A/N: This was originally two separate chapters, but I decided to merge them. Doing this made the chapter extra long, the longest chapter in the story so far. It's mostly just closing up the Lightning thief book and character interaction. Let me know if it was better this way or should've stayed as 2 different chapters.
Angel wasn't expecting the police force to be so...understanding. But he guessed after what they saw at the beach it was the least they could do. When Annabeth said she had a plan, he didn't think she'd think something like what they were doing now, on a plane from Los Angeles to New York City. The media had apologized profusely to Percy for getting the story completely wrong, now saying that the big guy with the shotgun (Ares) was responsible for everything the kids went through.
Hell, Annabeth even got Angel and Piper clear from being wanted, since she told the police the shotgun guy told them to steal a car. And if they didn't do it or got caught he'd kill the curly brown haired kid. The media ate it up and raised money so they could go back to New York on a plane. On the way to Los Angeles airport though, Piper got a call from her dad. He had heard everything that happened on the news and was understandably worried sick for her.
She reassured him she was fine and told him she knew who her mom was. She told him she was going to a place for demigods, and he reluctantly allowed it. He seemed to really care for Piper, but it was like he knew it would be safer for Piper to stay with her fellow demigods. He told her to stay as long as she wants but to at least visit once in a while, something she more than agreed with.
Angel took this time to tell Percy about his adoptive mother, telling him how his job as champion of Hestia, goddess of households and of the hearth, was to help demigods in need. Percy absorbed the information, surprised because he had never heard of Hestia before, she wasn't exactly the most popular of goddesses. Not that Angel cared, to him it took a special kind of strength to being the strongest of your siblings, yet still being as passive as she was.
While on the plane it was the first time Percy or Angel had been on one, and while Angel was mostly excited for the experience, Percy was nervous the entire time and felt like he was going to throw up. Zeus even gave them turbulence every so often, just to remind Percy never to go in his domain again.
They made it to New York at around 11 pm, just in time for Percy to take the lightning bolt to Zeus. The trip itself was 7 hours but it took some time for people to get enough money to pay tickets. Oh, and the helm of darkness? That was already taken care of. The three furies came after the battle before the police arrived and told them they saw everything. They now knew that Percy wasn't the lightning thief, or who stole the helm. Percy gave them the helm and asked them to tell Hades to return his mother, something that agreed to do. Except for one, who was apparently his old math teacher. She hoped he'd one day die so she could torment him for all eternity.
While at the airport in New York Percy told everyone that he should go alone to Olympus, in case things go south. Angel couldn't go even if he wanted to, being a mortal and all, and everyone else agreed with what he said. Piper wasn't ready to see her mom, and she knew she'd be at Olympus. Annabeth felt the same way, and Grover just wanted to get back to camp. Angel paid a taxi to take them to Delhi's strawberry service, which according to Annabeth was the cover for Camp half-blood.
So now they sat in the back of the cab, talking amongst themselves about what they had gone through. The cab driver had a glass wall that separated them so they felt they could talk freely.
"Do you think Percy made it to Olympus by now?" Piper asked, feeling worry for the green eyed boy. He did after all go alone to the house of the gods.
"I'm sure he made it by now. The empire state building wasn't too far from where we left him." Annabeth answered.
"I'm sure he'll be fine. Poseidon will be there in case things go south."
"At least we don't have to worry about the cops anymore." Angel said with a sigh.
"That was really smart of you Annabeth. You really saved our asses, cuz of you we were able to get on a plane and make it on time." He praised, his eyes now long returned to their usual calm gentle blaze.
Annabeth felt her cheeks warm up at the compliment.
"I-it was nothing really. Just simple cause and effect really." She said, uncharacteristically bashful.
"It ain't like you to not take a compliment Annabeth." Grover said suspiciously.
"You love compliments." Said daughter of Athena glared at the satyr.
"When you say it like that you make me sound super self centered."
"You can be at times." Grover said, and Annabeth sent another glare at the poor satyr.
"B-but it gives you personality…" He mumbled wearily, and both Angel and Piper laughed at his uncomfortableness.
"So, you decided if you're gonna stay at camp Pipes?" Angel asked, turning to the daughter of love. She played with her uneven hair while she answered.
"I'm staying until the end of summer, but I haven't decided if I should stay longer."
"It's up to you really. Kids of Aphrodite don't have to worry too much about monsters, or so I've heard."
"That's not what I was worried about Angel." She muttered.
"I love my dad, but he did try to send me to juvie because I was too much. I have mixed feelings about it." Angel smiled and threw his arm over her shoulder.
"Well you got all summer to think it over Pipes. Just remember that on the phone, he sounded like he really cared." She turned to look at him only to see him give her a goofy smile.
"I can tell, my mom is after all the goddess of households. We have a knack for knowing when families really do care for each other." She simply smiled in return, a genuine smile. She was starting to get used to his way of showing affection, and didn't even flinch when he touched her. She hadn't fully recovered from her experience in Las Vegas, but he certainly helped a lot.
"Thanks Angel, I'll keep it in mind."
"That's all he asked for. Well not literally, you know what I mean." She chuckled.
"Yeah, I get it. You big dummy."
Eventually they did make it to their destination, and Angel left the dude a small tip, just because he was in a good mood. When the taxi left, Angel looked at the sign ahead and read that it said 'Delhi's strawberry service'. He guessed they were at the right place.
"Welcome to camp half-blood new bloods." Annabeth joked, and Piper looked up at the sign like it was a movie or something.
"The letters...they're moving." Piper muttered.
