A/N: Ok, every time I ask for ideas there are some constants requests that I thought I should address. 

1 – "Rachel" will appear, do not fret. In fact, her two main appearances were written MONTHS ago, in June (one is expected, the other will be a surprise), I did not forget it and it'll answer your questions (I think); I just want to wait for their Valentines to pass (which I might've forgotten until a month ago);

2 – The game Peter and Annie used to play was not forgotten as well, but like you already noticed, I try to respect my characters development, both personal and relationship-wise. Both Annie and Annabeth are stubborn and a bit of control freaks, of course they would clash, but now they are friends, even if Annie is still not happy about Percy/Peter. It's exactly why I don't want Annabeth revealing the little tidbit she learned about the game. A little spoiler is that Peter and Annie played and were online friends for 3 years, a lot of things happened and when the server crashed, they lost contact, and right now there is no way Annabeth truly understands everything that happened between them and no way Annie is ready or willing to explain. I want Annie to choose when to tell Peter (which I MIGHT have already written 2.6k words, dialogue only), I want her to accept the fact that there was a friendship between them, and I want her to take the first step to reestablish it, to actively feed its growth; because who are we kidding, Percabeth is OTP even in a different reality (although Annie is more stubborn than Annabeth and blind as a bat when it comes to feelings so it will take YEARS as well);

3 – Mrs. O'Leary and Cerberus will have a play date when the time comes, Nico is currently busy with a kitten he didn't plan on having. A reader asked if it was Small Bob and I need to be honest, I just love Viria's artwork of Nico with a purring skeleton cat, he's totally a cat person, as both enjoy company while having their own space;

4 – To be absolutely honest, I started this fic for the kicks, because it was fun, but I had no ending in mind, I just hoped it would magically appear. And after four years, it's a miracle this fic is still going (I didn't even expect to reach chp 100 and now we're closer to 200), there are hundreds of things I would like to change from chapter 1 but since I don't have the energy, the ending will be quite... boring. I gave up on searching for a "logical explanation" for this switch or a "mission" they would have to face in order to justify the demigods' presence. So, in a few words, it will remain a mystery, as so many of things in my fic (just enjoy the ride);

5 – Apart from the demigods' presence, there is no magic in this world, or gods, nor will be. I had a reader write a 'reveal' fic for my fic, which disturbed me a little because I thought I had made it clear that the whole "mystical" bit was inexistent;

6 – It doesn't mean you can't give me your ideas, it just means you have to be a little more creative. What should I discuss? Annabeth's mindset when she was thinking about joining the Hunters? Frank's journey from Canada to the Wolf House? Hazel's early experiences with racism? Who should I make interact? Maybe Percy goes riding with Hazel or Reyna? Nico needing Annabeth's help for something? Hazel and Lucy's sleepover? Leo helping Nora with the prosthetic arm? Should I make Jason/John find a friend in Kyle? Should Persephone randomly come to visit Hazel? Do you want to know more about Vanessa or Sirena? Should I make one of the cheerleaders randomly interact with one of the demigods, maybe for a school project? Is there any activity you think might be fun to read? Playing cards? Taking selfies? Going shopping? Painting each other with watercolor (and someone is VERY ticklish)? Baking something? Playing basketball? Mini-golf? Paintball?

Reyna's Flashback

FRIDAY, 3rd February

Why my apartment!? There's barely space for me! Why can't she get a hotel like she did the other times!?

I don't know!

Great, we aren't living together yet and she's already invading my space!

Space? That's what you're worried about!? Not the 'I feel like you're avoiding me and this won't do'!?

"Pass it to me!"

Reyna ignored her teammate, moving automatically while dodging her adversaries.

Yes, I'm worried that her conclusion is to not give me space!

Well, I'M more worried about her thinking something is wrong!

"HEY, DON'T!"

She was too focused on the argument to register the voice, even though it was familiar.

Something IS WRONG, YOU'RE IN MY BODY!

DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT!?

