Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/3855319.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Major_Character_Death, Underage
  Category:
      M/M, F/M, Multi
  Fandom:
      Percy_Jackson_and_the_Olympians_-_Rick_Riordan, The_Heroes_of_Olympus_-
      Rick_Riordan
  Relationship:
      Luke_Castellan/Percy_Jackson, Ares/Percy_Jackson, Silena_Beauregard/
      Charles_Beckendorf, Silena_Beauregard/Charles_Beckendorf/Percy_Jackson,
      Percy_Jackson/Will_Solace, Nico_di_Angelo/Will_Solace, Nico_di_Angelo/
      Percy_Jackson
  Character:
      Percy_Jackson, Chiron_(Percy_Jackson), Annabeth_Chase, Clarisse_La_Rue,
      Will_Solace, Luke_Castellan, Ares_(Percy_Jackson), Argus_-_Character,
      Bianca_di_Angelo, Nico_di_Angelo, The_Stoll_Brothers, Hades_(Percy
      Jackson), Zeus_(Percy_Jackson), Poseidon_(Percy_Jackson), Silena
      Beauregard, Charles_Beckendorf
  Additional Tags:
      17-Year-Old_Percy, Homophobic_Language, More_plot_than_I_bargained_for,
      Kink_Meme, sort_of_I_suppose, Collars, Cufflinks, Light_Bondage, Light
      Dom/sub, Anal_Sex, Teasing, Aftercare, Roughness, Spit_As_Lube,
      Insufficient_preparation, Hate_Sex, Emotional_Hurt/Comfort, Betrayal,
      Threesome_-_F/M/M, Comfort_Sex, Platonic_Romance, Cuddling_&_Snuggling,
      Pining, Crushes, Background_Relationships, Vaginal_Sex
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-05-01 Updated: 2015-05-17 Chapters: 6/? Words: 30332
****** Guilty Pleasures: Submitting to Sensation ******
by orphan_account
Summary
     At age 17, Poseidon breaks off Percy's training to send him to camp.
     What looks like just a ploy to stop a war from breaking out between
     the Olympians turns out to be much more.
     =====================================================================
     Here we go, I took all the prompts I received for this and lined them
     into one big storyline. It's basically a smut fic that ended up with
     too much plot. (In a way that I'd like to say it's porn with plot,
     but it's actually more plot with porn.)
     =====================================================================
     It is possible to read plot and porn separated without getting too
     confused. You'll find plot in odd and porn in even numbered chapters.
     ;)
Notes
     At several points, it's gotten a bit longer than I had planned, but
     well, could be worse than that, eh? This kink fic will be split into
     three big parts, with several chapters each. The chapters will be
     named after the pairing, and sometimes the kink, that I tackled in
     it, I might put the prompts in the notes as well, not sure abt that
     yet ;)
     Starting this off with a little plot, because it still is necessary
     to get from one point to the next :b
***** Introduction *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
“Thanks for dropping me off, I think I can take care of the rest.” Percy winks
at the naiad and she dissolves with a giggle into the water. It’s not even five
minutes to river’s delta and the lake’s shore from here and Percy is convinced
there wasn’t even a reason for him to be escorted this far in the first place.
He can feel the pull and the magical borders when he crosses them, can feel
other half-bloods in the water above, but Percy makes sure to stay hidden
still.
He doesn’t surface until he’s reached the lake, and even then he walks over the
ground slowly up the slope. Maybe it’s a bit dramatic, but Percy intends to
leave an impression on whoever sees him strolling out dry and unaffected by the
waves around him.
Much to his disappointment, no one is there to see him make an entrance.
Percy’s not sure what he expected, really, so he resigns himself to a much less
dramatic introduction and remembers his father’s instructions.
Find the centaur, give him my letter. Stay woke.
===============================================================================
 
Despite the letter telling Chiron that yes, Percy is a son of Poseidon, and
despite the very obvious fact that he can control the fucking water, Chiron
still insists that, as long as Percy hasn’t officially been claimed, he has to
stay with the Hermes’ cabin. Percy tries to see the good side of it, he has
spent most of his life next to, or under, the sea, hidden away from his uncles
and the Fates and trained for whatever Great Prophecy his dad insisted was
waiting for him.
As soon as he steps into the cabin though, he regrets not having put up a
fight. It’s beyond crowded, many kids are sleeping on the floors, some seem to
share the narrow beds lined on the walls. Percy doubts that this is any way to
keep children.
Someone asks him if he’s regular, or undetermined and Percy has a strong urge
to push them over. He promises though, both his mum and his dad, that he won’t
start a fight right on the first day, so he swallows his annoyance and pinches
the bridge of his nose.
“Officially? Undetermined.” Again Percy doesn’t get the reaction he’s hoped
for, just a collective groan from everyone who heard. For not the first time,
Percy fights the urge to punch someone. He’s stopped from fuming by a tall guy
coming toward him, winding his way through the campers. He looks older than
most of them, maybe nineteen and offers Percy a mischievous smile.
“You must be Percy, welcome in Cabin 11. You can have the spot on the floor
over there.” Percy follows the guy’s gaze and sighs inwardly. He hasn’t dared
hoping for anything better, but the reality still is a little disappointing.
Forcing a smile onto his lips, Percy turns his face back to the guy in front of
him.
He’s muscular, with short-cropped sandy hair and a friendly smile, wearing a
tank top that shows more than it reveals – not that Percy minds, really. On the
right side of his face is a scar, running from his eye to his jaw, and while
it’s a little unsettling, it does nothing to impair his attractiveness.
“I’m Luke, someone give you the tour yet?” Percy shakes his head, fighting the
heat in his cheeks. There was no way Luke hadn’t caught him staring, but the
other one just smirks and , with a hand on Percy’s shoulder, takes him back out
the door.
===============================================================================
 
Staying with the Hermes’ kids turns out to have its perks, even though they all
seem to be connected with Luke, so Percy pushes through and hopes that his
father finally decides it’s time to reveal Percy’s parentage. By now, almost
everyone has guessed, it’s not Percy’s trying to hide it.
The first one to catch on was a child of Athena, a pretty girl, who sadly seems
more interested in the fact that Percy being a son of Poseidon holds the
promise of a quest than she is interested in Percy himself. It’s alright
though, Percy gets along well with Annabeth and she’s been at camp long enough
to help Percy stay out of trouble whenever Luke is not around. He doesn’t even
mind when she teases him that it feels like babysitting.
The day after he arrives, Chiron decides that Percy – regardless of his
father’s training – has to circle through the camp activities like everyone
else. The centaur doesn’t seem to care much about Percy being prepared for
whatever his father thought was to come for the last twelve years, or that
Percy learned how to defend himself at age five, or that he is in fact one of
the most powerful demigods around alone with his control over water. Every
question Percy asks concerning the Great Prophecy gets ignored as well, met
with stern looks and crossed arms and… well… for many reasons, Percy has
imagined his coming to camp to go down differently.
No one really pays a whole lot of attention to Percy after the first couple
days, except for the few friends he’s made that is. The wonder of having
survived to the age of seventeen outside of camp fades pretty fast when people
started to rumour about him being a kid of the big three. Now he was met with
wariness for the most part, people avoiding to sit, or train or even talk to
him. Percy has nothing to show off yet, nothing that could have earned him
their respect, and he’s slowly growing tired of the animosity.
===============================================================================
 
The best part of camp turns out to be sword practise. At first it was all of
cabin eleven gathering in the arena, working in pairs, but by now it was mostly
just him and Luke alone.
The first time, Luke strolled in after the rest of them to be their instructor,
and as usually split the cabin into pairs. With a wink, Luke had announced that
since this would be Percy’s first time, he’d pair with him.
Percy had to bite his lip to hide his grin then, first time my ass, but Connor
next to him caught on nevertheless.
“Good luck.” The boy crossed his arms over his chest and grinned amused.
“Luke’s the best swordsman in three hundred years.” Percy scoffed in response –
you haven’t seen me fight – and turned away from Connor to walk toward Luke.
Now, Percy doesn’t humour the older boy anymore, he doesn’t let him get any
hits in, and parries every of Luke’s attacks. Nevertheless, it’s an easy back
and forth, more for the sake of having something to do than actual training.
“You don’t have to go easy on me, you know?” Percy teases, bringing his next
blow down sharper than those before. “Or are you afraid I might kick your ass?”
Luke raises an eyebrow in response, but Percy can see his jaw setting. It’s
easy to rile him up, Percy has learned that already, and he loves pushing
Luke’s buttons. They parry faster now, and Percy actually starts feeling like
it’s a challenge, when suddenly charges in close. Percy lets his guard down for
only the fraction of a second, but it’s enough for Luke to disarm him and crowd
into his space. Percy’s sword is out of reach and Luke has his pressed
underneath Percy’s chin, grinning mischievously.
“Looks like I’m not the one getting pounded.” Percy’s breathing stutters and
his eyes flick over Luke’s face, lingering on his lips before Percy manages to
force his eyes up again. Did he really have to word it like this?
Percy swallows, twice, thinking of ways to get himself out of this situation.
Luke is standing too close for him to make a dash, there’s no water near enough
and even if there was, Luke still has his blade far too close to Percy’s throat
for his comfort.
Attack’s the best defence, that’s what his father has taught him, so Percy does
just that: he attacks. Ignoring the metal digging into his skin, Percy surges
forward and presses his lips to Luke’s, effectively making the older boy drop
his weapon in shock. What Percy doesn’t expect is Luke to grab a handful of
Percy’s shirt instead, kissing him back almost viciously.
There’s something possessive and claiming about the way Luke’s teeth graze
Percy’s lower lip, about the way one of Luke’s hands settles on the small of
Percy’s back to press him close. Unable to help it, Percy gives in, surrenders
to the force of Luke’s kisses and nearly melts against the other boy. Not for
the first time, he’s glad they train alone.
===============================================================================
 
That evening, Percy gets into his first actual fight. He’s had trouble with
some Ares kids before, but for the most part he tried to stay clear of them.
His father warned him, that someone who’s as fiery as Percy wouldn’t get along
well with any child of Ares, and even though he’s felt the urge to say many
horrible things more times than he can count.
This time they go too far though, one of them must have seen him and Luke in
the arena training or… well, not training more likely. It’s a younger kid,
maybe thirteen, but huge and burly and when the boy walks past Percy, he slaps
his ass. That alone was nearly enough to set Percy off, but when Percy turns
around to tell the kid very clearly what he thinks of him and his siblings,
Percy is met with a cocky grin.
“What? I thought you liked that faggot.”
Percy doesn’t think, he shifts his feet and socks the guy right in the jaw,
making him stumble back and land on his ass. Behind the boy, his siblings stop
laughing, their faces turning dark instead.
“Call anyone that again and I’m gonna break you.” Percy doesn’t even spare any
of them a glance, he turns around and starts walking away. He’s broken the
promise to his mother already, to stay out of trouble, and the one to his dad
to keep his head down until he claims him.
Part of Percy is surprised when not a single one of them comes after him, when
they just let him walk away with as much as a word.
 
He only realises why that evening. Chiron has called yet another game of
capture the flag, and Percy was actually rather thrilled to get moving. He’s on
the same team as Annabeth again, she knows how to use his strengths best, but
for some reason, she puts him in defence this time. There’s no arguing with a
child of Athena, so Percy barely even bothers putting up a fight.
He ends up alone by the creek of the river, mostly waiting and pouting, but the
main battle seems to be going on down further south. With nothing better to do,
Percy leans back against a boulder, not paying much attention to what was going
on around him.
It’s a bad idea, if Percy had paid attention to his surroundings he would have
heard the Ares’ kids approaching before on of their spear butts connected with
his head and knocked him to the ground. Bad for them, Percy falls face first
into the creek, the water filling him with power before the force of the punch
has even knocked him out.
Percy doesn’t bother reaching for his sword, instead he summons the water
around him and, while slowly getting back to his feet, lets it rush down on the
kids around him. They sputter and gasp, trying to crawl and roll out of his
reach. Percy feels the familiar curl of anger in his stomach, and while he
knows – objectively – that this was enough and that he should stop now, he
wants nothing more than to show these brats that they shouldn’t mess with him.
“What are you, twelve?” Percy looks up, meeting the eyes of a sturdy girl with
brown hair. She has the similar brutal features of the other Ares children, but
Percy wouldn’t call her ugly per se. It’s Clarisse, he recognises, head of
cabin five and she’s looking amused even though Percy just knocked down half of
her siblings. She crosses her arms over her chest and Percy realises she’s not
scolding him, but her siblings. “We’re fighters not cowards.”
No one answers, so Clarisse fixes her eyes on Percy instead. She doesn’t seem
angry, but the intensity of her eyes still makes him squirm a little. He’s
about to ask her what her problem is, still a little wound up from being
attacked out of nowhere when her eyes suddenly go wide.
There’s a light tinting the forest green and when Percy looks up his eyes land
on the radiating trident above his head.
“Fucking finally.” He murmurs under his breath just as Clarisse huffs in
disbelief. Around them in the woods, more campers have gathered, Percy can
spots Will and Luke, even though Annabeth is nowhere to be seen.
“Poseidon has claimed his son.” Chiron’s voice booms suddenly, and the old
centaur looks relieved when he makes his way through the crowd. “Earthshaker,
Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God.”

Chapter End Notes
     Kudos to you if you notice all the canon references I tried slipping
     in :D
     Let me know what you thought of this <3
***** Luke/Percy *****
Chapter Notes
     This was supposed to be petplay, didn't really end up like it.
     There's a collar and some light bondage, figured I should give a fair
     warning ;)
     Also note that, given that Percy is 17 and Luke is 19 in this, I put
     up the warning for underage.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Against Percy’s hopes, the news don’t work in his favour. People start avoiding
him even more than before, like they thought his powers were just a scam until
he was actually claimed, and the few friends he made in the Hermes cabin are
nervous around him too, now that he has moved into cabin three.

Of course, this is more like what Percy had expected at the very beginning. On
the bright side, Percy enjoys that he is going to be on his own in the cabin
now, that he’ll be respected by his peers and maybe a little feared, all for
being the only child of Poseidon. The animosity and ignorance that comes along
with it though, Percy really hasn’t prepared for that.
 
There’s still Luke, and training, and sometimes a little more than that, and
Annabeth who’s become one of the closest friends Percy’s ever had. She doesn’t
really seem to be mad that Percy has snatched her crush away from her either,
maybe he has misread her at the start, it wouldn’t be the first time Percy
absolutely misjudges someone’s feeling.
 
Sometimes Percy hangs around the infirmary, he can pick his activity schedule
on his own now, letting Will show him the things he’s learned about healing in
his first year at camp.
Against all odds, Percy finds himself getting along really well with Clarisse
too. They have a low-key rivalry, banter and teasing dominating most of their
conversations, but in contrast to all warnings from his father, Clarisse is
likable for a daughter of Ares. Percy knows she tries to hide it, but she has a
caring side when it comes to her younger siblings, and some of the Aphrodite
kids she seems to have adopted.
 
It’s still a little lonely, especially at night. There’s the soft noise of the
ocean in the cabin, but apart from that nothing. No voices and whispers and
laughter like Percy has gotten used to in cabin eleven, and no possibility to
sneak around with Luke at night. Frankly, Percy is absolutely miserable.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
After their kiss, Luke starts pushing Percy harder every time they train,
obviously not holding back anymore. The older boy seems to have no quarrels
bruising Percy, and at first it seems like he’s angry about the whole kiss
business, but when Percy tries getting closer to him again, Luke doesn’t pull
away.
 
It turns into somewhat of a reward system for them, Luke will push Percy and
Percy will push right back, both attacking the other without mercy, until they
are  breathless and sweating and concentrate the rest of their energy on much
more pleasurable things.
 
“You’re going to need all the training you can get.” It sounds a lot like what
his father used to say, like Luke knows something he can’t tell him, and that
worries Percy more than he cares to admit.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
It’s dark in cabin three and Percy has spent most of the last hour staring at
the ceiling. Luke has been odd all day, until Percy eventually left him to his
own devices before he made himself the outlet of Luke’s tension. He half
regrets that now. It’s obvious there’s something nagging on Luke, and even
though Percy can’t quite place his finger on it, he suspects it’s something
grave. Percy wouldn’t admit it, but he worries a little. He knows something’s
up, he’s smarter than most people give him credit for, and he also knows that
Luke is somehow involved in what’s stirring in the world of the gods.
 
Suddenly Percy hears steps by the back of the cabin, slipping out of his bed
silently and uncapping Riptide on the way. The sword Anaklusmos had been a gift
from his father, a ballpoint pen that would extend into a sword when Percy took
of its cap, with a double edged blade and a leather grip, perfectly balanced
for Percy.
He doesn’t know who would come in this late, but it sends Percy’s alarm bells
ringing. A quiet curse echoes through the cabin and Percy stops in his tracks.
 
“Luke?!” There’s a sigh, then Luke steps into the soft glow of Percy’s sword.
“What in Hades’ name are you doing here?” Percy hisses, but lowers his sword
nevertheless. He trusts Luke, no matter what’s up with him recently, he doesn’t
believe Luke would ever pose a threat.
 
“I can’t sleep.” It’s all the explanation Percy’s going to get, he realises it
as soon as Luke’s words are out, and with a sigh, he caps Riptide again,
leaving the two of them in the dark.
 
“You scared me.” Percy’s not sure why he admits this, maybe Luke is one of the
few people he can show weakness to, maybe because he feels safe when he’s close
to him.
“Stay with me?”
 
Without another word, Luke takes Percy’s hand and pulls him back toward the
bed, pushing him down against the mattress and connecting their lips heatedly.
Maybe, this should worry Percy too. Luke doesn’t initiate anything between
them, or not that Percy can remember now, but with the way Luke presses himself
against Percy it was hard to form even one straight thought.
 
 
 
“You have no idea what you’re doing to me.” The whisper is almost lost, muffled
against the skin of Percy’s neck and lost in the sensation of Luke’s kisses
trailing lower. Percy lets his eyes fall closed, arching up against the other
boy and offering all of himself up without second thought.
 
===============================================================================
 
“I think I like this.” Percy turns the leather collar over in his hand, letting
his fingers slide over the smooth material. They’ve talked about this before,
trying it out, but Percy didn’t think they’d ever actually take the step.
 
Somehow it feels like time is catching up with them though, no one can deny
that things are stirring up in Olympus and maybe even down below in the
underworld. Percy’s nightmares are worse than they’ve ever been, and the few
nights Luke stays with him, Percy can see he isn’t doing any better.
 
Maybe that’s why Luke wants to take this step now, before whatever it is that
shakes the world circles in on them. It’s all about trust and letting go, for
Percy at least. He’s never given himself up like this, and so far, he’s not
sure he can.
 