"Camp...half-blood." Annabeth grinned.
"Yup. We use this place as a cover from the mortal world, while also actually making strawberries to cover our expenses."
"Wait, does the sign say camp half-blood for you guys?" Angel asked, and they all raised their eyebrows.
"It doesn't say that for you?" Piper asked, and Angel slowly shook his head.
"No...it just says Delhi's strawberry service." He looked at his friends nervously.
"I don't think I can go with you guys." He said slowly, and they looked shocked.
"What? C'mon Angel of course you can." Grover said like it was obvious.
"You have some godly DNA in you right? That has to count for something." Angel shook his head.
"I'm pretty sure the forcefield keeps out anything that isn't of godly descent. Be it a monster, or a mortal." He muttered sadly.
"Even with Hestia's blessing and being adopted by her, I'm still completely mortal."
"Well we won't know till we try right?" Annabeth said with a confident look.
"I'm sure being adopted by Hestia will be enough to let you in." Angel sighed.
"Let's hope so." They slowly one by one crossed to the other side of the sign, with Annabeth and Grover going first. Then followed Piper, who walked slowly as if expecting to hit a wall until she reached her quest members.
Slowly Angel nervously walked towards the sign that towered over him, before making it to the other side.
"Huh, I guess I can get inside after all-" But his happiness was short lived when he suddenly felt like he walked into a brick wall, and slowly backed up.
"Guess you were wrong for once Annabeth." Angel quipped, but it was mostly to hide the disappointment he felt. He was right all along, he can't join his new friends.
"Now hold on-" Annabeth started now walking up to him and grabbed his arm.
"Annabeth what're you-"
"Shut up and come on." She grumbled.
"Quit messing around and-" She pulled him forward, only to stop dead in her tracks when Angel again slammed face first into the invisible wall. Angel grunted in discomfort as Annabeth pulled him harder.
"Angel c'mon! You can't seriously-"
"Annabeth stop!" Piper yelled, getting the blondes attention.
"He can't cross with us. Look at him." The daughter of Athena looked back at the champion to see his face like it was rammed against a wall.
"Let go Annabeth." Angel said, but with no venom in his voice. It sounded more sad than anything really.
"I can't go with you guys." Annabeth looked annoyed that she had been in fact wrong, but it looked like something else bothered her. But even she didn't know what it was.
She eventually let go of Angel's arm, who backed up a little and rubbed his face.
"You sure know how to tug, owl face." He mumbled.
"You really did prove me wrong Angel." Annabeth murmured, giving him a playful glare.
"You better find a way to get in here so I can beat you in a duel for making me look dumb." Angel couldn't help but smirk at her competitive nature.
"Your on, owl face." What he wasn't expecting however was for all three of them to run towards him and give him a big group hug. He quickly lost his footing and all four of them fell onto the grassy ground, laughing at their own stupidity.
"Not strong enough to catch all of us huh?" Piper teased.
"Shut up and hug me, Pipes.' Angel grumbled playfully, and she obliged with a small chuckle.
"We'll miss you dork." Piper mused.
"Yeah, we'll miss saving your butt." Annabeth added.
"And I'll miss your enchiladas." Grover muttered hungrily, and Angel burst out laughing. He remembered the first time he gave Grover enchiladas. When they forced him in the trunk of a cab and ended up spilling it on the ride to Santa Monica.
"I can get you some right now actually." He said, before clapping his hands and summoning a plate of freshly made enchiladas.
"If Percy isn't careful I'll probably make you my best friend man." Grover said while grabbing the plate, and everyone eventually let go.
"Oh yeah, can I get some buttermilk pancakes?" Piper asked, and Angel raised an eyebrow. Said girl simply shrugged.
"What? I told myself I'd ask for those when I saw you summon enchiladas for the first time." Angel shook his head in amusement.
"Fine, but don't make a habit out of it." He said, summoning a stack of pancakes for the daughter of love.
"What about you Annabeth? Want anything as a victory meal?" He asked, and she scratched her cheek in thought.
"Honestly, after everything that happened all I want is a good night's sleep."
"You and me both." Angel said with a chuckle.
"Wait, if you can't be at camp, where will you go?" Grover asked with his mouth full.
"There's no other place that I know of that demigods can be safe and not attacked by monsters."
"Well I do have a scent of a demigod, even though I'm mortal." Angel said with a sigh.
"But I got a safe place to go, so don't worry about me. I'm sure when you guys get another quest, I won't be too far away."
"You better." Piper said with a grin. Angel then grabbed his backpack and waved goodbye to his friends.
"Alright guys, I better get going. It's way too dark to wander the forest too long. Congratulate Percy for me when he gets here."
"We will." Grover said, waving back.
"We'll IM you." Annabeth called, and Angel looked at her confused.
"IM?"
"Iris messaging. It's how demigods communicate with each other without attracting monsters."
"Huh. Well that's convenient. But how will I know you're calling?" Angel asked, and Annabeth grinned.
"Believe me, you'll know." Angel rolled his eyes at her vague answer, but smiled nonetheless.
"Wait! Angel your ring!" Piper cried out, getting the boy's attention. He turned back surprised to see Piper taking off the ring and holding it out to him, and he smiled sheepishly.
"Right, I almost forgot." He walked up to her and took the ring from her, who looked up to him with a small smile.
"Thanks for letting me borrow it." Angel grinned as he put the ring on his right ring finger.
"Anytime Pipes, but for real I'm leaving this time." Everyone chuckled and waved goodbye as he turned around and walked into the forest.
