Happy Valentine's Day and to those in the eastern hemisphere, happy... random Sunday. LOL

This chapter is dedicated to my little sister. The idea for this chapter came from a conversation I had with her. She was telling me about pursuing a career in music and I accidently said she wanted to become a magician instead of a musician. She started dying of laughter and made me promise to write my response into one of my stories. LOL. So here it is. Enjoy... :-)

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

December 4th

Percy POV

I woke up to a pounding noise. I pulled a pillow over my head and rolled over, trying to get back to sleep. I was just slipping back under when someone started knocking at the door again. I groaned and sat up. I glanced at my alarm clock and saw that it was 5:30 am. What kind of person gets up this early?

I wanted nothing more than to go back to bed but whoever was at the door kept knocking. I reluctantly left the warmth of my blankets and went downstairs to answer it.

I pulled open the door to reveal a certain god of the sun.

I sighed and let my head fall backwards, "You better have a very good reason for waking me up this early Apollo."

The god of poetry bounded right past me and into the house. "Most definitely, you know what today is right? Why aren't you ready?"

I ignored the haiku; it was too early for poetry. "Ummm... if I say yes, will you leave and let me go back to bed?"

The sun god gave me an offended look, "Of course not. Come on, its New Rome's Light-up today. Do you know what that means?"

I felt my eyebrows pull together, "Ya. It's the day they turn on all the Christmas lights. They also have the Santa Clause parade. Annabeth told me about it. What I don't get is why you are here at 5:30, nothing starts before 9 am."

Apollo rolled his eyes. "The parade doesn't start till 9, that doesn't mean nothing else does. There's a big pancake breakfast downtown. Besides, we need to get ready."

I frowned. I suddenly had a bad feeling, "Ready for what exactly?"

The god of the sun gave me an innocent look but I could see the mischievous intent behind it. "Well for the parade of course. I mean, we're caroling in it after all."

I felt my mouth fall open in shock. I opened and closed it several times before I found my voice, "I don't seem to recall agreeing to this."

Apollo shrugged, completely unfazed by my protest. "I signed us up and it's too late to back out now."

I shook my head, "If I didn't agree to sign-up in the first place, how can it be too late to back out? Besides, I can't even sing."

The god of music scoffed, "Nonsense. Everyone can sing. The question is if they can sing well. Either way, it doesn't matter. I can help anyone to sing."

I rolled my eyes, "That's what you said about archery."

Apollo winced. "Well, I have to be able to teach you something. I refuse to believe that you can be bad at everything I'm god of. Now, go get ready. We have some caroling to do."

I sighed and rubbed a hand over my face. "Remind me again as to why I'm friends with you?"

The sun god laughed and winked at me, "Because I'm awesome?"

I couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on my face, "Fine. I will go, but you owe me. As soon as it gets warm enough, were going swimming."

Apollo flashed me a smile worthy of the god of the sun, "Deal. This is going to be fun."

ΩΩΩ

This was most definitely not going to be fun. I had agreed to go caroling, not to this...

"There is no way I am wearing this in public." I stepped out of the changing room and glared at the god of music. He blinked twice before he burst out in laughter. "Stop laughing! It's not funny."

Apollo wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, "Oh it's very funny I assure you."

I felt my face heat up. I looked down at my outfit. I was dressed in a green tunic with a bright red belt, red and green striped tights, and red curly shoes.

"Shut up."

"Oh oh oh! Don't forget the hat!" Before I could do anything, the god of the sun had shoved a red and green hat covered with jingle bells onto my head. His laughter became even louder at the completed outfit.

I glared at the god. "Just remember, you're mortal now. I can kill you."

Apollo winked at me, "Nah, you could never kill me. You like me too much."

"Not right now, I don't." I looked away from the laughing god and my eyes caught on a pile of fabric. I smirked as I picked it up and shoved it at him, "I guess it's time to go put on your own outfit then, seeing as how you like it so much."

The god of music shrugged as he took it, "That's fine. I look good in anything."

ΩΩΩ

Apollo POV

I regretted my decision to laugh.

I looked at myself in the changing room mirror and blushed. I had thought that Percy looked bad in these ridiculous outfits but in comparison to me, he looked amazing. At least the green matched his eyes, I just looked ludicrous.

I was trying to think of a way out of having to wear it but I had nothing. There was no way that Percy would let me out of here without seeing me in this preposterous outfit after how much I laughed at him for wearing it.

"I know you're done changing. Now man up and let me see."

I felt my blush deepen. I took a deep breath and opened the door. Percy's eyes widened. He looked at me with a smirk on his face.

I narrowed my eyes at the son of Poseidon, "Don't even think about laughing."

