Hey guys! Just so you all know, the next chapter will be the last and will contain the lemon ;)

Thank you all for your support! I can't believe how many people have followed, favourited and reviewed this story! Thank you all! :D

Oh, and I just got a new kitten! But she has no name! If anyone has a suggestion, let me know! :D It's a female, 4 month old kitten whose grayish brown with black stripes!

Aphrodite just continued smiling, raising her hands and unbuttoning his shirt by one button so it revealed part of his chest. 'You look much handsomer this way.' she whispered.

Using all, if any self-restraint, Percy managed to raise his hands which had been hanging limp by his side, and placed them on her shoulders and pushing her away till she was arms length away. She still had a smile on her lips, her eyes still twinkling with her intentions.

'Answer me. Did you have something to do with Annabeth and me breaking up?' Percy managed to put some force into his words.

Aphrodite remained silent.

Percy felt his earlier anger rise within him. He pushed her away and stalked into his cabin. When he was a safer distance away from her, he turned to face her, but kept his eyes averted, knowing his resolve would disappear long enough for the goddess to take advantage of his stunned state.

'Why? I thought you wanted us to be together?' Percy expected her to step closer to him, but her feet stayed planted.

'Trust me, I hate when couples go their opposite ways, but I had no choice.' Aphrodite stepped closer. 'I couldn't stand seeing you with that Athena spawn and I may have manipulated her emotions slightly, but people, even gods do crazy things for the sake of love!' she spoke with the same passion for her domain as she had years before. She believed in love so much, Percy had no doubt she could rally a whole army into fighting for the name of love.

'You couldn't stand seeing us happy?' Percy demanded, before the rest of her words before he realised what she had fully said. 'Wait, love?'

Aphrodite stepped closer to him, Percy could no longer avoid her body. 'I want you happy always, especially after you've been through. But I couldn't stand to see you happy with her!' Percy saw her hand move up till she tilted his head up by the chin until he was forced to look into her face.

Even to this day, he couldn't describe much of her physical appearance than he had years before, aside from her eyes and he presumed her hair was a shimmering gold that no mortal could hope to achieve, and her skin was entirely clear of any markings or blemishes.

Again, every thought disappeared. Any resolve long gone. All anger dissipated.

There was just him and her.

'I've loved many through the years.' Aphrodite whispered. 'I've felt the pain from losing those I love because of their mortality. But there was no one, not even Ares can compare, to my feelings for you.'

Percy desperately tried to think of coherent words, but all he could manage to say was 'What?'

Aphrodite cupped his face in her warm and silky soft hands. All Percy was aware of was of her closeness and her scent enveloping all his senses. She smelled intoxicating sweet, just enough that was alluring rather than choking.

'I wanted to resist you. I knew my feelings for you would be frowned upon. That's why I needed you to be in love with someone else. You're the most loyal demigod I've met in a very long time and I knew you wouldn't break anyones heart. I didn't want to be tempted by you.' She closed her eyes and a soft sob escaped. Her sadness and heartbreak made Percy want to comfort her in any way possible. No one as beautiful and dedicated like her should be sad. It was a sin! 'Then I saw what I created.' She continued with her eyes still closed. 'I accomplished the opposite of my intentions. Instead of becoming less tempted, I found myself growing jealous. I tried to forget about you, but I couldn't stand to see you with her anymore.'

Just the mention of Annabeth caused Percy to break away from whatever spell he had been under. He ripped his face away from her, backed away until his back hit the end of a bunk bed. He stared at the shocked goddess standing in front of him.

It took a moment before Percy's anger returned.

'For someone that preaches love, you have a very sadistic idea of what you're allowed to do with people's emotions.' Percy snarled before turning around and storming towards the fountain gushing water.

'Percy, I-' Aphrodite started to speak, but Percy was too angry to let her continue.

