Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson world or characters, or anything related to the Greek Mythology world etc., I'm just a fan :)
Short A/N
Two rather lengthy chapters today (most of what I have left) and then a break. More on that in next chapter's A/N.
Sally
Oh, how long she had feared she wouldn't get to celebrate this birthday with her children. So often, she feared it won't be a celebration, rather, an occasion of great sadness.
But, they were alive, both her wonderful children. After fearing from that prophecy before they were even born, both of them reaching that age and even passing it made her want to throw the biggest party the world has ever heard of.
As her twins walked in, at the beginning of September, grinning and laughing between themselves, she pulled them into such a tight embrace they both probably saw black for a few seconds.
"My -" hugging, " - twins -" pulling closer, " - are -" closing her arms around them, " - ALIVE!" tightening her arms with all the frustration and worry she held within herself as she pressed them against her chest.
Despite the probable pain and her uncharacteristic outburst, they both laughed, and when the feeling returned to their limbs, they hugged her back.
"This was one crazy summer, mom," Percy mumbled as he was pressed somewhere near her shoulder. His sister, near the other shoulder, nodded and laughed.
"We missed you like crazy…" she said.
"You guys missed me?! I was told for as long as you two lived that one of you might die when reaching 17! I was ready to mourn you!"
"We were told the same," Percy shrugged as the hug eased down a bit and the three settled down on the couch and the comfortable chairs in the living room, "and with our luck, I still can't believe we survived."
"The prophecy wasn't about us," Penny said, and seemed to slightly sadden at that, "it was about Luke Castellan."
"Wasn't he the boy who kept trying to kill you both?"
"Yes, but he ended up sacrificing himself in the end, and saving everyone in the process."
"Oh," Sally said, "that's… brave of him."
"Very," they both agreed.
They seemed a bit nervous then. Knowing each and every one of their facial expressions by heart at this point, she tilted her head.
"What is it, guys?"
Her twins exchanged nervous looks, as Penny started to move her hands through her hair, "well, we both have some news to tell you."
"Besides you both outliving the prophecy?"
They both chuckled at that.
"That's obviously the biggest and best thing that happened," Percy smiled as he ruffled his sister's hair, "I'd rather live, and I'd prefer this annoying one to survive too."
"Back at you, Sea-weed brain."
"Oh, can it," Percy glared at her as she smiled teasingly.
Sally recognized with amusement that this was the nickname Annabeth used for Percy. That must have meant that they were… "Percy, are there news you wish to share with me?"
He turned his red face to his grinning mother. "Oh, yes, er… Annabeth and I are together now."
"They're adorable," Penny singsonged, grinning.
He frowned at her teasing. "Not as much as you and Hermes, dear sister."
Her grin wiped off and her eyes widened as they settled on her mom.
Come again?
"Pardon?" Sally stared at her son, and then at her blushing daughter. When Penny started to swat her brother angrily, Sally gulped in complete shock.
"She at least knew about you and Annabeth beforehand!"
"It's your fault for not telling anyone!" Percy retorted, but he seemed slightly guilty.
"How am I supposed to tell people I'm falling in love with a literal deity?"
So, it was that Hermes. Sally's heart shrank in fear.
"Pen," she stopped their arguing as she focused on her daughter, "please explain, because I don't understand anything."
"I… well," she stuffed her head in her hands and now Percy looked truly guilty, looking away, "yes, we're dating. I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure what was going on, until, er, a few weeks ago."
Sally frowned. "Oh, well… okay then."
"Are you very upset I didn't tell you?"
"Not upset, just… surprised. And worried."
They both looked at her with confusion. "Why worried?" Percy tilted his head.
It was then that the apartment's door opened, and her husband, Paul, walked in.
She loved Paul.
He was sweet, he was caring, and he accepted her children without hesitation and with no hostility, and that must have been hard for him, given all the additional details these two step-children had with them.
Paul's acceptance, though, was only half of the equation. It was just as important, if not more, for her kids to accept him and be comfortable with his presence. It was very worrying to her always to watch them interact.
But she shouldn't have worried, she realized, as Paul grinned with honest happiness at the sight of her twins, and they smiled friendly smiles back, both looking relieved at the change in conversation his entrance brought them.
"Percy! Penny! You're back!" And he hanged his side back on the wall near his coat on the coat hanger before walking slowly to the two.
"Hey, Paul."
"I gotta say, I'm happy you're both back and healthy. We were crazy worried about you guys. I… I feel like hugging you, is that okay? I just really thought we'll lose one of you guys."
They both grinned at that. "Sure Paul," they got up and both gave him a short, friendly hug, "thanks for the warm welcoming."
"Don't mention it! And we're working hard on your party!"
"What party?" Percy asked as Penny watched him with confusion.
"Oh, you didn't tell them yet?" Paul looked at Sally, who shook her head.
"We didn't quite get to that yet."
"Oh, then I won't bother you, I'd let you talk. Just before I go, as I'm in charge of invitations, why don't you tell me who'd you like to invite?"
"Oh," Percy looked at Penny, "like a list?"
"Yeah. Hold on a sec," and he came back with a paper and a pen, "just tell me names. We'll figure it out later."
"You do it," Penny whispered to him and leaned back on the couch, blushing like mad and closing her eyes. Sally focused her gaze on her.
Oh, no… her poor daughter.
No. This… this was very concerning to Sally.
"Er…" Percy seemed nervous by everyone's tensed reaction, and even Paul started to pick up on the nervous feelings of everyone, "okay. Annabeth, Tyson, Grover, Thalia, Juniper, that much is mutual, right?" He asked his sister, who at this point had her head in her hands. She still managed to nod, though. "Also, Rachel for me. For you Nico, right?" Another nod, her face still hidden, "and, er… the Stolls…?" She shook her head firmly. "Right, right, that would make things awkward. Er, mom," and he turned to watch his mom, who had an uncharacteristic severe look on her face, "do you want us to invite gods as well?"
"Gods in plural?" Paul asked in confusion, "I mean, I figured your dad would come, but what other gods would you want to invite?"
Sally looked down, conflicting emotions swimming in her, and Penny finally looked up, smiling nervously to Paul. "Hermes, Apollo and Hestia. They're great friends of mine."
"You're friends with -" he cut himself midsentence and inhaled deeply, smiling bashfully, "right, of course. Okay, some godly food as well. Thanks, you guys. I'll get on it."
And he disappeared quickly, allowing the three to discuss the obvious tense subjects that stood in the air.
"I don't want that for you, Pen," Sally said as soon as the door closed behind him, and Penny's eyes narrowed.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
"Look, you guys," and she sighed deeply, "you two are… the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Truly. You know that, right? I love you deeply, and don't have any regrets about either of you. You do know that?" She stressed and they both nodded, Penny with her eyes still narrowed and a scowl on her face. "Well, I… I still wouldn't wish it for my daughter. I want your life to be more comfortable than that, not for you to be left alone, raising a child when you're only 17 -"
"Mom!" Percy's eyes widened as Penny shook her head, horrified.
"It's not like that!"
