Hi! I hope you all have a great day where ever you are. Thank you to anyone who favourites and follows this story =) Warning: story contains BoyxBoy, swearing, scenes of violence, male pregnancy and bear in mind and ratings will be turned up soon.

-Sixteen years previously-

The evening was cold as a figure slowly moved out of his cabin. The cold air hung to the marble of cabin one. The perfectly polished walls stood out as the cabin radiated the most power and figure in the row. The inside of cabin one was filled with noise as the stubborn siblings rushed about trying to get ready for tonight's ball. By the way they were running about, people would have thought they would have been children of Aphrodite!

The boy out front went by a better name of Kurt. He was the runt of the litter he guessed... or that's how everyone treated him at least. The failure child of the great Zeus. Every one expected greatness out of him.

But six years ago the boy had proven his worthless state.

He gazed down slowly as his cold hand.

Just beneath the sleeve of his suit he could make out an old brand burnt into his skin. The sharp scythe which he used to look to for confidence... but now he was just a worthless piece to the camp. He was the scum beneath the mud.

All because he had followed his fate in the wrong direction... and now?

"Kurt?" A gruff voice interjected his thoughts and slowly the boy looked up. There stood a boy in a blood red shirt with black suit jacket casually thrown over his shoulder. The boy's toned skin was not that surprising but still got the boy's heart running just that little bit faster. "Hey." The boy sat down next to him and gave a gentle smile. It was rare to see such a thing.

Kurt looked at the other boy as he took in the slightly warm skin and the deep brown eyes, they were like melted chocolate. His hair was cut short in an almost buzz style, though Kurt remembered when it used to be slightly messy and spiked everywhere... he missed that slightly. "Care to mention why you're out here by your lonesome?" He spoke in such a soft way with a deep accent, Kurt found it hard not to blush as did the other boy as he looked at the pair of Electric blue eyes which regarded him steadfastly while being framed by a beautiful lining of golden locks.

Kurt sighed and just looked over at the other boy. "What do you want Nick... shouldn't you be at the ball with all the others?" Nick slowly looked him up and down as he saw the boy in some shorts and a very long sleeved jumper. He raised an eyebrow but Kurt just rolled his eyes. "You're kidding aren't you? You think the runt of cabin one is really going to get to go to the roman camp ball?"
"Quit whining Cinderella." Nick grinned. "Well you see, I have an extra ticket." The boy's grin grew more sly as Kurt slowly looked at the spare ticket the boy had produced.
"No..." He shook his head. "I can't accept it." He slowly stood as the door to his cabin blew open with a breeze and the boy folded his arms as he turned his head away.

His siblings filed out all looking magnificent in their suits and dresses. All of them gave him a glare, a scowl or a smirk as they walked past. "Hey Nick, don't forget to feed him and put a fresh bowl of water down for him." They laughed and Nick's attention was soon drawn to the sky as grey clouds rolled over and sparked viciously with lightning.

The siblings all turned on the spot and Nick moved out the way as they all locked gazes with Kurt. For a while it looked as though nothing was happening. But then Nick looked up and soon realized what was happening... The lightning in the clouds. It seemed to be smashing into each other... or to be exact... one spot.

Right above Kurt's head.

The lightning flashed and thunder boomed as one spark moved quickly, diving inside and out the others. It was almost impossible to keep track of.

But with the sheer amount of the sky and the volume of other lightning.

One bolt wasn't going to survive that long by itself.

By the time he had realized this, the single bolt grew in size and blasted into the ground just in front of Kurt. This was the sign and the result of the silent battle of wills. Kurt's spark had fallen while the other's still dominated the cloud cover.

Nick looked at the neat hole which had been formed in the marble. He slowly took a step forward with a smile. "Six against one... you outnumber him." He said calmly as he observed them with careful gazes. "But..." He took another step forward and slowly an aura began to flicker around him. A deep crimson light as though it was magnified blood soon burst across his skin as his hair blew wildly from it. The strength of his father ran with fresh course through his blood. It was wild... almost addictive.

Some of the Zeus kids backed off a little while some stood their ground. The lightning in the sky seemed to sedate slightly. "As you said; 'There's six of us' and only one of you." One girl said as she sneered slightly.
"You're right." Nick nodded before he raised his gaze and looked her square in the eye. "You're outnumbered." Nick's voice was so calm and authoritative that any one who would have dared to fight him would have backed down at that point.

Any... sane person.

The girl raised her hand and Nick frowned as his eyes widened at the burst of blue lightning which streamed from the sky to her hand and back as it seemed to become more concentrated the more it flowed. "First... you will have to get close war brat." She grinned then aimed her fingers and immediately the blast surged towards Nick's chest.

