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Title: Chasing Origins: Sam's Story – The Heart of War
Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus
PJatO Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan for he created the awesomeness that is Nico di Angelo. And everything else related to Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus. Aside from the Gods, of course. They are all copyright by the old Greeks. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Warnings: shounen-ai, fluff, family, explicit intercourse, anal, abuse, rape (mentioned), hetero
Main Pairing: Trend/Sam
Side Pairings: Leroy/Sam, Erik/Sam, Jonas/Sam, Chuck/Sam, Trend/Others, Trend/Derek, Sander/Derek, Sander/Jonas, Sander/Stella, Vic/Derek, Erik/Derek, Jonas/Derek, Marshall/Sara, Herc/Thea, Loki/Blance, Liam/Malene, Nico/Percy, Chris/Clarisse, Ares/Aphrodite
Percy Jackson Characters: Perseus Jackson, Nico di Angelo, Clarisse la Rue, Chris Rodriguez, Malcolm Cage, Will Solace, Jason Grace
Godly Characters: Ares, Aphrodite, Chiron
Own Pegasi: Trickster (Sander), Fighter (Sam), Rush
Own Characters: Samuel Elijah James Raser III (Ares), Trend Ignatius Austin (Athena), Charles Smith (Athena), Marshall Mikaelson (Enyo), Erik Anderson (Enyo), Jonas Meyer (Enyalios), Derek Rhys (Demeter), Rainbow Jordan (Iris), Melissa Montgomery (Dionysus), Victor Kruger (Hephaestus), Stella Ribeiro (Aphrodite), Takara Phenia Thompson (Trivia), Loki Murdock (Mercury), Blance Lamour (Chione), Sara Mers (Mars), Joanna Foxx (Vulcan)
Sam's Family: Samuel Elijah James Raser II, Jolene Raser, Liam O'Riley, Malene O'Riley, Selene O'Riley, Lene O'Riley, Leah O'Riley, Lara O'Riley
Own Characters of the Next Generation:
Nicercy: Bianca Maria 'Bia' di Angelo, Hades Poseidon 'Donny' di Angelo
Chrisse: Calandra 'Cally' Rodriguez, Chrysander 'Sander' Rodriguez, Charisma 'Carry' Rodriguez
Pipabeth: Theadora Tiphane 'Thea' Chase
Matie: Amarilla 'Amy' Cage
Jayna: Hercules 'Herc' Grace
Frazeleo: Nicole Esperanza 'Nico' Zhang
Summary: This is Sam's story, his origins leading up to 'Chasing Fireflies'. The first time his mom told him that he was a son of Ares, how he moved to New Athens and met his biggest hero, Percy di Angelo. His relationship with Leroy and those that followed. How the scrawny boy turned into the biggest hero of their generation. His first quest with Sander and how he got the Heart of War from Aphrodite. How he first met his pegasus Fighter and how the four Sons of War became friends.
Chasing Origins: Sam's Story
The Heart of War
Fifth Partition: The Friendly Year
/December 2027 – Demeter Park, New Athens\
Trend was mean. But the best kind of mean. When Sam whined and wanted to give up, Trend pushed him. Trend trained him. And together with Sander and Marshall, they trained hard, every day. It was the middle of December and it was cold in the park, freezing even. They were doing one on one, Sam facing Sander as Marshall fought Trend. The only one really completely enjoying himself was probably Derek, because the son of Demeter sat cozily packed into a large, fluffy coat, holding a cup of hot tea while watching four hot, half-naked guys.
"So this is how you spend your no-camp-breaks? I could totally get used to that."
"I know, right?", grinned Derek, clinging cups with Stella next to him.
The beautiful Brazilian daughter of Aphrodite had decided to tag along, out of boredom probably. Well, Derek was grateful for the company. As amazing as ogling hot guys was, it was way better with a gal friend. Too bad Melissa couldn't make it, but the daughter of Dionysus was just a little different. She didn't understand those simple pleasures like hot, sweaty guys. Peasant.
"You know, Sam is looking really hot", commented Stella, pushing a strand of light brown hair out of her face. "He gained muscles over the past months. But he didn't lose his cuteness and that mohawk gives him such a sweet bad-boy touch. But in the most adorable way."
