PJatO || Jercico || PJatO || Jercico || The Legacy of the Big Three || Jercico || PJatO || Jercico || PJatO
Title: The Legacy of the Big Three – Heroes of the Next Generation
Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan. Aside from the Gods, they belong to the old Greeks. This fanfiction and its OCs on the other hand are entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: polyamory (m/m/m), superpowers/superheroes, hurt/comfort, fluff, mutual pining, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, double penetration, m/m, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Nico/Jason/Percy
Side Pairings: Reyna/Annabeth, Piper/Hazel, Frank/Leo, Octavian/Luke, Ethan/Alabaster, Jake/Will, Charles/Silena, Chris/Clarisse, Malcolm/Katie, Grover/Juniper, Bryce/Drew, Paul/Sally | Poseidon/Amphitrite, Hades/Maria | Hades/Persephone, Tristan/Beryl, Zeus/Hera, Howard/Hecate
Percy Jackson Characters: Perseus Jackson, Nico di Angelo, Jason Grace, Thalia Grace, Bianca di Angelo, Hazel Levesque, Piper McLean, Leo Valdez, Grover Underwood, Annabeth Chase, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Frank Zhang, Luke Castellan, Ethan Nakamura, Alabaster C. Torrington, Lou Ellen Blackstone, Cecil Markowitz, Will Solace, Charles Beckendorf, Silena Beauregard, Clarisse la Rue, Chris Rodriguez,Travis Stoll, Connor Stoll, Jake Mason, Malcolm Pace, Katie Gardner, Miranda Gardner, Nyssa Barrera, Kayla Knowles, Zoe Nightshade, Octavian, Drew Tanaka, Bryce Lawrence, Mike Kahale, Lacy, Mitchell, Juniper, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Ella, Tyson, Sally Jackson, Paul Blofis, Maria di Angelo, Tristan McLean, Beryl Grace, Esperanza Valdez, Howard Claymore, Small Bob, Mrs. O'Leary, Argentum, Aurum, Festus, Arion, Blackjack, Tempest
Gods: Zerberus, Hades, Persephone, Triton, Poseidon, Amphitrite, Zeus, Hera, Hecate, Chiron
Summary: Twenty-five years ago, the Olympians, led by the so-called Big Three, were the greatest group of superheroes in the world. One by one, they retired. There were still heroes, but there had not been a huge threat in many years. Now, the sons of the Big Three train at a school for heroes to be. Jason grew up under the pressure of being the son of Zeus, both from the public and from his father. Nico grew up knowing who his father was, but no one outside their family knows he is the son of Hades. And Percy? He has no idea he's the son of Poseidon.
The Legacy of the Big Three
Heroes of the Next Generation
Chapter 10: The Son of Poseidon...? (1)
Nico was pacing in his room, motioning around as he muttered beneath his breath. Practicing what to say. How to say it. Whether to say it or not. At this point in time, he had grown incredibly attached to Percy Jackson. Yes, rival. Definitely his new rival. But also... a friend. When Jason and him had cornered Percy in the stables a bit over a week ago, seeing Percy with the pegasus, and then when the three of them had gone to the café. The first time they just sat down together and genuinely talked with each other.
"My boy. I missed you so much."
The pacing paused as he was being suffocated by a hug from his mom. Not what he had expected. He had expected his father, who was over in New York for business. Maria smoothed down Nico's curls and smothered him in kisses until he started squirming.
"Mamma, what are you doing here?"
"I am happy to see you too, bambino", Maria grunted pointedly.
"Mamma. It's been a week. You're acting like I've been gone for a year", Nico huffed a little. "Besides, I didn't even know you would be coming too!"
"I missed my children. I'm taking Bianca and Hazel out shopping?"
"No. Not gonna happen. I love you, but no. Besides... I... wanted to talk to papà."
Maria raised one eyebrow, waiting a beat. When Nico didn't speak again, she leaned in and kissed his forehead before leaving the room again. On her way out, she was passed by her husband. Nico tilted his head as he regarded his father. The look on his father's face mirrored his own, most likely. Not knowing what to expect from this conversation. Nico had just texted his dad and asked to speak to him while he was in New York. Bit short and vague, open for interpretation.
