AN: MY SPELL CHECKER DOESN'T REALIZE IT'S BEING USED BY AN AMERICAN! For those who don't know, there are slight spelling differences in English words depending if you're in North Ameria or not. I DID NOT SPELL THEM WRONG SO DON'T COMMENT ABOUT IT. Specific words would be apologize/apologise and realize/realise. I spelled them with a 'z' as per the American spelling.
Also, italicized means thoughts or telepathy.
You might also notice my time skips and line breaks aren't as fun as my other fics. This is because I didn't want to interrupt the feel of the fic. Those other fics with funnier breaks are funnier themselves overall. This takes on a more serious tone so my breaks reflect that. Anyway, let me know what you think of this!
Present...
Aphrodite paused in her walking. Something in her domain snapped. She sighed, another couple broken apart. She was ready to brush it off but took a closer look. No! He wouldn't dare. The love goddess narrowed her eyes in anger but took a deep breath as she thought of the goddess who just had her heart broken and domain violently damaged. She flashed away to help her friend.
Same time, different place...
Hera suddenly stopped her talking. Making Zeus glance at her. There was a ripple in her domain. She otherwise wouldn't have noticed it but she kept a close eye on her friends' marriages. Since it wasn't a divorce the blip on her radar was small but it was the start to a change in their relationship. Her disappointment in the cheater faded slightly as she thought of the goddess married to him. She flashed out without another word to Zeus.
Six months previous...
The young goddess, only two hundred years old, hummed as she walked in her garden. It had amazing and rare flowers and majestic fountains. One of which she balanced on the rim. Since she was a mortal turned immortal and since she hadn't been immortal for long she still viewed time as a mortal. Some other gods and goddesses did too. Demeter was closely related to the seasons so she was aware of years passing. Hermes had to make sure packages got to where they were going quickly. So he was more aware of time rather than feeling it pass. To other, older gods, a couple of years would be the blink of an eye if they didn't have active interest in the mortal world.
The day she turned into a goddess was one of the best days of her life. She was hailed as the goddess of time, as there has to be a deity of time and since Kronos had faded...
Added to that was goddess of trust and loyalty. Which could be seen as similar but you could trust someone but not be loyal and vice versa.
And since the Olympian Council had an even amount of people she was titled as Tiebreaker and acted as an advisor, usually for everything but they listened especially well when the topic involved mortals or their demigod children.
So, Percia Jackson, goddess of Time, Trust, and Loyalty, Tiebreaker and Advisor to the Olympian Council.
Coming out of her thoughts she became aware of a wavering in her loyalty domain. Usually there wasn't wavering, it would be snapped by betrayal or shifted to a loyalty to someone or something else. Prodding deeper to investigate the anomaly she explored the feeling. Even as a goddess she didn't like looking into others lives so she looked more into the emotions.
The person was thinking really hard of the bond they were about to break. That was what caused the waver. They hadn't actually acted but thought still mattered. She looked into the relationship a bit more and saw they were happy with their partner. She strengthened the bond to discourage any betrayal before turning her attention away.
According to the other relationship related goddesses there had been a drop in cheaters and divorces. The goddess of Trust and Loyalty had turned into the deciding factor of those who cheat. She'd whisper reminders of the person's happiness and sent pictures of the couple. She couldn't prevent everything though.
Same time, down in the mortal plane...
He watched as the woman approached him. She was beautiful, with big hazel doe eyes and full red lips. Her sundress bared her shoulders and showed off amazing legs. And even with his wedding ring in full view she approached flirtatiously.
"Hello handsome." She purred in his ear. He sat at the bar, he had turned away after they had made eye contact. She pressed up against his back, arms sliding around his chest. "What's your name?" Her breath ghosted across his neck and he shivered. He briefly forgot his name as want spread through him. Suddenly a voice that sounded just like his wife whispered to him and he was reminded of the love they held.
"I'm married!" He blurted instead, he had to get her away from him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't see your ring!" She stepped back hastily. She seemed genuinely regretful but there was something in her eyes. "Let's start over?" Her eyes darted away in embarrassment. "My name's Kate. You are?" She held out a hand.
"Fred." He shook her hand.
From then on they hung out as friends, flirty friends but nothing more. A night six months later though, changed their whole relationship.