"Yeah, I have dibs on that one", grunted Derek with a slight glare.
"But you're dating Sander", pointed Stella out, sipping on her pink cup.
Derek just shrugged, unimpressed, while Stella adjusted her perfectly fitted pink hat and her fluffy, pink coat. "Sander is a sweet distraction on the way, but the final destination is Sam."
Cocking one eyebrow, Stella turned her attention toward the 'sweet distraction'. "Very sweet indeed. That sixpack is amazing. And he does have quite a cute bum."
"He does have quite the tight bum", replied Derek nonchalantly.
Stella spit her tea out of her nose, not at all looking like an elegant child of Aphrodite. "What?! Y—You two had sex a—and you... you topped him? He's one of our three big heroes!"
"And he is a very open-minded and dedicated lover", nodded Derek. "I mean, he's a good top, very much looking out for me and my pleasure, but when I ask him if I could top, he lets me too."
"Now that's something I'd like to see", muttered Stella beneath her breath, blushing slightly.
"Perv", chuckled Derek affectionately before turning toward the frozen lake. "Get your asses over here! I'm cold and hungry, let's eat the sandwiches Sam made!"
The four fighters slowly stopped and walked over to the two warmth seeking demigods. Derek and Stella pouted just the slightest bit as the four boys dried their faces and got their shirts back on. Then again, it was freezing cold in the snow, so they understood that the boys wanted to get dressed. It was murderous enough that Trend forced them to train shirtless in that weather. Sander hummed happily as he snuggled up to Derek and kissed him. Stella frowned thoughtful, remembering Derek's words concerning Sam. Her eyes darted between Derek and Sam.
"Are you alright with this?", asked Stella timidly while Sam unpacked the food. "I mean, with Derek and Sander, being all cuddly and stuff? Doesn't it bother you?"
The son of Ares looked up from the cheese-sandwich he just handed over to Trend. "Huh? Why should it bother me? It's awesome. My best friends are dating. I mean, at first it was kinda gross but they can make their own choices and by now I settled with it. I think they're a cute couple."
"Huh", nodded Stella thoughtful. "You're a good guy, Sam. So... Are you dating? I mean, I..."
"I'm gay", replied Sam, smiling slightly at her as he handed her a salami-sandwich. "You're a pretty girl, but I'm just really not into those. I'm also not into dating these days."
"Not?", inquired Trend curiously. "Why?"
"Just... I want to focus on my training for now", shrugged Sam, flexing his barely existent muscles. "I want to become strong. I don't need a boyfriend distracting me from that."
"Now stop with the serious conversations", demanded Sander, his head on Derek's shoulder. "I just want to enjoy the tiny breaks Trend allows us before he forces us back onto the ice."
"Into the ice", corrected Trend with a wicked smirk. "Ice bath. Now eat up."
/Christmas 2027 – Raser Mansion, England\
"I'm still not sure if I should tag along to this. This is your family and it's Christmas."
Derek frowned awkwardly as he straightened his jacket and tried fixing his hair. Sam gave his best friend an amused stare as he rang the doorbell. He took Derek's hand, squeezing it in support.
"I asked ma, it is alright", assured Sam. "Besides, you don't have any family left and with everyone gone, you'd be sitting all alone in a one-room apartment, probably eating take-out. I mean, Marshall is staying at his grandparents' and he dragged Trend along with him so that grump would not play the Grinch again this year. And I kind of doubt you want to be grilled by Missus Rodriguez on Christmas for dating her baby boy. That woman is wicked enough on her good days. So here you go, you're like the very first person ever that I introduce to my family. Huh."
Derek smiled slightly, looking into those dark eyes and then down to their joined hands. Best Christmas ever. Even more so once the door opened. He recognized Sam's mom from all the photos in Sam's apartment. The woman looked like the picture of happiness and joy once she laid eyes on Sam and pulled him into the tightest hug possible, kissing his forehead.
"Cronaím thú, a mhic mo chroí!", exclaimed Jolene between kisses she placed all over Sam's face. [trans: I missed you, my darling son]
"Mamai!", yelped Sam, blushing embarrassed. "Stop embarrassing me in front of Der! Also, no Irish, it's impolite speaking a language others in the room don't understand."