"I missed you too", offered Hades and pulled his son into a hug. "What did you want to talk about?"
Nico motioned for his dad to take a seat on the couch and then closed the door. Alabaster and Ethan were out on a date, Frank was over at Will and Cecil's to play video games. No one there to hear them speak. Still. He wrung his hands and returned to pacing.
"What did you want to talk about, son?", asked Hades once more, eyebrows raised.
"Your friend, Mister Jackson..." Nico paused for a moment. "He's Poseidon, isn't he?"
Hades remained completely quiet, unfazed by his son's words, his gaze steady. The face of a man who had professionally lied for decades now. Nico held his gaze just as steadily, until his father cracked. There was no point in lying to someone who knew the truth.
"We were too awkward in our cover-story weren't we?" Hades chuckled softly.
"It helped that I know who you are, papà. Between that and your awkwardness, it wasn't that hard to figure out... So I'm right then. His son doesn't know though, does he?"
"Poseidon and I didn't exactly stay in touch", admitted Hades, looking a little ashamed. "Occasionally, we would call each other up. But months, sometimes even years, would pass. We are reminders of the past to each other and... staying in contact just gives more context to figuring out our identities. I don't... I don't know how he handles parenthood, to be quite frank."
"He doesn't", repeated Nico once more, this time more firmly. "There's no way he knows his father is Poseidon. Percy is... he's an honest person, I don't think he is that smooth a liar."
"You're upset with that", noted Hades curiously. "The kid, Percy you say... you're close?"
"I... uh. We're friends, I guess", admitted Nico, trying hard to fight his blush. "But it's not just that. It's... I could be him, papà. You told me. But if you hadn't, if in some weird attempt to shield me from it all, you hadn't told me... I don't know how I would feel. The longer Poseidon waits to tell Percy, the more he's going to break his son's heart. The more he runs the risk of alienating his son. Because that's how I would be feeling."
Finally, Nico had sat down, opposite his father. There was a thoughtful look on Hades' face. After a moment, the man nodded, heaving a deep sigh. When he got up and passed Nico, he ruffled his son's hair, a small smile on his lips. He could see his son's point.
/break\
Tyson had been fussy all week. He was clearly missing Percy. They all were, but their youngest was not making it easier for the rest of the family. Sally heaved an exhausted sigh as she made her way to the door. Someone seemingly wanted something very urgent.
"Yes?", asked Sally an edge annoyed, freezing as she looked up. "...Aiden."
"Salacia. It's good to see you", offered Aiden di Angelo with a charming smile.
"Sally, please. No one calls me Salacia in New York", Sally chuckled a little. "It's good to see you."
She reached for the man and pulled him into a tight hug, causing him to grunt. "Still strong I see."
"Naturally. I might not lift busses anymore, but that doesn't make the powers go away. Come in."
Hades nodded as he followed her invitation. He looked around the house, a very small smile on his lips when they walked inside, his eyes trailing over the pictures on the wall in particular. Baptisms, birthdays, graduation, first place at swim-tournaments, Paul and Sally's wedding. A normal life, laid out in images. Sally could hear Tyson outside with his best friend Ella Dare. They were playing villains and heroes in the fort again.
"...That is an impressive tree-house", noted Hades stunned when they reached the living room.
Perfect view on the backyard and the playing children. "Paul built that for Triton when he was seven, I think. You should have seen Triton and Percy, when Triton was a young teen and Percy started being old enough to climb it. So much fighting over the 'castle'."
"Is your husband home too?", asked Hades as he looked around some more.
"Mh? No? He's still at work. Parent teacher night, opening of the school year and all that", Sally smiled politely at him. "Can I... offer you a drink, or something...? I'm sorry, don't take offense to it, but... what are you doing here? You have... never visited our house before. I haven't seen you since... since your brother's funeral. And now, two times in two weeks?"
Hades chuckled dryly. "I had a conversation with my son. And... I think... I felt like I needed to talk to you, and your husband, about this."
