Percy's POV

BEFORE I FORGET AGAIN: I entered the PJO Awards 2018, if anyone bothers to vote. :)

A/N: I don't know Greek (unfortunately), however, Poseidon's family will obviously speak Greek. Since Percy can understand it, I won't try to write in Greek using Google Translator (and make tons of mistakes), I'll just keep it in italics. So "Hi how are you" is in English and "Hi how are you" is in Greek.

WEDNESDAY, 21

st

December

"Peter, have you finished packing?"

Percy looked up from his phone to see his mother entering the room, casting one glance to the open and almost empty suitcase threw at the floor, the open wardrobe that was so messy she had already given up of hope, some shoes scattered around the room and her son on the bed, playing with his phone, before giving him a flat look.

"You said three hours ago you would pack."

"I got distracted."

She sighed in acceptance.

"You always do. Just remember your flight is tomorrow. You're old enough to decide when and what to pack. Dinner is ready if you're hungry."

Now I feel guilty.

***

Percy barely had time to hide his phone under the covers when his mom entered his room at 1am. He tried to relax his breathing enough to fool her, which didn't work.

"Peter, I know you're awake. I guess both of us are a bit nervous with your trip tomorrow. Why don't we go to the kitchen and make muffins?"

He stopped pretending and sat up.

"Or cookies?"

She laughed and motioned for him to join her.

***

"So, are we talking about it?"

Percy stopped washing the dishes to look at this mom who was adjusting the oven's temperature.

"Talk about what?"

"You choose. Your so-called girlfriend, your trip to Greece, your opinion on your father, your grades, your new friends... which one is less-appealing? And 'all above' isn't an option."

She smiled at him and pulled his arm to seat with her.

"Come on, spit it out. I'm your mother, I think I have the right to know a little about your life."

He shrugged and sat down, looking everywhere but her.

"Nothing new, just school. I'm okay with meeting my father. Annie isn't my girlfriend, like I already told you. Nothing to talk about."

Sarah pulled his chin to force their eyes to meet, giving him a stern look.

"Peter, cut it out. I know you've changed these last couple of months, and I kept my distance to not threaten your freedom. However, this doesn't mean I don't care, worry or expect you to come to me to talk about it. And even if you said Annie isn't your girlfriend, your face tells me you want her to be. And sooooo badly."

"MOM!"

"I'm just calling as I see it. And she is much better than Sirena, as my informants tell me."

She... knew about Sirena... HOW?

Her informants, she just said it.

But WHO?

"Mom, who exactly are your informants?"

"My lips are sealed. I'm just gonna say that your look to Annie in that video when you kissed her hand almost made me swoon. Those are the eyes of a guy in love."

WHAT!? Even my MOM saw that video? PERCY! I'll kill you both!

Does your mother know any of your friends?

You mean apart from Jodi, Jay and Jordan? No. I don't even have many other friends apart from them.

Is there a possibility that they would inform your mother of your moves?

No, that would be so... JODI! She would! Add her to my blacklist.

"Mom, again, not my girlfriend."

"Say whatever you want, sweetheart."

Great, now my mom thinks I'm in love. Thanks so much for that.

You're welcome, here to help.

Sometimes I hate that you're as sarcastic as me.

"And your father?"

"What about him?"

"Peter, we almost never talked about him, and it was because YOU didn't want to. And when he wrote, you made very clear you didn't want anything to do with him. After you talked to Gregor, you said you were going, but I'm still in the dark as to what made you change your mind."

Percy sighed and tried to find the words to explain without slipping anything about his own life and motives.

"I don't know if we will get along or not, if I will want to see him again after this week is over, but I decided I'm gonna try. To get to know him, to understand why he was with you while married, to see if he gave me anything more than half a dozen genes."

"Sweetie... he gave you 23 genes, not half a dozen. Now you made me worried about your grades."

He tried to keep a neutral expression but ended joining when she laughed.

My mom making nerd remarks at me. I think we should go back to bed before it gets worse.

"What about your new friends?"

"What new friends?"

"John? Felix?"

"How do you even know these names?"

Sarah gave him a sly smile.

"Your informants."

"Exactly."

"I'm gonna kill Jodi."

"You think she's my informant?"

"Isn't she?"

"I never said that."

"You haven't denied either."

"Ok, mister smarty-pants, time to eat some muffins and go to bed. We need to wake up early to go to the airport."

I'm good with this plan.

I like your mom.

Isn't your mom the same?

Not really. Just like we're not the same.

THRUSDAY, 22

nd

December

Wait, my skateboard!

You want to take it?

You want to pass the opportunity to skate in Greece?

There isn't space inside our suitcase.

We take with us inside the plane. It's not sharp, explosive or something like this. I think.

Fine by me.

"Peter, the cab is here, hurry up!"

***

"Are you gonna be ok?"

"Yes, don't worry about me."

"You need to text me so I know you're alive."

"I will."

"Are you sure you're gonna be ok?"

His mother laughed.

"Peter, I'm the mother, I'm supposed to worry about you, not the opposite."

He scrunched his eyebrows and adjusted his backpack, so his skateboard stopped to slip.

"I don't like the idea of leaving you alone on Christmas."

"I'll be fine, don't worry. It's almost a full day to Athens and you lose a day because of time zones; if you'd waited until after Christmas, you wouldn't have time to enjoy. Now... keep your passport and ticket in a place of easy access. Remember that your father will be waiting for you there. Be polite to his family and keep your thoughts to yourself. Don't get into trouble and don't cause trouble."

"Mom..."

"It's my turn to worry, and I do it better than you."

He sighed and hugged his grinning mother.

"I'll call you."

"No, you won't. You'll forget, I just know it."

"Don't you have faith on me?"

She chuckled and stepped back with a smile.

"More than you'll ever know. But you have a faulty memory. Now go, before it's too late."

***

Percy, calm down.

Sorry, not a fan of flying.

We're still boarding the plane.

"Can I see your ticket, sir?"

Percy wordlessly handed his ticket, feeling his stomach practicing skateboard maneuvers inside his body.

"Thank you, sir. Your seat is in this aisle."

He nodded to her before forcing his feet to move further inside the plane, or how he liked to think, the big metal cylinder to help Zeus hit his target.

We will be fine.

Have you ever been on a plane?

Once. I wasn't really excited to do it again.

Any bad experiences?

We crossed a storm. Just a bit of turbulence, for like 80% of the flight. Babies crying, children screaming, flight attendants tripping, lightning cracking, plane shaking, people praying and the certain of death every second. Top 5 of worst moments in my life.

***

If a lot of people get anxious in the taking off and relax slightly after the plane is stable, the higher they got, the most anxious Percy got.

Not the best moment for my stomach to learn tap dance.

"Sir, do you need anything?"

He turned to the flight attendant who was looking at him with concern. He licked his lips, trying to think what he could say to look fine.

"Maybe a glass of water?"

She can get us enough water to fill the ocean, I don't think it will be enough to calm you down.

***

After an hour, the tension gave way to the boredom. His father had booked him a seat next to the window, which proved how little he knew his own son. With the TDAH kicking in, sitting still was the last thing he wanted to do. He twisted in his seat so much the woman next to him was already giving him dirty looks, even if he hadn't touched her once. The app he had download to learn Greek on the trip was forgotten, all the new songs on his phone were annoying, the seat was three times more uncomfortable than before, sleep was evasive, the clouds outside the window were all the same and he had too much energy to even breath slowly.

After it became too much, he had to get up, even if it meant bothering three other people to pass. That was only the start. He walked the whole plane so many times two different flight attendants asked him to go back to his seat. But less than 10 minutes later he was up again.

Since it was still day, it didn't bother the passengers too much, except when he befriended a young boy who was just as restless and they started playing with a ball. Later he stationed himself next to an old woman who was telling how she was returning to Holland after leaving to go to Argentina to marry the man her father didn't approve. The people around her didn't seem interested, so Percy sat on the floor next to her and started asking for details.

"But how long ago was it?"

"Sixty years ago."

"And you never went back until now?"

"I did ten years ago for my father's funeral, God bless his soul."

"But then you went back to your husband, in Argentina?"

"No, I was already a widow. I was living with a... very dear friend."

A male one?

I want to ask, but I feel it might be too much.

"And now you're going back?"

"Oh, yes, my aunt is very old and need help. Since she didn't have any children, I'm gonna keep her company."

Wait. She left Holland sixty years ago to marry, which means she's at least 75 years old. And she's going to help her aunt.

Looks like she still feels young, good for her.

***

After their first stop, Percy noted some of the flight crew changed after a male attendant, Nicholas, came to ask him to seat, because he was disturbing some passengers. They ended up befriending, trying to compare skateboards to surfing, Nicholas' passion.

Being the son of Poseidon, shouldn't you know how to surf?

I can control the waves. And even if I don't, I can feel them, I know instinctually how to ride them. I never really LEARNED how to do it. I just know how to, even if I don't know how I know.

FRIDAY, 23

rd

December

He had other two stops, where he was chased by security guards for using his skateboard inside the airport. Another seventeen complaints from other passengers, most of those during the night, where he still wouldn't sit down. Another five temporary friends, a hippie woman well in her forties that tried to gave him tips of herbs and exercises to help him calm down; small twin girls who gave him a sheet of paper and some of their coloring pencils so he could draw with them while sitting on the floor by the back of the plane; a lanky guy a couple years older with who he discussed video games; and a single father with a small baby in his arms, that stopped crying and smiled in delight every time Percy grinned at her or made a silly face.

As he had slept very little, when the plane finally landed on Athens and he could relax about being on land for more than a quick stop, was when he started to get tired. His suitcase was the first one, which was a miracle on itself.