Before she could register the movement, her arm rotated, the handball shooting from her hand with both her and Regina's anger force behind it. There was half of a second where she saw the goalie's eyes open in panic as the ball flew straight towards the girl's face and regret twisted in her gut. A split second later, someone got in front of the goalie, receiving the full impact on his chest. Breathing in relief that she didn't kill her small classmate, Reyna raised her eyes to meet with Percy's thunderous expression. Maintaining her gaze, he passed the pall to someone else and jogged towards her, his fury leaving in waves from his body.

He... looks terrifying.

From the others' descriptions, we should be thankful he doesn't have his powers, or a hurricane would've already ripped off the roof.

He was careful to get close and to whisper so they would not be overheard, but it made it all the more frightening.

"WHAT in gods' name was THAT? Dammit, Reyna! I don't know what's your deal is but either get yourself together and control your throws or ask to be excused, as I'm the only who can handle your missiles. That girl almost ended with a black eye! Or a broken nose!"

Reyna was highly uncomfortable, as she usually was the one making the scolding, not receiving it, even if she knew she deserved it this time. Still, she refused to lower her eyes.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking."

"Cut it! You WERE thinking, just something totally unrelated to PE and that made you feel murderous. Get it together before you cause some actual damage! Otherwise I'll make you incapable of playing myself!"

He sent her a last glare, full of scorching anger, cold control and disappointment. It was the last one who hurt more, feeding her own disappointment at losing her control.

Ok... that... I...

Surprised?

He was usually so... goofy and stupid and good-humored, I just...

Now you believe he was capable of fighting a horde of monsters to get to the Doors of Death?

Now I wonder if he's not something of a monster himself.

I asked this myself sometimes. I believe even he asked this of himself.

***

"Hey, Adam?"

"... You don't look good."

She chuckled humorlessly. She had barely recognized herself in the mirror and was still wondering if she should risk a repeat of PE. She knew Adam could mostly take her, but wasn't that confident. Regina had gone under silence since their last argument twenty minutes ago but her anger, both at her sister and at Reyna, was still very palpable and messing with Reyna's balance.

"Yeah, I don't feel good. I just wanted to warn you to not pair me with the others today, I'm not... completely myself."

"Do you want to mix it up today?"

"Like what?"

"I trust you know how to throw a punch."

"Is that a joke?"

Instead of answering, he grinned, leaving the mat and gesturing her to follow. He guided to the wall on the other side of the gym, where several punching bags were hanging, and three guys were training by themselves. Adam gestured for her to wait before pointing to a fourth guy she hadn't noticed, casually standing to the side.

"I think you're in a mood to mow a punching bag to dust, just let me talk to Rob."

She watched them exchanging some words before Adam gave her a quick wave and left. Who she assumed was Rob, a stoic-faced guy well into his fifties, with gray hair and the build of a bull, approached her.

"Hands."

Seeing no point in arguing, she thrusted her hands forward and started to cover them with handwraps.

"Adam said you know how to hold your own, but I don't want you busting yourself in my corner, so we'll go through the basics and if I think you can handle, we might even go one on one. Deal?"

"Yes."

If she wasn't feeling so unstable, she might've smiled. Adam clearly knew her enough to recognize what she needed. Praying that Regina would use this opportunity to yell and let it all out while Reyna had the perfect outlet for anger, she followed Rob to find her a fitting glove.

SATURDAY, 4th February

Reyna held Hilda's eyes in defiance, the air between them crackling with energy. They had been arguing the whole day, which had actually put Reyna and Regina in sync, as both spent the last years of their lives answering to no one, and having their sister trying to pick their brain inside their own house was rubbing them in the wrong way.

"Regina, I asked you a question!"

"I HEARD you."

"The WHY aren't you answering?"

"Because you didn't give me any time to!"

"WHAT do you mean by that?"

"I was thinking of my answer and then yo-"

"It was a simple question, why do you need a minute to THINK of an answer?"

"Do NOT interrupt me again! And barely five seconds had passed!"

"More than enough to answer! You're NOT mentally disabled, Regina, your brain works just fine!"

"Oh, so NOW you're inside my head to know EXACTLY how long it takes me to formulate an answer!? Then why don't you just read my mind instead of asking questions? It'll save us both the time!"