"How can it not be?" Sally asked her daughter, her tone sad, "he's a god. He had many mortal lovers before, he probably will have a lot in the future. Why would you get yourself into that is -"
"I need a moment alone," Penny jumped to her feet, and with rushed steps, she soon disappeared and the twins' room's door was slammed shut.
Sally looked after her, sad, and Percy rubbed his face with confusion and shame. "Ugh," he groaned, "it's all my fault, I should've let her tell it instead of outing her like that."
"Percy, this is not your fault. She's very upset right now, and it's probably hard for her. But… well, I prefer this pain, than the pain she'd feel when -"
"I don't think it's like that, mom," Percy mumbled. "I mean, I don't really know the details," he added as her eyes settled on him, "but this has been going on for a while. Years even. And if he was in it for the, er, naughty things, he would've left by now."
"Years?!" Sally was horrified, "she was a young girl! Even now she's not really old enough -"
"No, no, not the romantic relationship!" Percy's eyes widened, "wow, I'm doing more damage than good. They only started going out after our last birthday. Look, I meant their acquaintance, they've been friends for years."
Sally shook her head. "Okay, this is too much, and too confused. I would have to talk to your sister about it."
"Yeah, do that," Percy agreed hurriedly, "I'm gonna take a walk."
Penny
She picked and played with the earphone he gave her, lying on her bed and watching the ceiling.
She had to fight very hard not to let her demons, her insecurities, have a party over this.
Her logical side agreed with her mother.
He was a god, he had many children over the course of the years, and he was immortal. He would outlive her so many times. There were probably countless mortal women over the years who were in love with deities like him, destroyed by this kind of relationship. Her logic told her she'll only end up hurt, and that she should get out before she falls too much, too deep, and won't be able to move on from him when the moment comes and he tires of her.
Her feelings wouldn't hear any of that.
They felt cliche, they felt naive. But they still felt very strong, swimming in her insides stubbornly. They memorized every soft smile he gave her, the way his eyes would glint when he saw her, the way he relentlessly defended her in front of the Olympians when she made her wish, how much fear and pain were in his face when he thought her scared of him. This… this felt real. It might end very badly for her, but it felt too good to step away from.
A soft knock on the door, and her mom entered, walking slowly and then sitting next to her on the bed. She watched her daughter quietly as Penny kept her gaze on the ceiling.
"What's this?" Her mom asked, pointing to the earphone.
Penny looked down at the object in her hand. "He gave it to me on my birthday. It's a way for me to call him and for him to call me."
She wasn't used to her mother so stern, and she was upset, confused and embarrassed about it.
Her father, she was able to understand opposing, but her mom? She was the most understanding person in the world. If she didn't approve…
"That's… that's nice of him," Sally admitted as she leaned back on the wall behind her bed, settling on it more comfortably, "does he answer quickly when you call him?"
"Yeah," Penny nodded and then chuckled, "and that's a big thing. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I'd say he's the busiest god there is."
"Yes, as their messenger that makes sense," Sally nodded and Penny sat up to lean on the wall as well.
"Not just messenger," and then she looked down to her fingers, lifting a finger with each word, "let's see if I remember. Roads, Travel, Loads, Gymnasiums, Athletes, Diplomacy, Orators, Thieves, Commerce, Trade and…" she reused her first finger again, "Herd. Yes, eleven titles I can remember."
"Alright," Sally chuckled, "busy."
She sighed and pulled her daughter into a hug, starting to move her fingers in her hair, something that always calmed Penny when she was younger.
It seemed to work then, too, as Penny relaxed in her mother's arms and smiled up at her. "Tell me about it, please," she asked her daughter, and she nodded her head and told her everything that happened since he saved her life three years before, helped her and Percy before their quest two years before up until their last conversation over pizza and her possibly fearing him.
Percy
Percy really didn't want into all of that drama. Every time he saw all the problems and difficulties his sister's relationship got her into, he thanked the gods (or more appropriately, the Fates) that his relationship was simple, and mortal, and normal.
As he was back from his walk, he entered a very weird scene.
Penny was pacing back and forth (she was pacing, again?! He hated her pacing) mumbling to herself, "stupid, stupid, stupid."
"You're overreacting Penny," their mom smiled from the couch as Penny's tap tap tap of her pacing echoed through the little apartment, "I just want to meet him before we meet him at the party. Doesn't that make sense? He didn't seem to mind either, he sees the logic in it."
Oh.
Percy watched his sister as she saw him entering and the look she gave him was pleading for him to stay there and make everything better.
"Mom," he said as he entered, "why are you doing this to her?"
Sally smiled at him. "She's going out with him tonight. I just want him to introduce himself before they go."
Tap, tap, tap.
Their mom was great, but she had some moments in which she was the most embarrassing mother in the world.
Tap, tap, tap.
And Penny was pacing again.
Did he mention how much he hated her pacing?
He sat next to his mom on the couch, and glared at Penny.
Tap, tap, tap.
"Stop the pacing."
"Let me pace!"
"No, it drives me crazy!"
"This… situation drives me crazy. I hate how I have to fight with the entire world about my right to be happy!"
Tap, tap, tap.
"You're being dramatic, Penny," their mother said gently and Penny's eyes narrowed as she finally stopped the pacing.
"Oh, believe me, I'm not. Every single person, and deity, for that matter, have voiced their opinion on how much this union is bad and wrong. In fact -"
But the fact was cut short with a knock on the door.
Sally made to get up, but before she could Penny was already at the door, opening it and then jumping on the deity with a crushing hug.
"Penny -"
"Take me away from here."
"Penny," he chuckled, "it's okay."
"It's not! I'm so sorry, this is so embarrassing -"
"It's really okay," Hermes insisted and kissed her cheek before pulling away to wink at Percy.
"Hey, Percy."
He was quite surprised to notice that Hermes looked quite laid back, almost like a normal, mortal person, with jeans and a blue jacket branded with the 'Hermes Express' logo. His winged sneakers kind of gave him away, though.
"Hey, Hermes," Percy smiled back, and meant the friendliness.
Really, after the initial shock, Percy didn't mind their relationship much. It seemed like it'd be hard for other people to swallow, but honestly, his sister could do much, much worse. Hermes was one of the nicest, most down to earth deities.
"Penny," Hermes laughed as Penny still stood between him and the entrance, "let me in."
"Fine," she turned around to give her mother a dirty look as she moved into the living room and sat down in one of the chairs, frowning deeply.
Besides clenching her lips, their mother responded quite well to that, given how Penny never gave her this kind of look.
She stood up to greet him.
Hermes walked in slowly, closing the door behind him before standing in front of their mother and offering her his hand to shake. "Nice to meet you. I'm Hermes."
"Sally Blofis."
They shook hands and then Hermes sat on a chair close to Penny's, smiling to Sally. "Right, I heard you recently got married. Congratulations."
"Thank you," Sally seemed surprised he knew that, "it is quite recent. A year or so ago."
"Okay!" Penny leaned forward, rubbing her hands, "you've met. You know names now. Great! Let's go -"
Hermes stopped her movements, looking very amused, but he shook his head slowly. "Penny, your mother is allowed to have concerns."