Does this mean we burned all our luck on this trip?

Let's hope not, because I want the return flight to be as smooth as this one.

I think no one in the plane with us will think of it as 'smooth'.

Now, who will be waiting for us outside the gates?

Whoever is, how will we recognize them?

We should have thought about that before.

Stepping outside the gates, this concern vanished. It took Percy less than 4 seconds to spot their father, leaning against a column. Tanned, dark hair and beard, Hawaiian shirt, a light coat, khaki pants and moccasins.

Looks like his style is something it can cross realities.

Is that him?

Yeah, that's Poseidon.

Petraios.

Right, different name here.

He walked in his father's direction, and was easily recognized, a small smile playing on the man's lips and kind eyes. He thrusted a hand forward, which Percy took.

"Peter, good to finally meet you, son."

"Same."

"You look tired, long flight?"

Percy yawned, adjusting his backpack.

"Just 14 hours. Detention is longer."

He was caught by surprise with his father's booming laughter.

"Yeah, I can see you going to detention. Not really fan of rules, are you? Let's go to my car."

It was a Jeep Wrangler, quite beat up, but with comfy seats. They didn't talk much in the car, most likely because neither of them knew how to start a conversation. Soon enough, Percy fell asleep from jetlag.

***

Percy woke up with his father shaking his shoulder. For a split of second, he tried to remember what mission he was that made Poseidon give him a ride inside a car, until he heard Peter and everything came back.

Are we here? What was the name of this city again?

Pylos, and yeah, I think we're here.

Following his father outside the car, he adjusted his backpack and held the skateboard in his hand. He could see a beautiful motorcycle to the side, half-hidden behind the house. The house on itself was simple, plain white walls, windows and door painted in blue, framed with shells of every color and shape possible. The inside had a comfortable temperature, the furniture clean and simple, in shades of blue, white, green and wood, with nautical references spread all over it.

"Come, I'll take you to your room."

He followed his father up the stairs, into a room with a beautiful view to the sea. Dark blue walls, a bed with white blankets and small wooden wardrobe.

"There is a bathroom through the door. I'll let you shower before presenting you to the others. Twenty minutes is ok?"

"Yeah, sure."

Percy waited for his father to close the door before getting what he needed from his suitcase.

Nice, meeting the others when we barely know him.

At least we can shower. I can only imagine going to Amphitrite after fourteen hours on a plane and who knows how many more in a car.

***

After he finished, he quietly walked down the stairs, not knowing what to expect. It was empty, but he could hear voices coming from the back of the house, and recognizing his father's, he went in that direction. There was a very spacious kitchen, full of windows that allowed the natural light to enter, along with providing a beautiful view of the sea. Luckily, Petraios saw him first and cleared his throat to call the attention of his wife that was busy chopping some vegetables.

"Aglaia, this is Peter."

Beautiful like her goddess counterpart, with a face that didn't betray her age, dark hair and eyes, Aglaia was dressed with a simple and long white dress and examined Percy with neutral eyes, like she still didn't know what to think of him. She dried her hands and offered one to Percy.

"Hello, Peter."

Well, she didn't say 'nice to meet you'. Always a good sign.

"Hi. Thanks for the room, it's very good."

The room is very good? That is the best you can do?

I'm not seeing you helping.

She didn't show any expression, though the lines around her eyes seemed to soften a bit.

"Thank you, and you're welcome."

An uncomfortable silence started to settle, with neither knowing what else to say, and Petraios not intervening to help.

Ok, this meeting officially went from 100% awkward to 110% awkward. Do you wanna bet how fast does it reach the 150%?

Aglaia cleared her throat and looked around quickly to find what to say.

"I hope you like keftethes."

If it's poison, I will have to decline.

"I...ahn... can't say that I tried before, so why not?"

For once, his father came to his rescue.

"It could be called a meatball, if we had to translate."

Oh, it doesn't sound too bad.

"I would love to try some. Should I seat or...?"

Aglaia seemed embarrassed for a moment.

"Oh, it's not ready yet, I'm doing it for dinner. If you're hungry I can cook something for you now."

Well, I am hungry...

Please don't ask for her to cook right now and make her hate me.

"Eh... I wouldn't like to burden you. I can totally wait for dinner."

She turned to her husband and whispered in modern Greek. Percy was a little rusty and it wasn't natural to his ears as ancient Greek, but after so many years at camp, he was still able to follow their conversation.

"What else should I say? I don't know how to treat him."

"Just like a normal teenager."

"Our son stopped being a teenager six years ago and that was my last experience with one. You're his father, you wanted him to come, so do something!"

"What do you want me to do?"

Ok, let's save him.

Percy hesitantly waved to get their attention.

"Is it too much to ask if I can take a walk around the neighborhood? My legs are still a bit stiff from all the flights and the car ride."

Both looked surprised at him and for a moment Percy wondered if he accidentally spoke in Greek. He wanted to avoid it to the last day, let them thinking they were safe speaking in Greek, allowing him to hear what the others didn't want him to.

I said it in English, right?

Yeah. At least it sounded as English to me.

Aglaia was the first to recover, elbowing her husband.

"Of course, Peter. Why don't your...father show you around?"

Her look to Petraios said clearly 'do it right now or I'll feed you to the sharks', so it's no wonder he cleared his throat and grinned at Percy.

"Come along now, let's take a walk."

It didn't take long for Percy to notice they were not just walking around aimlessly.

"Where are we going?"

Petraios grinned and patted his shoulder.

"I'll take you to meet some of my... associates."

Associates? He makes it sound like the mob.

"What exactly do you work on?"

His father shrugged and turned left, Percy following him.

"A bit of everything. Fishing, cleaning the seas, which is more Aglaia's thing, water treatment, tourism, building and repairing boats... as long as it gives me an opportunity to spend time at the sea or at least with water, I'm happy to do it. Still doesn't beat a nice swim in the morning."

He looked at Percy like he just had the most brilliant idea.

"Why don't I take you to swim with me tomorrow morning? You know how to swim, right?"

I do, but do you?

Yeah, I always loved water; spent so much time in it, it was either to drown or learn how to swim. But I never did on winter, for obvious reasons. wait, do you really know how to swim or it's like surfing?

I learned how to swim before knowing about my father. If I had used my powers from the beginning, I wouldn't have survived past four years old.

"I do, but in winter? Isn't the water freezing?"

"Of course not, it's even quite warm."

I have a feeling he's lying to us.

"Ah, here we are."

Percy looked up just in time to see a sign with scratched paint saying Boat Repair Shop in Greek. He almost jumped when his father yelled next to him.

"OCTOPUS, WHERE ARE YOU? NOT BUSY WITH A KILL DEVIL, I HOPE!"

They heard the answer before seeing the man.

"By your mother's nutmegs, man, I'm old, not deaf!"

The man who came behind a boat in working clothes, reminded Percy of Leo. That is, if Leo had been over seventy and hadn't showered in all those years, accumulating layers upon layers of dirt, grease, sand, sweat, salt, crumbles, ink, oil and who knows what else. It was impossible to know which the original color of his clothes had been, that Percy doubted had been washed as much as it should. His hair seemed to be white under all the dirt and grease, his beard wasn't long, while still looking unkempt, nails dirty. The only clear things in his robust body were his brown eyes, warm, intelligent, curious and old while watching Percy from head to toe.

"Eh? And this one? Your old seal, you said you had a son, not a carbon copy."

Switching to English, he took a couple of steps forward and offered his hand.

"I'm Octopus. Nice to meet you, kid."

Percy hesitated just for a second, wondering if the grease would forever stain his skin, before shaking the man's hand.

"I'm Peter."

Octopus let out a deep laugh that reminded Percy of an avalanche of rocks. He almost fell forward when the tall man gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"And so I've heard. Your dear old dad drove me crazy talking about you."

He... talked about me?

When Percy turned to look at his father with an inquisitive look, he only got a small smile as answer. Petraios focused back to his friend, nodding with his head in Percy's direction.

"Can I leave him with you? I need to... set some things straight."

Octopus frowned and nodded with a somber expression.

"Aye, got you. Go talk to your son."

Talk to us? Then why is he leaving?

I think he means Triton. You, know, the legit son.

Ah, yeah. That makes more sense.

After his father left, Octopus motioned for Percy to follow him deeper inside the shop, leading him to a big room on the left, full to the ceiling with random pieces of metal, a lot of them arranged into creations Percy had no idea what should do. From the noise of metal hammering, it was clear someone was very busy working, just not within sight. The man's deep voice rumbled over the noise, making the other person stop and raise their head from behind a table in curiosity. It was like a punch to Percy's gut. Brown hair, though messier and longer than he was used seeing, a round face with an eye surgically removed, the other one brown and wide with excitement, mouth full with unlined teeth open in a grin.

"Hi, new friend!"

Tyson. Tyson is here. I...

Wait, Tyson your... brother? Does that mean...?

Tyson had walked from behind the table and Percy was a bit surprise to see Tyson was a head shorter than him. But when the boy hugged him and cut off his air, Percy could see not much had changed.

***

Percy nodded again at his brother with a smile, pretending he could understand everything said. The Greek wasn't much of a problem, but Tychon kept talking too fast about the things he was trying to build, which was way more technical that Percy could follow, especially with the smaller boy getting excited and speaking only half of the words. Octopus was half inside of a boat, with Tychon handing him tools even before he asked when Percy decided to change subject.

"So, why Octopus? Is it really your name, an English word? Or is the translation from your Greek name?"

"It was a nickname your father gave me. He said I was so efficient it was like I had eight arms."

Tychon grinned in excitement and pointed to the man with a screwdriver.

"Basileus is very good, he teaches me how to build!"