Sally went to the kitchen and got the bottle of wine that she had just opened for herself. When the sun was setting, she liked to grab a book, a glass of wine and sit in the living room to read, one eye on the kids in the backyard. She took two wine-glasses with her and returned to the living room. Hades was standing at the fire-place, looking at the pictures on that too.
"I bring wine. Now tell me what this visit is about", prompted Sally gently.
"My son figured out your identity", stated Hades as he accepted the wine-glass.
"Cutting right to the chase", Sally grunted and took a big gulp of her wine.
"I didn't have to tell him. Between him knowing our identity and... Poseidon and my awkward reunion at the school, which we both might have covered better had we expected to meet each other, it was not hard for him to piece together. Not with your son's powers. I looked at the footage, while I was at the school. I admit, I was curious", Hades tapped his fingers against the arm-rest of the couch. "Your son... is incredibly powerful. He might just surpass Poseidon at his age."
Sally pressed her lips together, nodding slowly. "We've been training him, honing his skills. Especially his concentration. Focus is the most important part. Everyone can do overwhelming power with no skills. But especially with a dangerous power like ours..."
"He doesn't know who you are, does he?", asked Hades softly after a moment.
Slowly, Sally shook her head, her eyes trailing over to the backyard, watching Tyson run around the tree, yelling loudly. He looked so carefree and happy. Lifting her glass up, Sally took a slow, long drink from it. Taking her time to sort her thoughts before answering Hades.
"We considered it. We... We spent years talking about it, debating it from every angle. We saw it on the news. Zeus parading little Thalia around like he was holding his cub up over Pride Rock to have all animals bow down to them – Tyson is in a Lion King phase, excuse me."
"Lion King is a good one to obsess over", Hades chuckled fondly. "Nico had that phase too."
"We saw all the... pressure on the kid. And while we aren't public with our personas, the way Zeus is, there would still be pressure. Internal pressure. Over the years, we have seen Thalia and Jason being covered by the news, their growth... that still didn't seem to be enough for the news. I don't want my children to feel like they have to live up to the names of Poseidon and Amphitrite. I... At first, it was too early. Of course you can't tell little kids, Tyson right now, he would just babble it all out. When would be the right age? We spent all that time wondering, debating, considering."
"I understand that", assured Hades. "Maria and I have talked about it endlessly too. When Bianca and Nico were still toddlers, we wondered about it. We too followed the news."
"And... how did it work out for you?", asked Sally with furrowed brows.
"We told them all the same time. When Bianca was thirteen. We waited so they're old enough to understand the gravity of our secret and that they had to hold their tongue about this."
"And did they take it well?", wanted Sally to know.
Hades laughed loudly. "Nico practically imploded. He got so excited, firing off a billion questions at once. He was... so precious when he was small. Now, he has this whole cool, broody, untouchable edge going on. I miss my soft little boy with the sparkly eyes who didn't try to impress others with his coolness. But the children took it well. They also understood why we didn't tell them when they were little. And... Hazel... my brother's girl... she finally understood why her parents died."
Sally averted her eyes at the mention. She'd known both Hades and Pluto. "Seeing what had happened to Pluto and his wife, seeing the orphaned, little girl crying into her aunt's lap at the funeral, that was... that was the last thing Poseidon needed to stop being bitter about giving up the mantle, because it was so easy to imagine that being Triton or Percy. And unlike your Hazel, there are no... aunts and uncles to take our children in if something happened to us. You would have."
At that, Hades raised his head and his eyebrows, gaping just a little bit. "Excuse me?"
"You and Persephone were our closest friends once upon a time. If something were to happen to me and Paul, we wanted you to raise them", replied Sally with a faint smile. "Nothing happened to us. And after, Paul finally truly settled down with his retirement. There was still a certain sense of anguish to it, especially when the kids started reading the comics..."
"Nico had the hugest crush on Poseidon when he was small", Hades chuckled to himself.
Sally lifted a finger up, a mischievous look on her face, before she led the way upstairs. Curiously, Hades followed her toward Percy's bedroom. Still grinning, Sally opened the door and motioned inside, toward the huge poster of Hades hanging over Percy's desk, another poster of the Olympians over his bed, with Hades, Zeus and Poseidon front and center.