"Don't talk down to me," Penny scowled, and Percy was quite surprised to realize she was actually angry, "I'm so sick of everyone judging me all. The. Time. No matter where I go. I thought at least here I'd have a break."
"Penny!" Their mother seemed horrified, her eyes wide, "I am not judging you! I just need to make sure… make sure that he doesn't hurt…" and her eyes wandered worriedly to the deity.
Percy understood why she was perplexed.
She was worried the god might take offense at her implication and it made sense as many other gods probably would. They took offense at any insinuation they were in the wrong, and especially when it was 'mere mortals' who implied such things.
But Hermes smiled kindly to Sally. "I understand your concerns. I do. Any mother of a demigod would fear such a fate for her daughter. I'm not innocent of that, either. I have demigod children. But this is not the case. I've taken a break from all of that, and I really am trying to get to know your daughter."
Sally nodded, accepting his words, but her eyes still seemed worried. "How does that work? I mean, with you being an immortal and Penny not."
"Well…" and his eyes wandered to Penny, who still seemed angry, picking at the hem of her jacket, "Penny was offered immortality. She turned it down to ask for something incredibly selfless and kind, but the gods are at least willing to look at her in that way. I'm counting on that for the possible future."
"Oh," Sally seemed surprised, and Percy figured she didn't consider the possibility that Hermes thought in that direction. "Oh, I…"
As her voice faded, Hermes spoke up again. "Anyway, Mrs. Blofis, I'm in no rush. Penny and I can find out together where this goes."
"Right," and she nodded her head, looking at him approvingly, "right, great, this is what I wanted to hear," they shared a smile and then Hermes looked sideways to Penny.
"Come on," he smiled, grabbing her hand, "I'm not talking down to you, but it's alright for your mother to wish to meet me."
"I'm just so sick of it!" Penny complained, her voice bitter. She let go of his hand and stood up, "I… I, I'm sorry mom, alright? You've been fine. You're entitled to question him. But I, I can't handle it anymore! I feel like I have to apologize for every little thing I do! It's exhausting!"
As Percy saw the true weariness and despair on his sister's face, as well as the affront in Hermes' eyes, probably misunderstanding her meaning, he decided it was his turn to intervene.
"Then stop apologizing, Pen," he said simply, and felt everyone's eyes on him, "stop apologizing to Hermes about everything those around you do, he knows what he got himself into," and when Hermes nodded to him he knew he was alright with saying that, "and stop apologizing to mom and dad if what you're doing makes you happy. And if you're gonna apologize to me, then apologize only for the pacing."
She slightly glared at him for the pacing-comment, but still seemed to calm down somewhat.
"And, and everyone else," Percy added as the thought popped into his head, "if you feel any need to apologize to people outside your circle of family and close friends then definitely throw that out of the window! They have no right to your personal business anyway."
"In conclusion, stop apologizing, Pen," Hermes looked at her with a somewhat stern look, but his eyes were watching her fondly, "upon my honor, I've never met someone who had less to apologize for."
That meant something, coming from a god, Percy thought to himself. They wouldn't swear on their honor so quickly. Plus, they met quite a lot of people.
She moved her fingers in her hair in confusion and then shook her head. "I… I need to be alone tonight. I don't feel like going out, Hermes, I'm sorry for dragging you here -"
"Hey," and he smiled, "you're apologizing again."
She inhaled deeply but seemed calmer.
"I…" she seemed like she wanted to apologize again, and then smiled, "I need to lie down. My head hurts."
Hermes nodded as she bent down and hugged him, kissing him briefly.
"I'm -" and she smiled again and rolled her eyes, "- thank you, for understanding."
"Don't mention it," he snickered and then looked up at her, "I can get rid of that headache for you if you want."
"Thanks," she finally chuckled, "but I'd rather sleep on it."
"Up to you. I'll talk to you tomorrow morning?"
"Yes," and she smiled, "goodnight."
"Goodnight, Pen. And by the way, you know you don't have to keep it all in with me, right? It's better to be angry every once in a while than to have a mental breakdown."
"Too soon, Hermes," she said with a grimace.
"Right," he agreed uncomfortably, "sleep on it."
"Goodnight Percy, mom," and her eyes lingered on her mom, "I'm -"
"Pen, don't you dare apologizing to me," Sally laughed, "just go."
Penny shook her head with a tired smile and soon disappeared in her room.
"Well," and Hermes sighed and then smiled to Sally, "it was nice to meet you."
"And you, Lord Hermes. I'm sorry you came here for nothing."
"Definitely not for nothing. I gather the over-apologizing thing is from your side of the family?" He had a glint of amusement in his eyes. Sally laughed in surprise, "it's definitely not from Poseidon. No need to address me as 'Lord Hermes', by the way," he got up, "just Hermes is fine. And Percy -"
For a second he thought the god would scold him for what he said to Penny in the god's name.
But his smile was friendly, "- you said some great things there. You're a smart young man. I'm happy Penny has you to help her with things. Makes me calmer when I'm not around."
He smiled in surprise. "Thank you. You're… you're alright too, Hermes."
Again, he didn't know how the deity would take it, many others wouldn't like this kind of informal talk, but he seemed to take it quite well as he smiled somewhat impishly, his eyes moving to Penny's closed door.
"Thank you. I hope your sister still thinks so too."
Percy and Sally both laughed as the deity got up.
"I should go, but it was nice meeting you, Mrs. Blofis."
His mom smiled. "If I'm gonna call you Hermes, you can call me Sally."
"Sally," and he smiled, his eyes settling on her, "I know it sounds terribly cliché, but honestly… Penny does look a lot like you. She's like a younger you with Poseidon's eyes."
"I've heard that before, so I won't doubt your honesty," Sally seemed amused and Hermes chuckled.
"Well, you've raised wonderful kids. They're true heroes, your twins."
Percy looked down in somewhat embarrassment.
"Thank you. Oh, and before you go, we're throwing Penny and Percy a late birthday party, and Penny asked for you to come. Would you -"
"Of course," he smiled genuinely, "when?"
"There are invitations," Percy jumped to his feet, taking four envelopes from the stack Paul made, "yes, they're taking this very seriously, invitations and everything," he muttered to Hermes as he handed him an envelope.
"Hey, I get that. You two reaching 17 is a big deal. We all had our concerns."
"Exactly," Sally smiled, "and I'm glad you can come. Penny would like that."
"Sure thing. Thanks for inviting me."
"And hey," Percy eyed him unsurely, "how does it work if I want to, er…" and Hermes looked down to the three other envelopes he had in his hand and smirked, "can you, er, deliver them even if I'm not a deity? Should I pay you or something, like we do Iris?"
"No," he snickered, "this one's on me. One to your dad, I assume…"
"The other two to Hestia and Apollo."
"Hestia and Apollo. Right. Makes sense. Well…" and he opened his invitation and glanced at it, "I'll see you two again on Thursday, then. And I'll give the invitations to Poseidon, Hestia and Apollo."
"Thank you," his mom smiled and the door closed behind him as the Messenger God left. "Wow…" and Sally crumbled to the couch, "I really didn't mean to upset your sister like that."
