A/N: I actually drank Pear-elderflower juice. My mom liked it a lot, I thought it wasn't super special.

I sighed and picked another strawberry from the vine. It was a little wonder that they grew in the winter. The sky was completely white from all the snow that was falling outside of Camp Half-blood.

The plants tickled my skin. I picked an especially big strawberry and wanted to put it into my mouth, but I stopped when I heard surprised sounds behind me.

The Demeter kids, who had strawberry-picking hour with me, were all crowding around a brown-haired woman with golden ribbons in her hair. I looked over my shoulder, to Pollux.

He came towards me. 'Who's that?' I asked.

'Don't you have a hunch?'

You sound like your dad. 'It's Demeter, right?'

He nodded. 'I guess I am not the only one who often gets to see their godly parent anymore.'

'Not by a landmile.'

'I am glad about that though.'

I nodded. 'I am sure of that. Do we have to give them some space?'

He shrugged and put his basket down. 'Let's.'

'I mean, I like that more gods are visiting their children. Even if it drives us away from the strawberry fields and its natural candy every now and then.'

We gave Demeter and her children fifteen minutes of quality time before going back. 'I think I'll have a look at what they're doing.'

'Okay.' I didn't think I would be allowed to join the group of plant lovers, but at least I could go on with picking (and secretly eating).

Not a chance. As soon as they saw us, Meg yelled that I should get closer. I wanted to shake my head, but Pollux pulled me along.

I looked up at Demeter. She took me in from head to toe. 'I don't think you spend a lot of time in the sun.'

'Eh, more than you would think, ma'am.' I gestured around me. 'I think it is very calming to pick strawberries. Mostly considering these fields are one of the only places plants will grow during winter.'

The goddess raised her chin. 'Yes, I am sure that makes people happy.' The corners of her mouth sunk down a little. 'Even children of Hades.'

'Eh, yes, even those.'

'Hm.'

I fiddled with my sleeve. 'I'll just… get a little further back. Eh, good that you are here, we all really appreciate it. Me too.' I curtsied, before walking back to my basket. The Demeter-kids and Pollux didn't make a big deal out of it, but Demeter kept her gaze locked on me until I continued picking.

'Nico di Angelo…'

Just when I laid down to have a little rest. I sat up with a start. Demeter was looking at me. 'Ma'am?'

'Persephone kind of likes you. She told me in a letter.'

I wanted to ask whether that made me acceptable all of a sudden, but that might be considered rude. 'Eh, well, I kind of like her too.'

She raised her eyebrows. 'That's good.'

'What I said before, I think your children really appreciate that you come. Hephaestus, Apollo and Hebe do it too. And the kids whose parents don't visit, usually feel… left out. So.' With a little trouble, I got up.

'I heard Hades visits you too.'

'Eh, the other way around, but yes.'

'Ah-ha.' She shook her brown locks over shoulder. 'I did so before Perseus Jackson saved the world,' she told me. 'But usually not while they were in camp. When my children were at home, I visited.' She got a bit of a sad look in her eyes. 'I tried to visit a lot, but I never had enough time,' she muttered. 'Once the other gods came to the camp, I thought I could too. It makes it easier to see them more often.' She crossed her arms. 'Hades and I have been mending fences. In the past few years, he has been getting better. And I guess you're fine, too. Not that I really know you.'

'You and Hades are making amendments? He could have told me that.'

'We are.' She chuckled a little cynically. 'If the gods change how they interact with their kids, maybe we should change how we interact with each other as well.'

I nodded. 'Yes.' That sentence had more impact than I could oversee at this moment, probably. 'Thanks.' I looked down at the strawberries. 'This is…' I shrugged.

'Mom!' Demeter looked over her shoulder. She smiled and it was as if the sun broke through on her face. 'What is it, Macy? Oh…'

She turned back to me. 'Take care, Nico di Angelo,' she told me, before walking to her daughter.

I took a few steps back, not sure where to go. Luckily, Pollux slid next to me, so I did not have to think about it.

I think he might have wanted to say something. I was quicker, however: 'Demeter, Hephaestus, my dad, your dad, Hebe and Iris I think? It almost seems like Percy's wish actually had an effect. Like the gods are actually beginning to look after their children, even though not even half a year ago, they all kept saying they couldn't possibly come for their own and the worlds sake.'

Pollux nodded. 'I have noticed it too. A little strange.' The strawberries grew up high around his feet. 'Yet, I am glad it is like this.' He let a plant grow into his hand. 'My dad... Dionysus visited me quite often, just like Demeter did. Eh… that is not to brag.'

'I know it is not to brag. I am not sure, but I think my dad came over a few times too, although that was more for mom than for my sister and me.'

'Hm.' We looked at Demeter. She had her hands on her hips and looked around the fields. Her gaze lingered on each of her children for a few seconds. The way she was looking caught my attention. Like she tried to distance herself from the moment.

After a few seconds, she sighed and relaxed her shoulders. She clapped in her hands and a basket with glass bottles appeared at her feet. I heard her kids gasp while they walked towards her.

Pollux and I looked at them, until Demeter turned towards us. 'You want some, too? It is Pear-Elderflower juice. It is a new flavour. Especially you…' She meant Pollux, '...should try some of it.'

Pollux and I looked at each other and nodded at each other. 'We'd be glad,' Pollux told her for the both of us.

A/N: Honestly I think Demeter gets villainized. She cares about her kids guys, thats it. She was sad and upset when her daughter suddenly dissappeared. That seems like a logical reaction.

I was writing this when it dawned on me that maybe I should have written something about Nico and Pollux interacting earlier. That might be something for the future.

Also, I am completely at a loss about Castor and Pollux' mother. In the books there is proof that she is a mortal, but also there are some hints that she is Ariadne. I still have to pick one in my universe.