The collar feels good though, even when Luke puts it around his neck, every
touch is soft and careful. Percy cranes his neck and then smiles shyly, the
material is smooth enough not to press uncomfortably against the skin, and
feels all over nicer than Percy has imagined.
 
“Alright?” Percy nods and steals a kiss before Luke can fully pull away.
There’s a flash of pain in the other boy’s eyes, but before Percy can ask or
start worrying, Luke cups his face and connects their lips again. There’s some
shuffling and shifting, until Percy can settle in Luke’s lap and wind his arms
around him, slowly getting used to the feel of the leather around his neck.
 
For a while, they do nothing but kiss, then Luke slips a hand underneath the
hem of Percy’s shirt, grazing the tender skin of Percy’s sides with his nails.
It makes Percy smile against Luke’s lips before he breaks away and moves along
to trace the line of Luke’s jaw with tiny kisses. He playfully snaps at Luke’s
neck and hears the other boy laugh quietly.
 
“Remember your safe word?” Luke strokes his hand up Percy’s stomach, riding up
his shirt as he does so and Percy only gives a hum in response. “I want to hear
it, tell me.”
 
“Blue.” It comes out as a moan, Luke has started circling one of Percy’s
nipples with his thumb, calloused against sensitive skin. Shivers run down
Percy’s spine and he leans into the touch, arching his back to get closer.
 
“Ready?” Percy barely hesitates before he breathes hisyes against Luke’s neck,
running his hands down Luke’s back and back up, tracing the curve of his
shoulders, the lines of his muscles.
 
Luke is incredibly loving in his dominance, not as rough as Percy would have
expected him to be, or maybe that is yet to come. It’s strange in a way, not to
say that Percy doesn’t like it, and it certainly makes it easier for him to let
go of everything that tells him to keep up his guard and fight Luke for his
control.
 
With a hand firmly pressed against Percy’s chest, Luke pushes Percy back enough
to hook his hands into the hem of Percy’s shirt and pull it over his head. It
lands somewhere next to the bed, Percy couldn’t care less, too fascinated with
the way Luke’s eyes travel over his body.
 
“You’re beautiful Percy.” Luke whispers, the smile on his lips is almost sad,
but he hides it by pressing kisses to Percy’s neck, and then lower along the
line of his collarbones. His hands stroke from Percy’s shoulders down his arms
until he closes his fingers around Percy’s wrists, holding them together by the
small of Percy’s back.
 
They talked this through before, Percy knows what’s coming, so he isn’t
startled when Luke retrieved a pair of cuffs from the side of the bed. Just
like the collar, they made of leather and almost feel like a caress when Luke
closes them around Percy’s wrists.
 
“Still good?” Luke brings one hand up to Percy’s face and leans back to catch
his eyes. Carefully, Percy tests his restraints. If he really wanted, he could
probably break them, and that’s reassuring enough. He opens his mouth to
answer, then remembers that he also isn’t supposed to talk unless it’s to make
Luke stop, so he smiles and nods instead.
 
It’s obvious Luke enjoys the way the cuffs leave Percy at his mercy. He takes
his time for every touch, deliberately seeking out the most sensitive spots on
Percy’s chest, on his neck, down his stomach. Luke brushes his lips over them,
bites, sucks marks into the skin, circles around and traces their lines with
just the tips of his fingers. Percy lets his eyes flutter closes, lips parted
with quiet moans.
 
By the time Luke dips his fingers past the waistband of Percy’s jeans, he’s
shivering, skin tingling where Luke left red marks, goosebumps, love bites and
scratches.
 
“Please.” The word spills from Percy’s lips before he can stop it, and Luke
stops mid-motion. He raises an eyebrow, like a silent warning, and Percy
presses his lips together to keep quiet.
 
The agonizingly slow pace with which Luke unbuttons and unzips Percy’s jeans
almost drives him mad, and he arches against Luke’s lips when he presses a kiss
just below Percy’s navel. He whines, a high sound that he wouldn’t admit ever
having made, and feels Luke’s lips curve against his abdomen with a smile.  
 
Every sound Percy makes seems to encourage Luke to go even slower, and it feels
like it takes endless minutes before Luke’s lips reach the waistband of Percy’s
briefs. Percy’s still lying on Luke’s lap, even though his head and shoulders
are resting back on the mattress, his back curving up in an attempt to get
closer. He’s tempted to speak again, urge Luke on once more, but he has a
feeling it won’t bode well for him if he tries.
 
It’s almost as if Luke is trying to caress every inch of his body, remember him
by touch alone, learn every curve of Percy’s skin, complimenting every patch
his lips touch with soft whispers and kisses. He presses Percy down on the bed
and slips out from underneath his legs, taking Percy’s pants along when he
traces the lines of his legs with his hands.
They get pulled off and discarded too, falling off the foot of the bed, and
then Luke is kneeling between Percy’s legs, still fully clothed, eyeing Percy
like he’s the most precious thing Luke has ever seen. It’s somewhat strange to
be regarded like this, having Luke’s undivided attention and affection. Percy
feels loved, more and more with every fleeting press of skin against skin.
 
Luke rubs his hands back up Percy’s legs, stroking over his ankles, the insides
of his knees and along his thighs, latching his lips to the sensitive skin
there and sucking another mark before he continues his trail of kisses along
the hem of Percy’s underwear.
 
Much to Percy’s annoyance, Luke doesn’t move on from there, but crawls over
Percy and places a hand on either side of his face. It’s not very comfortable,
Percy’s wrists dig into his back and his shoulders are twisted in a way that
doesn’t hurt, but doesn’t feel good either.
 
Percy whines softly, craning his neck toward Luke until the other boy
understands and meets Percy’s lips for a kiss. Winding both arms around Percy’s
back, Luke pulls him up and against him without breaking the kiss, freeing
Percy from his uncomfortable position. It’s liberating in a way, not having to
worry about giving back, to just be taken care of for once.
 
Of course, Percy still wishes he could, he wants to get his hands on Luke as
well, but with them being tied behind his back, he really hasn’t got much of a
choice. He does what he can, kisses Luke’s cheek, his jaw, nips at the lobe of
his ear and bites his neck a little harsher than before until the first moan
tumbles from Luke’s lips as well. Percy grins, pleased, and takes the sleeve of
Luke’s shirt between his teeth. He tugs, then grins cheekily when Luke looks
what he’s doing. Not being allowed to talk means he’s got to get a little
creative, if that’s what Luke wants, Percy sure can try to play along a little.
He cocks his head to one side, giving Luke his most convincing pleading look
and, just for effect, whines again.
 
Luke seems amused more than anything, but he still complies, leaning back and
taking off his shirt. Percy doesn’t actually get to touch him tough, Luke
captures Percy’s lips with his own and pulls him flush against his chest with
both hands cupping Percy’s ass. Percy reacts by grinding down against Luke’s
hips almost instinctively, squeaking when this earns him a pinch.
 
There’s a low chuckle that turns into a low moan when Percy doesn’t let Luke
distract him and rolls his hips once more. Luke bites Percy’s lip,the sharp
pain sending sparks of arousal down his spine.
 
“Don’t tease.” Luke warns, holding Percy still with a hand on his hip, the
other kneading Percy’s ass through the fabric of his briefs. In response, Percy
whines indignantly but Luke only drags his lips down Percy’s throat with a hum,
his lips clearly twitching with a smile.
 
Percy isn’t sure how much longer he can stand this drawn out stimulation, he
wants to touch and feel all at once, but all Luke gives him is fleeting and
teasing and leaving Percy dizzy with wanting. He’s close to telling Luke to
just get on with it, but that kind defeats the purpose of what they’re doing
here.
 
When Luke pulls away from Percy again, there’s a wicked grin on his lips, and
before Percy realises what’s coming, he’s flipped around and lying on the
mattress again, more comfortable on his stomach this time. Hovering above him,
Luke tugs Percy’s head back with a hand in his hair, a lot rougher than before,
but not yet on the verge of painful.
 
“You’re so much more than I deserve.” Luke’s lips brush the skin underneath
Percy’s ear as he speaks, breath ghosting over Percy’s neck and making him
shiver. “And you look so good like this.” As if to underline his words, Luke
presses his groin against Percy’s ass. He can feel the hardness there, right
underneath the rough material of his shorts. “Driving me crazy.”
 
“Luke.” Percy pushes back against him, breaking his silence with a needy moan,
unable to keep it in any longer. Luke retails by letting go of Percy’s hair and
using his hand to pin Percy to the bed instead. With a thump, Percy lets his
head fall against the covers, his eyes fluttering closed as Luke grazes over
the first knob of Percy’s spine with his teeth.
 
It’s like he’s starting his teasing all over again, the hand that’s not holding
Percy down traces over Percy’s shoulder, the back of his neck where the collar
meets his skin, the lines of Percy’s ribs, down his sides to the back of his
hip bones. Luke continues to work his way along Percy’s spine, sucking more
than one mark into the skin and never stopping the slow grinding of his hips
against Percy’s.
 
The motion sends Percy’s own hips moving as well, rubbing himself against the
mattress with every new push and Percy can barely swallow his whimper when Luke
moves away. It’s not for long though, before Percy has a chance to complain,
Luke’s hands press back against his thighs again, stroking up until they both
slide over Percy’s ass. A second later, Luke hooks his fingers into Percy’s
briefs and starts pulling them off. Since he’s not being held down now, Percy
can raise his hips off the bed to make it easier for Luke, who actually presses
a kiss to Percy’s back and whispers a soft thanks against his skin.
 
Percy hides his smile by letting his head rest against the mattress instead of
craning his neck to catch a glimpse of what Luke is doing. He hears shuffling
behind him - Luke must finally be taking off his shorts - and then Luke is
looming over him again, pressing a tender kiss just above the collar.
 
“I want you.” Luke’s voice is low, a little hoarse and thick with arousal. “You
want me to take you now?”
 
The moan Percy gives as response might be a little too enthusiastic, he feels
Luke’s breath puff against his neck when he laughs softly and when Luke shifts
then, his cock rubs over the bare skin of Percy’s ass. He almost begs again
right then, but manages to stifle his words by biting down on his lips, whining
impatiently instead.
 
Percy hears the slick sound of lube being squeezed out of a tube,
subconsciously spreading his legs a little further. A moment passes, then Luke
pulls Percy’s cheeks apart with one hand, starting to circle his rim with the
slick fingers of the other one. A moan slips past Percy’s lips, muffled only by
the pillow that he’s buried his face in, and against his better judgment, he
pushes back against Luke’s finger.
 
“Be patient.” Luke scolds, but Percy can hear the smile in his voice. He’s been
patient for long enough already and Luke seems to know that too. He works Percy
open quickly, knowing that more teasing would only result in Percy starting to
get uncomfortable. Luke still takes far too long for Percy’s taste, and he
knows he’s just  making sure that Percy really is ready for comes next.
Nevertheless it makes Percy groan with frustration.
Finally, Luke beckons Percy up again, steadying him with a hand around his
shoulder after he wipes it against the covers
 
“Turn around.” Luke leans in and brings his lips to Percy’s for a lingering
kiss, distracting him while he shuffles them into a new position. He has Percy
straddling his hips now, their chests pressed together and cocks rubbing
against one another, trapped between their stomachs. Luke cards his clean hand
through Percy’s hair, swallowing Percy’s moans with a new kiss, before tangling
it in the shorter strands right at the back of his neck.
“Ready?” They both know that Luke doesn’t actually need to ask, but Percy nods
anyway. He whines in anticipation, letting Luke steady him before he finally
lowers himself onto Luke’s length.
 
Once Percy is settled, he rests his forehead against Luke’s, taking a
shuddering breath while they both give him some time to adjust.
It turns out to be a little complicated, Percy isn’t used to not being able to
use his hands, so it takes a lot of help from Luke to stay steady. Eventually,
they start moving together, Percy raising himself up as good as he can manage,
Luke making sure they don’t fall over when Percy leans back and meets Percy’s
rise and fall with thrusts of his own.
 
They stay close to each other, skin sliding against skin as they pick up a
pace, filling the quiet of the room with mingling sounds of pleasure, moans and
whines. Percy is so wound up, he knows he won’t last long, and even though Luke
has denied himself any relief until now, his moans are indicating that he’s
getting close just as fast.
 
“Percy. You’re doing so well, feels so good.” Luke’s steady whisper sounds
almost like a prayer, his quiet voice sounding like it’s filled with awe and
wonder for the boy on top of him. It’s music in Percy’s ears, making his head
swim and only furthers the tightness building in his gut. When Luke wraps his
fingers around Percy’s cock between them, it gets too much. Percy knows he’s
tensing up, arching his back and letting his head fall back, white hot pleasure
shooting through every nerve of his body, making all the sensitive red marks
Luke left on him burn all over again.
 
Percy slumps forward, going weak against Luke’s body, resting his head in the
crook of the other boy’s neck. He vaguely registers Luke’s thrusts stuttering,
and the muffled cry when Luke topples over the edge as well, but for now, all
Percy can do is try to get his breathing back to normal and come out of the
haze that is cushioning his thoughts like cotton candy.
 
It feels like forever until Luke moves underneath him, winding his arms around
Percy’s back and carefully opening the cuffs around his wrists. Percy doesn’t
wait for even a second before he winds his arms around Luke’s neck, not yet
ready to let go of their embrace.
 
When Percy opens his eyes again, it’s to Luke pressing an abundance of tiny
pecks to the side of his face, smiling at Percy so fondly it fills him with
warmth to just look back at Luke.  
 
“Let’s get cleaned up so we can cuddle under the blankets, what do you say?”
Not really trusting his voice yet, Percy connects his lips with Luke’s in a
tender kiss before he pulls away and nods ever so slightly. He doesn’t feel
like talking anyway, too blissed out to bother wrecking his mind for words, and
Luke seems to understand.
 
Chapter End Notes
     So first actual scene. What did you think? c: Make my day and let me
     know down below <3
***** The Quest *****
Chapter Summary
     Percy gets himself a quest.
Chapter Notes
     Lot's of plot, I felt like this was necessary for the early stages of
     the fic. I hope you enjoy ;)
See the end of the chapter for more notes
A loud knock shakes Percy out of his sleep the next morning. Part of him is
glad for it, his dreams had been far from pleasant. He slowly blinks his eyes
open and still being in a sleepy daze, Percy turns over to cuddle against the
warm body next to him. It’s still dark out, the world is just about to dawn,
and Percy really isn’t up for getting out of bed yet.
 
“Don’t make me come in Kelp Head.” Clarisse’s voice booms in the hallway and
Percy groans. Luke is awake already, smiling softly even with the dark circles
under his eyes. For a moment longer, Percy ignores the fact that Clarisse is in
the halfway and steals a kiss from the boy next to him.
 
It doesn’t stay just one kiss, Luke cups Percy’s face and presses closer, arms
winding around each other. They could both use a shower, and morning breath
kisses definitely aren’t in Percy’s top five of anything, but he still shuffles
until there is no room left between them.
 
“Ugh.” Clarisse makes a gagging noise, her voice sounds a lot closer now.
“C’mon you can fuck your boyfriend later. Mr. D wants to see you Perce.”
 
Another groan, and Percy disentangles himself from Luke, rolling away and out
of the bed reluctantly. Clarisse gives him an obviously judging look, but Percy
doesn’t miss the amusement dancing in her eyes. At least he hasn’t slept naked,
so Clarisse gets spared of getting an eyeful naked butt this early in the
morning, and Luke just turns over on his back to watch the two of them.
 
There’s no point in dragging this out, so Percy gets dressed quickly while
Clarisse eyes him without shame. It’s not sexual, gods forbid, more like she’s
a little curious what Percy has to offer that got him Luke of all people.
 
They walk in silence, past the strawberry fields and the volleyball pit where
the Apollo kids are playing and Will waves when he spots Percy - he will never
understand how they manage to get up at the asscrack of dawn, must have
something to do with their father - until they finally approach the porch of
the Big House.
 
“Well, well.” Mr. D says without looking up from where he’s playing some card
game with Chiron. “Our little celebrity.”
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“There’s been an escalation.” Were the first words Chiron had directed toward
him and Clarisse as soon as Mr. D vanished, right before explaining the actual
reason Poseidon sent Percy to Camp: the whole business with a stolen lightning
bolt and Zeus blaming his brother in the sea for it’s absence.
 
It’s not like Percy hadn’t guessed something was up yet:  the weather was
getting worse by the day and his father breaking off his training a year before
Percy was actually of age, just to send him to a camp that sure couldn’t be any
safer than the freaking ocean floor, was pretty suspicious. In contrast to what
some people thought, Percy wasn’t completely stupid, he could put two and two
together.
 
He knew that he was at camp because his father needed him, because the god
himself couldn’t settle a dispute over something he hadn’t done without
starting a war, and that a quest to retrieve the stolen weapon could only be
issued by -
 
“The oracle, yes.” Chiron confirmed Percy’s suspicions then. Clarisse lit up at
the mention of a quest, just like any other demigod at camp, she’d probably
jump at the chance to get one.
 
Chiron explained them the dimensions of the debacle they were in, how
Poseidon’s claiming Percy felt like a personal offense to Zeus, how in return
Poseidon was sure Hades had taken the lightning bolt instead who, as a last
resort, kidnapped Percy’s mother as leverage just the night before. It was the
reason Chiron now believed that the only place the masterbolt could be found
was down in the Underworld, stolen by a handyman of Hades to stir things up
between his brothers, cause a war that would only benefit the god of death.
 
If there was a way to keep peace, it was Percy finding and returning the stolen
weapon before Zeus’ deadline arrived.
 
The worst part of the morning - by far - was going up to the attic though. His
father warned him, that at some point he would have to face the oracle and that
the mummy wasn’t a sight for sore eyes, but it didn’t do much to prepare him
for the horror that was the green mist spitting thing sitting in the attic.
 
It also didn’t do anything to lessen the pain the words of the prophecy brought
him.
 
You shall go west, and face the god that has turned.
You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned.
You shall be betrayed by the one you calls you a friend.
And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“Two companions.” Percy confirms, looking between the three of his friends.
“And Luke won’t come.”
Percy’s voice is nothing if not bitter when he spits the words out. He counted
on Luke the second he was sure there was going to be a quest, not for a second
had he thought Luke would let him down, and the hurt adds to the gnawing
feeling of dread in his stomach.
 
Will reaches out and squeezes Percy’s shoulder, reassuring smile on his face.
It’s clear that the son of Apollo feels with Percy, but also that he has no
idea what to say to him.
“I’m not a big fighter.” He admits finally, and Percy feels a smile of his own
tugging on his lips. “But if you want me along I’ll come. If I were you
though…” Will leans closer, cupping a hand over Percy’s ear and whispering
conspiratorially. “...I’d take the girls. If you’re going to save the world,
they are the best persons to keep you from messing up.”
 