It would have killed him.

If Kurt hadn't taken the blast full on.

He was smashed back violently into the pillar as his eyes began to glow bright blue. He began to writhe suddenly and wildly as the lightning surged through him in that controlled stream. "Dear little brother. I've waited for this moment for years! I-" she stopped as suddenly flames exploded around the clearing and a sharp intake of breath was heard around them.

Only one boy at camp could make golden flames like that.

Nick looked over to the side where he saw the camp's monster stood to the side whispering. They called him the camp monster because... it was no secret who the boy's father was. He was Apollo, the sun god. But the boy had a curse... a curse which brought fear into every Demigod at the camp. The boy had not just inherited Apollo's gifts of healing and archery but the gods had seen it fit to bestow something else onto him.

Something older.

Something darker.

Jamie panted slightly for breath as the flames soon dissolved. He slumped slightly but was soon caught by another figure... Jack... the little love prince... why did it not surprise Nick to see the boy at Jamie's side. Those two seemed inseparable. How long till both idiots would just hook up. His eyes were focused on the tight necklace around Jamie's neck.

Not necklace.

The brand.

After he regained his breath, Nick thought he could see a faint trace of gold in the boy's emerald eyes. "I don't like bullies... Neither do I pretend to even stand them."
"Ah." The girl gave a fake, bright smile. "The monster. About time you got here. I bet you won't be going either." The girl gave a mocking courtesy "Hardly a womanizer are you? Parent's won't be locking up their daughters for you." Jack went to take a step forward but soon was stopped as Jamie's hand clamped around his wrist.

Nick could see the amount that it was trembling. "Just get going. Wouldn't want you to miss your dance would we now?" He gave just as false a smile.
"See you after the ball." The girl flicked her hand away and the lightning lurched out of Kurt before returning to the sky. Her eyes lingered on Jamie. She obviously had known there had been no chance of messing with him... then her eyes slipped to Jack. "Don't try anything." Jamie said. Steam was beginning to bellow from his hands.
"What ever." she turned on the spot and was soon escorted away by her siblings.

It wasn't till she was out of sight that Jamie slumped completely to the floor next to Jack. Nick would have checked they were both okay but his attention was fixed onto Kurt who was slowly sitting up. "What the hell was that?" Nick insisted as the boy began to shuffle away from him.
"J-Just go away... Please." Kurt slowly stood.
"But Kurt-"
"JUST GO!" He screamed as the wind picked up and began to smash against the cabins. In the pits of his eyes, Nick saw a spark move through Kurt's.
"Fine... but either way, take this." He handed the boy the spare ticket into the ball. "After all that time you spent working on what you was going to wear with the Aphrodite cabin... You shouldn't keep it in the closet." Kurt's mouth fell open slightly as he blushed brightly. "Just go and make sure He is okay." Kurt looked over anxiously at Jamie who was on the floor.
"He just saved you." Growled Jack as he grabbed one side of the boy's shoulders and Nick sighed as he looked back at Kurt. The boy seemed to speak more with his eyes than with words and Nick nodded as he went over and grabbed Jamie's other side. "Check the Demeter cabin." Kurt suggested before turning to go back into his cabin. His eyes lingered on the ticket in his hand before he closed the door.

But now Nick had another job... making sure he got Jamie to the Demeter cabin.

-Break-

Slowly on one of the bunks two teens sighed gently as they pulled each other closer. Around them the fresh scent of lavender, honey suckle and roses were softly imposing themselves. A pair of soft purple eyes slowly opened as a girl became more evident in the light. Her hair was a long curtain of brown curls now she was relaxed. The deep purple of her eyes seemed to become lighter as her relaxed mood seemed to take her over. "Remind my I let you braid my hair with Roses?" She whispered as her hand gently ran through her hair. It was true, in her hair, the heads of Roses were gently weaved in, the soft texture becoming hypnotic as the crimson and warm brown seemed to blend together.

The other figure smiled gently as he sat up. His mousy brown hair glinted slightly in the moonlight as he turned closer and wrapped his hands around her waist. "It's because. After you heard there was a Ball tonight, you said that it didn't matter that you was a warrior, you said you wanted to see the look on every daughter of Aphrodite and Venus when you turned up looking the best."
"And what happened to that plan?" She grinned as she gently moved kisses from his chin along his tanned skin and to his petal soft lips. She glanced over to the trunk under the bunk bed they were on. On it rested a stunning black gown. It looked like something out of the musical of Chicago. A red satin gown with jewels worked into the material while a pair of black elbow length cloves were placed neatly above them and a pair of heels crowned the attire while being placed a ruby rose head piece from her boy friend who was now hugging her gently.

