagious smile, then began blowing the petals onto his face. Hades scrunched up his nose, but he laughed for the first time during the event. 

The reception party was... just phenomenally insane. Athena, Dionysus, Apollo, and Aphrodite coordinated the entire thing and it somehow worked well for their favor. Dionysus was in charge of the booze and the food, Apollo was in charge of the music, and Aphrodite was the charming host. Why they all worked out was because you asked Athena to put them together for this one event. It was mind-blowing how you knew just who to call for when in need of party assistance.

Hades had to suffer through hearing Poseidon make his best man speech about how he was so proud of Hades for choosing the most perfect bride. (And how he was sorry for puking on him during one of Dionysus’s parties.) Hades also had to suffer through having to hear Zeus spontaneously belt out a song for his dear daughter while looking like he was 30 seconds away from passing out drunk. 

But what made it all bearable for him was how your eyes lit up every time you laughed, how your touches feel against his skin, just how you looked tonight with your gown and your happiness. He couldn’t believe that he was eternally bound to you. He couldn’t believe that his soul finally found someone equal to him.

He couldn’t believe he finally found someone to love. 

After the reception party has (finally) ended and all of the guests have returned back to Olympus, Hades whisked you away into an empty hallway for another little slow dance. You were laughing at his joke about Zeus probably vomited on his way back as you both swayed back and forth to nothing. 

“Dionysus really knows how to mix his drinks,” Hades said. “It’s said that if a mortal drank a drink that was personally made by him, they’d be drunk for months. Sometimes even years.”

“Really?” you asked, astonished. Hades grinned. “No, I’m just joking. He just makes really good booze.” 

You playfully slapped his shoulder and he laughed. “I’m sorry, my Queen. You’re just so easy to fool.” he teased you, making you pout adorably. “You’re so mean to me.” you scolded. 

Hades chuckled once more before placing a kiss on your forehead and pulling you closer to him. He felt you relax under his touch and he relaxed under yours as well. The permanent moonlight of his realm streamed through the windows, illuminating the dark hallway as you both swayed along to the silence. You both couldn’t think of a better place to be in at this moment. It felt like home just staying in each other’s arms.

“Hades?”

Hades looked down at you, staring into your eyes that were filled with so much adoration. He felt like he was slowly melting under your loving gaze; he’s never felt so much emotion through just one look. It was driving him insane - you were driving him insane. And it felt fantastic being with you at this moment.

“What is it, petal?”

It took you a moment to reply, but Hades already knew what you were going to say. But then maybe he was wrong - maybe that look told him something else, but he’ll understand it anyway because he didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable around him and -

“I love you.”

Hades stopped breathing for a moment. 

He was expecting it. He really was, but his own doubt liked to wash over him like Poseidon’s strong waves. There were certain things about him that made him quite the unlikable god, but there was hope in him that someone had the guts to give him the time of day. 

Useless hope, he liked to call it. 

He had useless hope that someone was going to come up to him, willingly, and tell him that they admire him. Tell him that they at least found him a decent god to work with. Tell him that his work helped balance the world. But nobody ever told him those things; nobody said their favorite god was Hades. Nobody in their right mind worshiped him and gave him sacrifices. What’s the point in expecting people to give you the respect a regular Olympian god would get? 

And now, he was holding you close to him in his arms, your three mind-blowing words hanging in the cold, night air. His hope never wavered, but it significantly became less and less over the years of his existence. He was ashamed that he even doubted himself; he was a god, a god who was worthy of someone’s praise and worship. 

A god who was worthy of your love.

So Hades tilted your head up to him and smiled, widely.

“I love you, too.”

unofficial taglist:

@thejamesoldier @redgillan @the-canary @papi-chulo-bucky @shurisneakers @sincerelymlg @buckyywiththegoodhair @buckyofthemyscira @buckychrist @fvckingavengers @samingtonwilson @theassetseyeliner @221bshrlocked

[ajoy3fanfics]

A/N: I’m going to apologize for this upfront. I have NO idea what I was thinking as I wrote this. I just kept thinking about how Hades got a bad rep. He was so much more than the leader of the underworld- a position he did not even ask for. I was considering writing a piece solely on Hades and Persephone, but then of course my Inuyasha brain kicked into gear and here we are. This story is told from Rins (Persephone’s) point of view. It’s a take on her love story, one where she wasn’t kidnapped.

