Ok, so this is one out of three Easter presents for my friend Jacksonofthesea. (Check out her story!) And because she's been so supportive and encouraging that I decided to write her a few things. I was originally going to be a cute little one-shot but the first story (to be uploaded when I've edited it)turned into a series, maybe bit darkish? And that wasn't very 'Here's a present for you! Happy Easter!' So, I tried again, and this has also turned into a series (gods what is wrong with me that I can't update my other stories?) BUT, I am writing a nice/cute/fluffy one-shot, I don't care how long it takes! But yeah, I just got back from Germany and there was no internet, and guys if you're annoyed with me (like some other people on other sites) tell me, just drop a hint on the story you want me to update because I honestly do forget because my life is really busy right now. Or just quickly tick a pox in the poll, thanks. So all the Easter present stories will be Apollo/Percy (Apercy?) since she loves that pairing and we both agree that there just isn't enough of that pairing out there. Oh, and I have a Trojan-horse virus on my laptop and I'm giving it to someone to fix it (and keep everything on my laptop and not clear it) but I won't get it back for like, a week. But it's worth it, and I will copy most of my works on paper or something and try to continue writing like that. Ok, I think that's everything, now to get on with the story...
Full Summary - It's been a year since Apollo last saw his lover and their family. Monsters have been attacking more frequently and the god persuades the hero to move back to New Thebes. The sun god is relieved to say the least and maybe he's not the only one. While Percy seems to be getting comfortable more quickly than he thought he would, his children seem to be taking it with mixed reactions. And what's this about their mum being a hero and them being demi-gods?
Warnings - Slash
Parings - Apollo/Percy (Main), Artemis/Thalia, Briareos/Kymopoleia
Apercy/Jackson family = Aquarius 'Andy' Jackson, Sage Jackson, Sibyl Jackson, Cyrus 'Corey' Jackson, Phoebo Jackson
Artemis/Thalia family = Senga Zoë Hunt
Disclaimer - I don't own the Percy Jackson characters, just my OC's which are their kids.
"Mum! Sage and Sibyl are hitting me again!" Aquarius's sea green eyes, identical to his mothers, shinned brightly while he tried to ward off his sisters. "Tell them to stop!" the eldest whined as he ran around the field that was their backyard, with his black hair getting caught in the wind; turning it even messier than usual. Tan arms blocked his sister's playful blows as they tried to grab him. His sisters really were a sight to see; the normally golden spun hair caked with mud and twigs like their older brothers'. Fierce apple green eyes filled with excitement for their game. The sun was shining down onto their sun kissed skin and seemed to give it a shining glow. The twins looked ready to cause terror at anytime and anyplace.
Their mother laughed good-naturally as he looked through the open window. Honestly, what would it be like if they had neighbours? It was a good thing they lived in the country-side.
"Mummy, can I lick the spoon? Pwetty pwease?" the son of Poseidon looked down to his side where his fourth eldest child was bouncing up and down on his tinny feet; trying to snatch the chocolate covered spoon that was perched on top of the tall blue counter.
"Alright Cyrus, but just the spoon, not the bowl this time too. Okay?" the young adult raised an eyebrow but smiled lovingly as he handed the small child the messy wooden spoon.
"Okway." Sea blue eyes filled with joy as he was handed his chocolate desire. His mother ran a hand through his dirty sandy locks before going back to work on the big blue chocolate cake. Just as Cyrus finished licking the spoon without dropping too much onto the tile kitchen floor, (it was actually everywhere) the front door was opened and shut.
"Honey, I'm home!" Came a bright warm voice. "I've always wanted to say that." Chuckled the voice. A young male with golden sandy hair appeared in the archway of the kitchen that joint from the living room onto the dining room. The male smiled warmly at him; his sky blue eyes filled with joy and happiness.
"Daddy!" Came his muffled excited shout. Cyrus ran to the man; his father already on a bent knee so the young boy could grab him, before lifting his child up. Squeezing him in the best warmest bear hug only his daddy could ever give. "I missed you!" Cyrus announced as he looked up into his father's eyes.
His father chuckled, "I missed you too buddy." He didn't seem to mind that his son was getting his expensive clean clothes covered in dyed blue chocolate. "And your siblings, where are they?" his clear eyes looking around for them.
"They're outside Apollo." His mother giggled.
