Merry Christmas! Here is my gift to all of you, an extra long chapter. :-)

To those of you in the eastern hemisphere, Merry Christmas! To those of you in the western hemisphere, well my family always opened one gift on Christmas Eve. I hope you all enjoy...

Starts as Percabeth, will eventually be Percy x Apollo.

Important thing to note... This will be yaoi (boy-boy). Don't like? You do not have to read.

Disclaimer- I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus series. (One can dream though) All rights go to the proper parties.

ΩΩΩ

November 4th

Percy POV

I was more than a little uncomfortable with the whole 'favor' thing. I had helped him because he would have died. I didn't do it in order to get something out of it. Looking at him though made it rather clear that he wasn't going to allow me to refuse, no matter what I said.

It was almost dinner time and I had yet to see Apollo eat. You would think that as the god of medicine, he would have known that he had to eat regularly. I believed that it was mostly routine to him to only eat once every day or so. After a few millennia, I had a feeling that it would be hard to break a habit. I had decided to take it upon myself to make sure that he was eating. At least until he developed the practice himself.

I reached into his bag and passed him a baggy of trail mix. He grimaced at the food but took it none the less. I didn't really blame him. His entire pack was filled with nothing but jerky, trail mix, and dried fruit. I would have been tired of it to.

He ate in silence as I tried to think of the fastest way to get to New Rome. I had expected to be there tomorrow afternoon but because of the storm and our injuries, we weren't going to get there for at least another two days.

I frowned as I looked out the window at the swirling mass. I was both excited and nervous about reaching Camp Jupiter. I wanted to see Annabeth again. Zeus had dismissed the other members of the seven before I even had a chance to speak to her. I had no idea how she felt about my decision. I was fairly certain that she wouldn't begrudge me the opportunity to see what godhood was like. After all, it was the most logical course of action.

I snickered at the thought. I knew that if I told her that, she would be asking me when I decided to start doing the smart thing.

I had no idea as to whether or not I would accept godhood in the end. I had never imagined myself seriously considering godhood but now I found myself confused over whether or not to take it.

I loved Annabeth and my mom. I couldn't imagine losing them to old age while I lived forever, always 18. Yet at the same time I knew that I had to at least consider the gods offer. The idea of spending the rest of eternity as my father's lieutenant was very appealing.

All in all, I was very glad that I had a year to decide.

ΩΩΩ

Apollo finished his food and I decided to take a look at his bandages.

The cut on his forehead was nearly healed and his leg wasn't broken so I knew that would be fine. The deep claw marks on his stomach however were healing much more slowly. They weren't infected but I definitely needed to change the dressings.

As I began to wrap the fresh gauze around him, I finally asked the question that had been bothering me, "Hey Apollo?"

He looked at me and raised one eyebrow, "Yes?"

"If you're the god of healing that means that you should be able to heal injuries to right? Even though you're technically a demigod now?"

The god of medicine nodded, "Yes. I can heal minor wounds just like my children can. Why do you ask?"

"Well, why haven't you healed yourself? I mean, I've seen Will heal injuries worse than this one before. Maybe he didn't do it in one sitting but within a few days."

Apollo's eyes lit with understanding and he shook his head, "Ah I see. That is because it is me who is injured. Neither I nor my descendants can heal themselves. I wish I could tell you why but I've never been able to figure it out. It's just something about self-healing that makes it impossible."

"Oh," I nodded and looked down. It kind of made sense, otherwise a child of Apollo would be able to heal themselves mid-battle. I somehow felt like I should have known that.

We lapsed into silence as I finished re-wrapping his wounds. I walked over to his pack and passed him a small square of ambrosia. His eyes lit up when he saw the godly food. He took the ambrosia and ate it in two quick bites. After it was gone he looked at his hands like he expected there to be more. I couldn't stop myself from laughing at his reaction. He looked longingly at the baggy of squares but I shook my head and put it back in his pack.

"Unless you want to burn up, that's enough godly food for you. I already had to give you some nectar after the attack last night."

He sighed and pouted, "Very well." I smiled at the pouting god. It was something I never thought that I would see. "By the way, you must tell me. What was it that attacked me?"

"Oh, it was Mrs. Dodds."

He looked at me in confusion, "It was who sorry?"

I felt the heat rush to my face. I always forgot that she had another name, "Sorry. It was a fury." He still gave me the same questioning glance and I knew I'd have to explain. "She tried to kill me before I knew I was a demigod. She was my pre-algebra teacher at the time. I still tend to call her by the name she was using."

He smiled in understanding and chuckled, "Well I can understand that. On a more amusing note though, how many people can say they learned pre-algebra from a mythical beast?"

