Guest (chapter 32): This is simply well writren plot is fantastic the realationship makes me thing of A a grumpy evil grampa beginning to see worth in his family . ...but more evil but to be shoned by his family would do that to anyone love the plot / Thanks :). But the relationship's a bit more than that...
Guest (chapter 15): Whirlpool or wave / Tsunami.
uh oh: gah!
tell me, HOW do you pull of such an awkward ship and make it... not so weird?
and KRONOS kissing PERCY?! yee-uck!
what is your secret?
and WHY did you make Iapetus discover the two making out? i can only too well imagine what he must've been thinking... at least it wasn't some other titan or Poseidon Iris Messaging truce or something. percy's father would have died from heart attack to see his son making out with the evil titan lord who wants to tear down Olympus brick by brick, who is also percy's captor.
by the way, great job on Annabeth's domains. weaknesses? i never would have thought of that. great job with the story, i can't wait for your next update! meanwhile, i am going to read your other stories. hopefully they are as amazing as this one:)! / I get their personalities to where I want them, and then make the move (or get Kronos to make it). Because Iapetus needs to know for this chapter, and the next one. Lol, that would have been so funny. When Poseidon finds out... jeez, I alreayd feel sorry for him. His father and his son... Annabeth's domain will be very important at some point.
Guest (chapter 34): nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! kronos and percy's ship is now officially declared!
mental world wars are starting! / Which side won?
Guest (chapter 9):Black / Thanks.
Guest (chapter 8): Nooo! ;..( / YYESSSS. ANNABETH DIES!
Guest (chapter 7): Demigod / Yup, they won.
Guest (chapter 27): you've GOT to be shipping Percy with calypso / ... if you've got to this chapter yet, you'll know the pairing. If you still don't know the pairing... dear Zeus help this poor person :).
DeadX1419: Oh my god. I have been waiting for this chapter for a looooong time. I'm so happy, I can't even describe it. The Percy/Kronos pairing is so rare, it's good to see it done right. Thank you, for your amazing story. / Thanks. I hate it when the pairing is butchered, because despite Kronos being evil, I just can't see him being really horrible to the one he's with, because of Rhea and what she did. He'd be terrified of starting another relationship in fear of what would happen.
SolangaloLover: OMG OMG OMG OMG this is soooooo cute. I was smiling the whole kiss scene it was so cute. Sometimes I feel that percy acts like a girl, it might just be me, but I love the story. I would love to see Evil Percy but I know that won't happen. Could you make a alternate story with evil percy because i love the way that you write. / An alternate story... hmmm... I could actually do that. Make it split off at a certain chapter and start another story on this website...
Person 105 (chapter 28): Why. Why did I do that, you warned me and I done it anyway. I just had to look it up. Damn it. But seriously, your warning literally haunted me, because I knew that I shouldn't search for a fourth degree burn, but at the same time, I'm then insistently curious about what that would look like and why it nearly made you vomit. Your warning was like telling a child not to touch the cookie jar, just...with a lot more traumatic consequences. / Haha, sorry, mate. But you can't say I didn't warn you :).
Lindsey7618AwesomeasPercabeth: PLEASE, take all of our snow! It was awful. / Sure. You want to sort out the delivery, or shall I?
BCFireShadow: Wow. Just- mamma mia.
I love it! I love how despite Kronos seems to always stick onto the fact that he's the Titan of Time and essentially a bad guy, he goes back around and says things that can put off someone, such as Iaeptus.
But Percy- oh man, just hold on bro! You can do it!
Annabeth... Poor you :s
Anyway, awesome chapter. Please update when you can! Looking forward to it! Thank you :) / Yup. He's sort of getting a kick up the backside (Kronos is, not Iapetus). I mean, if Erebus is doing what he is (not gonna say what) then there'll be no point to Kronos destroying Olympus.