"Ah," Apollo responded, looking outside to spot his other children. He smiled as he spotted his twin daughters 'attacking' their older brother by two years. Apollo kept his son close; holding him on his hip. For a newly turned four year old the kid wasn't very heavy, but then again Apollo was a god; super strength and all. The immortals eyes turned to his younger lover. "Percy," He smiled, putting down his son so Cyrus could run off to his older siblings. "I missed you." Wrapping his arms around the hourglass waist he loved so much before pecking Percy's cheek.
"As have I." admitted the hero of Olympus, turning to kiss the god on his lips.
Apollo tasted chocolate, strawberries (one of his lovers' favourite foods) and a taste that was simple Percy. The kiss began to get more heated, with hands clinging and grabbing at clothing but before the moment could escalate to more intense and pleasurable activates, a wailing cry shattered the moment. The god of art turned to see who the culprit was, only to find big baby round sky blue eyes; identical to his own, watching them. Apollo raised a fine eyebrow as the child, who could not be older than a few months, glared at him. Could baby's even glare? The god was honestly baffled. Who was this kid? Ok, so maybe he had been gone for a while, but only a year! A horrible agonizingly long year. There was godly stuff to deal with; all the gods had to go. Apollo didn't want to leave but Percy had forced him to; saying that he had duties and that even though Zeus was sometimes (all the time) paranoid about new and old threats, it had to be important if it took up a whole year. Apollo shuddered, yes it was very important that he had left, but things were better now and the gods had come home.
"Oh baby, its ok. Mummy's coming." Apollo was about to interrupted his lover and say that now was not the appropriate time to get kinky; especially when their kids were outside and they were in front of a grumpy baby. Before Percy unwrapped himself from their love cocoon and rushed over to the kid. The sun god was shell-shocked. 'Mummy?' He took another look at the kid only to find it smirking at him in triumph as Percy ditched the god of oracles, to bounce the baby up and down, cooing lovingly to it. That's it; the baby was going down, who did this kid think it was? How dare it steal his Percy?
"Percy…" Apollo cautioned. "What is that?" he indicated to the smirking baby. Seriously, how could this baby glare and smirk?
"Hm? Oh, he's our son." The green eyed male replied non-chantingly as he continued to fuss over the spoiled brat; in Apollo's opinion anyway. Wait, what did his lover say?
"Son? Our son?" his immortal handsome head hurt. What?
Percy seemed to understand that the god didn't seem to grasp the facts together. "Yes, he's our son. The last time you were here, you told me what Zeus had said; about you having to leave for a year. And so we," the son of Poseidon blushed dark crimson and licked his suddenly dry lips, "we chose to spend our last night together, before we saw each other again, in a memorable way." He finished, seeming happy with his choice of words. "This is Phoebo." He introduced after a while of feeling uncomfortable with the way Apollo was staring at him with his mouth hanging to the floor.
Apollo shook his head. No wonder the kid had identical eyes as him. The god of poetry looked at the baby again; really looked. The baby had straight black hair, the gods' eyes, and the kid obviously had Apollo's attitude problem as well. Oh dear, this was not good. The kid was taking away his Percy-time! The immortal was about to grump about this before he remembered something. "Phoebo?" he questioned. His lover nodded and answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"After your grandmother, Phoebe." The only living demi-god son of Poseidon put their son back in his bright cushion blue ocean-themed highchair. The kid was back to looking, oh so innocent, the moment Percy's head turned to fuss over him. Were they sure this baby wasn't somehow related to Hermes? Apollo's side didn't count. Their son was making goo-goo noises and cute gurgling sounds when the front door opened again.
"Ok, I've got the milk, the extra napkins and the extra party hats. I also picked up some stuff for the baby you wanted, but I'm not so sure if it's correct. This 21st century stuff is so confusing; back in ancient Greece all you needed was-"
"Sister?!" Apollo exclaimed scandalised. It took him a few moments to recognise her but here she was. His twin sister Artemis, who was normally in the form of a twelve year old girl was now looking like a normal young adult; with her golden sandy coloured hair (just like her brothers) pulled up in a high pony-tail that was braided down her back, sky blue eyes with some light mascara and earthy eyeshadow, and a casual but formal earthy green flowing dress that came down below her knees. She looked beautiful, and was staring impatiently at him; seeing as he just interrupted her speech. "Wow little sister, I never thought I'd see the day-"
"That's older sister. How many times do I have to tell and remind you that I'm older?!" Artemis exclaimed. Apollo swore he could see a vein pumping through her forehead.
