A week after the titan war, things had started to return to normal. But I use the phrase back to normal loosely. I still can spot the occasional monster.
Percy had gone back to camp to help with the construction and new recruits. Though unlike before I wasn't as worried. I knew that Percy could take care of himself.
He informed me and Sally that he was intent on finishing high school, and spend a lot more time in the city during the school year. I knew that this made Sally very happy. I think that is the reason Percy is staying here, he doesn't admit it, but he goes out of his way to make his mother happy.
One thing I should have realized is that this now meant his friends would come here to visit rather than just seeing him at camp.
Now here something to keep in mind, when your demigod step son invites a few of his friends over; keep the fridge well stocked, always hide the valuables and never and I do mean never ask who's the best fighter otherwise your apartment will end up trashed.
This is just what happened. But let me start at the beginning.
I heard knocking but Percy went to answer it. They were all Percy's friends, and a special friend. I wonder when the boy will ask her out.
Then out of nowhere Percy gives Annabeth a quick peck on the lips, when did that happen? Why didn't he tell me or Sally? That's when I realized he is a teenager and he probably didn't want me to embarrass him. I'll try my best.
"Hello everyone." I said looking out at the faces. There was girl with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes as if there was lightning behind them. She was dressed in all black; she looked like someone you didn't want to mess with. Then again most of Percy's friends gave off that vibe. Then there was Nico the same as ever. There were brothers, the kind of kid you would watch out for as a teacher. A tough looking girl in camouflage who was holding hands with a Latin American boy with dark hair, the girl wasn't smiling but the boy was looking at her adoringly.
Percy stepped up and introduced everyone "This Thalia daughter of Zeus, the boys here are Conner and Travis Stoll, that's Clarisse" he said as he pointed to the girl in camouflage "and her boyfriend Chris. Katie is coming she's parking the van and your know Nico and Annabeth"
I nodded "I'll get you some snacks." Percy nodded and led his friends to the sitting room.
I grabbed a bag of chips and a case of pop. When I walked back into the room I saw that everyone was settled in. Percy was sitting on the coach with his arm casually draped around Annabeth's shoulder, Thalia was sitting next to the couple. Nico had the sofa chair to himself. Chris and Clarisse were sitting on the ground. A new face who I'm assuming is Katie was on the edge of the sofa arm, and the Stoll brothers had pulled up a pair of chairs.
If you didn't know them you would think this was just a group of ordinary teenager's hangout. You wouldn't think how these kids have been through a war and saved the world.
Nico was speaking "it's awesome I have the ghosts working on it. It should be finished by the end of this week, O' by the way if you guys try to prank it un-dead skeleton soldiers will attack you." He was looking at the Stoll's. Everyone was laughing.
The new girl Katie chimed in and said "That is the best security system ever, totally better then the Ares cabin."
"Hey girly no one is stupid enough to prank our cabin." Clarisse defended. So I think her father is Ares.
Connor or Travis I'm not sure which is which shouted "Challenge accepted!" A rousing chorus of laughter followed.
"Really which one of you will die first." The two looked nervous for a second then said; "Hey Percy want in on this?" I guess he would qualify as muscle.
Clarisse responded before Percy could say anything "SO what if Prissy helps, the Ares Cabin will be victorious."
Everyone seemed amused by this.
Prissy an interesting nickname, that's when I realized I was just standing there. Awkward. I was about to leave when Annabeth defended Percy "Right Clarisse the Ares cabin was so victorious when Percy kicked your entire cabins ass when he first came to camp half blood."
Instead of anyone being angry they all seemed to be enjoying this. I couldn't help but watch it was very entertaining. "Please that was a lucky shot Prissy wouldn't stand a chance he is the same as every other camper."
Percy chimed in for the first time "Right I was like every other camper when I blew up six toilets and doused you head to toe, so that you couldn't welcome me like every other camper." Making air quotation around the phrase like every other camper.
As everyone laughed Thalia said "I can't believe I missed that."
Annabeth on the other hit Percy in the arm. He turned to her and said "What was that for?" she laughed "You also sprayed me as well remember seaweed brain."
Percy laughed "It was an accident?" Clarisse pounced "Really then how does it make you special if you won by accident"
Percy replied "I beat you without even knowing what my powers were, I think that makes me doubly awesome."