KayChildOfHades: What is this? I was hoping that Percy would break and I get a gay pairing. Not that I mind, I have friends that are gay. I fully accept it, but it serms kind of unlikely, even with the syndrome thing. I just wish you broke Percy instead. It would be fun to read. I stayed because I love your writing and i wanted a fanfic that would last. Its really amazing, but the Percy/Kronos thing is strange. I mean no insults! / Haha, I get it. Percy's not completely gay, he's with Kronos for a reason which will be revealed next chapter.
Matt: who is Annie going to end up with? / Wait and find out.
Guest: I didn't like the storm but I'm probably not entitled to say that as I live in Arizona and all we got was a few sprinkles and a few days of wind but anyways good chapter. Although I'm kind of confused which side is Erebus on the god's or titain's (or his own?) / Erebus is a loose cannon at the moment. He's sort of started his own side.
Guest (chapter 15): i .like crosscurrent for the sword's name / Tsunami was chosen.
Ricky burdick (chapter 1): Annabeth computer got lost right? / Not in this fic.
percabethforever: Great chap as always. Itz really one of the best fics on this site.
Maybe percy will tell about kronos' danger to either iapetus or krios and go with them to save kronos.
PS. Ur right. parental kronos sucks
Where r u from? Im from india...
Plz update soon. Cant wait for more!
Peace out:) / Thanks. And I'm from England.
DHG Kablamstar: I'm in Florida. If we get any snow hell officially froze over for us. If we get an inch of it? The world is ending. / How much did you get? Did the world end?
the god of hopelessness: I don't know if I like this pairing but I will keep reading to find out / Please say you like it?
Ruzsian: The pairing itself. Completely kills the perspective of his character. I just can't imagine it. Kinda like Nico and will. I just can't see Nico choosing hotdogs over tacos / Percy's been through a lot, mate. And he's not with Kronos because he loves him, he's with him for a different reason which will be revealed next chapter.
kkworld12345: *Screams and Cries tears of joy* We got more Kronercy! I didn't know I could be this excited for a weird ship to sail on a fan fiction since that PercyxLoki fanfic I read! I really hope Kronos is okay! Anyway, awesome chapter and thanks for the update! / Haha, I'm surprised everyone's enjoying Kronercy :).
That Percy Jackson Guy: Ok first off, great chapter! But is Percy a titan or a god yet? And if so what would his domain/domains be? / Not yet. If you want I'll tell you what his domains will be by PM?
HCookie chapter: I got two feet of snow here in Philly this past weekend. And OMG! I hope Percy goes after Bae and saves his life... Annabeth is now permanent for sure, and her domain of weaknesses? Genius. I can tell that will really drive the plot at a certain points. / Unfair. Yup, yup, and thanks.
ImNotWhoYouThinkIWas: YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA! Finally, it's about time Percy. I literally just squealed and my mom asked what happened, but how do I tell her I'm reading fanfiction? / Haha, always nice to know the reactions some people have to my story...
Blakely Evans: AGHHHH! So good, but poor Annabeth. Everyone wants her to be with Percy but his heart is now else where. / Haha, yup. Sorry Annabeth :).
ForlornSpirit: Dam. Annabeth is going to be so disappointed when she finds out that Percy's a titan (he is a titan right?) But I must say being a titan seems cooler than being a god.
《Also I know right? The USA always gets the snow. We get what's left of it...》/ Not quite yet. And I prefer the Titans... I just feel sorry for them. And it's so unfair! After crossing the Pacific all the snow is now is wind and rain...
Misty Azalea Fairy: Umm we may have a problem with Annabeth back in the picture after you made Kronercy official. / That's the point :).
inblindingdarkness: AGHH the sexual tension is real. Seriously, though. When you get me hoping and praying that Kronos is all right, you know you're a good writer. / Haha, thanks. And Kronos... well, let's just say he's not going to be completely healed for a while.
redninjalass19: You have a fluid writing style that makes it easy to read. The way you write just absorbs me into the story. The way you write Percy and Kronos is amazing too. I love the way they act around each other / Thanks :). I'm trying to get Percy to keep his natural sarcastic tone, and Kronos to keep his 'I'm-the-King-so-listen-to-me' personality.
the open minded: Really good liked the Kronos and percy bonding and iapetus walking in on them like that u wonder if luke and Co will find out and Annabeths reaction can't wait! / Yeah, I tried to get it to stay in Kronos' character... it was ridiculously hard. Luke and the others will find out... probably pretty soon. And Annabeth's reaction...