No one asked for an Inuyasha/Greek God mash up, but here it is.

ETA: This has been sitting in my unfinished work  for so long. Lens drawings totally gave me the inspiration to get on this and finish it! I decided to make this a multi-part story :)

Also psted on FF

~.~

Persephone

The legends say that I was kidnapped.

The story tellers still spin the tales of my abduction- if you could call what reallyhappened an abduction- their stories striking fear in the heart of mortals- a warning to all young women. Never set foot outside alone. Keep your wits about you. Be prepared for anything, even the ground swallowing you whole. If you don’t, if you are careless, you might end up like Persephone.

Humans and Gods, mortals and immortals alike pity me, pity the waste of my beauty in such a desolate place. How could someone so full of life be condemned to live below the Earths surface, where not even a ray of light breaks through? Persephone, bringer of spring, goddess of grain, Queen of the underworld. They have given me as many titles as they have names; it still surprises me that Rin, my true name, never stuck. Humans are like that though- they will cut away at bits that displease them, at parts that do not fit their stories. Details become less important than the message they are trying to weave.

If I had heard the stories the poets tell of me, I too would feel sadness for the poor young maiden. Forced to marry her captor, forced to spend the better part of her life hidden away, far from the comfort the living world of friends and family. Doomed to spend eternity locked in an unhappy union with the God of death himself.

Of course, my husband is not the God of death. He does not torture the poor souls that make their way here. No, those are jobs best left to someone else. My dear husband does not have that in him- he finds the details of mortals lives far too tedious. Legends, as they so often do, have gotten him completely wrong. An injustice- one he does not deserve. Had the bards knew him better, they could have never accused him of taking me against my will.

In truth, I met him long before he approached my father, respecting the old ways and asking for my hand. Proper. It’s not a word that people associate with my husband, the king of the underworld. Then again, there are many aspects of him that are simply overlooked.

No, I had not met him in the underworld when the Earth swallowed me whole. Instead, I had met him in an almost unremarkable way. How strange the story spinners got that part right.

I met him while picking flowers.

~.~

It had been a splendid morning; the sun was high in the sky, warming the world and all those in it. There was a gentle breeze that with it carried the fragrance of wildflowers in the distance. It was the sort of day I loved; it made me want to run into the open fields, to feel the freedom I craved and go where the wind would scatter me. A fantasy, only that. My mother would never have allowed me to go off on my own, to act in such an unbecoming way. So, on days like this, I would settle on picking flowers.

I liked to do that- to capture bits of the spring that I could plant in places that nature did not bloom- in my room by the stone windows, in the kitchens as the servants cooked. I wanted to bring the beauty of spring inside where It did not belong.

“May I go out today, mother?” I tried my best to get her approval, doing my best to make my voice not sound desperate. Mother sheltered me, even in the best of times. I was her precious daughter- one that she found beautiful, powerful. Long before it was appropriate men would leer at me and without fail mother took notice. She did her best to keep me safe. And while I understood her reasoning- truly, I was lucky to have such a devoted mother- I also craved the freedom she denied me. I wanted time to be amongst my creations. “Please?” I added in for good measure, putting on my brightest smile.

She did not even so much as consider my request. “No, not today Rin. I have too much work to do to keep you company.” She brought a cup of water to her lips, taking a deep sip.

“You do not need to accompany me!” I quickly said. “I am old enough to go on my own.” My mother rolled her eyes. She did not think 16 was old enough for anything. “I just want to go down to the fields to see the flowers, maybe the river bank. Please?”

“Rin, could you not find-“

I  leaned on the table, trying to plead with her once more. “Mother, its so nice out today! I cannot be kept locked up inside all day! I need fresh air, and- and- fresh flowers! Mother-“

“You do hear the ridiculousness of your request, right?” she said, raising a disapproving brow, “A goddess of spring complaining that she needs to go outin order to see flowers?”

“Please?” I ended my begging by sticking out my lower lip, looking every bit the part of a begging puppy. Mother threw up her hands in the air, utterly defeated.

“Fine!” She sighed, exasperated. “Take the attendants with you.” I expected that, she was always reluctant to let me  go. I gave her a smile as I hugged her from behind.

“I will bring you a beautiful bouquet!” I said, “As thanks!” And with that, I took off before she could change her mind.

