My result came out. A bit disappointed, because I had build up high expectations based on my marks. But ultimately, I've done better than ever before, which I think is an achievement that I would be able to appreciate once I'm done being disappointed. Maybe. Nothing to be done about that either way though. What's done is done. Anyway, hope you guys had a good week. And onto the story:

The date went terribly. Apollo had suspected it wouldn't be perfect. Because of course Poseidon was angry, raging mad, furious and he would have just poisoned Percy against Apollo.

That's why Apollo had chosen this restaurant of all of his choices.

He was supposed to get Percy here, who would have been pouting at being deceived (that cute, petulant look in his eyes as he would sit off to the side, lips pursed in some sort of a duck face that never failed to make Apollo smile) and he would tell him about this exclusive place and say, I brought you here because I know you didn't want to see me, but I had to see you, and I just…

It was going to be perfect.

And yet again, Love had come in to ruin his perfect love story. There was heaps of irony in there somewhere that Apollo was fuming too much to be able to enjoy.

And it wasn't like he could do too much here. Last time had been a lesson enough and like Hades was he putting Percy on the line here. One hate arrow and they'd be off to a doomed tragedy before they even get started.

Apollo's only grace was that Eros seemed to actually like Percy. Which, okay. Percy was pretty awesome. But Eros was just so cruel, it was hard to compute.

And then of course, Eros proved he was a world-class jerk on their way out.

"Oh," Eros said in sweet surprise, dark eyes glittering disturbingly. "Such a shame about it all, isn't it? I mean, there are the epidemics and that pandemic and the sun not coming out, which pretty mush froze everything. Including a few thousand lives. It's really not a good time to be me right now."

"I'm sorry," Percy opened his palms in a stop sign. "The what and the what and the what now?"

"Well, I did say Apollo's smoothest disaster was you. Just not the only one. I hope your friends are all safe," he said in faux sympathy, smiled slyly at Apollo, eyeing him sideways with a vicious smirk. "It would be-"

"Wait a second," Percy said, ruffling his hair. "You're telling me that there is what- a huge crisis or something going on over here and I don't even know about it. That's impossible."

"Is it? When did you last come out in the mortal world?"

Apollo can see the calculations in his mind, the onset of panic, the realization that something is really, really wrong.

"Percy," he tried, stepping forward. "I-"

Apollo clutched his head at the explosion of pain. No way could a mortal hit that hard. Hero of Olympus or not, strength wasn't his strongest forte. He peered up to see Triton- Triton? Where the Hades did he come from?

"You okay, little brother?" Triton asked, all sweet concern, like he hadn't just assaulted an Olympian god.

"Triton," Apollo growled, his eyes flaring up, body burning right at the seams. "What is it that you think you're doing? Interfering in my personal matters?"

"Percy is my personal matter," Triton said coldly, instinctively getting into a defensive stance.

"Not on a date he isn't. Poseidon does realize that-"

"Dad didn't send me. I came without permission."

Apollo paused. That was unexpected. And annoying. If Poseidon was directly interfering, Apollo could get the Council involved.

As it is, Triton had different kinds of freedom. He wasn't a father, he was a brother. And being a minor god, he could get away with a bit more than his father could.

On the other hand, Apollo thought with grim satisfaction, he could do a lot worse to Triton than he could ever to Poseidon and actually get minimal punishment for it.

"Oh, you wanna fight, Triton?" He tamped down on his urge to go nuclear. He could sense the gods' move, change directions, look down to see what was going wrong. If he started a fight, there would be a few more running down to take sides like they always did.

"No," Percy said firmly, so ferociously they both blinked, coming down from the high of a battle almost fought. "The date is over. We ate, we're out. I'm done. And Apollo," he stared him down, eyes serious and venomous. "That's my brother. Don't you dare lay a hand on him."

"You don't own me," Apollo warned him quietly, right on the edge but unwilling to pick a battle with Percy of all people.

"And neither do you," Percy reminded him, soft but firm. "We're engaged. Against my will. But that is the only thing that is happening or will ever happen against my will. You won't stop me from going where I want to go or do what I want to do. And you especially don't stop me from meeting up with my family or try to hurt them. Because trust me, Apollo, I have never killed a god before but I am so not afraid to give it a try," his words were so soft, so calm, but his eyes were deep, serious. Apollo believed him.

He stepped aside.

Percy walked on, head held high, stride just as confident, tugging on a startled open-mouthed freak, AKA Triton.

Apollo watched him walk away. So confident, so capable, so heroic. It didn't feel like he had lost to someone below him. He didn't feel embarrassed at stepping aside so easily. There was one capable of challenging him and how could he be ashamed at losing to the mortal who was actually on even footing with him?

Percy stomped down the street, wishing he had his boots or his shoes so he could really give the ground a good, nice pounding. Dress shoes were just never as good for it.

"O Zeu kai alloi theoi," Triton said in quiet awe.

"Language," Percy said absently, out of habit.

Triton didn't seem to have heard. "You just flat out roasted an Olympian god. And stared him down. Without repercussions. Like, just. That has never happened before, you know."

"Yes, Triton," Percy said in the same tone he used with Estelle when she was demanding his attention when he was otherwise busy. "But apparently, I am the love of his life. Now hush. I gotta figure out where we are and how to get home."

"You're going the wrong way," Triton said, snapping to the present. "It's that way." And pointed to the opposite direction.

"No, it's not." Percy said, confused. "That way is the ocean. And it goes on for ages, so that's-Wait a minute. Triton, I don't mean to the palace. I mean, to my mom. Hold on, why are you being so pissy?"