The god of music held up his hands in a 'chill' motion. "I'm sorry lil' sis, it's just that-"
The goddess of the moon bared her teeth and growled, interrupting him. Wow, someone was spending way too much time in the wild with their dogs. The sun god shivered.
"Thank you Artemis, you're a lifesaver." Poseidon's son gratefully took the shopping bag after giving the goddess of the hunt a quick arm-hug. Apollo could only stare with boogie eyes and an open mouth. Was his sister being… friendly? To a male? He had to sit down; the room was tilting.
Artemis strode over to where Phoebo was eating messily in his highchair before looking at her younger twin brother. "Aw, he's just like Apollo was at his age!" she cooed turning back to the baby, but not after smirking at her twin's gaping face. The baby gurgled cross-eyed before drawing random lines and swirls in front of him, the bowl had somehow ended up on the floor. "Where are my other nieces and nephews?" the goddess questioned, trying to manoeuvre her way around the food covered floor; weren't the tiles supposed to be pure white?
"Oh, their outside trying to kill each other." Percy replied as if this was ordinary day-to-day activity before going back to icing the gorgeous looking blue cake.
"Oh goodie," Artemis gleamed, "That means I can teach my wonderful nieces some new tricks!" and after that, ran out the door to join the children's game.
"I fear what she will teach the girls, she seems very biased about them." The immortal sighed before falling onto a kitchen chair dejectedly. His lover smiled sweetly and walked over to massage his shoulders.
"Don't worry love. Artemis love our children and they love their aunt." The raven haired male soothed.
"Why is Arty here?" the blonde wondered aloud.
"The same as you dear; she heard it was our sons' birthday and decided to come. Between you and me, I think she keeps tabs and missed them. She has also been gone a year; leaving Thalia in charge of the Hunt; as you know. But she has of course already been there first." The hero said.
"Ah yes, how is Thalia doing?" Apollo was genially curious. A loud groan of his interrupted his musing as Percy worked on a particularly hard knot in his shoulder blade.
"She's fine, happy now that Artemis is back. Have you seen your little niece? She's around Phoebo's age, albeit a month or two older, but they get along surprisingly great. I've baby sited before, maybe that's why Artemis likes me now." The plague god contained his snort at Percy's ramblings. His sister has liked Percy since the boy saved her at age fourteen, not to mention he had befriended Zoë. The chaste goddess was also the one to push Apollo into asking Percy out. The god smiled at the memory of their first date before he was pulled back to the present with more of his lovers' cute ramblings. "You do know about your niece right?" the powerful demigod questioned seriously as he turned to look at him.
"Senga? Yes I know, her name means sacred and chaste. Very fitting concerning her parents and all." The older of the two joked. But seriously, he had seen his niece before he came here quickly, and Senga was so adorable. The baby had Thalia's pitch black hair and Artemis' steely piercing silver eyes. And in her miniature baby hunter clothes, she was so adorable. But not as adorable as his daughters had been at her age, he didn't care if he was being biased about the fact. His daughters were going to be so beautiful. The god of prophecy shuddered at the thoughts of the teenage years coming up; phone pills, late partying… boys… Apollo's right eye twitched at the last thought. His sister was very fond of his girls and had dropped more than a few hints that she would welcome them into the Hunt…
Percy stopped his talking and stared at the god of poetry, as if sensing what the immortal was thinking and glared at him. "Apollo don't you even dare." He warned before finishing the massage and going back to the heavenly smelling cake.
The handsome god huffed and started playing around with the blue pointy part hats on the table like a child scorned by his parents. "Who are these for anyway?" he questioned while holding up a sea themed hat in front of him to examine it. "There's, like, a dozen." The handsome youth couldn't be bothered to count them right now.
"Well, my father is coming since he missed me and his grandkids, Artemis; as you know, my brother Triton, my sister Kymopoleia and her husband Briareos. Thalia couldn't because she's looking after the Hunt and her daughter, mum and Paul are on vacation because I told them they needed a break. They've been babysitting the kid's lots of times when I went looking for jobs and-"
"Jobs?" Apollo interrupted. When the hero of Olympus nodded, the god continued. "You know you don't have too, I can pay for anything and everything you need." Why would Percy be out looking for jobs? Their arrangement had been fine before he left; Apollo paid and Percy looked after everything. It had been great, so why was Percy leaving their kids with his parents and unprotected?