Clarisse just snorted.
I think Katie wanted to make peace since she had started the debate. "Let's agree to disagree."
I thought this would mean it was the end of the argument but I was sorely mistaken.
Clarisse just said "When this supposed prank goes down? We will prove who is superior."
That's when Percy noticed me standing there. I was about to leave but he spoke out and said "Paul grab a chair" I was truly touched he was including me with his friends I knew this made me cool in his books.
I just nodded and pulled up a chair next to the brothers. I thought I would ask a question. "Wouldn't you all get in trouble for pulling a prank?" I thought it was a valid question apparently I was wrong, the looks on the kids face and the following round of laughter made me feel stupid.
Percy answered my question "Not really if you get caught sure you could be on dish duty, but no one really tells on you, it's more retaliation once you claim the prank or you know for instance it was probably the Stoll's."
He was interrupted by a loud "HEY" for both the brothers.
The boy Chris just responded "You know it's true so don't even try to deny it"
The two looked as if they were going to argue the point but Percy just said "ANYWAYS" effectively returning the focus to him. "Who ever pulled the prank will have to watch their back, and their cabins back, if unlike me there are more than one person in it. Really at camp we take care of each other, we have our own set of rules."
I nodded, I could understand that if they were mature enough to handle the fate of the world they should be able to monitor their own behaviour.
I must say I have been a part of some strange conversations since I met Percy but this one had to take the cake.
The topic shifted from the best way to destroy someone's chariot. How to avoid the harpies so that you didn't get caught breaking curfew. There were new cabins and Chris complained to Percy that the old cabins should get a chance to renovate.
That's when I remembered as much as Percy was there friend he was also for all intensive purposes their leader. I felt a huge amount of pride for him.
"You know what we need a real sword fighting tournament" Thalia said.
Clarisse nodded her head in complete agreement. "That would be awesome we could do it for rewards like the chariot races."
I thought that they already fought swords I do recall a time when Percy told me about how Luke was considered the best swordsmen to come to camp and 300 years and that Percy could beat him. I thought the logical thing to do was ask. I was so wrong.
"I have a question don't you already sword fight. I was told that Luke was the best fighter until Percy beat him?" I instantly regretted it. I forgot that Luke was a sore subject and it only went downhill from there.
"Yah right Prissy isn't the best" Clarisse shouted.
"HEY I was the one who saved your butt and beat your immortal brothers" Percy responded. Then they were off. I barley could keep up with the conversation.
"Hey I'm the best fighter here, immortal huntress and daughter of Zeus."
"Hey I command skeleton soldiers and I am undefeated."
"That's because you didn't fight me" Percy said.
"I never need your help Prissy you just had to butt in."
"Please Clarisse you just won't admit you need help besides I'm the best strategist while Percy is the best technical fighter we all know it" Annabeth shouted the loudest. Because all the others were having there say.
I think the Stoll's were trying to create chaos, Katie was on the fence and Chris was supporting his girlfriend.
"NO" "NO" responding to Annabeth's declaration
The Stoll's didn't help the situation "Really I always wondered which child out of the big three was the most powerful" This got Thalia, Nico and Percy attention.
"There all pretty equal guys" I think Katie was trying to keep the peace but it was a futile attempt.
"What about Ares!" Clarisse shouted.
Nico just shouted "WHO CARES!"
Chris also moved to keep the peace "Honey it's not a big deal, just let it go"
This is where I lost the conversation completely they all started cursing or at least there expressions made it look like they were cursing it was in Ancient Greek.
Suddenly Nico pulled out a sword at the same time as Thalia did Clarisse followed right after.
Conner, Travis, Katie and Chris backed away. Percy and Annabeth were having what looked like a silent conversation, but I was too distracted by the fact that Clarisse jabbed at Nico who blocked it easily and returned the blow just as quickly.
It was about to get ugly. I looked towards Percy hoping that he would do something.
He seemed to be thinking but he wasn't doing it fast enough.
In an attempt to avoid both Thalia and Clarisse Nico knocked over the coffee table. At least this got Percy to shout "That's enough!"
It did not work. Thalia rolled over as Nico returned the jab resulting in the sofa being sliced open. After a couple more shouts Nico dodged another unified shot by Clarisse and Thalia resulting in him moving half across the room.
