Author's Note:
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE! As promised, here is my Percy Jackson Christmas Fanfic. I hope that you enjoy it and have a merry jolly time reading it. (See what I did there?) This fic features Percy, his little sister, and an unfortunate encounter with Santa Claus. I loved writing this, and hope that you love (or at least like/tolerate) reading it. Just so you are all aware, this does not fit in with canon timeline wise. Percy is roughly 18 years old in this Fic, and Estelle is 7, despite her being born when Percy is 17/18 in canon. I just can't imagine Percy as a man in his mid twenties, so I took some creative liberties with the time. Obligatory disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Percy Jackson or Rick Riordan universe. My writing is not as good as Uncle Rick's, and I would never pretend otherwise. Also, this is rated T simply because I don't want to risk it. *Cue sheepish grin*. With that all said and done, please read on and feel free to review!
"Come on, come on, come on!" With each 'come on' uttered, Estelle Blofis' voice grew higher and higher in pitch. Percy sighed in mock defeat, allowing his seven year old sister to continue dragging his arm across the length of the mall. She had wanted to see Santa Claus all month, and Percy's resolve had finally wavered. Though, if he were being totally honest with himself, it wasn't that hard to do. Percy adored his little sister and would do anything for her. The Pretty Pretty Princess makeup tutorial had proven that. Estelle tugged at his arm again, and Percy snapped back into focus. "Alright Elle," he began, "To Santa's Workshop we go." Estelle squealed in delight, removing her hand from Percy's to briefly hug him, and together, the brother and sister went on their merry way.
Walking through the mall, Percy tried to relax. With everything that he had been through, he was slightly worried that taking Estelle to see Santa Claus was not going to end well for him. He didn't exactly have the best track record. From the dracanae at the soup kitchen during Thanksgiving to the Christmas carolers who turned out to be Empousai in disguise, the holiday season had been stressful for him, and today was no exception. Percy found himself constantly looking over his shoulder, thankful for the fact that Estelle was too excited to notice his unease.
Percy wasn't really sure how much Estelle knew about everything. Sally and Paul had decided that Estelle needed to be somewhat in the know, but not so much that it would put her in danger; so while he knew that his mom and Paul had told Estelle that Percy was different because of his dad, and that she might see things someday that no one else could see, Percy didn't really know all of the details. He did know a few things though: none of them knew whether or not Estelle would inherit Sally's ability to see through the mist, he would never let her be in danger, and that if she somehow found herself in danger, Percy knew that he would protect and save her at all costs.
Estelle called out to Percy, who had just now realized that she had let go of his hand and had stopped walking while he continued his steady pace. So much for not allowing anything to happen to her, Percy thought, you almost left her behind. Backtracking to where his sister was, Percy asked her, "What is it? Do you need something?" Estelle looked at him for a moment before laughing and motioning for Percy to turn around. When Percy saw why she had stopped so suddenly, he almost started laughing himself. He was so busy with his thoughts, that he had nearly walked the two of them right past the line to see Santa. Percy bent down slightly to ruffle Estelle's hair. "What would I do without you, Elle?" Estelle smiled and told Percy, "Mommy always says that without me, your head would be screwed." Percy snorted out a laugh and shook his head at the misheard words coming from his sister's mouth. "Silly Elle," Percy responded, "I think she meant that without you, my head would come off because you wouldn't be there to make sure that it's screwed on all the way." Estelle shrugged her shoulders in a 'six one half dozen the other' sort of manner, before pulling Percy into the candy cane decorated line to wait and see Santa. "I can't wait to see him," Estelle whispered reverently, as if they were in line to see royalty rather than a guy in a Santa costume, not that she knew that. "I'm gonna tell him everything I want, and," she added giving Percy's hand a conspiratorial squeeze, "I'm gonna tell him everything that I think you want too." Percy felt his heart swell at his baby sister's adorable thoughtfulness; he wondered briefly what she thought he would want, before telling her thank you. As they stood there waiting, Estelle asked, "Percy, do you think that we'll have to wait long?" Percy thought for a moment, assessing the line, and replied. "Nah, it's a picture with Santa, so it shouldn't take too long."