Mother was lovely; she was good for mankind, did humans a great deed as the Goddess of wheat. Mother was life itself. But she also had dreams for me, ones which I did not necessarily share. I often thought about how she would like to dictate my life, plan out every minute of it if she had her way. I was constantly torn between playing the part of the good daughter and wanting to rebel.

But when I felt the warm sun on my face, felt the cool breeze on my skin, my mother and her plans were the last thing on my mind. In that moment I was free. Kicking of my sandals I let my bare feet touch the grassy Earth, sprinting ahead, leaving my attendance to trail behind me.

I spent my day like that; basking in the sun, picking flowers and making crowns, frolicking by myself with people just far away enough to remind me that I wasn’t alone, not really. Sure, I had friends. But they were ones that mother approved of, and secretly, I wondered if they were spies for her, telling her little snippets of my feelings and whereabouts. I never felt completely alone, complete autonomous from her. My mother was a lovely woman, and my admiration for her is still strong to this day; but so much control can be stifling, leaving me gasping for freedom. Letting out a sigh, I sank down into the green meadow to relax, flowers beside me as the sun slowly began to lower. The day was winding down and soon mother would want me back in the nest.

That was the first time I saw him. A god on Earth, resting just across the river.

He looked every bit the divinity he was, his back against the dark brown trunk, a sharp contrast to his long silvery hair. Fair skin, so pale it looked porcelain and robes far more elegant than the richest mortal could hope to afford. He was resting, eyes closed, breathing even; I wondered how many people had seen him in this state, and suddenly became uncomfortable with a twinge of guilt, looking in on a private moment. I was struck by his beauty at once, but a handsome God was hardly a rarity. I had heard gossip of Ares and his build, of Hercules and Apollo. I counted Hermes as a personal friend, and he alone was enough to make women swoon. No, it wasn’t his hauntingly good looks that held my attention, but rather the expression on his face; he somehow looked completely at ease, but also supremely pained. It was not a look that showed easily, one had to truly search to find it. But as I stared, longer than anyone would deem polite, I found a deep loneliness, and it troubled me.

I wish I could say I was feeling bold when I made my small jumps on the slippery rocks, making way across the narrow stream, but I was far too intrigued to feel boldness or shame. I was focused on the supernatural entity before me. As I stepped onto the opposite grassy bank, he made no sign of acknowledgement that I was near. He still rested, head reclined at ease. I moved towards him in a crawl, still on my knees from when I raised myself out of the water . For a moment, I was sure that I would get close without him waking. I had no specific plan in mind, only that I needed to be near him; I was drawn and had no idea why.

“Do not come near.” He said, voice steady, eyes still closed. “Not if you value your life.”

The last part took me off guard, making me freeze on all fours, although there hardly seemed to be bite in his bark. Of course I valued my life; I felt ridiculous and ashamed, but unable to move forward or retreat. I was stuck. Biting my bottom lip, I debated what to do.

“S-Sorry.” I stammered, nervousness making my stomach drop. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“If you’re sorry, then leave.” He bit out, finally opening his amber eyes, piercing me in place. I couldn’t have move if Zeus himself commanded me. Never in my life had I seen a being more beautiful. True, I had lead a sheltered existence until this point, but I was sure I could travel the world twice over and still be awed by his magnificence.

In the days since, when my husband and I talked with fondness of our first encounter, we like to bicker over who was more stricken my whom. Was it I, a mere girl laying eyes upon a sleeping sin, or the God of the underworld, captivated by the look of me on all fours, black hair falling over my shoulder, pale pink dress falling off my shoulder? He even jokes that my flower chain of daises was a sign that I would soon be his wife, the spring crown upon my head.

I’ve heard the version where the Earth swallowed me whole, a fine symbolism for his great lust for me, eating the fair maiden alive. I’ve also heard the rather unsavory take of a kidnapping, an act anyone would reject if they knew my husband. Instead, at our first meeting, we stared each other down, a spark between us so strong it could light a fire. We would have stayed like that, spellbound in a trance, if my attendants were not calling for me. Looking over my shoulder I frowned, unhappy that this encounter was soon to be over. I needed to get back, but more than that, I wanted to know this stranger. He raised his finely arched brows, a silent signal that others were coming. I moved closer, a breath away from him. I could practically feel his body tense, as if being in close proximity to another was a foreign thing to him. Reaching up, I removed the flower crown and boldly placed it on his head.