Underworld Skylar: "Screw you.I thought that was the point." This line had me laughing for like a minute straight, thought you should know. Same with "Both of you have now given me the need to wash my eyes out with disinfectant. I hope it was worth it." Beautiful XD And Percy has a plan, hmmm... why can I so clearly visualize Percy dying for Kronos and then Kronos goes on a killing spree? / Haha, thanks. I like those lines :). Yup... Percy surprisingly has a plan... and that last part honestly still depends on the result for the poll. That might be an option, that might not.
Chapter 36 - Bleeding Out
Most of the Titans had also begun to feel that something was wrong, though none of them had been able to figure out what it was until Percy told them what he'd seen. Several of the Titans had stared at him, and Percy got the feeling that even they couldn't do what he'd done.
Though Percy didn't exactly know what it was that he'd done. He only knew that he'd somehow seen what Kronos had seen, felt what he felt.
"Jackson," Oceanus called with a scowl. "Are you coming?"
Percy hesitantly nodded. "Yeah." He sheathed Tsunami at his side and stood up, wearing black armour that surprisingly fitted which he'd grabbed from the armoury.
He shut his eyes and concentrated, vapour travelling himself into Alaska where some of the Titans were already waiting.
"Remember," Krios said, "weapons out. And Cygsodol is at large."
Percy took a breath and unsheathed Tsunami, smiling behind his helmet at Oceanus' irritated glance at his old sword.
"Stay in groups," Krios ordered, "but fan out."
Percy glanced at Iapetus who nodded, and they took off into the blizzard. Percy frowned, realising that the trees seemed to loom out of nowhere. It was no surprise that Kronos had been caught unawares. But the storm around them seemed unnatural.
"It's the land beyond the gods for a reason, Percy," Iapetus said, apparently sensing Percy's thoughts.
It was hard to hear the Titan because the wind snatched his words away, but Percy managed to hear him. "What about the Titans?"
"It's our fault that this is the land beyond the gods." Iapetus smiled. "Of course it's not also beyond us."
Percy's eyes widened. "It is?"
"I'll tell you later," Iapetus promised. "Now. Can you sense him?"
Percy frowned and stretched his senses out, trying to pick up even the smallest flicker from Kronos. He cocked his head to the side and pointed into the trees. "Over there somewhere."
Iapetus nodded. "Stay sharp," he warned.
Percy followed Iapetus, remembering how quickly Kronos had been attacked. If they were attacked… they'd be unconscious before they could shout. He quickened his pace so he was beside the Titan.
Iapetus glanced down at him and smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Percy. I can sense if he's coming. Concentrate on finding Kronos."
Percy nodded. "He's up ahead. Definitely unconscious."
Iapetus grimaced. "He'll be in a bad condition," he warned.
"I sort of guessed that," Percy said, freezing a split second later. Iapetus immediately started running to the motionless figure slumped over in the snow.
"Shit," Percy breathed.
Iapetus slid to a stop, kneeling beside Kronos. "Percy, I'm going to need your help."
"What about the others?" Percy demanded as he knelt down across from Iapetus and started brushing the nearly an inch thick layer of snow off the King.
Iapetus shook his head. "We'll sort him out first," he said, grabbing the hilt of the sword which was protruding from Kronos' back. "Then we'll call them. I'll need you to staunch the bleeding."
Percy nodded. It was weird seeing Kronos laid out unconscious before him, and it was definitely a first. It made Percy realise that Kronos was actually not the all-powerful, invincible being Olympus had made him out to be. He had weaknesses. And Erebus had used them against him.
Percy clenched his jaw. His anger made the water around him steam slightly as his temperature increased and Iapetus glanced at him. "Careful," he warned.