"So polite, so well-manner", sighed Jolene, grabbing his face as she looked over at Derek. "I have no idea where he got that from. My family, we're more a bunch of wild animals, basically. So I hope you have a helmet for dinner to keep you safe, honey."
"Ma, stop scaring my friend", sighed Sam, hiding his face between his hands.
"Oh, I'm sorry", laughed Jolene and turned to hug Derek. "Hello, honey, it's nice meeting you. I'm Jolene, don't dare call me Miss Raser, or Captain Raser, you hear me, boy?"
"Yes, ma'am", nodded Derek, looking plenty uncomfortable. "Thank you very much for having me here. I—I really appreciate it and I'm sorry for intruding on Christmas."
"Oh, hush, boy", chided Jolene, one arm around each of the teens. "Get inside first. Let's see how grateful you'll be once you meet the family. Once again, I hope you have a helmet."
Sam grinned broadly as he led the way into an overly decorated room with a long table, set for ten people. Everything was so giant, with beautiful carvings in the wood all over. Even the chairs looked fancy. There were high windows, presenting a beautiful view to a snowy winter wonderland. A tall tree was standing next to the windows, pompously decorated. Even though everything looked rich and expensive, there was still such a personal note to it. Many of the decorations were hand-made, obviously by young children. It was beautiful and homey and more than Derek had known in too many years. At the head of the table sat two man. One old, with wrinkles and stark white hair, a funny pointy mustache and fancy clothes, obviously Sam's grandfather. The man next to him was younger, in his mid-thirties, with black hair and a cheeky smirk. Next to the black-haired man sat a woman practically identical to Jolene Raser, just with longer hair.
"Now, that's the... relatively reasonable part of the family", started Jolene. "My father, we all call him Senior since he shares the same name as Sammy, my sister Malene and her husband Liam."
"Where is everyone else?", asked Sam as he went over to get hugged by everyone.
"Living room. You know how they are", chuckled Liam, ruffling his nephew's hair. "Why don't you go and introduce your friend and tell the girls that dinner will be ready soon?"
"Kay", nodded Sam and grabbed Derek's hand to pull him along. "Come, Der!"
Derek was nervous. He had heard a lot of stories from Sam about his family, after all Derek was practically living over at Sam's apartment with all the time he spend there. So he knew that uncle Liam was the dad Sam had never known and that his four cousins were practically sisters to him. The living room wasn't any less impressive than the dining hall. There were four brunettes playing on the floor with dozens of toys scattered on the ground. Two five-years-old girls playing with cars, each having one pigtail at the side of her head, but on the opposite side than her respective twin.
"Those are Leah and Lara. They're still pretty boring. But that's Lene, you need to watch out for her. She's in that make-over-phase. She likes putting make-up onto everybody", warned Sam.
He was pointing at the small girl, about three years older than the twins, with chin-long hair. The girl was wildly gesturing as she talked to the oldest in the room. That one was older than Sam and Derek by three or so years, half her head shaved off, the other half dyed a dark pink.
"Pipsqueak!", exclaimed the oldest as she noticed the boys.
"And that's Selene. She's... I would call her the devil's daughter, but uncle Liam is the best, so that would be a lie, but she, she is pure evil!", hissed Sam just as he got pulled into a tight hug.
"My little bro!", continued Selene as she thrust him an arm's length off to properly look him up and down. "Wow. You gained muscles. And I simply love your hair. Awesome."
"Doesn't sound like pure evil to me", commented Derek amused.
"Oh. Oh, you are new!", exclaimed Selene, turning to him with interest. "Mh. Pretty. Lean. You need to gain some muscles though, or else you'll have a hard time keeping up with Sam, he's energetic. But yes, for now you have my approval. Sammy! I like your boyfriend. He's nice."
"B—Boyfriend?", yelped Sam and blushed the darkest red possible.
But before he could ask anything else, a mean looking Lene was tugging on Derek's shirt, with the twins flanking her sides. All three crossed their arms at once, glaring dangerously at Derek.
"If you hurt our Sammy, we will be very nasty", warned Lene seriously. "Very, very nasty."