“Cheer up.” I gave him a smile, toothy and genuine. The nymphs called once more and reluctantly, with a heavy sigh, I leaned back and turned to retreat, quickly jumping across the rocks, back towards the sprites that had lost track of me. Looking over my shoulder, I gave him one last long glance, a smile of wanting on my lips, before I cleared the area. My last look was a bewildered God, a chain of daisies around his silver crown.

No, the lord of the underworld did not kidnap as I picked flowers as the stories go. It was the day learned his true name that I found myself in the land of the dead.

[anatemori-dughter-of-art]

The Prophecies and The Quest

Last Chapter: “Where are you going?” asked Jason “I need a minute” is all he said as the door closed behind him.

  The Prophecies and The Quest

  As I sat on the beach watching the lack under the for once, clear midnight sky and remember back when this all started. Back on Mount Olympus, just after the gaea and giant war when all the greeks and the roman army filled the room filled with the Olympic gods.

********

Camp half-blood and Jupiter were still at odds with each other, even in the presence of the god they still didn’t trust the other, thunder and lightning shocked the air and in came Zuse, the King of Drama. 

  With the rest of the gods “everyone, we have summoned you all here to...to give are appreciations in your assistants in the war,” assistants? but we did all woke I thought raising my eyebrow, for a long time Zeus talked bullshit about how he and the gods did something, I have no idea what. 

  I mostly tuned him out only lightning when Annabeth elbowed me, it was all going relatively well till there was a sharp gasp, looking around to see Rachel, her eyes where a smoky green with dirty green smoke coming out of her mouth, which could only mean one thing: no, no no, Hades no, can't it be someone else. 

  I thought as Annabeth and I pushed ourselves to get to her, along with the camp counselors and the seven-plus Nico and Reyna as well as Chiron who ordered the campers to get back, we all made room for her, not wanting to crowd her, just as the people who were assigned to her came to through in the nick of time as Rachel was about to speak. 

  Twins of the eldest gods 

Shall reach sixteen against all odds

Shall battle the Lost son 

In the land where creation won

In a world painted black 

And the gods held back 

As all three worlds unit to 

 Triumph evil's might

A choice will be made 

To save the gods or they Shall fade  

  As Rachel finished her last word she fainted, “well...that was...something” Dad said nervously, “what was that” a roman camper said “the gods will fade,” said another as more and more Romans and Greeks alike started freaking out.  

  “SILENCE!” Zuse shouted as the entire hall quieted down, “as you all heard, it seems a new great prophecy has arrived” he said “The Twin Prophecy, father” Apollo said who looked seriously and in pain“did you see anything Apollo” Artemis asked him who was shaking their head in pain, “it was so fast and bright even for me” he said holding his head in pain. 

  “Dad!” both the roman and greek kid of Apollo said softly “did you at least get a glimpse of something?” Asked Hera, she was just as pale as Zuse “well for starters this is well into the future, I saw brown hair...lightning...and blue eyes... Along with floating water...and, the dead were rising” well that was “WHAT?!” nearly all the gods shouted.

   “LIGHTNING?! ZUSE DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER CHILD” Hera shouted “HE ALSO SAID WATER, POSEIDON DID YOU” started Zeus but Dad in his chill tone said “calm down brother, I swear to you Percy is the only son I have” Hera raised an eyebrow in disbelief “are you sure about that brother” she challenged back “yes sister, Percy is the only son I know of” he replied coolly. 

   “did you all forget that Apollo also said the dead were rising so HADES DID YOU CHEAT ON MY DAUGHTER AGAIN!!! I know you were a-” Demeter ranted on and on as Hades looked two seconds away from shadow traveling out of here, “EVERYONE” Athena shouted, gathering their attention“did you all forget, this prophecy dictated the birth of twins that will someday be the choosers of our fate, instead of guessing who sired them we must first find or look out for theses two” she explained in a commanding tone.

   “brown hair, blue eyes and they may be able to control the powers of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades” Hermes listed, “dang these kids sound like legacies” he continued “dangerous, is what they sound like” mumbled Zuse yet we all heard him  “now brother, quiet your paranoia this is serious business” Dad added “yes, indeed we need not worry about these Twins but also this Lost Son” Hades joined in. 

  “foreknow I believe we must wait" Hera said surprising everyone "what do you mean Hera" Zuse asked "I mean husband, is that instead of like the last great prophecy all we did was trust three brothers not to have children but only one followed through and don't forget all the death that was caused because of the fear we have of that child it talked about" she pointed out.

