PJatO || Trenderam || PJatO || Nicercy || The Royal Carriers || Sonny || PJatO || Trenderam || PJatO

Title: The Royal Carriers – Two Kingdoms, One Mindset

Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus; total AU

Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan for he created the awesomeness that is Nico di Angelo. And everything else related to Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus. Aside from the Gods, they belong to the old Greeks. This fanfiction and its OCs on the other hand are entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.

Warnings: shounen-ai, threesome, explicit intercourse, masturbation, anal, oral, mpreg, pregnancy, slavery, male carrier discrimination, violence, rape, dealing with rape, shoujo-ai, hetero

Main Pairing: Trend/Derek/Sam

Side Pairings: Nico/Percy, Sander/Donny, Luke/Thess, Percy/Kitty, Luke/Octavian, Herc/Thea, Joe/Nico, Marshall/Sara, Piper/Annabeth, Jason/Reyna, Frank/Hazel/Leo, Charles/Silena, Grover/Juniper, Malcolm/Katie, Chris/Clarisse, Tyson/Ella, Tempest/Blackjack

Percy Jackson Characters: Perseus Jackson, Nico di Angelo, Leo Valdez, Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, Annabeth Chase, Piper McLean, Luke Castellan, Octavian Simmons, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Jason Grace, Malcolm Cage, Katie Gardner, Grover Underwood, Juniper, Clarisse la Rue, Chris Rodriguez, Travis Stoll, Connor Stoll, Charles Beckendorf, Silena Beauregard, Ethan Nakamura, Alabaster C. Torrington, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Ella, Tyson, Tempest, Blackjack

Own Characters: Samuel Raser, Derek Rhys, Trend Austin, Marshall Mikaelson, Phylicia Rosenberg, Hunter Hood, Hayden Hood, Bellatrix la Fey, Sara Mers, Joanna Foxx, Sedanur Aykan

Own Characters of the Next Generation: Chrysander Rodriguez, Charisma Rodriguez, Hades Poseidon di Angelo, Sally Persephone di Angelo, Theseus Paul di Angelo, James Charles di Angelo, Laura Silena di Angelo, Jackson Tyson di Angelo, Matthew Robert Chase, Theadora Tiphane Chase, Lucas Thomas Chase, Tristan Frederick Chase, Hercules Grace, Thalia Hylla Grace, Jupiter Perseus Grace, Esperanza Nicole Zhang, Sammy Marie Zhang, Emily Fey Zhang, Elizabeth Mason, Amarilla Cage, Anthismos Cage, Kathryn Ellen, Alabaster Ellen

Own Horses: Rush, Fighter, Shadowchaser, Trickster, Nightowl

Summary: After King Hades had died, Nico had ascended to the throne, just a lost and lonely little prince, unsure what to do with himself. An allied king named Matthew had helped him on his rocky path and when King Matthew passes away, leaving his only son and heir Derek in quite the similar situation, Nico wants to provide the same kind of guidance for Derek that he had received.

Nico's heir and pride Donny had grown up being close friends with Derek so Nico sends his son to comfort Derek and invite him over to their realm, to ensure Derek that he had an ally in Nico.

In a world where some males are born with the ability to carry children, seen as a present from the gods and sold as valuable slaves, Nico could call himself lucky to own Percy, who had blessed him with seven wonderful children so far. When love had blossomed between them, the slave had risen to become Nico's queen. And now that Derek was the only one left of his family, Nico wants to give Derek a beautiful and kind carrier as a coronation present, because Derek needs an heir.

Derek, involved and in love with his adviser Trend, had his eyes set on a carrier-slave who had danced on the annual Spring Celebration, but the boy had slipped away from him. It's his luck that Donny manages to track exactly that carrier down to have him waiting in Donny's home for Derek's visit. When finding the carrier named Sam, Donny also finds something gorgeous for himself.

Now Donny has Sander and is falling in love with his slave, even though the young carrier-prince needs to find a suitable king, while Derek and Trend deal with their previously abused carrier.

The Royal Carriers

Two Kingdoms, One Mindset

Chapter 7: Collared by a Royal

"That's the kind of market I appreciate", declared Thess before he glared pointedly at Donny.