The three demigods and satyr watched him disappear in the trees, before Grover slapped his forehead.
"We should've asked Argos to give him a ride." Annabeth groaned.
"Shit, your right." Piper just stood there confused at what they were talking about, before taking a bite from her pancakes. She sighed, she missed him already.
Angel wandered aimlessly through the woods for some time, and decided to make a fire. Honestly he had no idea where he was, much less on how to get back to Hestia's ranch. He thought staying put would attract monsters to himself, but he was too sore from the fight with Ares and too tired from the long 7 hour flight here to keep walking. He simply collected some dry wood and threw a small blaze of fire at it, using as little power possible.
He poked at the fire lazily, watching it burn calmly. He sighed sadly, looking back in the direction where he came from. Where camp was supposed to be. It was already past midnight, but he could see the smoke coming from over the treetops, as if they were making a giant campfire. He felt loneliness sink into his heart as he returned to face to flame, only to be startled to see someone sitting in front of him.
"So, I hear you helped return two symbols of power." Angel smiled as he saw the hooded figure also poke at the flame with a stick.
"You look tired."
"Well I am tired." Angel said softly with a weak smile.
"I've...had a long day."
"I'll say." The feminine voice mused, but for some reason it sounded different. Familiar, but not who he was expecting. He figured it was just Hestia trying to mess with him, but now…
"I also heard that you saved the life of a young girl." The hooded figure mumbled quietly, and Angel gulped nervously. Whoever this was they were powerful, he could feel the aura of a god emitting from them.
"I did." Angel said simply, resting his hand inside his pocket and grabbing his lighter. Just in case.
"Why?"The figured asked, confusing the boy.
"What do you mean why?"
"Why did you have her tag along with you on the dangerous quest?" The hooded figure asked, who Angel could assume was a woman by its body structure and voice.
"I couldn't stop her even if I wanted to." He said with a small chuckle.
"Plus, having her tag along was kind of nice. I'm glad I met her." He paused, looking at the small campfire..
"If I hadn't been told where she was, maybe I wouldn't have known she was in danger. But I'm glad whoever told me did."
"I see." The woman mumbled, before standing up and circling around the fire. Angel tensed a little as she walked behind him, trailing her fingers across his shoulders.
"I watched both of you on your quest. How you two interacted. How you bonded with each other." She paused.
"How you tried your best to protect her."
"Who are you?" Angel asked, turning to face her. The woman stood in front of the flame again, and pulled off her hood. Angel's voice hitched when he saw the beautiful woman reveal her face to him. Her face was completely flawless, no imperfections or anything. Her head was heart shaped and her eyes reminded him of Piper's, always changing in color. Her hair was chestnut brown that was well braided that rested over her shoulder. Her body was the perfect hourglass figure, she couldn't be older than 25 in her current form.
"By the look on your face, I imagine you know who I am, Champion of Hestia." She said, her pupils changing color with what reflected off her eyes.
"You're….Aphrodite. Piper's mom." Angel answered dumbfounded, he was still taken aback by her beauty. The goddess smiled at the boy.
"Yes you remembered my voice, correct? As I recall, you compared my voice to 'an angel whispering in your ear.'" Angel felt himself blush deep red.
"W-where did you hear that?" The goddess' smile brightened when the boy didn't try to deny her claim.
"Hestia told me. Frantically she seemed a little upset by your little comment. I never took her for the jealous type." She said with a chuckle.
"You're very special to her, believe me. I can feel more than just lust and romantic love you know. I can also feel the love of a mother and son." Angel felt himself choke up a little, hearing that made his heart leap a little.
"But I did not come here to tease you. Well, maybe just a little bit. But I also came to thank you."
"Thank me?" He asked, and the goddess simply nodded.
"Why yes, you did after all save my daughter, young hero." She then looked up at where the smoke was coming from, smiling sadly.
"She is so much like her father, so hard to control and does what she believes is right." She then turned to the boy.
"I know I have troubled you enough, but may I ask you another favor?" Angel didn't hesitate.
"Of course lady Aphrodite. What is it?"
"Keep my daughter out of trouble, and keep her safe. Just like her father she can be impulsive and reckless at times."
"I can certainly promise you that I'll do my best. Although not being at camp will make it a little hard." Angel said with a smile.
"Don't worry. As long as she's in camp, no harm will come to her." The goddess aid softly.
"Thank you, young hero. And I apologize that Ares gave you trouble. He's a real blockhead at times."
"All the time if you ask me." Aphrodite let out a small chuckle, before pink smoke surrounded her body. It slowly dissipated, and it revealed a younger version of herself. Maybe around 16. Not much changed other than her face becoming less defined and her body not as curvy, but still breathtakingly beautiful.
Angel blushed just looking at her new form. Seeing her younger and more towards his age, he felt his heart beat faster.
"But what kind of goddess would I be if I didn't repay those who did so much for me?" She asked, as she walked towards him and trailed her finger down his chest.
"U-umm, Lady Aphrodite?" Angel stuttered.
"I don't think this is s-such a good idea…"
"None sense." Aphrodite said, purring a little as she continued to explore the boy's body. He froze in place as Aphrodite's younger form trailed her fingers on his shoulders and forearms, while also teasingly rubbing herself against him.
"Even at a young age your body is already well formed. I can't wait until you come of age, young champion." She slurred, and Angel whimpered a little. It was a new sensation that he never felt before, and he felt something built up inside of him.