The boy grinned as his pale green eyes opened. They were like grass in the sunlight. Warm and drawing as though the boy literally radiated life. "Well, that plan seemed to go to Tartarus when you kissed me. Then when I showed you that now the Demeter cabin had a roof I could open and we both saw the stars. We started cuddling and..." He grinned as he reached out his hand and gently cupped her cheek. "Here we are."
"For someone younger than me... you are so cute."
"Hey! I'm not that younger... a couple of months." He argued but to no avail. He knew the competitive nature of the girl was unbeatable.
"Anyway." She laid back and pulled her with him as she reversed it with her arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer. She grinned at the control and power she had. She had always been more dominant than him, and she loved that. "The ball doesn't matter. Let's just enjoy the peace. The quiet... the-"
"ROSULA! BELLE!"

Both groaned then sat up with a burning glare in their eyes as they focused on the three which just entered the cabin. The vines over the brown lined walls began to move agitated with Rosula's mood at this sudden outburst in their perfect peace. "Are you kidding me? I just wanted one night of peace. Just-" He began but was stopped as Belle smiled and placed her hand on her lips gently and whispered. "Let me handle this Honey suckle." She kept a smile until she turned to the others and glared. "Are you joking! I wanted just one night of peace. Just-"
"Belle-"
"Shut it!" She snapped at Nick as her older brother tried to reason. "How often is it that we actually get some bloody peace at this camp!" She paused as she looked at the boy that Nick and Jack were carrying... hang on... she thought then her eyes widened. "Nick are you kidding me!"
"All the other Apollo kids are at the ball and Kurt said to come here." He shrugged.
"Did Kurt lock that leash on you then?" She snarled as she realized that her relaxing night with her boyfriend had just been shattered. She looked around for him before she finally saw him at the bottom of the bunk going through a large chest as he pulled out bandages and a few seeds.

She sighed as she watched the seeds bloom into small plants in the boy's hand. He walked about busily in the cabin as he walked back and forth between cabinets. His eyes the entire time locked on the boy's necklace. "No damage came to it?" He asked and Nick shook his head.
"Nothing."
"No signs of-"
"No." Jack snapped as he glared at the boy.
"I didn't mean to offend you." Rosula stated calmly, "It's just something I have to take into factor with this." He walked over to a small bowl as he began to ground the herbs together.
"I can't believe you brought him here." Belle growled then looked slightly guilty as her boy friend shot her a look. "I'm sorry but, you know how I feel about him."
"But that's the point. Whatever happened, that wasn't him was it?" Jack stated and Belle shot a looked back at him as a slight burst of red began to glow around her.

Like her brother Nick, she had quickly learnt how to call on the aura of her father and how to control it when needed. "It still happened though. I remember all of it." She glared.
"Belle, please." Rosula looked up at her with a soft gaze and the girl seemed to sedate slightly as she took in that face. "Fine but I wont be any part of this." She frowned and walked out. "Call me when you got him out of here." She looked at Jamie a slightly bit longer before she finally said what the other boy's couldn't. "If there's any signs of that Phoenix. I'll kill him without a second thought." She growled and walked off.

The boy's looked down at the floor before Rosula offered a kindled smile and gently began to trickle the medicine he made down Jamie's throat. "There we go." He said softly as Jamie swallowed it slowly. "Take your time... Everything will be okay." He sighed and looked out the door at the starry night.

He hated it when he lied to people.

-Break-

Nico's breath caught in his chest and a deep dread of nerves ran wildly through his stomach as slowly he stood in front of the giant hall with Sirena. The boy seemed just as tense as Nico... how could he tell? Nico watched the boy bite his lip nervously as he shuffled his weight on his feet. He wanted to do nothing more at that moment than to shrink away and vanish.

No matter how he felt, right now, Sirena needed him to be there. "Hey." Nico gave a smile to the smaller boy who slowly looked up. Both were dressed in suits, the only difference was that Nico wore a blood red shirt while Sirena wore a deep emerald shaded one. "Why so nervous?" He whispered.

"After tonight... everyone will know... and they can see." The boy's voice was softer than a summer breeze. Just the sound of it managed to always give Nico confidence and make him feel as though his heart was about to burst from his chest.
"Of all the scandalous love tales that ever been told, especially on Olympus." Nico smiled gently as he turned and faced Sirena. Behind his masquerade covering, Nico could see the other boy's eyes quivering uncertainly. "I think ours isn't anything to worry about." He smiled and ran his hand across the smooth of the mask as though he was caressing Sirena's cheek. "Vieni sul mio piccolo rosa" He earned a smile from John at that. He knew the boy loved his accent when he spoke in his natural language.
"Don't ever call me a small rose." Sirena smiled gently behind his mask. He held out his hand and watched as Nico took it gently.
"Together." He whispered softly.