He spent the last six months away from his wife and Kate was sinfully attractive and still held feelings for him since that first night. They sat in her apartment, drinking wine and watching movies. His gaze slid to her and he heard his wife's voice again and thought of their happy moments.
But what she doesn't know won't hurt her.
What of the guilt. His wife's voice argued.
I think I'll be okay.
What of the love? Marriage?
I do love her but Kate is here and her feelings aren't exactly one sided.
The temptation was too much, plus with Kate he forgot his troubles. So next time she turned to him he caught her in a kiss. She whispered doubts, what of his wife? He responded with another bruising kiss and snaking his hands under her shirt, caressing her stomach.
He laid awake with Kate in his arms. They had an amazing night. He was staying for another six months before business took him away. Maybe he'll visit.
All thoughts off his wife disappeared.
Present...
Percy froze as something in her domain made her nauseous. Her father looked up at her when she had suddenly stopped talking.
"Percy? What's wrong?" Mentally sprinting through her domain to find the source she desperately hoped it wasn't what she thought it was. She felt a weaker version of the same feeling when Zeus cheated on Hera again. But this was so much stronger and so much worse. She stopped when she found it. The person she was trying to talk out of cheating while conversing with her father had acted.
A sob escaped her throat when she realized it was her own husband! Apollo had cheated! And he was tempted earlier. She had talked him out of it the first time but it wasn't enough.
Poseidon looked alarmed as his daughter burst into tears for seemingly no reason. He wrapped her in a hug and ran his fingers through her hair. He looked up when two flashes caught his attention. He looked at the new arrivals with wide confused eyes. He then narrowed his eyes in anger as he realized what their presence meant.
Hera and Aphrodite walked forward and each put a hand on the crying girl's shoulders.
"C'mere." Hera said gently. Even if Poseidon could comfort his daughter it would better for her to be surrounded with other goddesses that understood.
Percy loved her father, she really did but Hera understood. Once she heard the gentle command she lunged for the queen.
Poseidon left quietly while fuming in anger. He couldn't do anything to Apollo as the sun god's punishment dictates that absolutely all interaction was banned. He was considered a mortal, you were only allowed to interact with him if it fell under your domain. Well, Poseidon thought, if there happened to be a storm when he was at sea then I couldn't be blamed. He scowled at the god who broke his daughter's heart, swearing revenge.
Meanwhile Hera and Aphrodite stayed with Percy. The young goddess had a hand clutched to her heart, her shirt tight in her hold. It hurt more than a broken heart. It hit her very domain. Apollo had not stayed loyal, had not waited for his punishment to be over. She spent the next few hours between sobbing her heart out, eating ice cream and screaming as the pain grew and shrunk with his activities. Hera and Aphrodite stayed with her the entire time. Artemis popped in to see where her friend was at when she didn't show for dinner. Aphrodite left Percy in Hera's capable hands when she went outside to tell Artemis what happened. Artemis had left for a minute to let her hunters know that she'd be unavailable for a while before coming back.
A couple days passed but no one outside of Percy's palace knew what happened.
Council meeting. Zeus telepathically informed them. Percy sighed as she sat up, Hera standing from her place as a pillow. Percy wiped a few stray tears and rubbed her face. Looking to a mirror she sighed at her appearance. Aphrodite approached her and the goddess of Time glanced at her in the reflection. The love goddess put a hand to her friend's shoulder and Percy looked presentable. Her red eyes and tear tracks disappeared. Her hair was comb and braided over her shoulder and her clothes changed from her rumpled sweatpants and t-shirt to a lovely blue dress that had gold sparkles over the skirt which went down to her ankles in the back and knees in front.
Overall she looked put together and not at all heart broken. She tried her best to school her features. She knew she wouldn't pass for okay put she could pass it off as a bad day. Nodding her thanks the four goddesses flashed away to the throne room.