Percy had noticed Tychon didn't have any trouble following a conversation in English, but either didn't know or refused to talk in it, speaking only in Greek. Percy was translating to Peter, and only then something clicked in his mind.

Wait, eight arms?

That's what an octopus has, eight arms. A brain in each one and another one in the head.

I know that... how do you know that?

Dentist's office.

You learned about octopus brains in dentist's office?

I was bored and ended up reading a child's book with trivia about animals. It was either that or die of boredom.

... you died of boredom either way, didn't you?

It was a short book.

Anyway...

You said you knew that, how?

I date Annabeth, she sprouts information like Persephone sprouts flowers. But this specific information I got from an octopus itself.

Right, you talk to fish like Ariel. I don't even know why I bothered asking. Do octopus know what a brain is?

They have nine of those, of course they do. Why was I talking about octopus again?

Because it's his name.

Right, I think he's a Hekatonkniere.

...Is that a cuss word you haven't taught me? Or is it a full sentence?

It means Hundred-handed-one.

Literally? How large does it have to be his wrist to fit one hundred hands?

He has one hundred arms.

Then why not say hundred-armed-one?

I don't know, I wasn't the one who came up with the names.

How does it work? Does he look like one of those gods from India?

No idea, I never met a demigod from India. I know a bit about Norse and Egyptian mythology but not Indian. I feel my head will explode if I have to deal with another pantheon.

What's a pantheon?

It's how you say a flock of gods.

Norse mythology is like Odin, right? Have you met Thor? Is he like in the movies?

I haven't actually met the Norse gods, just a couple of their children.

How? You are walking around at school, steps on someone's toes and when you don't apologize, they say 'wait until my daddy Loki hears about this' and you answer 'tell him to call my father's lawyers using a shell because my dad is Poseidon'?

Oh, no. The Norse demigods I met were dead. Why would a dead person go to school when they don't need to?

Then... you met them at a cemetery? And I think the question would be how they would go to school, not why. You know, since they're dead.

They have a special after life, so they kinda keep living, stuck in the same age they had when they died.

Forever? I don't know if that is awesome or if it sucks.

No, they are waiting for the end of the world, when a big battle is supposed to happen and they're the army. And I met them because one of them was Annabeth's cousin.

So she casually spend Thanksgiving with a dead relative? Well then.

No, she found out he had an afterlife when she went to his funeral and caught him stealing something from his body.

He... how... but...

Do not think too hard, it only makes it worse. I speak from experience.

***

Percy was grateful for Tychon for suggesting eating something. They took him to eat souvlaki, a seasoned meat that, to Percy's joy, came with a huge portion of fries; after it, they sat overlooking the sea, sharing a bag of loukoumades, balls of fried dough covered with something sticky that Percy didn't know what it was, but it was good. Tychon had his mouth busy eating, but he glanced at Percy every now and then and smiled in happiness.

Is he my brother?

I don't know, but he likes us.

He directed the question to Basileus, trying to act as inconspicuously as he could.

"So, what about Tychon's family? Is he related to you?"

Octopus coughed in his hand, pretending to have something in his throat and Tychon looked from one to another in curiosity.

"Hm, no, I just... he keeps me company."

The boy grinned in joy.

"Octopus is my friend."

Percy smiled and nodded to his brother but didn't let go of the subject.

"Did Pose-Petraios asked you to have Tychon under your wings or something?"

Octopus' eyes were giving a very clear message to give up the questions. Percy only did it because it was still early, he had enough time to search for answers. Tychon seemed to be happy in steal the last loukoumade, only to break it in half and offer one to Percy.

"Octopus is my friend, and now Peter is my friend too."

Percy accepted his half and smiled.

"Tychon, what do you think of going to the beach tomorrow?"

His eyes shone in delight and nodded so fast Percy thought his neck would break.

Hm... Percy?

Yeah?

You spoke in Greek.

What!?

He was quick to turn and see Basileus watching him with a pensive look, before exploding in laughter.

"Oh, Petraios is in for a surprise."

***

After making both promise they wouldn't tell his father he could speak a little of Greek, Percy went back to the house. Deciding the best course of action was to change clothes before facing the dinner, he quietly went upstairs.

So, Triton. What should we expect?

Green skin, pearl armor. Two fish-tails.

Maybe more personality wiser.

Arrogant and possessive of his belongings, most likely.

Not using his security blanket to clean the floors, got it. Hey, can I ask you a favor?

What?

Translate to me everything they say in Greek. I mean it, EVERYTHING.

Deal.

Percy took a deep breath and walked down the stairs, preparing himself to face his immortal-turned-mortal-by-alternative-reality family.

Wanna bet the level of awkwardness will reach 130% in less than five minutes?

The dining table was set, Aglaia was bringing a dish from the kitchen, with his father standing next to a tall man. Triton had black hair that went beyond his muscular shoulders, dark and cold eyes, and even though he was dressed casually, there was nothing informal about his posture. Their father cleared his throat after his wife shot him a look to do something.

"Peter, this is my son, Theron. Theron, this is... my other son, Peter."

"The bastard one."

Even if Percy couldn't have understood Greek, Aglaia's hiss and Petraios' frown would have clued him that Theron's first words weren't kind ones. Pretending he didn't understand, Percy walked further into the living room until he was standing in front of his half-brother and offered a hand, craning his neck to look at his eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Theron."

Theron didn't shake his hand, like Percy knew he wouldn't, but he kept his hand and Theron's glare. It was only when Aglaia whispered her son's name in a warning that he gave him and accepted Percy's hand, squeezing it tightly.

"I hope you feel welcome... Peter."

The unspoken words 'even if you're not welcome here' were clear to everyone in the room, but Percy only gave him the most brilliant grin he could.

"I already feel like I'm home."

Well, I should have bet in 300% awkward.

I can be a bastard in more than one way.

***

Aglaia's cooking was great, and Percy found himself hopping he didn't have to help doing the dishes, because she had cooked three or four different dishes and even if he couldn't remember the names - to what Peter asked how he was able to remember name of monsters but not of foods, which signaled something very wrong with his brain - he had second helpings of every single one. The conversation had died after Theron ruined every tentative of it, and even if Percy pretended not to understand the words in Greek, he was fuming on the inside. It went a bit like:

"How was your childhood?"

"With dad's mistress, she means."

"Theron!"

Let me punch his teeth out, no one speaks about my mother like this!

"How is your mother going to spend Christmas?"

"Probably with another married man. I heard she likes those."

Followed by Aglaia's hiss.

Let me remove his eyes with a rusty corkscrew and shove it deep in his...

"How do you do in school?"

"A failure, I'm sure."

"Quiet!"

Let me bash his face against this table until any surgery fails to fix it!

"Tell me about your friends."

"Are they also bastards?"

"Theron, that's enough!"

Let me... hm...

Hung him to the ceiling with chains, stab his abdomen and let his life force slowly drip to the earth.

Wow, that was...

How I killed a cyclops.

Isn't Tyson a cyclops? Are they bad or good?

Wasn't Hitler a human?

Point taken.

By the end of the dinner, Percy went to his room at Aglaia's suggestion. By her glare directed to her son, it was clear she wanted to have a private word with him. Theron accompanied Percy's movements with a cold glare, and Percy was tempted to flip him the bird before ascending. Less than ten minutes later, his father knocked and handed his own phone, with a tight smile.

"Peter, it's your mother."

Percy picked the phone hesitantly.

"Hi, mom. I..."

"Forgot to call just like I knew you would. Sorry, sweetie, mothers are always right."

Fortunately, she sounded more amused than angry.

"So, tell me about your trip so far. Was it exciting?"

***

After he filled his mom in, Percy went to give his father's phone back. The living room was empty, with Theron and Petraios nowhere to be seen. However, he found Aglaia in the kitchen, and by his own experience with his mother, he knew she was distressed and cleaning an already spotless kitchen. Before he could go back to his room she raised her eyes to him, startled.

"Peter. Sorry, I didn't hear you coming. Can I help?"

He cleared his throat awkwardly and entered the kitchen, handing her the phone.

"I just wanted to return this. I'm going back to my room now."

He took two steps before her voice stopped him.

"Peter."

Please, don't tell me she already hates me.

Percy took a deep breath and turned, careful to maintain a neutral expression.

"Yes?"

She stood up and moved to the living room, with him following in silence. Reaching for something inside a drawer, she handed him a box with a new phone.

"Your father put an international plan on this one, so you can keep contact with your mother and friends while you're here."

"Oh, thanks."

He accepted and both stood there in silence, not knowing what to say until Percy pointed to the stairs with his thumb.

"I should probably go to sleep now."

She again interrupted him, twisting her hands uncomfortably.

"Peter. I... Theron is not a bad kid. He has high morals and a sense of justice. It's just that my husband... is not dealing with all this like he should. It's not your fault."

Before he could answer, she gave wished him a good night and moved back to the kitchen.

Well, someone saying it's not my fault. That gotta be a first.

Percy entered his room and went to check his temporary phone, which thankfully he was able to change the setting to English, since Peter's dyslexia would make it worse to read. He added his mom's number and Annabeth's, texting her right after.

P: Hey, are you free to talk?

A: Who is this?

P: Percy. Greek's phone.

A: I can, but only over text, inside the car with family.

A: Hopefully we'll soon stop to sleep.

P: How bad?

A: It's a ten-hour drive. And I would be happier to trade my two brothers for three Leos.

P: Wow.

A: Yeah. How was your flight?

P: I wasn't arrested, didn't blew up anything, didn't become a criminal, didn't die and didn't kill or maim anyone on accident. I'd say 120% successful.

A: Congratulations. And Poseidon?

P: Pretty chill, Amphitrite seems ok, or as much as someone can be meeting the proof of your husband's affair.