Percy seeing that his friends were not going to stop jumped into action. If I wasn't so shocked at the events that were unfolding I would be impressed.
Percy pulled out riptide and was in between all three of the fighting demigods in seconds. He intercepted both Thalia and Clarisse's attempts to stab one another and in one move Percy stuck riptide underneath their swords and pushed up with such force knocking both Thalia and Clarisse's swords out of their hands.
Then instead of fighting Nico he just jumped on the kid, easily taking him to the floor. Annabeth casually walked over and picked up his sword.
I started to breath normally again knowing that the fight was over, still not quite sure why they were fighting in the first place.
"I SAID ENOUGH!" Percy shouted. "You do know you're in my apartment not at camp and FYI all of you suck in sword fights, ever wonder why I always win! SHUT UP" Clarisse was about to interrupt but Percy certainly put an end to it.
He took a deep breath and continued "Please" with a sarcastic smile on his face he continued "clean up this mess."
Then he looked towards me he looked very apologetic. He motioned me towards the kitchen and I followed.
"Sorry about that but we demigods are hard wired to have a lot of pride especially when our Olympian parent is insulted or our fighting ability is questioned"
"So this happens a lot?" I asked in wonder.
Percy just nods "All the time, but I guess everyone is so use to being in camp, and seeing as both skills and parents were insulted swords were bound to start flying. Sorry I didn't stop it earlier."
Seeing as I didn't need an apology I just digested this new information. That got me curious did Percy ever fight over something like that. "Have you ever fought over your skill or parent?"
He looked and said "Yup, not because someone insulted me, but I wanted to prove that I was worthy you know." No I didn't of course he was worth, I think Percy could figure out that I didn't understand so he continued to explain.
"I have a lot to live up to, being a child of the big three has high expectations. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was more than my dad's son. I still do but before you get mad its part of being a demigod."
"Ok do you think that everyone has cleaned up the living room I don't want your mother to see that."
Percy chuckled I guess he was relieved that I wasn't mad.
"Let's go see." Percy went back and helped Conner and Travis repair the damaged coffee table, apparently they had broken so much stuff in the past they were experts. Clarisse and Chris were sweeping up. In all the confusion I hadn't noticed the pillows on the sofa had also been ripped. I guess mortals do have slow eyesight. Thalia, Nico and Katie were working on sewing the couch back together. They had located some thread. Sally kept a lot seeing Percy damaged almost every piece of clothing he had.
Annabeth walked up to me and said "You get use to this kind of thing as a demigod but sometimes we forget that mortals aren't the same so I am apologizing on behalf of everyone."
That was sweet but not necessary "Annabeth it's alright Percy explained, I may not understand your world but I will try my best to be a part of it." I said.
She chuckled "You are a part of it Mr... Paul." She was still not use to call me Paul "Percy loves you and you can definitely handle a sword, plus you didn't scream when the fight happened. If this happened at my house my parents would never forgive me. Just in case seaweed brain is too dumb or to shy to tell you I will, thank you for accepting Percy."
I was touched but why would I need thanking "Why wouldn't I accept Percy?" she smiled but you could see the sadness in hear grey eyes.
"Paul you don't see how special you are, so many kids come to camp half blood because their own parents and families don't accept them, its why I went to camp half blood. But you a mortal with no reason to accept Percy did, let's just say it rarely happens."
I realized again how hard the life of demigod was and I instantly wanted to protect all of these kids but they did that themselves. They would fight but in the end they took care of each other, they were one big family.
"I'm sorry you went through that Annabeth but just so you know you're always welcome here." She smiled just as I said that Sally walked in.
She looked around, now most parents would be mad if they came home and their sitting room was destroyed but Sally just took it in stride.
"Hello everyone, Katie there are more needles in the kitchen, the drawer next to the stove. Oh and Travis there is also stronger glue" When the two walked away Sally just said "They would make a cute couple"
This got everyone to chuckle I guess she wasn't the only one to think so.
Just thinking about couples had me talking without thinking things through "Yah but know that Percy and Annabeth are finally together those two may smarten up."
Percy flushed scarlet which I must say was amusing.