"It has been six months to the day since Apollo has been punished to be a mortal for a year." Zeus started once everyone, sans Apollo, was there. Percy got a concerned look from her father, she subtly shook her head before glancing to Aphrodite and back. Her father understood, she wan't okay but she looked it because of the love goddess, and left it at that. "This meeting is to decide whether Apollo has been punished enough or shall continue." Apollo had been punished for cursing one mortal and killing three more. Apollo never gave them a chance to redeem themselves. He had already been on a short fuse for plenty of reasons. He smited them, no one would had done anything a few centuries earlier but that was before Percy. She made them change for the better. His wife was furious at him. She brought it to the Council and pushed for punishment. The result? He was forced to live as a mortal, at the hands of the gods. He no longer had the power he once had. He was at the mercy of the Fates and other gods, they held more influence now.
"He's been doing well. I think he should return." Hermes voted for his brother's return.
"We shouldn't go easy on him! He should continue and know that he can't get away with things." Athena protested.
One by one the gods voted until she was left. It was true that without Apollo the number was uneven but she had stepped up to fill her husband's council position. No throne could be left empty for long, let alone a year. Her vote was important, as his wife she held more power in this decision.
I could get him here, chew him out. Embarrass him, shame him...but, she bit her lip in thought, I could give myself more time. Collect myself. And give him a chance to tell me himself and apologize.
"Let him stay." She said. "What he did was unacceptable. Mortals are precious to me, I protect them. I'm not letting him off easily." The others who knew what Apollo did were surprised she didn't mention the betrayal. It must have been too new.
"It is decided then, Apollo will stay as a mortal for another six months. Dismissed." Percy quickly flashed away, the other who new following her.
"Why didn't you expose him?" Poseidon asked.
"I need time. I need to be able to face this without breaking into tears." Even as she talked her eyes watered and voice wavered. Aphrodite hugged her and changed her clothes to new sweatpants and top. "Don't tell anyone." She pleaded. They agreed and she fell asleep exhausted.
Six months later...
Apollo was to come back today. Even though she no longer sobbed at the thought of what he did her stomach still tightened and her heart ached. The broken piece of her domain throbbed and stung painfully. As long as she was married to him it would hurt worse.
Her friends and father gathered in her palace before the meeting to welcome Apollo back. Percy braided her hair before addressing the gathered Olympians. "I'm going to give him a chance." The others burst into aggressive disagreement. "A chance to tell me what he did. If he doesn't then I'll confront him."
"When will the cut off be?" Artemis asked.
"A couple of years is pretty fast for you right?" At the nods she continued. "Ten years?" They scowled but agreed that it was a decent time frame.
Apollo's return was pretty anticlimactic. He was retrieved by Hermes and they appeared before the Council. Percy ceremoniously stepped down from her throne where it turned back into Apollo's.
The Council couldn't help but think that Apollo was acting strangely. His smile was a tad nervous and his eyes darted to his wife and away again.
"Is there anything you'd like to say son?" Zeus asked. Apollo felt his heartbeat quicken.
They couldn't know, right? They don't. I'm safe. "I'm happy to be back.. Apollo flashed a smile before Zeus dismissed them. "Percy!" He called to his wife as she turned to leave. He caught the tensing of her shoulders before Artemis whispered to her. Percy nodded before turning and smiling.
"Apollo." She greeted, kissing him lightly. "I'm sorry but I can't stay." Apollo searched her eyes, she was upset. Probably about having to leave but he knew she had important work.
"It's okay. When will you be back?"
She pursed her lips in thought. "Tomorrow evening or the morning after." Apollo nodded and kissed her good bye.
"I'll see you then." He promised.
"I love you." Hurt flashed in her eyes too quick for him to address it. Apollo smiled and kissed her again. She waited a beat before leaving his arms. She left with Artemis.
"He didn't say it back." Artemis's heart broke at the mournful teary eyed look her friend turned on her. "He doesn't love me anymore."
"I'm sure he does. Maybe he didn't want to say it until he told you. Maybe he's waiting to tell you in private so you can talk it out." Artemis gathered her in a hug.
He never did.
Ten years passed quickly enough but Percy held on in the hopes that he'd tell her. She pushed one and procrastinated another. Twelve years passed and the pair grew distant. In public they were the same couple, maybe a little quieter and less honeymoonish. In private they were less passionate. Less open affection.
Apollo wrote it off as depression and tried to cheer her up. He thought she was mourning the child they had lost before she became a goddess. He didn't push when she turned down his advances. Instead he'd cuddle up with her while she cried. She never explicitly said that was the problem but in her sleep she'd murmur about 'the child' and 'why was it lost'.