P: Triton hates me. Nothing new there.

P: I saw Tyson! He's strong, except he's shorter than me, which is weird.

P: I THINK I saw Briares, not really sure. Having only one face and two arms can change a person's appearance like you wouldn't believe.

A: I wouldn't have guessed.

SATURDAY, 24

th

December

Percy opened his eyes slightly to see a figure looming over him. He jumped up in scare, reaching for his nightstand to find something to use as a weapon. His father's voice stopped him.

"Easy there, Peter, it's just me."

Son of a hydra, he almost scared me to death!

Holding a yawn, he tried to light the lamp at his nightstand but gave up after a couple of tries.

"Father? Why are you in my room?"

"I told you that I would take you for a swim."

He could hear the smile at his father's voice and looked at the window, thinking for a moment he had closed the blinders instead of leaving it open, but when he saw the stars, it gave him pause.

Does he want a midnight dip? I refuse nudity, tell him to invite Aglaia.

"What time is it?"

"Almost half past four, I thought I would go a little late as to not wake you too early."

Percy blinked, trying to adjust his eyes to better see his father.

Half past four is LATE?

"Come on, get up!"

***

After Percy tried to go back to sleep twice, with Petraios invading his room to wake him up again and pretending not to hear when Percy tried to say he wasn't going, he decided to leave the bed and get over with it. That's how he found himself yawning in a beach, with swim trunks underneath his heavy coat, while the cold sand where he stood made him shiver. His father had already stripped and was waist deep in the water, calling for him.

"Get on with it, the water is warm."

Don't go inside. Do not kill me with hypothermia, please.

You know what hypothermia is?

Well, they say a lot in the movies, but don't ask me to spell it.

Percy took a step forward to yell over the sound of the waves.

"I think I will just wait for you to finish your swim."

He had unknowingly stepped too close to the water, and the next wave reached his feet, making him jump back.

"Oooohhh, that is cold."

This is really really cold.

Didn't you go swimming in the North Pole?

Alaska. And as a son of Poseidon, I don't get wet, remember?

"Come on, Peter. If it's too cold for you, take a dive, exercise will warm you up."

Ha ha ha.

Not happening.

***

After breakfast, when Percy told his father he would like to spend more time to Tychon, Petraios guided him back to the shop, taking a little more time to teach him the way. After they arrived, Percy went to search for Tychon, while Petraios went to talk to Basileus. Percy wasn't sure how much time had passed until Basileus arrived to call him, sending his brother to a separate room to do his homework. Tychon's head hung when he walked away, dragging his feet, portraying a perfect figure of a kicked dog.

Wow, homework on Christmas' Eve? That is just cruel.

Basileus motioned for Percy to join him and not distract his brother. He didn't contest, mostly because he had a few questions to ask to the man, who was grabbing a can of paint.

"I met the family yesterday."

Thankfully, Basileus bit the bait and started the questions, while opening the can to start painting a small fisherman boat with both hands, each holding a brush.

"How was it?"

"Aglaia seems nice."

"Yes, she's a fine lady. And a patient one, to stay with your father."

Percy waited a couple of seconds before speaking up again, watching Basileus closely.

"Theron doesn't like me very much."

The man frowned, not looking away from the boat he has painting.

"Yeah. He's a good kid, a bit arrogant though."

After a minute of silence, where Percy argued with Peter for the best way to ask what they wanted to know, Basileus looked up and ordered Percy to go dress working clothes, saying where he could find a clean one. After Percy came back, properly dressed, Octopus handed him a brush and gestured for him to be at his right and help painting. Percy did without a complaint, still talking to Peter. It was another couple of minutes until they reached an agreement.

"Octopus, you're close with my father, right?"

The man glanced at him for half a second before watching the boat again.

"Not sure what you mean. I work closely with him."

"Well, I said Theron didn't like me. But later Aglaia told me it wasn't my fault, but my father's."

"Hm...She said that?"

From the hesitation in Basileus' voice, Percy could see he didn't like where the conversation was leading.

"Not in so many words, but yeah. She even said he was a good kid, like you did. What did my father do to make Theron hates me?"

"Eh..."

Percy dropped the brush and turned his body to look better at the man, who was raising his right arm while still painting to hide his face.

"You know what it was, tell me."

"Your father didn't do anything wrong, he was just very glad to have you here."

"What do you mean?"

Basileus seemed to regret every word he spoke, but was also incapable of keeping quiet.

"Ehr... he was... making plans?"

"What kind of plans?"

"I don't know!"

Percy had to admire the man's ability to keep painting with both hands independently, the argument only speeding up his brushes, while he kept rounding the boat to paint another area, Percy following him.

"Lies, I know you do. What kind of plans?"

"Why don't you ask your father?"

"Because he won't tell me."

For the first time since the beginning of the conversation, Basileus looked directly at Percy, while slowly moving to a different spot.

"Well, there is your answer."

"Basileus, tell me why I shouldn't call a cab and go to the airport. Maybe I'll even be in time to spend Christmas with my mom."

"I'm not his lawyer to know what he wants to do."

"Lawyer? Why would he... Octopus?"

"Hm...?"

I can almost see him thinking 'I shouldn't have said that, I should not have said that'.

What?

We really need to update your movies culture.

We can do it later, now we need to focus.

"Is my father planning to alter his will because of me? Is that why Theron hates me?"

"Your father makes his own plans without consulting anyone."

"What were his plans?"

Basileus gave a hesitant smile, not stopping his hands.

"Like I said, Theron is a good kid."

"Yes, but that wasn't my question."

"He dedicated his life to become your father's heir. He would wake up before the sun, accompany him wherever he went, did all kind of jobs your father told him to, studied everything he should and a bit more."

Wherever he went? Then Theron must have landed his ass in a hospital for hypothermia more than once.

When he stopped for a full minute, Percy felt to need to encourage him.

"And?"

"You can understand he might have got a little angry when your father started talking about moving you here after you finished high school, so you would start working under your father's fin."

He spoke so fast Percy had trouble following, so that's why it took him almost a minute to completely absorb what was said.

"Wow, go back a little. Me, moving to Greece?"

He stays away for seventeen years and suddenly wants me to leave my mom and come to work with him? Like you would say, he drank way too much salt water to think that is even a possibility. I came to MEET him for the first time, we're strangers!

Octopus nodded hesitantly, still painting.

"It is one of your father's ideas."

"Not happening."

"Well..."

"Basileus, I don't WANT it, at all!"

The man shrugged, the boat almost finished at this point.

"Your father is like... an unstoppable force, he goes forth and back like he pleases, and it's up to the others to learn how to follow him."

"And not drown in between tides."

The man nodded slowly with a grim expression, not looking at Percy.

"I don't think it even came to his mind to ask what you wanted. Maybe he just assumed it was the same that you wanted."

"Or that I wouldn't have the energy to fight back."

He tiredly conceded with a nod of his head.

"Or that."

"Well, then he's about to learn he gave me more than green eyes."

There is no way he'll start to control my life when I'm about to finally being capable of choosing.

Are you talking about me?

No, I was talking about after graduation. Still...

It fits, I know.

Basileus stared at him before slowly nodding once.

"Yeah, I can see the same fire in your eyes."

Not a fire, a hurricane.

***

To give Percy time to calm down, Basileus kicked them out, calling to Tychon and saying they should just go to the beach. Wanting to spend time with his brother, Percy didn't put up a fight and let himself be guided by the younger boy to his favorite beach, where they sat by the sand to start sculpting a castle. Tychon's dedication to the architecture and the small details, made Percy think of Annabeth, and how Tychon would most likely like meeting her. To distract himself, he initiated a conversation with the other boy, making sure to translate everything to Peter as fast as he could.

"So, you come to this beach a lot?"

Tychon's hand stilled and he hung his head.

"No..."

"Why not? I thought you liked the beach."

He nodded and stared at his twisting hands, avoiding looking at Percy.

"I like sand and sea, but I don't like coming alone."

"You don't have anyone to come with you?"

"Octopus works all the time. Petraios brought me here twice, but we didn't stay much. He works too."

"You don't have other friends?"

Tychon vigorously shook his head, and even knowing this was a touchy subject, Percy asked anyway.

"Don't you go to the school?"

Tycho shook his head again and moved a hand to cover the patch of skin his left eye once stood, the right one looking down.

"Kids don't like kids with only one eye."

He stayed quiet only for a second before looking at Percy with intelligence shining in his eye.

"People always say you should be different, but they don't like when someone isn't the same as them."

He nodded to himself, like agreeing with his last statement, before continuing.

"They get scared. And when they get scared, they like to hurt. And to destroy. I like building. What does Peter like?"

I like... to spend time with him. Tell him that.

When Percy relayed Peter's words, Tychon's grin was so brilliant it could have blinded the sun.

"I like to stay with Peter too, Peter is my friend. I can teach Peter how to build!"

Percy chuckled and motioned to the forgotten castle.

"Yes, you can, but let's start small, maybe finishing this castle."

***

After they finished building their third castle, Tychon said he wanted to swim. Even though Percy wasn't thrilled about facing the freezing water, he stood up, and was surprised to see the other boy gathering their things to leave.

"I thought you wanted to swim?"

"I love to swim!"

Even if a little confused, he followed his brother through the streets, until they stopped in front of a door with no sign, clearly the backdoor to something. Tychon clearly knew this place, because he had a key and opened it, motioning for Percy to enter. When he did, the smell of chlorine hit him full force, making him smile.

A pool. That sneaky little...

"Peter likes swimming too?"

"I do, let's get changed."