An hour and a half later, and they were still waiting. The line was moving like molasses and the more Percy thought of that saying, the hungrier he was getting. Estelle wasn't doing much better. She had taken to sitting on the floor after standing for forty minutes, and Percy wished he could join her. The only reason he didn't was because he had the feeling that someone was watching them, and that put him on edge. Percy reached into the pocket of his hoodie, feeling for Riptide, and decided to check in on his sister. "How're you holding up, Elle?" Estelle looked up at him from her place on the floor and sighed before putting on what Percy believed to be the world's fakest smile. "I'm holding up awesomely." She replied. "Santa is worth waiting for and I will wait patiently with a smile on my face." Percy then realized what she was doing. Estelle was purposely trying to be in a good mood, so that Santa didn't see her complain. If there was one thing Percy knew, it was that during December, Estelle refused to risk being placed on the naughty list, and would grin until her face started hurting even if she so much as felt annoyed.
The line started moving again, and Percy felt like crying in relief. As soon as Estelle was done, he was marching them both to the food court to enjoy various and sundry snacks and drinks. His stomach seemed to have heard him and growled in response. Percy's relief did not last long; suddenly, Percy felt something that reminded him of claws catch onto the back of his jacket and scratch him. Whirling around already half in a defensive position, Percy was prepared to face off his eyes narrowed in a protective glare. However, what he turned to face was a very apologetic girl who looked alarmed at Percy's expression and held a sleeping toddler in her arms. "Sorry, sorry," she apologized, "I was just trying to adjust my position so that my brother would be more comfortable and my nails accidently caught on your jacket." Percy looked down at her hands and saw that the girl had on acrylic nails that were glittery red and green. Percy's face grew hot and assured her that it was no big deal, though he didn't know if she believed him due to the crazed look on his face.
Turning back around, Percy saw Estelle stifling a giggle; "What's wrong?" she asked, "You seem all bouncy." Percy was momentarily confused before realizing that his sister meant that he looked nervous, and Percy was inclined to agree. "I'm fine, Elle," he answered, "Just a little tired; that's all." Estelle seemed satisfied with his answer and Percy was grateful that she didn't keep asking him. The line slowly started moving again and Percy was ecstatic to see that he and Estelle were almost to the front. He could tell that she was excited too, albeit for an entirely different reason. She stayed standing this time and began to bounce on the balls of her feet. "It's almost time to see him!" Estelle clapped her hands together and did a little victory dance that made Percy chuckle, despite his jumpiness. His happiness for his younger sister was short-lived though; as Percy saw that a horned figure was making a move to grab Estelle. Uncapping Riptide, Percy brandished the sword at the mystery creature holding Estelle. "What do you think you're doing?" Percy growled. "You better let go of my sister right now or I'll-" Estelle loudly cleared her throat and gazed at Percy, her sea-green eyes filled with confusion. "Percy," She said, "What are you doing? The Christmas elf is supposed to lift me onto Santa's lap." Percy nearly dropped Riptide in surprise and embarrassment as he noticed that Estelle was fine and that the 'monster' he thought was taking her was actually a person dressed up as an elf; the horns were not horns but in fact they were elf ears. Percy mumbled an apology and let his sister go with the elf, who gave him a look before muttering something under his breath about the holidays making people crazy.
Percy felt everyone in the line staring at him; their faces either concerned, pitying, or just plain weirded out. Hunching his shoulders in an effort to disappear, Percy slunk to where Estelle was, and pulled out the camera on his phone. In spite of his embarrassment, Percy couldn't help but smile at the expression on his sister's face. She looked completely joyous, her eyes full of Christmas cheer.