"It's not your fault," Percy shrugged, "she's going through a lot. Many people are awful to her for her relationship with Hermes. I'm surprised it took her this long to get angry."
"People gave her hell, huh?" Sally watched him sadly and Percy shrugged, looking down. "Well, at least, she seems to have chosen well. I was pleasantly surprised, he is… nothing like I expected."
"Well, if your impression of how gods are is dad…" and Percy chuckled, "they're quite different from each other. Hermes is one of the younger gods, so much more informal. And, he's just generally very down to earth and nice."
"He is," Sally agreed, "and I have to admit, I was surprised when he implied he wished for Penny to be immortal," she hesitated, "it's not that I doubt my daughter deserving that, it's just so different from my experience with gods."
"It's alright that it's weird for you. It's different from how most gods treat most mortal women. It's even different from how Hermes probably treated mortal women. I think… I think it's different for them because they come from the same world. She understands him, she has the context to really read him well. And also because she's not really a mortal," Percy mumbled and then smirked, "hell, their children, would they have any, won't even be demigods. They'd be… scary little sea-thieves, and they'd be three-quarters godly. That's more immortal than not."
"You're right," Sally smiled, "and it is clear he takes her very seriously. I am quite calm about them now. When Penny wakes up tomorrow, less angry with the world, I'll tell her that."
"Do," Percy smiled, "she'd like that."
"So, Percy, enough about your sister. How is your love life?"
Uh-oh.
Hermes
As they discussed, Apollo teleported into his Olympic office, ten minutes before the party. The Sun God chuckled with amusement as Hermes strode back and forth, having 4 or 5 phone conversations at the same time.
"Martha, put on Dionysus - yes, hey, I'm gonna be busy this afternoon, but they got the shipment. They told me to say they'd started working on it. - sorry, that'd have to wait. Call me around 7. - yes, pm. Okay, bye. - Hey, Hephaestus. - 'Course, I didn't forget. I sent one of my workers, the best of them, he'd be with you today. I know it's a busy day for you. - you're welcome, it's no problem, I just don't have this afternoon free. - sure thing, buddy. Bye. - Hera! How are you?"
He rolled his eyes to Apollo for the fake enthusiasm he had to put on, and Apollo snickered. It was no secret that these two had no love lost between them in the last year or so.
"The peacocks! How can I forget, ever since I agreed to it it's almost all I do. I should change my company's name to 'peacocks express'. - yes, it was a lousy joke, I apologize. - well, yes, it's handled, sorry I can't be there myself, but my workers are skillful, don't worry. - okay, bye. - Kratos! How's it going! - yes, yes, don't you know me better than that? 200 units of protein-shakes to the Minneapolis gym are on their way as we speak. Wish them luck on that marathon they're having, obviously as the Athletes Patron I'm on board. - Yes, sure thing. Bye!"
And he hung up, exhaling loudly.
"Fates. No calls anymore, George and Martha. And if you can answer an email with 'will do, with blessings, Lord Hermes, Messenger of The Gods, God of Road, Travel and blah blah blah', do that, and add what they're asking to my list," he frowned as a thought popped into his head, "no actual 'blah blah' George, I'll strangle you! Martha, keep an eye on him."
Apollo chuckled.
"Wow, thank gods, this is over with," Hermes rubbed his face as he turned to Apollo, "every time I try to clear myself an afternoon I almost burst with the pressure."
Apollo nodded his head as Hermes continued to mutter and complain incoherently for a few more seconds and then rubbed his face again and smiled.
"What-ever. Today will be fun."
"Yeah?" Apollo arched an eyebrow to him, "seems to me a bit like walking into the crossfire on your part."
"Nah, it'd be fine," Hermes nodded decisively, "they're used to me by now."
They were. Poseidon would not gruff and huff each time he saw him anymore, which Hermes thought of as progress, and he even told him he liked how he protected Penny in the gathering; and Sally was very nice when he met her.
"I am glad you and Hestia are coming," Hermes added, "I feared that each time Penny would be occupied, I'd have no one to talk to but Poseidon. And while he is less hostile to me recently, it's still not as friendly as it used to be."
"Hey, I'm happy to come. I like parties."
"What did you get them?"
And really, Hermes meant to ask what did he get her. Apollo was pretty much his best friend among the deities, but he still had many moments of crossing red lines, especially when it came to Penny.
Apollo seemed to understand the underlying question as he smirked at him.
"Relax. I was very neutral with my gifts. I got them both a bow and arrows, very stylish, may I add."
And he showed him two little sun pins, that when you press them become a golden bow with a stack of arrows.
"Hey, that's nice." Good, neutral indeed.
"What did you get them?"
"Well, I used Penny's help for Percy's gift, and she gave me just the greatest idea. Apparently Percy blew up his and his girlfriend Annabeth's one-month anniversary or something of the sort, so I'll fly them to a weekend in Paris. Easiest thing in the world for me, as God of Travel, and Percy would like that very much."
"Hey, thoughtful. But wait, they celebrate that?!"
"I know. Ridiculous. Penny assured me she didn't expect us to celebrate that. I mean, come on, each month? I'm an immortal. I'd run out of gifts and gestures sooner than later."
"Wow," Apollo agreed with a chuckle, "see, this is what I avoid by not committing to mortals. One-month anniversaries or even one-year anniversaries are ridiculous."
"That one Penny would like to celebrate, I think," Hermes said, scratching his chin, "hey, I want to celebrate it too. Not because we lasted a year, but because the brat managed to keep herself alive for another 12 months."
"They risk themselves a lot, these twins," Apollo agreed with a chuckle. "So, what did you get her?"
Hermes rubbed his neck as his other hand reached down to his bag. "Don't read too much into it," he warned him, and Apollo tilted his head as Hermes handed him the small box.
In it lay a gentle silver necklace, with a white-gold caduceus pendant with two tiny golden snakes looping around it.
"Whoa," Apollo gaped slightly, his eyes widening, "dude, that's like a -"
"It's not," Hermes snapped the little box closed and stuffed it in his bag again, "it's just a declaration, not a proposal."
"A declaration?"
"Yes, so others see I'm serious about this and keep their mouths shut. It's driving her insane, and honestly, it's starting to bug me too," and he indeed had an irritated look on his face, his brows furrowed and his eyes alight with quiet anger.
"Alright," Apollo raised his hands in surrender, "I get you. It will shut up some people. But still, to most this seems like a -"
"They can see it however they like, it's not my problem."
"Her dad might look at it like that too."
Hermes winced, but then shrugged. "It might… it might calm him down somewhat, as well. I can tell he's worried I'll break her heart."
"How can you be so sure you won't?" Apollo's eyes scanned his face, and Hermes could tell Apollo wondered about that subject as well.
"I can't," Hermes admitted quietly, "I'm not the Fates, and… Time is a long, big thing to make promises over. But I don't like this… this loneliness either. I don't think Olympian Marriages are ideal, but being an immortal bachelor, having one meaningless fling after the other with mortals is not that much fun anymore either. I crave something more... meaningful. And I finally met someone that understands my world but is still humble and kind like only mortals appear to be. I don't know. I want to try something else."