Percy took a breath and nodded. "It's just… he looks so…"
"Young?" Iapetus offered.
Percy nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Iapetus smiled slightly even as he pulled the sword out of Kronos' back and Percy quickly covered the gaping hole with his hands, pressing down to try to stop it from bleeding badly. "It's hard to think of him as the being that's set on tearing down Olympus when he's like this, isn't it?"
Percy nodded again. "Definitely." He concentrated on the water on the ground around them where they'd melted the snow and made it flow up Kronos' body to his hands.
Iapetus flashed Kronos' armour off him and Percy grimaced when he saw the cut stretching from the Titan's right shoulder to his left hip. He glanced at the older Titan to see the slight despair in his eyes. "Right down to the bone," Iapetus murmured.
Percy's hands were completely covered in ichor now, and he swallowed nervously. "I think you should get the others here now. Like right now."
Iapetus nodded slightly and sent out a small vibration of sorts through the earth, and Percy could only feel it because he was nearly a Titan. Iapetus turned his attention to Kronos' head, where ichor was drying and matting his raven hair. His hands quickly came away streaked with ichor and he swore under his breath.
"We need to get him warm," Percy said, realising that the ichor was coming out sluggishly and Kronos wasn't even shivering, even though they were in the middle of a blizzard. Kronos was breathing shallowly and slowly and his skin was freezing beneath Percy's hands.
"Holy Chaos," Krios breathed from behind Percy.
"Don't just stand there," Iapetus snapped. "Help us!"
"Small question," Percy said. "Can immortals get hypothermia?"
"If it's really bad," Koios said as he crouched beside Percy. "We've got to move quickly."
Percy wondered why the Titan suddenly seemed to be tolerant of him, but he wasn't going to argue. "He's so cold," he murmured.
"We'll lift him," Iapetus said to his three brothers. "I'll shadow travel us. Percy, tell Marigold to get ready."
Percy nodded and waited for Krios to take his place in stopping the bleeding before vapour travelling away.
He only realised how cold it had been when he appeared in Othrys and immediately started running to the infirmary. It must have been at least minus twenty degrees in Alaska, and Percy felt ichor rush back into the ends of his toes and fingers with a small sense of relief.
Demigods and monsters stared at him as he rushed by with the snow melting off him and flung open the infirmary door. "Marigold," he called as he slid to a stop, his sneakers skidding across the marble floor.
"Percy?" she called. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Percy said hurriedly. "But Kronos was attacked up north. The Titans are with him now."
Marigold immediately straightened up as the whole room became silent and all of the beings inside stared at Percy. "Kronos?" she squeaked.
Percy nodded. "Yeah. It was up in Alaska. I don't know how long he was there for, but-"
"He set off at breakfast," she murmured, glancing out the window slit at the moon in the sky.
Percy was getting irritated with nodding all the time. "Yes! Look, he was stabbed through the back, slammed into a tree and hit his head, and he has a massive cut across his back. And he's really cold because of how long he was there."
Marigold nodded. "Alright," she said as several demigods started moving to get a bed ready. She spun around. "Someone get all the nectar and ambrosia you can!" she shouted. "Steal some from the mess hall if you have to!"
Percy moved out of their way as the demigods set to work with readying the room, the few occupants there because of injuries in the arena watching eagerly, and Percy knew that what had happened to Kronos would spread around Othrys by the time the sun started to rise.
It was only a few seconds later that the shadows rippled and Iapetus, Oceanus, Koios and Krios stepped out carrying Kronos between them, the King completely limp. Percy shut his eyes, not knowing how to feel. On one hand Percy hated the Titan and wished he would die… but on the other he didn't want him gone. It was confusing. Percy knew that Kronos' constant presence had been stopping the other Titans from trying anything with him, whether it was harming him or attempting to get him into their beds, which Percy would have fought against with all his might.
Marigold hesitated at first when she saw Kronos' state, but then she and a half-brother of hers were working quickly. Percy saw her glance towards a shelf with towels piled up on, and before she could say anything was already moving towards it. He grabbed one and made his way over.