After ten minutes of Estelle telling Santa Claus all of her Christmas wishes (the fact that it took that long made Percy understand why they were in line for almost two hours), she was ready for her pictures. Percy and the mall photographer both snapped several photos and Estelle got ready to leave Santa's lap. Before she did, the man playing Santa Claus made a 'wait a minute' gesture and reached to grab something from behind him. All Percy saw was a flash of something small enough to be a dagger and he reacted, the photographer taking pictures all the while. With a form of gusto much akin to that of Buddy from the Christmas movie Elf, Percy leapt over the reindeer display and took down Santa in one move, knocking Estelle off of his lap and onto the pile of fake snow. Pinning the Kris Kringle beneath him, Percy uncapped Riptide once more, telling the mall Santa to relinquish his weapon and let his sister go, adding that if he didn't, Percy would turn the monster to dust.
The Santa Claus immediately dropped what he was holding and Percy grabbed it and stood up victorious. He looked at the object in his hand and felt a new wave of mortification run through him; this one ten times worse than the last. In his hands was a candy cane, wrapped with a bow and a tag that said Merry Christmas from Santa on it. The candy cane was now crushed, and from the horrified look on Estelle's face, she was as well. The Santa got up and said to Percy completely in character, "Well, little boy, if you wanted a Christmas treat so badly, all you had to do was ask like the good little boys and girls do." This only added to Percy's humiliation as Santa Claus grabbed a security guard and got both him and Estelle thrown out of the mall.
Percy sat on a bench outside, his head in his hands, Estelle sitting next to him a good few inches away. She hadn't said a word since the security guard told Percy that they would no longer be welcome there, and had told her that he hoped Santa would look past this. As soon as those words left the guard's mouth, Estelle had continuously tried and failed to keep a smile on her face. Percy on the other hand, couldn't even bring his face out of his hands. He knew that fighting monsters for years had made him jumpier than the average person, but he never thought that he would ever be one of those half-bloods who was so prepared when facing the prospect of having to fight another monster that he'd become capable of attacking an innocent mall Santa. Percy had bought them some lunch, but he knew that the burger kiddie combo he had gotten for Estelle wouldn't even begin to make up for what had transpired.
Finally lifting up his head, Percy prepared himself to face his sister, whose dreams and candy cane had both been destroyed by him. The brother and sister looked at one another in silence for a minute before Estelle spoke. "I can't believe that you attacked Santa and got us banned from the mall." She paused a moment and added, "If I get coal this year because of you, I'm gonna hide it in your stuff to make your backpack and suitcases heavier." Estelle sniffled and rubbed her nose with her hand. Percy hung his head in shame. "I am so sorry, Elle. I know how much this meant to you and I will personally contact Santa and tell him that you had nothing to do with this if you'd like." As Percy said the words he looked up again and saw that Estelle was shaking with laughter. "Why are you laughing?" He asked. "Are you in shock or something?" Estelle continued laughing, her eyes filling with tears as she giggled uncontrollably. When she finally managed to stop, Estelle explained. "You beat up Santa Claus over a candy cane!" Her voice shrieked with laughter and Percy joined in, glad to know that his sister didn't hate him. "We have candy canes at home, Percy," Estelle choked out, her laughter rendering her unable to speak any longer. The two sat there and laughed for a while and finished their lunch before Percy stood, pulling Estelle to her feet with him. They started walking toward the car when the photographer who had taken all of the pictures ran out to stop them. When the man reached the two exiles, he gave Percy an envelope with the developed photos in them, and wished them a Merry Christmas before walking back to the mall. One glance inside the envelope had Percy groaning again. Because the photographer hadn't stopped taking any pictures the entire time Percy reenacted the infamous 'he's not Santa' scene from Elf, the envelope was filled with action shots of Percy vs. Santa Claus. Estelle took a peek at the cause of Percy's anguish, and her laughter started all over again. Once it had subsided, Percy asked her, "Let's not tell Mommy about these, okay? It'll be our special sibling secret." At the mention of the word secret, Estelle's eyes lit up, and with their secret in Percy's pocket, the two left the mall, never to return.