Luke chuckled softly, one arm around Thess' waist, maybe having his hand rest a little too lowly, but King Nico didn't attend their outings anymore, since his queen was on bed-rest, so no one there to chide him and glare at him. It was just the six of them – Thess and Luke, Donny and Herc, Derek and Trend. It wasn't exactly standard, since Trend was not a bodyguard, but he was trained like one and King Derek wanted to give his bodyguard and his handmaiden some alone-time so Sara and Marshall could have a date-day too. He had also made sure to have Donny's girls, Thea the adviser and Phyl the handmaiden, taking care of Sam while the royals were out.

"You've grown up", stated Derek and looked Thess up and down. "How old are you now?"

"Fourteen, sire", stated Thess, wiggling his nose.

"Short of being off-age too", observed Derek curiously. "Does your father have any plans for you yet? And how come future queen over there is not hooked up yet?"

Sixteen was the age of marriage in most kingdoms of their continent. Thess shrugged and leaned against Luke a little. The blonde glared and tightened his grip on his prince.

"I know my time has come, so to speak", sighed Donny annoyed. "Mother talked to me about this, that I'll have to find a suitable husband before I hit seventeen..."

"Your mom?", asked Derek stunned. "The former slave? Not your father, the born royal?"

"Just because mom hasn't been born into royalty doesn't mean he doesn't respect the traditions", huffed Donny and rolled his eyes. "And so do I. I know that, as the oldest, it is my responsibility to take over if something happens to my parents, just... l—like you. And since I'm a carrier, I need a husband worthy to be the king of our realm. But mom and dad gave me a deadline, so to speak. A chance. I have until one month before my seventeenth birthday to find a husband of my own, otherwise father will chose for me. You know, you were actually his first choice."

"Yeah?", asked Derek amused, looking at the silken clothes sold at one of the stands.

"It's an obvious choice, really", pointed Thess out, holding a blue silken robe up to see how it would look on him. "You were a young prince, the end of your bloodline, a great ally to our kingdom, while Donny is a carrier, so dad wants a husband who will treat him right. You're most of the time a nice guy, you respect Donny even though he's a carrier and uniting our kingdoms would make this the greatest force on the continent, making it possible for us to take over even more land."

"I see a strategist is lost on you", observed Derek amused. "You could have been a great king."

"Well, with a little luck, I'll be a good queen to a nice king one day", replied Thess nonchalantly.

"Let's hope not", muttered Luke beneath his breath.

While the three royals were chatting, Trend nudged the younger blonde a little. "Don't say things like that. Regardless of your own feelings toward him, you are first and furthermost his servant and a servant to this kingdom, so you will support whatever decision is best for this kingdom."

"That's easy for you to say", sneered Luke with a glare, arms crossed over his chest. "You get to keep your lover and another pretty one to top it all off. What would I get? Watching Thess with some other dude, maybe even carrying his child?"

"I was prepared to do the same", clarified Trend seriously. "I was prepared to step back and watch Derek finding love with someone else, having a pretty wife hanging off his arm."

"How?", asked Luke upset. "How do you prepare for that?"

"By loving him and doing what is best for him", whispered Trend softly.

"What are you two girls chatting about?", teased Thess and hooked his arm with Luke's. "Come."

Luke obeyed and followed Thess who wanted to show him something. Donny giggled at that and pulled Derek over to him so he could whisper into the young king's ear.

"Since I will be the next ruler, mom said that if Luke stays strong and interested, he will allow Thess to marry Luke by the time he reaches sixteen", whispered Donny with a grin. "But neither of them is allowed to know yet, because mom wants to see just how serious they are."

"Your mother is kind of amazing", muttered Derek and shook his head.

"Now, enough of my family. Tell me what we're doing here. It's rare for you to request a day on the market, you normally rather enjoy the lagoon and the palace grounds in general", stated Donny.

"The collar and shackles you had put on my pretty little carrier were way too heavy", huffed Derek.

"Collar? Shackles?", asked Donny confused.

"Yeah, with the fancy sex-slave robes", snorted Derek and rolled his eyes.

"You should know my family better than that", chided Donny confused. "I got some servants and told them to get him cleaned up and dressed properly before your arrival. One of them must have been new and overly eager with protocol. Protocol has it to put carriers in shackles and special robes. I'll track them down and make them apologize to you and Sam."

Derek sighed and shook his head. "It's fine. It just set him into a... not very happy mood when I first met him. Don't get me wrong, there are protocols and as long as I don't put a ring on it, he does need a collar. He needs my claim so no trader is going to snatch him up and sell him somewhere else. So I'm here to find a beautiful collar that fits him."