"Do not backtalk to me!"

"Do not talk to me like I'm a naughty child."

"Hard to when I was so wrong; I thought you could act mature."

"I AM acting mature; I'm REFUSING to be a pushover for someone who spent the last years living her life and who knows think she has any right to demand blind compliance and obedience. I know how to choose my battles."

Ok, that's it! Tomorrow we have to escape and get ourselves distracted, otherwise she'll drive us insane.

Any ideas?

Just avoid Sierra at all costs, between her and Hilda, I'm too young to go to jail.

I might have someone in mind who's a very good-listener.

End of flashback, back to present

MONDAY, 6th February

A: Are you okay?

She knew that skipping krav maga without saying anything, specially with the state she was in on Friday, would make Adam worried.

"- kitchen first, what do you think?"

Reyna raised her eyes to see Hilda waiting for her answer.

"Sure, we have to start somewhere."

R: Yes, I'm okay. Just out with my sister.

With Regina's permission, she had texted Adam Friday night to explain her stress was because she and Hilda were not seeing eye to eye at the moment, and thanking him for moving her to Rob and not asking questions. Thankfully, he still wasn't asking questions.

A: Ok, whatever you feel like doing.

R: I feel like punching something, but the Home Depot staff might complain.

A: It's a possibility. Let me know if there's anything I can do.

R: Thanks.

She and Regina tried to keep their focus on Hilda, while she discussed furniture, colors, natural and artificial light, tiles, wood and glass, but after ten minutes, her ADHD brain was screaming in sync with Regina.

Oh my God! Just get a freaking designer and release us from this endless torture!

But you heard her, we can't do it.

I don't care what she thinks, I can perfectly feel at home in a professionally designed house, I don't need to waste my time in this hell!

But then how can we be SURE the house is our reflection? It's not like a designer studies exactly how translate their clients feelings and personality into a physical space, it's obvious we have to do it.

If my current feelings get reflected in a physical space, it'll likely trigger someone's epilepsy.

"But Mackenzie likes, doesn't she?"

"No, she DOESN'T."

The familiar voice distracted Reyna, and it took her only a second to find Piper with an unknown dark-skinned girl and handsome middle-aged man who was almost pouting.

"You didn't let her answer."

"She doesn't need to, that's a no. I mean it. Let's just keep moving."

Their eyes met and Piper looked as surprised as Reyna felt. While her companions kept walking down the aisle, Piper walked over to Reyna.

"Well, that's a surprise."

Reyna nodded, before hesitantly asking.

"... Is that your father?"

"What sold it? The Hollywood good-looks or the not-so-quiet and not-so-discrete ogling and fangirling from half the store?"

Knowing there was someone as annoyed and sarcastic as her in the store made Reyna chuckle.

"Actually, the physical similarities and you talking like you're clearly familiar with each other."

"Oh."

"I thought he wasn't around."

"Oh, he wasn't, he arrived Thursday, with a TWO-DAYS warning."

Well, and we were complaining how the two months from Hilda were too little.

There is always someone who has it worse.

Normally, Reyna wouldn't think her prying would be welcome, but it looked like Piper was desperate to vent.

"How are you dealing with it?"

Piper shrugged like she didn't care, but the way she started to chew her nails right after showed she was not that calm.

"Ah, same thing as always. I mean, ever since I made my real father forget about me being a demigod, I've been lying to him about who I really am, so it's not that different."

I'm sorry, WHAT?

"You... made him forget? Is that an Aphrodite's power?"

Before Reyna could overthink the possible outcomes from this, Piper clarified.

"My mother was involved, but it's not her power. You know how some parents know their partner was a god or a goddess?"

Wait. Really? And they are... okay with that?

Not always. Some went mad.

Oh. Okay then.

"Then they know their children are demigods and that kinda explains all the weird stuff happening? Even Annabeth's stepmom knew, which wasn't for the best but I digress. Long story short, my dad never knew and when he found out it was... traumatic. Kidnapped for a week by a horrible giant and all that. His brain was melting with all that information, so my mom gave me a potion, one she saved while I destroyed Medea's shop and it made him forget all the ordeal, which also means he forgot how proud he was of me but... better that than having him committed to a hospice... I think."

