Alright, Biotches! Here is the next chapter, finally!
I spent a lot of time and effort on this, so if I don't get a lot of amazing reviews, I will be very upset!
Enjoy the story, lovelies!(:
DISCLAIMER: I obvi do not own.
Hadrian and Percy sit in silence after their first, and hopefully not last, kiss.
It was mind blowing to Hadrian. Percy's lips were the perfect mixture between rough and soft. In all the dreaming and fantasizing Hadrian had done in his many years, he could never have hoped, or dreamed, for a better first kiss.
Hadrian sighs contently, before glancing around the cramped space, and turns to give Percy a serious look.
"We need to free them." At Percy's cocked eyebrow, Hadrian continues. "The animals, it's obvious that they are being abused. I wouldn't doubt it if the people driving are animal smugglers. Gods, look at them. The zebra has gum in its' fur and they all looked starved."
Percy eyes the animals critically. He already knew he wanted to do something for them and Hadrian's idea was as good as any. The only thing that would go wrong with the plan was figuring out a way to free them without getting eaten or attacked for their troubles.
"I agree with you, 'Rian. But how are we going to free them without getting mauled for our efforts?"
Hadrian contemplates the idea in his head. He knew that the truck would eventually come to a stop, and that would be their golden opportunity. He could play off being able to talk to and understand the animals as part of the powers he had inherited from his father. His dad was death, and death needs to be able to understand all of his subjects, it would only make sense that that ability was passed down to Hadrian also.
"I can talk to the animals, tell them not to attack us and in exchange we will let them go."
Percy gives Hadrian an incredulous look. "And how do you expect that to work? It's not like they can understand us."
Coughing awkwardly, Hadrian shifts slightly. "Part of the abilities I got from my dad was being able to speak to and understand animals. I don't know why, but I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that Hades is Death, and Death needs to be able to understand his subjects. I guess it's just one of those semi-useless things that I got from him."
Percy stares at Hadrian wide-eyed. "Semi-useless?! Hadrian, that's great! It'll really help us out! Especially now!"
Hadrian couldn't help but blush at his mate's enthusiasm.
"Well. I think we should let the animals out of their cages, and then when the trucks stops, we have them charge at the smugglers and make our escape in the chaos."
Percy nods his head along to Hadrian's plan. "Sounds good to me, just make sure that they won't attack us."
Rolling his eyes, Hadrian about extracting the promises from the animals while releasing them from their cages.
He chuckles softly to himself when Percy nearly has a heart attack when the zebra begins chatting with him.
The plan had gone off without a hitch. When the truck had finally came to a stop, and the doors opened, the animals followed through with their part of the plan. Percy and Hadrian managed to slip out unnoticed in the chaos the escapees were causing.
Now though, they were lost on the Vegas strip. Flashing neon signs were everywhere, all advertising different offers and deals. The people that walked by were rude and unabashedly plowed over and through the two demigods. Hadrian wanted to smite them all.
Turning a corner Hadrian and Percy come face to face with the Lotus Hotel and Casino.
Hadrian eyes it disdainfully. He knew full well what the flashing flowers and grand entrance held. It was the home of the Lotus Eaters. And from what it looked like, Percy was about to get sucked in.
"Well, hello young sirs. You look awfully tired. Would you like to come inside and sit down for a bit?" The doorman's smile was genuine in its politeness, and Hadrian could feel the man's suggestive magic work its' way through Percy's paranoia.
At Percy's nod, the doorman led them through the front doors, and into what Percy would consider his best dream.
There were videogames everywhere, and not the chinky little old ones either. These ones were all brand new and there was no line waiting at any of them.
"Hey!" A, whom Percy assumed to be a bellhop by his Hawaiian themed button down shirt, ran up to Percy and Hadrian, knocking Percy out of his game-induced haze. "Here is your room key!"
Percy puts up his hands while frantically shaking his head 'no'. "Umm, sorry..." Percy's sentence was interrupted by the enthusiastic bellhop.