Thankfully, he had kept the swim trunks from when his father tried to freeze him to death underneath his clothes, so he was free to swim with Tychon, who splashed a lot of water most of the time but was insanely fast when he wanted. Percy wasn't really surprised to learn that this small club belonged to his father, with a half a dozen of pools with cold or hot water, an area to relax and a snack bar. It was when they stopped to eat something, wanting for the waiter to bring their order that Percy noticed his brother stealing glances at the relax area direction. Percy narrowed his eyes at him and turned to see if he could identify what got Tychon's attention. It wasn't long before he saw a small girl sitting in a lounge chair, dressed in a very large hooded coat inside of which she'd hidden her legs and most of her head, feet up, knees touching her chin and her hands holding a very thick book.

"Sssshhh, don't look!"

Percy analyzed the blushing boy before nodding to the girl.

"Do you know her?"

"N-no, no!"

"Then why don't you go talk to her?"

"Hm... hm..."

Percy stood up and grabbed his brother's wrist.

"Let's go."

Tychon panicked and started walking backwards, trying to make Percy release his grip.

"No!"

"Why not?"

If it was possible, he blushed even more and looked down.

"She... is smart. She reads."

"Why is it a problem?"

"Hm..."

Wait, remember he said he doesn't go to school?

But I think he went at some point.

What if the other kids weren't the only reason for him to drop it?

"Tychon? You don't know how to read?"

"I read!"

"Then let's go."

"No! I read. But not good. She reads a lot. She's smart. And pretty."

Percy looked between his brother and the distracted girl, that was so immersed in her book she didn't even notice all the commotion.

Maybe it's still soon?

We won't be here forever, and I don't think he will do it on his own. It might be an opportunity to get him a friend.

Maybe just wait a couple of days?

Looking at a panicking Tychon, Percy relented and released him, sitting back in his chair.

"Ok, let's just eat."

***

Dinner at home was awkward only for the first half, since Theron finished early and decided to leave. Aglaia gave Percy a look that begged him to remember what she'd said, about Theron being good. Knowing what he now knew from Basileus, he could understand that. Even if being the official heir wasn't a situation that neither Percy nor Peter had experience, they could imagine themselves being angry if they were in Theron's place.

What are we gonna do with him? I imagine he comes tomorrow for Christmas, and it will be even more awkward.

We could ask for advice.

From Petraios? Or Aglaia?

I was thinking a demigod.

Let me guess, Annabeth.

Annabeth is smart, but not the best person for interpersonal relationships.

Who, then?

PJ: I need help.

PJ: And hi.

P: Is someone hurt?

PJ: Not yet.

P: What is going on?

PJ: I want to make peace with someone before I break their nose.

P: And you came to ask my opinion? Depends on the person. Most times, I'm all for breaking their noses.

PJ: Tempting but it might make it awkward with the family.

P: Which family? Annie's?

PJ: No, Greek side.

P: Greek side? You mean Athena?

PJ: No, Poseidon.

P: Poseidon is here!? I had no idea.

PJ: If by here you mean Greece.

P: Wait...

PJ: Yes, I'm in Greece.

P: I thought I heard you saying you would never step foot in it again.

PJ: Well, the monsters from the ancient lands are particularly annoying, could you blame me?

P: So, since there are no monsters in this reality, you went to Greece. Nice. I'm going to Rio. So, who do you need to punch?

PJ: My half-brother.

P: Tyson!?

PJ: Triton.

P: You need to give me a little more info than that.

SUNDAY, 25th December

Aglaia had mentioned the night before their family usually exchanged gifts on January 6th, but since Peter would not be there on that day, they had decided to switch to the 25th. He texted Annabeth, knowing she would still be sleeping before going downstairs where the others were waiting at breakfast table, Petraios a bit tense, Aglaia composed and Theron scowling, like he had been doing all the time. Aglaia was the one to notice him first, giving him a small smile.

"Good morning, Peter. And Kala Christougenna."

"Kala Christougenna everyone."

What is Kala etc?

Merry Christmas.

Ah, I didn't know that.

Neither did I.

You don't celebrate Christmas at your camp?

We do.

Then how can you not know how to say Merry Christmas?

My camp is in New York. We speak English like any normal person.

But you know Greek.

Greek is in my DNA. Besides, we are forced to take lessons. Doesn't mean I know everything.

Then how...

I'm guessing that's what she said. It only makes sense.

What if it doesn't mean merry Christmas?

Then I just made things very awkward.

In the end, Percy was right, when his father answered back, Theron refused to look at anyone.

Always charming.

After eating an inhuman amount of different pastries made by Aglaia, Percy followed his family to watch the gifts exchange, knowing he wouldn't be a part of it. However, he had his own reason to be interested and watched in anticipation as Aglaia was handing Theron her gift, not noticing the envelope glued on it. However, Theron noticed and picked up the letter before opening the gift, not aware of Percy watching his reactions closely. After going over it a hundred times with Piper and Peter, both helping writing it, Percy remembered clearly what he had written.

My goal isn't, and has never been, to steal anything from you. Not your father, not your inheritance, not all the time and effort you put in your own growth, as well as in father's company. I came here to know who he was, to try and understand why. Why he had an affair with my mom, why he left, why he never came back, why he never called or never wrote.

I came here to get to know him and, in the meantime, get to know myself. I've always liked the water, without even knowing it ran in the family.

I have no intention of getting in your way, getting my name in a will or even come to Greece often. My place is beside my mom. She dedicated herself to me, gave up many things to give me everything, and I'll not forget all that only because my guest room has a nice view of the sea. If you had bothered to get to know me, you'd know I'm tired of others controlling my life, and I won't allow father to do it as well.

I'm not saying we should hug and become best friends, I just wanted to make it clear that whatever father said that made you hate me, I was not responsible or even aware. I just want to offer a peace treaty so the meals won't be awkward as the last two.

Peter Johnson

Theron kept impassive for all his reading, but at the end, he searched for Percy's eyes and very slowly, nodded. It was as formal and regal as it could be, and Percy nodded back.

Well, let's hope this settles it.

If it doesn't...

I'll break his nose for speaking of our mother.

Well, I think you should STILL break his nose for speaking of her.

That would break the peace treaty.

But his nose would also be broken.

"Peter!"

Percy looked at Aglaia, who was most likely trying to get his attention for a while.

"Yes?"

She motioned her head in her husband's direction, and Percy saw he was beckoning him closer.

"Listen, Peter, I know I have some Christmas to compensate."

Sixteen, to be precise. And birthdays. Don't forget to add interests.

"Because of that, I won't give you a Christmas gift."

And now we're at seventeen.

"I mean, I will, just not yet. I want to give you something you'll actually like, and..."

"You still don't know me. I get it."

It's the result of staying away all these years.

When the others finished exchanging gifts, Aglaia had suggested they spent some hours at the family's boat after lunch. When Theron had asked if Percy knew how to swim, and nodded to himself when Percy said he did, Peter was convinced their half-brother had planned to drown them and was even more suspicious than before.

***

Percy enjoyed the couple of hours before lunch to go visit his brother, who smiled in happiness at the pastries Percy had smuggled from breakfast, before filling his mouth with it to the point he could barely chew. At Octopus' suggestion, they went to the beach, where they ended up playing tag. Tychon was slower than Percy, but much stronger, so every time he managed to intercept Percy's trajectory, it was like being hit by a Colchis Bull. After the third time he fell face forward and got sand up his nose and mouth, they rested lying down in the sand, since they were already covered in it. He was so at peace with the silence he almost jumped when Tychon spoke up.

"I'm gonna miss my best friend Peter."

And now I feel guilty. Just great.

"Ty... you know I need to go."

The younger boy nodded and turned his head to look at him. They were sad, but there was no accusation or anger in it.

"I know. Peter has another family, with a mom. And Peter is happier with her than he is with this family, so he needs to go home and hug her tight. I don't have a mom, but I have a best friend now!"

Can he please stop talking? I'm feeling even guiltier now...

"What if we talk to Basileus about you going to visit me just like I came visiting you?"

WHAT!?

Tychon grinned so large it almost ripped his face.

"Really?"

Percy!

What?

... you... can't... it's... I don't...

Mom will love him. She even loves Mrs. O'Leary, who destroys instead of building. And I didn't say he should go back with us now, it's just a possibility.

You've given him hope.

I'm sorry, I couldn't just let him be miserable.

You know what, I'm not saying anything. Just... do your thing, I guess.

***

After showering to remove the sand from his hair and body, Percy ended up helping Aglaia by steering a couple of pans with boiling vegetables. It was only after they set the table that Petraios and Theron came back from wherever they were.

Do you think the peace treaty is on?

I'm not sure if you want it to be on or off.

I'm not sure either.

He helped Aglaia set the food at the table, while wondering if four people could eat that feast. Accompanying the pork that she had put to slowly roast even before breakfast, there were salads and pies. Their previous question was answered when Theron spoke up.

"Peter, can you pass me the cheese pie, please?"

Wow, someone learned English overnight. Congratulations.

Aglaia and Petraios watched in shock when Percy did pass the pie, followed by smalls "thank you" and "you're welcome". After almost a full minute of silence, Petraios cleared his throat.

"Well, we went to check the boat and it's all good for a ride."

Slowly, the conversation picked up, and Theron even told Percy when he and a couple of friends traveled by boat for three months after graduating.

I wanna do that.

Who would you be taking?

Jodi and Jay.

Why not Jordan?

He gets seasick.

How do you know?

He spent a summer vacation with Jay once and threw up all over Jay's sister. She wasn't very happy.

Especially because he did it twice. And you, who would you take?

I... kinda did that already, remember? We went from San Francisco to Greece. Actually, I went until Rome, then I fell into the pit.

How do you sail from San Francisco to Greece? Pretty sure there is a whole country in between?