"Aphrodite. Enough." Another voice called out, and Angel felt the goddess freeze in her tracks. Angel opened his eyes to see a 30 year old Hestia standing before them, her arms crossed and stomping her foot on the ground. She didn't look pleased either.
Aphrodite separated herself from the boy and gave her fellow goddess a cheerful smile.
"Ah Hestia! It's so good to see you! I was just giving my thanks to your champion for saving my daughter's life." Hestia's demeanor didn't change, as she stood there unflinching.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't show too much of your gratitude to my son, Aphrodite. You'd ruin his innocence." The goddess of love waved her off, while Angel took the time to step away from her. The goddess of love was then engulfed in a poof of pink smoke, and as soon as it cleared Aphrodite returned to her original form.
"What? No I would never! I can be innocent too y'know!"
"You're the opposite of innocent dear." Hestia mused.
"You're mean Hestia." The goddess pouted cutely.
"Mom? What're you doing here?" Angel asked, looking at his adoptive mother with relief. Hestia's demeanor dropped when she heard his voice and she gave a warm smile.
"I came to pick you up silly. I can't have you walk all the way back to the ranch, now can I?" Angel sighed in relief.
"Oh thank gods. I was starting to miss my bed." Hestia let out a small chuckle, before walking up to the boy and surprising him with a bone crushing hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay Angel. When I saw you and the child of Poseidon challenge Ares, I got so worried. Oh, and your fight with the Chimera. I almost passed out! But I'm so relieved your alright sweetie." She gushed, and somehow hugged him tighter.
"I-mom... can't...breathe." Angel wheezed out, his face red from all the blood rushing to his face.
"Oh, sorry." Hestia mumbled sheepishly and let go, a tint of gold brushed her cheeks.
Aphrodite watched the display in front of her with a wistful smile, before clearing her throat.
"Well I suppose I should be going." She then looked at the amber eyed boy with a wink, which led him to blush.
"I'll see you around stud~" She said before vanishing in a puff of pink smoke.
"Is she always like that?" Angel asked, to which Hestia sighed.
"Sadly yes. But she seemed strangely more affectionate towards you." She said suspiciously, making him chuckle nervously.
"Maybe she's just grateful that Piper's okay." Hestia didn't seem convinced.
"No matter. Come, I believe you deserve some rest." Angel let out a yawn, proving her point.
"Yeah, I feel like I could crash any minute." Hestia smiled, before her smile turned into a smirk as she grabbed his shoulder.
"Then I suggest you get ready, I'll teleport us there." The champion's eyes widened when she said that, and sweat poured from his forehead.
"I'm sorry, did you say telepo-AAGH!" He was interrupted when Hestia quickly teleported them to the ranch, where the poor boy was subjected to the same torture as when Hestia first teleported him. When they arrived, he was already unconscious, snoring like he hadn't slept in days.
The next day:
Angel woke up groggily in his bed as he felt the affects of teleporting still making him feel nauseous and sickly. He got up from his bed, and noticed he was in his usual sleeping clothes, a white tank top and boxers.
'I'm not even going to ask.' He thought to himself, before walking out the trailer and onto the grassy fields. He didn't see Hestia anywhere, he figured she must've gone to Olympus or something.
"Ah, there you are champion." Angel whipped around at the familiar voice, smiling when he saw the form of his dead mentor.
"Perseus. It's good to see you." The legendary warrior smiled back.
"I am overjoyed to see you as well pupil. I see the quest was a success?" He asked, and Angel nodded.
"Yeah, it was way longer and more dangerous than it initially was."
"Yes, I was able to watch your quest from Elysium. Certainly, you gave us dead folk a scare when you made it into the underworld. Very few have made it out of there." Angel smiled sheepishly at his mentor, but sighing tiredly. As much as he loved to see his mentor, he was no mood for training. The teleporting left him sick, he wasn't even hungry. He's never not hungry.
"So, what are we focusing on today? Battle strategy? Sword play?" Perseus simply chuckled before shaking his head.
"None of those things my boy. You are free for today." Angel's eyes widened as he said that. He's never had a free day that wasn't sunday.
"I have the day off?" Angel asked his transparent mentor in surprise. Perseus gave a small chuckle.
"You do. Hestia was very clear not to give you any lessons today."
"Oh, well not to be rude but...Why are you here then?" Angel asked, rubbing the sleepiness from his eyes. He may have ended up sleeping in, but Hestia didn't seem to mind. Which was unusual for the goddess. She was usually very strict about getting up bright and early to start a productive day.
"To congratulate you of course." Perseus said with a smile, patting the young boy on the shoulder. Angel did his best to hide the shiver he felt at the contact, his touch always felt uncomfortably cold.
"You fought the god of war and lived to tell about it! Something very few can claim." Angel shrugged to try to hide his growing blush. He wasn't much for receiving praise.
"I didn't do it on my own Perseus. Percy was there too, we beat that asshole together."
"Ah yes, the child of Poseidon named after me." The mentor mused.
"I'm sure father wouldn't be pleased having a sea spawn share my name, but I couldn't care less. In fact, I'm proud a young hero like himself carries my name."
"Yeah, he's a good guy." Angel said with a smile.
"And I heard from Hestia that you challenged the legendary Chimera, only to barely survive." Angel flinched at the reminder, and subconsciously rubbed his chest where the Chimera struck him with venom.
"Yeah. It was…a learning experience, to say the least." Angel answered nervously.
"I'd say." Perseus said with a small chuckle.
"Hestia almost teleported right then and there to go help you. Honestly I've never seen her so angry and worried at the same time."