The younger adult sighed. "I can't keep leaning to you for support. I need to work and not laze about." He tried to reason with the sun god but the blonde just shook his head.
"Percy, you've been in two wars. You're not lazing about! You're a hero; you're brave, strong, selfless and good. And I love you."
The demi-god sighed but decided not to continue, he knew how Apollo could be. "There have been monsters more recently; they smell our children." Percy admitted his fears.
The god of medicine stiffened. "I thought you found a way to hide their scents?"
"I did, but it seems that the more children, the less it works." The parent breathed out tiredly. "I've managed to kill any before they got too close but it's not working anymore. I hate to say it, but maybe," the son of Neptune paused. "Maybe it's time to tell them who you really are, who they really are."
The son of Zeus stiffened. They had been holding it off until now. Percy had found a way to keep monsters far away from their children and covered their scents. It had worked perfectly and effectively until it started to weaken around the time Cyrus was born. Now it seemed that with five dyslexic, ADHD younglings it just wasn't working anymore. "You could move back to New Thebes?" Apollo suggested. "All of you would be safe there, you would-"
But the Jackson just shook his head sadly. "I can't go back there, you know I can't. Nearly everyone I knew before the wars is dead. They've been dead for countless of years and all the young children want to hear of is the glory but never the deaths and sacrifices. And what do you think will happen when I go back? What if they still talke about 'The Percy Jackson'? I don't want people to suck up to our kids or pamper them. What if they become spoiled and selfish?" tears rolled down the hero's cheeks before the blue eyed man stood up and whipped them away.
"That's not true; you know our children would never be spoiled or arrogant like that. As for the kissing up, I can't say that might not happen but you all would be safe and alive. Please Percy," the god begged, and he didn't usually beg for anything. "Please come home, back to New Thebes, everyone would breathe easier, even the gods. I know none of you want to admit it but you do care for them and they care for you. Major and Minor. Please Percy, just please." Apollo didn't know whose tears were whose anymore. He knew he was crying, but he couldn't handle the thought of Percy or any of their family dying.
"How is it now?" Percy questioned unsurely but intrigued. The god of archery smiled, this was good; it meant Percy was considering moving back there.
"Well New Rome and New Thebes are so big they now lap into each other, the middle area where the two join is called New Thessaloniki. Children aged 10 and upwards train and learn in New Rome for the first half of the day before hopping onto the train that goes all through and around the cities, or on other transports, to get to Camp Half-Blood for the rest of the day. When it's time to go home they either walk, get picked up, dropped off by friends or take the different transport systems to get back home." The god of light explained.
"So what's happening at Camp Half-Blood for the first part of the day, and New Rome in the second?" Percy questioned confused.
Apollo smiled. "Well, at Camp the youngsters, play and learn; like a day-care and nursery. You don't really have to bring your child to Camp until their about four or five, because that's when the school system starts and they stay at camp to learn until their about nine or ten; then they learn in New Rome at school. From the ages ten to twelve they learn like normal, just like at camp for the first half of the day before they go to the camp to train a little after lunch with the rest of the classes from New Rome. They don't start serious training until they turn thirteen, and obviously; the older they get, the more they train and learn just like in a real school. It's like this for everyone. Everything is really the same just better and bigger." The god of knowledge and civic order smirked proudly as he finished, thinking of all the things his children and lover would love there. "And the best part? No mortals anywhere, not one single mortal in site and no monsters! They can't find anything you see. Everything is as I said; the same and very safe."
The last living son of Poseidon worried his bottom lip, "It sounds nice." He admitted. "But let's continue this discussion later. The cakes' ready and everyone should be here soon. Apollo nodded with a smile.
"You really should call more often baby brother." Kymopoleia disapprovingly scolded as her husband made tsked movements and wagged his finger behind her back. Briareos was really not helping the situation. The goddess of violent storm waves placed her hands on her hip, her brown eyes narrowed and her light brown hair all tangled like she just pulled a fishing net out of it. "I mean honestly Perseus, you hardly come by for dinner anymore and I miss you." The goddess eyes turned softly sad and Percy felt guilty, he knew she was still insecure about herself and he didn't want her to feel like he didn't love or appreciate her anymore.