"Well, jewelry is down that aisle", grinned Donny and led the way.

"Shopping", groaned Herc and took the bags that the trader in front of them handed him.

He always ended up carrying everything, whenever Donny would go shopping with Thea and Phyl, but this was even worse. Trend snickered amused as he followed their royals.

"Babe, come here. Help me pick something appropriate for the cutie", demanded Derek.

"The cutie?", laughed Donny with dancing eyes, looking at the display himself.

"Yes. My cutie. The one you gave me for my coronation", nodded Derek. "He's such a sweetheart."

"What in the world made you come to that conclusion? He's been nothing but rude and loud since I met him", snorted Donny and shook his head. "I mean, he does look cute, yes, but..."

"He's a sweetheart", declared Derek fiercely. "He's shy, I saw it in his eyes. And he longs to be loved, but he doesn't trust. He's loud and angry because of what he has been through. But I'll make it good again, I will make him trust me and then you'll see just what a little sweetheart he is."

Trend smiled amused as he listened to his lover. "This one. The red goes well with his green eyes."

Derek bit his lips and looked at it. A red leather collar with a red ceramic rose at the center. Roses were Derek's favorite flowers and the red truly would go well with Sam's complexion and eyes. It was about an inch broad, not too thick though. Beneath the rose was a clip for a tag.

"I want the tag engraved with the crest of my family", declared Derek, waving one hand.

The trader stepped up to him, a pretty but boyish dark-skinned girl, and Derek handed her a handkerchief with his crest – two four-leafed clovers, crossed and facing each other. The booth-owner was happy about the sale, because this collar was expensive, especially with the pure, golden tag. While they were busy talking transaction, Donny's eyes roamed the other collars.

"I'm pretty sure Sander would be happy about one of those", commented Herc softly.

"What makes you say that?", asked Donny and blushed.

"He's a slave, a raised slave. You make him uncomfortable with your let's-all-be-friends-attitude. I understand you and I know where you're coming from, but he doesn't. Especially not after his last owner, who whipped him in public for speaking up. You try making him call you by your first name, not even that but a nickname, something familiar and intimate. When you're not looking, he still sometimes has that frightened look on his face, as though someone will punish him for disrespecting his master. Get him a collar, because even if you want to be his friend, he still is your slave. Get a little easier on him, Donny", advised Herc with a knowing look.

Donny nodded slowly. He easily forgot that not every place was their palace, that not every place was this free and that Sander had been born in a foreign country and raised as a slave. He hadn't even considered that he may be making Sander uncomfortable by trying to make him comfortable.

"What... do you think would look good on Sander?", asked Donny shyly.

"A ball-gag and a pair of cuffs", mused Derek with a dirty grin.

"Derek, please be serious", sighed Donny embarrassed.

"I am serious", huffed Derek and rolled his eyes. "He'd make a cute bottom."

Donny frowned concerned. That wasn't what he had taken Sander in for. Sex at all, that was, not just bottoming. Though he would have judged Sander to be a top. He was so protective and strong and muscular and delicious. Donny could picture himself beneath that trained body, with his legs around that waist while Sander... Shaking his head, he tried to break that line of thought before he made a fool of himself in public. Blushing furiously, Donny tried concentrating on the collars at hand, but honestly, they weren't really helpful either. Sander wearing his collar, looking at Donny with those large, hopeful eyes, asking What can I do for you, master?, because oh, Donny knew exactly what Sander could do for Donny. He could do Donny, for starters.

"Oh my god, you are having naughty thoughts", declared Derek with a wicked snicker. "That glazed-over look in your eyes, the slightly open mouth, drooling a little. You are so having naughty thoughts! I demand details, Hades Poseidon!"

Donny made a face at the usage of his full name. Everybody always called him Donny, even on official events, because Hades Poseidon di Angelo was just embarrassing and annoying.

"Shut up and help me pick a collar for my Sander", huffed Donny flustered.

"Mh... A collar for your Sander, I think I have a good idea what kind of naughty thoughts are going through that pretty, curly head of yours", chuckled Derek softly. "The turquoise one. I know your country's colors are black, silver and blue, but I just think that... it fits him better."

It was simple, which was okay, because Sander didn't strike Donny as a fancy guy. Turquoise leather, with a golden tag dangling in the middle. He smiled faintly. It would be perfect, engraved with their family crest – a skull with ruby eyes and a trident behind the skull.

