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.

Note***- This story is boy x boy. Don't like? You don't have to read.

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May 25th

Apollo's POV

I wasn't certain that I'd ever felt quite as useless as I currently did. It had been two weeks since any of Percy's friends had spoken to us. I was positive that they were not upset with the son of the sea god, but he refused to leave me alone long enough to visit them. I had tried to convince him that it would be better if he did go spend time with them but he had told me that, as long as I was unwelcome, he'd rather not.

His unwavering loyalty towards me would be endearing if it wasn't so aggravating.

Half of me appreciated the fact he cared, the other half was annoyed. I didn't need anyone to babysit me. Being alone for 10 minutes wouldn't kill me. I knew it wasn't fair to younger god, he was trying to be supportive, but it was beginning to get on my nerves.

"Why don't you just go see how your friends are doing? I imagine by now they have a lot of questions."

Percy shook his head. "I don't want to. If they have questions they can come ask. I'm not hiding from them; they know where to find me."

I rolled my eyes. "I doubt they are about to ask them in front of me."

He shrugged, "Then they must not be worth asking."

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. The son of Poseidon could certainly be hardheaded when he wanted to be. I knew he would forgive his friends eventually, but sometimes his reactions reminded me just how young he really was.

It was incredibly obvious that my presence still made the son of Mars uncomfortable. I was, of course, already aware of that but seeing him flee the arena as soon as Percy and I arrived still hurt. I would never admit it of course, but I did care what Percy's friends thought of me. For a while I had been a part of their group too.

I could tell Percy was glaring at him without even looking and I rolled my eyes. "Let it go Percy. We're here to train, aren't we?"

The son of Poseidon let out a huff but nodded. "Ya, I guess. Let's see if you've improved at all this week."

ΩΩΩ

An hour later, I had to admit that I probably hadn't improved. We'd been training nearly everyday since the revelation about me came out, but I was hard pressed to see a difference. Of course, it was still a drastic improvement over how I was at first, but that had stopped meaning anything a while ago. Minor victories were only impressive for so long after all.

I lay on the ground, sore and panting, after having been knocked of my feet for the 8th time. I was beginning to think of calling it quits for the day. My muscles and body was still bruised and aching from the previous weeks of training. I decided that I needed to distract Percy from making us train tomorrow. My body needed time to heal. Maybe I could take him on a date? That would be a pleasant distraction from the last few weeks. There was a new cafe down by the river that I'd heard about a few weeks back.

I was so lost in self-pity and planning that I didn't even realize someone had walked over to us till Percy spoke.

"Hey Reyna, what are you doing here?"

I contemplated standing up, but the daughter of Bellona had no doubt already seen me. Any possible dignity I may have retained was already thrown out the window. Instead I just leaned up onto my elbows and nodded at her in acknowledgment.

She nodded back, but she was frowning slightly. I had a feeling that I would not like the next words out of her mouth.

"You've been given a quest."

What do you know, I was right.

ΩΩΩ

Percy's POV

I frowned and shook my head. "What do you mean I've been given a quest? I thought gods couldn't be sent on quests. Besides, aren't the powers of the Oracle not working."

If Rachel had gotten back her powers and not told me, I would be hurt. Then again, I hadn't called her in a while either.

Reyna shook her head and gave me a strange look. On anyone else I would think it was pity but Reyna didn't do pity. It probably meant she thought I was being an idiot. Which, could easily have been true. "I wasn't talking to you Percy. Fred has been assigned a quest."

I'm certain I was doing a great fish out of water impression, but I couldn't bring myself to care. How could they send Apollo on a quest? He was a god too. Before I could remember how to use words, the sun god spoke.

"What am I supposed to do?"

His voice sounded strange to me. I looked over only to see he'd gone white. How he managed to make a tan look that pale, I'd never understand.

"Venus has requested that you go to retrieve a locket she left somewhere. She didn't tell me where. She said all the details you will need are in this."

She pulled out a scroll and handed it to the reluctant sun god.

I shook my head. "No, wait. That can't be right. How could they send you on a quest? Shouldn't you be immune too? Besides, aren't you already kinda on a quest?"

Apollo shook his head and sighed. "I'm a demigod now Percy. No demigod is immune. As for already being on a quest, that doesn't keep other gods from giving you a secondary quest. You went on one for Ares while you were searching for the master bolt." I glared at the mention of one of my least favourite gods, but the god of music ignored me. "Usually when a demigod complets a secondary quest, the god or goddess who sent them will be able to help them with their main quest in thanks. Though," he winced, "That doesn't always happen. Sometimes they just used the demigods and send them back on their way."