Between the high-speed word vomit, the nail chewing and the tapping foot, it was obvious that Piper was as restless as Reyna felt, she was only better at keeping an serene exterior to keep the Legion focused.

"I... had no idea."

"It's okay. It's not really good memory, so I tend to not bring it up and... is that your sister!?"

Following Piper's eyes, she turned to see Hilda walking between suburb families and sticking out like a sore thumb, with her height, regal posture and scowl firmly placed in her face. Turning back to Piper, she repeated the other girl's previous question.

"What sold it?"

"She's like your older carbon copy, give it a few years and people will mistake you for twins, there is no way I would miss that. Are you moving to the no-longer-safe-house or did you find another one?"

"The no-longer-safe-house was the best option."

"Even if it's haunted?"

"Both Regina and I watched our fathers become ghosts of themselves - in my case, literally - I don't think anything can be worse than that."

"Point taken."

They stayed in awkward silence for a few seconds, unsure how to continue the conversation. Reyna was the first one to take a step back.

"Well, I... wish you luck with your father."

She had already started to walk away when Piper called her.

"Reyna?"

Turning with a raised eyebrow in question, she was surprised to see Piper's expression open, with a small smirk.

"You know, our current situation is not that different. I'm always open to burger and fries, if you are. Vegan for me, of course."

You're not really close friends, are you?

We started with the wrong foot and it never felt like we got to correct it.

"... I think I'd like that."

Despite the reluctance in Reyna's voice, Piper grinned and winked.

"You have my number."

She waved and left Reyna there, wondering if they had found a chance to connect better.

***

Pacing around the tiny living room, Hilda excused herself to the phone before covering it with her hand to scowl at Reyna almost at the front door.

"Where are you going?"

"Out with a friend."

"And you didn't think about letting me know?"

"I just did. If I'd thought about sneaking out, I'd have left through the window."

"And where exactly are you going?"

"To get some burgers; I'm not sure where, my friend is picking it. I'll see you later."

Without waiting for an answer, she left and quickly closed the door behind her, bolting to the stairs before Hilda tried to stop her.

Is that what my life will be from now on? Having to justify every single move I make?

I never wanted to stay here, but now I'm more desperate to leave.

***

Arriving at the address Piper had texted her, she found the other girl waiting outside, checking her phone. When she heard Reyna's footsteps, she raised her head and her hand in a quick salute, before moving enter the diner.

"Claire was the one to find this place, they have the best vegan burger in town. Of course, you can get a normal one, I heard they're also good."

They sat down and spent the next couple of minutes choosing their order and telling the waitress. Reyna was worried the awkward silence would reign, but Piper chose to break it.

"After today, I'm not stepping foot in Home Depot for the next two years at least."

"What were you doing in that store, anyway?"

"Oh. I have a... friend? Wait, why am I thinking of excuses? You're not the gossipy type. A girl I know got pregnant, had a huge fight with her parents and got kicked out. Both the school counselor and her priest are convinced the parents can be reasoned with so instead of getting social workers involved, she is in a long sleepover at my house and our dear old dad wanted to get her a small personal gift so she could put in her room and feel like she's welcome."

"That's... very sweet."

Piper snorted and when the waitress approached their table with drinks, Piper waited until she left to keep talking.

"Yeah, in theory. My dad's assistant is who has been choosing even my own gifts for years, and with little practice, he sucks at it. You have NO IDEA the kind of thing he thought was okay; if you'd been in my place, you'd NOT think of it as sweet."

"That bad?"

"I don't mind that he's back, really, I don't, it's just... he's trying SO HARD, you know? I get it, he's our father, he loves us, he's trying to get close after so many months but... that's the point. It's been months. And we're talking about years where months are missing. It's not like giving us 120% of his attention for a week will balance things out or help him catch up. Those things take time, and patience. We first need to get used to be in the same house again, to communicate our whereabouts, what do we feel like eating for dinner... he can't expect to know how we work in a day, or even expect us to know how he works. So yeah, we love him, but he's tiring us out."