Percy knew the truth. She knew how Apollo saw it. She knew he had no idea why she'd burst into tears. She had been sad about the lost child. She had been born with one working ovary and as her sucky luck would have it; miscarriage scarred her opposite fallopian tube. As her luck would also have it; this all happened while she was still a demigoddess and when she became a goddess any damage was irreversible.
She grew distant from Apollo while he tried to soldier on and save their marriage. She cried about his infidelity even as he held her. She squeezed an extra two years in order to be with the one she loved. But she knew it would come crashing down soon. Tomorrow was the monthly Claiming. Any demigod turning twelve would be claimed as per her request after the Second Titan War. It took place every first of the month and any demigod coming of age during that month would be claimed. Apollo's child would be twelve. He would have to claim her. His betrayal would be laid out for everyone to see. Well, everyone at the meeting...until people met his daughter and drew conclusions on their own.
She laid on her right side, facing away from her husband. He spooned her, his left arm loosely draped over her and his right acting as her pillow. She stayed awake, thinking of the meeting the following day. Will he claim her then try to apologize? Or try to tell me then claim her. Will he break the oath of claiming all children at the age of twelve or before? Leave her feeling unwanted? She'd join the Hunt then, most unwanted demigoddesses do, even if there's only been a few. How do I act? Should I force him to claim her? Should I do nothing? I should call him out. It's been long enough.
Nerves forced her heart beat to quicken and her god of healing husband felt the anomaly.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" His sleep ladened voice asked from behind her.
"Fine." She took a purposefully shaky breath. He may be the god of truth but sleepy and without a face to analyze he wouldn't be able to tell the difference. "Just a nightmare." And with a mental jolt she realized that it may have not been as big of a lie as she thought. Tomorrow her nightmare would come to life.
His response was to kiss below her ear and pull her closer. She used to feel safe in his arms after a nightmare or when she went through the loss of a few mortal friends, the loss of her mom hit her real hard but it was Apollo that helped her. Now she just felt repulsed and nauseous. He acted normal, like he hadn't broken her heart. If her domains weren't what they were and Hera and Aphrodite didn't tell her and that daughter didn't exist...she would have never have know he cheated. He could have gotten away with it, he thought he could. He thought he was in the clear...but he must have known of his daughter. What was he going to do?
She eventually dropped off into sleep but woke early. Usually Apollo rose with the sun but the sky was still dark out. She couldn't stay in bed with him any longer, instead she sat up without waking him. Sitting on the edge of the bed she turned to study his face which was turned to her. She couldn't believe him. She couldn't belive herself. She held on, tried to ignore it. But the damage was too great. The betrayal of loyalty and then breaking the trust between them by lying to her and keeping it a secret. Two of her domains right there. Sighing, she stood up and wandered to the kitchen in their, soon to be his, palace. She had her own place but they were married so they lived together. Instead of building a joint palace and having him move they had decided that as a new goddess it was easier to just move in with Apollo. They still built her, her own palace as a work place or when they needed alone time (which had been rare). She made hot chocolate as it always made her feel better. She didn't feel like cooking so instead she turned on the TV and watched the mortal news before switching to the godly one. At the bottom was the reminder of the Claiming. Council members were required to attend and anyone who had children must be present. Everyone else was free to come if they wished but it wasn't required. Percy often went to adopt kids who had horrible mortal mothers (only if they wanted her to).
"Hey honey." Apollo greeted as he stretched. He kissed her head as he passed, heading to the kitchen. Since her mortal tendencies had been so strong when they first married Apollo had also picked up a few things. He had fallen in love with coffee and liked to have mortal food every once and a while. He made coffee before sitting by her. He watched the screen and Percy watched him from the corner of her eye. His eyes widened in brief surprise before he schooled it. "The Claiming is today?" He aimed for casual.
"I can't believe you forget every month." She found it easier to banter with him as she knew it was the last day with him. Her comment held a little more bite than usual though. He wrote it off as her usual morning grumpiness. "I'm going to shower." She set her mug down before almost stomping out of the room.