"Guessing you want to dry him off and get him warm?" Percy asked as he set the towel on the edge of the bed.
Marigold smiled slightly and nodded. "Yeah. Then it'll be a lot easier to heal him."
Percy moved so he was standing by Kronos' head and put his hand on the Titan's shoulder, drying him off. Marigold spun to face the Titans. "Could you leave? No offence, my Lords, but it's easier with less people here."
Krios nodded. "Out," he said, turning to face the other Titans. "All of you." He glanced down at Percy. "You too, Percy."
Percy spun to face Iapetus, silently pleading with him. Iapetus sighed. "Krios, he can stay."
Krios raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Alright. The rest of you," he said. "Out. Now."
Percy sent Iapetus a grateful smile as the Titan left and he was left alone with the demigods and an unconscious Kronos.
"If you're here then you can help," Marigold said. "I know you don't like Kronos much, but we can't let him die."
Percy shrugged. "I wasn't about to let him."
She smiled slightly as she worked alongside her brother to clear the injuries. "Have a look at his head. See if you can find out where the cut is."
Percy nodded and set to work, pleased to have something to do. He made sure that he kept his senses open for any sign of Kronos waking up so he could warn Marigold. Percy made a small stream of water flow up Kronos' body, passing briefly over the injuries on his back and healing them slightly before moving it up to his head and washing away the golden ichor. Percy dried him off and could immediately see the cut on the back of the Titan's head. He again concentrated on the water in the room and slowly healed the cut, knowing that he couldn't do it to the cuts on Kronos' back until they were cleaned.
Percy smiled as he watched the two Apollo kids work, but he was mostly looking at Kronos' back. In the last week the scars from the end of the Titanomachy had shown up completely on Kronos and they now crisscrossed across his back. Percy was reminded of Kronos' divine form as he studied him. Luckily he'd only seen it for one second at most, but the image was seared into his brain and he'd almost been blinded from that second. Percy wondered for a split second why California hadn't been levelled completely and realised that Kronos had been keeping a tight control over his divine form to stop a massive explosion.
It was weird seeing Kronos completely defenceless before him. Percy had never even seen Kronos sleep before – the Titan was always awake and alert. It was almost unnatural to see him so still and Percy sighed, running a hand through his hair. He nearly collapsed into the chair and sat there, watching as the demigods worked frantically to try to heal Kronos.
Percy swore under his breath. Why was he so worried? He'd only agreed to see where things went between them because he wanted to change Kronos, to stop the war before any of his friends were severely injured or died. So why did he desperately want to see Kronos sit up and walk off like it was nothing? Like he didn't have a gaping hole through his back through which Percy could have sworn he could see the edge of his heart beating slowly and faintly.
Percy suddenly froze, feeling a slight change in Kronos' mind, like someone had flicked a switch to turn him on. "So how much pain will he be in?" Percy asked conversationally. "Like at this moment."
"A lot," Marigold said. "He was impaled, Percy. Even immortals don't just walk away from that."
"Yeah, well he's waking up."
Marigold's eyes widened. "You're joking."
Percy shook his head. "No. I can feel it."
She raised an eyebrow slightly before turning back to healing Kronos. "I'm not even going to ask. So do you think he'll try to kill us?" she asked brightly, but Percy could hear the slight fear in her voice.
"No," he said firmly, adding under his breath. "Not while I'm here."
Marigold's half-brother looked like he wanted to run from the room at the thought of Kronos waking up, but swallowed down his fear and continued. Though Percy grinned when he saw that his hands were shaking and he worked faster to clean the cut down Kronos' back.
Marigold's hands were completely covered in ichor and her expression was grim, but she didn't seem too worried about the idea of Kronos waking up.
"When you've cleaned the cut I'll heal him with water," Percy said, his eyes watching Kronos' face for any sign of movement.
"Lean any further forward and you're going to fall on him," Marigold noted.
Percy shrugged. "It might get the dick to wake up sooner."
Marigold's eyes widened at his disrespect, but before she could say anything Kronos moved slightly and she froze. "Please, My Lord," she said warily, "don't kill us."
