Disclaimer: No I don't own Percy Jackson, I'm not Rick Riordan!
Please note I'm only three books in but I had this idea I couldn't shake - so here's this! I apologise if there are character inaccuracies etc. but this is from my imagination and I hope you enjoy!
"Maybe we shouldn't do this" Percy said.
Annabeth Chase watched her boyfriend of seven years as he paced the platform of the Empire State Building. It was a cool night, the stars twinkled in the night sky and the view was unparalleled to any other.
In other words, it was the perfect night and the perfect place for an ordinary young couple to enjoy a romantic evening. However, Percy and Annabeth were anything but normal.
"You're not backing out now, are you?" Annabeth asked, a glint of humour at her boyfriends nerves.
"You've said yes - yes?" she nodded her affirmation. "Then why even get the Gods permission in the first place? It should be about the two of us. Who cares what they have to say?"
The sky grumbled, as if perturbed by the young mans words.
"I think you annoyed them" Annabeth told her boyfriend. "It's tradition. You know how the Gods love their traditions. When a young couple want to marry they must ask their parents permission. It isn't a far-fetched notion, even to mortals"
Percy grabbed Annabeth's hands and looked into her cool grey eyes "And what if they say no". Annabeth stayed silent. She knew as well as Percy there was a good chance that they would. The Gods liked to play with the lives of their demigods. In their case, their parents hated one another. She knew all of this, and so did he, so she just squeezed his hands "Then we'll figure something out" she whispered in a promise.
Before anymore could be said a clock struck twelve and chimed somewhere in the distance. It was time.
The pair went through the tasks of setting off to see the Gods as if they'd done it a hundred times before, which they felt like they had, and before they knew it there they were. All of them. All of them in a semi-circled 'U' shape.
"What's Hades doing here?" Percy asked
"He wouldn't normally be here, it's probably because you're his nephew"
'Great' thought Percy 'the perks of being a son of the big three.'
The Gods were huge, the two of them were tiny in comparison. It was clear that some of them were perplexed as to why they had been summoned and what a couple of demigods wanted with them. Percy wasn't quite sure either.
"Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase. You summoned the Gods. What is your request?" Zeus asked, his deep voice felt like it vibrated throughout the room.
"Actually, we only called upon two Go-" Percy stifled a groan as he caught an elbow from Annabeth in the ribs. "Never mind" he grumbled. He looked at Annabeth and then to the Gods who looked increasingly bored by the moment. He cleared his throat "I, Percy Jackson" he started. 'Why am I being so formal?' He scolded himself "have come to ask the permission of my father, Poseidon and the mother of Annabeth Chase, Athena, for Annabeth's hand in marriage"
Percy looked to Annabeth for assurance, she nodded and gave the thumbs up. He did well. Too well. The Gods perked up. Some leaned forwards in their chairs, others smirked as if they wanted to grab some popcorn and watch the latest reality tv show. Quick! The Real Demigods of New York is on! We can't miss Keeping Up with the Jacksons, are you insane? Percy shook, as if to physically remove the thoughts from his mind.
Percy looked to his father, afraid of his reaction however, he only looked pensive. One look at Athena however, and Percy wondered if she could kill him with looks alone. It certainly felt as if she wanted to do just that.
"Athena, do you accept?" Zeus asked.
"I do not" Athena replied, almost cutting Zeus off in the process. Percy winced and Annabeth looked furious. "I am sorry Annabeth, but I have never approved of this match and I do not approve of it now. You should have known better" Annabeth flushed, still glaring daggers.
Athena just stood to leave when Poseidon spoke "You won't stay to hear my verdict, Athena?". Athena looked as if she wanted to sigh. Instead she turned back around and gave Poseidon a piercing glare So that's where Annabeth gets it from Percy mused.
Poseidon replied with a lazy smiled and looked as if he could stay that way all day just to annoy Athena however, he did something no-one expected. "I accept".
Percy's jaw dropped and Annabeth's heart leapt into her throat. They still had a chance.
"You're only saying that because I said no you petulant, squid for brains, siren-humping-"
"Mother!" Annabeth didn't mean to raise her voice, but that was something no child, demigod or otherwise, wanted to hear from their parents.