They didn't talk much as they got ready and soon they were in the Throne room. The number of immortals there was pretty average. Fifteen demigods were to be claimed so their parent was there. Then there were the immortals who wanted to bless demigods and finally the fourteen Olympians and Percy.
They were called up by birthday. The last person called was born on the twenty sixth.
"Jessica Barnes, step forward." Zeus commanded. She did so and stopped in front of the Council. She bowed before standing again. Percy took this moment to study her. She had blonde hair from Apollo and darker blue eyes, curtesy of her mother. Her hair was braided to make a crown of sorts, the rest left down. A camp necklace with two beads hung from her neck. She wore the Camp shirt, different from Percy's day, and skinny jeans. Combat boots adorned her feet. A delicate gold bracelet hung from her wrist, magic was in it so Percy assumed Apollo gave it to her. A dagger could be seen peeking out of her boot. Overall she was pretty and dangerous.
"I am Jessica Barnes and I am the daughter of..." She stated as was customary. The parent of the child would then fill in their name and then do their part. There were a couple beats of silence before concerned murmurs broke out.
Jessica looked up at the fifteen major beings hoping they had answers. She held back tears the longer the silence grew. Was she unwanted? Unloved? Did her father not want her after all? Even with the bow turn bracelet he gifted her with when she first made it to camp? She met their eyes one by one and they each turned away until she reached Lady Percia. The goddess held her gaze, seemingly reading her.
She's not my parent. So why is she looking at me like that? I have a mom, no matter how mediocre she turned out to be.
More tears pooled in her eyes as she dropped her gaze. Her shoulders shook as she tried her hardest to hold in sobs. Only a handful of children were never claimed in the past. For one reason or another the parent thought it best to leave their child unclaimed. Usually that reason was because the parent themselves were hated and they didn't want that for their child.
An angry growl made her head snap up. Lady Percia's teeth were bared as she glared at the floor. Everyone else turned towards the angry goddess.
"Just claim her already!" Her hands tightened into fists in the skirt of her dress. Still no one stepped forward. But Jessica held hope. At least someone knew her father!
"Who is it?" Zeus prodded.
"Oh, no. I'm not telling. He's going to do it himself. He's in this room." There was another beat of silence until there was movement opposite of Lady Percia. Apollo stood and shrunk to mortal height.
"...Apollo, and I claim you as my own." He whispered sadly.
In a flash Lady Percia now stood in front of her, Apollo, her father, on the ground holding his jaw.
Around the room people gasped as the pieces clicked.
Apollo's daughter...? There hasn't been a child of Apollo since the last one died and he married Lady Percia. I had a mortal mother and Lady Percia is mad. I'm not a goddess, I'm the result of an affair! He cheated on her!
Jessica was conflicted. Lady Percia was her favorite goddess. Her domains involved loyalty and trust. How did she feel when she found out about Apollo's infidelity? He obviously hadn't told her otherwise he wouldn't have been so hesitant to claim Jessica. Jessica was angry at Apollo but yet...he was her father.
That makes Lady Percia my step-mother. Will she hate me like Lady Hera with Zeus's demigod children. Like Lady Amphitrite?
"I'm sorry. Just let me explain!" Her father begged from the ground.
"Explain what!?" Lady Percia spat. "That you cheated on me after you swore on the Styx you never would? That even after Jessica was conceived you kept dating Kate?" Jessica jumped at the sound of her mother's name. Is she going to go after my mom?! "That you never had the decency to tell me yourself? What could you possibly want to explain!?" He laid there silently, eyes downcast.
"How-how did you..." He whispered, almost too quiet for Jessica to hear.
"HOW DID I KNOW?" She screamed. "I'M THE GODDESS OF TRUST AND LOYALTY." He paled drastically. "I knew the moment it happened. I even prevented it six months prior." Her voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "Hera knew and Aphrodite knew the moment it happened. They helped me as my domains were violently broken. It caused me physical pain." She spat.
Jessica took a few steps back and bumped into Chiron who wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The other holding her left hand.
"We told Artemis and my father was there when it happened." She shook with her anger, trying to restrain it.
Apollo looked at a loss for words. "I-I'm sorry. I d-don't know-"
"What came over you?" Hera finished with a sneer. Apollo flinched.