"Don't worry about a thing! The bill has already been taken care of!" Flashing the two a brilliant smile, he continues. "Just hop in the elevators and head right on up to the top floor, room 4001! If you need anything, anything at all, don't be afraid to call down to the front desk! They'll have it sent to your room! Oh! And here is your LotusCash cards! They will work on anything in the casino and hotel!" Flashing them one last smile, the bellhop skipped away to who knows where.
Percy beams down at the little green plastic card in his hand, before dragging Hadrian to the elevator and towards their room.
He never noticed Hadrian glaring at his own.
Hadrian idly sips from a cup as he keeps a protective eye on his mate. He knew Percy was enthralled by the Lotus Eaters; his continues indulgence of the lotus shaped cookies was a dead give-away. It had been five days since arriving at the casino, and Hadrian was almost near the end of his patience.
He knew that them happening upon the casino was no chance, he could feel the slightly manipulative magic of Ares in the air guiding Percy to the hotel.
Sighing to himself, Hadrian wished he could help his mate break the spell of the Lotus, but sadly it was something he would have to do himself. His father had already informed him that it would be a test to show the power and strength of will that Percy's mind possessed.
Hadrian couldn't help but feel that his father was just the slightest bit touched in the head.
Rolling his eyes, Hadrian re-focuses on Percy and is surprised to see the change that washes over him. The dawning understanding and horror that slides over Percy's face lets Hadrian know he has finally broken the bewitchment on his mind.
Hadrian smiles slightly when Percy's eyes zone in on him, before he immediately makes a beeline towards Hadrian.
Sitting in the back of the taxi as it drove them to LA, Hadrian couldn't help himself in admiring the way the evening light shone off of Percy's slightly tanned features. They had yet to talk about the kiss they shared, and it was making Hadrian nervous.
Was he a bad kisser? Did Percy realize he didn't like Hadrian that way? All these thoughts began bubbling up uninvited in Hadrian's head.
Percy must have noticed Hadrian's troubled face, because he cupped his cheek in his hand.
"What's wrong?"
Hadrian's troubled eyes meet Percy's own concerned ones.
"Do you not like me?
Percy's eyes widen in confusion. How could Hadrian even think that? The kiss they shared in the van was the most amazing kiss Percy had ever received. Percy was falling in love with the gorgeous boy in front of him, and he couldn't possibly imagine what gave Hadrian the idea he didn't like him.
"Why do you say that?"
Hadrian bites his lip, while looking down, too embarrassed to answer.
Frowning, Percy reaches forward and gently removes Hadrian's abused lip from between his teeth.
"I don't know what gave you that ridiculous idea, but you need to get rid of it. Of course I like you Hadrian. I thought the kiss in the van proved it."
Shrugging, Hadrian gazes out the window; anywhere but his mate's face.
"Well, you haven't said anything about it and you haven't kissed me again or held my hand or anything so I thought you figured out you didn't actually like me."
Percy snorts, before gently whacking Hadrian upside the head.
"Silly 'Rian. Of course I like you, I want you to be my boyfriend after all."
Hadrian freezes before giving Percy a wide-eyed look.
"Do you really mean that?"
Percy smiles handsomely at Hadrian. "Only if you want to be."
Percy's only answer was a heated kiss.
The taxi driver dropped the duo off at the Santa Monica Beach. Hadrian watches as his boyfriend, insert silly grin here, wades into the blue waves. Sighing, Hadrian plops down onto sand to wait out the return of his boyfriend.
Shifting slightly to look at the presence that appeared beside him, Hadrian flashes his mother a gigantic smile before glomping on her.
"Mother! What are you doing here?"
Hecate laughs at her son's exuberance before returning the hug.
"Hello to you too, my son." Hecate smiles at her son's bashful look. "I'm here to ask you what you are going to do."
Hadrian eyes his mother in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Percy is currently being given two pearls that will allow him to escape from the Underworld with one other person. I was wondering what you were going to do once you two arrive in your father's realm. Will you expose who, and what, you really are. Or will you continue to play at being a half-blood?"
Hadrian bites his lip as he ponders his mother's questions. He knows Percy will probably feel mad or betrayed because Hadrian had held out so long on revealing his identity. On the other hand though, Percy might be understanding if Hadrian explains to him why he kept it a secret for so long.