Both turned to face the large marble walls of the hall where they were to be attending the ball. It was almost as big as Jupiter's temple! And that was saying something! The large intricate patterns which moved around the columns as inside the happy chatter and cheers of demigods was the most dominant sound, even above the loud band played music.

As they slowly walked up the steps hand in hand. Nico felt Sirena tighten his grip slightly as the guards out front pushed opened the giant, weighed oak doors. "Here we go." He whispered and Nico smiled as light rushed over them.

As they stepped inside, it was like stepping into the old world of fairy tales and dreams. Men were stood with their masks and their partners while the women were dressed in brilliant expensive dresses. As they walked in the music filled their ears and both boys watched as all the dancers moved in perfect sync. It was an amazing sight to see. But not so amazing as the sight of Nico's fiancée. Worried about scars or not, Sirena was the most beautiful soul and life anywhere they ever went. That's how it was, and always was going to be.

"Nico!" A voice called.

Sirena tried to bolt instantly and Nico stared slightly sad as the boy walked away quickly as Reyna came over to them.

She wore a deep purple dress which went with her silk gown. It curved into her body just as though she was wearing a corset but the deep night sky purple shade looked absolutely amazing on and went very well with the black satin gloves and high heels she wore with them. A single rose rested in her hair and she watched as Sirena walked away quickly. "Hey Reyna." He sighed and watched as his deep and one true love vanished into a crowd of dancing demigods.
"Are you okay?" She frowned slightly as she looked away towards where the other boy had walked off to.
"Yeah... I understand." He nodded then both turned as with a clink of a glass all the heads snapped towards a pair in the centre of the room. One was a boy in a perfect white shirt and suit while the other was his partner in a moonlight silver suit. His silver and blond was cut freshly short into a row of spikes which were all pointed forward like a row of arrows. However Nico began to quickly realise who they were when the boy cleared his throat self consciously... "Percy?" Nico whispered with surprise.

Wolfram raised an eyebrow as she looked around. "Uh Percy what is..."
"Wolfram." He whispered. "We've been through everything together. We've been to hell and back... quite literally. Seen each other at our best... our worst."
"And our most adorable, am I right?" Percy blushed as he remembered being turned into a Siberian husky by the other's boy mother when they had arrived back at camp Jupiter. That was a story for another time but Wolfram was really never going to let go of that, was he?
"Wolfram. I love you. From the moment we sat under the water and had our first kiss. From the moment I looked into your eyes in that night club and knew that I was never going to find someone any more kind. I never want us to be apart. That's why I want you to be my husband." The hall of demigods took a collective breath as all stared at the two. Wolfram covered his mouth with his hands and stared wide eyed at Percy who held up the ring. "Wolfram my one and only amazing love. Will you take me to be your husband?"

He stared at him before taking a breath.

"Percy-" His smile melted away as all turned towards the doorway as a cold voice echoed around the room.

"Oh how touching!"

All turned around towards the doorway as a dark figure stepped into the light with a cold and malicious grin.

As he stepped forward everyone caught sight of his almost white hair. It looked the lightest shade of blond Nico had ever seen... as though he had walked in a snow storm. "Sirena." He whispered and darted back into the crowd as Nico pulled Reyna with him, trying desperately to find his love among the face of shocked other demigods.

He grew so distracted that he lost track of this new demigod as the boy stepped into light everyone watched this boy walk forward. His skin was deathly pale, as though it had never seen warmth or any kindling of light. His eyes were a frozen blue and Nico just frowned deeply. "Didn't any one tell you, this is a ball, not Disney's production of frozen!" One boy yelled out.

Nico winced as he saw it had been Octavian who had yelled out. "That boy just really can't pick the right fight can he?" Reyna hissed.
"What was that?" The boy watched as the crowd parted away from Octavian leaving him a wide open target. No one dared to get caught around him as they grew increasingly fearful.

The temperature in the room began to rapidly drop. A soft blue light began to burn in the boy's hands. "I-..I-" Octavian looked around for support but no one came to his aid as everyone stared in horror at the new arrival. His breath began to steam in the air as a harsh breeze ruffled through his smart pearly white shirt. His purple over jacket began to become flaked with white increasingly and alarmingly so fast. His blond hair matting together in a harsh bunch as his eyes widened with an unconfined fear.
"Well if this is Frozen." The boy grinned darkly as he raised his slightly glowing hand. "How about I let it go."