Kronos' mouth twitched up very slightly, but he didn't reply and Percy guessed he was still too out of it to speak. "You know, Kronos," Percy said conversationally, "you're a dick. A complete dick. Like, the King of dicks, which fits pretty well because you're the King of Othrys, which is full of dicks."
Marigold's jaw dropped. "Percy!" she exclaimed incredulously.
Percy just grinned. "Don't worry, guys. When he wakes up I can take him to his room."
Marigold frowned. "But we need to heal him."
Percy shook his head. "I've got it," he said, wriggling his fingers and letting water ripple over his knuckles.
"You can't do that," Marigold protested. "He has to stay here."
"I stay here," Kronos said, his voice muffled slightly, "and the infirmary along with everyone inside will spontaneously combust."
Percy tried to deny the relief that flooded through his body and attempted to ignore it, but Kronos smirked knowingly at him. Marigold cleared her throat. "My Lord, your back is basically torn apart."
"I've had worse," Kronos said, his eyes still on Percy.
Percy swallowed. "Just give me some flasks of nectar and I'll get him to his room and sort him out. Agreed?"
Marigold hesitated as she looked between Kronos and Percy, and then she sighed. "Alright. Fine. I'll come up to check on him in an hour, because we don't want him dying. Do we?" The way she looked at Percy made him think she suspected something, though Percy guessed he hadn't exactly been hiding his worry.
Percy shook his head. "No."
He let the water drop back into a glass and stood up. He waited until Kronos shifted so he was on his side, the Titan wincing slightly, and then took one of Kronos' arms and put it over his shoulder, helping Kronos stand.
Percy took the flasks of nectar which were handed to him before vapour travelling up to Kronos' room. He carefully lowered Kronos down, making sure the Titan was on his front so he didn't make the injury any worse.
Kronos winced as he was released, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "You were worried."
Percy snorted, pushing Kronos back down. "You have a hole through your back. Lie down."
"I wasn't lying when I said I've had worse," Kronos said, but didn't move to get back up.
"Yeah, but after Zeus cut you up you died. This time you're trying to stay alive, so you could be at least a little helpful and stop trying to make it any worse than it already is." Percy controlled the water to spurt out of the sink in the bathroom and stream into the room where it slowly covered Kronos' back. "What happened?"
"I was disarmed," Kronos said, sounding angry with himself. "Backbiter… Backbiter is still in Alaska," he swore.
Percy rolled his eyes. "No point ranting on about it now."
Kronos ignored him, reaching out to the side. There was a golden flash and Backbiter clattered to the floor, completely covered in snow and ice. "Now there's no point ranting about it," Kronos said in satisfaction.
Percy jabbed him in the back, making the Titan flinch. "I thought you said it didn't hurt," Percy grinned.
"When someone isn't poking me it doesn't," Kronos growled.
Percy smiled. "Yeah, well don't lie next time."
Kronos sighed. "Just get on with it, Perseus."
Percy's grin widened. "I have been. Your hole is now filled in." He pulled a face. "Alright, that sounded worse than it was meant to. A lot worse."
Kronos managed to lift himself up and turn around so he was sitting up on the edge of the bed. He twisted his torso and winced. Percy crossed his arms over his chest. "Just because I said it was filled in doesn't mean it's healed."
Kronos turned to glare at him. "Perseus-"
"Ah," Percy said, raising his hand, "don't start. Just… don't. I know this is really weird and confusing… or at least it is for me. But this isn't gonna work if you're always acting like you want to kill me. Granted, sometimes you will want to kill me, because I'm me and I always piss everyone off. But aside from that, you're gonna have to make an effort. And I'll make an effort to get past what happened in Tartarus. Agreed?"
Kronos frowned. "There'll always be a part of me that wants to kill you."
"Well let's just hope that that part never gets its way," Percy said.
Kronos was silent for several moments before nodding. "Heal me. And then we'll see."