"I don't know, what should I do, mom?" Hadrian gives his mother his ultimate puppy dog eyes, the ones he learned from his, or rather Harrys, dogfather Sirius Black.
Hecate instantly caves under the look, her soon just looks too damn adorable.
"I think you should tell young Perseus the truth. Though I would recommend waiting till the two of you are with your father and other mother. They will be able to help explain to him the necessity of hiding your identity."
Hadrian contemplates the idea before nodding his head in agreement, turning back to the waves when his mother suddenly vanishes.
Percy appears from the ocean, dry and with an expectant look on his face while explaining all he had just learned.
Hadrian follows Percy as he diligently looks for DOA Recording Studios. So far they had had no luck in locating the illusive shop. Well, Hadrian knew exactly where to find it, but it'd look suspicious if he said so. So that led to him following Percy around the darkening streets of L.A., though Hadrian wasn't complaining, he got to hold Percy's hand.
"Hey, faggots!" Hadrian should have known that the peace couldn't last long. Turning to the source of the noise, Hadrian is slightly surprised to see six rich kids stalking towards them.
Percy, in righteous indignation, uncaps riptide and glowers at the six. "What the fuck did you just say?"
The leader, who pulled out a switchblade at noticing the baseball bat that appeared suddenly, continued his walk towards the duo. "I said" he sneered, "What the hell are a couple of sissy faggots like you doing out here?"
Snarling at the man, Percy shifts his stance lightly. "Say one more word about my boyfriend, and I will end you."
The man's eyes shift to Hadrian, taking in his petite form. "Well, at least ya faggot boyfriend is hot. Who knows, from behind he might even pass as a woman. I don't think me or the boys would mind tapping that." The man's gang laugh sinisterly from behind him, throwing lewd glances at Hadrian.
Percy, in a blind rage, drops Riptide and strikes out at the disgusting creature in front of him, effectively knocking him out with one punch. Kicking him harshly in the side, and smiling wickedly at the satisfying crunching noise of ribs breaking, Percy turns to the other five.
"Does anyone else want a piece?"
The gang members through their hands in the air before running away.
Percy throws Hadrian a proud smile, before cursing when police sirens begin wailing.
"Shit!"
Percy grabs Hadrian's hand and drags him through the dank alley and into a shop called Crusty's Waterbed Palace.
Inhaling sharply with his hands on his knees, Percy peers out the grimy window of the shop, sighing in relief as the red and blue lights pass and turn a corner.
Sharing a smile with Hadrian, Percy states "That was a close call."
"What was?" The booming voice causes the two boys to jump.
Turning around, Hadrian sees who could only be Procrustes. The lizard like skin and dead eyes really give him away.
"We uh, we're trying to find a place that sold waterbeds, and we finally did. We almost gave up, so it really was a close call we found your shop!" Hadrian gives Percy a bland look for his horrible lie, though 'Crusty' seems to disregard the lie in favor of having 'customers' to try out his products.
"Ohhhh, how perfect! Let me show you my products!"
Hadrian doesn't know how he ended up being tied to a bed getting his spine stretched. He's only glad Percy managed to somehow trick Crusty into laying in his own bed, thus allowing Percy the chance to lop the lizard's head off.
After untying Hadrian from the waterbed, Percy makes a sound of surprise in the back of his throat.
"Well look at that."
Following Percy's gaze, Hadrian rolls his eyes in exasperation at the DOA studio sign boasting itself across the street.
Hadrian wrapped his powers around himself tightly before following Percy through the studio doors. He knew that the spirits would instantly give away who he was, they couldn't help it. If they were to sense his presence, they would prostrate themselves on the floor in front of him, hoping to get into the good graces of their new lord.
Sighing, Hadrian followed as Percy marched to the front of the room, looking up at the teller who was standing at the slightly raised podium.
"We would like to go to the Underworld."
The teller's sunglasses covered eyes bore down on Percy, before his lips quirk.
"How refreshing. Most spirits beg to not go down there." The teller's eyes slide from Percy before landing on Hadrian, once they do they widen significantly. Turning back to Percy, as not to give his Lord away, Charon eyes the youngling disdainfully. "And how did you die?"