"Percy idolizes you. It is Paul's greatest source of despair. Our son, idolizing you more than either of us", Sally laughed softly and shook her head. "He wants to be a hero. Triton didn't, not like this. A fire fighter, a different kind of hero. But Percy, he... he wants to revive the Olympians."
"Your son has grand dreams", noted Hades surprised.
"Plans", corrected Sally a bit more soberly. "Dreams are fantasies, unlikely to come true. Percy has every intention of making this come true. He has been working toward this for a decade now. At first, we too thought it was just... a cute dream. But he has been serious about this. Is serious about it. He is going to do it, Hades. He's going to bring back the Olympians."
Hades crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the doorway and looking at the youthful image of himself hanging on the wall. "The world may not need it for there are no huge super-villains, but... the people may need it. There is no truly inspiring symbol of hope anymore. But... don't you think he might have an easier time doing it if he knew the truth?"
At that, Sally remained silent. Her hand was wandering over the top of the desk, gently. Missing her boy. She was also considering his words. Sighing, she bit her lower lip.
"I don't know", admitted Sally. "I've... been thinking about it too, a lot. I don't know. He is already working so hard, what if knowing who we are will put even more pressure on him...?"
"Or it might relieve some pressure, knowing he has someone on his side who has experience."
"Your son... he's not going to tell Percy, right?", asked Sally worried.
"No. He knows better than to spill other people's secrets. But I do think that you should reconsider. Especially now that he's at the school, that he is actively on the path of following into your footsteps. He's not alone, he wouldn't be alone. He would have Nico. The two are friends, you know. Our sons are friends now. Really following our footsteps."
Sally made a thoughtful face and then heaved a sigh. "He now knows the children of Zeus. And also your children, not knowing they're your children. I'm going to talk to Paul."
/break\
Jason's new favorite place was buried under a pile of fluffy dog. Mrs. O'Leary whined and licked his face, giving him a new hair-style. Laughing, he wrapped his arms around Mrs. O'Leary's leg.
"First, you lose all respect toward me because of my dog, now you steal my dog."
Slowly, Jason turned toward the source of the voice, seeing Nico leaning against the wall, arms crossed and an unimpressed eyebrow raised. With a sheepish smile did Jason hug the dog tighter.
"She is very precious. I'm not stealing her though. I just like spending time with her", argued Jason, patting her nose. "...Or... do you really mind...? I can... go?"
Nico heaved a very deep sigh at that and shook his head. Bloody puppy-dog eyes. How did anyone ever deny that damn blonde anything? He was half convinced there was some kind of superpower going on there too. Mind-control. Hypnosis. Something like that.
"Just... don't sneak her food. Percy started doing that and between that and me and Bianca and Hazel, it has become too many snacks. That only makes her throw up."
"Okay. Thanks, Nico", replied Jason, smiling softly.
Nico nodded, waiting. Lingering. Considering what to say next. During that, he simply watched.
"You here to take your girl out for a walk? Am I in the way?", asked Jason after a beat.
"No, I actually came to check on Percy and his murder horse. Then I heard voices from my dog's stall and figured I'd check that out first", answered Nico with a shrug.
"Wait. Percy is with the murder horse again?" Jason immediately let go of the puppy.
Instead, he grabbed Nico's hand and pulled him along out of the stall and toward the stables. Nico blinked surprised as he stumbled after Jason. He knew the magic words would get Jason's attention.
"Percy, no", Jason groaned as they reached the restricted area.
Percy stood there, with a bag of doughnuts, hand-feeding the black pegasus. He was... even caressing the horse's flank. That was new. Nico and Jason exchanged a surprised look.
"What? I keep telling you, he's not a murder horse", stated Percy firmly. "Blackjack's a good boy. He just needs someone to be patient and gentle with him, mh."
"While I do appreciate your patience and eagerness to give him a second chance, I would appreciate it even more if you would heed the warning signs that said to stay out, Mister Jackson."
