Luke's voice washed over cabin three as he retold his story for the son of Poseidon. Percy's anger lessened the more he heard the blonde demigod speak and the depressing tone in which Luke recounted his tale made Percy want to kick himself for being so hard on the older boy. If Percy was any other, normal demigod, he would have already uncapped Riptide and attacked the son of Hermes, but since when has Percy ever been normal? There was just... something that was preventing Percy from doing anything but listen to the son of Hermes' tale. Percy felt a pang of sympathy when Luke mentioned seeing his mother; the one time the black haired demigod has seen May Castellan had left him feeling sorry for what Luke had had to go through as a child. It made Percy feel a little empathy, and it helped him understand the blonde's hatred for the Gods. Luke had been left alone to deal with a disturbed mother for pretty much his whole life before he ran away, and not once did his father stop by to help. Percy felt his heart go out for the son of Hermes but he stayed motionless, continuing to stare at Luke as he carried on with his story.

When Luke go to the part when he saw his father, Percy was surprised to say the least. Never once had he thought that Luke would ever reconcile with Hermes. Luke's hatred just ran so deep that it seemed like it would never completely go away. However, here Luke was, telling Percy of how he and his father had shared a bonding moment. Percy was genuinely happy that Hermes had finally been able to reach is favourite son but that quickly dissipated as Luke mentioned meeting Aphrodite. That led to Percy remembering the dream from last night and once again, his confused feelings assaulted him. What Aphrodite had told Luke was bothering Percy. Contrary to popular belief, Percy wasn't as oblivious as he seemed, though he did have is many moments. The son of Poseidon just hated confrontation unless it had something to do with running his sword through a monster. The pieces were slowly fitting together in Percy's head, from what Aphrodite had said to him the night before to what Luke said about the Love Goddess's appearance. His emotions were running wild now and he just didn't know what to feel.

Luke finally finished his story and silence filled the cabin. Percy had no idea what he was supposed to say while Luke was still waiting to be told to leave. The silence stretched on and the two buys were just sat there, staring at each other. Percy could see the fear in the blonde demigod's eyes and he knew the story was true. Even a son of Hermes couldn't make a story that heartfelt. Percy could practically feel the older boy's pain. 'Okay Percy, you can do this. Just say it, say those three words that you've been dying to say since you woke up. You know Aphrodite was right so just say it.' Percy panicked. Is that really how he felt about the older demigod? Was he actually falling for the son of Hermes, the boy who had tried to kill him on multiple occasions. 'Yes, this is what I want. This isn't something that Aphrodite is making me feel. I am genuinely falling for Luke Castellan.'

After what felt like ages, Percy finally opened his mouth.

'Should I tell Nico that he should prepare himself for a half-sibling?' Percy cringed once those words were out of his mouth. Annabeth was right, he was a coward. Luke's mouth lifted slightly tough.

'Is that really the most important thing right now Perce?' the blonde asked. Percy just sighed.

'What do you want me to do Luke? Tell me, because I literally have no idea. I know what I want to do, and I know what I should do, but what do you want me to do?'

'I at least expected you to hit me,' Luke said, echoing his father's words. 'I don't know if i'll even feel it, what with the curse of Achilles and everything, but it's the thought that counts, right? Do I still have the curse?' and before Percy could stop him, Luke unsheathed his knife with the speed only a son of Hermes would have, and slice himself down the arm. Surprisingly, there was no cut. 'Well I guess that answers that.' Percy disregarded that for the moment, it wasn't important right now.

'What do you mean you expected me to his you?' Luke raised a disbelieving eyebrow at Percy, who sighed.

'Luke...Hermes already told you that I have forgiven you, there's nothing else to it. I don't hold any grudges towards you, I don't have any ill feelings. I know why you did what you did, and although I disagree, I understand. What did you expect when you came here to talk to me, that I would reject you and tell you to go back to the underworld?' Luke wouldn't meet Percy's eye so the black haired demigod found himself scooting closer to the blonde. He placed his arm around the son of Hermes and pulled him closer, placing his blond head on his chest, much like his dream from the night before, but reversed, and he placed his other arm on Luke's hip. Luke was shocked by what Percy was doing but he just moved so that he could hide his face in the son of Poseidon's neck, keeping his expression from view. He wrapped his arms around the younger demigod's waist and Percy was shocked to find the son of Hermes trembling. Percy could feel the vibrations at every point of contact between him and the older demigod. His shock grew when Luke started sobbing, Percy's neck becoming wet with the blonde's tears. The display of emotion was nothing like the Luke he had known for the past five years but the son of Poseidon could empathise. Luke didn't think anyone would forgive him, let alone understand him. It was a comfort to Luke that there were still people who believed in him, and it was an even greater comfort that one of those people was Percy. Percy didn't know what was going through the older demigod's mind but he just kept on holding tightly to the son of Hermes.