'No. Whatever you think you can say to make this whole situation better won't work!' Percy stormed away from the fountain. He didn't want to break it. 'You manipulated Annabeth and my emotions! You created some sick game and now you want to change the rules! Why would you think I'd ever be with you, even for one night if that's all you're looking for?' When she didn't continue, Percy continued. 'You're right though, I am loyal. A trait I would think anyone would like to find in a relationship. If you think I'm interested in getting involved in a mess with your husband, boyfriend or any other guy you claim to 'love', then you clearly don't know me at all. You're just selfish.'

Silence.

Percy wasn't sure what to expect. Any other god or goddess would have killed him. Aphrodite on the other hand remained silent.

Turning slowly, Percy realised why it was so silent.

Aphrodite was gone, the thin whiff of her scent all that proved she was there at all.

'You're kidding me!' Grover bleated the next morning, after finding Percy sulking on the beach after he refused to go to breakfast and face anyone from the Athena cabin.

'Nope.' Was all Percy said, staring once again at the water. He could see some fish swimming back and forth, just waiting for him to submerge and have him fix any problems in their lives.

'The goddess of love and all the other stuff literally throws herself at you, and you refuse her?' Percy nodded. 'Man! What I wouldn't give...!'

'What about Juniper?' Percy snapped. He was starting to regret telling Grover about his late night with Aphrodite where after she left, he punched a wall, breaking his fist, but the water in the fountain helped heal.

Grover blushed crimson, but whether from embarrassment or from whatever thoughts going through his head, Percy didn't (or need) to know.

'I meant hypothetically...'

'Well hypothetically, you were thinking about if you had the chance to cheat on your girlfriend!' Percy snapped, keeping his voice low because he really didn't want rumours to spread.

Grover's face paled. 'I didn't-'

'I just need to clear my head.' Percy stood up and ran into the water. The cool freshness of the liquid immediately relieved his stress and his thoughts became coherent. Unfortunately, there was fish that were waiting in ambush.

Lord!

Tell him the kelp is mine!

Some human hit me with a rock!

I'm bigger than that old trout, right?

Percy gritted his teeth. What was it like to be able to find some peace?

'I'm sorry, but I need some time to myself right now! Can we please do this later?' Percy pleaded.

Percy watched in astonishment as some fish formed a half circle around him and started pushing the other fish back. Taking the opportunity, Percy forced the water to push him away as quick as possible. He went lower and lower into the water till he reached the bottom. The fish above him had grown in numbers, both in defence and offence.

But Percy appreciated the alone time, even if it was temporary.

His thoughts were clearer, but he was in no way ready for figuring out what to do about Aphrodite. After he healed his hand, he had slumped on his bed and immediately fell asleep. That's what having Achilles curse and having your heart broken does

Percy wasn't sure what to do, if there was anything to do, about Aphrodite. If his past interactions with gods taught him anything, it was to try to not get on their bad side. He had completely rebuffed her advances, and now she probably cursed him to being alone forever or something.

But there was something bothering him about the interaction, he just couldn't put his finger in it. If Annabeth was with him (if she was able to breathe under water without his help) she would probably have the answer straight away.

But even the idea of telling his ex girlfriend about his interaction with Aphrodite and explaining why she still had feelings for Luke was because Aphrodite wanted to add him to her list of conquests.

He doubted she would believe a goddess had abused her gift to manipulate...

Manipulate.

Percy felt his heart speed with realisation of what was bothering him.

Aphrodite said she had manipulated Annabeths emotions. Not his.

Why though?

If she was looking for a one night stand, there was nothing stopping her from making him head over heels in love with her.

Was she afraid Poseidon cursing her on Percy's behalf? Doubtful.

All he knew for sure was, he needed to find out.

Hope you enjoyed!

If anyone has a suggestion for the next chapter, let me know and I'll try to include it! I'm sorry for anyone that wanted Aphrodite and Percy to get together, but I want to keep this story as realistic in the universe as I can! But don't worry, there will definately be some Percy/Aphrodite moments in the next chapter!

Till next time ~Maraudergirl