As serious as an eight-years old could, anyway. Derek grinned, puffing his chest out just a little. It made him proud enough that he was the first one to meet the Rasers – even before Trend. And it made him immensely happy that the family obviously thought he was Sam's boyfriend.
"Derek is my best friend, not my boyfriend!", groaned Sam embarrassed. "Why are you even thinking that he's my boyfriend? W—What is the meaning of this?!"
"Well, your mom told us that you're bringing a boy over for Christmas. Hello? Why shouldn't we think that?", snorted Selene and rolled her eyes. "When auntie Jolly told ma and pa, we of course all assumed you'd be finally bringing home the boy. Don't worry, we didn't tell grandpa."
"He's not my boyfriend", sighed Sam, still flustered. "Can we now please have dinner?"
/Christmas 2027 – Raser Estate, England\
Dinner had been a small war. Derek had to hand that to Jolene, she had been right. It was also plenty. Good cooking seemed to run in the family and every Raser had added a part to the meal. Derek had never been that full before. So he had decided to take a little walk outside while Sam was being cornered by his ma and questioned about his current life. Not that he minded, because Derek was naturally curious and wanted to explore the large property.
"Wait up, son of Demeter", called someone after him.
Derek stiffened and turned around to face Sam's uncle who hastily caught up to him. "W—What?"
"Don't look so startled, lad", laughed Liam and clapped Derek on the shoulder. "I've known you are a son of Demeter since you entered the house. And I knew you are a demigod since Jolene told us Sam would bring a friend with him from the 'new place' he was staying at. I'm the one who had suggested to Jolene that Sam should live in New Athens, for safety."
"Who – or what – are you?", asked Derek suspiciously, slowly reaching for his weapon.
"I am who I told you I am. I'm Sam's uncle. But I'm also a son of Hecate", replied Liam a little amused. "See, the Raser family had always been very... involved with magic and great events. They're a long line of heroes, reaching back to the ancient Greeks. So there is a certain pull, I think that is what brought me to Malene. Now, I need to talk to you about something important."
"If you're a son of Hecate, why aren't you staying in New Athens?", asked Derek confused.
Liam heaved a sigh as he guided Derek farther away from the mansion – farther away from curious ears. "There are things about this family that Sam doesn't know and... and I would hate to tell him, because when I tell him, he will hate me and we will never be able to see each other again. Still, in the event that something happens to me, I need him to know. You're important to him, can you promise me to relay to him what I am about to entrust to you?"
"Okay...", nodded the son of Demeter slowly, frowning confused. "What is it? And why can't you tell Sam yourself? And please don't talk about dieing, you're too important to Sam."
"Sam is not the only demigod in this family", started Liam slowly. "I think I have to start many, many years ago. His great-grandfather, Samuel Elijah James the First, was a great war-hero. Of the Second World War. You know how gods are always drawn to humans that represent their realms."
"Yes", nodded Derek. "My father was a gardener. Well, he was in charge of the royal gardens back in England, so probably a little more than a common gardener. But what are you getting at?"
"The goddess Bellona, the Roman form of Enyo, she fell for him. Sam's grandfather is a Roman demigod", replied Liam. "But he doesn't know that Sam is a demigod. Or that I am. And he never can. He can also never know you're one either. He hates Greeks. Despises us more than anything."
"W—Why?", asked Derek, intrigued but also a little scared for Sam.
"He used to have a sister. A full-blood sister. Far younger than him, in fact only a few years older than me...", whispered Liam with a certain darkness in his eyes. "Talene, daughter of Bellona. A great Roman heroine. She fought aside of Jason and Reyna and other great Romans. She was a hero and the Senior admired her. He never fought in the Titan War, or the Giant War, for he already had Jolene and Malene to look after. And before you ask, no. Not every child of a demigod turns out to have powers. Malene is a completely normal mortal and Jolene only has the sight. But I'm getting sidetracked. Talene was a Roman heroine, fighting during the Titan War. I don't know what you know about the Titan War, but back then, Romans and Greeks didn't know of each other. They fought the same war, without knowing that on the other side of the US, someone was trying just as hard to reach the exact same goal. It made everything more complicated and-"
"I know, I have history lessons on the wars", interrupted Derek. "I know about Jason Grace and Percy Jackson, about the Roman side and the Greek side and about the traitors and what they did-"
"No, you don't", interrupted Liam this time, staring ahead into the distance. "You have no idea what we did and why we did it. Victors write history, but they will never tell the story of the losers."