Apollo nodded to him and smiled. "Alright, no more interrogation. With this gift, you'll have enough of that anyway. Let's go to the party and eat some cake."
Penny
Penny and Percy sat on the couch, wearing blue plastic party-hats and awaiting their guests nervously.
"Well," Percy spoke up as behind them their mother rushed between blue cakes and blue candies (they tried to help her, but she just swatted their heads and demanded they'd leave and let her be alone in her kitchen) and watched the door, "this can either be a lot of fun, or a complete disaster."
"In a true Jackson twins' style," Penny giggled to him.
"Penny, you liar. You know the Jackson twins' style is only complete disasters."
"Come on," she laughed, "stop being a pessimist."
A knock was heard on the door.
"Here goes nothing," Percy muttered as their mother urged them to open the door.
"Dad! Tyson!" They both grinned as Poseidon walked into the apartment, followed by their cyclopes half brother. Poseidon hugged Percy shortly as Tyson crushed Penny with a hug and lifted her off the ground.
"Whoa," she laughed as she hugged him back, "well, I missed you too, big guy. How are you?"
"Great, now that you two are not dead and we celebrate that!"
She laughed. "That's two great circumstances, yes. Ah, I missed you!"
And they hugged again.
"Penny," her father smiled as Tyson turned to hug Percy, "how are you, my daughter?"
"Dad!" She grinned and hugged him with almost the force Tyson hugged her, but he didn't seem to mind the least as he hugged her back. "I'm so glad you could come!"
"Wouldn't miss it. Your mom's parties just keep getting better and better with each year, huh?"
Penny grinned at him as she pulled away. "She's just happy we got to 17. She had some doubts."
"We all did," he chuckled and ruffled her hair fondly, "honestly, it's rare I find myself this happy about my kids' birthdays, but this one is just a great, happy relief for all of us."
She hugged him again, flooded with adoration to her father, and he chuckled and hugged her back.
"Hey, keep some hugs for other gods, we all want in on the fun," that was Apollo, as he and Hermes appeared behind Poseidon in the entrance.
"Come in, all of you," Penny mumbled, a bit red, as both her dad and Hermes glared at Apollo. They moved from the entrance, and Poseidon went to greet Sally and Paul as Penny hugged Apollo briefly, smiling at him fondly, before she turned to kiss Hermes and soon enough got pulled into his arms possessively as he glared at the laughing Apollo.
"She hugged me first, man," he argued with a nod and winked at Penny.
"Can it," Hermes threatened as Penny laughed and pulled him down to kiss his cheek. "Don't be angry over nothing," she whispered to him and then pulled away, "and would you two stop reading into every little thing I do?"
Hermes frowned. "I'm not the one doing it!"
"Shut up, you whiner, you got the girl," Apollo yawned as he walked in to greet Poseidon.
That seemed to calm down Hermes as he chuckled with Penny. "Well," he added as he looked around himself, "maybe I should give Percy his gift now, before Annabeth gets here?"
"Great idea!" Penny grinned, "hey, Percy!"
He walked a minute later to them, confused.
"Well," Hermes started to fish in his bag until he pulled out a small picture of the Eiffel Tower, "when I tried to think what to get you, Penny mentioned something about Annabeth angry at you for forgetting your one-month anniversary."
Percy frowned. "Yes, can you believe it? Why would I remember that?"
"It is a bit absurd," Hermes agreed as Penny glared at both of them.
"Don't push it, you two."
"Come on, Pen," Hermes smiled, hugging her closer to him, "you agreed it's silly."
"Clearly not to Annabeth. Besides, you should know how much time passed, even if you're not gonna celebrate it."
Percy scratched his neck with a nervous look. "I do know… sort of. Look, who cares? The important thing is to be together, not to be a walking calendar."
"Right," Hermes laughed, but at Penny's glare his smile wiped off, "wrong, obviously. Totally, er, wrong. Pen, stop with the anger, we've agreed to celebrate the year thing," he then turned to grin at Percy, "It's her birthday too, it's not too hard to remember."
Penny rolled her eyes as Percy looked away nervously.
"They got together on the same date, Hermes," she told him, and Hermes stared at Percy with amusement.
"Hey, don't you judge me!" Percy glared, "I didn't think about it from the month perspective! Had it been a year -"
"Sure Percy, whatever you say," Penny smirked and Hermes seemed like he was holding himself from mocking Percy. He grinned and shook his head.
"Anyway, I heard she was upset, so here," and he handed him the picture, "just tear it and I'll send you both to Paris for a weekend."
"Hey!" Percy grinned happily, "this is perfect! She'd love it! Thank you!"
Hermes gloated somewhat as Percy went to brag about his gift and Penny thought it absolutely adorable that he cared so much about impressing her family.
"Thank you," she kissed his cheek again with a smile, "it's the perfect gift."
"Hey," he held her waist with his hands, "it's your suggestion."
"Yes, well, you improved it a lot. The picture is a cute idea."
"Thanks," he laughed as the door opened and more guests walked in, "I wasn't too sure. Now, let's go now for your gift, before the whole thing starts and we have no moment for ourselves."
"What gift?" She asked him with surprise, before reaching into a pocket in her jeans and pulling out the little purple earphone, "you already gave me a gift."
He smiled. "Well, I'm giving you another one. Come on, where can we talk in private?"
"In my bedroom," she pulled him with her. They walked slowly to said room, and as she closed the door behind them she turned to smile softly at him. "You didn't need to get me another gift."
"I know I didn't need to," he smiled as he kissed her cheek, "I wanted to."
"Well thank you. I really don't know what to say. Do gods have birthdays too?"
"I -" he started to say something but her words surprised him, "- … no."
"But how will I repay you?"
"You've… you've done enough, Pen," he snickered, "I'm closer than ever to all my kids, Luke included, thanks to you," he pulled out a black box, and seemed slightly nervous as he handed it to her. She opened it up and when she saw what was inside, she gasped.
"Hermes… it's, it's beautiful!" She raised the delicate necklace with tender fingers, watching the shiny caduceus-shaped pendant more closely.
He beamed at her. "You really like it?"
"I love it! It's so gentle and elegant… but, but why are you giving me this?"
"What do you mean why, I want you to have it."
"Okay," and she grinned as he took the necklace from her and clasped it on her neck with soft fingers. As she turned around to him, the caduceus-pendant laying against the front of her dress, she saw an elated gleam in Hermes' eyes as he looked at it.
"It feels…" she snickered as she picked at it softly, "it feels as if you're marking territory."
He shrugged, smirking impishly. "In a way, I am."
She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes.
He rubbed his head. "But in a good… respecting, to, umm, women way. Yes."
She laughed. "you're ridiculous."
He pulled her closer, stroking her brown hair and grinning at her. "And you're beautiful."
He kissed her then, and she kissed him back, the obvious excitement he showed at her wearing the necklace exciting her too. She felt his fingers moving through her hair softly as he pulled her closer to him, her body pressed against his chest.
As he pulled away, he grinned.