I gave him an embarrassed smile. "I suppose. Then again, how many people can say they camped out in an abandoned farm house with a Greek god?"

The god of music laughed, "Fair enough. This is probably the first times that has happened. Though, I suppose quite a few people may have run amok of the furies. They are Hades right hand servants after all."

My smile fell. I had been wondering about the attack last night. It didn't follow the pattern that I was used to. There had been far too many monsters at once. I had also been curious about the fury. I had only ever seen her when Hades had sent her somewhere. I had originally thought that he was doing it because he was mad at me as there was a chance I was going to become immortal. Now however, I was curious as to whether or not that was really the case.

I looked at Apollo and frowned.

"That's what I thought. They are his servants, more so than other monsters, aren't they? But if they obey Hades why did one of them attack you? Also, why would he send so many hellhounds? That was a far larger group that I've seen in the past."

I saw his eyes widen and I could tell that he was trying to keep a straight face. I may not have been the most observant person in the world but even I could tell that he knew something. I bit my lip; I hope he's willing to trust me...

Apollo cleared his throat and looked down. "Well, I am formerly a god. My scent will be a lot more powerful than a normal demigod's scent would be."

I felt my shoulders slump. If that was the reason, then he wouldn't be looking so guilty. He knew more than he was saying. "I thought that I told you that you could trust me."

The god looked at me with guilt on every square inch of his face. "I... I want to trust you."

At least he didn't deny it...

"Then why don't you?"

Apollo sighed, "I don't know."

I was rather fed up with his secrecy. I wanted to put a stop to the lies, or more accurately his half-truths...

I bit my lip as I thought about what I was going to do. There was a chance that it would blow up in my face and make it impossible for him to trust me. I looked at the god. He looked weighed down. Whether or not he knew it, it was obvious that he needed help.

I nodded and straightened my shoulders. It would be worth the risk. If he needed help then by Zeus, I was going to do everything in my power to help him.

I caught his gaze. "You said that I can have any favor I want, right?" He nodded. "Then I want you to let me be your friend."

ΩΩΩ

Apollo POV

I looked at the temporary god in shock, "What?"

The son of Poseidon rubbed the back of his neck. "We're going to be spending a lot of time with each other over the next year at least, regardless of what I choose in the end. I want to be there for you when you need me. I know that you're upset being away from your family and that you're struggling with your mortality. I want to help you, just like you will be there to assist me. Friends help each other, so let me help you. In order for me to do that though, you need to start being honest with me."

I was stunned. He could have any favor, anything in the world, and he asks for my friendship? Most mortals would ask for money or fame. Then again, most mortals would have taken immortality the first time...

I felt my respect for the son of Poseidon increase.

I didn't really know how to respond.

What he asked for was going to benefit me, not him. How could I grant a favor knowing that I would be the only one gaining anything? I looked into his eyes and saw that he really did desire to help me. I was touched. I could not in good conscious allow him to use his favor so selflessly but if he wanted my friendship, then I would try to give it to him.

I smiled tentatively at the temporary god, "Very well. If you truly wish for my friendship, then we shall try to be friends."

I would one day figure out a way to tell him that I still owed him one...

ΩΩΩ

I took a deep breath. If we were going to be friends then I had to try to be honest. This is going to be difficult...

"Hades is a little pissed at me."

Percy smiled. I could tell he was pleased that I had decided to trust him.

I couldn't believe how expressive his eyes were. He had some of the most open eyes I had ever seen. One could read his emotions like a book. I was fairly certain that he would never be able to hide anything.

He nodded encouragingly at me. "Why is Hades angry?"

I coughed and looked down, here's the moment of truth...

"Well about fifty years ago there was this mortal..."

Percy snorted. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "So let me get this straight, he tried to kill us because of some woman?"

I chuckled and smirked, "A man actually."

I wished I had a camera. His reaction was hilarious. His jaw dropped for a minute before he shook his head. "Wait, so you and Hades... The two of you are...?"

"Is that a problem?"

Percy's eyes widened and he blushed, "No, not at all. People can't help who they love. I just thought... I mean you have kids..."

I laughed, "I've said it before and I will no doubt say it again. For one who has seen so much, you are quite innocent. We are Greek. Most of us are bisexual. The only exceptions are Artemis and Hestia and they're both maiden goddesses."

Percy nodded and scratched his head, "Oh, okay. So tell me about this guy."

I gave him a mischievous look, "Alright. He was about 5'11". He had dark brown hair and grass green eyes, killer body. And oh, the things he could do with his mouth..."

"NO! That's not... I mean... What happened, not..." Percy's face looked ready to catch fire.

