So, *Coughs awkwardly.* I discovered the Star Trek fanfictions... I think that's enough of an explanation as to why this chapter is late.

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 14th

Percy POV

Apollo and I were once again in the training arena when Jason and Reyna found us. The son of Leto was only too happy to stop training to talk with them.

I tried to understand as to how he could get tired so quickly, but it didn't really make any sense to me. We had only been training for just over three hours.

I shook my head in amusement as he dropped to the ground next to his half-brother.

It was probably for the best that he wasn't going after Python right away. He just didn't have the stamina. I was fairly certain that if he tried to finish his task at the moment, he would be killed. He needed a lot more training before he reached that point.

I smiled as I joined them on the grass.

Reyna nodded at me in greeting, "Hello Percy."

"Hey."

Jason smiled at the two of us, "What's up?"

Apollo and I responded in the same instant, "The sky."

I turned to the sun god in surprise and smirked. "Jinx."

Apollo rolled his eyes at my childish reaction as he casually tossed a handful of grass in my hair. I gave him a playful glare but he just winked at me and went back to watching the sky. I chuckled as I shook the offending matter out.

"We were just finishing up training for the day. What about you two?"

Jason smiled, "We just found out so we're telling everyone. Piper is coming to spend Christmas in New Rome!"

I returned the golden boys smile, "That's awesome. I haven't talked to her since November. When is she coming?"

Reyna was the one to answer, "She's coming with a group. They will be here on the 23rd."

The son of Jupiter was practically beaming with excitement. "She'll be staying for two weeks."

"That's good. I know that you miss her."

Jason sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Ya, I really do. Anyway, we decided that were going to have a BBQ when she gets here. If it's cool with you and Annabeth, we want to have it at the house."

I nodded, "Of course. I have no problem with that. She's my friend. As far as I'm concerned, she can come over as often as she wants. You don't need to ask permission."

The golden boy nodded and got to his feet followed closely by Reyna. "Thanks Percy. I'm going to go ask Annabeth to make sure it's okay with her too."

I stood up to and stretched my arms above my head, "Alright. Do you know what Annabeth's up too?"

The son of Jupiter shrugged, "I'm not sure. I think she said something about a fountain?"

I nodded and frowned as a thought crossed my mind. Since when do I need to ask other people just to find out what my girlfriend is working on?

"Anyway, I will see you guys later." I shook my head to dispel my thoughts and nodded to the golden boy. He gave one last wave before he turned around and started walking away.

The Praetor of New Rome though stayed for a moment. I was curious as to why Reyna didn't leave with him. Before I could ask though, she answered my unspoken question.

"Fred, I wanted to ask you how you are enjoying your time here."

Apollo looked at the daughter of Bellona and smiled. "I am doing fine, thank you."

She nodded, "That is good to hear. Have a good day Percy, Fred." She gave a bow so small that it was almost imperceptible before she turned away and began following her friend.

The god of music snorted as soon as she was out of hearing range. I looked over at him in confusion, "What?"

He shook his head and chuckled. "I love the Romans but dam are they formal."

I couldn't help but joined in with his laughter.

ΩΩΩ

We went back to Apollo's apartment to hang out. He didn't say anything but I could tell he was tired. He looked ready to pass out. I felt bad for pushing his training but he needed it if he was ever going to regain his godhood. He never spoke about his task, but I knew that he thought about it quite often.

We were just lounging on the couches in his living room when it suddenly hit me. I shot straight up and felt my eyes go wide, "Holy Poseidon!"

My sudden movement startled the god of music. He jumped to his feet, his bow automatically changing forms from its natural bracelet state. "What is it Percy? What's wrong?"

"It's December!"

His jaw dropped open and he flopped back onto the couch. "Are you kidding me? You just about gave me a heart attack because of that? Of course it's December. It's been December all month."

I gave him a sheepish look. "Sorry about that. I know its December but it never really clued in. I just realized that Christmas is in 10 days and I haven't even started my Christmas shopping."

The son of Zeus shook his head in amusement. "You have no idea how weird it is for all of the Olympians that our kids celebrate the birth of Jesus."

I chuckled. "I bet. However, it doesn't change the fact that we do. Therefore I need to get started. Do you have any idea how busy the malls are this late in December?" I sighed and ran a hand down my face. "Crap, I always do this. I swore I would get an earlier start this year."

Apollo shrugged. "So do it then. You still have ten days."

"Ya I guess you right. We do have time. At least I remembered now and not next week. I'm just shocked that I forgot."

The god of the sun raised one eyebrow. "First off, don't stress over it. You would still have had to go find something now that your friend Piper is going to be here. Second of all, what do you mean 'we'?"

"Hey, if I have to brave the December mall rush then so do you. Besides, don't you want to get anything for your sister or something?"

Apollo winced, "Trust me. You do not want to buy a Christmas gift for just one Olympian family member. If I did that then, in order to stop a fight, I would have to get Hermes and Ares something too. And if I did that, then I would have to get Zeus something. And if I did that, I would have to get Hera something. And if I did that, I would have to get all of my aunties and uncles something. Next thing you know I would be buying gifts for every god and goddess on Olympus."