"I miss you too Kelly, it's just that I've been busy with," his sea green eyes searched the room. "Monsters." he finished in a whisper after seeing his children were distracted by a water show his father was putting on. Show-off.
His immortal sisters' eyes filled with concerned understanding. Kymopoleia opened her mouth, no doubt to offer her help, before she was interrupted by their immortal older brother.
"You could bring them down to the sea, you know, Perseus. Mum, dad, our siblings, and our subjects love you all. It wouldn't be a problem at all." Triton came to rest a hand on his younger brothers' arm.
"I know, but I can't just keep them down there. Besides, I'm thinking of moving to New Thebes." He glanced shyly at his older brother. Triton, who was usually in his green merman form, looked completely human. The god of the navy had piercing sea green eyes and short cropped black hair, he was muscular and you could see the build form even though he wore a formal coat and tie.
The messenger of the sea was surprised but smiled and hugged him. "That's good, dad will be pleased. You'll love it there Perseus, so many things both 'ancient' and modern for people to do. The temples are great, even dads! They named his 'the most awesome' like you first joked about." Triton proudly announced. "And my temples' amazing too! Oh little brother its-"
"Now-now Triton, don't overwhelm Percy, we all know how you get when you start talking about your temple and cabin." The earth shaker warned coming over to hug his youngest son before turning to his other children and son-in-law. "The children were getting bored of the 'magic' water show. They want to see you, but be warned; their getting restless for cake." The others dashed off to their favourite niece/nephew as quick as wind nymphs.
The god of the sea laughed deeply before looking over at Percy with a proud smile and gentle eyes. "How are you my boy?" he questioned softly but seriously.
"I'm fine," the demi-god breathed out none to convincingly. Poseidon seemed to pick up on it but thought of the wrong reason.
"Is it Apollo? I knew he was trouble! I warned that sun god that if he ever hurt you I would-" his voice and temper rose with the seas, eyes becoming darker and darker with each syllable.
Percy quickly shook his head and held up his hands, trying to calm his father down. "No, no, no! It's not Apollo! He's amazing. It's just that, I'm moving back to New Thebes, it was Apollos idea, but I don't know where to live there or how to move everything and I have to tell the kids about-"
"You're moving back to New Thebes?" his father's eyes light up brightly and happily. "Oh that's fantastic! I always knew that sun god would be good for you!" the storm god blabbered happily; his son couldn't help but smile.
At least dad likes Apollo now. Percy thought.
"The outskirts of the cities are so close to the sandy beach that stretches from Camp all the way to New Rome and further! The houses on the outskirts are so close, all you have to do is open your back door and the beach is in your backyard! Well sort of, obviously you have your own backyard and have to walk to the beach because it's public but-" Poseidon raised his hands. "By the gods, oh you know what I mean and what I'm trying to say Perseus!" the god was so happy he wouldn't let his son go from their hug. The immortal couldn't believe his luck, his favourite son was going to be safe and alive and so would his grandkids. Poseidon hoped he would have many legacies lasting generations. His wonderful joyful musings were interrupted by a crash. The god startled but his son sighed tiredly like this was normal.
"Don't worry about that. Come on, the kids are getting restless. Let's have some cake." The hero smiled as his father nodded eagerly.
Aquarius's large sea green eyes stared intently at the blue chocolate heaven he had smelt all morning. His mum was so cool; doing this for him. The cake was round, big and blue with green and white icing wonderfully decorating the entire cake, and a number 8 right in the middle. The birthday boy licked his lips hungrily, eyeing it with such intensity his aunt's thought it would disappear. The young boy wanted to eat it so badly! But he couldn't yet because he was waiting for Cyrus to come back from the bathroom, so instead he pulled his blue party hat higher on his head; making an even bigger mess of his black unruly hair and looked around the big square light-wooden table that had a white and blue ocean themed spread on it. He was at the head of the table; for obvious reasons, with Sage to his left and Sibyl to his right. Those twins were eyeing his cake too; no doubt trying to come up with a plan to eat it all themselves. The young demi-gods eyes narrowed at the thought before glancing at them with narrowed eyes. He stopped instantly when his aunt Artemis raised an amused eyebrow at him. He ducked his head blushing; he forgot that she was sitting next to Sibyl! Sea green eyes roamed the table once more to see which relatives came to this birthday party, it was normally just his mum, dad and siblings. He was starting to feel a little self-conscious.