Will is right, Percy knows, it wasn’t much of a question for him anyway. He
knows how long Annabeth has waited to get the chance to go on a quest, and he
could tell earlier that Clarisse was just as thrilled. Plus, he feels like the
three of them wouldn’t make a bad team…
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
When Percy comes back to his cabin to pack, Luke is gone. Even though Percy
hasn’t expected him to linger, especially after their little fight earlier, he
still feels hurt by the fact that Luke isn’t around.
 
Percy shakes it off though, he has to keep his head clear if he wants to
succeed on this quest. Ten days isn’t a whole lot of time, and even though he
knows all three of them are as well trained as they could possibly be, he has a
bad feeling about the whole thing.
 
After packing, Percy has to force himself not to linger and hope for Luke to
make an appearance after all, there’s nothing left to say now, not when Luke
was the one person Percy thought he could rely on most is also the one letting
him down without as much as an explanation.


Chiron promised to give them a head start, to have them taken as far as the bus
terminal of Manhattan so they at least start from a place that can get them
somewhere.
 
Clarisse is waiting already when Percy approaches the big house, she has
brought the electric spear her father gave to her as a gift, but it doesn’t
seem to be the only weapon she’s carrying if the way she holds herself is any
indication, and her backpack is filled with far more useful supplies than
Percy’s seems to be.
They get ambrosia and nectar from Chiron, food of the gods, that Percy safely
tugs away to the bottom of his backpack. He knows the dangers, how too much can
burn you up from the inside, and he’d really rather not get tempted.
 
They don’t have to wait long for Annabeth, she shimmers into existence to
Percy’s right, taking of her yankees cap and hanging it from her belt. She’s
carrying a knife as well, but it seems to be the only weapon she’s packed.
 
Will comes to say goodbye and wish them good luck, hugs Clarisse and Annabeth
before he wraps his arms around Percy too. Will slips him a flask that looks
suspiciously like unicorn draught, closing Percy’s finger around the smooth
vial and squeezing.
“Just for emergencies.” He whisperes, pressing a kiss to Percy’s cheek before
he pulls away from their hug with a faint blush on his cheeks.
 
Percy decides it’s best not to make anything of this, not yet, not when the
hurt of Luke’s bad faith still lingers.
 
They march up the hill to where Argus, the driver, is waiting. Chiron didn’t
listen to Percy’s complains that he can indeed very well drive a car by
himself, and that it would be all they needed to get across the country, so
they are stuck with the guy who has more eyes than Percy can fathom for now.
 
Before they reach the foot of the hill though, Percy can hear footsteps behind
them and a hand clasps his shoulder before he has time to turn around.
“Hey.” Luke sounds out of breath, and when Percy turns around to glare at him,
he’s met with a pained expression. “Glad I caught you.”
 
Next to him, Percy can feel Clarisse tense. The look she is giving Luke is one
to kill, brows drawn together and eyes dark, Percy’s is pretty sure she’s even
gritting her teeth. Annabeth doesn’t look much friendlier, even though there is
a pinch of doubt and hurt in her eyes as well. Percy is not the only one who
had hoped that Luke would be number three in their party.
 
“I just wanted to say good luck.” Luke’s words sound rehearsed, like he has to
force them out. Percy’s frown deepens, it’s not something he thinks he could
notice if him and Luke had only been friends and nothing more.
“And I thought…” Luke trails off, Percy watches how Luke balls the hand hanging
by his side into a fist. He’s holding a pair of baseball shoes, but Percy
doesn’t dwell on it, just snaps his eyes back up to Luke to level him with
another glare.
 
For a moment, they all watch in silence as Luke fights with his words, and
eventually how he crumbles, sadness taking over his features.
“I’m sorry Percy.” It’s nothing more than a whisper, and Percy tenses. They
don’t have time for this, he knows, but not even Chiron urges them on from
where he is standing to the side. “Be safe. I… I love you.”
 
Percy is rigid when Luke hugs him, unable to even answer, just staring at the
other boy when he pulls away. Annabeth hugs Luke as well, fiercely like she too
knows something Percy is still in the dark about, and Clarisse drops her glare
to give Luke a court nod. Percy suspects it’s as friendly as she’s going to get
for now.
 
“Kill some monsters for me.” Luke says, forcing a pitiful smile on his face,
then he turns around and walks back down the hill, still with the shoes in
hand.
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
After blowing up a bus in a fight with furies, and a really close run in
withfreaking Medusa, which Clarisse was much more excited about than either
Percy or Annabeth, they fled back into the woods and made camp at a safe
distance.
 
As far as quests go, Percy felt like they weren’t doing a particularly great
job so far, but he was determined to do better from now on. To avoid another
surprise, they decided to sleep in shifts. Since Annabeth dozed off almost the
same second her head touched the ground, Percy volunteered to take the first
watch, but Clarisse just sat down beside him and crossed her arms over her
chest.
 
“Something’s shady with this quest.” She mumbles and won’t meet Percy’s eyes
when he turns his face toward her. “ The Furies should have been able to kill
us, I feel like they weren’t giving us the full program.” Her tone made it
clear that she was offended by that fact, and Percy had to stop himself from
rolling his eyes. Of course, for a daughter of Ares it would be insulting, but
Percy was just glad that they hadn’t had bigger problems with Hades’ pets.
 
“I know what you mean. My father trained me for years, this can’t be the one
big gig he needs me for. I know there’s more, some bigger scheme I just...”
Percy looks from Clarisse to Annabeth sleeping next to them. He knows that the
daughter of Athena knows much more than she’s letting on, she’s been dropping
hints ever since Percy arrived at camp…
 
“Don’t take yourself too important kelp head.” Clarisse teases, poking Percy
with her elbow. When he looks back at her, she’s smiling, but her eyes are
betraying her. Percy can tell she’s been thinking the same, why give up someone
you harboured like a secret weapon if it was just a silly dispute between
brothers.
 
Imagine the world in chaos. Nature at war with itself. Chiron’s words echo
through Percy’s head.
Okay, maybe it’s more than a silly dispute at stake, Percy muses, but all the
times his father told him about his role to play one day, it didn’t seem like
the sea god was talking about a war between the olympians. And then there was
the way Luke’s behaviour seemed to get more odd with each day passing...
 
Clarisse seems to notice Percy’s thoughts going down dark paths, because once
again she nudges him will and brings him back to the present.
“Sleep, I’m taking first watch.” Being not in the mood to argue, especially not
with Clarisse, Percy gives in and curls up next to Annabeth, eyes pressed shut
with all the emotion cooking inside him.


Percy’s nightmares don’t cease even for one night, so of course as soon as
sleep pulls him under, Percy’s in the same dark place again as the times
before.
 
Percy ignores the spirits of the dead trying to hold him back, he walks
steadily toward the chasm at the end of the cave. The son of Poseidon doesn’t
fear darkness, it’s dark on the floor of the ocean and it’s dark in the nights
when you can best see the stars, at least that’s what Percy is trying to tell
himself.
 
Everything about the place screams powerful and evil, and looking down the
bottomless pit makes Percy feel wary after all. It’s almost like something is
trying to crawl its way out, and that something is now speaking to Percy in an
amused voice.
 
Petty hero, young and arrogant. A shadow of his father.
 
The voice cooed. It felt dark and ancient, settling in Percy’s bones and
numbing him.
 
They are playing you. Barter with me and I will give you what you want.
 
His mother, that was Percy’s first thought, abducted by Hades. Luke came close
second, freed from whatever was plaguing him.
 
Help me rise. The thing in the pit closed its grip around Percy with an
invisible force, it tried to drag him in, to pull itself out.
 
Forget the treacherous gods, I will rise.


Percy wakes with a gasp. In his dream, the dead pushed him out, dragged him
away from whatever monster was lurching in this darkest corner of the
underworld. He’s still lying on his side, Clarisse gone, and Percy worries for
half a second before he hears her whisper behind his back. She’s talking to
Annabeth, voice low and comforting. Apparently Percy wasn’t the only one with
bad dreams.
 
“It punished him, for denying its orders. There was talking about a hellhound
and shoes I- I only caught the end of it.” It’s pretty obvious that the girls
don’t want Percy to hear, so he sure isn’t going to announce himself. He’s sick
of being denied important information.
“Get this under control or I will dispose of the hero myself. That were its
last words, I don’t know what to make of this Clarisse.” Annabeth’s voice is
urgent, even though she speaks hushed. Percy decided it’s now or never, and
rolls onto his back with a yawn, faking his waking up.
 
“Well,” Annabeth says, like she didn’t just have a secret conversation with
Clarisse. “the zombie lives.”
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
After two days of almost peaceful travelling, hitchhiking and sneaking on a
train only to be thrown out in St. Louis when someone found out they were
travelling without a ticket, they run into their next disaster.
 
Neither of them is very happy about having to find a new ride west, and after
an hour of trying to stop a car and asking hundreds of strangers if they could
take them at least some miles west, Percy has to admit that for now, they are
stranded. Clarisse likes the idea of stealing a car when Percy suggests it, but
Annabeth silences them with a mere look and they discard this idea as well.
 
“There’s another train leaving in three hours, we just gotta try our luck there
again.” Annabeth heaves a sigh, she doesn’t like playing blind passenger
anymore than Percy or Clarisse do, but between that and hijacking a car, the
choice is an easy one.
 
She figures that they might use the time for something useful, and since it’s
probably going to be the one chance she has to see it, Clarisse and Percy
follow her to the Gateway Arch. Just one ride to the top, Annabeth promises,
but Percy has his doubts that it’s going to stay at that.
 
The whole way there, and even inside the museum, he feels like they are being
watched, but no matter how often he checks, nothing shady presents itself. For
a moment, he considers it to be Hades, lingering in the shadows with his Helm
of Darkness, but Clarisse looks at him like he’s losing his marbles when he
brings up the possibility.
 
“I have a feeling the Lord of the Underworld has better things to do.” She
mumbles and grins like she’s talking to a child. Percy tries shaking the
feeling off, but it follows him all the way up into the arch.
 
In the end, a couple of beginner’s mistakes cause Percy to nearly ruin their
whole quest. First he doesn’t notice that the woman with the chihuahua are all
kinds of strange, even the animal itself. Then, he lets himself be separated
from both Annabeth and Clarisse at once and finally, he managed to fuck up and
lose the fight with a chimera just because he doesn’t pay proper attention. So
much for years of training…
 
What saves him is, quite literally, a leap of faith straight out of the arch
and into the water of the Mississippi. Part of Percy believes that after that
long of a fall, along with the poison spreading in his veins, not even the
water can save him anyway. Thankfully that part is wrong, the second Percy hits
the surface of the water, he feels better again.
 
“Thanks dad.” He whispers, slowing his sinking to the bottom of the river.
Somewhere around here his sword should be, since it’s not back in his pocket
yet, and while his eyes search the ocean floor, Percy’s eyes land on a nymph.
 
It’s the same one that accompanied him almost all the way to camp, the day
feels like it was years ago now, and when Percy catches her eyes, she smiles
softly.
 
Your father sends a message. He believes you will succeed, but be wary. The
worst is yet to come.
 
Underneath her translucent body, Percy’s sword shimmers in the mud. She doesn’t
back away when he approaches her, doesn’t dissolve when he speaks even.
 
“I didn’t do well so far. What do you mean, there’s worse to come?” Percy tries
hard not to let the worry ring through his words, but all the nymph does is
shake her head and touch her fingers to Percy’s cheek. They feel like a wet
caress, a kiss from the sea so far away.
 
I cannot stay, the river is too foul. Come to the beach in Saint Monica, you
will learn more.
 
Percy wants to stop her, but she has already become a part of the water again.
With a sigh, Percy wraps his fingers around the tilt of his sword and shoots
through the dirty water back to the surface.
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
With still seven days to the solstice, Clarisse reassures Percy that they could
be doing worse when they get thrown out of yet another train in Denver. He can
tell she’s getting restless, apart from their first fight with the furies,
Clarisse didn’t have a chance to get much action yet and Percy feels more than
willing to share some of what he’d gotten so far.
 
On the bright side, Annabeth finds them a car wash with spray guns and while
Clarisse hold the nozzle, Percy feeds their last change into the automat. A
minute later, Will’s face shimmers through the rainbow.
 
“Percy! Annabeth! It’s great to see you.” He looks like he’s tempted to hug the
rainbow and Percy finds himself smiling an honest, happy smile for the first
time since they started this quest. “Are you alright? Where’s Clarisse?”
 
Annabeth fills Will in on what happened, tells him about some of their worries
that there’s more at stake while Clarisse turns the nozzle just enough for Will
to see her as well. When Annabeth finishes, Will rubs a hand over his face and
sighs.
 
“Yeah it’s… things are strange here as well. Something attacked Luke in the
forests, no one’s sure what it was, or why and what he was doing there. He’s
still recovering. And the campers got wind of the gods’ fight, they’re taking
sides.” The image flickers, the mist is getting thinner. “Be careful, I want
you all back in one piece, yeah? And -” Will’s going to say more, but the spray
gun sputters it’s last water and then it’s all gone. They are left standing in
the cold, dripping car wash, silent except for Percy’s rumbling stomach.
 
“Ugh, alright, let’s find us some dinner.” Clarisse hooks her arm around
Annabeth’s as she speaks, who wraps her hand around Percy’s wrist before they
walk off.
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Quite a couple of strange things had happened to Percy in the past few days,
still, he hadn’t considered that at one point he would sit in a diner, in a way
too small booth, pressed against the god of war while Clarisse and Annabeth
watch the scene from the other side of the table, both awkwardly smiling.
 
The god’s presence is infuriating, playing up Percy’s already fiery temper, so
most of their conversation is Percy sassing the god of war and Annabeth kicking
his shins, trying to get him to shut his mouth. It seems to amuse the god, he
has a wolfish grin on his face when he speaks.
 
“S’okay. I don’t mind a little attitude. Long as you remember who’s the boss.”
Ares winks at Percy, and while he’s still busy thinking that he knows where
Clarisse got her looks from, said girl is seeming to have a hard time not to
throw up on the table.
 
It goes back and forth for a while like this, somewhen in between a waitress
brings them food, until Ares finally gets to the point. An offer, they retrieve
something of his that has gotten lost, and he helps them out a little with
their quest. Percy’s tempted, and he can tell Clarisse and Annabeth are as
well.
 
“And one more thing.” Ares says, the burning fire in his eyes darkening
strangely when they land on Percy. “You punk stay with me, so there’s no funny
busy with the girls.” He gives them the details after that and finally,
Clarisse sighs, looking between Percy and Annabeth.
 
“Alright, whatever, just a tunnel of love, right?”
 
 
Chapter End Notes
     Let me know what you thought, if you liked the way I twigged the
     original story to this. c:
     (Yes, I did include some word-to-word snippets right from the book,
     with some things, I'm still following it's storyline. ;) )
***** Ares/Percy *****
Chapter Summary
     Ares thinks he needs to teach Percy a lesson.
Chapter Notes
     Warning for notions of dub-con, poor prep and general Ares at work.
     ;)
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Clarisse and Annabeth clearly don’t like the idea of leaving Percy alone with
the god of war and frankly, Percy isn’t too happy about it himself. There’s
something about the way Ares keeps looking at him that makes Percy
uncomfortable, makes him want to fight and run all at once. He can’t though,
it’s part of the deal, and as soon as Clarisse has agreed, Ares claps a hand
over Percy’s shoulder and vanishes right with him.
 
Percy blinks and the scenery changes, the diner dissolves in front of his eyes
and takes a wholly different shape. Percy can’t tell if it’s an illusion, if
all this is happening in his head, they teleported, or it’s just Ares messing
with him. The god laughs at Percy’s shock, letting go of his shoulder to cross
the room.
 
It looks a lot like motel rooms on TV, maybe not as dirty and with better
lighting. Percy doubts it’s an actual motel Ares took him to, but a place
somewhere different. He watches sceptically as Ares falls down on a sofa,
switching on the TV with a flick of his hand. It shows what must be an
abandoned water park, Percy realises it’s the place Ares has sent Annabeth and
Clarisse to.
 
“That’s what you’re afraid of, cupid statues?” Percy crosses his arms over his
chest, entirely unimpressed. Hot wind seems to blow through the room at that,
and the fire in the god’s eyes only glows more intense.
 
“I really need to teach you some respect punk.” Even though the words come out
as a growl, the god doesn’t make a move. He barely spares Percy another glance,
watching entirely nothing happening on the screen.  The silence grows
uncomfortable fast, for Percy at least, who starts shifting from one foot to
another until eventually, with another wave of Ares’ hand, two glasses appear
on the table next to the couch. “Have a drink kid.”
 
Percy doesn’t need to check to know it’s liqueur, and with the way Ares’
presence is influencing him even sober, he can’t afford dulling his senses even
more. It’s probably rude to decline, but Percy could honestly care less.
 
“I’m not drinking that.”
 
“Yes you are. Be a man.”
 
“I said no.”
 
For a long moment, Percy tries to stare Ares down, but the burning in the gods
eyes only makes his blood boil. It clouds his mind, reminding him of every
bully he’s ever met: Triton, his half-brother who hates him with a passion, one
of his teachers down at the bottom of the ocean whose only intent seemed to
have been making Percy fail, the Ares kid calling him a faggot…
 
Percy grits his teeth, making himself snap out of it. This is probably part of
whatever is Ares’ plan, making Percy angry enough to come at the god and
frankly, he’s tempted to just try and punch him in the face, but thankfully
he’s also bright enough not to try.
 
“It doesn’t look good for your friends.” The closeness of Ares’ voice snaps
Percy out of his thoughts, quite forcefully, because when he looks up, the god
is standing inches in front of him. He’s taken off the sunglasses, and Percy
can see straight into the burning flames where Ares’ eyes should be. “If you
want my help, you’ll have to offer me something else.”
 
With another step forward, Ares is all up in Percy’s space, tongue darting out
and wetting his lips. Setting his jaw, Percy tilts his chin up - it’s all the
invitation he’s going to give, all the satisfaction Ares is going to get, but
apparently it’s all he needs. The god closes the distance, grabbing a fistful
of Percy’s hair and inching closer. Before he can press his lips to Percy’s
though, Percy yanks his head to the side, glaring at Ares.
 
“Kisses are for lovers. If you want sweet love you should have gone to your
girlfriend.” Percy spits the words, but instead of infuriating the god, they
seem to urge him on. With a dark laugh, he turns Percy around and where a
second ago Percy was sure stood a chair, a wall is rising to the ceiling.
 
“Gonna teach you a lesson, gotta learn to be careful what ya wish for.” The
words are spoken right into Percy’s ear as he’s being pressed against the wall,
a large hand grabs one of his wrists and pins it above his head, a vice grip
Percy knows he can’t escape. He still struggles, mostly because he doesn’t want
to give in to Ares that easily, but all it does is for Ares to catch Percy’s
second hand as well.
 