Sally on the other hand looked like she was about to burst with excitement "Really Percy you and Annabeth are together and you didn't tell me? When did this happen? Have you guys kissed? What dates have you taken her on? When did this happen?" She finally took a breath. That's when I noticed the Annabeth was also blushing.
Percy just said. "MOM can we talk about this later?"
It thought I was helping when I said "It's nothing to be ashamed about Percy" which I'm guessing wasn't the right thing to say because I got a glare from both Annabeth and Percy, but there friends took this as an invitation to start to help.
"Oh everyone knows when Prissy and Annabeth got together it was on his birthday, Annabeth kissed him we dumped them in the lake as a reward and they stayed down there for a long time if you know what I mean." Clarisse said.
"It means they were making out" Travis Stoll said as he walked back into the room.
Katie on the other hand said "it was so romantic, Percy gave up immortality and he basically said it was so he could be with her."
Both Sally and I looked at each other, Percy had told us about the gods giving him a reward and he said he made them claim all their kids, but he did not mention IMMORTALITY. We were going to have a serious discussion about leaving out important details.
"OK it wasn't like that I just didn't want to spend my life stuck with Olympians some of whom have tried to kill or at least destroy my life so can everyone just STOP!" Percy said. Trying to get control of the conversation again.
He failed. Thalia just said "You only say no to immortality if you love someone so much that you couldn't imagine life without them take it from someone who knows" that made me a bit sad.
Nico also piped in "Plus every demigod dreams of that honour and to be offered being the Lieutenant to your father is a major deal."
Chris shouted "Annabeth didn't join the hunters I'm guessing because of Percy" if it was possible Annabeth blushed deeper she looked like she was going to say something but she couldn't find the words.
I on the other hand could "Come on lets be happy for the two. Percy finally stopped mopping around because a certain girl ignored him."
Sally just smiled and said "I'm happy for you Percy and I have to say finally it took you long enough."
Percy finally said something "And this is why I didn't say anything you all have to make a big deal out of it, I don't remember freaking out when I found you were dating Paul oh by the way you forgot to mention that but I didn't mock you" What? I don't remember that I'll have to ask Sally about that but he was still on a role and gulp I was the next victim seeing as Sally was looking chastised. "And you Paul I never made fun of you when you told me you were going to marry mom."
He was right about that. Honestly he was very supportive. I kind of felt bad for making these two so uncomfortable especially right after Annabeth's lovely words. "And the rest of you didn't you have your fun at camp have I ever been anything but support of you guys?" he answered his own question "I didn't think so, NOW can we move on."
Everyone nodded, except for Annabeth who turned to Percy and said "For a seaweed brain you sometimes know just what to say" and then she kissed him it was a chaste kiss but it was sweet regardless.
Something I have realized about hang out with demigods they seem to forget extremely fast in some cases because things were back to normally, they were talking about what to do for dinner.
One day I swear I won't be surprised again.
Just as everyone agreed to order pizza, Nico shouted "Monster! A lot of them they most have picked up or scent." He was peering out the window and he was right there looked to be about 30 different creatures known that looked friendly.
They all nodded. As if they had expected this and already had a plan. Of course they had a plan I said to myself, sometimes I wonder how I can miss these things.
"Mom Paul we are going to deal with this and then probably take off, we attract too many monsters" Percy said.
Sally and I just nodded.
All the kids shouted byes.
Nico said "Sorry for the table Mrs. Jackson we fixed best we could but if it doesn't work just send an IM to camp and we will replace it."
"I'm sure its fine Nico, be safe" He gave her one of his rare smiles and walked out.
"Same goes for the couch" Thalia said.
"Just all be careful that goes for all of you kids" Sally said.
"Be save and it was interesting hanging out with all of you" I said.
I got a loud bye Paul.
With that there was quiet for the first time since Percy and his friends had arrived. I missed the noise but I was exhausted.
"So honey how was your day?" I asked she laughed "I'm guessing not as exciting as yours"
"We have an incredible son and his friends aren't bad either."
She smile and nodded "You got that right"
She came up to me and kissed me. We sat on contently on our unique sofa. Both relaxed until Annabeth and Percy came back for dinner.
But I guess when your step son is a demigod you can never relax for long.
I hope u like this chapter.
I will update as soon as i can promise,
Thank to everyone who reviewed so far and to keep the coming i love hearing what you guys think :)