On his left next to Sage were his aunt Kelly, uncle Briny and his grandfather Don. He smiled when he remembered the magic show his grandfather did. He couldn't wait to tell everyone at school that his grandfather was a magician! To his right, after his youngest sister Sibyl, were his aunt Arty, his mum (when he got back from the bathroom with Cyrus), his dad, and then his uncle Triton. His dad seemed to be uncomfortable, squirming in his seat under the looks of Triton and his grandfather; Aquarius didn't understand why his dad was uncomfortable when all they were doing was staring at him. Although, his mum always said it was impolite to stare… maybe his dad just needed to go to the bathroom too. The birthday boy shrugged to himself.
The demigods' eyes immediately perked up when he saw his mum and little brother returning from the bathroom. He sat up straighter as he watched their mum help Cyrus into his seat at the opposite end of the table before he went to sit next to dad. Cyrus seemed to understand that everyone had been waiting for him and blushed embarrassed. No one noticed when he returned though because everyone was eyeing the staring match going on between his granddad, uncle and father. But his little brother didn't see that, all he saw was that he was late and shyly glanced up to his older brother apologetically. Aquarius just smiled gently to help encourage his baby brother and let him know he didn't do anything wrong. Cyrus seemed to be really insecure of himself; even at just four years old. The eldest of the children didn't like that; his brother seemed to sometimes think that his siblings didn't want to be around him. That wasn't the case; they just didn't always know their own strength was all. He would have to remember to spend more time with his little brother. It wasn't that much of a problem before, but since there was now a new baby in the family, mum couldn't always spend his time with Cyrus like he used too. So, Aquarius was going to always be there for his younger brother and fulfil the promise he made to himself the day his brother was born; to be the best big brother there ever was. He smiled confidently, approving of his new purpose.
His mum seemed to whisper a few words to his own father and brother before Aquarius's uncle started to say something. His mum just cut him off and began a glaring match before they seemed to remember where they were and what was happening. His mum turned to him and smiled before walking up to him to light the big number 8 candle, but just before he could light it there was a knock at the front door. The adults seemed to stiffen and become more alert but his mum just frowned confused and went to open the door.
His dad grab his mum's arm as he passed, saying something; he couldn't really hear anything over his sisters excited chatter. His mum just shook his head and carried on towards the door.
Everything was silent and tense, even his sisters had picked up on the changed atmosphere and stopped talking.
"Zeus?" his mother's voice exclaimed in surprise confusion.
Who? Aquarius thought.
"Zeus?" the green eyed youth exclaimed surprised. "I don't mean to sound rude, but what are you doing here?" the poor demigod was so confused.
The King of the gods seemed to stumble for words before he cleared his throat and stood straight. "I'm here for the, ah, birthday party." He god pronounced 'birthday party' like it was an exotic/foreign word he just heard for the first time. The god of lightning frowned. "That is today isn't it? Now?"
Percy nodded his head jerkily, eyes staring in shock. The electric blue eyed immortal seemed to account this and tried to not be as awkward as he felt.
"I, um, brought a present." He coughed, handing over a big blue present with aeroplanes on. "Aquarius likes blue things, doesn't he?" Zeus asked worriedly; he hoped he got it right.
"No, I mean yes, he loves blue." The hero continued to stare, flabbergasted that Zeus even knew the name of his eldest son. He seemed to remember he was staring and that it was rude, but to his surprise the god laughed.
"Oh good," the immortal sighed with relief. "I was worried I got the date wrong with the child. You have so many now. There's Aquarius, the twins; Sage and Sibyl, Cyrus; who was formally your youngest, and now there's Phoebo too!" the god waved his hands about. "I don't know how you keep track of all of them. I'm not late am I? I do hope I'm not."
"I-um-well… huh?" Percy tilted his head to the side like a puppy and furrowed his brows.
The King of Olympus sighed and explained. "I know how I treated you before when you were younger and I'm sorry. You're a hero and," he paused and swallowed what was left of his pride. "And even I have to admit, it's been boring with you being gone and so far away." He grumbled the last part. "And I have been keeping an eye on my grandkids since they were born, from the eldest to the youngest. Poseidon isn't their only grandfather you know." The lord of the sky crossed his arms and raised both his dark eyebrows.