Jessica understood the goddess's anger. In the books she read Lady Percia and Lord Apollo had been madly in love. They swore to always love each other and never stray. They married and Percia the demigod turned into Percia the goddess. She took over the Time domain as Kronos had faded but she still had time until she was fully a goddess, as turning a mortal took years. Thus she was able to act as a demigod during the fight against Gaia. A couple years after that War she became a full goddess and moved to Olympus.
Jessica turned her attention to the couple. Apollo still sat on the ground where he had initially landed after getting punched. Lady Percia seemed to be holding back tears while Artemis put a hand on her shoulder. Lady Percia took a deep breath before turning towards her. Jessica froze in fear. She had no idea how Lady Percia would react to her. She was the first demigod child of Apollo since their marriage. This has never happened before. Chiron squeezed her hand gently before stepping away as the time goddess approached. Jessica stayed frozen in fear before she pretty much literally fell into a bow. She went to one knee, head down, and right hand over heart.
"Lady Percia." She addressed formally. Give her no more fuel to be angry at you.
"Rise child." Just the tone she used made Jessica look up in surprise. She didn't seem angry at all. Just sad. When Jessica stayed kneeling Lady Percia offered her hand. Hand shaking, Jessica accepted it and stood up. The goddess sighed. "I do not hold any ill will towards you." Jessica flinched minutely when her hand came up to cup her cheek. Lady Percia dropped her hand quickly. "It is not your fault who your father is. No trouble will come to you on behalf of me. I swear on the Styx." Thunder rumbled. "On that note, your life will be hard. When you introduce yourself as Apollo's daughter they will know instantly of what he has done. They will pay no mind to whether you are at any fault. They will direct their anger at you because it is dangerous to do so towards an Olympian. The broken Oath on the Styx...the punishment will fall on you as the one my father broke did on me." Jessica saw Lord Poseidon flinch from the corner of her eye. "I do not wish to make your life harder as some did to me." Amphitrite twitched in her guest throne.
"Take her as your own then. Please!" Apollo had finally stood up.
"You dare ask me to claim a child of yours from another woman!?" She turned back to him, hand straying to the clip in her hair.
"Not for me! For her! As your daughter people won't ask her real parentage. They know if a demigod is claimed by you that it means they'd rather leave their real godly parent unknown or they don't know. Please." His voice broke.
"The people here already know." Lady Percia stated emotionlessly.
A nervous looking son of Athena stepped forward. "You're the goddess of Time, Lady Percia." He gulped at Percy's scowl but kept going, knowing it wasn't aimed at him but the sun god. "I know other gods could cover or lock memories away but...couldn't you reverse time on our memories? So technically we never knew in the first place?" Jessica felt a swell of affection for her long time friend, Andrew.
"Everyone consents? Only the Council and Jessica will remember." Percy looked at everyone and when no one protested, closed her eyes. There was a brief flash of gold before it faded. Jessica blinked as everyone suddenly shifted, Lady Percia was replicating where everyone was. After a slight mental nudge she realized what she had to do.
"I am Jessica Barnes and I am the daughter of..." She repeated the customary line. She looked around, Apollo had his jaw clenched and was blinking rapidly. Watching him made it a little easier to make tears come to hers as well, she always had been a sympathetic crier. She needed to act like she didn't know, how she acted the first time around.
"I am sorry Jessica Barnes. Your godly parent wishes to remain unknown at this time." Zeus addressed.
In unison, Percy, Artemis, and Hermes rose. They stood in front of her. Jessica glanced at Lady Percia in confusion. In the corner of her eye Jessica saw the movements of everyone slow down.
Since, technically, you are not twelve yet, in normal circumstances the godly parent has the child's birthday as the absolute deadline to claim them. And since we are playing by what they know and perceive we have to wait until your birthday.
Time sped up again. "Jessica, as a female demigod you have three options. If you are not claimed by your birthday you have the option to join my Hunt." Artemis explained.
"Or I adopt you as my own." Hermes added.
"Or I stand in as your godly parent." Percy finished.
"Just know, that if there is no symbol above your head by the end of your birthday. That you still have someone to claim you. You don't have to choose now. But think about it." Artemis said gently.