It renders Percy helpless, completely at the mercy of the war god, and he
shivers with a strange kind of anticipation. If this was Luke it would be
incredibly arousing, with Ares not as much. Percy knows it’s not giving up
control and knowing he’ll be taken care of, it’s all about power and Ares using
Percy to take what he wants.
 
When Ares yanks Percy’s pants down - right along with his briefs - he almost
backs out of it. Before he can say a word though, the god forces a knee between
Percy’s thighs, spreading his legs just enough to give him access. It becomes
very obvious then just how much this is not about Percy when he hears Ares
spitting on his finger and a second later, feels Ares push the first finger
inside. Percy tries to swallow his pained gasp, but of course it doesn’t slip
the gods notice.
 
“Not so smug now, are we?” Mercilessly, Ares gives Percy not even a second to
adjust before he starts circling his finger. It hurts, and not in a good way,
but Percy is determined to not let anything on again, to not react to any of
Ares provocations.
 
“Just get on with it.” He raps out, breathing through his nose in an attempt to
keep his voice steady. Surprisingly enough, the god complies, adding a finger
and actually working on opening Percy up.
 
Just minutes ago, Ares summoned two glasses of whatever-it-was, so Percy is
sure it wouldn’t be a hard task to get himself some lube as well. The fact is
probably that Ares doesn’t want to, enjoys that this hurts Percy more than it
pleasures him.
 
Obviously, Percy can’t deny being aroused, even through the pain it is somewhat
stimulating, and the way his dick is rubbing against the wall gives him at
least a bit of relieving friction. He doesn’t moan though, his lips are pressed
into a tight line. If Ares wants him to make a sound, he sure as hell is going
to have to do a better job than this.
 
It’s like the god hears his thoughts, because he laughs his cruel laugh again
and pulls away his fingers. Percy’s cheek is pressed against the wall, so he
can’t actually see much, but the sound of fabric shuffling indicates that Ares
is freeing himself of his pants as well. The burning orbs of the war god’s eyes
catch Percy’s as he spits into his hand again and then Percy hears the sound of
him slicking up his cock… there go all hopes for proper lubricant.
 
This time Percy has to bite his own arm to keep the groan in when Ares pushed
inside. The stretch burns, not quite as bad as Percy expected it too, and Ares
grunts once he’s fully sheathed. Like before, Percy doesn’t get much time for
the pain to subside. Ares second hand, now free, finds Percy’s hair again,
pressing his face even harder against the wall as he starts rutting into him,
shallow, hard thrusts.
 
“I know you like it rough, boy.” Percy wishes he could deny it, but he doesn’t
trust his voice. If he’d open his mouth now, he wouldn’t be able to hold in his
moans any longer. The bad part is that of Percy does like it, to be handled
like this, that even with the burn it feels good like this.
“You get off on being used.” Ares continues, punctuating every word with deeper
thrusts, pulling out almost all the way before he slams back in again. “You can
keep quiet all you want, I know you’re rock hard for me punk.”
 
Percy would love to pride himself on not having fallen for Ares’ provocation,
but has in fact not that much control over himself after all. He pushes back on
the god’s cock and gives a long, low groan when it presses against his
prostate. Hatred burns hot in Percy’s chest, and maybe Ares can feel it too,
because he starts pounding Percy ruthlessly, forcing new and more sounds out
between Percy’s lips.
 
It lasts long enough for Percy’s pleasure to turn back into pain, but he’s past
the point of caring now. He’s rubbing himself off against the wall, grateful
the wallpaper isn’t a rough one, edging himself closer to release. Ares’
thrusts become sporadic, his grip on Percy tightens as his grunts are dropping
longer, lower groans. Despite Percy’s loss of control, he doesn’t cum with a
cry, but with a silent breath parting his lips as white hot pleasure shoots
through him and blinds his vision.  He stains the wall and his shirt, gasping
when his now sensitive cock rubs the wall with the last of Ares’ thrusts before
the god reaches his release as well. He curses in a way that is not godly at
all, if Percy wasn’t absolutely tired out he might make a cocky remark about
that.
 
The god of war actually takes a moment to take his breathing under control,
then he lets go of Percy completely, taking back a step and getting his clothes
back in order. Percy uses the moment to close his eyes and rest his head
against the wall, but when he pulls back to tuck himself in again and assesses
the mess he’s made, Ares has already taken care of that with a flick of his
wrist.
 
To Percy’s surprise, it’s not all that awkward when he turns around and faces
the god. Ares seems content with having gotten what he wanted, and Percy
doesn’t feel that disgusted with having given it to him.
 
“Turns out the girls succeeded after all, my daughters work I assume.” Ares
smile is cruel when he points to the TV and indeed, it shows Annabeth and
Clarisse not just in one piece, but also holding Ares’ shield. Percy wants to
be angry, but the war god has managed to drain even the last bit of fury out of
him.
 
At best, Percy is a little annoyed.


Chapter End Notes
     Phew. Hate Sex for Grace. You better liked this, it was quite a thing
     to write :D
     =====================================================================
     let me know what you thought peeps <3
***** Triumph and Betrayal *****
Chapter Summary
     Updated version.
Chapter Notes
     Added 4.2k to this, if you have read the beginning already, search
     for the double horizontal break and go on from there. ;)
     so it is done now, the next thing added will be smut I promise :D
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Annabeth takes one look at Percy and seems to know exactly what has happened.
She narrows her eyes at the war god then, her expression positively hostile.
Much to Percy’s surprise, it’s Clarisse who becomes the responsible one of the
three of them, takes the gift her father offers and then steers them all away
toward the truck that’ll be their ride.
 
There’s no questions asked, even though Percy can tell they both are dying to
know what happened, especially when he struggles walking and pretending not to
be hurting and sore. Since they keep their mouths shut though, Percy does too,
and they all climb into the container.
 
That night, Percy’s dreams aren’t any better than those before, but still
wholly different at first. It changes from training on the ocean floor until
he’s in the cave and hears the voice again, the one ringing with a power too
dark and too ancient for Percy to even begin to understand, but this time it’s
not alone. There’s a second voice, the one of a man, a boy, and if the thought
wouldn’t be absolutely ridiculous to him, Percy might have recognized it as
Luke’s.
 
The voice scolds its servant, mocks him even, laughs when the boy writhes in
pain. Percy realises only after he’s discovered that the thing in the pit is
torturing the boy, that its grip reaches far further than Percy has expected.
He can’t actually see its servant though, not even when Percy can feel both
their gazes on him.
 
Love is for children. You cannot turn from me now little servant, it
will...wait. He is here.
 
Dark laughter fills the cave and chills Percy right to the bone. The servant’s
voice comes back, hushed and panicked, laced with anger.
 
You summoned him?
The being’s full force concentrates on Percy, paralysing him and freezing him
in his place. Look at your precious hero now, too changeable, unpredictable. He
brought himself here.
 
The dream shakes Percy to the core, but before the horror can plant its seeds
in his guts and grow, Clarisse shakes Percy out of his sleep. Annabeth is up
already as well, her magic cap in hand.
 
“Hide!” She hisses, without any further explanation, and disappears by putting
the hat on. Percy is still a little dazed, his mind still running in circles
from the dream, trying to put the pieces together. If it wasn’t for Clarisse,
grabbing him with an annoyed huff, he might not have been able to snap out of
it at all. She is squashing him into the corner, settling in his lap and
pulling a sack of turnips over their head, ducking in close so they both are
out of view.
 
Percy stares up at Clarisse, noses almost touching, and can’t help but huff a
laugh.
“Now, that sure isn’t something I’ve seen coming.” In response, she punches his
chest hard enough to knock the air out of him, smiling smugly and obviously
pleased when Percy draws a wheezing breath.
 
“Quiet now. They’re coming to check on the animals.” It’s Annabeth again, her
voice sounding like she’s standing right next to doors and knowing her, she
probably is, and already has a new plan in mind.
 
In hindsight, setting the animals free in the middle of Vegas probably wasn’t a
smart move at all. Percy has his doubts they’ll find their way to the wild,
without any help that is, and he also doesn’t  think the prayer he sent to his
father will make a difference. Nevertheless, he had promised the zebra to end
their captivity as he took care of the three caged creatures the best he could,
while Annabeth and Clarisse huddled in a corner to get some rest the evening
before.
 
At the very least, the animals cause enough of a stir for them to get out of
the truck unseen, which has been part of Annabeth’s plan, and soon enough, they
are running again.  The sun beats down on the desert, but they keep walking
without a particular destination.
 
“We need to get out of the sun.” Annabeth says, trying to shade her eyes and
running her second hand through her hair. She looks miserable, dirt sticking to
her skin and her hair tangled beyond hope, but it does nothing to diminish the
air of authority with which she carries herself. Percy can’t deny it, he
admires her a little bit for it, and while maybe he should, he doesn’t mind at
all that she has basically taken the lead in their quest.
“Get some water, some food, make a plan. We still have six days, but we can’t
allow ourselves to slack off.”
 
She doesn’t get to say much more, suddenly Clarisse stops her with a hand on
her arm and Percy only notices after several more steps than the girls aren’t
walking right behind him anymore. They somehow managed to run into a dead end,
Percy stares up at the large building in front of them, enjoying the cool air
blowing out of the door. Annabeth takes a step closer, but Clarisse stays
rooted in her place, clearly uncomfortable.
The Lotus Hotel and Casino, bright letters advertise in a surprisingly easily
readable font.
 
“Hello young man.” Percy’s eyes snap to the side, startled by the doorman
taking a step toward him, smiling friendly. “You look plenty tired, why don’t
you and your friends come in and sit down for a little while?”
 
Percy looks back, he sees the wary look on Clarisse’s face and the way her hand
tightens on Annabeth’s arm like she’s trying to hold her back, but Percy can’t
see any danger here, so he waves them closer nevertheless. Annabeth doesn’t
hesitate, jumping at the chance of a place to cool off, both of them ignoring
the worry of their friend.
 
“I don’t like this.” Percy barely hears Clarisse’s whisper as they step inside,
too relieved to be out of the heat, and too amazed by the giant room around
them.
 
By the time they are up in the hotel room, standing on the balcony and enjoying
the view, Clarisse seems to have forgotten her doubts though. There’s obviously
something shady going on here, even Percy can’t deny this, but it’s the best
option they have now.
 
“You think this is Ares’ ploy?” Annabeth asks out of nowhere, looking over at
where Percy is leaning over the railing.
 
“Not his style.” Percy mumbles and Clarisse agrees with a hum. “Let’s get a day
of rest, make a plan and get out of here before we’re discovered.”
 
Like before, he doesn’t catch Clarisse’s quiet murmur.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
They all take a shower and get a change of clothes, Percy is glad to be able to
wash the last traces of the war god off his body, and then go down to the
lobby. Neither Clarisse nor Annabeth seem to be really hungry, so Percy takes
his card and goes to look on his own.
 
He strolls around for a bit, not really feeling up to any of the games he sees,
even though there is plenty of them.
Maybe that is because the dream of the previous night is occupying his thoughts
again. Percy can’t for the life of him put the pieces together. The thing in
the pit, Percy is pretty much convinced that it is a thing by now, a very real
and alive one, has a servant. One that it tortures and threatens to kill, one
that seems to have tried leaving before, one with a voice that’s terribly
familiar to Percy and apparently also belongs to someone that knows him.
By now, Percy is sure that this power he keeps dreaming off is the same one
Annabeth and Clarisse whispered about when they thought he was still sleeping.
He has an absolutely absurd theory that -
 
“Watch it.” Percy’s ripped out of his thoughts when he runs face first into
another person, a boy, and nearly throws him to the ground. The other one is
not much smaller, but definitely younger than him, fifteen at most. The dark
hair, long and loosely tucked behind the other one’s ears, that’s the first
thing Percy notices, the next thing are the eyes, almost black and staring at
him intensely.
 
“I’m sorry.” It’s a bit awkward, Percy’s still holding onto the guy’s arm from
where he had caught him on instinct after almost running him over. They stare
each other down, the boy’s scowl deepens and a strange sort of tension is
rising between them, but for once in his life, Percy gives in before things can
escalate. He’s had enough trouble in the past couple days, he doesn’t want any
more.
 
“I really am, totally didn’t see you there.” He cracks a smile too, one of
those he always gives Will when he wants to hang around the infirmary even
though he’s technically just getting in the way.  
 
It works, like it always does, the boy straightens up a little and huffs a
breath that almost sounds like he’s amused and, when he offers his hand for
Percy to shake, his head cocks to the side.
 
“It’s alright. I’m Nico. You’re new here, aren’t you? I haven’t seen you
before.” There’s a roundness to the vowels that makes Percy think Nico isn’t
from around here, but it’s too subtle for him to be sure. He takes Nico’s hand
and grins, shaking off the thought.
 
“Percy.” He holds onto Nico’s hand maybe a moment too long, because when he
lets go, there is a faint blush spreading on the boy’s cheeks. “And yeah, I
just arrived.”
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“You absolutely suck at this.” Clarisse snickers, a hand resting on Percy’s
shoulder as she watches him play. He just scoffs, sticks his tongue out at her
and then concentrates back on his game with Nico.
It’s strange that they are playing a card game in a casino with the most modern
of consoles, but Nico insisted that no one ever wanted to play this with him
and  since Percy’s still having more fun than he expected to have, it’s not his
place to complain. Even now that he is most definitely losing, it’s fun alone
to watch how excited Nico gets as the game draws on.
 
He took Nico up to the top floor maybe an hour ago, and by now all of them are
sitting here together. Nico’s sister, Bianca, is with them as well, she stands
with Annabeth outside to chat about gods know what while they watch the sun go
down. The girl is Clarisse’s age, making her about a year older than both Percy
and Annabeth and, in contrast to her brother who has warmed up to them by now,
doesn’t talk a whole lot.
 
Inside Nico chats on and on about the game. Clarisse sits back and listens,
even though her thoughts are clear to be elsewhere, it’s more than Percy can
say for himself. He enjoys the sound and flow of Nico’s voice, it’s easy to
listen to without actually taking in what he’s sayingand frankly, Percy doesn’t
care enough about Mythomagic to take in the endless stream of facts Nico
supplies him with. Maybe if he would, he’d actually have a shot at not getting
his ass beaten in a card game by a fifteen-year-old.
 
When the balcony door opens and Percy looks up, he sees Annabeth giving
Clarisse a court nod. They’ve been talking earlier, Percy has seen it and
Annabeth even had waved him over, but Percy didn’t want to abandon Nico, so he
had just shrugged it off. He regret that now, they are onto something again,
something that obviously Percy must have missed.
 
“How long have you been here Nico?” Clarisse asks casually, leaning forward and
resting her elbows on her knees.  Worst of all, she is trying to smile sweetly,
in the way she usually regards her younger siblings when she thinks no one
notices. It’s so unlike her, to do it while Annabeth, and more importantly,
Percy can see, he almost cringes just looking at it.
 
“A month maybe.” He shrugs, sorting through the cards he’s holding in his
hands. Percy narrows his eyes, Nico doesn’t seem to think it’s strange, but
there’s definitely something off with two kids staying at a Vegas Hotel for a
month…
 
“Have you ever heard of the Lotus-eaters?” Annabeth kneels on Nico’s other
side, facing Clarisse while Bianca shifts uncomfortably behind her brother.
Percy narrows his eyes, he remembers his father telling him about Odysseus
getting stranded on an island… but he can’t piece the details together.
 
“There’s a card in the game.” Nico mumbles, finally looking up, his eyes
darting between the two girls on either side of him. He puts down his cards
face-down, like he realises something important is going on. “It puts your
opponent under a spell of sleep-like apathy.”
 
Clarisse nods, her expression growing grave. Percy swallows dryly as the story
comes back to him: Odysseus men, after eating from the Lotus fruit, lost their
desire to ever come home and wept bitterly when he still took them back to the
ship, how they forgot about their duties once and for all.
 
With horror, Percy realises that he hasn’t thought of the quest once in the
past couple hours.
 
“What year is it?” Nico’s eyes go wide, darting from Clarisse to Annabeth, and
finally settle on Percy, pleading like he expects him to help. Not sure what
else to do, Percy reaches over and squeezes Nico’s knee, smiling encouragingly.
 
“1938.” It’s not Nico, but Bianca who says it. The colour has drained from her
face and she’s holding onto Nico’s shoulder with one hand like she needs to
steady herself. Percy is not sure what Annabeth has told her outside, but she
seems to have caught on that something went disturbingly wrong.
 
Percy is glad Annabeth and Clarisse are there, he doubts he’d have been able to
explain the siblings that they had been stuck in the casino not for one month…
but almost seventy years.
 
Nico takes it surprisingly well, and Percy suspects that Nico already had a
feeling something wasn’t quite right before Annabeth broke it to them. Bianca
on the other hand seems rather shaken, not because their family would be dead
and gone, Nico whispers to Percy that they didn’t have anyone left when they
came here, but because she has trouble wrapping her mind around this much time
having passed without her noticing.
 
They decide to leave first thing the next morning, one night of sleep, even
though Percy is reluctant to go. The place is nice, he feels like he could just
float around and stay forever, but that’s exactly what this place does to you.
If it wasn’t for Clarisse, who reminds Percy that there’s a quest and they have
limited time nearly every hour… Percy doesn’t want to think how long they would
have stayed in this trap.
 
Annabeth doesn’t let Nico and Bianca leave, afraid they might get lost again,
and insists that they all sleep in one room together. It’s not crowded, Percy
silently thanks the gods that the rooms of the hotel are ridiculously spacious,
but the thought of sharing a bed with Clarisse and Nico still takes a little
getting used to.
 
Percy begins to wonder why Annabeth is making such a big fuss over two mortals,
not that he doesn’t want them to be saved, but they could have easily sent them
on their way and be done with it instead of keeping them here. Before he gets
to an actual conclusion, Clarisse is standing in front of him, arms crossed
over her chest and looking at him like she is doubting his intelligence.
Sometimes it looks like she’s reading his thoughts - she doesn’t, Percy knows
because he’s tested it in at least fifteen ways - but Percy knows she’s just
scarily good at reading people.
 
“You do realize they are half-bloods too, right?” She asks, and for the dark
look she’s sporting, her tone sure sounds plenty amused. Percy puffs out his
chest, scoffs and opens his mouth to tell her that of course he has guessed
that, but all it takes is a look from her to shut him up before he even starts.
Of course Clarisse has seen through his act already.
 
“Alright. How’d you know then?” Percy acts defensively, crossing his arms over
his chest and squaring his jaw. Clarisse just smiles smugly.
 
“Everyone who hasn’t got a head full of kelp would have seen it.” When Percy
pouts at that, Clarisse nudges him with her elbow, like she’s trying to tell
him to lighten up.
“Want me to be honest? I didn’t. Annabeth had a suspicion, and started asking
the right questions.”
 
For some reason, the fact that Clarisse is admitting this weakness to him makes
him smile. It’s not often that she is honest about the things she lacks, Percy
feels strangely honoured that she tries with him.
 