"No, I know you are. It's just that you've never… well…" Percy looked up at the god. "Never mind." He decided; he would rather not be turned into an animal (or worse) on his sons' special day. "We're just about to light the cake. Come in, please." He opened the door wider for the older immortal to step through. The youthful hero closed and locked the door as his uncle made his way to the kitchen table. Percy's head rested gently on the door; well this will be an interesting day. He thought sarcastically. Although he really did hope his father Poseidon and uncle Zeus wouldn't start a fight.
Don't look, don't look, whatever you do don't look. Was the repeated chant his Zeus's head. The god tried to look anywhere but at the accusing stares of his older brother and his brothers' oldest son. The god of law glanced at his fair haired son. Apollo didn't look comfortable either but less stiff now that his lovers' protective male family had a new subject to target. Zeus glared at him with intense dark eyes. Chicken. He thought. Poseidon opened his mouth to say something; no doubt to question why Zeus had showed up in the first place, before Percy came back and smiled gently and tried to explain who he was to the children who never knew he even existed. Gods that boy really was a life saver, one more second and he was sure Poseidon would have wiped out his triton and skewered him.
"Mummy, who's that man?" Cyrus pointed and stared at the stranger that oozed power. He didn't like this man; he scared him. The man raised a dark brow that made the young child shiver slightly.
"It's rude to point." The man's voice was firm and held authority.
Cyrus shivered again, even though the man was sitting next to him and his grand-pappy he felt scared. It was silly, he knew, his grandpa was a magician and wouldn't let the strange man hurt him.
"That's you grandfather Zeus. You dad's father." His mum tried to sound enthusiastic. His siblings all tilted their heads, like mum did when he was confused.
Zeus. It sounded weird but he didn't think he man would appreciate him saying that; he would probably be even grumpier then he looked. Why was this Zeus grumpy? Why didn't he smile? Cyrus didn't like it when people frowned, they should be happy all the time! Maybe he just needed a better and happier name?
"Zu-Zu!" Cyrus decided, pointing to the strange man that was apparently his other grandfather. Zu-zu didn't look anything like his pappy did. His pappy had blonde hair, where this man had pitched black. Sky blue eyes, where his grandfather and electric blue. His daddy was always happy where this man seemed to always frown.
Zeus coughed and spluttered, staring at the child flabbergasted, but not outraged, this was his grandchild after all and he didn't think Apollo would appreciate having one less child to worry about. He couldn't seem to form the words he tried to get out. "Zu-zu?" he questioned incredulously. The young child that looked so much like the sun god nodded enthusiastically like this was his greatest achievement before pointing at him again and shouting that infernal stupid nickname. "No, I don't think so." The sky god would absolutely not be called that.
"Zu-Zu!" the child repeated stubbornly, his sky blue eyes help determination. Zeus groaned, oh gods, with this child's blood-line there would be no persuading him otherwise. There was just too much stubborn blood in him.
They kept arguing about it, going back and forth like a yo-yo before Zeus's hands flew up in the air and he yelled defeated, "Oh all right damn you! Zu-zu it is. Grandpa lightning Zu-zu!" he used the word lighting instead of freaking because he didn't think his son and nephew would like it if the children's vocabulary consisted of swears and curses at such a young age.
Cyrus was thrilled and clapped excitingly before shoving his grandfather a blue pointy party hat. "Wear." The young Jackson declared. His grandfather sighed and put on the ocean themed hat like it burned his skin.
The room was quiet; shocked silence because the King of the gods, who blasts anyone who dares look at him wrong, just got told what to do by a child. And no one was more pleased than the birthday boy who smirked and winked at his little brother for being a 'bad boy', for once.
"Ok, well, cake and candles. I don't care if another knock or family member come in here, we are lighting the cake." The son of Poseidon stated firmly and lights his son's birthday cake. "Make a wish." He whispered in his eldest sons' ear.
What could Aquarius wish for that he didn't already have? The young boy thought hard, his dark brows furrowed in concentration before looking at his family. He knew his wish and thought, 'I wish for my family to stay together and I want to be there for my little brother.' With that he blew out all his candles, green eyes bright as he licked his lips.
His mother laughed, "Great, now who want's some cake?"
Finally! The son of Apollo and Percy thought.
"Thanks for helping me clean up, Zeus." Percy gratefully said, washing the last of the dishes.
"Tis' no problem, Perseus." The powerful god continued drying a spoon.
"Apollo won't admit it, but he was glad you came and the children seem to like you."