As his palm opened a torrent of cold blue light smashed against Octavian who let out a feral scream. Ice began to creep over the walls violently like a virus as it leached all warmth from the marble was no less a wall, but only just a media for this spreading ice which couldn't give up it's parasitic attack. The boy however was beginning to let burst just an equally cold harsh laughter as he watched the other boy writhe in agony of the burning cold. The ice was creeping over Octavian's hands slowly and painfully as skin became pure ice. Now it had got this taste, it wasn't going to give up. Like giving a hunting hound the scent of something you wished it to catch. "Enough Parker!"

Nico watched Sirena dive in the way as he wrapped his arms around himself and Octavian tightly. The cold torrent of light died out but Parker grinned darkly as the frozen lines which had stopped in a full circle around Sirena began to blur. Yes, the mist magic of Sirena's other mother was certainly there, somewhere deep and buried within the half siren. But he was absolutely no where near being able to actually control it! It may have caught Parker out with his surprise at the half monsters action of protection... but surprise and weak power would only get Sirena so far with his pathetic power.

The ice and the light began to crack and fall to the floor like shards of broken glass and pottery as it hissed and turned to an ice cold mist which was quickly regaining and rejuvenating itself. "Get out the way." He warned Sirena with a curt and cutting look.

Nico tried to lunge out but Reyna grabbed him tightly stopping him from moving. "No!" Nico snarled as he tried to break free of her grip. Damn she was so strong! "Reyna you have to let me go!"
"This is your last chance." Parker rolled his eyes as he grew increasingly tired and bored with the situation they were in. "Three."
"Reyna!"
"Two." The light returned and began humming brightly in Parker's hands as the mist hissed delightedly.
"Reyna. Let me go!" Nico hissed.
"One." Parker began to uncurl his fingers from the tight and glowing grip.
"REYNA!" Nico roared
"Zero."

The cold blue light erupted from both of Parker's palms and went roaring forward with a screaming laughter as it almost began copying and taking the shape of a hissing serpent.

Nico screamed out and managed to finally break free of Reyna's grip but only to be stopped as the serpent turned on him and smashed him against the marble wall with continued rage and anger.

Sirena shouted out the boy's name and ran over to him but now the demigods were a clean an open target for the great and unbound serpent. There was no warmth of life, love or weak suppressed mist to hold back the bitter ice of Khione.

"I'm so sorry!" Sirena gazed back, expecting to hear Octavian's screams of agony but when he saw them.

He himself became as still as a statue.

All the Demigods paused horrified as from the entrance a gold light burst past Parker knocking him to his knees before blocking the path of the ice serpent who had been barely meters from finishing off Octavian.

The serpent shifted agitated when the light began to shine defiantly and with a greater hateful power... it was only when the great serpent nudged it, did the light explode into an inferno of flames.

Sirena couldn't help but watch as it spread with a giant heat as though it was a phoenix stretching it's wings... as he and Reyna stared a little closer, they realized that it soon was just that. A full burning and golden phoenix. It's solid eyes and large billowing beak roared as the serpent hissed defiantly, coiling around it's master in defence, curiosity and intrigue at the new arrival.

The flames were taking the burning form of a phoenix with a boy stood in the centre of them. "Jamie?" Parker stared wide eyed at the boy. The blue light of his ice power curled around him as the towering serpent hissed at the flames in a new betrayed hiss. "Don't tell me you're stood with them!" He whispered in horror. But Jamie said nothing as he drew a sharp breath.

Most demigods were just staring in horror at the two in front of them. In a dark fear and awe by the power of the burning phoenix and freezing serpent. Parker how ever seemed to be full of a growing hate and betrayal as he stared more deeply into Jamie. "You of all people can't say they don't deserve this! The way that they have and still treat you! You have to sleep on the floor outside your cabin because your own half siblings can't stand to be in the same room as you!"
"Parker..." Jamie's eyes were beginning to burn with a faint golden light as his necklace hummed painfully against his throat. "Just go... Khione never should have sent you here. " He kept his half lidded gaze soft, gentle and as focused as he could under his present, crushing situation. "She should never have exploited you like this-"
"My mother has nothing to do with this!" He screamed and released the full torrent of his ice at Jamie which sent the boy flying backwards against the marble wall. The flames dissipated as Jamie's head hit the hard wall making him fall and slump forward; curled up on the floor. One arm wrapped protectively around his torso as he cradled his unborn child.

It took a minute or so for the other boy to blink clear his eyes, but as he finally came to his senses? "Jamie!" Parker screamed and sprinted forward.