"Come on, let's go and have your father angry with me."
He was about to go out of the room as she pulled him back, frowning. "Why would he be angry with you? I thought we were done with the anger by now."
Hermes looked uncomfortable as he glanced at the necklace. "He'll… he'll read into it and misunderstand this."
"Why would he? It's a necklace."
Hermes sighed, rubbing his face. "Look, I… it's known among the deities that this kind of gift is usually given in betrothals," and at her eyes widening with shock, he hurriedly added, "but this is not the case here, clearly."
"... What?"
His hands settled on her waist. "We all have our power symbols, and once we give it in jewelry form people think it a marriage proposal. Here it isn't. It's a declaration. I want others to know I'm serious about you so they'll know better than to comment."
"Hermes…" she sighed as she framed his face, "that's really sweet of you, honest, but now I can't accept it."
He frowned. "What? Why?"
"I can't accept engagement jewelry for my 17th birthday -"
"It's not really -"
"But it is, isn't it?" They looked at each other and her heart pinched at the obvious disappointment on his face, "Hermes, this is not me saying no. This is me saying not yet."
"Penny, this is not me proposing," he smirked at her, but it was only half-heartedly so, his eyes turned off, "I just… I hate how I can't protect you from the scorn I'm causing you to face. I mean, let's face it, you wouldn't be facing all that contempt were I just a regular demigod. And this, this will protect you. Beings, especially Mythological ones would respect this necklace, they'll hold their tongues. They allow themselves to say whatever when they think you are just some passing lover, but if they'll see how serious I am about you -"
"And think we are to marry?"
"I'm not pressuring you…" he looked down, "that is, I don't mean to, anyway. Al-alright, give it back."
"Hermes," she sighed, her throat closing at the hurt she recognized in his eyes, "I'm not saying no. I'm… I'm 17. Hell, I'm a hero, I might die by next year and -"
"Oh Penny, you know just how to cheer me up," he glared at her, "not only are you refusing me but you encourage me with your probable death. I'm over the moon."
She laughed softly, pulling him closer. She kissed him, then again, then again, until his eyes finally softened as they settled on her.
"I… I love you," she confessed shyly, "even that feels crazy soon, but I might as well confess it. I am serious about this relationship. Deadly serious. And I'm not saying no. I'm saying -"
"Not yet," he completed her, rolling his eyes but smiling, "yeah, I got it. And… and I love you too, sea-girl. You've turned my world upside down in the best way possible."
Apollo
As they reemerged to the party, Hermes caught his eyes and shook his head once, looking very disappointed. But he put on a smile as Penny pulled him with her to the kitchen to give him some of the ridiculous blue food her mother made.
She was funny, her mortal mother, Sally. It made perfect sense to Apollo that she had such amusing, cheeky kids.
Hermes later leaned on the wall next to him as they both watched Penny interacting with her father with the usual adoration she always had when doing so. It seemed mutual though, as Poseidon spoke in a gentle tone and kept hugging her and pushing her curls behind her ears.
"I didn't even realize I did mean it as a proposal until she refused me," Hermes confessed quietly, avoiding his gaze as he watched father and daughter.
"Disappointed?"
He hesitated. "Um… yeah."
"Hurt?"
She turned around just then to look at Hermes, smiling at him brightly before her father took her to a distant corner to give her his gift.
Hermes' eyes followed her across the room. "No."
Apollo nodded. "Good. I don't think she meant to offend you. Or that she doesn't want you like that. She's only 17, it's too young."
Hermes sighed. "... It is."
Apollo clapped his back. "Well, I'm gonna go chat with my oracle. She's a funny little mortal, have you met her?"
"Briefly," Hermes smiled as he looked down, "I try not to hold a grudge."
"Oh," Apollo remembered immediately, "May."
Hermes kept his gaze down before shaking his head and smiling at the Sun God. "It's alright. I'll go and say hello to Hestia."
/
Later, he took the twins to the side, and they looked at him with confusion as he explained his gifts to them, handing them the pins.
"Er… Apollo," Percy smiled nervously as Penny giggled, "thanks a lot, this is really really cool. But we…"
"We suck in bow and arrow," Penny laughed as she smiled at the pin in her palm.
"I know that," Apollo smirked, "only my kids seem to excel at that. Don't worry you two, this bow is luckier than most other bows. Just remember to pray to the right Sun God and give that benevolent being a nice food-offering afterward."
They both laughed, grinning as Penny jumped on him with her all too known bear-hugs.
/
Despite declaring loudly to Apollo before they got to the party that phone-calls were off-limits that afternoon, soon enough Hermes gave-in and walked away to speak into his phone in a hushed tone, striding in the corner. "It's Zeus? Fine, put him through. Hello, father - yes, sorry, I was actually meant to be off work this afternoon. - A letter to Athena? Yes, of course, I'll take care of it, let me send someone over, they'll get it done in five minutes tops. - Don't worry, they're just as capable as me. Stay on the line. - Hey, yeah, Zeus called. Listen…"
He stepped away and smiled apologetically to Penny who was just walking over to them, probably looking for Hermes. She smiled back and shrugged, leaning next to Apollo on the wall instead.
"Apollo," she smiled at him, "I never got to thank you for coming. I appreciate it very very much."
"Hey…" he ruffled her hair, "it's my pleasure. I love parties. And, well… I like the two of you, as well. You're great heroes and great people. I'm glad neither of you died."
"I am too," she laughed as her eyes landed on her brother, who was just hugging Annabeth to him as the two spoke to Grover. "If life could just be like this all the time, just laughing and enjoying each other and eating blue cake…" he turned his head to eye her, expecting something very deep to follow, "well… it'd be cool."
"It'd be cool?" He repeated and laughed, "wow, I expected something deeper from you, Penelope."
She shrugged. "Wouldn't it be cool, though?"
"It would be," he chuckled, "it would be. Hey, I just remembered the last time we were together at a party, having been left by Hermes for his phone, you convinced me to play some music."
"There wasn't much convincing involved," she laughed as she remembered that day, "I only brought up the subject of music and you were ready to go."
"I feel like it right now," he admitted.
"See? It's all you. Wow, you've embarrassed me to my core that day."
"What?"
"'This next one is dedicated to Penny Jackson. I sure am glad we didn't kill you! You look great today! Wave to the crowd!'"
They chuckled together.
Hermes rejoined them, stuffing his phone in his pocket as he leaned on the wall next to Penny. "What's the joke?"
"How I apparently embarrassed her in the Winter Solstice a couple of years ago."
"Oh yeah," and Hermes grinned, "it was hilarious."
"Was not," Penny glared at him, but soon she was smiling again, "I was mortified."
"Yeah," Hermes snickered, "made it even funnier."
"You're the worst," she told him as he laughed and pulled her to him.
"Well, how about I do it again, for old times' sake?" Apollo grinned.
Penny shook her head. "It's fine, thank you."
"Come on. What musical instruments do you have here?"
She rubbed her neck. "That two levels table with the blue tablecloth against the wall is actually Paul's piano."
"Blasphemy!" Apollo was horrified, "that's no way to treat a piano!"