It took Derek only a moment to realize what was being said. "You're a traitor."
"And that is why the Senior can never know I'm a demigod. And neither can Sam. I know how much he adores the heroes, how much he adores Percy Jackson. He writes about him in every single one of the letters he sends to me", laughed Liam hoarsely. "He'd hate me if he knew that I've been on the... other side of the war. And the Senior, he would probably kill me himself."
"T—Tell me... more", whispered Derek slowly. "You say I can't understand why you did what you did, then explain it to me. If you want me to one day tell Sam this, I need to explain it to him. Because you're right, he adores the heroes and he would be heartbroken."
Liam smiled in an appreciating manner and nodded slowly. "Back then, things were different. Minor gods like my mother, they didn't have their own cabin. We were all cramped into the Hermes cabin, without any privacy, most of us had to sleep on the ground because there weren't enough beds. Most of us were unclaimed, because honestly, our parents knew that it wouldn't even change anything for most. If anything, children of the minor gods had to endure bullying from the kids of the Olympians, because hey, they had their own cabins and were kids of the 'important' gods. And don't forget that back then, camp wasn't just a summer activity. We lived there. All day long, all year long. Sleeping on the floor in a small cabin you share with twenty others. It was humiliating and unfair. All we really had were each other. The Hermes cabin. Even more so our siblings. And you know how Luke Castellan, the leader of the Hermes cabin, was the leader of the revolution. He was charismatic and he was the epitome of a big brother to most of us in the cabin."
"So you followed Luke because he was like a brother?", asked Derek with a thoughtful look.
"No. It was more than that", whispered Liam and shook his head, looking away a little embarrassed. "Luke had this best friend, Ethan Nakamura, a son of Nemesis. He though... Ethan, he was... the boyfriend of my brother. Ethan of course followed Luke, he would have followed Luke everywhere. And Ally... Alabaster... He loved Ethan, but he also loved us, his siblings, so he begged us, told us that we could have a better life. Alabaster was... he was my world, he was the most important person I had in my life and I would have walked straight into Tartarus if he would have asked me to go with him. I joined the revolution because it promised a better life to us who we always only got the scrapes the children of the Olympians left for us. I joined the revolution because my family and friends joined it and honestly, without them, camp would have been even harder to endure. I joined the revolution because I thought we could change the world. In the end... Percy Jackson accomplished what we were aiming for, but he would have never done for if not for us, I guess."
"Okay", nodded the son of Demeter, not feeling as full anymore or as happy as he had when he had left the house. "Now, uhm, is there a... story about this Talene? The Senior's sister?"
"There is", whispered Liam, looking guilty and pained and a little heartbroken. "I love Malene very much, but she wasn't my first love. Angeli, a daughter of Hermes, she was my first girlfriend. Talene killed her during the war. Angeli died in my arms and our boyfriend Damian, he was... enraged, he fought Talene to death. Both were so severely injured, they... died. But all the Senior learned was that his beloved, heroic little sister died at the hands of a Greek traitor. If he'd know I was there, he would see an end to me. He hates Greeks for taking away his sister. It's why I made sure to keep it from Jolene and Sam that he is a demigod and why I'm making sure that the Senior doesn't discover that Sam is a demigod. Or that I am... who I am."
"Sammy would understand", blurted Derek out, rubbing his eyes to get rid of the tears. "I mean, he adores you even more so than Percy Jackson. If you'd explain it with the words you just used to tell me, he would understand. He would be angry at first, but he would understand and you could visit him in his apartment and he would feel less lonely and-"
"There is more to it", cut Liam in. "We... traitors, we are allowed to live, but we are never to contact camp again. We are not allowed to even talk to 'non-traitors'. I'm lucky, I have magic, so for the few family meetings, I use powerful and quite draining spells to cover it up. I'm to blame, if the gods ever find out that I still have contact to a demigod, I would get severely punished, but Sam, he doesn't know so they can't punish him. If I tell him the truth, he would risk banishment himself. And I have the feeling that ever since he moved to New Athens and met you and Sander and Trend and Marshall, he's happy, genuinely happy for the very first time in his life. I can't risk taking that away from him. I love him too much to do that to him. And that's what you have to tell him."