But as he tried to reach out, Jamie's eyes burst open burning with a horrific golden light. The deep crimson pupil glowing and dilating in a flare of rage as for a moment it seemed to pierce through Parker's very soul, before he winced and turned it back to a faint emerald. The crowd of demigods all caught their breath with a growing fear.

"Come with me." Parker whispered as his eyes were locked on Jamie and Jamie only, who in his opinion, was the only other being in the room worth acknowledging with the barest of sentient life care. "Come on." His tone mirrored what Jamie's had been but a minute before while he placed his hand on the boy's shoulders pulling his jacket off quickly. The boy's shirt had burnt away from the flames and now his bruised torso was exposed and bare. But even with the jacket on, he trembled where Parker's finger tips brushed over the material. "You can't stay here with them. You're just like me. You belong with me. It is destined to be, the fates themselves promised it! By doing what they did, the Olympians have ensured it to be so!" Jamie just stared horrified at the boy who was crouched above him.
"What happened to that little boy that I grew up with on the streets when he had been left to the ice by his father. What happened to the baby that I brought up when I was only ten." He whispered with stinging tears behind his eyes. How had the boy changed so much? It wrenched everything inside of him to see the darkness inside the boy's eyes now.
"They don't deserve to be hurt because of what was done to us." He whispered.
"One day." Parker whispered with a shake of his head. "That thing inside you will burst out just like it did with me." He looked in Jamie's eyes. "And when that day comes... you will come willingly to me."
"Yeah, just probably not today." Jack growled as he let loose an arrow and it sailed into Parker's back.

The boy screamed out in pain and for a moment, the world froze around Jamie and the other boy. One of fire and one of ice. So literally bound by their past together, now struggling to find their places... and yes it hurt. It hurt Jamie as he sat there and watched while Parker exploded into a miniature blizzard which rushed out the room in a frenzy. It hurt for him to see the boy which had changed so much from the little mischievous prankster who he had raised inside the camp's borders for as long as he had- "Jamie!" Jack hissed as he ran over and crouched over the boy. "You should be back at camp! You certainly shouldn't be using... those powers!"
"My dad- told me I had to be here." He whispered.
"Your father has no right to ask anything of you."
"Get him the Hades out of here!" Octavian hissed as he looked at Jamie. Most of the demigods were staring with horror at the boy's necklace as it was still humming brilliantly with power. "He has no right to be here!" He brushed down the front of his shirt with his cold and numb hands. He seemed too set and dedicated on cleaning the frost and flakes off himself. Any sign or motion that Parker was actually nearby.
"If it wasn't for him, you'd be dead." Jack hissed as he tried helping his husband to his feet.
"No. I have Sirena to thank for-" Octavian turned to face the boy but was sent flying to the floor as Sirena punched him square in the face.

As Nico sat up slowly, still with dazed vision he managed to grin at Sirena's actions. "That's my baby." He grinned and Sirena looked back at him with a soft smile as tired eyes.
"Honey, go back to sleep. I just want to deal with this shit faced c-" He muttered a word which would have made some of the eldest demigods there wash his mouth out with soap.

He turned slowly with such a cold glare that it probably would have even made Parker shiver. "You owe your life to Jamie." He gripped Octavian by the collar of his shirt and glared into the boy's eye.
"I owe him nothing." The blond bit back.
"He scorched the floor!" One demigod shouted out.
"He burnt the walls!" Another called. One grabbed a chunk of rubble which had broken away from the wall due to the impact of flames and ice. It hurled straight at Jamie's head and hit the boy's face, slicing the boy's cheek open. He reached up and touched the blood with a sad look before he stood. More rocks and bits of marble began to get tossed before he slowly limped away. Every bit of focus was going into making sure the burning flames inside him didn't get out. "Jack... just leave it." He whispered with a dejected sigh but the son of Eros just turned at the doorway.
"You all judge him for having that monster inside him... but you know what? You are worse than that phoenix inside him. You turn one of your own out onto the cold because you fear him. He's handled that phoenix beyond all expectations. Do you realize that pain he experiences from just being cursed with it?! For something that he didn't do!" Jack glared at most of the demigods. Reyna looked away ashamed as she sat Nico up with Sirena's help.
"Yeah yeah, just get him out." Octavian snapped before he knew it an arrow was pointed directly between his eyes.
"One. More. Word." Jack whispered, which soon shut the boy up. "Please. Just. Say. It." He glared around for a final time before walking off with Jamie, secretly wishing that the brat had given him the chance to fire the arrow into his head.
"Well that finally got that freak out-"

With the sound of an echoing bang and a loud clump onto the floor. Sirena pulled his fist back out Octavian's face as he shook his hand. "SON OF A BITCH THAT HURT!" He shouted angrily as he stormed away from Octavian's unconscious body. "Dick." He muttered as he shook his head. "Can't believe I ever even used to like him."