"Food poising." At Charon's raised eyebrow, Percy coughs slightly. "Very bad food poising. My boyfriend here can't cook that well, you see, but I let him cook dinner for us. And well, we're here now."
Hadrian can't hide his sort of amusement. Charon even has to withhold the urge to laugh, he knows the young Lord can cook exceptionally well.
Feigning indifference, Charon leans forward and sniffs the air slightly.
"You're lying. Little godling, you are both still alive."
Percy swallows harshly before pulling out the pouch of drachmas he had stolen from Crusty.
"We are willing to pay you handsomely." Percy lets the bag drop with a heavy 'thud'.
Charon greedily eyes the bag, quickly swiping it and looking inside. Grinning upon seeing all the drachmas, Charon ushers the duo into an elevator and down into the Underworld.
Hadrian peers over the edge of the boat and into the River Styx. The water's pollution was getting bad again, he would have to talk to his father about its annual cleansing.
Looking over at his mate, and noticing the pale and shaking form, Hadrian grabs Percy's larger hand and squeezes it. He knows it must be hard on his half-blood mate to be in the Underworld, but the effort he was putting forth was truly commendable. He'd have to reward him later.
Sighing in relief when they pull up to the shore, Hadrian pulls Percy along with him towards the lines that would lead them to his father's castle.
Though Cerberus' abrupt arrival would put a kink in the plan. Eyeing the three headed dog that was happily making its way towards its owner, Cerberus was a present to Hadrian on one of his many birthdays, Hadrian felt Percy stiffen beside him.
"It's a Rottweiler." Percy mumbles, stunned.
Cerberus plops down happily in front of the duo, his three dog tongues lolling out, impassive to the spirits he crushed under his abrupt sitting.
Hadrian, acting nervous, shakily raises his hand to his beloved pet.
"Hello there, boy."
The dog lowers its' heads, allowing Hadrian to pet it.
"The guarder of the Gates of Hell is letting you pet it." Percy's voice is blank, his face slackened.
Hadrian shrugs. "I guess it just senses me as the son of Hades." Not a complete lie.
Percy nods dumbly before continuing his walk to the line.
"I'll come play with you later, okay boy? Right now I got to make sure my mate makes it to father's castle in one piece."
The giant three headed dog barks in agreement before running off to harass some poor soul, literally.
Jogging to catch up with Percy, Hadrian smiles secretly when they are 'mysteriously' moved to the front of the line.
Following his mate, Hadrian and Percy make their way towards Hades castle.
Hadrian and Percy make their way through the gardens surrounding Hades' castle and to the giant doors that make up the entrance.
Percy takes a shaky breath in before turning towards Hadrian.
"You got my back right?"
Hadrian smiles sweetly at Percy. "Of course, Perce."
Nodding, Percy pushes open the doors to Hades castle.
Walking through the black stone hallways of the castle, Percy and Hadrian both gather their courage.
Percy for the upcoming confrontation with the god of death, and Hadrian for his coming out.
Upon reaching a second set of regal looking doors, Hadrian turns towards Percy.
"Father is beyond these doors, I can sense him."
Squaring his shoulders, Percy nods before throwing open the doors to the throne room, unknowingly copying Hecate from so many years ago.
Walking into the room, Percy almost doubles over from the chilling blast of godly powers that is unleashed from the figure sitting on a throne in the front of the room.
"Ah, my nephew and my son. What a surprise." Hades voice is like silk.
Hadrian rolls his eyes at his father's antics before checking on his mate. His glare promises retribution when he notices the small tremors going through Percy's body. Hades looks properly scared.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Percy straightens his spine and looks steadily into the black depth of Hades' eyes.
"I want Zeus Master Bolt back. I also want my mother returned to me."
Hades hums softly, inwardly amused at his son's mate's nerves.
"But I do not have the Master Bolt, young Perseus, you do. You also possess my Helm of Darkness."
Percy blinks, confused. "No I don't?..."
"They are in the shield you carry, I can sense it."
Percy's mouth opens and closes on its own before he digs into his backpack, pulling out the shield, and jumping out of the way when the shoes Luke had given him fly from the bag and make their way back towards the door, repeatedly hitting themselves on it.