She... she pretty much summed it up.

I know.

"Reyna? What's with the face?"

"Just... you're right. That's how we feel with Hilda suddenly deciding we should live together. I like that you made it sound like it's no one's fault."

"But it's no one's fault; that's the whole point. I've been discussing it with Trish these last couple of days. They lived their lives like they wanted to and that's okay; it's everyone's right to follow their own road without shackling themselves to another person. But their roads were not for us; so we followed another one and that's also okay. But when you want to merge two different roads, you can't do a shortcut at 90 degrees; that's connecting, not merging. It needs to be done naturally, bend each road to a small degree and let it follow its course. It's not about trying too hard, it's about to keep trying."

"As pretty as it sounds, I don't think it will solve our problems with Hilda."

"Why? What's going on?"

Reyna started telling Piper how this time Hilda decided to stay at Regina's tiny apartment instead of a hotel, how the lack of space and privacy sparkled several arguments. When the hamburgers arrived, she explained how giving time for Regina to choose an answer to her own sister was making their relationship deteriorate, as Hilda was never patient, and the extra strain of being 24/7 in the same small space made it all worse. With a thoughtful expression, Piper pointed to Reyna using a fry.

"You know what the problem is?"

"Do you want the list in alphabetical or chronological order?"

"The problem is that you're terrible at lying."

True... but I was not expecting this.

"... That was not on the list."

"You've been giving Regina time to answer and while your intentions are lovely-"

"Lovely?"

Since when one of us can be described as 'lovely'?

"- in the end, it only makes you seem hesitant. Both of you are known for being strong leaders, assertive, with quick-thinking. When you slow down, of course people will get confused or in your bossy sister case, seriously annoyed. If you want to gain time to think, you need to lie."

"I fail to see how that can help me. As you said, I'm not a natural liar, it would take me even more time to fabricate a lie."

"Ah, but not if you prepare it before the conversation."

How can we prepare a lie before even knowing the question?

There's no way we're going through the possibilities to create plausible lies.

"I'm still not following you."

"You don't need a real lie, just a small lie that explains why you've spaced out."

"Like?"

When Piper didn't immediately responded, Reyna looked up to see the other girl with a faraway look in her face.

"Piper?"

Looking back at Reyna, she gave them an embarrassed smile.

"Oh, sorry, I just remembered something my dad asked me to buy before I got back. About your question, I wonder what kind of example I can give you... hm..."

So?

She's thinking.

If even she's slow at creating a plausible lie, how does she expect us to do?

Another four seconds of silence and it hit Reyna like a sledgehammer.

"Bellona's spear, how did I not notice it? That was a lie, wasn't it? About your father."

Piper grinned proudly.

"Exactly. You need this kind of lie. 'I remembered a school project', 'my friend asked me a favor this morning and I still haven't answered them'. It's better if it's something that could distract them as well. 'I got lost watching the sunlight filtering through the window', or 'I think I have a bruise coming out on my thigh, I just touched the skin and it hurt'. They might get annoyed that you're not 100% in the conversation, but it'll buy you a couple of seconds."

Still, if we use it too much, Hilda will still get suspicious.

Piper kept going.

"Of course, this is a team effort. If Regina knows you're giving her time, she should not wait for you to ask her opinion. Hilda asks a question and while you sprout that little white lie, Regina is already giving you the answer so you can repeat it. Gain time in other manners as well, clean your throat, push your hair behind your ear, change your sitting position, take a deep breath, grate your nose, pretend there is a loose hair that is tickling you and spend the next minute interrupting yourself once in a while pretending to search for it. I can give you a list."

I might've underestimated her.

You're not at fault; I did it too.

"Are you that good in lying?"

"Did you forget who my mother is? My greatest power is understanding the effect words have on someone; and that can be the truth, lies, advice or bluffs. Once you understand the power of words, you learn how to use it. How to stall, to provoke, to upset, to distract, to seed doubt, and why not, to mentally destroy them. A simple 'oh' with the right inflexion can convey tons of emotions."