The two of them continued their way in silence, rounding the house. "Okay. I promise. But you have to promise to watch out and not get caught, okay? Because I don't want to have to break his heart by telling him all of this. So you have to stay safe so I'll never have to tell him."
/January 2028 – Athena Academy, New Athens\
"So, how was Christmas with Marshall's folks?", asked Sam as he sat down on his chair right behind Trend, staring curiously at the blonde. "Everything good? I mean... well..."
"Marshall's grandfather dressed up as Santa Clause and got stuck in the chimney", snorted Trend in reply, turning his chair so he could face Sam. "How's your family? How's your mom?"
"Good", nodded Sam with a small smile. "They're all... I missed them, an awful lot. But it was great seeing them all. Sel is still a selfish prick and obviously everyone thought Derek was my boyfriend. He relished in this. It was the most embarrassing Christmas ever."
"Sounds like a total success", laughed Sander as he plunged down next to Sam.
Marshall grunted in agreement as he took his seat in front of Sander and next to Trend. The Sons of War fell into light conversation about their Christmases and presents and families. It was weird, but Sam was glad to be back with his friends. He had missed his family, yes, but at this point, he would have been as heartbroken if he'd never be able to return to New Athens, just as he would have been if he'd never be able to see his family again. In a way, New Athens had become his home too. Never as much as the mansion, but Trend, Derek, Sander and Marshall, they were his family too now.
"Are you even listening to a word I said, Sammy?", asked Trend teasingly.
Sam jumped slightly as he saw the handsome blonde just an inch from his face. "W—What?"
"I asked if you trained during the break or if you just ate you ma's food?", chuckled Trend, poking Sam's stomach. "Because this doesn't feel like muscles. It feels like pie, lots of pie."
"D—Did you just call me fat?", asked Sam wide-eyed.
Trend's eyes widened just as much. He had just meant to make a joke, he didn't want to insult his Sammy. Because honestly, right now Sammy was even more beautiful than ever. Whenever he trained, he got that determined gleam in his gorgeous eyes and that slight flushing of his cheeks. And the mohawk was just downright adorable. And those muscles looked better than the lanky lack of muscles from before, he could still gain a few more, but it already looked good.
"You're not fat, Sam. You look quite gorgeous right now, you've been a little too thin so the weight gain suits you quite well. Also, congratulations on the successful training."
"U—Uhm... T—Thank you, Charles", whispered Sam and blushed furiously.
He stared up at the tall blonde sitting on his other side. The son of Apollo smirked amused, his sky-blue eyes sparkling with mirth as he nodded. He had quite some impressive muscles already. And he was taller than most others in their class. He was also a little over a year older than Sam, had to change schools just too often. Still smirking, the blonde leaned over, resting one hand on Sam's.
"You know, my friends call me Chuck", stated the son of Apollo with a wink.
"Okay, class. I know Christmas and New Year surely had been fun and you have a lot of things to catch up on with your friends, but kindly use your break for that. Now, let's turn our attention to the Odyssey and the journey through the underworld", announced Malcolm Cage as he entered.
Sam was still brightly blushing as he opened the textbook. After a few minutes, Sander nudged him and threw a piece of paper at him. Grunting at the other brunette, Sam unfolded the paper.
Dude, Chuck TOTALLY just hit on U! He ur type?
Sam snorted and balled the paper up to throw it at Sander's head, giving him the finger. Chuckling slightly, Sander stuck his tongue out at his best friend before both boys turned their attention back to the class and the story their teacher was just telling them. And that was where their attention stayed until class ended and the students practically fled the room. With his backpack shouldered, Sam hit Sander hard on the upper arm, causing the other brunette to stumble.
"Ouch, dude!", complained Sander with that puppy-whine of his.
"Then don't talk bullshit, man", grunted Sam with a glare. "Charles was not hitting on me!"