That night Percy sat at the coffee table, sighing in frustration before moving the torn wrapping paper and opting to put Annabeth's gift in a bag. He had known her since he was twelve, and he still had no clue how she wrapped her gifts so nicely. Perks of being a future architect, he figured. His mom came in the living room a little bit later, a cup of hot chocolate in one hand and a plate of her classic blue cookies in the other. Setting them down on the table, she sat next to Percy. "Thank you, for taking Estelle today." She said, giving Percy a hug. "I'm glad that everything went smoothly, with no monsters or anything crazy taking place." Percy just hugged his mom back, not wanting to lie to her, but also not wanting to incriminate himself. They sat in comfortable silence, and because his mom hadn't said anything more, Percy was sure that he was home free. His relaxation proved to be temporary though, as Paul walked into the room after tucking Estelle into bed.
"Um, quick question," Paul began, "Why did Estelle just tell me that you might have gotten her on Santa's naughty list because you attacked Santa and got both of you a lifetime ban from that mall, Percy?" Percy avoided the look his mother was giving him because he knew that if he saw that look, she would see his guilt as clear as day. Instead Percy raised his voice, knowing that it would carry to his sister's room. "Estelle, why did you tell Paul? We had a special sibling secret going on." He saw his mom shaking her head out of the corner of his eye and heard Estelle's voice pipe up loud and clear. "You told me that Mommy couldn't know about the pictures and stuff; you didn't say that Daddy couldn't know, so I told him." There was a small pause before she spoke again. "Don't worry, Percy, Daddy said that I wouldn't be getting coal from Santa, so everything is great!" Estelle yelled out one more good night before she drifted off to what Percy was sure would be a peaceful sleep.
After Estelle finished saying her piece, silence hung in the air. Percy watched as his mom moved to stand in front of him, knowing that he wouldn't be able to talk his way out of this one. "So," Sally said giving him the patented 'I know what you did' look that all moms were famous for. "Nothing happened?" Percy leaned back in his seat, sheepishly wincing at his mom. "Hardly anything happened," Percy relented. His mother took a deep breath and Paul gave him a quick wave before kissing the side of his wife's head and saying goodnight.
"Percy," Sally started, "what would possess you to attack a mall Santa? Did you go crazy or something?" She spoke calmly, which made Percy more worried about his ability to save face than if his mother had been yelling. "I may have reacted…hastily." Percy admitted. "I just didn't want anything to happen to her." His mom nodded her head. "I know," she continued, "I see how much you love your little sister, but try not to be the reason something happens to her; you know, like getting banned from a mall?" It was now Percy's turn to nod his head. "I got it, Mom. No more fighting Santa Claus. I just got temporarily possessed by the protective big brother gene, I guess." "Good," She replied, "I mean, if everybody else got possessed and started acting that bizarre and fighting good people, would you do that too?" Percy felt his stomach sink as he remembered when he and Jason got possessed by the eidolons and nearly killed each other. "Percy?" His mom questioned him after seeing the look on his face and not hearing a response. Sally smacked her forehead with her palm. "Did you get possessed at one point and decide not to tell me?" Well, he thought, I suppose there's no time like the present… Knowing that at this point there was only one thing to do, Percy patted the spot next to him on the couch, waited for her to sit down, and did what any good son would do: "Night, Mom, I have to go see how Grover is doing. It's his first Christmas as a married man, and I promised that I'd visit him and Juniper for a few days. I'll see you on Christmas Eve, you know, with peace on earth and good will toward men. I love you." Percy's voice rushed out in one breath. His mom gaped at Percy as he backed out of the house as quickly as possible, shouting at the top of her lungs. "PERCY! YOU COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND TELL ME IF YOU GOT POSSESSED! I WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR BLUE COOKIES SO HELP ME…" Her voice trailed off as Percy made his escape. He walked through the city, enjoying the Christmas lights, although he felt a tinge of sadness at what he had just lost. Because Percy knew that while it was worth it not to have to explain to his mom his experiences with possession, he would mourn those blue cookies, the loss of their heavenly aroma and gooey goodness hitting him like the loss of a friend.
Congrats! You made it to the end of this Fic! I hope that you found it at least semi-enjoyable, and I hope to get back to writing my other Percy Jackson Fanfiction sometime next week. Feel free to check it out if you'd like, but no pressure. Hope that this Fanfic made you chuckle and Have a very Merry Christmas!