That part was made by air. It was a magic boat. It could sail and fly.

So... was it like a goose?

I... guess?

***

After he finished his call to his mom, he heard a knock on his door.

"Peter, can I come in? Are you finished?"

Percy hurriedly put his shirt on before opening the door to Aglaia.

"Hm, yeah, sorry, I'm ready."

"Good, your father is waiting for you downstairs."

She passed by him and entered his room holding a wooden bowl with what looked like water.

Eh... she could have warned beforehand she was coming inside.

Percy looked around the room. It had only been a couple of days, but his messy ways had already left their mark on the room: two pair of shoes, one in each corner, dirty clothes throw on the floor, the open suitcase a worse mess than his wardrobe back home. If Aglaia noticed any of that, she didn't let it show. Just dipped a cross tied to some herb in the water and started to sprinkle it around his room.

Is this a Greek thing?

Most likely, but maybe it's more modern.

"Hm... what are you doing?"

"It's to keep the kallikantzaroi away."

A what now?

"Sorry, kalli-what?"

"The evil spirits, Peter."

"Evil spirits from where?"

"Most say they come from inside the earth."

Great, Gaia's creation.

Didn't you fight these things?

Not that I recall; never heard of them before.

Aren't you the expert in Greek myths?

First of all, do you have any idea how many myths there are? Second, I only learned 80% of it AFTER they tried to kill me, so the likelihood of me knowing about something that didn't try to eat me, or kill, torture, impale, sacrifice, burn, poison, enslave, smash, sell, kidnap or feed me to their younglings is actually quite low.

Monsters are creative.

That's debatable.

"So, this keeps them away?"

"That and the fireplace lit. They come from the chimney."

"So... are they the evil cousins of Santa?"

She paused for a moment, thinking it through.

"Hm... more like evil cousins of the elves."

"So you keep the fire burning even on summer?"

"Of course not, they only come in the twelve days of Christmas."

Ah, that explains it.

Explains what?

What I never heard of it before.

And why is that?

They are a Christmas monster.

And?

And I deal with ancient monsters.

Meaning...?

Meaning from before Christ was born. That's kind of the whole thing about Christmas.

Ah...

A ring from his phone let him know Annabeth had answered.

A: I wish you a Merry Christmas to you, Seaweed Brain, even if all of us know that you're both on Santa's naughty list, so no gifts to you until you come home ;)

***

Aglaia tested her luck by putting Percy and Theron to finish packing the food to take on the boat and except by an occasional request to pass something over, they remained in silence. The car trip to the marina wasn't filled with chatter either. When Percy finally saw the family boat, he had to let a whistle out.

Now that's a beauty.

The yacht, surely over 50 yards, made Percy think she looked like a gorgeous pirate ship, covered with black paint and red details. The name Anne Bony, painted on the side, convinced he wasn't the only one thinking about pirates when looking at the yacht. Climbing behind the others, he tried to stay out of the way while they worked together to release her from her bindings and steer her to the open sea.

Aren't you going to help?

What do you want me to do?

I don't know, help them.

No one expects you, or us, to know how to help.

But didn't you say you knew how to sail?

I said I COULD sail, not that I knew how to.

What is the difference?

It's more... uh... magic?

... Why am I not surprise?

It's like instinct, but extended.

What?

Hm... I think what I want to do, if I want to start, need more or less speed, match the change of the wind and the boat... kinda... does it. Whatever is necessary.

Hm. So it's like Siri.

What?

I really need to teach you how to use my phone beyond texts and games.

***

Percy hadn't realized how much he missed the sea until he was at the forecastle deck, enjoying the salty smell on the chilling breeze numbing his skin.

I always loved this smell.

Yes, it's amazing. By the way, do you know where this smell comes from?

What?

It's released by bacterias when they eat dead plankton.

...

I took Annabeth to the beach a couple of times.

She just can't help herself, can she?

She never said with these words, but I'm pretty sure she considers knowledge one of life's pleasures.

Like food. Wow, that's some nerve, to compare math to brownies.

I said knowledge, not math.

Math is included in knowledge.

So is swimming. Or animal trivia from a child's book. Or driving. Or cooking brownies.

... ok, maybe there is some nice knowledge.

"Peter."

Percy turned to see his father motioning to him.

"Come here, let me teach you the ropes."

Laughing about his own joke, he turned his back to Percy expecting him to follow. Looking around, he saw Aglaia nodding him encouragingly. He kept searching, until he saw Theron, who gave him a slight nod.

Do we need his permission to spend time with our father?

I just don't want him to think we're trying to steal his spot or something. We still have a week here.

He jogged to Petraios, who was waiting patiently beside the shrouds.

***

It was late when they finally arrived home. Percy had been fighting against sleep ever since they entered the car, the boat trip tiring him more than he had expected. Not only the physical effort, but his paranoia kept him thinking a monster would rise from the depths of the sea and destroy their yacht. Watching him in the car and seeing his sleepy eyes, Aglaia had started to feed him slices of Christopsomo, a type of bread she had prepared the day before, just to keep him active enough not to fall asleep. Muttering a quick 'good night' to the others, he went to his bedroom, kicked off his shoes and let himself fall on the bed, and was asleep in two seconds.

MONDAY, 26th December

"Percy, wake up."

Percy frowned with his eyes still closed and tried to slap away the hand that was shaking his shoulder.

"I'm not gonna freeze to death by your idea of swimming."

He could hear his father chuckle and tried to use the pillow to muffle the sound and go back to sleep, until his father pulled it from his grasp.

"It's 7am, son, it's way too late for it. I didn't wake you up to go swimming anyway."

Don't ask, if you do he won't let us sleep.

Percy's curiosity was rising quickly, which made it impossible.

"Then why did you wake me up?"

Ugh, I give up.

"I thought I would take you to see the stables."

That woke up both Percy and Peter.

Stables? Like in horses' stables?

Have you ever gone riding?

No, but I was always curious.

Percy turned to look at his father, who was already dressed and somehow, sweaty.

"I didn't know you had horses."

His father's grin was bright.

"And I didn't know you had any interest in horses. So get up and let's get moving."

***

Aglaia had prepared a basket so he could eat his breakfast on the car. They drove to the outskirts of the town and kept going. Seeing the look of surprise on his son's face, Petraios explained.

"I didn't want the horses to be crampled up, so I had to go outside the city to find a suitable place."

"How many horses do you own?"

"In this farm? Maybe two hundred."

What!?

In this farm? Does it mean he has more than one?

***

When they finally arrived, Percy could see some horses mingling around the open field, and at least three buildings on the far end that he was certain contained the stables. The day was hotter than the rest of the week and he could feel the sun actually warming him up, even if he could see some horses still with a cover to keep them warm.

What he does with so many horses anyway? I always heard they are one hell of expensive pet.

When Percy relayed the question to his father, he nodded and start to walk and explain he used some of the horses for breeding and competitions. It was clear in his voice that his pride was not associate at the business but at the horses themselves, who were outstanding.

There was something in his father's expression that changed in the last five seconds and Percy was busy trying to decipher it that he jumped when he felt a warm breath right beside his left ear. With his yell of surprise, the horse that had approached him unsuspitiously neighed in annoyance.

Poseion's trident!! Where did it come from?

Pretty sure it came from a mama horse.

Oh, shut up.

Looking over the over, he could not spot a single white patch in the pure black fur.

Could it be...?

He approached the horse cautiously and when his hand was almost touching its nose, the horse neighed and stepped back, looking over him judgingly. His father booming laugh startled him.

"Aye, she likes you, that's for sure. Never saw her approaching any stranger. But she has pride, this one. You'll need to buy her affections."

"Her?"

"That's Twenty-one. An excellent horse, even if demanding."

Oh, it's a mare.

You don't like mares?

I had thought that it might be Blackjack.

... Your friend Will is a girl here, so I wouldn't eliminate the possibility that this mare is your horse just yet.

***

It took him almost an hour, brushing, five apples and a lot of cooing to gain Twenty-one's approval. She neighed in contentment when he petted her neck and seemed to look at him with intelligent eyes, like asking why it took him so much to do it.

"Well, if you wanted to be petted, you should have let me get closer to you first."

She snorted in annoyance and pushed his hand with her snout.

"Hey, don't try to put the blame on me."

"Are you talking to the horse?"

Percy turned to see a little girl looking at him like she was trying to decide if he was stupid o magical. Looking around, it didn't take long to spot her family not so far away, talking to one of the workers.

"Does it answer?"

He changed his attention back to her.

"It's a she. And yes, she answers."

"She speaks Greek?"

"She speaks horse."

"Then how do you understand her?"

Oh, boy, I don't really have patience for it.

"Parents understand babies and owners understand cats and dogs. Why couldnt I understand horse?"

She gave him a look that showed she had reached her decision and considered him an idiot.

"Because she's a HORSE."

"See, that's why you can't understand horses. They understand you're not smart enough and don't speak to you."

Her outrage was clear. Stomping her foot, she glared at him accusingly.

"I'm smart!"

"Then how can't you understand horse?"

Taking a deep breath, she turned and ran back to her family, calling for her mom.

Well, how about we leave before we anger also her family?

She reminds me of Annabeth.

Who, the little girl?

Yeah.

I thought you liked Annabeth.

I love her, but I'm smart enough not to question her intelligence. She's not happy when someone says she can't understand something.

Walking away, Percy was accompained by Twenty-one, who nickered like she had understood all the exchange and thought it very amusing.

At least the horse agrees with us.

Percy petted her neck smoothly and she neighed happy.

"What about we go for a ride, girl?"

***

He stepped outside the car, his thighs protesting after hours of riding.