   "instead of fearing this prophecy let us wait and see what it brings us, and maybe Hermes is right they could be legacies or even they have been given blessings declared them there champions by Zuse, Poseidon and Hades did none of you think of that" Heras words got us all thinking and agreeing with her, but don’t tell her I said that  "you're right Hera" Athena said looking surprised.

  "then what should we do? just sit around and wait" asked Artemis "yes, it seems so but the oath still stands" Zeus declared “but you broke it first” mumbled Hare "but brother you broke the oath first, twice even maybe we should keep a close eye for if any more of your children pop up" Dad said in a teasing manner. 

   "I could do a scan" Hephaestus said nonchalantly which got all of are attached "what do you mean a scan, brother," Ares asked Hephaestus who looked up from the gimmick he was working on "well you see after the discovering of Perceuse, I decided to build a machine that can scan the entire western hemisphere of a demigod with are godly makeup" he explained as he pulled out a box made of celestial bronze "and when did you make this contraption Hephaestus " asked Athena.

   “I got the idea around the time Perceuse went missing and just about last week was when it finally started working,” he explained as the bronze box floated towards Zuse “just add a drop of your ichor and press down on the red button” Hephaestus. explained as Zuse dropped a bit of ichor into the bronze box it then began to emit a golden glow till a hologram of the western hemisphere of north, central along with South America was on full view and in North America, the United States in the south coast of Arizona is a blue dot, well dam, “ZEUS?!” Hara shouted in anger well Hades grubbled in ancient greek and Dad laughed so hard he almost fell out of his throne“we have another sibling” Jason said astound “oh great” Thalia said sarcastically but not surprised, as we all stood or sat looking at Hera yelling at Zeus for cheating on her, again.

   “everyone” said a soft calm voice it was Hestia “why don't we bring them here, by the looks of it they're already fourteen we'll be going against the oath we made too Perseus” she said looking at the hologram which had zoomed into the blue dot and had words on it “yes, and Hera you can't harm them” Zuse said as he snapped his fingers and poof in a cloud of smoke stood two-finger. 

  the first a tall guy he has pale skin and dark hair styled in an undercut next to him was a kid around eleven or twelve with messy black hair that could give Nico a run for his money, with pale skin as well their backs were facing us so I couldn't see their faces, “w-what, where are we?” the taller male said as he looked around “welcome to mount Olympus, son” Zeus with all his drama said “mount Olympus like the stories” he said in disbelief “yes child, all you have read and heard about us greek god is real and you are my son,” he said.

   “um...I’m Takashi Shirogane, please call me Shiro, I’m 14 I attended the galaxy garrison in Arizona and this is my little brother Keith, and it’s nice to meet you, Zuse...Dad...sir but why am I here?” my gods' poor guys freaking the heck out just then a red bore popped up on the kid Keith’s head “I had a feeling you were one of mine,” Ares said. 

  “and who the f***ck are you” said the kid and whoa the look on Ares face makes me wish I had a camera “Keith, please don't anger the gods” Shiro said sounding as if he's used to it “well you little Sh**t I’m ya Dad, Ares god of war” Ares said back, Keith who looked at him up and down “the guy that got trapped in a jar by two ideats?” oh my gods I really wish I had a camera on me right now, everyone laughed and I mean everyone, the greeks to the gods hack even the Romans who respect the war god more than Zeus.

   Ares, on the other hand, looked two seconds away from blowing up“Shiro” called Zeus “yes” he said, “Do you have a twin?” wow smooth “Zeus my invention already looked for all your children there can't be another” Hephaestus. said “yes” Shiro said which surprised all of us “his name was Kron Shirogane he died when we were two” oche “my apologies for breaking up bad thoughts son” he said showing some sympathy he then snapped his fingers Shiro then had a blue lightning bolt floating above his head and a black glove on his left hand.

   “what's this sir” he asked still looking nervous “this son is symbol of me claiming you as my own as well as giving you a means of protection the glove will transform into a sword when needed, you can ask your older brother and sister for help” that’s what didn't shock Shiro, he just grabbed Keith who by the way was having a glaring match with Aries and walked closer to us “um...hi everyone I’m Shiro and this is Keith” he said looking a bit more relaxed than before. 