Hermes and Penny both chuckled at him as he walked slowly to her mother, flashing her his most charming grin.
Sally reddened a bit as she smiled back.
"Yes, Lord Apollo?"
"No Lord necessary, wonderful Sally Jackson. I was wondering, your daughter mentioned something about a piano turned into a table."
They both turned back to look at Penny, who waved innocently at them as Hermes laughed into his fist.
"Er…"
"As the God of Music, ma'am, I must object fiercely. That is no way to treat a piano!"
Sally's eyes widened. "Um… I'm sorry…?"
"Don't be!" He said cheerfully, grinning again, "I will restore its lost honor by playing it."
"We will be honored, Lord Apollo," her mortal husband said from the kitchen, and he grinned. This family was so sensible, always showing a healthy appreciation for his talents!
"Great," he rubbed his hands as the piano was cleared and readied for him. He sat in front of it. "What should I play, what should I play… hey, I know what. Oh Penny!" He singsonged, and the laughing girl stepped forward, dragging an unhappy Hermes with her. They stopped in front of the piano, Penny just across from Apollo and Hermes towering behind her.
"If I'm gonna dedicate this song to you, you need to be next to me, don't you?"
Hermes frowned at him. "What exactly are you dedicating to her?"
"Don't you worry, a classic."
His eyes narrowed. "... Super."
"Listen up, everyone!" Apollo made sure everyone was made aware of this little scene, "I'm about to dedicate a song to the birthday girl, and that will include me performing with my divine abilities. So believe me, none of you wants to miss this."
"No indeed, none of us does," Percy smirked, "I'm not even jealous I'm not getting a song myself," he walked forward, his eyes moving from the smirking Apollo, to the giggling Penny and the glaring Hermes. "Hermes, how are you okay with this?"
He pursed his lips. "I know him well enough to know I have no way of stopping it."
"That's right, buddy," Apollo smirked. "Alright, let's go."
His fingers flew over the keyboard as the cheerful notes of "Never Gonna Give You Up" started to play. Everyone started to laugh as Hermes buried his head in Penny's shoulder. "Sweet Fates."
"We're no strangers to love…" Apollo sang in his deep, rich baritone voice, "you know the rules, and so do I!" He winked to Penny, who closed her eyes in silent laughter. "A full commitment's what I'm thinking of. You wouldn't get this from any other god," Hermes gave him a death-glare as everyone erupted in laughter, even Poseidon. "I... just wanna tell you how I'm feeling, gotta make you understand - everyone!" Everyone started to sing with him.
"Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you! Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye! Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you!"
Just Apollo singing then, grinning widely to Penny who was laughing hard. Hermes had his eyes narrowed, looking like he's any second from losing his patience. "We've known each other for so long - your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it -"
"And that's enough," Hermes grumbled and dragged Penny away as everyone laughed hysterically.
"No! Penny, don't go!" Apollo kept playing, smirking, "I'm never gonna give you up! I'm never gonna let you down!"
Penny
Hestia was so graceful at that party, just as she always was. She greeted her mom like an old friend, complimented her cooking and her house and gave Percy a beautiful picture frame of him, Annabeth and Penny.
As for the gift Penny herself got...
"Can I borrow my champion for a few minutes?" The Beautiful goddess approached Hermes, Apollo and Penny. Penny of course greeted her when she walked in, but Hestia then went to talk to Percy and then to Nico, so Penny didn't find the time to have a proper discussion with her. Not to mention how she knew better than to pressure or decide for gods. They knew to find her when they wanted to.
"Of course, My Lady," Penny answered before they could, and followed her, smiling back at Apollo and Hermes who seemed alright with that. The two went to the fairly secluded kitchen and Hestia smiled at Penny warmly.
"I don't believe I had the opportunity to tell you how proud I am of you."
Penny beamed at her. "I don't think I had the opportunity to tell you how grateful I am for your kindness."
"You've acted so well, my champion. You learned how to channel both my powers and your father's powers and you created powerful forces using only the warmth of your heart. You're a special kind of hero."
"I owe it all to you," Penny tilted her head, "really."
"Now," Hestia said, "this party is soon coming to an end, just as happy times too often are - brief. So before we go back to the bleak normalcy, a gift, and a warning. Lord Hermes, in his attempt to protect you, is trying to make you immortal. Today you refused him, and I know that because of our connection. The probable reason for his urgency might be due to the feeling all gods currently have, that while the threat of my father has passed, there are more threats to come."
Penny's heart stopped its beating. "An-another threat?"
"Yes," Hestia seemed sorrowful, "it gives me no pleasure to tell you so. As it was, this has been my warning. As for my gift -" she took out another picture. It was of Apollo at the piano, around him she stood with Hermes, Percy and all the rest of her family and friends and they were laughing and singing. Penny grabbed it gently, a feeling of dread settling in the pit of her stomach. "Touch it, and you shall relieve it - the duration of the song only. But it is my way of giving you a sense of home, of family... even if you're far away."
Penny's eyes filled with tears. She bowed her head. "Thank you, My Lady."
"I'll try to support you in any way I could," Hestia said then, "goodluck, my sweet champion."
/
Almost everyone left, besides Hermes, Poseidon, Tyson and Annabeth.
She was sitting with Hermes on the couch, and they were talking quietly. She didn't tell him about Hestia's warning. Threats are sometimes just that, she figured. They stay threats. Until there is concrete danger she will insist to be happy.
His phone buzzed. He looked at his watch and frowned. "Oh, I've lost track of the time."
"That's a good thing," Penny smiled at him, leaning her head on the couch's pillow, "means you had fun."
"I did," he smiled back, "but it also means I must go now."
"Oh," and her smile faltered somewhat, "you don't have tonight off too?"
He shook his head sadly. "No… sorry. But I can do Saturday, business is pretty slow Saturday."
"Cool. Let's meet then," she smiled at him, trying to bury the disappointment deep. He was very busy, always. She should be happy he made it to the party. "Hey," she suddenly said as her hand grabbed his, "you're not still upset about, er, before, are you?"
"No," he immediately denied, but she had a weird hunch he was lying, "it was too soon. I should have known."
"Forever is too scary right now," she confessed as she squeezed his hand, her fingers interlacing with his, "I don't want to think about it yet."
His eyes blazed somewhat, but he shook his head and looked down. "You don't need to yet."
Someone cleared their throat next to them, and they both jumped and turned their heads to a somewhat smirking Poseidon. "I'm gonna need my daughter for a minute."
"I won't hold her back," Hermes pulled her closer to kiss her cheek before getting up and bidding them all goodbye. "Sally, Paul, thanks for inviting me. I should be heading out."
He was gone a minute afterward, and Penny looked after him sadly.
Poseidon eyed her. "What's wrong, Penny?"
"N-nothing, dad."
He looked at her knowingly, quite aware of the fact that she's hiding things from him, but he sighed and nodded his head. "Alright. Well, I need to bid you goodbye too, my daughter. It might be a long while before we meet again."
They hugged.
"Where's your brother? I need to bid him farewell too."
Percy stepped closer to them.