"Yeah, he totally was", commented Melissa Montgomery as she passed them, throwing her long, black hair over her shoulder. "He's been staring at you the whole day, Raser."
"See? Even Mel noticed!", exclaimed Sander and waved with his arms.
"She's a daughter of Dionysus, what does she know?", huffed Sam, crossing his arms.
"Oh come on, what's so bad about it?", asked Sander confused as the two brunettes made their way toward another classroom. "He's pretty attractive, I guess. I mean, if one would be into muscular, broad-shouldered, charming, blonde dudes. Wait, that kind of sounds like something you like."
"How would you know?", hissed Sam embarrassed, elbowing Sander.
"I know everybody thinks that I'm dumb, but I am not completely hopeless", grunted Sander and rolled his eyes. "I noticed that when you used to watch us train, you mostly stare at Trend. And in the arena, you often stare at Marshall's little brother Erik, or at the army of blonde archers from Apollo cabin. Like Charles. Or, as you are allowed to call him now, Chuck."
Sam stared at his friend for a moment, mulling the things Sander had just said over. In the end, he wrapped one arm around Sander's shoulders and pulled him close, ruffling his hair with the other hand and nudging him softly, which made the ticklish boy giggle slightly.
"You're not dumb, Chrysander", chided Sam, resting his forehead against Sander's temple. "You're sometimes a little slow, but you always figure it out. And math and stuff aren't important, but you're good at the important things, like feelings and being an awesome friend and a great hero."
Sander's nougat-brown eyes softened as he looked down at his best friend. Laying an arm around Sam's shoulders, he pulled the other boy close enough to rest his chin on the peanut-colored hair.
"Thanks, Sam", whispered Sander. "You're awesome too, you know."
"Of course I am. Now come, let's go. If I remember that right, you got a lunch date with the Disney Princess", grinned the son of Ares teasingly, nudging his friend. "Oh, he's blushing. How cute!"
"S—Shut up!", exclaimed Sander embarrassed. "And it's not a date! We're heading over to the dojo to eat lunch with our moms! That is so not a date! And our big sisters are coming too."
"But you want it to be a date, you want to be Prince Charming and you want to k-i-s-s your Disney Princess and sing songs with mice and birds!", chimed Sam and dashed off, Sander hot on his tail.
/April 2028 – Rodriguez Home, New Athens\
It was April's Fool and there were teenagers scattered all over the Rodriguez house, sleeping on the ground. Bianca di Angelo, Thea Chase and Rainbow Jordan were laying on the ground in front of Calandra's bed, in her room. Right opposite her room was her twin brother's room. And it looked about the same in front of Chrysander's bed. Marshall, Trend and Sam were laying on the floor, while Derek laid in Sander's bed, with the trickster's arms around his waist. It was the day after the twins' birthday, so for once they had been allowed to have all their friends over to celebrate their thirteenth birthday. Which was a great thing, because normally Clarisse was already at the verge of going berserk when one of the twins had their friends over, but both of them? And Derek too. The boyfriend wasn't allowed to stay overnight normally, but since three other teens were staying in the same room as the couple and both bedroom doors were staying open (mostly so that the adults could make sure that the kids would at one point actually sleep), Clarisse had made an exception.
"Morning, San", murmured Derek as he felt his boyfriend stir.
Turning around in the embrace, he kissed the older boy softly. Sander sat up, motioning for Derek to follow him downstairs. A little confused by this, the son of Demeter obediently followed into the for now still empty kitchen. Everybody else was not yet up after yesterday's party.
"I... wanted to wait until after my birthday and I think if I wait longer I won't do it at all..."
"Okay, what's going on, San?", asked Derek a little concerned, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I... like you, a lot. And I like cuddling with you and kissing you and the... uhm... the... sex", continued Sander (even though he barely whispered the word 'sex', afraid his mom or dad could hear him). "And I hope we can be friends, because you're awesome and we're both best friends with Sam so it would probably be complicated if you'd stop talking to me, but-"
"You're breaking up with me", grunted Derek, blinking a couple of times. "What? Why?"