Sirena ran over and knelt back next to Nico as the music started back up and everyone carried on. "Are you okay?" He whispered worriedly as he reached out and placed a tender hand on the side of Nico's face. "I was so scared." His soft green eyes began to tear up behind the mask as he pulled it over his head and tossed it to the side revealing the deep etched scars, which he was so terrified of when he looked in the mirror. "Nico... I... I thought. I thought that you had hit your head too hard and- I was so scared-"

But Nico just reached up and pulled his hand around the boy's neck as he planted a kiss on Sirena's mouth. Neither of them cared who looked over and stared. Their hearts were beating close to each other. Their chests were rising and falling as they were just too scared still by past and present. The horror of the thoughts of losing each other was to horrific for even them to handle at the moment. The events of the last year were still too raw for them to handle.

Reyna smiled off to the side as she watched them. Annabeth ran over and looked in her eyes as she crouched next to her girlfriend. "Are you okay? I thought those flames may have got you."
"I'm fine." Her voice became tight as her whole body tensed. She became aware of the way that people were beginning to turn their attention towards her and Annabeth. She became more startled than if she had been fighting against the grey eyed girl, "They're looking." She whispered self consciously as Annabeth did the most spontaneous thing he had done since he had come back from the Greek camp to find her and say 'I love you'.

She bowed in courtesy to her and some turned around now to stare at them. "Annabeth what are you doing?" She growled between her teeth as she glanced back and forth between those who no longer were hiding their open stares.
"Can I have this dance." She stared up behind the other girl's owl mask to stare deeply into the girl's winter sky grey eyes. Those eyes that she used to lose herself in. Well they were questing to save Sirena. The eyes that she used to stare deeply into when ever they kissed on the moonlight deck.

No.

This couldn't happen! She couldn't allow herself to go through this again. She couldn't-

"Yes." She took hold of his hand as he led her to the floor and pulled her close. Inwardly she faced palmed at her own actions. Yeah. Great job.

Off to the side Piper smirked before walking out and following the trail of frost that Parker had left in his wake. Reyna frowned slightly but then turned her attention back to Annabeth as they slowly danced around the ball room. "We shouldn't be doing this." She whispered but she just shrugged.
"So?"
"We tried this once and you forgot me." She felt his arms tense slightly at that. "After you forgot me and fell in love with Piper, I was left all alone. I had no one. I had to watch you stare longingly at her everyday while I was just reminded of what happened during our quest."
"Well I won't make the same mistake twice." Annabeth stated in a rock steady tone. Her eyes unwavering from her statement as she couldn't think of anything she could be more sure of.
"Promise?" Her eyes sparkled faintly.
"I promise." She lent her head gently against Annabeth's forehead while the younger girl listened to the sound of his heart beat before they were joined on the dance floor by Wolfram, Percy, Nico and Sirena.

Even with all this. There was still someone who was left with no one.

Nick stared at the three couples. Every now and then he would glance towards the doorway to see if someone was coming in.

He waited all night.

And still nobody came.

Even when all the others had left. He stood there on the floor thinking of what it would have been like... if only Kurt had come with him.

-Present day-

Sirena curled his hand into a fist as he felt the gazes of the others lock on him out of uncertainty. Even Nico had froze as they kept one hand linked together, but that was mainly out of instinct. Whenever they struggled or found each other in a moment of struggling, they would always be there to hold each other's hand. To know that they were always going to be there to protect each other with a deep and great care.

But now there was only the tears slowly moving down his face as the deep and burning pain inside of his heart was trying to quench itself. The natural survival pains of a Siren, trying to quell the pain of something which was everything and absolutely nothing to him. A siren should never feel the pain of the heart... but then again, Sirena was only half Siren. There was only so far that he could go to let his emotions roll back into him. "Well... there you go." Annabeth grinned as she leaned her head further into her palm. "I guess he will be even better than a elder guard."
"Shut it, wise girl." Wolfram glared at her as he could see Sirena beginning to tremble with fury.
"I mean... maybe if there had been a little bit of a more loose leash then maybe-"

She fell quiet as a glass of wine washed over her face and Sirena stormed away.