===============================================================================
 
When they leave the casino the morning after, they almost have to fight their
way out. The staff is reluctant to let Percy, Annabeth and Clarisse go, but
especially aversed to having Nico and Bianca leave. They almost let themselves
get talked into staying another night, they still have five days after all, but
thankfully Clarisse takes things in hand: She stomps her spear on the ground
and threatens to fry anyone getting in their way. It’s not nice, but it sure is
effective.
 
Once outside things start clearing up, while Annabeth finds a payphone to call
camp - there is no car-wash or similar around for an Iris Message - and inform
them to send a sartyr, Clarisse gets a newspaper, trying to settle her anxiety
about having lost more time than they thought. She ends up being right, instead
of one night, they lost three days. It’s June eighteenth and they have all of
three days left to complete their quest.
 
“Two.” Annabeth says, coming back from the payphone, worrying her lower lip
between her teeth. “They sent a sartyr, but he won’t be here before tomorrow
morning. We can’t leave them alone.” Percy knows Annabeth is right, but the
news still don’t sit well with him, another day lost leaves them with nearly no
time, two days is nothing if you have to fight your way into and out of the
underworld.
 
Nico suggests going back to the casino after all, they have to spent the night
somewhere after all, but Clarisse nearly slaps him for even bringing the
thought up. Percy thinks it’s something personal, the reason why Clarisse is so
touchy on the subject of the casino, has been from the beginning, but she
doesn’t offer the information on her own, so Percy decides not to press her.
 
Annabeth comes up with the insane idea of taking a cab to L.A., paying with
their cash cards, and even more to Percy’s surprise, it actually works.
Clarisse is just as stunned, but at least she manages to school her face into a
mask that doesn’t give her away.
 
During the drive, they have time to talk things through for the first time in a
while. Percy admits to having had nightmares - Annabeth nearly slaps him for
having kept that to himself for so long - and also his suspicions about the
quest itself. Nico and Bianca listen quietly, neither of them seeming to be
particularly spooked by the talk of gods and monsters, the Underworld and
ancient voices in a pit.
 
“Tartarus.” Clarisse’s voice is hushed, low and quiet and startlingly weak.
“What if the pit is the entrance to Tartarus?”
 
Percy shudders involuntarily and so does Annabeth, neither of them really wants
to think about that option.
 
Annabeth told the driver to drop them off close to the beach of Santa Monica,
who’s only too pleased to comply. Clarisse leads the way, hand tight around her
spear while Percy prays the mist lets it look like a walking stick, but
travelling with five half-bloods in a major city is asking for trouble and he
can’t justify telling her to put it away. They are already halfway down the
lane, the surf stretching on to their right, when Percy remembers the naiads
promise.
 
He taps Clarisse’s shoulder, points to the water and jumps over the railing
separating the sidewalk from the beach. “I’ll be right back.” He gives her a
wink, hears Annabeth exasperated sigh and walks straight into the water.
 
“Isn’t that kind of…?” Nico trails off, looking questioning between the girls,
but Clarisse just shrugs and grins at the boy.
 
“Percy’s half goldfish, he’ll live.”
 
===============================================================================
 
“Your father wishes he could be here himself and to make up for his absence he
sends a warning and a gift.”  The nereid smiles, holding her hand out to Percy.
It’s not the naiad that had helped him in the Mississippi, how could it be,
there’s no fresh water around, but Percy’s sure she’s seen this one before too.
Maybe she’s part of his father’s court, that would explain why she seems to
familiar to him.
 
In her palm, four white pearls glitter and Percy grins instantly. He knows
these, has seen them before, even though he’s never had a need to use them
before.
 
“What belongs to the sea will always return to the sea.” They share a smile
when Percy repeats his father’s parting words, then he takes the pearls and
pockets them, thanks the nereid with a respectful bow of his head. “What about
the warning?”
 
At that, the nereid purses her lips, worry fleetingly taking over her kind
face.
“There are darker things in the Underworld than the Lord of the Dead. You must
be cautious, young hero.  Trust your instincts, let the girl lead you.”
 
Percy is about to ask for an explanation, a name, anything, but the nereid is
fading away already. He looks after her, rubs a hand over his face and sighs:
What is it with the gods and their favor for mysterious and useless
information?
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“Is she your girlfriend?” Percy looks up from his cup of coffee, his eyes
meeting Nico’s, eyebrow raised. “Clarisse. You seem close.”
 
It takes all Percy’s self-control not to burst out laughing, but his amusement
must still show, because Nico’s face closes off and he crosses his arms over
his chest defensively.
 
“Gods no. We’re friends.” Percy does snicker after all, shaking his head to
himself. Dating Clarisse really isn’t something he can see himself doing. “And
before you ask, I’m not dating Annabeth either. I have…”
 
Bianca interrupts the two of them by sitting down on the table, a tablet filled
with pastries in hand, and soon followed by Annabeth and Clarisse carrying the
rest of their coffee. Percy bites his lip, realising he was going to tell Nico
that he has a boyfriend… but if he’s being honest, Percy can’t say he’s sure
thats what he and Luke are.
 
“Okay, what we need now is somewhere to hide out until the morning, find the
DOA Recording Studios, and make a plan on how to kick our friend downstairs in
the butt.” Clarisse is speaking before she has even sat down, tapping her
fingers on the tables surface and effectively changing the topic away from
Percy and who he might or might not be dating.
 
Coming to a crowded coffee shop is, in Percy’s opinion, a pretty stupid thing
to do as well, but Annabeth was sure the mass of mortals would mask their scent
to the monsters and, besides that, he is sort of hungry, and there’s never
going to be a day where Percy turns down the offer of getting some food.
 
“I know where the Studios are.” Bianca perks up, shy smile and quiet voice,
picking at a croissant in her hand. “I’m not sure why anymore, but I remember
being there. I can show you.”
 
It makes Clarisse narrow her eyes and exchange a look with Annabeth, Percy
feels like they are having yet another theory about Bianca and her brother, and
he can’t deny being a tiny bit suspicious himself. This morning, he had been
pretty sure neither Bianca nor Nico even knew about being demigods, now he’s
not as convinced anymore. Besides, he can’t think of any reason that could have
made them visit the underworld…
 
The silence stretches, and Percy takes pity on Bianca, who is shifting
anxiously, probably afraid she said the wrong thing.
“That would be great, thank you.” He gives her an honest, open smile, because
even if there is something murky to her and her brother’s past, it’s not like
they can remember and Percy just isn’t the kind of guy to blame anyone for
that.
 
“I’m not sure why, but I feel like I’m supposed to help you, like I can.”
Bianca’s shyness is momentarily replaced with determination, and Percy realises
she is probably much stronger than she lets on. He nods, not paying attention
to the wary looks Clarisse and Annabeth are giving him and, only for a second,
covers Bianca’s hand with one of his own.
Let the girl lead you.
 
“I know I can trust you, maybe we’ll be better off when you come along.”
 
The next morning when they meet up with a sartyr, Clarisse calls him Grover,
but Percy doesn’t think he’s seen him around before. Annabeth knows him though
and obviously values him as a friend too, since she hugs him tightly and
ruffles his hair. It makes Percy a lot more confident about giving Nico into
his hands now that Bianca has decided to come along with them.
 
The siblings share a long hug, and Nico tells her she better stay safe, but
underneath the fierce fire burning in his eyes, it’s clear that he actually
worries a lot about letting his sister go.
 
“Wait around for us until three, if there’s been no word, get him to camp. It’s
your chance to prove yourself.” Annabeth squeezes Grover’s shoulder and smiles
reassuringly, he evidently needs it, and thanks her quietly for her trust in
him after what happened. Percy doesn’t want to intrude, ruin the moment, even
though he’s dying to know the story behind this, so he just shuffles his feet
and stays quiet.
 
 
 
Bianca leads them, Annabeth right by her side, hand always on her dagger,
surprisingly confident now that she has been trusted with this task. Percy and
Clarisse trail behind, walking close and making sure no movement slips their
attention, that no monster can get close enough to attack. Admittedly, Percy
might be feeling a little protective over Bianca, probably a little on Nico’s
behalf, even though he knows that Annabeth could protect the other girl in an
emergency, if she wouldn’t manage to do so herself. She might not look like it,
but Percy can feel the power radiating from her, like a hum right underneath
Bianca’s skin and he wonders whether she knows about the things she might be
capable of.
 
Los Angelos is not  like New York, the only mortal city Percy every considered
a home. It’s just as crowded and dirty, but the lines of the streets make much
less sense, Percy struggles to see a pattern there, and he’s incredibly glad
that they have Bianca to lead them, who seems to know exactly where she is
going.
 
“Hey, you!” Like an absolute idiot, Percy stops and looks down the alley he’s
heard the voice from. The only thing he can do is reach out for Clarisse and
pull her along as he’s yanked into the side street and circled by six burly
white kids, all dressed expensively and wearing mocking snarls on their faces.
Percy groans internally, contemplating to just try and scare them off by
uncapping Riptide when Clarisse thrusts her spear into his hand, expression
murderous.
 
“Hold this.” She growls and the boys around the holler and whistle, Percy
grimaces, knowing that now this probably ends even worse for them. Clarisse
shifts her feet and, without even an ounce of hesitation, punches the biggest
kid right in the nose. There’s a crack that sounds suspiciously like bone
breaking, the boy stumbles and falls over his own feet, landing on his ass.
Clarisse makes a point of taking a step after him, sneering, and probably would
have asked for even more trouble if Annabeth and Bianca hadn’t rounded the
corner right then.
 
“We have a schedule.” Annabeth shouts over, grin poorly concealed as she
watches the other boys around Percy and Clarisse scatter away, either scared
off by Clarisse - Percy can totally get behind that - or by the two other girls
joining them.
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 Percy’s nerves fluttered for a second when they found the entrance to the
Underworld: a building in black marble, gold letters and glass doors, brightly
lit and littered with people.
“Ready?” Percy squares his shoulders, hears Clarisse take a breath before she
answers, her jaw set. Annabeth doesn’t look very excited, but then again,
neither does Percy. The only one not feeling scared seems to be Bianca.
 
She leads them in, walking casually without trying while Percy even now has to
force himself to keep his cool. Like she’d done it a thousand times, she leans
against the counter, making the dark skinned man behind it meet her eyes.
 
“Charon.” She smiles sweetly, almost in the same dangerous way the man smiles
back at her. “I like your suit, much better than hood.”
 
“Miss Di Angelo, didn’t think I’d see you here so soon again.” Charon is
obviously very pleased with her compliment, but the use of her name makes Percy
wary again. They are in the right place, he can feel it, but suddenly a new
thought nestles at the back of his mind: What if she’s going to sell them out?
Obviously the man knew her…
 
“I need a favour Charon.” Bianca is almost purring now, the accent that has
been subtle before growing stronger like she’s only now remembering that it’s
part of her.   “We even have coins for passage, I know the old man never pays
you enough, I wouldn’t ask you to take us for free.”
 
Percy can’t quite believe it, but Bianca’s persuasion does work scarily well on
Charon, and before he knows it, they are boarding the elevator that will take
them down to Hades’ realm.
 
“You know him?” Annabeth speaks what Percy has been thinking since they stepped
through the door, and Bianca snaps out of her thoughts. She shakes her head,
like she’s trying to clear the fog of her thoughts and looks back at Annabeth
with utter confusion.
 
“Know who?” Her voice is so innocent that Percy can’t even believe she’s trying
to deceive them. He believes Bianca honestly has just as much trouble to
understand what’s going on as he has.
 
“Charon.” Clarisse mumbles, trying to keep her voice quiet. The elevator
lurches to the side then, and Percy feels a little sick.
 
“I-I don’t know. It.. feels like I do?” Bianca looks a little panicked now, so
like before, Percy reaches out to squeeze her hand. Whatever is going on, Percy
thinks it can’t be good, but he reminds himself of the nereids words. Trust
your instincts, let the girl lead you.It might look bad, but Percy decides he
has to stop doubting Bianca. If his gut tells him he can trust her, then he
will.
 
Bianca’s steps are as she leads the way through the Underworld, up the same
worn path the spirits are taking, until they reach the massive black archway
that marks the entrance to the underworld. Even now Bianca’s steps don’t
falter, she walks straight toward the middle path - and straight toward Hades’
pet guarding the gates.
 
Unlike Percy, who really doesn’t fancy ending up as a chew toy, Bianca isn’t
showing even a hint of fear. Something in her has shifted, like she is living
the memory of a person long forgotten, and Percy isn’t sure what to make of
that. He slows down when they approach the dog, holding both Annabeth and
Clarisse back with a hand to their arms each. Just because Bianca can handle
this doesn’t mean they can, and Percy is not going to risk it this close to the
end of their quest.
 
“Cerberus.” Bianca coos, voice soft and sweet like she’s talking to a small
child, and like that isn’t surreal enough the dog starts wagging its tail and
bowing all three heads down in front of her. Percy gapes as Bianca actually
reaches out and pets the head closest to her, standing on her tiptoes to even
reach high enough. “I know I promised bringing something to play, I’m sorry I -
”
 
Annabeth interrupts Bianca by running up to her, opening her back back as she
walks and pulling out a big red ball. Percy decides that this must be a dream,
the level of ridicule just shot through the ceiling, because Annabeth tells the
dog to sit, and it does.
 
After some more petting for the dog, and Percy going from questioning that he
is awake to questioning that he is sane, they pass him without anyone getting
eaten for lunch, which Percy does consider as a win after all.
Bianca carries herself elegantly, while Annabeth and Clarisse look like they
are starting to fade - Percy probably isn’t doing any better on that front -
the girl leading them seems to be glowing with newfound power. She doesn’t lead
them through the gates, or any of the things that look strangely like metal
detectors, but along a smaller path in between that Percy doubts he actually
could see until they are right in front of it.
 
It’s almost like Bianca has been here before, and the thought makes Percy
shudder involuntarily. Both Charon and Cerberus greeted her like an old friend,
or maybe… maybe the child of one.
 
They walk down along the Fields of Asphodel, the spirits making way for Bianca
walking up front like they follow her command, when Percy hears a whisper in
his ear.
 
Precious hero, made it here after all.
 
He stills immediately, recognizing the voice from his dreams, the old, dark
thing living down in the pit. Thankfully Percy doesn’t feel the same paralyzing
coldness wrapping around him that had haunted him in his dreams, instead there
is a pull, like someone laid out a red line that Percy knows he has to pick up
and follow.
 
Don’t you want answers? Those petty gods won’t give you anything. Not your
mother, not your lover…
 
In hindsight, Percy knows that he should have been able to resist, should have
known better than to follow a voice that clearly belongs to something he’d
rather not meet face to face. What he thinks and what he does are two different
things, and without a word to his friends, Percy lets his feet take him closer
to the radiating dark power.
 
On the bright side, Percy has always had more luck than he deserves and
Clarisse notices that he’s gone before he’s out of side, running after him and
catching up just at the entrance of the cave. Bianca and Annabeth are still in
the tunnel, Percy can hear the echo of their steps as they run, but he is
frozen again, unable to move.
 
“It’s -” Percy doesn’t get to say more, out of nowhere a harsh gust of wind
blows down the tunnel and into the cavern like - like the pit in front of him
is inhaling. Percy loses his step, the ground slipping beneath his feet and
he’s sure he’s going to fall, right into the chasm that’s still whispering to
him. Before his ass hit’s the ground, Clarisse’s hand wraps around his arm with
a vice grip. She is steadying herself with her spear, dragging Percy to his
feet and yanking him away from the pit.
 
“Out!” She screams over the wind, some of her words getting lost with the
increase of noise around them, but Percy gets the gist. They work together,
pushing and pulling each other up and out in the direction of the tunnel and
Percy knows that without her he’d be done for by now.
 
How they manage to reach Bianca and Annabeth is a mystery to him, the whispers
have turned into curses and angry shouts in a language much older than Greek,
but the wind isn’t as strong here and by the time they reach the entrance of
the tunnel, it has stopped completely.
 
“Tartarus.” Annabeth whispers under her breath. “You strolled up to the
entrance of Tartarus to - what? Have a chat?”
 
After Annabeth is done scolding him - Percy doesn’t complain, he deserves it -
and he gives a quiet thanks to Clarisse, which she takes silently and with an
eyebrow raised, Bianca shows them the rest of the way to the palace.
 
In the Garden of Persephone, they stop, Bianca turns around to them and worries
her lower lip between her teeth. It’s not Percy who comforts her this time, but
Annabeth, resting a hand on her shoulder and asking her what’s wrong in the
same voice she talked to Grover earlier.
 
“I can’t go in there. I… can’t explain why it just feels like I can’t.” She
whispers, hushed and hurried, and Percy nods. Clarisse doesn’t look convinced,
but frankly, it’s not her decision to make so Percy choses to ignore her just
for the moment.
He reaches into his pocket, retrieving one of the white pearls and placing it
into Bianca’s palm.
 
“Crush it under your foot and think of the shore. You’ve done enough. Thank you
Bianca, I mean it.” He curls her fingers around the pearl just as Annabeth
chimes in.
 
“Call the sartyr, get to camp, you should still have time to reach out to him.
Take care of them, they’ll be glad to have you.”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
 
 
For the Lord of the Underworld, the big bad guy everyone in their way has
warned Percy about, Hades isn’t all that impressive. It’s not that he’s lacking
power, or the aura to go along with it, it’s more that Hades doesn’t seem as
malicious and vengeful as people paint him to be.
Most surprising of all, Hades is handsome, and not in the gruesome way that
Ares is, but lithe and graceful, more godlike than any other god Percy has met.
 
After a whole lot of misunderstanding, and a startling amount of whining from
Hades, things start to make sense in Percy’s head. His suspicions about
Tartarus and the voice in the pit take form, the servant starts fitting into
the picture as well, and Percy dreads to find out more that would make this all
fit together.
 
Percy wasn’t sure what was worse, hearing about his mother still being in
Hades’ clutches, seeing the masterbolt in the back pack Clarisse has slung over
her shoulder, or hear his friends argue who should die to save their quest.
 
On the other hand, the shocked face Hades made when they bolted almost was
worth their dramatic exit.
 
 
 
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
 
 
 
By the time they are on the surface, the sun is setting. Percy
feels exhausted, like there is a tiredness deep in his bones, but he suspects
it’s a lingering effect from being in the Underworld. The girls don’t look any
better, even Clarisse gave up her fierce mask in favour of winding an arm
around Annabeth and taking a moment to let the news settle.
 