"I am not," Triton said easily, calmly. Percy squinted. He could really read nothing worrying on Triton. But how long had he know Triton anyway? Not too long. Not long enough to able to read him in a glance.

"The magic bracelet does not lie," Percy crossed his arms and stopped, turning to face Triton. "Spill."

"It's nothing," Triton said, face just as calm, eyes just as honest. "Maybe you're reading it wrong."

"I am really not," Percy said, surer than ever. "What's wrong? We're not moving until you tell me what's bothering you so much."

"Do I look bothered?" Triton asked earnestly, face open.

Percy ruthlessly tamped down on his doubt. Triton was a spectacular actor. But Percy wasn't the sort to back down. And Triton could absolutely not use his own tactics against him. That just wouldn't do.

"Yes," Percy lied. "We have the same poker face."

For the first time since the whole thing, Triton's eyes furrowed. "That's impossible. I have no tells. No-one can ever tell when I'm lying."

That sounds lonely, Percy thought. "Well, I can. So spill."

"Not until you tell me what my tells are." Triton insisted.

"I'm not telling," Percy argued back, crossing his arms with a huff. (He was starting to get what Triton's tells were, but like hell was he saying a thing.) "You won't do it again then."

"Yeah, that's the point," Triton argued hotly.

"But no-one else knows your tells and I'm not gonna tell anyone. So you can trust me. And besides, I need to know when you're lying."

"Why?"

"'Cause you're my brother," Percy said as if it were perfectly obvious.

"Brother?" Triton snorted almost bitterly. "You certainly don't act like it."

"I'm sorry?"

"Atlantis isn't your home. We aren't your family. Isn't that what you said?"

"That's-that's what's bothering you?"

"You say you're my brother. But actions speak louder than words. And you certainly don't act it."

Percy melted down, all slumped shoulders and pouty eyes. "It's just been a couple of weeks, Triton. And dad and me…we have a difficult relationship. I love him, but he is a god before he is my father. And he has had a bazillion kids before me. And he will have so many more. I'll be just another footnote in history."

"That's not how it is."

"Of course it is, Triton. I'm not sad, so you don't need to console me. That's just how it is. You're cool and we're already as close as two brothers can be. But your mom and dad…staying in a palace is just a reminder of just how different my world is compared to-" He waved his hand around unable to find a word.

"We won't be living in different worlds anymore. After your marriage-"

Percy's face twisted like it always did at the idea, a mixture of embarrassment and repulsion and what never failed to give Triton pause: childishly scandalized by the whole affair. "We'll see."

"Wait a second, you're not seriously thinking you can actually get out of this right now, do you?"

"Won't know until I try," he said neutrally.

"You are. Percy, there is no chance-"

"And there was no chance that we'd win the first war or the second. Or that I'd live past my sixteen. Or survive Tartarus. And yet, here I am. One thing life has taught me is that nothing is impossible. And trust me, I'd rather die than marry a creep like him. Let him think I'm okay with this and let him get his guard down. I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

"If you think that'll work," Triton started.

"Triton, when I said I'd rather die than get married to him, I was not exaggerating. I mean it." Percy said firmly. "There are a few um, extreme options that I have. Last minute backup plans, if you will. But like hell, am I losing this fight."

And there it is. The secret to Percy's success that no-one seems to catch on. That fury-filled self-righteousness; the lazy arrogance against the people he hated; because like Tartarus was he going to ever let them win. Just you wait and watch, I'll tear them all apart. And Chaos help anyone in his warpath.

"That's not healthy."

"Yes, because this 'relationship," Dean air-quoted, "has been so very healthy so far. Look, Triton. You're an awesome brother. And we just sort of click together. But we really have known each other for literally only-um," Percy floundered a little, thinking.

"8 days," Triton supplied neutrally.

"8 days." Percy echoed. "You don't know anything about me, not enough to make a judgement anyway. You don't like it? Too bad. You're not the boss of me. We're practically strangers that met a week ago. And it was nice of you to take care of me. I'll be willing to repay back that favor in an appropriate fashion if that's what it comes to. But you can't guilt-trap me into going your way just because you were nice to me for a week. That's not how this works."

Percy stared at Triton intently. "So which is it, Triton? You with me or against me?"

Triton looked back at Percy, mouth twisted sourly. "With, you heathen child" he muttered. "Even if I don't like or approve, I'd rather be with you than in the dark."

Percy smiled, shoulders relaxing at Triton's honesty echoing back firmly from his wrist band. "You're a good brother, Triton. C'mon, let's go find my mom and find out what the hell has been going on in this world while I've been living under a rock. I'm sure you'll love her." Percy said, walking on.

Triton followed. Yeah, he loved his brother's suicidal, extreme plans and he would definitely like this woman who had made his father stray from his vows and doomed Percy's life to a probable tragedy.

The coming days were going to be fun. Triton could just see it.

Venom Lady: I'm glad you think so! I really like Eros too. He has great potential.

Guest: Hey, no. I get that. We all have lives beyond this. And I'm satisfied if I can still keep surprising you after all. Anyway, firstly, as I understand it, the Fates only handle the mortal strings. Immortal fates, if anything, might come under Ananke's domains. So, if there is divine intervention, Percy could theoretically have a different life. Anyhow, that's how I understand it anyway. Secondly, I haven't forgotten him. Patience. It will all come in time. Thirdly, yes, I do believe so. More will be discussed in the story at the right moments.

Alis-volat-propriis97: Thank you so much!

Guest: Thank you :)

Hemera: No, no it does not. And Percy will be willing to remind all those who have forgotten that fact ;)

Addithebookthief: Me too :D

poppysmiles990: Aw, thanks so much.