He shook his head and I could see his shoulders beginning to shaking with suppressed laughter. I walked past him with as much dignity as I could muster and put on my hat. The ridiculous head piece finally pushed him over the edge.

Percy started laughing. I glanced over at him with a glare. He had tears of laughter streaming down his face and I couldn't help but join in. The young god had literally fallen to the floor, unable to stand with how loudly he was laughing. The volume was hurting my ears but it was too funny for me to care.

"Wow..." Percy broke off into a fit of laughter. "If the council could see us..." My stomach hurt from laughing but I couldn't stop. "You, the god of too many things to mention..." The son of Poseidon had lost the ability to breathe, his laughs nothing but a wheeze. He fanned his throat, trying to suck in enough breath to continue. "And me, the hero of Olympus... dressed up as Christmas elves."

I shook my head as I wiped the tears from my eyes. "They're just jealous."

"Well who wouldn't be?" Percy was finally managing to get his laughter under control but he still had small bursts from time to time. "You look fantastic."

I clutched my side as I tried to control my breathing, "Of course I do. I am incredibly attractive."

"Indeed, I can hear the poem now..." The son of Poseidon stood up and cleared his throat. "The god of the sun, dressed up like a Christmas elf, we look so dam hot."

I felt my eyes widen and my jaw drop. "Percy! That was a haiku!"

The young god gave me a confused look, "Ya. I know. That was the intent."

"You actually succeeded in something that I am the god of!" I threw an arm around his shoulder and smiled brightly at him. "I knew I was a good influence on you."

"Don't start the poetry club just yet, it was a onetime thing."

I shrugged. "Hey, I've already got you writing it. Maybe one day I will get you reading it."

Percy rolled his eyes and tossed his arm around my shoulders as well. "Doubtful. Come on my fellow elf, let's go caroling."

ΩΩΩ

Percy POV

It wasn't as terrible as I had expected. That's not to say that I would do it again, simply that it could have been worse.

I was once again right, I am a terrible singer. I just mouthed the words so that I wouldn't drag the other carolers down along with me. Apollo however, was a really good singer. I shouldn't have been surprised considering he is the god of music but after his poetry, I didn't expect too much.

It was nice to see how happy the little kids were seeing 'Santa's Elves'. The most awkward part of the whole parade though was definitely when we passed where our friends sat. I swear I thought Jason was going to swallow his tongue when he saw what I was wearing. Annabeth gathered her breathing just enough to let out a loud wolf whistle that made me as red as my belt. None of the others could do anything but laugh hysterically.

All in all, I was still quite happy when the parade ended and I could change back into my jeans and t-shirt. Apollo won rock, paper, scissors, so he got to use the change room first.

I looked down at myself while the god of the sun changed. "I swear I am never wearing tights again."

"Never say never Percy. Tights were once a very fashionable article of men's clothing."

I rolled my eyes, "Ya like six hundred years ago."

Apollo laughed, "Actually they were fashionable in Europe right up until the late 1700's."

I blinked in shock as I realized that Apollo had lived through the 1700's. The concept of talking to someone who had seen those fashions in person was slightly mind blowing. I could tell that he was waiting for some kind of response from me but all I could come up with was, "Really?"

"Yes and don't forget, fashion tends to repeat. Who knows, tights might come back into style one day." Apollo stepped out of the changing room wearing normal clothes again. He looked at me with a playful grin and he winked. "Besides, you look pretty hot in tights."

I burst out laughing and raised an eyebrow. I returned his smirk, "You didn't look so bad yourself, considering you're a few thousand years old that is."

The god of music chuckled, "What can I say? I'm hot."

I winked at him as I grabbed my clothes and headed to change. "Well you are the god of the sun."

ΩΩΩ

Apollo POV

It was an even better day than I had expected. Percy and I spent the entire day together. His girlfriend and friends joined us as well.

Caroling had been a blast. I was not a fan of the green and red color scheme or those ridiculous shoes and hat, but other than that it was great. Percy was right though, singing was not his forte. With lessons he could be good enough for karaoke without embarrassing himself, but he would certainly never be on the radio. However his poem kept me from being too bummed about his singing voice. It showed that he had at least one skill in my sphere of influence. Plus, I had been serious. Percy looked hot in tights.

I had never really realized just how attractive the young god was before. I had of course known that a lot of women had fallen for him, but I hadn't really paid any attention as to why. Somehow, seeing him in an outfit that wasn't his normal jeans and t-shirt had allowed me to notice just how good-looking he really was. The green in the ridiculous costume made his eyes look even brighter. With those sea-green green eyes, windswept, jet black hair and tanned skin; I was surprised that I hadn't noticed just how striking he was before. I had a feeling it had something to do with the fact I met him when he was 13. Now that he was wearing his normal clothing rather than the ugly caroling outfit, I could appreciate how his training had toned the muscles in his body.