After a while, Luke started to calm down however, his grip on Percy didn't lessen. He revelled in the younger demigod's warmth.

'What are you going to do now?' Percy asked quietly, not wanting to set off the blonde again in this volatile state.

'What can I do?' Luke asked, 'No one here will accept me, at least, not as quickly as you have, not after everything I've done. There's nothing in the outside world for me, I have nothing, I would have been better staying de-' Luke cut off as he was pushed down onto the bed by the son of Poseidon. Luke looked up with wide eyes at Percy, who had an angry expression on his face.

'Don't even think of finishing that sentence Castellan,' the younger demigod growled, 'Don't ever say that you're better off dead. No one deserves to be dead, especially not you.' Luke just stared speechless at the demigod above him.

'W-why?' Percy's anger left him and he collapsed on top of the son of Hermes. He laid his head on the blonde's chest and just shrugged.

'I don't know why, Luke, but you mean something to me.' Luke didn't say anything, but his heart was beating a mile a minute. 'You could always... stay here with me?' Percy said timidly.

'Thank you, Percy, but I can't do that to you. I can't have you ostracised because of me.'

'I don't care about any of that Luke! I don't care what the rest of camp thinks, they don't matter to me.' Percy said, desperately trying to get Luke to accept. He had made is mind up now and he just needed the son of Hermes to comply. He needed him here at camp.

'And what about the people who do matter to you?' Luke whispered, not wanting to get his hopes up.

'Thalia's off with the hunters so she's rarely ever at camp but I'm not worried about her. She was one of the ones who wanted to believe in you Luke. She didn't judge you then, and she wouldn't do it now. Rachel stays here at camp but she's mortal. She's a lot more understanding than you think and won't judge you either. Nico might hold some grudges towards you but that's a son of Hades thing. Annabeth forgave you along with me back in the Gods' throne room. Those are the only people whose opinions matter to me and I'm positive everything will be fine.

'Are you sure this is what you want Perce?' Luke asked. 'There's nothing else more that I want,' Percy thought.

'Yes, Luke I'm sure. If you want, you can stay in my cabin during the day and we'll go out and do stuff at night. I'll bring food from meals so you won't have to worry about anyone else. I'm sure Mr D already knows you're here and Chiron won't have a problem. Besides, I need someone half decent to spar with with,' Percy said, trying to get the older demigod to smile. Luke took the bait.

'Half decent? I take offence to that,' The blonde said, the corners of his mouth lifting a bit. Percy smiled as he saw the blonde finally starting to pull himself together. Before the black haired demigod knew it, Luke rolled over so that he was on top of the son of Poseidon, his face millimetres from Percy's.

'What would it mean for us?' Luke asked, staring into the green eyes of the boy beneath him. Percy visibly gulped as he felt the older demigod's weight on top of him.

'What do you mean?' Percy asked breathlessly, trying to fight the blush crawling up his face. Luke just kept eye contact with the black haired demigod. He knew that Percy knew exactly what he meant. Aphrodite doesn't get involved for just anything. They stayed in silence, neither one backing down, waiting for the other to make a move. Finally, Percy leaned up and placed his lips softly on Luke's. Luke relished the contact, his tongue slipping out to ask for entrance to Percy's mouth. Percy accepted, deepening the kiss for a moment before reluctantly breaking it to breathe.

'That's what I mean Percy. I think that's why Lady Aphrodite wanted to bring me back. Because somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you, Percy Jackson. I can't stay here at camp if it mean we're only going to be friends. I don't think I could take that. Percy...I need you. I need you to want me, just as much as I want you. Percy's eyes widened at each word coming out of the older demigod's mouth. Would he be able to give Luke what he wants?

'Luke, I've only just recently broken up with Annabeth,' Percy said. Luke closed his eyes.

'This is it,' he thought, 'He's going to tell me that he doesn't feel the same way about me. I think I would have preferred if he had hit me. At least would be less painful than this.' Percy looked up at the older demigod and saw a lone tear go down his cheek. Percy felt his heart twinge at the sight. Percy made up his mind. He wants this as well. It will take time before he completely gives himself to Luke, but he's certain that he can get there.

'I don't know exactly what it would mean for us, Luke, but I want to see where this will take us. Please, stay here at camp. With me.'

'Okay,' Luke accepted, before claiming the son of Poseidon's lips once again.

One thought was running through both their minds. Maybe things will be better.