"Speaking of which, I was asked to tell you," I jumped a bit at the interruption. I had forgotten that Reyna was still standing there. The unimpressed eyebrow she gave me told me my reaction hadn't been missed. "That if you succeed, Venus will be willing to arrange transportation to the old world once you are ready."

The instant I saw Apollo's defeated look, I knew he'd made his decision, if it could even really be called a decision. We hadn't spent as much time discussing his quest as we probably should have, but we both knew getting to Greece on our own would be almost impossible. Even with seven of us taking a ship we nearly didn't make it last time.

The sun god looked at me and sadly shrugged. "I suppose the choice has been taken out of my hands then."

ΩΩΩ

Apollo's POV

To say I was dreading this would be an understatement. I hadn't forgotten what happened on the way to Camp Jupiter, or what happened at the beach. The life of a demigod was unpleasant at the best of times, let alone when on a quest. I winced as the thoughts of what kind of monsters I could face crossed my mind. Sure when I had all my powers I was by far the most epic, kick ass, god, but right now I was as mortal as they come.

I wasn't sure if I would have even wanted to hear the prophecy for this quest. They weren't always the most cheerful.

I sat on the couch in our apartment, playing with the scroll Reyna had given me. The bright pink paper and red ribbon would have told me who had issued the quest, even if the daughter of Bellona hadn't. I sighed and allowed my head to drop back onto the back of the couch. I knew that Aphrodite was being too helpful since I got to camp. She must have been buttering me up. She probably thought that sending me on this quest was hilarious. It was probably some payback for some random offence I couldn't even remember.

I scrubbed my eyes and vowed to get her back one day. I could totally imagine her sitting on her throne in the council chambers, cackling at the thought of my misery. My only hope was that she was enjoying her vengeance too much to want to share it with the others. My sister would never let me live down being sent on a quest by the goddess of love. Then again, she'd probably protest against the quest if only to be contrary. Artemis would never admit to agreeing with Aphrodite on anything.

I felt my boyfriend sit down beside me and tug at the scroll. I let him have it and used my newly freed hand to pull him to lay against my chest. I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips when he so willingly let me pull him against me. I cracked my eyes open and kissed the top of his head.

Percy dropped his head back so that he could meet my eyes. I flashed him a smile and stole a quick kiss. The blush I got in response made me remember that, as mad as I currently was at the love goddess, occasionally she did something right.

I sighed as my gaze moved back to the cursed scroll.

"I guess we should probably see what it says."

As much as I wanted to continue stalling, I knew he was right. I reached around him and took the scroll back. I untied the ribbon and unrolled it so that both of us could read it together.

Not really a true quest per say, I just need a favour.

I left a locket of mine with an old acquaintance,

I was hoping you and the little god could go fetch it for me.

Since it's not an official task you don't really need a third person.

Good Luck darlings,

XOXO

Aphrodite

P.S. I included a map complete with address. See you soon!

I felt like hitting her smug face. I was not a dog, I did not go and fetch things for people. Yet, we both knew she had me. I needed help, and she was the only one apparently willing to piss off dear old dad by helping me.

Percy was still working his way through her cursive, frilly, writing while I looked at the map. I recognized the area. It wasn't terribly far, maybe one day by pegasus. I wasn't particularly looking forward to riding 'Porkpie' again, but it was definitely going to be the simplest option.

The son of Poseidon finally finished looking over the note and map and he shrugged. "It doesn't sound all that difficult. Are you sure that I'm allowed to go though? I thought gods weren't allowed, that's why they assign them to demigods."

I frowned as I thought about it. "Gods are not, under any circumstances, allowed to go on quests. That said, she is right. Without a prophecy it's not an official quest. I'd probably say you coming with me would be more frowned upon then outright forbidden. You're free to join me if u want to. I would rather not ask anyone else to join us at the moment though. You're friends would most likely be the only ones willing to join an informal quest and, well..."

Percy glared at nothing and nodded. "Ya, that would probably be for the best. I guess we'd better start packing."

I was tempted to pull him back when he stood up, but I resisted. He was right. It was better to get this embarrassing fiasco out of the way. I sighed and headed to my room. I guess it was time to dig out that backpack from my sister again.

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Authors Note

I'm quite pleased with how this chapter came out. :-) It also helped me work out how to get past some of the parts I was stuck on. Hopefully you will all hear from me again soon.