  “hi I’m Leo, this is your blond superman of a brother Jason and scary huntress sister Thalia” Leo enthusiastically as he pointed at the two “hi nice to meet you” Shiro said outstretching his hand, Jason shock it “great meeting you at least know I’m not the only one in the Zuse cabin” he said “cabin?” he asked “will explain later,” I tell him just as Demeter staches the bronze box and throws it onto Hades who rolls his eyes and drops his own ichor into the device nothing popped up but two black dots in new york Hazel and Nico.

   “see you ranting women I have done nothing” just as he tossed the box to Dad who without complaint did the same as the other and just like Hades nothing happens except for one, me.

   “then it has been proven that the Twin Prophecy won't be happening for a long time, till then we shall head Hares word and instead of postponing the issue we shall all be ready” he announced “unm...Father sir can you please send us home I don't want to explain to parents how we ended up in Olympus” Shiro said. 

  “don't worry young one we will send a message to your parents of your whereabouts” Chiron explained, “ok now that we have gotten all this prophecy stuff out of the way, why don't we PARTY!?” Apollo shouted back to his usual bright self, as a big celebration was held as I looked around of how the Greeks and Romans were actually starting to get along and how Jason and Thaila were talking with Shiro looking around to see everyone having fun being carefree.

  Twins of the eldest gods 

Shall reach sixteen against all odds

Why does it sound, so close to mine, are they gonna be kids just like how I started only time can tell really I just hope I’m alive when they arrive.

******

“Don’t you think you have been out for too long son” I turned see Dad sitting next to me “how did you not know” I asked “they had a spell or seal powerful one on them, that's why Hephaestus machine couldn't find them they were just well hidden” he explains blankly. 

  “their mother I met her a few years after you were born at the time was traveling in Cuba that's when I meet her, Rosalena she was a great friend, but we were never meant to be nothing more than that”  he chuckles softly, “If I had to take a guess it must've been around the fall of that year-” oh no “Dad, please don't tell me how my half-siblings were created I’m scared enough” he laughs half-heartedly. 

  “anyway, right now the god are baffled by this news and are just waiting,” he said as we got off the beach “it about time you head onto bed son doesn't want to keep you knew siblings waiting in the morning for ya” Dad teased as he walked into the water and disappeared. While heading to bed, my mind was filled with thoughts of what happens now? Do they go on the quest Rachel said before? And how in the span of thirteen months I become an older brother what is my life.

*******

I wake up to yelling, a lot of yelling as I run out the cabin to see a bunch of non-flaming skeleton hellhounds chasing what looks to be Keith and some other Ares kids. Well, Shiro is arguing with Nico, behind him Lance was standing guarding someone against behind with a look promising murder well the ground we starting to freeze around him. 

  “Percy!” I heard Annabeth call out turning and Thaila and Jason along with Leo and Piper “what happened we heard yelling and screaming,” she said, “are those hellhounds?” Leo asked looking at the hounds that were chasing the Ares kids “yes, yes they are why are they attacking the Ares kids?” Thaila asked “guys, I don’t know I literally just woke up, let's go ask Nico why he's arguing with Shiro and why Lance looks two seconds away from turning the camp into Antarctica,” I tell them as we race towards the arguing between Nico and Shiro. 

  “Guys, guys what happened,” Jason asked as he got between them “I’m trying to get Lance to stop tormenting my brother” Shiro explained “they.stabbed.Lana” Lance who was barely containing his anger, said through clenched teeth “we can go get Chiron for this, not sick hellhound on them” Shiro said glancing worryingly at his brother and Ares kid who were being chased around, those who were caught were thrown so far they landed in the lack some were even thrown all the way to the lava wall seeing this Leo whistled. 

  “Lance, stop, it's just a scratch” Lana said from behind him “but that's still not aloud how can they just stab a person and get away with it” he said back turning to her “then why is Keith among them, when he was doing nothing” Shiro said back “oh, no no no he was trying to defend those a**holes-” ''Languages!” we all yelled “he just busted in and started to say crap about how we shouldn't be on our high horses just because of parentage.” 

  a few more splashes where hard and once again Shiro, Nico and Lance started arguing and yelling well Jason, the poor guy tried to defuse it will everyone else tried to catch the hellhounds or the campers, maybe both “EVERYONE STOP!!” we heard Clarissa yelled as she and Chiron stood next to “Mr.D...you's back” I said “yes, Peter, I have returned to this miserable heap of temper tantrums and hormones” he said with his usual disinterested tone well summoning a Diet Coke. 