"Can we put rubies into the tag? I wish for it to bear my family's crest", requested Donny.

"Gotta ask my partner there, your highness", started the dark-skinned girl and turned around. "Yo, Nico, move your ass over here! Customer's got a question! Customer is our prince!"

Nico, a gorgeous girl from a foreign country, emerged soon after, offering them a smile. "Joe?"

"He wants rubies put into the tag of the collar", explained Joe, nodding at the collar.

"Name's Nico Zhang, I'm the daughter of the royal blacksmith, sires", stated Nico and bowed. "That's my partner, Joe Foxx. Believe me, we're capable of doing anything with that collar that you want, as long as it involves the work of a smith and jewel-maker. My mother is the royal supplier of gems, Hazel Zhang. Give me the size and I will find you the most beautiful rubies."

"Hazel?", asked Donny intrigued. "My father's cousin, uncle Pluto's daughter?"

Pluto had been the younger brother of Hades, but with Hades being the heir to the throne and after Hades, Hades' only son ascending to the throne, Pluto had assigned himself with a different task. He had become the supplier of gems and minerals and metals at a young age and had widened the mines of their lands, making Itannwn the most important exporter of those. Pluto had died years ago though, but Donny's father had told him that Pluto's daughter had taken over. The younger daughters of Hazel were part of the royal court, working as handmaidens to Donny's siblings.

"Tell your parents to drop by for dinner some time, I'm sure my father would be happy to have his only cousin around again", offered Donny with a smile. "Now, about that collar. Uhm..."

"That is a generous offer, my prince", mumbled Nico surprised and bowed again. "The collar?"

"Enough with the I'm-the-cutest-and-nicest-prince-around-routine. I'm hungry", declared Derek annoyed, putting the collar away into a bag. "Hurry up some, pretty princess."

"You seriously need to work on your attitude", muttered Donny amused and followed him.

/break\

Sam was actually feeling content for the first time since he had gone into the possession of Trader Leroy. He was laying in a hot tub, soaking in a bubble-bath smelling so deliciously like milk and honey – there were actual milk and honey in his bath even, which he found a little weird. Other herbs too that smelt very girly, which he didn't appreciate that much, but the pretty brunette girl called Phyl had told him it was 'tradition'. The herbs were supposed to heighten his fertility, they were standard for carriers. Honestly, Sam didn't care anymore as long as he could enjoy hot baths like those. It was so relaxing and nice. It also helped that Derek and Trend were gone. Shopping with Sander's prince or something like that. Not that he cared, as long as their eyes finally stopped staring at him so intensely and they wouldn't be here to fuss over him.

"Sam? Are you okay in there?", asked Phyl from outside, knocking on the bathroom door.

Sam groaned annoyed. "I still didn't drown in here, girl. Mo dhía, Phyl, I don't need a babysitter."

"Mo dhía?", repeated Phyl surprised. "I think I've heard that language before."

"Probably. Whatever", grunted Sam with a shrug. "Go and leave me alone now. Please."

Phyl on the other side of the door heaved a sigh and left. Sam didn't want to talk with some stranger about his past and home. Getting out of the tub, he started to dry himself off and dressed in the fresh robes Phyl had supplied him with. He got dizzy and stumbled a little when he left the bathroom. Although what the king and the blonde had said was true after all, the tea had helped him with his pain, the cramps had finally lessened. He was still not feeling very well though. Moaning softly, he sat down when another wave of dizziness hit him. Mh, this was soft. Comfortable. Maybe just a little rest. Rest sounded like a good idea. Curling together on the soft surface, he fell asleep.

"Is he okay? He doesn't look okay. He's quite pale", was what woke him up next.

Frowning confused, he blinked his eyes open to face his new master and the blonde that seemed attached to the young king's side. Suddenly, the king leaned in, too far for Sam's comfort.

"Hey there", greeted Derek, looking deep into Sam's eyes. "You were passed out in our bed."

Sam's eyes widened embarrassed. He had fallen asleep in his new master's bed, after all the fight he had put up so far, this must look like some kind of invitation. Stupid, weak body.

"Hold still there a second", ordered Derek firmly, startling Sam.

