A/N: This is collection of short stories about Giotto Vongola's nature as a demigod. There's no specific plot whatsoever, so I basically write whatever pops into my mind and the updates would be random. For those who are still reading, The Grey-Eyed Son, I apologize for not updating as much. Life and school has got in the way, and plus it's my senior year of high school so there's a lot stress in my being. But, I have the next chapter's plot written down so all I need to do is type it, if time wills it. Anyway, this collection of short stories is a KHR and PJO crossover. I hope you enjoy!
*All rights go to Rick Riordan and Akira Amano
The Clam's Origins
January 1st, 1912
It was cloudy and rainy as Isabella Vongola looked outside of the tainted window of her home. The babe in her arms is sleeping soundly and the mother seemed to be entranced of her son's form as she looked back at him with great interest. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed as the night goes on. By the time the hand of the clock struck seven, Isabella saw lightning flashed the ground. A smile crept into her face when she saw a figure started walking towards her home.
When one of the servants of her home welcomed the guest, the man was directed to the woman's chambers. Walking through the long halls of the mansion did not prevent the man from stopping, but rather encouraged him to walk faster eager to see the woman he loved and his long-awaited son.
The mahogany door in front of him finally did stop the man from walking any further. As he was about to knock on the door, he heard a womanly voice, "Come in."
Without hesitation, he proceeded and opened the door cautiously. Inside, he clearly remembers the outline of the room. Large and long tainted windows took up most of one side of the wall; bookshelves were arranged neatly on the other and the large bed is facing the windows. The study desk, in which it was piled with many papers and books, was still in the right place.
"You're here," Isabella said with astonishment. Her voice broke the thoughts of the man she loved, and he turned his blue eyes onto the woman that was on the bed.
"Yes," he finally replied, "I'm here, my love."
Isabella smiled, "Come, come see your son mio caro."
She motioned him with one of her arms to come over and patted the spot on the bed to let him sit. By the time the man reached her bed, Isabella could finally make out the man's appearance: Neatly trimmed beard, short and clean cut blonde hair with a piece of curly strand that is hanging in front of his forehead, and adorning a nice black suit. The man was handsome in her eyes.
When the man finally settled beside the woman, he nervously asked, "I-Is this…our boy?"
The woman laughed softly with mirth, "Yes caro, this is our boy."
Isabella held out the babe and the man slowly enveloped his strong arms around their baby boy. Once the babe settled comfortably in his father's embrace, the man could see tuffs of blonde hair sprouting from its head and he could make out the shape of his son's face. The son's father smiled lovingly as he continued to stare out onto his child.
When the child yawned, he revealed his eyes. It was light orange, something the child inherited from his mother. The babe gurgled happily at the sight of his father and gripped one of his father's fingers strongly, causing the older man to wince at his son's strength.
"Oh my. This child is strong," the man chuckled.
"He got it from you," Isabella replied happily, "And besides, you are the king of Olympus. A king should be strong."
The handsome man agreed to the woman beside him, "Of course love."
The babe in his arms continued to play along with his father while his mother watched the whole scene.
"I'm glad I'm here with you and the little one," the man started once more.
"Me too, amore."
"No, what I mean is that I would rather be here than partying with others in Olympus," He ended as he looked over to his lover.
Realization struck Isabella to the core. Today is a new year. It is a tradition for everyone to celebrate. Not only that, she could see in her lover's face that he wanted to escape his wife's antics for once, "You know you are always welcome here."
The man heavily sighed, "I do know love. It's just that-,"
Isabella waited for him to go on, but she already knew what he was going to say. Gods are not allowed to interfere with mortals' lives. If they do, trouble and danger would only ensue. The loving woman clasped her lover's shoulder causing the man to look at her once more. He only saw understanding and wisdom in her orange eyes as if she knew her husband's soul.
"I understand amore," she continued, "I know you are doing this to protect us, but let us enjoy this moment for once. You, me and little Giotto."
Isabella watched her lover's face turn into confusion, "Giotto?"
The mother of the babe laughed quietly, "That is the name our bambino."
Giotto Vongola. It sounded right when the man repeated his son's name. The blonde-haired man asked his lover the origin of the name, and Isabella told him that it was the name of her dead brother who suffered from tuberculosis.
"Giotto Vongola," the man repeated, "Son of Jupiter."
"Do you like it caro?"
"Like it? I love it," the man revealed as Jupiter replied with a smile on his handsome face.
The man, or should I say, the god, Jupiter, kissed his son's forehead and handed the little babe back to his lover with gentleness and affection. Isabella gladly enveloped her slender arms around Giotto's frame and held him close like a loving mother should while keeping her light-orange eyes onto their little boy.
They stayed like that for as long as they can remember until the king of Olympus finally spoke again while observing his son, "He will face many great challenges."
Isabella hummed in agreement, "I know. That is why I'll try to teach him what is right and good for the sake of everyone."
Jupiter continued, "By the time he reaches a certain age, he must go to Camp Jupiter to further his training. It is the only safe haven that can protect him from monsters and other dangers that are lurking about. I hope you understand, my love."