"She did?" Angel asked in surprise. Well, not really surprised that Hestia was protective of him, but rather was willing to break one of the ancient laws to fight the mother of monsters.
"Yes really. Luckily Lady Aphrodite was here to stop her from making any rash decisions. But when her daughter almost sacrificed herself for you, well the roles were reversed." Now Angel was surprised.
"Wait hold on a second-" He said waving his hands in front of him, and Perseus became pale. Well, if he wasn't a ghost he would have. Maybe he became more transparent?
"What do you mean Piper almost sacrificed herself for me? What happened while I was unconscious?" Angel asked, and for the first time Angel has known him, the legendary hero looked uncomfortable.
"Well, I really shouldn't say-"
"Tell me what happened. Please Perseus." Angel pleaded, giving the hero his best puppy eyes. He wasn't sure how good he was at it, but he hoped it would work. Perseus sighed in defeat.
"Well shortly after you grew unconscious, your friends were overwhelmed by the rest of the monsters. Only the daughter of Aphrodite stood freely against Echidna and her son." He paused.
"Tell me boy, how did you get cured? Did you ever think about it? Or ask for that matter."
Angel was surprised by his question, before he started to rub his forehead.
"I-I never really thought about it. I just figured the poison wore off, or the Chimera didn't spit enough venom to kill me." The ghost simply shook his head.
"No, you would've died twice over if the sea spawn didn't return in time and gotten the antidote from Echidna. But it's what happened before that worried Lady Aphrodite."
"Echidna seemed intrigued by the girl's power of charm speak, and was willing to give her the antidote to her son's poison. At a cost." Angel's eyes widened at that, and realization came to him like a bucket of cold water.
"She...almost gave herself up? For me?" The hero nodded.
"Luckily the child of Poseidon, Percy was it? He returned in time to stop her from doing so."
"It's the thought that counts." Angel muttered, his mind starting to race with thoughts.
"That it does boy. That it does." Perseus said with a smile, as he started to fade through the earth.
"Well I must be going now. As much as I'd love to be here, I got a date." Perseus said with a grin.
"And maybe, so will you. Sooner than you think."
"Wait what do you mean by-" Angel trailed off as the ghost of the legendary demigod fully disappeared into the ground.
"Stupid ghosts. What did he mean by that?" Angel grumbled, before walking towards Hestia's gorgeous garden. For the past 3 years he didn't have much free time, what with all the training Hestia and Perseus shoved down his throat on the daily. But whenever he did he'd spend it here, in Hestia's personal garden. It was relaxing to just grab a chair and take in the surroundings. But right now he wasn't exactly interested in his surroundings. He was more concerned with what Perseus just told him.
It took him by surprise, that Piper would do something so selfless for him. She'd risk her freedom and go with an ugly snake lady and a mutant lion as a son, for him. Maybe he was looking too much into it, but the thought of her doing something like for a chance at saving him...it made his heart skip a beat. He didn't like the way it made him feel either, it was a new sensation. Like a tug at his gut. It was weird.
"I'm looking too much into this." Angel muttered to himself as he played with one of the flowers.
"Looking too much into what?" He heard someone say from behind him. Angel felt his back straighten so fast that if he didn't have some godly powers, he would've felt some serious whiplash.
"Annabeth?" Angel asked as he recognized the voice, but not where it came from.
"Is that you?"
"Behind you smart guy." Annabeth said sarcastically, and Angel turned around to see her face floating in the air. There was a small circle surrounding her, like a portal was open and she was sticking her face from the other side. From her side he could see mostly forest surrounding her, with what looked like a mountain of rocks piled together behind where she was standing.
Angel rubbed his eyes and blinked, before looking at her again.
"Wow, the teleporting really messed up my head…"
"This isn't a dream you idiot." Annabeth said with a chuckle.
"I'm Iris Messaging you. You know, IMing?" Angel then remembered what the daughter of Athena told him yesterday before he left, and it slowly dawned on him.
"Oh, so this is another one of those godly things that gods and demigods can do?" He asked, to which she simply nodded.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to all the things they're capable of."
"Yeah, it's a lot." Annabeth added helpfully.
"So why'd you call me, owl face? Miss me already?" He teased, and Annabeth scoffed playfully.
"As if. I'm only showing someone else the ropes so I don't have to see your ugly mug all the time." Angel faked a pout.
"Rude. So who're you showing?" He asked, and the grey eyed girl raised an eyebrow.
"Well I knew you were dense, but not THIS dense."
"Huh?" Angel asked smartly, and Annabeth simply rolled her eyes.
"Hang on a second. And don't touch the screen, it's how you hang up." She said before disappearing from the portal thing. Angel made a mental note to ask Hestia how this IMing works.
After a few seconds of looking through the portal of what he figured was camp half blood, a familiar face appeared in front of him. He felt his face heat up when he saw Piper walking towards the portal, but she looked different. Her hair wasn't choppy anymore, in fact it was cutely braided into a lace braid. And she had one separate braid where it rested on her shoulder, with two feathers tied at the end of it. She looked so much like the goddess of love, he couldn't help but blush at the mere thought. It looked like she had some make-up on, but nothing major. Just some eye liner, some lipstick and maybe some blush. And her eyes sparkled brighter than before, now changing from green to blue. She wore a simple orange t-shirt that read camp half-blood and a pair of faded jeans. Still, Angel was left with his mouth agape.
"P-pipes?"