"It's quite alright, Annabeth. As you are aware your mother and I rarely see eye to eye"
"Why are you doing this Poseidon?" Athena asked "To get back at me for Athens, or to gain favour with your son?"
Poseidon laughed "Athens? Athena that was centuries ago, you think I've held a grudge all this time? That's awash with the tides" Percy wondered if that was his fathers way of saying it was water under the bridge. "And gain favour with Percy? I imagine it would take a lot more for Percy to forgive me for not being there throughout his childhood" Percy thought that actually he'd love Poseidon forever if he allowed him to marry Annabeth. "As it happens, I do believe this is a good match and that is why I rule in favour of the marriage"
"Can you give me one good reason why you think they would work together?" Athena asked, although this was just a verbal spar she looked ready for battle.
"Can you give me one good reason why they don't?"
Athena grinned, as if to indulge him "Annabeth is my daughter. She is wise, a thorough planner, an excellent strategist, she is intelligent and well read. How long do you think your son could keep up with a girl like that?"
The other Gods nodded their heads and murmured some agreement. Annabeth looked ready to raise her voice again, but Percy's hand came up to stifle her, no matter how indignant he felt in that moment.
Poseidon only grinned "You are correct in that your daughter is wise, intelligent. She's grounded and has a good head on her shoulders. Where Percy is impulsive she plans ahead. Where Percy is happy to move with the waves, Annabeth is ambitious and determined" Percy couldn't be annoyed, he knew it was true. Annabeth was all of those things and more, Annabeth wasn't sure what to do under such scrutiny, she'd never known the God of the sea paid that much attention to her.
"What you forget Athena, is that as a daughter of yours Annabeth is prone to staying within the pages of her books, she is determined however, she has a one track mind and Percy can help her to breathe when she might drown in those ambitions. Can help her to live and enjoy the outside world from time to time" Poseidon looked to Athena "They balance each other out, quite perfectly. Wouldn't you agree?"
Athena stayed silent, her nostrils flared. "That does not mean they are good for each other"
"No, that means he's not who you envisioned for her" Aphrodite spoke up, surprising everyone.
"It is none of your business. Stay out of this you over-sexed harlot."
"Mother!" Annabeth heard herself scolding the ancient woman again, this time it was because of the insult.
Aphrodite only grinned "Athena, I am the Goddess of Love. This is my business" she stood for a moment to ensure everyone's eyes were on her, though most could barely keep an eye off her most of the time anyway. "Athena, you must be able to see that what Poseidon says is true. Don't you want your daughter to be happy? If nothing else, don't you see this can only be a good thing? Percy and Annabeth will do anything for each other. They will go anywhere the other will go. If one of them is missing, the other will fight until they are back in their arms. They will follow each other to the depths of Tartarus if it means they're together and able to keep one another safe"
"And you think that's a good thing? What you've described is a distraction. Nothing more"
Athena looked unmoved so Aphrodite dropped the soft charade. "You always did scorn what you didn't understand" she smirked.
Athena's eyes flared "There is nothing I do not understand"
"You lack the skills to understand love" Athena let out a mocking laugh, but Aphrodite continued "The Goddess of Wisdom, Battle Strategy and Logic. However, she fails to realise that love in itself is illogical" Aphrodite turned to the two demigods "That's why she hates me, she doesn't understand me"
"This is not about me or you this is about those two" Athena yelled, her voice reverberated off the walls, not unlike Zeus' however, Aphrodite stood her ground.
"Perhaps. However, I see before me a group of almighty Gods about to once again play with lives they have no business in messing with. Now, I admit I've had my fair share of toying with this couple however, enough is enough from all of us"
"Why do you care about this so, Aphrodite?" Poseidon asked, not unkindly.
Aphrodite remained silent for a moment to collect herself "I once stood before Gods who wanted me for themselves. The decision was left to a Queen to decide to whom I should be betrothed. They played judge and jury with my life and made a decision that suited them. I never got a choice." Percy heard the unspoken words and looked down towards the floor, almost in shame. It had never occurred to him that Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love who loved love more than anything, never got her own love story. "I will not let you do the same to them"
The room was silent. Percy wanted to hold his breath for fear any sound would break the hold Aphrodite had on the Gods in that moment.