"Well you two, as I told Penny it might be awhile before I see you again. And I don't know what's to happen. So up until next time, I… I love you both. Know that."
It took a toll from her father to say that, she noticed as she beamed at him. Percy did too, smiling his elated half a smile as they both attacked their father with a bear-hug.
"So, Penny," Percy asked her later as they both, along with Annabeth, helped their mother and Paul clean up the apartment, "was it a disaster?"
"Not a disaster," she smiled down as her head felt heavy with all the agonizing thinking she had to do since that little scene with Hermes and the talk she had with Hestia, "definitely not that. Hey, guys," and they both smiled to their mom and Paul, "amazing party. Thank you both so much."
Percy
"Let's see," Penny walked back and forth in his room, doing the packing for him as she usually did, "swimsuit, slippers - Hermes told me there's a very nice beach somewhere in the area, you should go -"
"Define 'somewhere in the area'," Percy smiled.
She seemed confused.
"He's the god of travel, Pen, and just a god in general. He teleports to places, me and Annabeth cannot. For him to say it's in the area means nothing."
She giggled and shrugged. "Open a map, I don't know. Anyway, let's find something fancy for you to wear too, he made some reservations for you in a great restaurant."
And as she walked to his closet to search, Percy grinned. "Reservations, huh? It's profitable to have my twin dating an Olympian, apparently."
Penny turned her head back and glared at him, before going through her brother's clothes and finding nothing.
"Well, why am I surprised to find nothing. You always dress like such a skater boy."
"Sue me," he glared back.
"Mom!" Penny yelled all of the sudden, making Percy jump in place, "we need to get Percy a suit!"
"Okay, honey!"
Penny smiled and then her eyes landed on her brother. "Riptide, socks, underwear which I will not be packing for you, thank you very much -" they both chuckled nervously, "- and yeah, that's pretty much it. Excited?"
"Yeah," Percy smiled and then looked down, his fingers fidgeting, "hey Pen, can I ask you something… a bit personal?"
Penny smiled softly and sat next to him on the bed. "Of course. We have no secrets from each other."
He smiled wryly at her. "Besides you dating an Olympian?"
She glared at him. "I wasn't dating him at the time. And you promised to stop bringing that up!"
"Okay, okay," he raised his hands in surrender, "anyway, I… did you, did you…" he seemed incredibly nervous, and Penny reddened too, thinking of the only subject that could make him this nervous. "Did you sleep with -"
"No."
He looked at her with surprise. "He didn't want to?"
She shrugged. "I don't think he'll say 'no' if I'll offer," they both chuckled, Percy rolling his eyes and reddening, "but he didn't say anything about that. I suppose… he doesn't want to pressure me."
"That's, that's good," Percy seemed genuinely appreciative, but his embarrassment was back a second later, "the reason I'm asking, though… well, perhaps, in Paris…"
Penny's eyes widened, and she gulped, but then she nodded to him. "Well, you… you and Annabeth go way back. Longer than me and him. It makes sense for it to be on the table."
Percy nodded slowly, his eyes still on his sister. "Do you, though, d'ya think she'll want -"
"You'd have to ask her that, Perce," Penny laughed, now crimson red and incredibly nervous.
"No, no, what I mean is… is it too soon? Is 17 too soon?"
"Depends on the person," Penny rubbed her neck, "but generally speaking… no. Test the waters with her, Perce. Really, my advice is… ask her. Even if it's embarrassing. Awkward conversations are better than misunderstanding and hurried actions."
He nodded, still looking at the bed.
"Well," and she smiled, looking away too, "don't make me an aunt yet, yeah?" She ducked the pillow he threw at her, "and be good. Have fun on your trip, Perce."
Hermes
Hermes was sitting to his desk, his fingers playing with the necklace Penny refused to accept.
He really should have known she'll decline his proposal.
Everything was slower with Penny.
It was about her younger age, her general anxieties, and Hermes' determination to do it right with this one.
But yes, it was much, much slower than it was with pretty much all of his past lovers. It's embarrassing to say, but at this point in the relationship, most of them were already pregnant with a kid.
But yeah, there was no reason to explain all the reasons why it could not happen in this specific relationship.
Her father would turn him into a shrimp, to name one reason.
Yes, Hermes was in no rush to progress this relationship… further.
He loved Penny, it was safe to say so at this point. And he wanted to do right with her, to move at her pace. And if she needed the pace slower, then slower it was.
But he knew she missed what older, senior gods such as her father and Apollo caught on to - Hermes willing to dedicate himself and marry her was not a small thing. An Olympian willing to commit to someone, let alone a mortal, was a rare, meaningful event.
A part of him was disappointed she declined for a whole different reason though. He had a bad hunch - they all probably did. Something was definitely stirring. And having Penny immortal would have been quite relaxing...
(response to reviews)
PowerSeeker7545 - I like that you're interrogative, I love answering questions :) I will not cover Trials of Apollo. As far as I'm concerned, some other gods should be given trials before Apollo does ;) As for who will be taken, I cannot yet say.
TheMeister7- I like your persistence :) I actually have one question of yours I can answer! I do intend for Aphrodite to take a bigger role in HoO.
And1250 - It was a chapter I hinted at and built up to. I agree it is overdone in stories but that doesn't make it always redundant, in my opinion. This story is a lot about what makes the characters be themselves, and that chapter is a vital part of what makes Penny, Percy and Hermes act the way they do, and their probably the three most important characters. Anyway, thank you for reviewing.
Emily - Your reviews are always so, so sweet, and you've been following this story for such a long time, I'm so grateful to you...
I'm glad this chapter made sense to you, and thank you as always for trying (and succeeding!) to understand this story deeply. As for what you wrote about me, again, you're such a kind soul and thank you for your reviews. I am now freer and happier so that's definitely a good thing, I hope you are too!
SayMeow - Thank you for such a lengthy review! They always give me so much to think about, and I think I get the most information out of them, so I always appreciate those who put the time to leave them.
The fact you read this in one go is quite impressive, kudos to you! And I'm glad you enjoyed it, it's very flattering and rather important for me to hear...
I find it funny I defied your expectations :) But honestly, I'm not at all a fan of Mary-Sues and I do my best to avoid them. To say it didn't annoy some at first that Penny isn't this perfect fighter doll... it did, but I think that those that continued with the story discovered something else entirely. Hopefully something good ;)
My story probably does have flaws... nothing is perfect. If you do have any concrete criticism you're more than welcome to share it with me, I do consider myself someone who's able to take criticism :) I might even learn from it.
And thank you so much for the compliments, I get the feeling that you're quite an honest person, which means you truly meant your compliments, which in turn makes me extra-happy to receive them, so thanks!
My favorite part of your review is the part about Hermes, because the fact that people like this ship is astonishing to me. That is, I like it or I wouldn't have written it, but one of the characters is an OC and the other is a character with a total mentionings of less than a chapter, so yeah, each person liking them is quite amazing.
As for a happy ending, I promise to warn if it's bad. It's not going to come that soon, either. We have some way to go...
Never apologize for the length of a review, at least not in my stories as I love lengthy reviews... And thank you again for it!