“Tartarus. My father is working with Kr-” Annabeth claps a hand over Clarisse’s
mouth, shutting her up before she can say the name. Percy looks away when he
rolls his eyes, he knows Annabeth still believes that names have power, and
right now he’s not in the mood to discuss it with her. They all know what
Clarisse was going to say, and maybe in this case it is better when the name
remains unspoken.
===============================================================================
 
“Speaking of your father…” Percy whispers, brows drawn together. Not far down
the beach a very familiar god is leaning against his motorcycle, cleaning his
nails with a machete. Percy grits his teeth, he has to settle a score. No
matter if it was the titan in the pit that manipulated them all, Ares still
betrayed him, used him to try and provoke a war and Percy sure wasn’t having
that.
Before Percy gets to him though, Clarisse storms past, fists clenched and anger
blazing in her eyes, heading right for her father.
 
“You!” She roars, fist clenched around her spear. “How could you?!”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
The boar wasn’t much of a problem, the second it started toward Percy, Clarisse
turned around and threw him her spear. Percy didn’t need to reach for riptide,
didn’t lose any time and the monster was dissipated as soon as it had appeared.
The problem they are dealing with now is worse though, an angry god is nothing
Percy likes being around, especially not when said god is Ares. That fact
however doesn’t make Percy any more thoughtful, and as reckless as always, he
challenges the god of war to battle.
For a moment it looks like Clarisse is going to change sides, stand behind her
father, and Percy remembers the line of the prophecy that scared him most.
You will be betrayed by one who calls you a friend. 
But then Clarisse squeezes Percy’s shoulder and whispers: “Make him pay.” In
his ear. She doesn’t take her spear away either, and fighting with two weapons
is not just something his father trained him for, but it also gives him an
advantage. Plus, with Annabeth tying her necklace around Percy’s neck for luck,
and Clarisse’s spear in his hand, he feels like they are fighting right there
with him. The god is on Percy’s terrain, the sea is right at his heels, waves
washing over his feet. All things considered, Percy might not be able to win
this, but he’ll go down making a stand.
 
Nevertheless, it’s a hard fight. Percy hears his teacher’s voice, that of his
father and even Luke’s in his head, all telling him what to do, what to keep in
mind, where to be careful. He feints, uses the tide and both weapons together,
only ever minorly injuring the god, making him bellow with rage. It’s Percy’s
plan; anger makes you reckless, weak, and when you fight against a god of war,
you have to use every advantage you can get.
 
In the end, it’s a draw, that’s what Percy decides. He gets a really good hit
in, but the god’s fury might have just dissipated him if a sudden darkness
hadn’t fallen over the shore, stopping everyone - including the god - dead in
their tracks. When the shadows lift they leave a lingering feeling of bad
energy, a confused god and a helmet of darkness on the shore.
Ares leaves, not before speaking his curse and disappointment for Percy, and
his daughter’s choice of company, but for the most part, Percy is just glad
that this is over.
 
Only then does Percy notice the Furies circling above them. They must have
followed from the second they left the Underworld, and it is actually a wonder
they haven’t attacked before Percy faced the god. Maybe they too had hoped Ares
would smite him…
Percy is smarter than picking two fights right after one another, at least
right now, so when one of the Furies comes close enough to hear him speak, he
offers her Hades’ helmet to take. A peace offering, he says, hoping the god
will understand it as such. Hades isn’t someone on whose bad side Percy wants
to get on.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
One day left, by the end of tomorrow they have to be on Olympus with
the masterbolt or all hell will break loose. It’s still evening, but there’s
not enough time. It’s a two day drive all the way back to New York, and that is
only if they get lucky with traffic. They have barely twenty-four hours left.
 
“We have to fly.” Clarisse insists again, but Annabeth just worries her lips
between her teeth, shaking her head softly.
 
“He’ll blast us right out of the sky.” Right now, the blonde isn’t even averse
to stealing a car anymore, if a car would be any use to them, which sadly, it
isn’t. No one can squeeze a fourty-hour drive into little more than half the
time.
 
“We have the bolt. He won’t risk it.” This discussion has been going on for far
too long, they are losing time; if they don’t fly, they’ll have to find a
different way now, Percy knows it. He bites his lip, takes a look around and
suddenly an idea forms in his head.
 
“How many drachmas do we have left?”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Percy stumbles over the pavement, holding on to the nearest lamppost and
fighting the urge to throw up. The Gray Sisters are by far his least favourite
method of travel, no questions asked, and Clarisse and Annabeth seem to feel
just as shaky as he does. It did the job though, and it stopped the argument
between the girls. It’s still four hours to midnight, they arrived in time, if
only barely. All that is left to do for Percy is to go up to Olympus and hope
he’ll live to tell of their adventure.
 
At the foot of the Empire State Building, Percy tries sending Clarisse and
Annabeth to camp. If things went sour, at least they would live to tell the
truth, but neither of the girls is particularly fond of his reasoning.
 
“We started this as a team, kelp head. And we’re ending it as one.”


The guard at the front desk isn’t much of a problem, mostly because Clarisse
stomps her spear at him and growls more than she actually speaks, sparks flying
off her weapon as she glares at the man in front of her.
 
They get the keycard and into the elevator, rapidly rising up to the 600th
floor. Percy has seen most of the palaces underwater, the sacred temples and
ruins of civilisations, the cities of merfolk and his father, but up until
today, he has never been to Olympus. His nerves threaten to take over, he’s
shifting and nervous, not sure what to expect when finally the elevator door
opens with a high ding.
 
At the sight in front of him, Percy’s jaw almost drops: a narrow stoneway leads
right through the air, seeming to be held by magic alone, until it winds up the
decapitated summit of a mountain at the end. Never, not even in his dreams,
could Percy have imagined Olympus like this.
 
The way up is a daze, not just for Percy, even though Annabeth and Clarisse
have seen Olympus before. Everything is white marble and silver, shining
brightly in the sun, and Percy tries to hide how stunned he is, but it really
is hard not to let anything on.
 
They reach the throne hall without difficulty, the main road leads right up to
it on the peak. The city alone had been stunning, but it’s nothing compared to
the size and elegance of the throne room.
Annabeth and Clarisse stay back next to the entrance out of respect as Percy
steps further into the hall. At the other end, two gods sit on their thrones,
and after such a long time away from home, Percy is relieved to see his father
as one of them.
He doesn’t run, not willing to give up his dignity like that. After all, he’s
not a child anymore, no matter how much excitement the sight of his father
brings him now. Instead, he walks briskly, unable to keep the smile from
tugging at his lips, and falls to a knee in front of Poseidon’s throne.
 
“Father.” He doesn’t need to say more, the relief ringing clear in his voice.
 
“Should you you address the master of this house first, boy?” The other god’s
voice booms like thunder, and Percy raises his head - a stupid mistake - to
find the King of the gods looking down at him.
 
It’s a miracle he doesn’t get blasted out of the sky right then, and even more
that Zeus actually hears him out, listens to the story of their quest and his
suspicions about evil stirring in the pit. He carefully leaves out Nico and
Bianca, something telling him that Zeus would not approve of them if Percy’s
suspicions about the sibling’s parentage proved true.
He returns the bolt, and with a warning and a loud crack of lightning, the god
disappears.
 
“Your uncle always had a flair for dramatic exists.” Poseidon laughs quietly,
standing up from his throne and  shrinking to a normal human size when he takes
a step toward his son. With Zeus gone, Percy doesn’t hesitate to close the
distance and wrap his arms around his father in a hug, brisk and fierce, and
eliciting another laugh from the god. Percy knows half-bloods don’t often have
a good relationship with their godly parent, but it’s different for him. It’s
his luck that he got to be raised by the god of the sea, if only for a larger
goal, Percy had the privilege of having a father for the past seventeen years.
 
“You shall be happy that your mother has been safely returned to me. She is
waiting for your visit.” With a wave of Poseidon’s hand, the image of Sally
Jackson flickers in the air next to them, walking through the palace on the
ocean floor. It was always a struggle to get her to stay there, even for just a
minimal amount of time, but right now she seemed to understand that her safety
was more important than being in her apartment in New York.
“We are proud of what you have done.” Percy smiles gratefully at his father’s
words and bows his head ever so slightly in modesty.
 
“I didn’t do it alone.”



Even though Poseidon confirmed their suspicions, Zeus had forbidden them to
speak of it, and reluctantly they all had to keep their other worries to
themselves. He told Percy that especially now, he can’t take him back to finish
his training under the sea, and now that they are walking up the hill of Camp
Half Blood, his father’s voice echoes in Percy’s head.
 
This is what you were prepared for. Things are stirring, your time to be a hero
has come.
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
 
There is a lot of hugging involved in coming back to camp, Will nearly knocks
Percy over when he jumps him, laughing and kissing his cheek before moving on
and hugging Clarisse and Annabeth equally tight. They don’t even try to push
him off.
 
Percy would like to pretend he doesn’t care much about wearing laurels and
burning burial shrouds to celebrate their successful quest, but the cherishing
of his peers feels good nevertheless. Even Clarisse’s shroud looks beautiful,
and it turns out that the Aphrodite cabin helped as good as they could to make
up for the Ares kids’ lack of finesse. It’s good that the light of the fire
makes shadows dance across their faces, or someone might notice just how
touched the tough girl is by her sibling’s efforts. To Percy’s surprise, there
is a shroud for him as well. He doesn’t have any cabin mates, the the Apollo
kids took it onto themselves to craft one and Percy has a feeling that this was
Will’s idea. The shroud lights up like the sun when it catches fire, and Percy
feels the warmth radiating inside him as well.
 
He decides only then that it’s okay not to go home, back to ocean floor and his
father, because right here, between his friends laughing and singing, he feels
like he found a new place to belong.


Nico and Bianca returned to camp safely, and even better, the elder sartyrs
were made to believe that Grover was the one to have rescued them out of the
Lotus’ Casino. Annabeth told him about Grover’s last mission, about how it
ended with a daughter of Zeus becoming a tree, and that this had been the goat
boy’s last chance at getting his elders’ approval and his license to become a
searcher. Percy is content to let him have the credit.
 
It’s not until Percy walks back to his cabin that he realises something is
missing. With all the excitement and celebrating, all the attention taken up by
Annabeth, Clarisse and Will - and eventually a very reluctant Nico trailing
behind his sister - Percy hasn’t noticed that Luke was nowhere to be seen.
Guilt immediately fills him, for not having noticed until now that his maybe-
sort of-boyfriend might still be in the infirmary, and for not having bothered
to check. Now it’s too late, not even his puppy eyes will get him in there now,
especially not when he isn’t even sure that’s where he’d find Luke, and
sneaking into the Hermes’ cabin isn’t something Percy really thinks can work
out either.
He bites his lip and walks the rest of the way with conflicted emotions raging
in his chest, only a tiny grain of hope among the darker worries. There’s still
a chance he won’t find the cabin empty.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
June passes, his mother writes Percy a letter about being back in her own
apartment, the camp offers Percy a place to stay year-round and Grover leaves
to go on his search for the lost god Pan. Luke gets better, having been in the
infirmary when they came back from their quest after all, but he still won’t
open up about what happened to him to anyone. Clarisse harbours suspicions,
Will tries to console Percy to no avail and Annabeth just sits there with him
worried as they both have to watch Luke growing more and more distant. The
prophecy, though unfulfilled, is forgotten.
 
July comes and goes, the end of summer closes in on them, and Clarisse, as one
of the oldest campers, gets to hand out the clay beads for everyone who made it
through another year. It was pitch-black, like the Underworld and the chasm
looming in its corner, but on the centre of the bead was a bright green
trident. Percy wore the necklace with pride, his sense of having found a new
home reaffirmed even with the hurt of the past few weeks lying heavy on his
shoulders.
 
It’s the last day of summer, and Percy has made his decision to live in the
mortal world for a while, go to a school his mother picked and give normal life
a try for once. He still lingers around though, reluctant to leave his newfound
friends behind, and there is something else gnawing on him too. Resigning
himself that sooner or later, he has to face the inevitable, Percy goes and
searches camp until he finds Luke training in the arena.
 
Even after months have gone by, Luke still isn’t quite on top of things again,
but that doesn’t stop him from training, letting all anger out of helpless
dummies. Percy stands back and watches for a while, Luke doesn’t even notice
he’s here and Percy isn’t sure whether that hurts or makes him feel relief. He
can’t just stand here forever though, so eventually he clears his throat and
takes a step toward the other boy.
 
“Those dummies won’t be bothering anyone anymore.” The light tone Percy has
aimed for gets lost completely, and instead his voice rings with sadness and
hurt. In his chest, the ache of missing Luke blooms again, mixing with the old
pain of the first rejection right before he left on the quest.
 
“Percy.”  Luke’s eyes are pained when he looks at him, it feels like salt in
his wounds. “Wanna join me for some last minute practice?”
 
The way he speaks sounds forced, Percy notices immediately, but he can’t hold
it against Luke. They have barely talked to one another since Percy came back
from the quest, things have been awkward between them. It was stupid to hope it
would be different now.
 
“You think that’s a good idea?” In two hours, Percy is going to leave with most
of the other campers, all the kids that don’t stay all year around. He wants -
 needs - to get closure before that, can’t leave this thing hanging between him
and Luke without knowing why it’s gone and what it even was in the first place.
 
The look Luke gives him is odd, but then he bends down, reaches for his gym bag
and retrieves a six-pack of Cokes, the blue ones Percy admitted to having a
weakness for on his first day here. His resolve crumbles, and when Luke asks
again, Percy knows he’s going to say yes.
 
They take the long way to the woods - Luke said they might as well ‘find
something real to fight’ - and don’t say the a word to each other on the way.
Percy’s mind is racing, trying to remember all the things he had planned to
say; planned to yell in some cases, but comes up empty. Now that he actually is
here with Luke, his anger and worry has been replaced with a dull ache that’s
slowing his mind and his senses. He doesn’t notice that they pass Clarisse, who
is standing further down the border to the woods and chatting to Will, and he
doesn’t notice the way Luke gets increasingly nervous and irritated.
 
It’s too hot out to find anything to fight, Percy is almost glad because he
isn’t sure he actually could fight right now if he tried, so instead, they just
sit in the shadows by the creek, sharing the Cokes and looking everywhere but
at each other.
 
“You miss being on a quest?” Luke asks, his tone careful and strange in its own
way. Percy swallows, replying before he thinks it through.
“I miss you.” As soon as the words are out, Percy regrets saying them. It’s the
truth, which somehow makes it worse, because even though Luke hurt him, and
even though Luke is hurting him right now too, Percy still misses whatever it
was they had before.
 
The pain that spreads on Luke’s features takes Percy by surprise, and for the
fraction of  a second, he feels like maybe it’s not all Luke’s fault that they
ended up like this. After all, this is the first time since the quest that
Percy is reaching out again. He can’t blame Luke for things he has done himself
as well…
 
“You won’t soon.” There’s the shadow again, the bad feeling like a foreboding
of evil, and Percy thinks he hears the shadows whisper. It’s like getting
closer to Tartarus all over again, Percy’s heart starts beating faster in his
chest, and he understands that something is deeply, terribly wrong.
 
“You make it sound like you’re leaving.” Percy whispers, dreading to hear the
answer. He reaches for Luke, but the other boy pulls his hand away and this
time, his face doesn’t waver.
 
“Oh, I’m leaving, all right, Percy.” It’s not Luke, not his voice, or at least
not the way he normally speaks. There is a coldness there and it chills Percy
right to the bone. “I brought you down here to say good-bye.”
 
With a snap of Luke’s fingers, the ground starts burning and Percy scoots away.
The smoke rises thick and black, and before Percy can even draw his sword,
there’s a hole in the ground and a glistening black scorpion crawling into the
light.
 
“You…” Percy whispers, eyes stinging with tears now. Kronos, the voices in the
dark, the titan’s servant - it all makes sense now, even the cold feeling
around them. “What did he do to you, Luke?”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
When Percy wakes everything feels like it’s been wrapped in cotton. His senses
are dulled and his brain feels like a soggy sponge, and like that isn’t bad
enough, he can barely move at all. There is an unnaturally bright light in the
room, and soft, melodic humming that makes Percy feel warm and soft, and lulls
him right back into sleep.
 
In his dreams, he sees Luke being tortured and hears Kronos laughing.
Precious hero. See what you failed to save, what will break saving you.
It shakes him to the core.
 
When he actually, finally wakes, his head is in someone’s lap and not in a
pillow. He blinks his eyes open and meets a pair of blue ones, shining with a
smile. For a split second, Percy thinks it’s Will, but then he realises it’s
actually a girl looking down at him. She’s feeding Percy Nectar through a
straw… he can’t help but feel embarrassed. He’s seen her before, one of
Clarisse’s best friends, a daughter of Aphrodite. Silena.
“Look at who rose from the dead.” Percy’s lips twitch when he hears the voice,
but he doesn’t have to turn his head to see who’s talking, a moment later
Clarisse is standing next to Silena and looks down on Percy as well. “He got
you good.”
 
Weakly, Percy tries to shake his head. He doesn’t believe Luke was behind this,
not with the way his voice changed, and not with the dream he had last night.
He had told Percy about Kronos having seen his true potential, about his
failure to kill Percy in the past, to trick him. There was talk of hellhounds
and cursed shoes that makes no sense to Percy even now and, all in all, these
things didn’t sound like something Luke would say at all. The one thing that
Percy is sure of is that the Luke that set the scorpion free to kill him wasn’t
the same who confessed his love before Percy left for his quest…
 
“Save it. I followed you, I heard what he said. Why do you think you’re not six
feet under?” Clarisse grins, hiding any trace of worry like that, and Percy
lets her get away with it. His memory is in bits and pieces, especially after
the sting, but he thinks he has heard Clarisse calling for Chiron before
rushing over to carry him there. If it’s the truth, Percy knows she isn’t going
to let him live that down.
 
It’s a relief to hear that Clarisse believes Percy’s suspicions are true, later
when with combined effort they managed to dump Percy in a chair on the porch.
She says she’s had them since they came back from the quest, but Chiron himself
had advised her not to say anything yet. That, of course, had turned out to be
the wrong decision.
Annabeth agrees, even though she admits that ever since Luke’s failed quest, he
had changed. Percy doesn’t know about that, all he got to see was the boy who
took care of him when he got to camp, and that boy wasn’t one to wish to tear
the world down.
Will is more than a little sceptic about it all, but unlike Annabeth and
Clarisse, he hadn’t known Luke very well, and part of Percy even considers that
maybe, Will is a little jealous of him too.
Silena, surprisingly enough staying with them even now, chimes in. Percy didn’t
even know that she was close to Luke, but as it turns out they were friends as
well, and that in the weeks after the quest, Luke hadn’t just distanced himself
from Annabeth, Clarisse and Percy, but from everyone else too, including his
brothers and Silena.


“Next year.” It’s Annabeth who makes the decision, nothing new there. Percy
trusts her to know best, she has saved his butt countless times in the short
time they’ve known each other already.
“Clarisse keeps us updated, and we make a plan. We’ll find him, but chasing
after him now won’t bode well and… I feel there is more to come.” She bites her
lip, and Percy suspects she knows more, about what’s to come, what’s waiting in
their future. Chiron is still here though and even if Annabeth wanted to, she
couldn’t continue as long as he was in earshot.
 