Twenty-one would be happy to know we'll think about her for the next couple of days, at least.

Easy for you to say, you don't feel how much it hurts.

Nope. I never went riding, can't say I'm familiar with the feeling. It's a bit tricky to have a phantom sensation of something you never experienced. What if we went swimming?

That might actually help.

Let's eat something and change, then we'll go get Tychon.

And let's not forget to call mom when we come back.

TUESDAY, 27th December

This was a terrible idea.

Where is your sense of adventure?

Along with my self-preservation instincts.

It's gonna be fun. I already did it a couple of times, though neither was as big as this one.

"Ok, Peter, did you hear what I said?"

"What?"

His father sighed and start to explain again how his precious motorcycle worked, clearly regretting having asked Peter what he wanted to do that morning.

You know mom would never allow me to drive a motorcycle, right? I already get almost killed too much for her liking.

I'm not saying to drive one when we get home, just learn how to do it. It's fun.

You're crazier than I am.

Stop thinking what could go wrong and think how you can make it go right.

It's you who is driving, not me.

You can always learn for another occasion.

Very well, let's try this.

***

He left the bathroom in a hurry still wrapping himself in a towel and answered his mother's call.

"Hi!"

"You sound out of breath, sweetie. Is everything alright?"

"Just taking a shower."

"Alright. So, tell me, did you do anything fun today?"

He peeked on the bathroom mirror that showed with the open door, where he could see a couple of bruises on his back, part of his cheek and forearm covered with abrasions.

She would freak out.

That she would.

"Hm... not really. I'm gonna play cards after dinner."

"Peter? Are sure you're gonna play cards tonight? It sounds like you're lying to me."

Well, it's not the cards part we're lying about.

"Absolutely not! It's a tradition for them to play cards, some visits are coming, etc."

"I didn't know you knew how to play cards."

"Well, I don't, but let's hope I have a good poker face."

They kept talking for another minute before ending the call. After it, he put a pair of shorts and waited for his father, who didn't take long to arrive, closing the door behind him.

"I shouldn't have tried to teach you how to drive."

Percy shrugged his shoulders.

"Accidents happen. It wasn't the first and it certainly won't be the last. Except for some skin, I haven't lost any body parts."

I got worse wounds from skating.

And I from fighting monsters. Skating too.

He rose his arm and allowed Petraios to treat it with antibiotic cream and cover with some bandages, knowing his leg was next. He saw his phone light up with a text from Jay on their group.

J: I got a date.

P: Nice.

Soon after, Jodi and Jordan started a debate about the truth of his date, arguing Jay spent so much time on his computer it was most likely a virtual one.

***

In the end, their scarce knowledge of card games played in their favor to act as an alternative poker face. Theron had gone out with his friends, so Petraios' neighbor came with his wife and two sons, both considerably older than Percy. Even if the newcomers knew English, they slipped back to Greek every couple of phrases. Their language was so informal and modern Percy had some trouble following, which was unnerving because he knew they were mostly talking about him.

Raise our bet.

Do you know what you're doing?

I have never been so clueless in my life, including math tests. But they said the purpose it to bet, right? Now raise. We're going big or going home.

Going big it is.

WEDNESDAY, 28th December

Waking up late, he found the house empty, but Aglaia had left him breakfast on the table, one of those pastries she was so fond of baking and he was so fond of eating.

So, we have a free day.

We had a free week, we're on vacations.

I mean we don't need to keep anyone company.

Is there something you want to say?

We haven't used my skateboard since we arrived. I say it's feeling lonely.

Well, I don't know much of the town to know where to go. It annoys me that most of the streets close by are uphill.

Like I said before, it's time you finally learn how a smart phone works.

***

Sitting down to catch his breath, Percy opened the contacts on his phone to see Annie's picture.

What are you thinking?

That I miss being with Annabeth. Not Annie, Annabeth. I miss my life. Not the monsters, but still.

It's your life.

I feel bad about you too.

Eh, you studying with Annie will probably save my grades, so I call it even.

Thanks.

... Would you like to see her?

What do you mean?

I mean Skype. I'm sure you can find a computer to do it.

Skype. I heard about it.

From what you told me, it's like an Iris message based on technology. Care to give it a try?

***

After asking Aglaia before dinner about a computer he could use to Skype with Annabeth, she directed him to a room he hadn't visited yet, set up as an office. Saying he could take as much time as he needed, she let him to figure out how to do it. The regret came almost as soon as he powered up the computer.

P: I might take some extra minutes. It's everything in Greek.

After some time combining Percy's Greek and Peter's knowledge they were able to connect to Skype and start a video chat with Annabeth. To Percy, Annie was close enough, but not as beautiful as the real Annabeth.

"Can you see me?"

"No, check your settings."

It's not the settings. Maybe the cable for the camera is not connected properly.

And this cable...

By the tower.

"Ok, give me one sec."

Whoever had set up this small office with monitor, tower, fax, printer, phone and internet each on a different corner clearly didn't mind about the dozen different cables crossing the room. Percy did mind, especially when his foot got stuck in a knot and made him fall, helplessly trying to grab the chair to slow down and bring it crashing down with him.

"Percy?"

"Hey, wait just a... ow, my foot, just a sec... no, not here..."

***

"So, tell me what has been going on with you."

Annabeth shrugged, looking to the side, where her kitten seemed to have taken an interest for the mouse pad, biting it until Annabeth picked him up, ignoring the tiny claws and fangs trying to harm her.

"Not much. Magnus is okay. Not dead and not orphan. My brothers are pests. My aunt is amazingly sweet. Ah, Annie got a new phone for Christmas, which put her in a very good mood."

"That's why she agreed to this?"

Annabeth stopped pensive. Even though this was a regular expression to her, he could tell she was talking to Annie.

"No, she agreed with it because... it's what friends do to each other. Speaking about friends, have you spoken to Jay?"

"Jay? Why?"

"So you didn't?"

"He said he had a date."

Annabeth stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. When he didn't, she propped.

"And?"

"I said 'nice'."

"That's it?"

"What did you expect?"

"I don't know, something, maybe what he thought of Barbara."

"He went on a date with her? Good, he had been wanting to do it for weeks now."

"... I don't even know why I expected you to know something."

***

After almost an hour talking, they closed the chat. Percy could feel that Peter wanted to say something for the last fifteen minutes.

What?

Is it safe to say that we could have changed the settings so things would have been in English from the beginning?

What!?

And that I have Skype app on my phone and we could have done that in a much easier way, no computer at all?

Then why didn't you say it before?

Because this way was too much fun. Thanks for that, I was bored.

...You set me up from the moment you mentioned Skype, didn't you?

Absolutely.

THURSDAY, 29th December

The decision of taking Tychon to the park to try and teach him a bit about skateboards proved not to be the best one, since his brother had very little balance and confidence in himself when outside.

"Tychon, hey, look at me."

Percy had to snap his fingers on his face twice to make him obey.

Look at him, he's scared.

Yeah, I know. I mean, it couldn't have been easy for him being social, with bullies at school and so on.

"Tychon, pay attention to me. Who's your friend? Hey, look at me. Who is your friend?"

"Peter."

"Those kids over there, do you know them?"

"No..."

"Then pay no attention to them, pay attention to me, ok?"

When Tychon nodded his head and held his eyes for more than five seconds, Percy smiled.

"Ok, let's try again. Remember, I'll be by your side all the time and everyone falls when learning how to skate. It's absolutely normal, you don't need to feel embarrassed."

Unconsciously, Tychon's hand went to the patch of skin where his eyes once stood. Percy gently pried his hand, holding it and using his other hand to raise his brother's chin, which would start to drop whenever he got self-conscious.

"Hey, there are people who are on a wheelchair and they skate. There are even some blind people who took some lessons and did great. I promise, your eye will not be a disadvantage."

Holding Tychon's hand firmly, he guided his brother back to the skateboard.

"Let's try this again. Forget about everyone else, we're not doing this for them."

After a moment, the boy nodded vigorously and positioned his foot correctly.

"Ok, I'm ready."

FRIDAY 30th December

Pretending he didn't know the answer, Percy tapped Tychon's shoulder and pointed to a building on the other side of the street.

"What is that?"

"It's the-"

"Let's go see it!"

Are you sure this is gonna work?

Trust me, she'll be here. Although, it might be a bit difficult to find her.

What do you mean?

She's shy. Even more than Tychon.

"Oh, look, it's the library!"

Tell me you can lie better than that?

Why?

This wouldn't trick a toddler, let alone Tychon.

It was true, their brother was watching him with a spark of suspicion. Percy tried to give his most convincing smile.

"You don't mind if we take a detour before going for those loukamedes, right?"

"Loukoumades."

"That one. It's just that I have a friend that really likes books and I promised her I would try to find something interesting to her."

For which, we should have gone to a book shop.

Tychon scrunched his eyebrows, like trying to see the logic behind Percy's reasoning.

"But you can't take away from the library."

He's too smart for you.

Reaching for the other boy's hand, Percy started to walk fast between the corridors.

"We're just taking a quick tour, no need to worry."

***

The quick tour kept going for more than an hour.

Where the hell is she? I've looked everywhere. Twice!

Maybe she isn't here?

She has to be, this is the only library in the town.

How did you find her in your world?

We followed her when she flew away and entered the libr... THAT'S IT!

What's it?

She's upstairs!

There's only one floor.

The ceiling is very high. There's more than enough space for a private room at some corner, we just need to find it.

"Peteeeer... I'm hungry..."

"In a minute, I know where I can find what I need to my friend, but I need your help, can you help me?"

"Ok...?"

"We need to find stairs to a secret room. Can you find it?"

***

It didn't take long for Tychon to find a stairway to the side, hidden behind a door. Percy gave him a little push.