The slave nodded stiffly and obeyed. He wasn't sure what would follow. Had he broken an order, since the king had told him to stay in his own room? He knew too little of this king to know how serious he took those things. Nervously, he closed his eyes tightly. A lock clicked and a weight was lifted off his neck. His heart started racing in fear. Derek had taken the collar off. That... meant Derek had changed his mind. He didn't want Sam anymore after all. Despite his claim, he felt oddly disappointed. Somehow, the king's behavior and Sander's words had made him... hopeful. But tending to a damaged slave, one who seemed unable to follow orders, who fell asleep on his master's bed even though that had not been his assigned sleep-place. There were two ways this could go now. Unwanted slaves were either returned to their traders, or just put down like a horse with a broken leg. Sam prayed for death. Anything but being returned to Leroy. Even if this king would have broken his promise and took what he wanted, it would have been better than with Leroy probably. Everything would be better than being with Leroy again. His jaw tightened and he squeezed his eyes shut even more in fear of having to go back to Leroy.

"Please just kill me", whispered Sam, feeling a single tear slipping out.

Derek turned around confused. He had just walked over to his table to place the heavy collar there and fetch the new one. But now that he looked back at his pretty carrier, he felt like he had done something wrong. Sam was crying and he looked so small and scared. Concerned, Derek hurried back to the bed and knelt down between Sam's legs, his hands on Sam's knees to support himself.

"Hey, what's wrong, sweetheart? What are you talking about?", asked Derek confused.

Trend grunted confused, putting the bags aside and joining his lover. This was the first time Sam showed anything aside from anger and bitterness. Was this the side Derek had been seeing in the boy all along? The vulnerable, soft side that was in dire need of someone comforting, loving and protecting him? Because that was what Sam was evoking in Trend right now.

"Just kill me. Don't send me back to Leroy, please don't send me back to him", begged Sam and opened his eyes, desperately staring at Derek. "If you don't want me anymore, just end it a—and don't send me back to Leroy, I can't go back there, please don't make me go there!"

"Sweetheart, what makes you think we're going to give you away?", cooed Derek worried.

"Y—You... took the collar off...", mumbled Sam and gulped.

"Oh...", grunted Derek with a frown and turned toward Trend, who walked back to the bags and got the new collar, handing it to Derek. "No, sweetheart. Not because I want to give you back, precious. The collar is heavy and uncomfortable, don't think I didn't notice you shifting uncomfortably. That aside, this silly thing was something a servant put on you, but I want you to wear my collar. So I went and bought you something pretty that marks you as mine. That's why I took the collar off, so I can replace it with your new collar. Will you calm down now, please?"

Sam felt his cheeks heating up in embarrassment. He was acting ridiculous and pathetic and he hated it, but the mere thought of having to go back to Leroy send him into a panic. He'd rather stay here, or anywhere really. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm down again. He visibly relaxed once the new collar was fastened around his neck, much to Trend's amusement.

"Look here, sweetheart", whispered Derek, keeping his voice soft and calm as he held up a hand-mirror to show Sam the new collar. "See? That's my family's crest right there on the tag."

"I know", whispered Sam back, barely audible.

Derek nodded thoughtful at that. The language Sam had spoken before, knowledge of the crest of Fólannia. He knew there was something different about Sam, something he was hiding, but Derek could not yet put a finger on it. Perhaps if he'd get behind Sam's origins, he could.

"Tell me your name, sweetheart", prompted Derek in a soft yet serious voice.

"Sam", stated Sam very confused. "But you already know that... your grace."

"Yes, we do", laughed Derek amused. "But I mean, what... kind of Sam are you? It's short for something, isn't it? Are you a Samir, or a Samson, or an Isam. Samu, or Sampo, maybe Samwise."

"Samuel", clarified Sam, still unsure where this conversation was going.

"Samuel", repeated Derek, tasting the name on his tongue. "A strong name. Very... typical for my realm. Tell me where you're from, Samuel. You are from my kingdom, aren't you?"

Sam nodded shyly and averted his eyes, clearly done with the topic. Trend noticed that too. Walking closer, he put his one hand beneath Sam's knees and the other onto Sam's back, easily lifting the slave up and pressing him against his chest. Sam glared a little at the treatment.

"Don't give me that look, Samuel", warned Trend unimpressed. "You weren't fine enough to walk the whole way to your bed after your bath, so let me carry you. And then rest some more."

