I would like to apologize to all of my readers. I hit a wall and everything I tried to write was coming out wrong. This was by far the longest break I've ever taken from my writing but I needed it. My stories were beginning to feel like a chore. I started writing for fun and was getting really run down. 3 stories are just too many for me to write at once. On the plus side, after two week break, I'm really excited to get back to writing so thank you for your patience. I hope you enjoy this long overdue chapter.

Starts as Percabeth, will eventually be Percy x Apollo.

Important thing to note... This will be yaoi (boy-boy). Don't like? You do not have to read.

Disclaimer- I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus series. (One can dream though) All rights go to the proper parties.

ΩΩΩ

November 20th

Percy POV

I had officially given up on unpacking. I had planned to do it every morning since I had arrived and I had yet to unpack a single box. I figured that if I could survive two weeks without unpacking, then I didn't really need to do it. I had simply rearranged the boxes so that it was easier to find everything.

It was hard to get used to a place that was so different from Camp Half-Blood. I had expected that by coming to New Rome I would be able to spend more time with my roman friends but I soon discovered that was not the case. I had almost forgotten that Reyna and Frank were Praetors. Hazel was sometimes free but she usually had training with her cohort.

I was unhappily surprised to find out just how busy Annabeth and Jason were. I had assumed that they would have a lot more free time than they did. Jason had been in discussions with Kymopoleia since they had started and all the sea goddess had decided upon was a design for her action figure.

Annabeth shouldn't have had quite as much to do, but she had always been a perfectionist. She had designed at least twelve completely different temples for the goddess of violent sea storms. Kymopoleia hadn't even seen one of them yet. Annabeth kept discarding the plans as soon as they were finished. She wanted to make sure that each temple would be perfectly suited to each of the gods. I couldn't see anything wrong with any of her designs but she said that they weren't quite right.

As a result of everyone else being so busy, Apollo and I were spending more and more time together. Neither of us had any real duties and I found that enjoyed his sense of humor. I had always had a childish streak but Apollo was surprisingly the only one who didn't seem to have an issue with it. I would have thought that being several millennia old would have made him mature but we seemed to agree on what was fun, though we still disagreed on the whole poetry thing...

"Dearest Perseus, have you decided as of yet, where we are going?"

I rolled my eyes, his poetry skills definitely did not get better when he became mortal...

"That middle line had eight."

I watched his eyebrows furrow as he counted out the syllables. "Dang it you're right. How about, are you going to decide?"

I groaned, "Are you going to greet me with a haiku every morning?"

Apollo shrugged, "Ya, probably."

I couldn't help but smile at his honesty, "Then at least do me the courtesy of pre-planning your poems."

The god of the poetry tilted his head in thought before he shook it, "No can do. I need the inspiration to write them."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever, come on. Let's go train or something."

The sun god gave me a false look of panic. "Oh no, I learn from my mistakes. No more archery lessons for you, ever."

I stuck my tongue out at him but I couldn't stop myself from blushing. I had tried to tell him that I had no skills with a bow but he wouldn't believe me. He coerced me into a lesson saying that he could teach anyone. One hour and three nearly impaled campers later, he swore to never try to force me to learn it again.

"Well, why don't we do sword training instead. I've yet to see you practice. Do you even know how to sword fight?" The god of the sun scoffed and sent me an offended look. Before he could say anything I raised my hands in defeat, "Ya, ya, sorry. I forgot. You are an ancient being and there is nothing that you don't know."

Apollo smiled. "You got that right. Come on; let's get to the training grounds before its overrun with people."

ΩΩΩ

Apollo POV

My plan for getting to the training area early was thoroughly destroyed when it came to Percy's attention that I didn't have a sword. I was so used to summoning whatever I needed that it had completely slipped my mind that I could no longer do so. Yet another great perk of mortality...

We had to walk all the way to the armory. Once there it took me another good half an hour before I managed to find a sword that felt balanced in my hand. It wasn't perfect but it was as close as I was going to find.

Swords had never been my forte. I had learned how to use the weapon, but I had always preferred my bow. I was the god of archery after all.

By the time we got back to the training grounds there was already an entire cohort training. We decided to ignore them and they returned the favor. I got into my starting position only to see Percy start to stretch.

I gave the young god a confused look. "What are you doing?"

Percy glanced up at me and continued what he was doing, "I'm stretching. What does it look like?"

"Why though?"

The son of Poseidon rolled his eyes, "So that my body doesn't hate me later. You should probably warm up too or you will regret it."

I copied what he was doing and brought my arm across my chest. "You're a god now Percy, you don't need to warm up."

He shrugged. "It's just habit I guess."

He leaned his torso down and touched his right foot. I copied what he was doing only to promptly stand back up. Standing like that made me feel like an idiot. "Whatever, that's enough stretching. Let's practice already."

Percy sighed. "Fine, oh patient one."

I raised an eyebrow at him and chuckled, "Really? You stole that line from Aladdin."

He shrugged and flashed me a smile. "What can I say, it's a good movie."

I shook my head as I took my stance. "Why am I not surprised to learn that you like Disney?"

Percy uncapped Riptide and winked, "Because Disney is awesome?"