Percy smiled and settled down on the bed next to Kronos, trying to ignore how nervous he felt being so close to the Titan. He moved his hand so it was hovering just above the water still covering Kronos' back and focused, watching as the skin started to flow back together. Where new skin had formed there was still a dark line beneath it, which showed Percy it wasn't healed completely.
"I've healed it as much as I can," Percy said. "But it's only the surface that's healed. You're still probably hollow." He smiled, prodding the dark patch.
Kronos shuddered slightly, grabbing Percy's hand. "Stop that. It feels weird."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "Your vocabulary's slipping."
"Because I'm not in the mood to ameliorate it."
"And there it is," Percy grinned, removing his hand from Kronos' grip. "I knew it wouldn't last long." Percy grabbed the flask of nectar from where it was lying discarded on the floor. "Drink."
Kronos scowled at him. "I will not be ordered around by a demigod."
"Technically I'm not a demigod," Percy pointed out. "And I don't care what you want. Marigold's gonna come up soon, and you need to be able to stand on your own."
Kronos' eyes narrowed. "I can stand on my own."
"Prove it."
Kronos' arms tensed slightly before he pushed himself up, swaying slightly. He took a step, and pain flared up his back, an intense burning which had him opening his mouth in a soundless howl of pain. He stumbled back, swearing under his breath in the Old Tongue as he nearly collapsed back onto the bed.
Percy grinned. "Told you. Maybe you should just listen to me sometimes?"
Kronos just clenched his jaw. "I will not be bound to my bed because I can't walk," he snarled.
"Then drink the nectar," Percy said, dropping it into Kronos' hand, but the Titan put it onto the bed. "I don't know why you're refusing, but it's actually pretty good for me. You can't walk, and you can't kill my friends. It's pretty simple."
Kronos frowned. "I can't kill your friends."
Percy shrugged. "Yeah, but that oath was pretty pointless. It's nearly been two weeks and you've not told me to do anything yet."
Kronos smirked. "Oh? And would you prefer that I did order you to do something?"
The look in Kronos' eyes immediately made Percy rethink what he'd said. He swallowed nervously. "Uh… no. Definitely not."
"Are you sure?" Kronos asked, his smirk widening.
"Yeah. Definitely. No crazy brain-control please," Percy said.
"Then maybe you shouldn't remind me of it," Kronos hummed. "Else you may find yourself in unusual positions."
Percy frowned. "Like what? No, I don't want a demonstration," he added when he saw Kronos open his mouth to speak. "And you're gonna have that nectar, else I'll force you to have it."
"You're not strong enough," Kronos stated confidently.
"My strength's been increasing and you know it," Percy retorted. "It won't be as simple as it used to be for you."
Kronos scowled at him. "I will not be force-fed nectar."
Percy shrugged and put the flask into Kronos' hand. "Then have it yourself." Kronos glowered at him, but Percy just grinned. "Well, go on."
Kronos flicked the lid off the flask and drank the nectar. "Happy?" he demanded as he let the flask fall onto the bed beside him.
"Not exactly because you're being a dick again," Percy said. "Now stand."
Kronos was seriously tempted to forget his decision to not kill the kid and run him through right then and there. "Just because I may be more lenient with you, Jackson, does not mean I will permit you to disrespect me. Are we clear?"
"As clear as mud," Percy said happily.
Kronos' eyes narrowed. "Perseus," he said warningly.
"Kronos," Percy said in the exact same tone. "You might be the Titan King, but I'm not a Titan yet. I don't have any actual allegiance to Othrys and you know it. Yeah, sure I swore that oath, but other than that you have no actual control over me. In fact, I'm pretty sure that at the moment I could get Iapetus to help me to Camp Half-Blood. Then I'll tell the gods each little dirty secret I've found out since I came here."
Kronos studied him for several long seconds. "I'm impressed," he finally said.
Percy blinked. "Huh?" He was expecting Kronos to get pissed with him and try to kill him, not sit there complimenting Percy.