   “who’s this?” Lana, who was healed thanks to a nearby Apollo kid asked well taking a few steps back “this is are camp counselor we call him Mr.D but he’s the god of wine” their eye whined of the fact that there was a god in front of them “Dionysus” they said together “so you're the mysterious brats that I've been given every one 

Upstairs heart attacks” he said with a laugh “wait, gods get heart attacks?” Lance who finally calmed down and didn't look ready to kill whispered to himself but came out about loud for me and maybe Nico to hear.

   “anyway, we are having a meeting in the council room,” he said as he walked away towards the big house “and bring peter's new siblings as well as Jace’s little brother too” he said as he got to the door “that was Dionysus” Lana said “yes, what did you expect” Leo said as all the cabin counselors headed towards the big house and Lances hellhounds returned to earth as we all walked into the big house and stayed around and around the pinball table.

   “so, what's the meeting for Mr.D” Piper asked “it's about the prophecy” he started looking more tired than usual “you don’t mean” I said not likening where this is going “yes peter, they have to go,” he said in a dry tone “what's going on, and what prophecy?” Lana asked, “remember what Rachel said last night.”

   Nico asked them they both looked in deep thought, “it sounded like a poem starting with sea and death shell bare twins. That will rise above creations sins,” Lana said “yeah, it was really catchy I remember “shell travel south with the youngest son of skies and find where the eldest goddess lies, Sea and death shall find the key” Lance continued “but loses sight of what they truly see.  for a choice, they shell mack, for love or heartbreak and may they find themselves in a bind For a friend will end their time” Rachel and “sounds ominous” Lana said “sounds sad” Lance added “it’s your quest” Mr.D said.

   which surprised all of us, not it being the twins quest but him actually caring and being involved at the meeting “sorry, say that again I think I heard you wrong” Lance in shock asked “I, Lorenzo McClain am never wrong this quest is for you three children” he said looking at the twins then at Shiro! “Whoa, whoa Mr.D I think you got this all wrong Shiro can't go he's still new at this Demigod stuff,” Jason said coming to his Brothers defense who looked a bit sick. 

  “I don't see what is there to be wrong about Jackson, you were nearly fifteen when you saved Hera from the giants and peter was twelve when he returned Zeus's master bolt, what difference is there if they go on a quest at this age themselves” Mr. D ranted on again it's not normal, did Zeus finally let him drink “there are our siblings Mr.D, and Unlike us there are people worried about them” Thaila said “along with people capable of taking their place” Jason added just as loud thunder cracked across the sky “Jason you know one cannot avoid a prophecy, this is their time you must know this” Chiron said.

   “hold up, so you're saying that me, Lance and him have to go on a quest to find a goddesses like in the greek stories” Lana said “yes” is all Mr.D said before the twins made a run for it, they were out the door before anyone could stop them “great, you scared them, now how are we going to find them” Thaila said “Mr.D what did the gods say about them, the twins I mean” Leo asked “first off, their mother pleased an ancient seal on them which  completely blacked of all traces of there exists,which didn’t go well with Hephaestus heck even know, when they have been claimed and the seal is broken I can barely feel their presence, it freaked a lot of them out, my father at first won’t stop laughing when he remembered Poseidon's words of only Peter being his son, only when it was pointed out it was Poseidon's kids who’ll be in the prophecy again did he not only stop but flash out in anger and Hades just went back to the underworld to talk with Thanatos.” 

  he said which surprised a lot of us, there Mom was able to evade the gods “Whoa” Leo and Conner awed “now what” Clarisse said “Shiro, this may sound unbelievable to you but you and the twins are to go on this mission by dusk, right now we need to find the twins know to go along” Chion commanded as all of us left to go look for the twins and the grace siblings helping Shiro pack.

*******

It was two hours before dusk and no-ones found the twins yet even after getting the entire camp looking. It wasn't until Rex came running towards us “guys guys” he said “there at half-blood hill Henry Shay and I got all these things ready there just waiting by Thaila’s tree,” he said.

   “But why did they run like that” Jason who was next to me asked just as everyone else was running over “there scared, and confused, first they lost their Mom and suddenly there Dad and Grandpa claimed them as their own and now there being told to go of and fined a goddesses, yeah no, Lance and Lana may look tough and act smart and confident, but they just needed a place to breathe to just not have to worry about all this for just a second so we took them to the strawberry fields than to the woods and climbed the tallest tree we all stayed there till a little over an hour ago was when they decided to go on the Quest.” 