I had to laugh. I winked at the son of Poseidon. "Oh I knew what you meant. I just wanted to see how you'd react."

Percy shook his head and smiled. "So what was his story? Why is the god of the underworld out to kill you over it?"

"Well as I was saying, there was this mortal. He was incredibly attractive. He was living in L.A. at the time, he was a T.V. star. Hades was still under the oath to not have any more kids, but that didn't mean he couldn't take lovers. Anyway Hades saw him one day. He decided that he wanted him and so he attempted to woo him. I suppose that it may have been going well enough. They had gone on a couple dates, nothing serious though. Then the mortal was cast in a singing roll in one of his shows. He was very talented. When I heard him sing, I wanted to make him mine. So I went and introduced myself. A few weeks later, Hades came across the two of us on a date. He was wondering as to why the mortal had been so busy as of late. When Hades saw him with me he went crazy. He demanded to know what I was doing with his mortal. I told him that he was mine and that obviously he liked me better, I mean just look at me. I'm way hotter than Hades. So we got in this big argument and I said that we should let the human decided which of us he wanted. He said he wanted me and Hades has kinda had it out for me ever since."

Percy looked surprised, "So you still get in fights over humans, even though there are billions now?"

I shrugged, "Some humans are simply to appealing. If they attract more that one god, we will fight. It's what we do."

Percy smiled in amusement. He looked at me and tilted his head. I wondered if he realized just how much like a puppy he looked when he did that. "Did you know?"

I shook off the train of thought, "Did I know what?"

"That Hades was already dating that guy?"

I nodded, "Yes. But I knew he would like me better."

Percy looked shocked at my response. "Oh. So what happened to him?"

"Hades cursed him because of it. He drove him insane using his helm of darkness. He died a few years later."

Percy frowned at me, "And you don't feel bad about that? That his life was ruined because the two of you were fighting?"

I frowned at the accusation in his voice, "Of course I feel bad about it. I care about all of my lovers."

Percy bit his lip and tentatively put a hand on my shoulder, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like you didn't. I'm just, shocked is all."

I looked at him curiously, "Why? I'm sure you know a lot of our myths. Certainly you know that whenever two immortals fight over a human it never ends well for the mortal."

The son of Poseidon sighed, "I do know that. Which is why I was shocked that you went after him even though you knew Hades was already dating him. I just don't understand why you would put his life in danger because you fell for him."

I looked away in shame. It was hard to face someone who was so selfless and admit that you weren't. "At the time all that mattered to me was winning the mortal, not what would happen after I had won him. I do regret it but nothing I can do will change the past. He was one of the lovers that I've always regretted the most."

Percy squeezed my shoulder and pulled his hand back. "Thank you for telling me. Now that I know Hades is after us I can make sure to pick better campsites."

I nodded. Percy seemed to realize that I wanted to change topics. He cleared his throat and looked away for a moment. "I'm rather excited to reach New Rome. I can't wait to see Annabeth." I shook my head in amusement. Well that was a not so subtle topic change... "I'm sure you're rather excited too."

I gave him a searching look, "Why do you say that?"

"Well, because you get to hang out with your kids."

I raised an eyebrow, "Why would I be excited about that? That's going to be really difficult actually. After all, it's not like they're going to know who I am."

Percy gave me a baffled look, "What do you mean? Apollo is a fairly unique name. Besides, doesn't everyone already know you're coming?"

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Of course not. No one other than you, Reyna, and the gods know that I've been stripped of immortality. And Reyna was only told so that she doesn't question who I am. I won't be going by Apollo while I'm in New Rome."

The son of Poseidon looked completely lost. "What are you talking about?"

"I thought I told you."

"You never told me anything."

I frowned, "I thought that I had, sorry about that. For the duration of my punishment I am going by the name Fred." Percy smiled at the familiar name and I winked. "What can I say, it's my alias. The reason I'm forced to use a different name is because knowing I was a god would encourage too many people to try to win favors. The council wishes for me to learn a little humanity, so they've stripped me of everything including my name."

The hero of Olympus looked surprised. "Oh. So I guess I have to quit calling you Apollo then, hey?"

I smiled at the child of the sea. "I was wondering as to why you always referred to me by my real name. I guess it makes sense now."

The temporary god laughed, "Well at least I know now. Come on, it's getting late. We should probably get some sleep Apo... I mean, Fred." Percy shook his head, "It's going to be really weird calling you that."

I shrugged, "You may call my Apollo in private, but in public you must call me Fred."

The son of Poseidon nodded and climbed into his sleeping bag, "Alright then. Good night Apollo."

I shook my head in amusement and laid down, "Good night Percy."