“Next year.” Percy agrees, even though he aches to run off.
The sea doesn’t like to be restrained, that’s what has father always told him,
and he feels it now more than ever. If not for the threat against the world,
then for the friend he has lost...
Chapter End Notes
     Leave me some feedback, especially on what you thought about the
     ending and how I altered what happened in the book. I'd love to hear
     your thoughts on it and where you suspect this to go in the future.
     (especially what you suspect this will change in the big picture of
     the plot of the books ;) )
***** Charles/Silena/Percy *****
Chapter Summary
     Percy opens up to Silena, and even when she gets close to someone
     else, she still offers to take care of him.
Chapter Notes
     Phew, I'll update this to the beta-ed version in a couple days but I
     honestly couldn't wait to post it c:
     It is beta-ed now :D
     I apologize if any of this is a bit off, I'm a big queer mess and...
     well, you might notice this is parts.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
The last - and only - time Percy had ever been to a public school was for
second grade, because his mother had insisted that Percy needed to have a
normal childhood for at least part of the year. Thankfully, she had quickly
changed her opinion back then, seeing the disaster that was the American public
school system, and let Percy’s father take them back to their place under the
sea.
 
It wasn’t like Percy didn’t need, or didn’t have to learn. He had teachers both
above and underneath the surface of the water, both human and not. For as long
as his father hadn’t officially claimed him, there was no trouble staying at
the bottom of the ocean, not even with having his mother around down there,
even though she preferred being able to leave for parts of the year. So up
until Percy got to camp last summer, and his father officially claimed him as
his son, Percy could choose what to have of both worlds - mortal and godly
alike. Now that the Olympians knew though, Percy was stuck in the world of
mortals.
 
Not even a month into being back to an actual school, an awful public one at
that, Percy starts to regret not having decided on staying at camp all year
round. Granted, he gets to spend the better part of his days with his mum, but
the hassle of life still weighs him down.
Then again, Percy isn’t sure why he had expected it to go any better; he is
seventeen, dyslexic and ADHD - not exactly the best conditions to do well in
any of New York’s overfilled public schools. No one there can pay special
attention to his needs when it comes to learning, and with his temper, Percy
doesn’t exactly make himself popular with his peers either.
On top of that, being a demigod son of one of the Big Three basically marks him
as favourite monster food and no one wants to hang out with the weird kid.
 
No matter how hard Percy tries to lay low and not pick any fights in school,
it’s no use. More often than not he has to close his eyes and count to ten just
because the urge to slap someone gets so overwhelming that Percy thinks he
might just make an excuse for this one asshole.Thankfully, he understands that
it will never just be one, or stay one, and that if he wants to make it through
to the end of the school year, he has to bite his tongue and ball his fists and
ignore the bullies.Sadly, the same strategy does not work with monsters.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Three months after the beginning of the school year, Percy is forced to give
in. He was explicitly told that he is not wished to be seen anywhere close to
the school again, and that he is lucky they didn’t sue him for the havoc and
damage he caused. Obviously, they didn’t suspend him; he got expelled right
away, and after a rather miserable conversation with his mother about how
things sometimes just aren’t easy, they decide that it’s best for Percy to go
back to camp for the rest of the year, and come visit his mom in between.
 
Camp hasn’t changed when Percy arrives there, except for a feeling of
uneasiness in the air. It’s like everyone has caught on now, like everyone
knows that there are things happening beyond their control, that a storm is
coming, and that silently, everyone tries their best to prepare.  
Percy’s friends are surprised to see him again so soon, thankfully pleasantly
so. Clarisse teases him about not even having made it until half-term, but
Percy knows his reasons for leaving school and coming back to camp are the same
ones that had stopped Clarisse even trying to  go to public schools years ago.
Will promises that he can teach Percy some things, if only about healing, to
make up for the lack of learning. Percy doubts it will do much good, mostly
because he is utterly useless when it comes to medicine of any kind, but he
appreciates the sentiment.
Nico and Bianca seem to be happy to see him too, and Percy feels a little bad
that they are stuck in the overfilled Hermes cabin. By now, there’s no doubt to
Percy, or any of his friends, that the Di Angelos are children of Hades. Camp
doesn’t seem to have welcomed their siblings in the past, so it was probably
for the best not to bring it up to them or Chiron. The pain of thinking that
your parent doesn’t care is much easier to bear than being rejected by the
first place you call home in decades.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
There are downsides and upsides of being at camp, some Percy had expected, and
some that catch him off guard.
He starts up his training again the second day after he arrives, and while it’s
mostly him and Clarisse beating each other up and laughing, the aching in his
muscles at the end of the day is one of things Percy has missed in the last few
months. Will often hangs around to watch, sitting on the stands, cheering and
laughing, and occasionally patching someone up when Percy’s and Clarisse’s
roughhousing gets a little out of hand.
 
Within a week, Nico joins Will on the stands. Percy doesn’t mention it, but he
hopes the two them to strike up a friendship despite the fact of Will knowing
about Nico’s father. It looks good too, and more than once, Clarisse nudges
Percy with her elbow, looks at the two boys sitting on the side and chatting,
and wiggles her brows exaggeratedly. All Percy can do is try not to laugh and
ruin things before they begin.
 
By week three, Bianca asks Percy to show her how to fight. He’s never had to
teach someone before, and everyone’s surprised when things go well. Silena
starts watching them too now, being close with both Clarisse and Bianca, and
soon enough, she becomes a permanent member of their little group.
 
Annabeth is doing much better than Percy is, and she has no quarrel letting him
know that. They call her twice a week, all trying to crowd into the frame of
the Iris Message, pushing and pulling and laughing until Annabeth rolls her
eyes at them for being idiots.
 
Will and Silena insist that that neither of them are much of a fighter when
Nico eventually joins in the training, but Percy just grins, grabs one of their
wrists each and pulls them off the benches.
 
“Never too late to learn.” He quips, winks at Will and makes the boy blush
faintly. “And you gotta start somewhere.”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
What Percy didn’t sign up for is the pain that always catches up to him when he
is on his own. It’s easy to be light and excited around his friends, but by
now, he almost always crumbles as soon as they are out of sight. His father
taught him to be strong, not just physically, but Percy doesn’t feel very
strong when he sits on the back porch of his cabin at night and tries his best
not to cry.
 
Luke’s betrayal still weighs on him, neither the months away from camp, nor
their steady process searching for hints of his whereabouts do much to help
with the pain that has lodged itself like a splinter in Percy’s heart. He
wishes Luke’s affection would have been pretence, that his love had never been
real, but Percy knows it was. Most nights, when he falls asleep, it’s what
taunts him in his dream: Cold laughter, pained whimpers and an ancient voice
that tells him Percy was not enough to save whom he loved.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Of course, someone has to notice sooner or later. What Percy doesn’t expect is
that person to be Silena. Then again, a child of Aphrodite probably recognizes
heartbreak easier than most.
 
She approaches him when Percy sits by the lake, purposefully far from any place
he and Luke had ever been to. Percy is spending time away from his friends more
and more often now, and while he knows they noticed, he is glad that no one has
brought it up until now.
 
“Do you want some company?” The kind voice is accompanied by a hand on his
shoulder, and Percy can’t stop himself from leaning into it. Silena doesn’t
offer to talk, or even implies that this is why she’s here, so Percy nods and
pats the space next to him.
 
For what feels like an eternity, they sit in silence. At some point, Silena has
taken Percy’s hand into both of hers and started stroking over his knuckles,
but not once does she prod him to open up about what is bothering him. It’s
only when the conch horn blows and announced dinner that they move. Percy gets
to his feet with a sigh, squeezes Silena’s hand and whispers: “Thank you.”
 
“Anytime.”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Percy knows that if he really wanted to, he could spill his guts to just about
anyone. Will for sure wouldn’t mind, Percy could call Annabeth too, and he has
a feeling even Clarisse would listen with only minor teasing. There’s Bianca,
who Percy has to admit he values a lot, and Nico, who Percy has been feeling
close to ever since the Lotus Casino.
 
Nevertheless, the door he ends up knocking on is the one of cabin 10 and when
Mitchell opens the door and sees him, he shoos him through to where Silena is
sitting without another word. Like he knows what’s about to come, Mitchell
leaves the cabin right after, leaving the two of them to themselves.
Percy is standing in the middle of the room awkwardly for a whole second, then
he realises he’s acting like an idiot again, and just sits down on the chair
next to Silena’s.
 
“Can I talk to you?” The way her eyes light up before they soften tells Percy
that she has been waiting for him to come on his own time, and somehow that
makes it a lot easier. They have spent a lot of time together lately, both with
and without the rest of their friends, and this is not the first time Percy
considers her to be the first person that could be more again.
 
“Of course. What’s bothering you, Percy?” She takes his hand, and by now, Percy
already expects it to come. He gives her a smile, if only a pitiful one, and
after he takes a long breath, he starts to talk.
 
Once he gets rolling, he tells her all of it. From the way he trusted Luke
enough to put himself completely at his mercy, to the way he loved the other
boy and felt loved in return. He confesses how resented he had felt when Luke
wouldn’t accompany him on his quest, even though he had been sure to have
Luke’s support, and he admits having felt extremely heartbroken even before
Luke’s final betrayal. At the end, Percy tells Silena that he still is in pain,
that it is haunting him in his dream and that he worries about Luke when he
should hate him, that he feels guilty about not having been able to stop this
coming.
 
When he is done, Silena reaches out and dabs his tears away with a handkerchief
and runs her fingers through his hair like a caress. Percy is long past the
point of hesitation when it comes to leaning into her touch, and he lets his
eyes fall closed when she pulls him closer and lets him rest his head in her
lap.
 
“I didn’t think it was this bad for you.” Silena speaks in a gentle voice,
every word seems cautious and empathetic. “I know Luke loved you, he was trying
to protect us all, to do the right thing.” Percy wonders how she is sure of
that, but doesn’t ask. He feels too drained now, there’s still time to think
about this later. Silena sighs, and before Percy can open his eyes to see
what’s wrong, he feels her lips press against his forehead in a small kiss.
“Luke ended up choosing the wrong path for that, I’m afraid.”
 
===============================================================================
 
Over the last six months, Percy has made many unlikely friendships. The one he
strikes up with Beckendorf, a son of Hephaestus who is positively huge, but has
the kindest heart, is by far the most unexpected one.
It starts with the beginning of November and Percy taking Bianca to cabin nine
to ask if maybe one of them can help her craft a weapon that fits her. Of all
things they’ve tried out, not one really fits, and none of the swords and
spears were balanced in her hands, which Percy thinks is the actual problem.
In the beginning, Beckendorf is quite reserved, but he warms up to the two of
them soon enough. Percy takes an immediate liking to him, maybe because
Clarisse has mentioned that Silena likes the boy too, and he trusts her
judgement.
 
It’s her as well who gives Percy the tip that Beckendorf is quite fond of the
horses, and when Percy asks him to go flying, the other one doesn’t seem to
think twice before he says yes.
Percy chats with the pegasi while they are getting the saddles, and by the time
they are up in the air, Percy is quite sure he has won Beckendorf over.
Back on the ground two hours later, Percy invites him to hang out with the rest
of ‘the gang’ some time, and the way he words it makes Beckendorf snicker.
 
“Sure.” Percy gets a wink and a smile, and he laughs when Beckendorf makes him
promise to repeat this some time. “And another thing: call me Charles, if you
wanna.”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
December comes, and with it, Christmas. Will invites Clarisse to come to his
mother with him, and he asks Percy too, but he has already promised his own mum
to come and see her. Silena is leaving with one of her siblings, and Charles
goes with her. Annabeth sends cards that are enchanted to move around, and
Percy starts packing to go back to the city.
Nico and Bianca have no one to go back to, and it only occurs to Percy the day
before he leaves. Camp will be almost empty over the holidays, even now there
are only a handful of campers still here, and Mr. D isn’t exactly the
personification of holiday spirit, so the grounds look barren at best. No one
should spend Christmas alone, Percy decides, and after a quick call to his mum,
Percy invites Nico and Bianca to come home with him.
When he notices there are tears in the corners of the siblings’ eyes, Percy
pretends not to see them right until he is enveloped in a hug and hears
Bianca’s voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, this means so much.”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
January comes, and Charles and Silena get together. It’s a bit strange to have
a couple in this little group of theirs, even though Percy and Clarisse have
been working on getting Will and Nico together ever since the daughter of Ares
claimed that Will has a crush on Nico.
Sometimes, Percy catches himself being jealous. Not because he is in love with
Silena, but because he knows he could have been, given time. It’s stupid and
childish, but it feels like he has been robbed of a chance to have something
like love again and Percy hates himself a little for even thinking like that.
 
By the time February rolls around, Percy feels just as bad as he did before he
and Silena grew closer. He has stopped going to her with his nightmares and
fears, because he doesn’t want to intrude and disturb her and Charles’
relationship before it can grow into something strong and deep. They are still
in the early phase, and while Percy is happy to see their love blossom, it
hurts that he doesn’t have that anymore. Even now, Luke’s betrayal stings, and
even more so in the light of other people’s love.
 
Will catches on, and so does Nico, but even when Percy starts spending the time
in which he used to be alone with Silena with them, he can’t really bring
himself to open up to the boys in the same way he did with her. Maybe, Percy
thinks, he’s standing in the way for the two of them as well.
 
Spring comes, and there have been no news from either Luke or Annabeth since
autumn. She still calls and messages them, but only to let them know she is
alright and that she is still managing to balance school and being a demigod -
and Percy misses her terribly. Of all people, Annabeth is the only one Percy
would have been alright with taking the place Silena has… or rather had.
===============================================================================
 
 
April 1st ends with the Stolls having pranked almost every camper, and Percy
resigning himself to the fact that he is going to have blue hair for the next
couple weeks at least. Will has stopped trying to make Percy talk, and so has
Nico, but it looks like Clarisse might try soon if he continues moping around.
 
Silena intervenes before it can happen; Percy finds her after breakfast on the
morning of April 8th, sitting on the large chair that Percy has moved out onto
the back porch of his cabin. The look she gives him says that she knows exactly
what has been going on with him, and that, if he doesn’t sit down and give them
a chance to talk it out, he has a lecture coming. Of course, Percy gives in
without a fight.
 
===============================================================================
 
It’s May, the sun is shining mercilessly and Percy is lonely, sad and the need
to have someone to love him again is growing too strong, so when he leans in
and kisses Silena, it’s for all the wrong reasons. She makes a soft sound of
surprise against Percy’s lips, but doesn’t move away until he does, expression
puzzled. They just started hanging out again, and Percy wants to slap himself
for losing his composure like this.
 
“I’m sorry.” He says, quietly but not rushed, voice calm and collected where it
should be hurt. Silena won’t be angry, Percy knows that; after all, she hasn’t
pushed him away. He missed being close to someone like that, nevertheless,
kissing her still was a bad idea. Percy shouldn’t have risked their friendship,
especially now that it is only starting to go back to how it used to be before.

“I know you’re with Charles.” Percy bites his lip, a little insecure still. “I
shouldn’t have.”
 
Just as Percy expected, Silena shows no sign of anger. Instead, she takes
Percy’s hand and squeezes, smiling at him gently. “Don’t worry.” Her thumb
strokes the back of his hand, something she hasn’t done in a while. Percy feels
warm, not in the way Luke used to make him feel, but not in a platonic way
either.
“Everyone needs to be close sometimes.” Then, she inclines her head and her
lips twitch amusedly. “Well, maybe not everyone. But I know you do, so it’s
okay.”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
The next time Percy sees Charles, he can’t help feeling a little nervous around
him. He hasn’t been avoiding the other guy, but until now, Percy hasn’t sought
him out again either. It’s been a while since they’ve been flying too; now that
Percy thinks about it, they haven’t really spent time together since Charles
and Silena started dating. Percy feels bad for neglecting their friendship, he
likes Charles after all, a lot, and all just because Percy was pouting without
an actual reason, but right now he needs some help. Nico needs a sword, one
that he can actually handle, and Percy knows Charles is the person to ask.
 
“Can I help you, Perce?” An easy smile on his lips and leaning casually against
the doorframe of the metal shop, he sees Percy before he’s really there. For a
moment, Percy wonders if Silena has told her boyfriend or not, about the kiss
that is, and about her words after, but Percy shakes the thought away before he
can let something on.
 
“Yeah... actually. I was hoping at least.” Percy scratches the back of his
head, smiling shyly. He feels bad for asking for a favour, which is ridiculous
since he wouldn’t have felt like this a week ago. Or maybe he would have, with
the way he’s been sticking to himself and not talking to anyone. Percy swallows
a sigh, he’s thinking about this too much, and he knows it.
 
“Sure.” Charles pushes himself off the doorframe and takes a step toward Percy
who just about manages to stop himself from taking one back in return.
“Anything you want.”
It’s a strange way to word it, and the way Charles looks at Percy is even
stranger. Not angry, not at all, but there’s a glint in the other boy’s eyes
that Percy just can’t place. Whatever unspoken words are being said right now,
Percy doesn’t get the message.
 
“I… uh.. I need…” Percy licks his lips, forcing himself to calm down and stop
behaving like an idiot. Apparently his nervousness shows, because Charles
quirks an eyebrow, grins cheekily and steps even closer. Swallowing, Percy’s
eyes flick over the other boy’s face, trying to figure out what is going on
that he doesn’t get until eventually they linger on the boy’s dark lips.
Until then, Percy has never thought about kissing Charles. Sure, he had
considered kissing Silena once or twice before he did on impulse, but after
Luke there hadn’t really been a guy Percy was interested in. Not Will, not
Nico… even though Percy suspects neither of them would push him off if he
tried.
 
Charles takes the decision whether or not to risk it off Percy by closing the
distance himself. His lips are chapped and dry, not like Silena’s at all, worse
even than Luke’s were or Percy’s are, but nevertheless, the kiss feels nothing
but soft. Percy is too stunned to do anything but lean into it hesitantly,
kissing back just enough not to signal rejection, but when Charles pulls away,
Percy stares at him with wide eyes nonetheless.
 
“Anything you want.” Charles repeats the words again, lips curling with a
knowing smile, to which Percy can do nothing but nod, open and close his mouth
a couple of times, before he shakes his head and turns to leave. This is
nothing he feels able to face now.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Cuddling is safe, that’s what Percy thinks when he takes Charles’s offer and
curls under the boy’s arm and against his side. It’s great, Charles is build
rather huge, all broad chest and wide shoulders, a perfect pillow to rest
against, only made better by the strong arms that make Percy feel safe in a way
he’s been aching for.
 