"That must be it."

Before Percy could reply I stepped towards him and swung my blade. Even I could tell that it was a pathetic attempt. I guess I'm not quite as good at this as I thought I was...

The young god easily deflected the weak blow and counter with a swing of his own. I had to jump back in order to keep my arm. Before I could even think of countering Percy stepped forward and swung again. I met his blade with my own and the force of the hit nearly caused me to drop my sword. The fight lasted about another ten seconds before my weapon was sent flying out of my hands.

Well that was embarrassing...

Percy lowered his blade and tilted his head, "I thought you said that you knew how to sword fight."

I ran a hand through my hair and gave him a sheepish look. "I do... when I have my normal strength."

The son of Poseidon passed me back my blade and shook his head. "You can't always rely on superior strength. You need technique as well. I mean, what would happen if you were fighting against Ares?"

I shrugged, "We've boxed and I won. It's just... swords aren't my strong suit."

Percy smiled. "Well, they are mine. If you can try to teach me archery then I can try to teach you how to properly sword fight."

ΩΩΩ

Three hours of basic training later and our fights had doubled in the length of time it took for the son of Poseidon to disarm me. It was still embarrassing but Percy said that I was improving. I wasn't 100% certain that I believed him. I could feel that my stance was more secure though. Also, at least now my sword didn't want to fly out of my grip every time our blades clashed.

Sometime around noon, Annabeth and Jason showed up to join us for lunch. I was grateful for the reprieve. I was already regretting not following Percy's advice. I could tell as to why he did those ridiculous warm ups.

I groaned as I fell into my seat. I already didn't want to get back up.

"So how are your muscles feeling Fred?"

I shot the son of the sea god a glare, "They're fine. Thanks for asking."

Percy gave me a disbelieving look before he smirked, "That's good to hear. So you're up for a few more hours of training then?"

I winced and the young god laughed.

"It's been a while since I've trained," I looked over at my half brother.

Percy smiled, "Well if you're up to it Jason, I'm game for sparing after lunch."

The son of Jupiter nodded, "Sounds good."

"We should probably make a no powers rule though. I don't think that your fellow Romans would be too happy if we destroyed their city... again."

ΩΩΩ

It was obvious that Percy had been going easy on me. The Percy that I had faced and the one that Jason was fighting were two completely different fighters. The speed with which the son of Poseidon moved made it very clear to me as to how he had been able to beat Ares. I would have thought that anyone with his level of skill would have beaten any opponent quickly, but the son of Jupiter seemed to be holding his own.

Of course, if Percy had known how to properly access all of his godly gifts it would have been a completely different fight. As it was though, the two were quite evenly matched. The speed with which Percy deflected and struck was a little awe inspiring. I couldn't help but be impressed by the young god.

It was no real surprise to me when a clever twist of Percy's sword had Jason's weapon clattering across the training grounds. Both boys were panting from the exertion. Percy had a bright grin of triumph on his face and I couldn't stop my mirroring smile.

The son of Poseidon lowered his sword from the son of Jupiter's throat and looked around in surprise. I tore my gaze away from the young god and noticed with a sense of shock that quite a crowd had gathered. I had been so interested in the match that I had failed to notice the throng of people.

The two young immortals walked over to where I sat on the grass. I stood up and slapped Percy on the back.

"That was not half bad."

The son of Poseidon scoffed and raised one eyebrow, "Thanks. See, that's what I can do against a real opponent." I could hear the teasing note in his voice.

I playfully glared at the son of the sea god but he just laughed it off.

"Good job sea-weed brain."

I jumped a little at the noise beside me. I had completely forgotten that Annabeth was sitting with me. I watched as the daughter of Athena went up and hugged Percy. I frowned as I watched Percy embrace her. I didn't like her comment. The nickname sounded a tad offensive to me.

"So do you want to come on a walk with me and Fred? We were going to head down to a park by the river."

Annabeth frowned and stepped back. "Sorry Percy. I can't. Jason and I are still working on the temple designs for Kymopoleia."

I couldn't understand the jolt of happiness that her answer brought me. I didn't specifically dislike either her or my half brother. I couldn't see as to why I would be pleased that they couldn't come with us.

Though, I did really enjoy hanging out with Percy. The two of us got along much better than I had originally thought we would. It was hard not to like the son of Poseidon. He had a good sense of humor...

I shook my head to dispel my train of thought and focused my attention back onto the conversation.

Percy shrugged in acceptance but he looked a little disappointed, "Maybe some other time then. I will see you guys at home."

The daughter of Athena gave him a small smile and a peck on the cheek before she walked away. Jason waved and followed after his friend.

Percy stood there watching them walk away for a minute, lost in thought. He looked upset so I nudged him and gave him a smile. The son of Poseidon returned the smile but it didn't reach his eyes. I could tell that he was beginning to get upset by how little time he was spending with his girlfriend. I was determined to cheer him up.

"Come on Percy, let's go to the river. I'm sure we can find something fun to do."

The young god nodded and fell into step with me as we headed towards the Little Tiber. I would try to figure out my strange reluctance to hang out with the demigod and my half brother another day. Right now, all I wanted was to make sure that Percy had a good day...