All three boys turned to face the principal. Mister Brunner shook his head pointedly. Percy made a face, regretfully stepping away from Blackjack, who whined confused at that, stomping his hoofs.
"Mister Jackson, I will see you in my office tomorrow. With your parents."
Mister Brunner watched how Percy left the stables and then he locked them, ushering all three boys out into the open once more. Jason wrapped an arm around Percy's shoulders, steering him away from the stables. The pout on Percy's lips got to both Jason and Nico.
"C'mon, you knew this would happen, Perce", offered Nico pointedly. "A miracle it hasn't happened earlier though. You've been sneaking in here every day."
"I kno—ow. But he's calling my parents. I'm in actual trouble", Percy groaned.
"Will... Will they be angry?", asked Jason concerned.
That changed Percy's attitude some and he shook his head, a small smile on his lips. He knew Jason had issues, he knew Jason would be in a world of trouble if Hera had gotten called on the scene and Jason was the one who got into trouble. Reaching out, Percy ruffled Jason's hair.
"No. I mean. They might be upset that I did something potentially dangerous", replied Percy, before he heaved a deep sigh. "I'll just... be sad that I won't get to see Blackjack again. Then again... I... won't soon anyway. End of the week, they're going to... take him away... to some shelter or something for unwanted magic creatures. Where he'll be all alone, because who's going to buy an 'aggressive murder horse', as you like to put it... and you are right, he is aggressive, but... that's not his fault. He was abused all his life. He doesn't trust humans. He needs someone patient."
Jason's eyes glassed over thoughtfully as he watched Percy.
/break\
"My boy!", his father's voice was as booming as ever. "Calling on your own. That's rare. You're lucky, you just caught me between interviews. How are your studies going? Are you top of the class already? Everyone adores you, don't they? Of course they do!"
His father laughed loudly. Despite himself, Jason smiled just a little. As usual, his dad took both sides of the conversation, filling in the blanks himself. Still, it somewhat felt as though his father meant well, right? He asked. He wanted to assume the best, for Jason.
"It's going well, dad. I... I'm calling, because I want... I wanted to ask for a favor."
"Anything, my boy. You know that. What is it? Something strike your fancy?"
"Uh... Kind of? There's this... horse here. A pegasus. Mighty one, you'd like him. He's only staying here temporarily, someone's going to take him to a shelter. I... I want him, father. Before he's shipped off. I want him to stay here, not be moved, not be sold to someone else. I know you'd have to get in touch with the people who'll pick him up and it's gonna be-"
"No problem", interrupted Zeus, suddenly raising his voice. "Ganymede! Get in touch with my kids' principal. There's some horse staying there. Jason wants it. Jason gets it. Make it happen."
Jason smiled faintly at that. Being filthy rich and influential could get quite handy at times. And Percy seemed to really love that horse. Percy should get to keep that horse. Though Jason didn't like asking his parents for favors, especially not ones that were so very out there. But this wasn't for him, this was for Percy. He just hoped that Percy was going to appreciate the gesture and not think that Jason was a total weirdo for doing this. Which he absolutely was.
"Ah. Gotta go, my boy. Next interview awaits. Talk to you soon."
With that, Zeus hung up the phone. Jason sighed a little, smiling a bit sadly. His dad never had much time for him. There was always a city to save, an interview to be had, an event to visit. Being Zeus was a full-time job, had always been. Just like being Zeus' heir.
"Jay? You coming? We're waiting on you", called Leo out. "What are you doing?"
He stuck his head in, frowning at Jason. Quickly pocketing his phone, Jason headed out to follow Leo toward the library. Study-date, meeting up with Piper and Piper's roommate Annabeth. That was a great way of spending even more time with Percy, because where Annabeth was, Percy wasn't far behind. Jason smiled and waved as he saw them all sitting together at the table and he quickly took his seat right next to Percy. For no special reason at all. It just had good lighting. When Percy smiled at him in greeting, Jason's stomach felt all happy-queasy.
Author's note: As you may have noticed, this chapter says (1), because well, there's gonna be a part two next time, where Percy actually learns the truth about his heritage!