  Rex explained all this in one breath “so there just waiting for Shiro and Argus” Annabeth said nodding is all Rex did as he ran back to the half-blood hill, as we went to tell everyone where they were Shiro was packed and ready along with “Keith?” I called out to him who had an angry look on his face, “what's wrong, still mad for what Lance did this morning” I asked he huffed in irritation “no, I’m not mad about that I heard what happened and besides, why can't I join Shiro on this quest I’ve worked really hard on my swordsmanship and I know my understanding of greek mythology isn't high but I can still help” he pleaded.  

  “Keith” I said as I kneel down eye leveling with him “you know it's against the rules” I tell him knowing I sounded like a hypocrite “lies you yourself snuck on a quest, so why can't I” he yelled angrily, well crap know I really regret letting the other tell them my quests I know this day would hunt me “Keith the reason Percy had to be on that quest was also apart of the prophecy so it was meant to happen, but you are not to go you may walk with Shiro to half-blood hill but no more than that” Chiron said seriously.

   I looked to the twelve year old son of Ares who with one last anger glare held his brothers hand and walked off towards half-blood hill, as we walked Jason who cached up to us Chiron who kept a close eye on Keith and Shiro who looked anything but happy as we made it to the hill there stood Argus with Henry Shay and Rex standing there near the white oak tree.

   “Hey, where are they?” Jason asked in which Henry shushed him and pointed toward the twin who where just thirty feet away kneeling down placing rocks sticks and flowers, down an area which had grass stained with dried blood “is that the spot” I asked “yes” Shay said softly as the twins backed away looking at their work the rocks were piled up neatly and to form a small hill with flowers poking around, some in or out of the rocks the sticks wrapped around the rock flower hill with the help of a liter the twins lit each branch when done they did what looked to be a pray as they turned around their eyes were puffy and red the closer they got. 

  The more I notice the clothes they wore, Lance an old brown 80s jacket and camouflage shorts with the camp t-shirt sticking out, with navy blue combat boots Lana, had on a black long sleeve shirt, with a sleeveless camp shirt we may live in the north but it’s still summer, how is she not boiling anyway she wore them with brown pants and the same navy blue combat boots.

   as Lance as they walked up to us ignoring everyone but the trio of friends “hey Shy, well we're gone can you add flowers…” she trailed “of cores I will when you come back the spot will be blooming with a thousand flowers” she said softly again “if we survive” I heard Lance mumble which looking around they heard it as well which didn’t go well with Keith “hey!” he yelled walking close to them Lance glared and Lana sighed.

   “what” he shot back in which Keith just pointed to Shiro “that’s my brother, my family, I can't come with you to watch his back so can you please watch it for me” his angry and confident tone changed to a soft and vulnerable one with each word as he locked eye with Lance, “yes, you moron if you think for one second I’m going to lose someone again especially some who is loved, no, never” he spoke in confidence “Keith, we promise we’ll bring you brother back” Lana added in.

   “Styx” oh my gods did he just “ok, Keith I think that going a little too far” Jason said but I see that the three kids where ignoring us, the twins looked at each other with a look of determination, oh, so that’s how stupidity looks like “I Laura Amara Nyx Aleja McClain” she said “and I Lorenzo Alejandro Nicholas Calisto Erenos McClain” he also said and at that moment I knew what it felt like to be everyone else dealing with me “swear on the River Styx that we will bring back your brother alive.” 

  they said together as a loud thunder and lightning crashed down on the other side of the ditch sealing the Oth and my fate to worry about these two idiots for the rest of my life, “uh” I mumbled out in realization “what?” Jason asked “I now know what it feels like to be, well, all of you who goes on a quest with me,” I tell him as Argus the twins and with one last hug from Keith, Shiro went downhill and into the vane and off they went.

   “Father, please give them warmth and protection” Henry prayed “Mother gives them shelter and keep them well-fed” Rex and Shay prayed as we walked back to the camp and waited.

*******

As the van drove out of Long Island and into New York City streets, was have Argus left us “so where to next?” I asked them Lance looked at me “first, we need to go to Gettysburg Pennsylvania” he said as he and Lana started walking towards a bus stop as I ran to catch up “why?” I asked he looked at me again and smiled “Grampa wants to talk.”