Sam heaved a sigh and accepted it for now. His right hand wandered subconsciously to his new collar, tracing the crest of his home. Old and new alike. It was kind of a relief to know that he would return to the country he had been born in. He had seen many places by now and he had disliked most of them, to be honest. The collar was beautiful and looked quite expensive. Did that really mean that the king had been serious? Would Derek really keep him, truly be... patient?

/break\

Sander was sitting on the balcony, watching from above in total awe how the Royal Guard trained under the supervision of the two head-knights Jason and Luke. He was completely mesmerized by the accuracy of the knights, their fine clothes, their weapons, their seriousness.

"You've been just sitting there and watching for hours now", commented the queen amused.

Sander startled and jumped a little. He blushed embarrassed as the highly pregnant queen casually sat down next to him. Hastily, he averted his eyes, unsure if he was allowed to look at the queen.

"Uhm, hello, your highness", mumbled Sander uncertain.

"Would you be interested in joining them for training?", asked Percy curiously.

"I—I can't. I'm a slave, sire", stated Sander wide-eyed.

"But you'd want to", observed Percy with a mischievous grin.

"Y—Yes, sire", nodded Sander and turned to look back at the knights. "We... We traveled a lot with Trader Leroy and I always admired the different knights, the defenders of the castles."

"You'd look dashing in armor", stated Donny as he approached them, startling Sander once more.

"My prince! You're back!", exclaimed Sander, instantly relaxing and brightening.

Percy smiled to himself at that. Sander had been nervous and on edge, uncomfortable, but with Donny around, he seemed completely content. And Donny looked very happy too. Looking Sander up and down, he noted the fit physique of the young boy. Since Donny didn't need a servant, perhaps there was somewhere else where they could put him to use. With that thought in mind, Percy got up to talk to his husband, leaving Donny and Sander alone in the garden.

"I'm sorry I couldn't take you with me", said Donny softly after a moment. "It was just, well... A day with my best friend and my little brother. I hope you had a nice day too, though."

"Mhm", nodded Sander slowly. "I missed you, my prince. The palace is nicer with you."

Donny blushed a little at that and shifted, fingers tracing the collar hidden in his pocket. "We were on the market. Next time, you and me will go together. I... I bought you something, Sander."

"You shouldn't get me presents, my prince", stated Sander with a concerned frown.

"Oh, no, no. It's an... appropriate present", clarified Donny and lifted the collar up. "See? I thought you... may like it. It's our kingdom's crest, it marks you as property of the royal family. As, well... mine. Because you are. And no one is allowed to take you away from here or harm you. Really."

Sander's face was brightly flustered as his gorgeous prince laid the pretty collar around his neck, all up close. Their chests were pressed against each other as Donny had his arms around Sander's shoulders, standing on his toes to reach up and close the collar. A collar! A really pretty and kinda expensive-looking collar. A collar that said that he was Donny's. That was a real relief. He knew, deep down, that Donny hadn't put a collar on him because Donny wanted to treat him like a human being and not like property, but Sander was a slave and it made him nervous not to be marked as Donny's. He was afraid that some other trader would capture him when he wasn't with Donny and that he would be sold away, or that someone else would punish him for disobedience or something.

"T—Thank you, my prince", mumbled Sander flustered. "It's very beautiful."

"Only the best for you", grinned Donny delighted. "So you like it?"

"Yes, very much", nodded Sander hastily, turning large eyes on his prince.

Donny bit his lips hard at the image of Sander wearing his collar. The brunette looked even more amazing now, somehow. He offered his slave a small smile and turned to walk to his chambers again, knowing fully well that Sander was following him. The handsome brunette was already behaving like a well-trained puppy, but with the collar, he looked even more like one. The thought of a puppy-version of Sander made Donny giggle delighted.

"Is... there something funny, my prince?", asked Sander confused.

"No, no. Just... my thoughts and all", replied Donny and shook his head. "Come and let's check on Sam. We bought some special medicine on the market too, let's see if it helped any."

"Thank you", smiled Sander softly. "For being so kind and helping my friend."

"There really is no need to thank me, Sander", stated Donny and shook his head.

But Sander disagreed. There was every need to be grateful to the kind and wonderful prince.


Author's note: Next chapter has a nice family picnic with the di Angelos, Sam is finally well enough to get up so Derek and Trend drag him along. Which will give us a mentor!Percy scene where Sam asks the hard questions. And Jackie FINALLY gets to meet Donny's Hood!