I winced at the thought of wrapping that many gifts. "I guess that makes sense."

"I wouldn't mind getting Artemis something just because she is my sister but, as a general rule, Olympians avoid Christmas gifts."

I shrugged. "Well either way, you can still come with me and help me pick stuff out."

"I don't recall agreeing to that."

I gave the god of poetry a smirk, "You didn't. However if you want help carrying your groceries home next time, you will come with me."

Apollo gave me a fake look of surprise. "Why Percy, are you trying to blackmail me? I'm impressed. I'm clearly rubbing off on you."

I laughed. "Oh come on, please Apollo?" I gave him my best puppy dog eyes and I saw him frown.

"That's cheating."

I shook my head. "No, this would be cheating." I cleared my throat and pouted. "Oh, please Apollo? I am in need of your help. Won't you please help me?"

The god of the poetry gave a big sigh and hung his head. "Fine, very well. I will come with you." He tried to look put out but I could see the amusement in his eyes.

I flashed him a huge smile. "Thanks Apollo. You're the best."

He shook his head and chuckled. "You know, behind your childish aura, are a devious person."

ΩΩΩ

December 15th

It didn't even surprise me anymore when Apollo and I lost track of the time. I was almost always at his house till ten or eleven at night. What did surprise me though was opening my eyes to see sunlight streaming through the window in his living room.

I felt my eyes widen as I looked around. I couldn't remember falling asleep but I clearly had. I sat up and a stretched. Considering that I had slept on a couch, I felt amazingly well rested. It had to be one of the most comfortable couches ever. I looked down at my lap and I saw that I was covered in the thick red and gold blanket that I had seen on Apollo's bed.

Before I could wonder as to why I had it, the door to the bathroom opened and Apollo stepped out.

He was already changed for the day. His hair was wet from the shower. It was just a few shades darker then it normally was. Instead of being a sandy blonde, it looked more like a very light brown. I decided that the color changed how he looked from surfer to model. It was actually a very good look on him. Not that he didn't usually look good...

I felt my cheeks darken and I looked away in embarrassment. The thought of finding another male attractive still weirded me out. It was definitely not something I was used to. It was even stranger to me since he was my friend.

My musings were interrupted by Apollo sitting down on the couch across from me, "Good morning Percy."

I tried to force the blush away as I looked back to him, "Hey Apollo. Why didn't you wake me up?"

"I tried. You are a seriously deep sleeper Percy."

I winced. My mom always told me the same thing. "Sorry about that."

He shrugged. "It's no big deal. I don't mind you crashing here." I pushed the blanket off my legs and swung my feet to the floor. I picked up the edge of the quilt and raised an eyebrow at Apollo in silent question. "You can leave it there."

I nodded and dropped it back down. "Why do I have it anyway?"

"I came out to get a drink in the middle of the night and you were curled into a ball on the couch. I figured you were cold so I brought it out for you."

"Weren't you cold then?"

Apollo laughed. "Naw, I'm the god of the sun. I don't get cold very easily."

I scratched the back of my neck and stood up. For some reason I felt super awkward waking up in Apollo's apartment, especially considering I was wrapped up in his blanket. "I should get back to the house. Annabeth is probably pretty worried and I need to change. I will see you tomorrow."

The god of music nodded and gave me a wave before he closed the door behind him.

I couldn't really figure out why I felt so weird. I had fallen asleep in Jason's cabin one day at camp and it didn't make me feel uncomfortable. True I hadn't spent the whole night there, but I had a feeling that was not why I felt so awkward.

ΩΩΩ

I walked up the front steps of the house I was sharing with Jason and Annabeth and I paused. I really wasn't looking forward to dealing with an angry Annabeth. She had made me promise to tell her if I was going to be out with Apollo any later then midnight.

I sighed and resigned myself to a scolding. I opened the door and walked to the kitchen. Annabeth was just washing out her bowl but I didn't see the son of Jupiter anywhere. I was hoping Jason would be present to defuse some of the tension that I was sure would come once Annabeth realized I was standing behind her.

I winced and took a deep breath. Better try to defuse the situation first...

"Before you say anything, I would like to say that I am so sorry Annabeth. I didn't mean for it to happen." The daughter of Athena jumped and turned around to face me with a frown. She opened her mouth to speak but I panicked a little and unintentionally cut her off. "It just sort of... happened. Please forgive me. I swear it won't happen again. I made a stupid mistake, please..." I found myself trailing off as her eyes darkened to a level that I had never seen.

"Percy Jackson... what exactly did you do?"

I winced "I'm so sorry. I... I accidentally fell asleep on Fred's couch. I know that you made me promise to tell you if I was going to be out past midnight so that you didn't have to worry."

Suddenly she looked confused. "You did?"

I nodded and then froze. "Wait, you didn't even notice I wasn't here?"

It was her turn to wince. "I didn't come down to eat dinner till about one. By the time I went to bed, it was almost 3 am. I figured you'd be asleep so I didn't want to wake you up to say good night."

I was a little upset that she didn't even notice I wasn't there. Instead of saying anything though, I just brushed it off. At least I didn't get a lecture...