Few minutes earlier:
"Guys isn't this a little overboard? I mean, I'm just calling a friend." Piper muttered nervously as her siblings fixed and braided her hair while applying some make up. They were inside the Aphrodite cabin, where all the kids of the goddess of love stayed and slept. She had spent the night here, and immediately felt comfortable with all her siblings. Even her brothers. They were all so nice and friendly, even if they are all a little exaggerated in some things.
"Overboard? Honey this is like the minimum amount of make-up you'll ever leave this cabin with." One of her older sisters said. Piper remembered her name was Stephanie, who had tanned skin short brown hair that barely passed her shoulders and bright blue eyes. She was beautiful, well all of them were. But she was more elegant about it, wearing a nice blouse and skirt instead of a simple t-shirt and jeans like everyone else.
"And who did your hair?" The cabin leader Silena gawked. She had peach skin with long black hair and clear eyes. She was the oldest of all of them, so it made her cabin leader.
"It's like you got run over by a lawnmower." Piper chuckled nervously but didn't mention she did it herself. She didn't like how so many people would say how lucky she was to have beautiful hair. She didn't earn it.
"So who's this friend you're calling?" One of the boys asked while he sat lazily on his bunk. He had short blonde hair and brown eyes, she remembered his name was Trey.
"They're from the quest Percy led us on. He found me and then Percy found him and-"
"WAIT IT'S A GUY?!" the girls all cried, making poor Piper flinch.
"Oh, you shouldn't have said 'he'." Trey said knowingly with a smirk, before getting up from his bunk and walking out the cabin door.
"Y-you're just gonna leave me? Alone? With them?" Piper asked, feeling betrayed.
"Sorry newbie. You're on your own." He said as he left with a wave.
"Traitor." Piper pouted, before she was bombarded with questions.
"Who is he?"
"What's his name?"
"Is he cute?"
"Is he at camp?"
"Why would she call him if he's at camp?"
"Ehehe, well…"
"Okay girls stop. One at a time, please." Piper remarked tiredly, and her sisters slowly calmed down.
"Okay. Is he cute?" Stephanie asked, and Piper groaned.
"He is!" The girls all squealed, and Piper felt her cheeks grow hot.
"What is he to you then?" Someone asked, and Piper looked to see who it was. It was an Asian girl, who had flawless pale skin and silky smooth black hair. But the look Piper saw in her dark brown eyes, it unsettled her.
"Huh? What do you-"
"I MEAN…" The girl continued in a condescending tone. Piper didn't even remember if she introduced herself yesterday.
"Is he your boyfriend?" The other girls stood silent, annoyance evident on their faces because of how the girl asked. But at the same time they were also curious of Piper's relationship with said boy.
"Well, no not exactly…"
"Is he your crush?"
"Wha-"
"Drew enough. You're making her uncomfortable." Silena said sharply, causing the Asian girl to scoff.
"Whatever." She huffed, before flipping her hair and walking away. Piper watched her retreating form in confusion.
"What's her deal?" Piper asked, causing her siblings to all shrug.
"That's just Drew. She's...a bit straight forward." Stephanie muttered, annoyance clearly evident on her face.
"But don't worry about her, she's a drag. We're almost done." She said as both she and Silena focused on fixing her hair. Piper looked down at her finger-nails, and noticed that they were painted light pink. When did they even do her nails? Without her noticing for that matter?
"What's his name anyway?" Silena asked.
"I'm just curious." Piper smiled to herself, looking down at her nails.
"His name's Angel. He...he saved my life." Both Stephanie and Silena looked at each other knowingly, but before they could say anything they all heard a knock at the cabin door.
"Come in!" Silena called, and the door opened to reveal the grey eyed daughter of Athena to come in. She rested her fists on her hips at the sight she saw.
"Really Pipes? Just one day here in this cabin and you're already painting your nails?"
"It wasn't my idea!" Piper whined, and the other girls chuckled.
"Admit it sister, you love it." Stephanie said as she handed Piper a mirror, and she was surprised by what she saw.
"You look great Piper." Silena said with a smile.
"I...I guess I do."
"Angel will love it." Stephanie said, and Piper blushed. Unknowing of either Piper or Annabeth, both older siblings of Aphrodite looked at each other, before nodding their heads grinning.
"C'mon Pipes let's get you out of here. Being here too long will make you sneeze glitter." Annabeth said, grabbing her newest friend by the wrist.
"No hard feelings though, right girls?" Annabeth asked the other daughters of Aphrodite, and they shrugged.
"None at all Annabeth. But I'll make sure to make you pay for it next 'capture the flag'."
"I wouldn't count on it, Silena." Annabeth said with a smirk before dragging Piper out of the cabin.
"Annabeth! Why're you in such a hurry?" Piper asked as they walked through the center of camp. They were surrounded by 12 cabins total, all apparently for the 12 Olympians. On the left were all the gods, while the ones on the right were the goddesses.
On the left the order was first Zeus king of gods and lightning, then Poseidon; Percy's dad, Ares the asshole from the beach, Apollo god of sun and music, Hephaestus god of forge and lastly Hermes god of tricksters and travelers. On the right the order was Hera queen of gods and goddess of marriage, Demeter goddess of plants and gardens, Athena goddess of wisdom and warfare, Artemis goddess of the hunt, then Aphrodite; Piper's mom, and lastly Dionysus, god of wine. Piper wasn't sure why he was on the lady's side, but she really didn't care.
"I don't want any of my siblings to notice I'm gone only to find me calling a boy." Annabeth muttered as she dragged the poor girl to Zeus' fist. It was just a bunch of boulders and rocks piled together, Piper didn't see any resemblance to a fist at all.