But every ounce of it had been seen by Charlie who now turned his gaze down at the ground as he stayed within Connor's warm embrace. He had wrapped his warm coat not only around himself now but around them both as he smiled to himself at being this close to his crush. At first, Jonathan had pointed glared and kept trying to sink him into the shadows, but couldn't have done so without hurting his brother as well. All that worrying... that fear that he would never be able to see the boy again for as long as he lived! "Hey." He whispered. "Try not to look at them. They're not your worry any more." He tried not to beam from ear to ear at that. He could see it in Charlie's eyes as the boy was still watching how they were locking their gazes between him and his parents in disbelief.
"I-I can't do this." He whispered. His beautiful emerald eyes seemed to be weighed down by the weight of the world. "I can't breathe- I can't think... What have I done? I need to fix this. I can't-"

Connor could see a scream building inside the boy's chest as it was ready to explode. The deep agony which couldn't be changed into explaining words were now growing only into a deeper and more fearful pain. "It's like there's no air and-"
"Easy." Connor quickly pulled his headphones from around his neck and put them quickly onto Charlie as he turned up the music as loudly as he could without hurting the smaller boy. "You think I don't notice things huh?" He smiled inwardly as he set the music onto a slow and calm song. "Edward Maya. Stereo love. Sound good?" He asked as he pressed the play button.

The effects were almost instant when Charlie watched the golden spots in the boy's even matched hair explode with a glow as they spread over with an amazing beauty and light. The emerald in his eyes becoming a passing and deep beautiful amber as they seemed to search Connor with a new life and light perspective. Holy gods on Olympus sipping nectar. He's freaking... he's-

He swore he could have melted when the boy reached up and gently ran his hand across Connor's cheek.

Neither could see Festus igniting inside his seat as he was watching them with closer than fixated eyes.

"Thank you." Charlie just closed his eyes and nuzzled his head closer to Connor's chest as finally he began to settle slightly while the music roamed through him. Just need to keep him calm a bit longer. Connor thought over and over as around him, the hundred or so Demigods began to grow increasingly board as they finally and with great excitement watched the ceremony coming to an end. They were all baying for what they wanted most right now, which was to forget this whole camp and have the festivities. They wanted a long night of partying, singing, dancing and thinking of their free lives which had just opened up for them. No more having to lay in weight with the legion and Camp Jupiter. They could test their own fates, their own lives! Be something more than they could have been by staying under the protective blanket of this place!

Jason seemed to be in agreement that it was growing all the more necessary to bring the evening to a close as the borders around the field of Mars were being put up to indicate just how far and how much the hunters had as their own space for this day and evening. A full twenty four hours to do anything they wanted, gather supplies, possessions and other such trinkets which mean something to them. All this and they were barely allowed to have any of that time to speak to their families. "Al'right. I guess we may as well get on with the end of this evening. Hunters." He turned slowly but didn't dare look up from the podium as he feared what may happen if he looked his son in the eyes. "To you we salute. May all your journeys be long and full with strength, honour and glory. May each of you be protected under the guidance of the gods. May they care and watch over your travels." He paused as some began to shuffle and move away towards the exits. Say it you freaking idiot, or forever regret it. "W-Wait!" He exclaimed quickly as he could just see Piper from the audience glaring through him and nodding for him to say the words. Don't let him see us cry. Let him know we love him. Her gaze seemed to say. "To each of you that leave on this day. There is a hole that will be left in the hearts of parents." His grip tightened around the harsh wood as he tried to focus on keeping himself steady. "A job of a parent is to bring up their child. Get them ready for the world and what it has to offer... But it is so much more deeper than that." He could see Wolfram staring longingly and sadly into the crowd of legacies as the boy searched desperately for sight of his son. "Your child is so much more than just the blood of your blood. You bring them into this world. When you wake up in the morning and see their smiling faces, you hope they know they are loved. When you watch them leave for school in the morning, you hope they know that they are loved. When they come to you with tears in their eyes and hold you for no other reason than they're you're kid. When they fall asleep against you and you tuck them in at night and finally hear the words they whisper 'I love you' and wish for a moment that you could freeze time..." He looked up and fixed locked gazes with his son. "And just smile and say, that no matter what their choices are in life, they will always have a place in your heart because you just love them so much." He smiled and watched Tristan just stare back with wide and misty eyes. "Because you never stop loving them or hoping they realise just how much that you really do... so to all of you hunters who now decide that it is time for you to take on the world. We hope to see you return one day. Proud, tall and remembering the words from this day." Jason's smile wavered as he nodded and quickly walked off the stage. Not allowing either Piper or his son to see the pain in his eyes.

Connor cleared his throat as he looked around while the other parents and college students filed out of the field and towards the city. "Well... Party time." He shrugged with a smile.