"please everybody!" leeteuk exclaimed, making the loud hubbub of the outside canteen die down a bit. "we have an announcement to make!"

everybody stopped chattering and listened to what their chiefs had to say.

"if you all studied your modern mythology classes, you are all aware of the love that blossomed between apollo and aphrodite years ago. and you may know, as well, that they had a child, 19 years ago to be precise. this very powerful boy lived oblivious about our existence, but now, he is in danger and needs to be in a safe place. this is why he is currently living among all of us!"

the chatting started again.

"donghyuck!" leeteuk called, looking towards donghyuck.

the tanned make cursed inside his head.

why did he need all of that attention? couldn't he stay in the shadows?

"come here." leeteuk instructed.

donghyuck sighed as jeno patted his thigh and then, he walked towards the platform on which leeteuk and some other chiefs were standing.

"guys, meet donghyuck!" leeteuk exclaimed, an arm around donghyuck's shoulders. "the son of apollo and aphrodite!"

donghyuck stayed paralysed on the stage, his eyes looking at the crowd, stressing even more when he saw the huge number of eyes that were staring at him.

some whispers erupted, people mumbling about the boy's beauty or glowing skin, making donghyuck gulp.

"donghyuck is still new to mythology and all of this. i want his stay in the camp half-blood to be the best it could be! thank you for your attention, and don't forget to register for a quest if it isn't done. good night everyone!"

leeteuk waved at the crowd, allowing donghyuck to regain his seat.

donghyuck rushed to jeno and sat back at his place, face red.

"are you okay? you look like a tomato." jeno spoke.

"was that really necessary?!" donghyuck huffed. "i hate being the centre of attention like that!"

jeno chuckled. "you know... with those looks, it's difficult not to look at you..."

"are you attempting to flirt?"

jeno made a gag noise. "are you crazy?! okay, you're beautiful, but you're not my type!"

"good." donghyuck smiled, going back to eating. "you're not my type either."

"liar." jeno whispered, lips touching his ear.

donghyuck squeaked and jumped on his seat. "are you sick doing things like this?!"

jeno looked at him with an amused look. "i love surprising you."

"yeah, well... not too close. people might think we are dating."

jeno looked around to see some eyes on them.

"and what if?" he asked. "don't tell me you want to make one of them your lover."

donghyuck snorted. "you know very well i'm not interested in dating."

"why though? you could have any of them."

"because all they love about me is my looks." donghyuck said sternly. "aphrodite, remember?"

"well..."

"i want someone who loves me for who i am. and i'm not going to find one so soon..."

jeno put a hand on his best friend's back in a comforting manner. "you never know..."

Ω

"hello!" a cheerful boy barged in front of donghyuck, scaring the shit out of him.

"h-hello." donghyuck answered, his hands clutched to his heart. "chenle?"

"oh my god, you already know my name!" the boy jumped in joy. "and you are donghyuck, the powerful child."

"huh... apparently?" donghyuck stated.

"the boy that acts like your bodyguard isn't with you? jeno i think."

"no, he had to attend some meeting. he told me to go to the... grand chalet i think? but i'm lost."

"don't worry! i'll guide you!" chenle exclaimed, pulling donghyuck by his wrist.

donghyuck let himself being dragged for five minutes until they arrived where donghyuck was supposed to be.

"woah, thank you so much." donghyuck thanked the small boy.

"you're welcome. jisung has to attend class, so i am alone right now. i came to you in hope of making a new friend. you seem cool to hang around."

donghyuck looked at the smaller with shocked eyes. he wanted to befriend him?

that was really the first time a such thing happened.

"r-really?"

"yeah! so... can we?"

donghyuck shyly nodded, making chenle jump again.

"cool! we're friends now!" he said, embracing donghyuck in a hug. "i'll have to introduce you to jisung as well! he's my best friend forever!"

donghyuck smiled.

"i see you made new friends." a voice cut them.

donghyuck and chenle turned around.

"leeteuk. good morning." chenle greeted the man.

"what are you here for? i asked donghyuck to be here, but you..."

"good to know i'm always welcome in your chalet." chenle raised a brow.

leeteuk raised a brow. "don't you have classes?"

"hwasa is on a quest. we don't have her classes until she comes back." chenle explained.

"oh, yeah..." leetek sighed. "go train a bit then. i need to have a word with donghyuck."

"okay!" chenle turned towards donghyuck. "see you soon!"

donghyuck gave him a smile and watched him leaving in the woods.

"come in, donchyuck." leeteuk said opening the door.

donghyuck did as he was told and entered the chalet, being greeted by a group of men.

"guys. lee donghyuck for you." leeteuk said, causing all the men to look at donghyuck.

one of them raised to his feet, and approached the shy donghyuck with a smile.

"good morning, donghyuck. i am heechul, second son of eirene." he said, bowing in front of donghyuck. "we're the sons of the goddess of peace, and we are in charge of the half-blood camp. it is an honour to have you there."

donghyuck bowed shyly at the different men who were looking at him in admiration.

"we really want your stay here to be the best possible." leeteuk spoke this time. "and we want you to stay safe. that's why we'll train you. just as the other members of the camp, you'll have trainings and lessons to learn how to use weapons. is that alright?"

donghyuck nodded slowly.

after being almost killed by a griffon, he was painfully aware that he needed to learn how to fight, and more than fighting against bullies, fighting against mythical creatures...

"that's good, donghyuck. welcome to the half-blood camp. you are now part of this big family." heechul told him.

"this is the safest place on earth for you. from now on, as a member of the family, if something threatens you, the whole camp will be there to protect you."