Zeus didn't say anything back to his brothers' son but smiled gently and picked up a plate to dry it.
Meanwhile Apollo was tucking his children into bed. Phoebo was the first for Morpheus to claim and Poseidon had reluctantly handed the baby over. The god had no trouble finding which his youngest child's room was; since their names were decorated on the door with the different colours that they chose.
Phoebo's room was the smallest but just as beautiful as the rest. At least the other rooms were beautiful when they weren't messy with toys and cloths lying about. Tucking Phoebo into his blue and yellow crib was heart stopping for Apollo. He had only done this with Percy's – their – children.
Phoebo looked so innocent, oblivious to the real dangers of the world. The immortal softly stroked his sons black hair and cheek, relieved that soon they all would be safe in the city of New Thebes. Drool started to slid out of Phoebo's mouth but Apollo just whipped it away. The god couldn't believe his lover had named their son after his grandmother. "Percy truly is amazing." He whispered to himself before reluctantly leaving to put his other children to bed.
Sage and Sibyl's room was yellow and pink. Don't ask the god how the room managed to look nice with those two colours, but it did. Percy really could do anything, it seemed. The children were all cleaned up (they had to shower before they went to bed) and were in their blue and yellow pyjamas. Well, pyjamas for Sage and a nightdress for Sibyl, both had tatty-teddy logos on. Apollo made sure everything was locked and his daughters safe and cosy before gently closing the door of their room.
Apollo tucked in the birthday boy; everything was blue in Aquarius' room. Apollo smiled gently as he took in all the sea themed objects, the only thing that wasn't Poseidon related was the arrows and bow next to his sons' bed. The god shook his head; he would have to take Andy to an archery range one day, or the forest. The god of archery thought about New Thebes, they had an archery range. He would take his son there when the family had settled. "Happy birthday son." The father whispered and kissed his brow before turning off his light.
The last to drop from exhaustion was, surprisingly, Cyrus. The blonde immortal smiled and shook his head amused, carrying his fourth eldest child to his room. His sons' room was much like his own on Mount Olympus. The room as a sunny yellow, only the ceiling was blue. Apollo was lost in his mind while tucking his son in bed warmly that he didn't notice sea blue eyes staring at him until he nearly had to heal himself of a heart attack. "I thought you were sleeping!" he whispered to his son.
"I was but," Cyrus hesitated. "I was thinking about what you and mummy told us."
The god of shepherds and cowherds stiffened. Yes, he remembered the conversation they had explained to their kids when most of the guests had gone, they hadn't explained about moving yet because no doubt Aquarius wouldn't like that, especially on his birthday. But the children didn't really understand what demi-gods meant and that their father was a god and their mother was a son of a god too. They thought a god meant someone who lived forever and had some kind of super-powers, which was as close as the parents had gotten tonight, they would explain again tomorrow.
"Don't worry about that tonight." Apollo gently brushed some sandy hair out of his sons' eyes. "Did you have a nice time today?" the father questioned.
His son nodded eagerly. "Lots and lots daddy!"
The god nodded happily and was just about to move from the bed when his little son grabbed his hand. Apollo turned concerned only to find Cyrus shyly glancing at him.
"Mummy usually reads me before I go to bed…it helps me sleep…" the four year old looked shyly but pointedly at his father until it clicked in the gods head what his son wanted and was trying to ask.
The sun god sat comfortably back onto his sons golden bed sheets. "All right buddy. What is it you would like me to read to you?"
Cyrus immediately shoved a large brown book into his father's hands excitedly, almost giddily.
"Poetry for young minds?" Apollo raised a golden eyebrow but couldn't help the proud feeling in his chest. It was strange, but sometimes Cyrus and he got along better than any of the other children did with him.
Cyrus nodded up and down so fast the immortal thought his head would fall off but the sunny god smiled softly and opened the book.
"Ok Corey, where do I start?" the son of Leto wondered as his son explained which poet was the best and why.
And with that, father and son stayed up to read and created a valuable loving moment between them that they would always remember.
So that's chapter 1 done, I hope you all enjoyed it. Oh and I need some help on a paring name. So Artemis/Thalia? What is their name? I came up with - Arlia, Artia, Thalemis, or Thalmis. What do you guys think? Also for the title should it be 'Powerful Generations' or keep it as 'Powerful Legacies?'Thanks for reading! Reviews are welcome and have a nice day/night! :)