Kronos opened his mouth to speak, but there was a knock on the door and his mouth snapped shut. Percy quickly opened the door, grinning at Marigold who seemed pretty nervous to be anywhere near Kronos' room. She seemed surprised to see Kronos sitting on the edge of the bed, not a hint of his earlier pain showing on his expression.
"My Lord," she greeted.
"Waste my time and I'll cut off your head," Kronos said as a greeting.
Marigold paled slightly and nodded, quickly moving forward towards him. "Please, don't stand," she said nervously as she saw Kronos start to shift his weight, but Kronos ignored her and stood.
Marigold seemed even more surprised, but quickly focused on checking him for his injury. "This is really good, Percy," she commented in bewilderment.
Percy grinned. "I'm a special boy."
Kronos snorted at that. "Special in the head."
Percy scowled at him. "No more than you. I mean, it's like you have split personalities. Or schizophrenia. That's what it's called, right?"
Kronos raised an eyebrow at him, trying to ignore daughter of Apollo who was prodding his back. "I do," he stated. "Roman and Greek. Saturn – who's a complete idiot – and me."
"Who's also a complete idiot," Percy said cheerfully.
Marigold cleared her throat. "Alright, it looks good. My Lord, it's just the surface that's healed completely, so please avoid any strenuous activities."
"Does that include cutting the heads off demigods who annoy me?" Kronos asked, eyeing Percy with obvious irritation.
"Unfortunately," Marigold said, not really sounding unhappy. "Anything which is slightly strenuous."
"Usually cutting heads off isn't strenuous," Kronos returned, his jaw twitching slightly.
Marigold shook her head. "I'm sorry, My Lord." She made her way to the door, Percy following her. "You could be a good healer," she murmured.
Percy shrugged. "It's the water," he said as an explanation.
Marigold nodded. "Well, if you change your mind I'm pretty sure we'll need more helpers in the infirmary as the war progresses."
Percy cocked his head to the side slightly, hearing footsteps approaching the door. "I'll think about it," he said honestly as he opened the door. He raised an eyebrow at Koios as Marigold slipped out of the room. "Yes?" he prompted. "Want me to take a message?" Koios frowned and just shoved his way past Percy. "Or not," Percy muttered, spinning around. "So is there a reason you're just dropping by?"
"You have a visitor, Kronos," Koios said. "One who I recommend you don't keep waiting."
Kronos grimaced, climbing to his feet as he held out his hand and Backbiter shot into his hand. "Another Primordial? Don't they know I don't like them?"
Koios chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure they all know. Nos just likes to think differently."
Kronos pulled a face. "Her?"
"Better make yourself presentable. She doesn't like waiting," Koios said, quickly exiting the room.
"Oh, Kronos?" Percy asked as he watched Kronos start his hunt for a shirt.
The Titan grunted. "Yes?"
"Firstly, don't overexert yourself. Secondly, I think Nos knows about… you know," Percy said, wringing his hands together.
Kronos' head snapped up to glare at Percy. "What do you mean 'you think'?" he demanded.
Percy shrugged. "I think. You want me to find a dictionary definition?"
Kronos scowled at him. "How can you think someone knows? And how the Tartarus could she know?"
Percy raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me?"
Kronos frowned. "Fine. Just think for a few seconds, can you do that? Or it even that too much for you?"
Percy glared at him, and Kronos smirked as he put on his shirt. "You know, you're really a dick sometimes, right?"
"It's what keeps me awake at night," Kronos said sarcastically.
Percy crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah. You're a dick," he shot over his shoulder as he left the room to go find Nos before Kronos did.
He had some catching up to do with a friend.
Yes, the title is from Bleeding Out by Imagine Dragons...
And if you haven't already, please vote in the poll.
Decided to put in an excerpt for next chapter, because I've had some people saying it's out of Percy's character to be with Kronos. It's really not:
"He loved Rhea," Iapetus pointed out. "Do you see where that got her?"
"She was going about it the wrong way. I'd bet a thousand drachma that she never even attempted to change him, instead she focused on stopping him. I don't want to stop him. I just want him to return to who he was before the world went to Tartarus. Before he killed his father."