Narrowing his eyes at the shoes, Percy opens the shield, shocked with a secret compartment opens, revealing not only a sinister looking helm, but a deadly shaped bolt.
Looking up wide-eyed at Hades, Percy stutters out, "I… I, I didn't…"
Hades holds up a hand at the half-blood.
"I know. Just as I know that those shoes were cursed to take you to Tartarus."
Percy gapes at the innocent looking shoes, still desperately trying to leave the room.
"But… How?"
Hades blinks slowly at Percy.
"Has my son not yet told you?"
Percy makes a confused noise in the back of his throat, still in shock.
Hades cocks an eyebrow at his son.
"Mother, told me not to tell Percy until we had made it here, that it would be easier to explain with you and mom helping to explain why I couldn't tell him earlier."
Hades makes an 'ah-ing' noise in the back of his throat.
"What's going on here?" Percy's voice sounds bewildered, as he looks between Hades and Hadrian.
"I'll explain everything to you I promise. But would you like your mom here first?"
Percy, who was exceedingly curious as to what the father and son were talking about, was instantly back onto the topic of his mother.
"Yes! Where is she?!" Percy glares at Hades threateningly.
Hades snorts. "That woman is probably with Persephone somewhere trying to 'brighten' up the castle. I swear! Those two woman are nothing but trouble! Especially together!"
Percy is not the only one gapping, Hadrian is too.
"What?" The duo asked simultaneously.
Hades rolls his eyes before snapping his fingers. Instantly Sally Jackson and Persephone appear. Both holding paintbrushes and buckets, the color looked suspiciously bright and pink.
Looking around, the two woman spot their sons at the same time.
"HADRIAN!"
"PERCY!"
The two young men in question were instantly engulfed in hugs.
"MOM!" Came the echoed yell.
Laughing brightly, the two woman release their sons, Persephone walking back up to her husband and sitting down in her own throne and Sally choosing to stand by Percy's side.
Percy can feel a headache coming on, he is so confused.
"What is going on?"
Sally smiles brightly at her son.
"Well, Hades here was kind enough to save me from the Minotaur attack, though it is his fault I was attacked in the first place." Here she throws Hades a withering glare. "After I arrived here though, he and Persephone were kind enough to explain what was going on. While I waited for you to come down here and 'rescue' me I bonded with Seph and we have been trying to redecorate the boring drab castle, but Hades keeps transforming everything back!" Sally huffs indignantly.
"Well, if you two woman would stop painting everything PINK I wouldn't have to! I loathe that color!" Hades glowers, not willing to admit he is pouting.
"What do you mean, 'rescue' you?" Percy used air quotes around the word 'rescue'.
Sally coughs. "Well, I, uh, think that question would best be explained by this lovely young man standing beside you." Leaning in close to her son, she whispers a soft 'I approve' in his ear.
Ignoring the blush staining his cheeks, Percy gives Hadrian a curious look. He had been oddly silent throughout the whole exchange.
Hadrian shifts from one foot to the other. Swallowing thickly, Hadrian tries to gather his courage. He had been thinking of a simple way to tell Percy the truth, first thinking of dancing around the subject, but he knew his mate preferred blunt honesty.
"Percy, I am not a half-blood. I am the son of Persephone, Hades and Hecate. I am twenty thousand years old and I am a god. I've been pretending to be a demigod so that way I could get to know you without you fearing me or hating me. I'm sorry I lied to you, but I wanted you to get to know the real me, and not just the god." Hadrian takes a deep breath and continues. "My uncle Zeus had his Master Bolt stolen, and while he had originally thought it was you, my mother, Hecate, showed a vision of Luke stealing the bolt and then framing you. It also showed him stealing my father's helm. They continued to pretend like they thought it was you, and all the other gods still believe there is going to be a war, including your father, but they were really just giving me an opportunity to get to know you."
After his speech, Hadrian bowed his head, waiting for Percy to pass judgment.
"Why me?" Percy's voice was soft.
Hadrian's voice was equally as soft in its reply.
"Because you are my soul-mate."