Athena remained silent. It was clear she would not change her mind on this.
"Fine" Aphrodite said "If we are to continue with these archaic rules and you're so stubborn as to put your own grudges and ideals above your daughter" she turned to the demigods and told them, with a smile on her face "I rule in favour of this marriage"
Annabeth's eyes widened in excitement while Percy looked on in bewilderment. Annabeth quickly whispered to him "That's why they're all here. If our parents couldn't reach an agreement then the other Gods step in and decide"
Percy gulped, Annabeth was excited but some of these Gods held grudges. A lot of them against him. He followed the U shape and saw up next was Ares.
Ares grinned in spite and opened his mouth to deliver his verdict when he heard Aphrodite cough, drawing Ares attention away from the pair. Aphrodite raised an eyebrow and Ares looked conflicted.
"Its Percy Jackson!" Ares almost whined. Aphrodite folded her arms and leaned down to whisper something in his ear. Ares eyes widened a touch before grumbling "I rule in favour of the marriage"
"You can't influence votes!" Athena yelled.
"Oh well, too late now" Aphrodite shrugged. "Apollo?"
Apollo cleared his throat:
"I, Apollo, God of much
Can see a pair, much in love
I say yes…" he paused for a moment, counting the syllables "to love"
Apollo looked around and saw everyones eyes on him, as if he hadn't delivered his verdict "I vote in favour of this marriage" he said, put out that he had to say it at all. Couldn't they tell from his haiku?
Percy and Annabeth looked to Artemis, hopeful however, paused when she looked on at the pair with sympathy. "I can see that you two must love each other very much however, Annabeth… I cannot deny that before you met Percy I had hoped you would join the hunt" she said "I cannot vote in favour with good conscious. I feel you would be throwing your life away. Therefore, I vote against this marriage"
"Well, I'm not saving her butt again" Percy grumbled. He winced in anticipation as Annabeth's elbow came up in reflex however, she gently put it back down to her side. She happened to agree with him on that one.
"My answer is still no" Athena said "I vote against this marriage"
Percy felt Annabeth slump slightly and he put his arms around her. Athena looked on at him with rage however, he didn't care. He understood Annabeth was disappointed. This was Athena's last chance to do right by her daughter, and she'd blown it.
Percy didn't know Demeter very well, so didn't know exactly what she would base her decision on "I will agree with Athena. I vote against this marriage"
'Ah' thought Percy. He wasn't sure if there was a longstanding friendship there, if Demeter wanted to gain favour with the Goddess or if she just genuinely believed her. He'd ask Annabeth later.
Next in the line was Hades and Percy felt his stomach drop. Hades looked on at the couple with assessing eyes. He shrugged "I vote in favour of this marriage"
Zeus made no qualms with his verdict "I vote against" he said, without empathy or explanation. Percy thought he really needed to figure out what he did to make Zeus despise him, besides being born however, and wondered if his rant against tradition influenced his decision. 'Big baby' Percy thought. Zeus side-eyed him for a moment, as if he'd heard.
Percy focussed then on his father, praying he hadn't changed his mind. Poseidon offered a small smile "I vote in favour of this marriage". Percy let out a small slow sigh of relief.
Looking next down the line Percy nearly visibly recoiled. Dionysus, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there in that moment. He was silent.
"What is your verdict, Dionysus?" Zeus asked, impatiently.
"Hmm? Oh Peter and Annie, hello. Against" he said. Again he offered no explanation however, he didn't have to. He hated the kids who attended Camp Half-Blood. He despised demigods as a rule and he really had it out for Percy. Annabeth squeeze Percy's hand in silent support.
Hephaestus came next and said "No" quite plainly, looking at Aphrodite. Clearly he felt snubbed from her speech, or perhaps the years of seeing Ares behind his back, who knows? But whatever way she voted, he would vote the other, that much was obvious.