"That's why we're doing it away from camp?" Piper asked.
"That, and because I would feel bad to basically show off camp to Angel. As far as we know, he may never be able to come in here. I don't want him to feel too left out." Annabeth answered sadly, and Piper's heart sank.
"But don't let that get you down too much, Pipes. I mean he told us he wouldn't be too far away when a quest is announced. I'm sure we'll get a chance to see him in person again."
"I just...wish he was here with us right now. At camp." Piper murmured sadly.
"Me too Piper. C'mon, let's give this meathead a call." Annabeth said smiling, before taking out a drachma and closing her eyes. As she did, the daughter of love wandered a little, seeing a small glow in the rocks.
"Oh Iris, goddess of Rainbows and messages. Take my offering." Annabeth recited, before opening her eyes and flipping the coin into the air.
"Show me Angel, champion of Hestia." The coin then stopped midair, before it disappeared into smoke. Right where the coin disappeared the air started to ripple like throwing a rock in water, before it slowly opened and showed a different place. It was a beautiful looking garden, with all types of plants and flowers.
There Annabeth saw the curly haired boy that she grew to admire. Not in a romantic way obviously, but rather more of an intrigued and interested way. Though she would be lying if she said he wasn't easy on the eyes. She realized her bashfulness towards him during the quest wasn't really because she liked him, but because she was unsure what to think of him. Or that's what she told herself. At least now she had somewhat of an idea, that he was just a guy trying to help those around him. A noble cause. But a very difficult one to keep up with. Especially if you're a mortal with demigod powers.
"I'm looking into this too much…" She heard him mutter to himself from the other side, and he looked deep in thought.
'I wonder what has him worrying like that.' Annabeth thought to herself. She then looked over at Piper for a brief moment, only to see her staring at Zeus'fist weirdly.
'Well if Piper is going to be distracted, I guess I could spare a couple seconds to talk to the guy...' She thought to herself before calling out to the boy.
Piper walked closer to Zeus'fist, trying to get a better look at what that glow was. There was like a small cave entrance between the boulders, and she could see something glow from within. Something blue. She walked closer to try to get a better look as curiosity got the better of her, but she still couldn't get any real indication as to what the glow could be. The only difference she saw as she got closer was the intensity of the glow, as it grew brighter and brighter with each step she took.
"Piper what're you looking at?" The blonde girl asked, breaking Piper's focus and turning around.
"Oh, well I think there's-" She turned back to the Zeus' fist, only to see that the glow was gone. The cave entrance was pitch black now.
"There's what?" Annabeth asked.
"Never mind. It's nothing…"
"Then c'mon, Angel is waiting on you."
"Wait he's what?" Piper asked, and she couldn't help but feel heat rise to her cheeks.
"Yeah I already connected the call. He's waiting on us." Piper gave one last glance at the cave entrance, before reluctantly following the daughter of Athena.
Not long after following Annabeth did Piper notice the portal-like circle flooding in the middle of the air, it was like a window. From the other side she was a nice looking garden, and the amber eyed boy that had saved her not 2 days ago. Although it felt like ages since it had happened.
"P-pipes?" She heard him call out, and she couldn't stop her cheeks from feeling hotter. He looked like he had just gotten up, what with a bad case of bed head and was currently wearing only a plain white tank top and boxers. His eyes shined brightly with the morning sun, and the fire in his pupils moved lazily.
"Hey, morning." She said awkwardly. She hoped her blush wasn't too noticeable.
"Yeah, morning." Angel said distractedly, and she noticed he was looking at her a bit too intently.
"I-is there something wrong?" She asked, for the first time feeling self-conscious.
"It's my hair isn't it? It looks weird." She muttered, grabbing her braid with the two feathers. Her dad and grandpa Tommy were descendants of the Native American Cherokee tribe, and it was traditional to have hair braided like this.
"N-no not at all Pipes. It looks really good actually. It's cute. I was just surprised that...you're wearing make-up." The boy chuckled nervously.
"Plus I kind of just woke up, so my brain isn't working as fast as usual."
"Wasn't too fast to begin with." Annabeth teased the boy as she stood next to the daughter of love. Who was currently playing with her hair shyly at the boy's compliment.
"Whatever, owl face . You know I'd beat you in a 1v1." Annabeth scoffed.
"As if brute strength could beat strategy."
"Sometimes it can, if it's strong enough." He grinned.
"Besides, plans are for people who don't hit hard enough." He joked.
"Muscles are for people with not big enough brains." She retorted.
"Yeah well-"
"Okay guys, be nice." Piper said as she interrupted their little quarrel.
"She started it." Angel huffed as he crossed his arms.
"And I finished it." Piper remarked, before giving him a sympathy look.
"So, did you get to your safe place you mentioned?" She asked worriedly.
"Hm? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I'm actually in Texas right now. It's where Hestia has her own little barrier thing."
"Texas? That's not exactly close." Annabeth said in an uncharacteristically worried tone.
"It's fine, Hestia teleported me here. But sometimes I wish I just walked." The boy muttered with a shiver, remembering how sick and dizzy he felt. He woke up with what assumed a hangover felt like today.
"Wait, you teleported?" Annabeth asked intrigued.
"What was it like? What did you see? How did you feel afterward?" She bombarded him with questions, and he looked overwhelmed.
"Easy Annabeth. Just one question at a time please. Just thinking about it gives me a headache." He rubbed his forehead.
"Wait, where's Percy? I figured he'd be with you guys." The boy asked, and Annabeth gave a look like the question was irrelevant.