The reason why claiming was such a big deal, besides avoiding demigods that felt like Luke did, was because the gods found a trend. Their claimed children were stronger than their unclaimed children. Talents were revealed after claiming and claimed children had a higher tolerance to Nectar and Ambrosia.
Now, it's ideal to have your parent claim you, demigod powers are at their maximum. But if any god claims you and you consent, you get a similar boost. Even though Apollo had technically claimed her earlier it seemed like Lady Percia had somehow reversed that too.
Jessica nodded before stepping back to the group. Zeus concluded the ceremony. Jessica glanced over at Andrew after he nudged her arm. She expected him to try to cheer her up, because from his view she doesn't know her parent. What she got was a surprise.
"She let me remember." He whispered in her ear. Jessica's eyes went wide before glancing over at Lady Percia...well, actually now it was Lady Dia*. The Roman Claiming was after theirs.
Lady Dia smiled at her before turning to mingle with Neptune (Poseidon). Mercury (Hermes) at already left to gather the Roman demigods and flash them to Olympus.
"I'm glad she did." Jessica smiled.
Back at camp the whispers and pointing wasn't as bad as she thought it would be.
Jessica dealt with the pity some fellow campers threw her way, waiting for her birthday to finally come.
Jessica spent the last few hours of her birthday sitting in bed and staring at the ceiling. She stayed in the 'Unclaimed Cabin', something Lady Percia demanded in order to give everyone some breathing room in Hermes Cabin. Sighing quietly Jessica slid off her bed, she luckily had the bottom bunk, and slid out the door.
Jessica sat on the porch of the cabin, a little to the side of the door. She thought over the mess that were her parents. She didn't have a wonderful childhood, her mother had turned to alcohol, Jessica found out one night that it was because, 'That lying, good for nothing, rotten piece of garbage.' Even drunk her mother cared enough not to swear in front of her six year old daughter. 'He left and never came back after you were born.' Her mother had snarled, six year old Jessica realized that her mother seemed to forget she existed. Alcohol split her mother into two different people. Drunk Kate ranted about how her father never came back. How he dropped a bombshell and hightailed it out of there. (Jessica later realizing that the bombshell was him being a greek god.) Sober Kate was a one eighty and told stories of the dates he took her on with a fond smile. (A sour taste was left in her mouth as she realized Apollo continued to date and thus cheat multiple times on Percy.) Jessica had to deal with the stress of dealing with two very different versions of her mom and try to figure out how she felt a out this man that was supposed to be her dad. Staring up at The Huntress, Jessica added the new information, trying to process it like she'd done for the past month. She hated her father but it was hard now that she saw how genuinely sorry he was. On the other hand she felt like he saw her as a mistake even as he tried to tell her otherwise.
"Jessica." A voice said, the owner sitting beside her.
Staring ahead, Jessica clenched her jaw, emotions raw and swirling. "Apollo." She muttered in return.
AN: Don't hate me too much? There will be more, the next chap will pick up from where I left off. Apollo and Jessica will talk, later Percy will claim Jessica and later they'll deal with Apollo and Percy's pretty much shattered marriage.
So, sorry (kinda)not sorry about that little cliffhanger.
*Dia comes from the Greek word for 'piercing' (got it from google translate sooooo...)
I decided that the Romans would respect Percy's Greek roots and thus take her name from a greek word. Percia means 'piercing the valley' which, okay, didn't know that when I chose it but let's roll with it. I was tossing around the idea that Percy keeps her name like Apollo does but ended up deciding to give her a different name.
So do you like my portrayal of fem!Percy? Like her domains? I know a lot of people add Loyalty but then they don't elaborate further or totally forget it later. This fic kinda forces it forward as a main thing and then I ended up pushing Time into the background. Basically I did the opposite focus than usual.
The stuff about the fallopian tube is true. A miscarriage can cause enough scarring to block the way of any eggs. I added that part about the lost child because I needed to add more...reasons(?) for Apollo to cheat. He lost a child and now there's no way to have a biological child with his wife.
Feel free to ask any questions because quite frankly? This is one of the longest continuous fics to date. (Meaning not a bunch of one shots.) And I might have contradicted myself. Let me know if I did?
Drop me a line :)
~Dawnmoon