Next came Hermes. He'd never harboured any ill will toward the pair, even after all the events with his son Luke. "I rule in favour of this marriage"
Hestia, Goddess of home and family, delivered her ruling "I rule in favour of this marriage"
Percy tried to do the maths however, Annabeth was ahead of him "One more vote. If they rule against the Gods are tied"
"What happens then?" he asked, but wouldn't have heard the answer even if Annabeth had told him. The final decision came down to Hera.
Hera, who decided the fate of Aphrodite and did so based on what she felt was right for everyone.. Everyone, that is, except Aphrodite.
Hera considered the demigods and then looked to Aphrodite. A part of her was angry. The woman had humiliated her son with that speech however, something in her mind said that she'd probably done wrong by the young girl all those years ago. Now she might have a chance to right a wrong. She looked to Athena in apology.
"I rule in favour of this marriage"
Percy heard a ringing in his ears as he stood still in shock. Annabeth on the other hand immediately wrapped her arms around him grinning with excitement. Percy grinned down at her.
"We're getting married" she cried, unshed tears on the verge of spilling over. Percy picked Annabeth up and twirled her around, making her laugh out loud.
"Thank you" he told the Gods. All of them. He may not like that parts of his life were controlled by them, especially moments like these however, this was the way and he thanked them for taking the time to be here - no matter their decision in the end.
All the Gods nodded in appreciation. All except Athena who stood and left the room, head held high even now. The other Gods started to file out themselves.
Percy and Annabeth started backing away when they heard their names called. They turned back around just in time to see Poseidon and Aphrodite morph into regular-sized people.
"I won't be too long" Aphrodite said "Annabeth, your mother is a proud woman - as I'm sure you know. She is not used to losing her battles. She will come around, give her time." Annabeth nodded her thanks to the Goddess of Love. Aphrodite smirked "Congratulations you two. I expect an invitation to the wedding, of course" she grinned and then morphed again, this time into a dove, she flew away and landed beside Ares.
What does she see in him? Percy wondered, but turned his attention to his father.
"Congratulations, Percy and Annabeth" he said "I apologise for the dramatics. Tradition and all that"
"We understand" Annabeth answered.
"I imagine you understand more than Percy here" he said, and Percy wondered if this was another of those logic things vs. the sea things. "Aphrodite is right. Your mother will come around. I know we don't show it… but we do care about you" he told them.
"Thank you, Dad" Percy said, wanting to fill the void with something and realised that would probably be the best place to start.
"Do you know why I approved the marriage?" Poseidon asked.
"It wasn't for the reasons you said?"
"That's part of it" he told the pair "All of that encompasses one very important and crucial thing. I voted in favour because, I think the two of you make each other happy. In the life of a demigod, that is a rarity to find and almost impossible to keep" Poseidon took a deep breath "I just want you to be happy, son. It's all I've ever wanted since the day you were born. Happy and safe. I think you can do that for each other"
Annabeth leant her head on Percy's shoulder and he grinned "I think so too"
The three were suddenly aware of a presence, like they were being watched. They looked up to see Zeus staring at them.
"Looks like I'm out of time" Poseidon said, almost sadly and turned to leave.
"Wait, Mr Poseidon, Sea God, Sir" Annabeth stumbled and Percy smirked in an attempt to keep his amusement at bay. Poseidon only grinned and looked expectantly at the girl. "I know there are rules and everything, so we'll completely understand if there are rules against it, but will you think about attending? Our wedding.. of course"
Poseidon looked to Percy who looked just as hopeful as his father. "You want me to be there?"
Percy nodded "Yeah, I want you there"
Poseidon looked ready to respond when Zeus cleared his throat. Poseidon stared at his brother. They stared for a few moments that felt like forever when Zeus grunted and backed down with a nod. "I'll be there" Poseidon told the couple.
"Great!" Annabeth said "We'll send you an invitation. Can Gods receive invitations? We'll get one to you, won't we Percy? We haven't started planning yet but we'll-"
"We'll keep you updated" Percy smiled, if his father was anything like him that was all he needed or wanted to know.
Poseidon laughed, a loud confident laugh that echoed all around them. He turned, for what Percy thought would be the last time but Poseidon had one more thing to say "You know she's going to keep you on your toes, right?"
Percy grinned "I wouldn't have it any other way"