"He's training with Chiron, our instructor. Since he's a kid of the big three, he's giving Percy the 'special' treatment. And since he's also the child of prophecy…"
"He needs all the training he can get." Angel finished, and the blonde girl nodded.
"Yeah yeah, now tell me about the teleporting." Annabeth pushed with a sparkle in her eyes, like it excited her to learn something new.
Angel sighed tiredly before explaining to Annabeth how it felt to be teleported. He told her how he experienced it when Hestia teleported him to the train station for the first time. Of how the world around him changed and he fell like he was free falling, until he wasn't. But yesterday it was worse, probably because it was a farther distance. It made him lose consciousness as soon as he felt himself land on the familiar soil.
"How did you feel the first time? You know when you actually stayed awake." Annabeth asked, and Angel grumbled. He liked Annabeth, but her questions about something he felt uncomfortable with was a bit annoying.
"Nauseous, light headed. Like I was going to throw up. Also lost sense of balance, and ended up passing out not long after." Angel explained with his arms crossed.
"I feel like it's because I'm completely mortal that teleporting has this effect on me. Maybe it'll be smoother if demigods did it." Annabeth rubbed her chin and did that face she does when she's analyzing an idea.
"It could be a possibility. The gods do it all the time, maybe their DNA structure helps them resist the side effects." She muttered to herself, and Angel decided to let her be. Lest she starts asking him more questions.
"So, how're you adjusting to camp life so far?" He asked the brown haired girl, who looked at him sheepishly.
"Pretty good actually. Everyone here is really nice and welcoming. It's like a big old family vacation home."
"Well everyone there is technically family." Angel said with an awkward chuckle, but Piper saw something in his eyes. He may be able to hide his face, but his eyes always told the truth. The flames didn't dance playfully or anything, it actually got smaller and more timid.
Piper realized her mistake and cursed herself for being so stupid. Annabeth even told her how she didn't want him to feel too left out.
"But godly DNA is different then mortal DNA. I remember something about it being corrupted when they mixed with mortals or something and disappears. So technically you aren't related by blood. It's weird, I know." Angel continued on as if what Piper said didn't affect him.
"You okay Pipes? You look distracted."
"O-oh yeah I'm okay. Just a little sore from the quest." She said with a nervous chuckle. Angel didn't say anything, in fact he looked distracted at the mention of the quest.
"How are you holding up? You know, from the poison and the fight with Ares?" She asked, trying to make conversation.
"I could be worse. A lot worse." He muttered, looking bashful.
"I-I wanted to thank you." He mumbled out, and Piper looked at him confused.
"Huh. What do you mean?"
"For what you did. Or rather, what you almost did. Back at Santa Monica beach." He said slowly, and Piper realized what he was talking about. When Echidna tried to get her to switch sides in exchange for antidote for him.
"I'm glad you didn't go through with it, but I…" He trailed off, running his hand through his hair.
"I'm just...trying to say thanks." He finished with a bit of red brushing his face.
"It's not a big deal." Piper tried to wave off.
"Besides, now I don't owe you."
"Owed me? For what?" He asked confused, and Piper rolled her eyes with an amused smile.
"For saving me, dummy. You know, back in Las Vegas?"
"Oh." The boy muttered smartly, remembering how he saved her from almost getting sexually assaulted.
"So now we're even." Piper said with a grin, and Angel returned it with a warm smile.
"Yeah, I guess we are."
"Alright you two, enough of the lovers quarrel." Annabeth said with an exaggerated sigh.
"L-lovers?"
"Owl face you got the wrong-" Both preteens tried to shrug off, only to again get interrupted by the daughter of Athena.
"Yeah yeah whatever. So did you see how I opened the IM Piper?" The blonde girl asked.
"Umm, well…" She sighed.
"Okay, no big deal. I'll just show you again later. But right now we have to prepare for next weekend's capture the flag."
"Capture the flag?" Piper asked, confused before she remembered what her sister Silena said to Annabeth earlier.
"Yeah, we do it every weekend. You know, to keep us on our toes and in top shape. A lazy demigod is a dead demigod as Chirom says. Now say goodbye to your boyfriend."
"H-he's not-"
"Bye Angel! Sorry to end the call so suddenly but we gotta get ready for this event coming up. I'm sure Piper will call you some other time okay bye!" Annabeth said suddenly before touching the screen portal thing and it slowly shrunk until it was gone. Angel was left looking at where the Iris message was before, blinking in confusion.
"...What was that about?"
"Annabeth what's the big deal?" Piper asked, extremely confused.
"Nothing, we just have to hurry and plan for capture the flag."
"But... we're on opposite teams." Annabeth realized her mistake when Piper reminded her of that small detail, and grunted in annoyance.
"Then you should go plan with your siblings. I have to go." She said before storming off. Piper stood in the forest now watching her retreating form in confusion, wondering why she was in such a hurry to leave.
Little did she know, the daughter of Athena didn't take to account her feelings for the boy. And maybe wasn't telling herself the truth about how she felt.
A/N: Okay so I know in the books all they had to do is give Angel permission in order for him to get inside the borders, but I felt like having him struggle with the fact that he can't join his friends would be more interesting. Plus it gave me ideas of what he could do outside camp and the kind of people he'd run into. Certainly people he wouldn't meet if he stayed at camp. Also this chapter was basically just filler, sorry. I just wanted to wrap up the lightning thief book and add character interaction. I promise the next chapters will be start to be a little more plot heavy and/or introducing details that will be important later on.