"I understand. I'm not worried at all since he's your son," Isabella replied, "The only thing I fear for him is that he will experience loss and pain. I hope he will not fall into hatred and revenge but rather love and justice. It is the only way to overcome the evil of this world."
The god of lightning lovingly embraced his lover along with their son and they sat there for what it seemed like eternity. As the rain came to a halt, so did the thunder and lightning. For once in the god's life, he attained peace and security within the presence of the Vongola family.
July 6th, 1932
Giotto Vongola walked along the outskirts of the forest, searching for the place in which he was left alone to be with the she-wolf when he was sixteen. Alongside the young Vongola is none other than his right-hand man, G, who is smoking much to Giotto's displeasure. Ahead of them, Giotto could finally see the Wolf House. The house is a massive ruin of red and gray stones and rough-hewn timber beams, making it look as if tragedy happened here.
"We're here," Giotto began.
G pulled out his cigarette from his chapped lips and threw it to the ground, stepping on it to extinguish the fire. Giotto felt relieved when his friend finally stopped what he was doing and continued moving forward towards the ruined house.
"So this is where you often go during the summer," G said while looking around his surroundings, "I imagine you would visit a lover or something."
The young Vongola smirked then chuckled to himself, "No. The place where we're heading is the only place I can go. It is a safe haven for me."
G stood silently while eyeing his friend. After the creation of the Vongola Family as well as Giotto's first visitation of Camp Jupiter in 1928, the eighteen-year-old Giotto revealed to his childhood friend his situation, two more years after the young Vongola's fateful encounter of other Roman demigods. Despite their differences, G supported and trusted his friend. In fact, G is trustful enough that Giotto allowed him to accompany the young Vongola to travel from Italy to America just to go to the place where Giotto is safe from lurking dangers.
When both friends finally stopped in front of the Wolf House, the boss of the Family turned towards his loyal friend, "I'm leaving you in charge of the group for awhile."
G waved off, "No need to worry Primo. Alaude and I will take care of it. I do hope Knuckle or Lampo will not do anything stupid while you're gone.
Giotto smiled, "If you need anything or advice, you could always ask my mother. She'd be willing to help you."
The red-haired man nodded. Giotto's mother, Isabella Vongola, is the person who inspired her son to form the vigilante group. Staying true to her promise of raising her son to do what is right and good for the sake of everyone, Isabella was often sought out by the other guardians for encouragement and advice.
The two men said their goodbyes, and the young Vongola proceeded down the path past the House towards Camp Jupiter. As G watches his friend disappear among the trees, the red-haired man went about his own way to go back to Italy.
After a long journey from the Wolf House, Giotto was able to reach the camp's borders before sundown. By the border is none other than Terminus, the Roman god of boundaries and the protector of the public territory of Rome.
As Giotto approached the god, Terminus greeted the young Vongola as if he had just returned home from war, "Welcome home, Praetor Giotto."
Giotto smiled at Terminus, "It's good to be home, Terminus."
The Roman god laughed with mirth, "Well, it's not your permanent home, but rather your second home."
The young Vongola agreed to the statement. Just as Terminus is about to say something, Lupa, the she-wolf, appeared and walked towards the son of Jupiter.
"Welcome back, Praetor."
Giotto bowed his head in respect towards his mentor and looked back to Terminus, "It's nice seeing you again, Terminus."
Terminus smiled and encouraged the young Vongola to walk with Lupa. As they stroll towards the entrance of New Rome, Lupa gave detailed reports of the past year when Giotto was away. So far, no incidents occurred during his absence, but a lot of new demigods came and conquered.
"How's Lily?" Giotto asked.
Lydia Boyle, daughter of Bellona, is the second praetor of Camp Jupiter. She is known as Lily only by her family, but Giotto is an exception.
"She is well," Lupa replied, "She displayed her potential of leading the camp professionally and with determination. Bellona came to visit her one time to bless her. You should have seen your co-praetor's face. She was extremely happy."
Pride surged within the young Vongola. Usually, Giotto is often the one that takes the lead and he understands that Lily is quiet person, but hearing Lily's openness and leadership relieved the Vongola boss. Other than that, Lily's mother came to visit her which is a rare thing to do for a godly parent. Bellona's visitation further Giotto's pride for the young Boyle.
"She misses you as well," Lupa continued.
The she-wolf smiled when she noticed the red blush that is creeping onto Giotto's cheeks. The son of Jupiter's orange eyes tried to avoid the eyes of his mentor and was even walking faster than the wolf herself. He eventually slowed down when Giotto realized that Lupa was behind him rather than being ahead of him.
"Well, I guess I have to congratulate her then," Giotto said nervously.
Lupa continued to smile at her former trainee's flushness. When they reached the center square of New Rome, children from all ages as well as Giotto's demigod friends came to greet the young Vongola home. With his arms open wide, the children crushed the latter with exuberant embraces causing the boss to stumble back a little until he regained his footing.
Ahead of him and among the crowd is his co-praetor, Lily, who is smiling and laughing at him. Everyone from the center square welcomed him home.