"Like I said, I care a lot about you", replied Sander, resting one hand on Derek's arm. "But you don't like me, at least not enough. I know that you have feelings for Sam, but I had hoped that if we'd be together, you may... get over him. That you'd let him go and that you'd start liking me. I know you like me, but by far not as much as you like Sam and... I don't like being second best for my boyfriend, I really hope you understand that and aren't angry with me for breaking up."
"I—I... understand that", whispered Derek and averted his eyes so he wouldn't have to look at his now ex-boyfriend. "And I'm not mad. You do deserve someone who completely loves you, because you're a great guy and a wonderful boyfriend. I... had hoped the same as you when we got together, to be honest. I wanted to get over him. And you're amazing, really, you're the best boyfriend I've ever had. But I just... You're not Sam. And you're right, you deserve love. But... why now? I mean, this is kind of sudden. We've been heavily making out on your birthday and now you break up?"
"Well, like I said, I enjoy the cuddling and kissing and all", mumbled Sander and blushed brightly, rubbing his neck embarrassed. "And I knew you had this whole day yesterday all planned out for me and I didn't want to ruin the party you put so much effort into, so I wanted to wait until after my birthday, but I thought... I really think I'd lose my courage or motivation if I wouldn't have done it right now, but I've thought about breaking up with you for a few months now. Since after Christmas break, actually. Because like I said, I had hoped you'd come around and start liking me back, but ever since you spend Christmas with Sam, you... You distanced yourself from me, spaced out more often. You even stare more often at him since then. So I decided after my birthday, I'd break up."
"Okay", nodded the son of Demeter and shifted some, giving Sander a small smile. "You know, you're really clever sometimes. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise, San."
"Thanks", grinned Sander broadly and hugged Derek. "So... We're good? Still friends?"
"Still?", snorted Derek amused and rolled his eyes. "We haven't been friends before we got together. But yes, we're friends now. And we're good. But I'm sorry for... well, wasting your time."
"Hey, you didn't waste my time", grunted Sander, hugging Derek some closer. "You were my first time, Der. And my first boyfriend. And I really enjoyed our time together and all the things... uhm... that we did. So it's fine. I think you were a good first boyfriend, because I wasn't hopelessly in love with you and neither were you hopelessly in love with me, so no one is bailing their eyes out like in some stupid chick-flick. Now... Now that we're friends, can I ask you something?"
"Sure", nodded Derek a little unsure. "I mean, we are friends now, so... Ask."
"What happened between you and Sam on Christmas? It's a romantic time and you're like the first one to meet his family and his family thought you were his boyfriend and there surely were mistletoe and I know what you feel for him and you are acting strange since then and I'm not going to judge, well, I'm probably going to be a little disappointed and hurt, but-"
"Nothing happened between Sam and me", stated Derek firmly, grasping Sander's hand. "We had fun, as friends. Really, absolutely nothing inappropriate happened. Just because I don't love you doesn't mean I'd be unfaithful, even if it would be with Sam. There was nothing, I swear."
"I believe you", nodded Sander when he saw how desperate his ex-boyfriend looked. "But... something must have happened. I just... you've been so... deep in thoughts since then."
"Nothing you should worry your pretty head over", smiled Derek and kissed Sander's cheek.
The truth was that Derek couldn't stop thinking about Liam and all the other 'traitors', because he couldn't brush the thought off that he probably would have done the same. If Sam would have joined and had asked him to join, he would have blindly followed. And the lives they had on the Princess Andromeda had been so much better than at camp. Yes, he had spend hours talking to Liam and he had come to a new and slightly unsettling world view, considering where he was living and what kind of a life he was leading, with the heroes. It had made him question everything.
Author's note: Next chapter will have Sam attending his very first quest! For his dad. Which is how he will get the Heart of War.
On another note, I was mildly surprised that so many liked "Drunken Dare" and I'm contemplating maybe perhaps turning it into canon, which would mean a sequel including a little more plot to the pleeenty of smut, like raising the baby and how at least some of their other kids - like Cal and Eli - come into play. I'm just curious, is that something you want, for the final destination to be Trend/Sander/Donny/Sam instead of just Trend/Sam and Sander/Donny or are you screaming yours heads off furiously at that?