If he was a single mortal, I would have considered going after him. I had always appreciated beauty, regardless of gender. However, Percy was my friend. I would never go out of my way to break up his relationship over a crush. Besides, if he accepted godhood, I wouldn't want to spend the rest of eternity with him being mad at me for ruining his relationship just for a fling.

As much fun as the day had been, I was glad that it was almost over. My mortal form got tired much faster than my immortal one did. I was sitting on the banks of the Little Tiber with Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Hazel, Frank, Reyna, and Erin. I would have been happier if it was just Percy and me though. I liked the fact that I didn't have to try to hide who I was around Percy, but I knew he missed his friends. We were all wrapped up in blankets, waiting for the fireworks to start.

Percy was sitting next to his girlfriend. The two of them were leaning against each other. I was bored but I didn't want to disrupt their time together just to relieve that boredom. I knew how much Percy missed hanging out with his girlfriend. In the month that we had been at New Rome, Percy and Annabeth had only spent three days together. Even then, Percy had told me that one of them was interrupted because Kymopoleia had some new ideas about the statues that they had been talking about and Annabeth had to go and start all of her projects over again, incorporating the new information.

I looked up at the moon. I didn't like being outside at night because I could never stop myself from thinking about my twin. I missed Artemis. I usually liked to bug her but she was still my favorite sister. I couldn't wait to get back to Olympus so that she could quit worrying about me. Yet, I still had no plan. Plans had always been Artemis's thing. I was a more spontaneous kind of guy. If I wanted to do something, I'd just wing it and hope for the best. I knew though, that this was one occasion where winging it would not work. Not if I intended to survive that is.

I turned when I heard someone take a seat beside me.

The son of Poseidon flashed me a smile as he passed me a cup of something. I took the glass and raised an eyebrow in silent question.

"It's hot chocolate. It is kinda cold out so I thought you might like a cup."

I smiled as I took a sip. "It's good, thank you." I looked around the beach and realized that our group was missing a blonde daughter of Athena. "Where's Annabeth?"

"She went to the bathroom so I thought I'd come sit with you for a minute." I nodded to show that I had heard him. We lapsed into a companionable silence for a few minutes as we drank our hot chocolate. Finally Percy broke the silence, "I'm sorry for ignoring you today. I didn't mean to."

I shook my head, "You didn't ignore me. You just had a lot on your mind. Besides, I don't mind. I know how much you miss seeing your other friends."

Percy scratched the back of his neck and gave me a guilty look. "Thank you, but I still feel bad."

I smiled at the boy beside me, "Don't. You would know if I felt ignored, I can't lie remember?"

The son of Poseidon gave me a relieved smile. "Okay. So did you enjoy yourself today? Was it as fun as you expected?"

I chuckled, "Even better than I had hoped. It's not every day I get to see you wearing an elf costume and hear you sing."

The young god blushed and stuck his tongue out at me. No matter how many times he did that, I could never get over how adorably childish it was.

"Just remember, you were wearing that costume too." I just shrugged and winked at him. The son of Poseidon smiled before he bit his lip. He tilted his head and looked at me, curiosity evident in his eyes. "So can I ask you something? Why did you sign us up for caroling in the first place?"

I smiled widely at him. "Two reasons. One, I thought it would be funny to make you sing. Two, I love to sing and I thought it would be fun to do with you."

"I didn't know you liked to sing."

"Of course I do, I'm the god of music."

Percy shrugged. "I guess it makes sense then. I just didn't know that you were a magician... I mean a musician. No wait... please tell me you're also the god of magicians."

I laughed at Percy's slip up. The son of Poseidon smiled at me and joined in. I was just about to respond to his question when I heard a feminine voice behind us, "What are you guys laughing about?"

My eyes widened in surprise but Percy didn't even hesitate in his response. "We were discussing as to who would be the god of magicians. Who do you think it would be?"

Annabeth sat down beside her boyfriend and he immediately wrapped an arm around her. The daughter of Athena tipped her head in thought, "Hmm. I'm not sure. Hecate is the goddess of magic, but as magicians are really illusionists I think it might be considered an art instead. I think it might be Apollo."

"Yes! That is awesome." Percy started laughing and raised his hand for a high five. I chuckled but complied none the less.

Annabeth gave Percy a curious look but before she could ask, the fireworks started. Percy smiled at her and wrapped his arm tighter around her shoulders.

I leaned back to see the explosions better. I smiled when I realized that ever since Percy had sat down beside me, I hadn't thought of my sister once. The son of Poseidon seemed to have the rare ability to distract me. I found it hard to think about depressing things when I was around the cheerful son of the sea god.

Plus, it's hard to be sad when you realize that you're the god of magicians...