"Go on, go check it out, I'll keep searching for another stairway and if I can't find it I'll come back and we can search this room together, ok? Just go first so you can let me know if it's worth."

It took a lot more of convincing and pushing until Tychon finally relented.

"Then we go eat?"

"Yes, absolutely, just go."

Once Percy saw his brother opening the door on top of the stairs and entering a room filled with daylight, he grinned and took a step back.

And now we wait.

For how long?

Ten minutes? Then we invite them both to loukamedes.

Loukoumades.

That too.

***

Once the ten minutes were up, he went upstairs and was not surprise to find both teens jumping in surprise at his presence and blushing deeply.

They were flirting, that much is obvious.

Who would say our brother is a tiger?

What?

What?

Since when do you consider him your brother?

I... I don't know, it wasn't conscious.

"So, Tychon, who is this lady?"

His brother still blushing progressively, answered in a tiny voice.

"She's Edna."

Scouting close to Percy, he tried to whisper that she was the pretty girl they saw at the pool. Except for a tiny smile, and her finger twisting a strand of her hair, she showed no signs of having heard Tychon. Percy whispered back in the same volume.

"Why don't you invite her to come with us?"

Are you sure you're a son of Poseidon and not Aphrodite?

Shut up.

SATURDAY, 31st December

"No, Peter, set table for five, not four."

"Are we expecting someone else?"

Maybe Tychon?

That would be nice.

"No, it's just keep it vacant. It symbolizes there will always be a place at the table for any newcomer."

His mood turned sour.

Very easy to keep a vacant spot as a symbol. Not so easy to invite a newcomer, right?

***

"What's the name of this cake again? Calopsita?"

Holding her laugh, Aglaia corrected him.

"Vasilopita. It has no feathers inside, I assure you."

He tried a tiny bite, and the flavor of orange exploded in his mouth.

"It's very good!"

Eating faster, he felt his teeth almost break when they bit something hard. He cautiously manipulated it with his tongue, feeling the foil and pushing it forward until he could discreetly remove with his hand.

What's this?

I think she forgot some foil inside the cake.

Foil is not supposed to be this hard.

Once he held in his fingers, curiously looking, he could see the shape, almost like a...

"You got the coin."

Raising his head, he saw the others looking at him.

"What?"

His father nodded to his hand.

"Before baking the cake, is a tradition to put a coin inside it. The one who has it gets good luck for the rest of the year."

Good luck for a whole year? That would be a first.

***

"Peter, can I talk to you?"

Surprised a little bit intrigued, Percy got up from the couch and followed her to the same office where he used Skype to speak to Annabeth. For a moment, he thought she wanted to speak to him about that day. Releasing a deep breath, she said the last thing he expected her to say.

"I wanted to tell you I don't hold a grudge against you or your mother."

"... You don't?"

"My husband's infedility is old news. We did some couple counseling when things got rough, but I knew from the moment that we met what kind of man I was marrying to."

I would have expected her to hate my mom as a way to not hate her husband.

Like she knew what was going on in his head, she gave him a reuful smile.

"I was never prone to jealously, though I did hate her for a while, blaming her, but I know how charming my husband can be. After everything, I'm still with him, so I can... understand... why other women would like to be with him, even if for just a night."

They stayed silent for a while. She lost in her own thoughts, with a farewell look in her eyes and he wondering how to escape without offending her. Before he could think of something, she refocused her eyes on him.

"I got you a gift."

A what?

From her pocket, she pulled two almost identical braceletes, one make of yellow pearls and the other of pink ones. When she handed them to him, he could see a small silver pendant on each one, representing shells in two different shapes.

"I once heard you cannot buy pearls for yourself, because it brings misfortune. However, a gift pearl carries no such curse. These I gift to you, so you may give one to your mother and one to someone who means a lot to you."

She winked to him, like she knew he already had someone in mind and left him alone, feeling the pearls in his hand.

Well, she caught me by surprise.

Only you? Is your step-mother this nice?

She bakes me cookies sometimes.

Huh. Looks like we got luck in the step-mother department.

SUNDAY, 1st December

"Peter, come on."

"We're going back to the house now?"

Percy had been practically dragged outside the house right before midnight. The only explanation he got was 'it's traditional'.

"As soon as you do your part."

"My part?"

Petraios handed him the pomegranate that was hanging over the front door.

"Take it with your right hand and once Aglaia enters the house, smash the pomegranate against the door, trying to make the seeds to fly all over the room, as much as you can."

"Why?"

"The more seeds, the more good fortune. And as the first person to enter the house, Aglaia is responsible to bring good fortune to everyone in the house."

Wow, they take good fortune seriously around here.

Percy nodded and positioned himself.

Do you know what you're doing?

How different can it be from throwing a vial of Greek fire at some monsters?

"Ok, do it!"

If it was seeds flying they wanted, it's what they got, some of it even got stuck in Aglaia's hair.

"Did I do well?"

Laughing, both Petraios and his wife nodded. Reentering the house, the first thing Percy did was text Annabeth "HAPPY NEW YEAR", who must have had her phone in hand, because she answered in less than a minute.

P: In the future, you look even more beautiful than you did in the past.

My God, how whipped are you?

This girl stood beside me through bad and worst moments. Saved my life and helped me out even before we were friends. She stood by my side even when she was scared of me.

A: Good things never change.

P: Absolutely.

What do you mean when she was scared of you? What did you do to her?

... I didn't do anything TO her. She was scared of what I did FOR her.

Which is...?

It's not... one of my best memories. To be honest, practically all of my memories from that place compete in the rank of worst memories.

What place?

The pit.

The... oh, ok, that place. So you were in a terrible place and you did something you wouldn't do otherwise?

I... twisted the laws of nature a bit.

Meaning?

I know I can control water.

I know you said you control water, but go on.

We were trapped, surrounded by liquid poison.

Ah!

And I used the percentage of water inside the LIQUID poison to control it.

This scared Annabeth? From what you said, she's more scary than scared.

This scared me as well. I wasn't completely myself at that moment, I was...

At the end of the rope.

I was pulling the rope as much as I could, that's for sure.

Have you tried controlling someone's body by the water inside them?

What!? Of course no! Where did that come from?

A cartoon. So you controlled some poison to protect the girl you love. I think most of us would be capable of doing things that could scare ourselves, let alone other people, if the situation forced us to do it. I don't think being capable of doing something terrible means you're a terrible person. As long as you understand that what you're doing is terrible and learn how and when to start, and also how and when to stop, you makes you closer to a good person. Other people have done worse for a less altruistic reason, so if I were you, I wouldn't blame myself too much. People make mistakes, it's part of learning.

Now look at you, giving me advices.

I had my fair share of growing up, before and with you.

***

Percy had said his farewells to Octopus and Tychon in the morning, promising the latter to text and email him as much as he could. His suitcase somewhat closed and backpack on shoulder he went downstairs, where Theron was sitting on the couch and Aglaia was waiting by the door with Petraios. Percy walked to the door, handing his suitcase to his father and giving an awkward wave to Aglaia.

"Well, bye. And thanks for allowing me to come."

Taking him by surprise, she gave him a quick hug.

"I'm glad to have met you."

Nodding to his father, he started to walk to the car, but decided there was something he needed to do.

"Wait, I forgot something!"

Percy started to run back inside, passing by Aglaia and his father. However, instead of going to his room, he went to the living room. Theron stood up frowning at him but didn't understand until it was too late. Percy let go of his backpack, stepped on the center table and jumped, gaining some altitude and speed, both that made the punch he gave to his half-brother's face much worse. Ignoring his father's and step-mother's screams, he stood over a dizzy Theron and rose his head by a grip on his shirt.

"This is a reminder so the next time you watch this forked tongue of yours before speaking of my mother."

Despite the nose slowly swelling and the eyes filling with water, Theron let out a self-deprecating laugh. Releasing his half-brother, Percy took a step back and offered his hand to help him stand up. Accepting the peace offer, Theron used the offered hand and after a moment, pulled Percy to a half hug. Percy allowed himself to be pulled to the hug, clapping Theron's shoulder.

"Nice meeting you, by the way. And put some ice in that nose."

Theron's laugh came out weird, but he took a step back and nodded, heading to the kitchen.

Well, I feel lighter now.

And I feel my hand throbbing.

Maybe you should put some ice in it too.

Like Theron could read his thoughts, he came back and threw Percy an ice pack.

"Go before you lose your flight. I don't want to look at your face another moment."

The grin that peeked from behind the ice pack took some of the sting from the words. Satisfied with the outcome of his vacation, Percy collected his backpack and turned to the front door, where his father and step-mother were still waiting, shock still in their faces.

Do you still want to ask Petraios about Tychon's parents?

I think we both know the truth, especially after Aglaia said she could understand why some women, not woman, would want to be with her husband. Besides, I'm not disappearing. I'll have time to learn everything. Besides, we just punched his son and heir, maybe we shouldn't push him.

I'm good with this plan.

A/N: ... Hi? Well, I'm alive. And I FINALLY finished the holidays, this is such a relief ! (I know I took more than a year to do these 10 chapters, but at least they're long, Percy was more than 15k words, 43 pages on Word) I have another three chapters ready, so in a couple of weeks you should get another chapter. Please don't hate me, I promised not to abandon this fic and I haven't so far, but writing it had become more of a chore than a hobby, so I had to take some time to myself and the rest of my life, that had become much more interesting than from when I had started.

@KaleidoscopeWings, was this last bit enough for you about Percy showing off to Triton? @Ticcitobyfan14, I put Percy to speak in Greek without noticing with Tyson, instead of Poseidon, but I liked your idea so much I had to add it somehow.