She likely saw something in Reyna's expression, because she was quick to backtrack with an awkward laugh.

"Oh, not that I mentally destroy anyone, I'm just saying that words have this power. A lot of psychopaths use it to their benefit. And lawyers. Also, why do you think there are so many people who get stuck in a toxic relationship and can't see it? Words can both build you up or bring you down."

While Piper called the waitress to ask for a new drink, Reyna watched her under a new light.

Considering you said she has the power to make you believe in her words, I don't see how realizing how well she's learned how to use the words should make me any less terrified.

I admit that I never expected much from Aphrodite and Venus' children. I always thought of them quite vapid, talking about beauty and love, but I never thought that to identify and understand one, you should also be capable of identifying and understanding its opposite. She can safely say what is love and beautiful because she can perfectly see what it's not.

Someone who has never seen chaos cannot know what is order, and vice-versa.

Just like she could make someone believe how they are loved and wanted, she can also do the opposite. She could pick our brains using the right words, and then use what she's learned to turn us against each other.

Well then, another one we should be thankful they decided to be a hero. First Percy, now Piper.

All of the seven from the prophecy are incredibly powerful.

Well, from what you said, neither you or Nico should be counted out.

Piper clapped to get their attention.

"Well, not that that's out of the way, let's go for your second problem with your sister. You're both missing common ground and an outlet."

"What do you mean?"

"You spent so many years apart that you don't have common ground where to rebuild your sisterly relationship, which makes you both frustrated and the only outlet at the moment is lashing out on each other. That has to change."

"I open to ideas."

"I have a few, hopefully we can use at least one."

They poured over Piper's ideas, but to their dismay, Reyna and Regina kept finding flaws in each one, to the point where Piper let out an exasperated huff.

"I thought you wanted my help!"

"I do, but none of those ideas work!"

She crossed her arms and mumbled like a child.

"They could work if you at least tried..."

Her ideas aren't that bad.

Still, we're not in a phase of our relationship with Hilda where it'd work.

"Reyna...?"

Following Piper's pointed finger, she looked over to a close table where a father was on his phone while his small son was happily playing with a DS.

I don't see it. Are they weird in any way?

"What is it? Do you know them?"

"Never saw them before now. But they gave me an idea. How do you feel about video games?"

"Video games?"

"When you play together, you can do it as allies or enemies. If you're okay, you help each other. If you're angry, you get to try and destroy each other. You can even play online games each inside her own room, so you get space and maybe some strangers in your team to balance it a bit. From what you told me about Hilda, it's possible that shooting zombies in the head might help her unwind after work; you can use that argument to try and convince her."

I mean, we could convince her, I think...

It does sound like something she might accept.

Still, is it worth it?

"... You actually think it would help?"

"It's common ground, so you don't have to worry about coming up with some subject to fill the silence. And it's not like watching a movie; when playing together you're actually expected to interact, even if it's just complaining how the other doesn't know how to play. And you both get to let out all the stress who is working like sugar in your cement, so you might actually get to build something."

"Sugar in my cement? I never heard this expression."

"It's not an expression, sugar in cement makes it take longer to set. And you only need a small amount, so increasing the proportion to... one to one thousand, I think, can actually make it impossible of hardening. The French used to protest against the building of new prisons back in the 80's."

"... How do you know that?"

"Trish's chemistry paper from last year. Don't change the subject, what do you think of my idea?"

"We think you might be on to something..."

Flashback over, back to present

A/N: So?? What did you think of my (minor) take on the possible dark!Piper? And now, your friendly reminder that even before Percy went to the Wolf House and trained under Lupa, Rachel had already painted him after the battle against Antaeus and "My expression in the picture was fierce – disturbing, even – so it was hard to tell if I was the good guy or the bad guy" and that he laughed while fighting two hundred monsters (after single-handedly defeating the minotaur – again) , scaring both his enemies and himself. Our boy had a scary dark side even before the end of PJO (how about his satisfaction in hanging Antaeus with chains and then calmly stab him in the gut for a slow death?), and I'm thoroughly convinced that a furious Percy would make even Reyna take a step back in caution.