Percy is dependant on closeness, he has always drawn his strength from comfort
like that. Physical touch is the easiest reassurance, a soft hand on his
shoulder, or an arm around his waist, most days it’s all he needs. Before Percy
started behaving like an idiot, Silena was there to give this to him, to hold
his hand and hug him without any questions asked.
For Percy, it’s a thing that is hard to be understood the wrong way, but he
realises that other people see that a little different.
It’s the reason he startles when Silena walks by the back of cabin three and
sees him so close with her boyfriend. When it’s her, it’s different, because
they always used to do this. Before today, Charlie never struck Percy as much
of a cuddler, and he never tried to get close to him in that way.
 
“Bad day?” Silena asks, coming closer and dropping the bag she’d been carrying
just at the edge of the porch. Percy nods, trying to scoot away and clear the
space for her, but Charles’ hold on him is strong, and the chair isn’t actually
big enough to move away without falling off anyway.
Neither Charles nor Silena seem to mind Percy being there, and for a moment,
Percy thinks that maybe he could have had that the whole time if only he hadn’t
started closing in on himself.
It has in fact been an awful day, and Percy is feeling worse than he has in
weeks. Earlier, after Charles had found him near to tears and hugging his
knees, there was nothing he wanted more than to be close to someone.
Anything you want.
Of course Percy had agreed to just sit and hug for a while.
 
“What happened?” With a grace that seems natural to a child of Aphrodite,
Silena lets herself fall into Charles’ lap, her legs resting over Percy’s and
her head resting against Charles’ chest as soon as she’s pecked his cheek as a
greeting. Her nose almost touches Percy’s, and while her smile is warm, her
eyes are wide in concern. It’s a little unexpected, but Percy knows better than
to flinch away when she takes his hand too. He doesn’t want her to feel
rejected, even though for a second worry sends alarms ringing in his mind - but
when Charlie doesn’t complain but starts rubbing Percy’s shoulder again, he
manages to relax.
 
“Nightmares.” Percy admits with a sigh, eyes cast down to where his fingers are
laced with Silena’s. “Kr… The titan lord, he’s torturing him, trying to break
him for his cause.” Nothing new there, Percy has been having this particular
dream regularly ever since Luke left.  “I think he’s getting close. He said
that he finally found something to break Luke with…” Percy chokes up after all,
the words dying on his lips as he pressed them together to keep the emotions
from welling up inside him.
 
“He’s manipulating you, Percy. All he does is try to weaken you. Luke left on
his own; I’m sure he is well.” It’s a weak consolation because Percy isn’t sure
what is worse: That Luke went with the titan lord on his own free will, or that
he forced and tortured Luke into doing so.
He shakes his head, biting his lip hard enough to hurt. Tears sting in his eyes
again, but he doesn’t want to cry, not after all this time. He’s supposed to be
strong, to move on, but over half a year has passed since Luke is gone and it
still feels like Percy’s heart is in shreds.
 
“You don’t have to be strong, Percy.” Silena ducks her head low enough to catch
Percy’s eyes and raises his hands to her lips to press a kiss against the back
of each. “We can take care of you, you don’t have to do that alone.”
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Hesitant kisses, soft presses of lips everywhere leave Percy’s skin tingling
and his heart beating frantically. He can’t say that he has imagined this
before, or anything like it, because it never seemed to be a possibility. Now
though, being pressed against Charlie’s chest by Silena sitting on his thighs,
Percy wonders how exactly he hadn’t known just how much he wants this. He feels
the heat from the boy behind him radiatin even through their shirts, and
Silena’s hands seem to be just as warm, leaving Percy feeling like he’s burning
up wherever she is touching him.
Charlie is nibbling on the skin behind Percy’s ear, raising goose bumps on the
skin. One of his hands is resting on Silena’s thigh, the other against Percy’s
bare stomach where his shirt has ridden up.
When Silena proposed that she and Charlie could take care of him, Percy hadn’t
thought that this is what she had meant, but right now, drunk on kisses and
dizzy with the feeling of skin against skin, Percy really can’t say he minds.
No matter what she does, Silena makes sure Percy is with them every step of the
way, reassures herself that Percy wants this and knows what it means, that it
makes him feel better and not worse than before. She asks now too, nothing more
than a whisper before she tugs on Percy’s shirt.
Percy leans forward instead of answering properly, untangles his arms and helps
Silena to pull the shirt over his head. Another kiss, Silena’s lips twitch into
a smile when they move against Percy’s, and then she lets her hands roam
Percy’s bare skin. Her fingers are so much softer than Charlie’s are, whose
skin is rough from working in the forge, but Percy loves the way both feel
against him.
Feeling bolder now, Percy winds his arms around Silena’s waist and pulls her
properly onto his lap as he scoots back on Charles’s, dropping his head against
the boy’s shoulder when he starts kissing down Percy’s neck. A quiet moan
tumbles from his lips and his eyes flutter closed, revelling in the sensations
of lips and hands and bodies pressed against him.
 
Percy doesn’t think he’s ever gone that slow with anyone, and thankfully the
arousal pooling low in his gut keeps him from letting his thoughts go down that
road. Silena takes his hands, shows him where to touch her, guides them
underneath the hem of her shirt. Percy is careful, hesitant even. It’s not like
he hasn’t been with anyone female before, but not only has it been quite a
while, but it also never has been like this, and Percy wants to do this right.
She is patient, as is Charlie, and both of them seem to like how Percy wants to
take his time with this. Percy straightens ever so slightly when Silena takes
off her shirt and then he bends forward to trace the line of her throat with
his lips, all the way down to her chest, along underneath her collarbones. When
she encourages him to touch her breasts, Percy is still cautious, but Charlie
covers one of Percy’s hands on her with his own and shows him along.
 
When Percy looks up and meets Silena’s eyes, she makes a quiet noise. Her
cheeks are a little flushed, and while she is still smiling, her lips are
parted and her breathing is faster now. Both her hands are resting against
Percy’s chest now, and she circles her fingers for a moment before she cocks
her head to the side.
“Let’s take this off.” She nods lower, and Charles traces the waistband of
Percy’s jeans with his hands before Percy understands what she is getting at.
 
“Okay.” Percy’s voice is breathless, aroused and excited in equal measures and
right when he licks his lips, Charlie tips his head back to connect their lips.
Silena slides off Percy while he is busy kissing Charlie back, and he feels her
hands stroking up his thighs to where his erection tents his pants.
 
It needs some shifting and moving around, but eventually the three of them lie
on the bed in one big tangle, all stripped down to their underwear. Percy stops
worrying, every single one of his touches is reciprocated, he can feel
Charles’s hardness pressing against his back and the heat of Silena’s arousal
where his leg is slotted between her thighs.
 
“Percy?” Charlie whispers, hand on Percy’s shoulder so he can shift him enough
to catch his gaze. “Do you… want to take this further? Sleep with us?”
 
Silena told Percy that this was more about him than about either her or
Charles, that they wanted to give him a possibility to let go and feel good, so
he is not all that surprised that Charles asks even though Percy is sure they
all know that this is the direction they are headed in.
He’s still glad they make sure so often, it’s reassuring in a way, helping
Percy feel safe and taken care of.
Before he answers, Percy looks between them, but he doesn’t see any doubts on
their faces so he nods.
 
“Yeah.” He reaches out, resting his hand against Charlie’s cheek. “I want to.”
 
A few more questions about how and where and ‘is this alright?’ end in even
more kissing, playful now, biting on each other’s lips and licking over the
reddened spots and Percy moans into Charles’s mouth when Silena strokes her
hand over the outline of Percy’s cock, straining against the fabric of his
briefs.
Again they shift, this time until Percy is resting again with his back to
Charles’s chest, but this time with his briefs off and his legs spread over the
other boy’s. Silena sits more or less on Charlie’s knees, Percy’s legs hooked
around her waist on either side. Percy is taken aback by how comfortable Silena
is with this, he doesn’t see her hesitating even once, and while Charles holds
Percy close, kisses him and traces the lines of Percy’s body with soft touches,
Silena takes the lube in hand.
 
Percy isn’t quite sure where the tube has come from, but he doesn’t dwell on
the thought, just watches Silena’s fingers as she warms the liquid for a moment
before she touches her wet fingers between Percy’s legs. Even though he knows
what’s coming, Percy still gasps quietly at the sensation, then chuckles
quietly when Silena immediately looks up to make sure Percy is still alright
with this. He nods for her to go on, so she does, circling her finger over
Percy’s rim, making him relax before she pushes in up to the first digit.
It’s not the first time she’s doing this, Percy doubts it’s because of her
mother that Silena knows what she is doing, and this time he keeps wondering
where, or rather with whom she did. Percy thoughts disperse as soon as Silena
starts moving though, watching the way Percy reacts and adapting accordingly.
Within minutes he’s a mess, moaning and shivering and Percy starts to suspect
that Charles worries about hurting Percy isn’t the only reason for why Silena
is doing this instead.
 
“Ready?” She asks eventually, cupping Percy’s face with the not messy hand. He
nods before he thinks, then nods again and pulls her close enough to kiss
before they move again. Silena raises Percy to his knees, her arms around his
neck and their lips locked, so that Charles can get rid of the last bit of
clothing, grab a condom and settle in a position that’ll allow him to move even
when Silena pushes Percy back onto her boyfriend’s lap.
Percy already moans when he feels the head of Charlie’s cock nudge against his
rim, wet and cold with lube, and against his better knowledge, Percy presses
down on him. He gasps, the stretch stinging painfully for a moment because he
didn’t go slow, but then Charles reaches out and steadies him with a hand on
each side of his hips, and helps him to sink down more carefully.
 
Silena gives him a look that’s almost scolding, patting his cheek and trying
not to smile. “Patience is a virtue Percy.” She teases and Percy hears Charlie
chuckle, feels his breath huff over his skin from where his forehead rests
against Percy’s neck for now. Percy smiles too, knowing she has a point and
that, if it wasn’t for them, he wouldn’t even give himself the time to get used
to being filled before he started moving.
 
When he is sure Percy won’t move, Charlie lets go of Percy’s hips and strokes
his hands over Percy’s thighs instead, skin catching slightly and making Percy
shiver. Silena stays back and watches for a moment, then she wipes her hand on
the sheets and reaches around her back. While Percy watches, not trying to hide
the way his gaze lingers, Silena takes off her bra, then her panties, kneeling
right in front of him in all her glory and biting her lips. Of course, Percy
knows it’s all for show, especially when she blinks at the boys bashfully, but
it works nevertheless. Both of them are too caught up to in looking at her,
neither of them minded waiting anymore, and Silena scooted closer.
 
“I’m not sure this will work.” She murmurs and drags her fingers up Percy’s
thighs. “But I’d like to try. Will you let me have you?” Percy isn’t sure what
she is getting at until she straddles him, hooking her legs around his so that
they hold each other steady even if Charles starts to move.
 
“You want to...?” Percy stops mid-sentence when Silena shows him the condom,
making her point quite clear without having to explain it after all. Percy
nods, not sure he can speak anymore now, and licks his lips again. With ease,
Silena rips the wrapper and pulls the rubber over Percy’s cock. Her hands on
him make his snap out of his daze and he manages to reach out for her when she
comes closer, one hand curling around her waist and the other coming to rest at
her lower back. Silena doesn’t need Percy to steady her, she places a hand on
his shoulder and uses the other to guide him into her warmth.
 
Percy’s breathing becomes heavier, and Selina’s sigh when she sinks down on him
only adds to how good it makes him feel in return. He straightens up to press
against her, having almost forgotten about Charlie behind, and in him until
that motion makes him grind down on his cock.
 
All three of them moan, and Percy can’t help a soft, breathless laugh: “I’m not
going to survive this.”
 
Silena grins, face flushed red with arousal, and Charles snaps at Percy’s neck
playfully. They are so close now, Percy feels warm both on the in- and outside,
strangely comfortable at the same time.
Moving is slow at first, Silena rising herself up and down in easy circles
while Percy kisses trails down her chest and over her breasts, rolling his hips
when he sucks a nipple between his lips. It’s a little complicated for Charlie
to move too, now that both their weight rests mostly on him, but after a few
sporadic tries, they find a rhythm and angle that works. Percy can’t do much,
wedged between them and mostly taking what they give, but he tries to move
along and make it easier nevertheless.
 
It’s good, certainly not like anything Percy has felt before; the pleasure is
different and more intense and it’s only increasing the longer they go on.
Percy shifts a lot, even when he’s being had like this, he can’t stay still.
His hands are always wandering, touching, stroking, pulling closer, his lips
moving from Silena’s neck to Charles’s when he tilts his head back, once he
even licks over the line of the other boy’s jaw, making him chuckle lowly.
 
They fit together so easily, and all Percy wants is to stay in this haze of
taking and giving caresses and touches, but he feels his desire burn hot, and
his nerves tingling, and knows he won’t last.
Silena shushes him when he tells her, because obviously, that is the point of
what they are doing; it’s what she offered. Make him feel good, forget, take
his mind off; what better way is there than making him come apart like this?
 
Percy’s hands tighten where he holds on, one on Charles’s arm, the other on
Silena’s waist, and his moans grow louder until they are almost shameless,
resonating low and drawn out in the room. They drown out Charles’s quieter
ones, and even the soft sounds Silena makes in between.
Shivers run down Percy’s back, his legs start to tremble, and his moans turn
into broken gasps when he gets close. He doesn’t need to, but he starts moving
with them again, catalysing his pleasure until it feels like his guts tie
themselves into knots. Silena slows for the fraction of a second, sensing that
Percy is right on the edge, before she falls back into a faster pace, actually
grinning when he cries out. His eyes fall shut and his body tenses up with his
climax, a feeling like fire racing through his veins and all sounds get stuck
in his throat except for a quiet murmur that neither Charlie nor Silena really
can understand.
Percy’s breathing takes minutes to slow, heart beating hard and fast in his
chest, and both arms and legs still trembling when he comes down from his
orgasm. Maybe he should be embarrassed about fast he reached his point, but
Silena slips off him and disposes of the condom, then helps Percy to stay
steady when Charles eases out of him. The pain isn’t as bad as Percy has
expected, and he’s quite relieved when they make him lie back on the mattress
and let him rest for the moment while they start kissing each other instead.
 
It’s not that strange to watch a couple after you’ve had them both, Percy isn’t
sure what to make of that knowledge, so he just turns on his side and lies next
to them when Charlie pushes Silena down on the mattress. He takes a new condom,
but keeps touching and kissing her for a while before he actually spreads her
legs and buries himself inside her. Silena reaches out, taking Percy’s hand and
squeezing it hard when Charlie begins to thrust, long rolls of his hips, taking
her free hand and lacing their fingers. Now that it’s just the two of them
moving is substantially easier, and Percy is more than content to just hold
Silena’s hand and watch as they push each other closer to their release.
 
No matter how hard Charles tries to hold it out, he still finishes before
Silena does, his face pressed against her neck as his thrusts gets sporadic and
falter, and even though she’s not there yet, she urges him on, moaning his name
and whispering quiet praise. He stills, her legs still hooked around his back,
his shoulders heaving with the how hard his breathing comes.
Tenderly, Silena strokes Charlie’s hair, and when he looks up, she kisses him
softly, not giving him a chance to speak the apology that is evidently forming
on his lips.
 
“Don’t worry.” She cooes, another sweet kiss and then she is pushing Charlie
back, gentle but insistent. “I’m sure Percy can help me out.”
 
That makes Percy perk up, and while Charles lets himself fall to Silena’s side,
he scoots closer again. He can’t actually sleep with her again right now,
there’s no way he’ll get his cock to harden again so soon, even being a teenage
boy doesn’t help there, but Percy has a feeling that isn’t what Silena has in
mind anyway.
She pulls him close, hand curling in the hair at the back of his neck, until he
is pressed flush against his side. Her legs are still spread, one propped up
and the other tangles with Percy’s now, and when she pulls him down, Percy
comes easily, meeting her lips in a deep kiss.
 
When they part, Percy’s hand is resting on Silena’s abdomen, drawing patterns
on the skin. He’s unsure, but if he’s learned one thing today it’s that he
doesn’t have to be afraid to ask, so that’s exactly what the does.
“Show me? I don’t… I’m not sure what to do.” Percy is not surprised to see
Silena smile back at him and nod, she’s probably glad he asked instead of just
doing something without actually pleasing her in the process. She tugs on his
hair just enough to move his head lower until his lips brush over her breasts
and that Percy understands. Here he knows where to kiss, and lick, and where he
can let his teeth graze the skin, so he does without hesitation. Silena hums
and moans, quietly but very much pleased, and covers Percy’s hand on her
abdomen with her own. She guides him lower, her fingers slotting over his when
she shows him exactly where she wants to be touched, making sounds of approval
when Percy does it right. Percy doesn’t have to worry about hurting her, he can
easily wet his fingers by stroking over the length of her vulva before he
starts circling two of his fingers around her clit, his touch still gentle and
slow now. He wants to make this good, and maybe he wants to tease a little too,
but either way, Percy takes his time.
 
Silena’s moans become breathless, higher in tone, the hand in Percy’s hair
tightening and letting go several times. Percy has to admit that it’s harder
for him to read her reaction than it is reading those of a guy, he can’t tell
if it’s a good thing when she moves underneath his hand, pushing back against
him or rolling her hips, or if that means he’s not doing enough.
The moment Silena starts cursing, albeit quiet and under her breath, Percy
stops questioning what he’s doing and instead increases the pressure of his
touches. Silena starts bucking her hips, writhing and trembling, and then she
throws her head back and moans Percy’s name, followed by another curse, louder
now.
Percy keeps his touch softer, letting her ride out the waves of her pleasure
until eventually, she stops him by curling her fingers around his wrist.
 
They are quiet for a moment, the only sound coming from the harsh breaths
Silena is taking still, but Percy doesn’t need words. His lips are pressed to
Silena’s shoulder, his hand resting on her stomach again, and he’s trying his
best to hide the smug smile on his lips. Percy can’t help it, he is a little
proud to have made her come like this, especially after they took care of him
before.
When Silena has calmed down, she stretches once and pulls Charlie close against
her other side, taking his hand in hers and covering Percy’s like that.
 
It’s late already, and Percy is reluctant to move, so he doesn’t. They don’t
ask, and Percy doesn’t either, somehow it seems natural to stay like this now,
curled together naked and warm, buzzed out and content. Charles reaches for the
covers after a while and drapes them over all three of them up to their chests
before he nuzzles back against Silena. He tangles his legs with hers and
Percy’s too, like he’s done this a thousand times before, and lets his eyes
fall closed.
Percy decides not to question it, he yawns, settles comfortably, and waits
until sleep pulls him under.
 
For the first time in weeks, his dreams are peaceful.
 
Chapter End Notes
     Hmm, the next part will be (after the plot) Percy/Nico ;) ;)
     Let me know what you thought, because I'm telling you, it was quite a
     thing to write :D
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