AN: Thanks if you've reviewed, favourited or followed. Warning: This chapter and following chapters toe the boundary with dubiously consensual sexual activities.

Jason awoke having not realised he'd been asleep. He remembered arguing with Piper, agreeing to leave with Zagreus, and then waking up here. Wherever here was.

In hindsight, agreeing to go anywhere with a psychotic god hell bent on taking over the world was as foolish as it was unnecessary. In reality, he'd had no choice - Zagreus could take him wherever he pleased, and there was not a damn thing Jason could do about it, still unarmed. But agreeing to it meant he couldn't even complain now Zagreus had taken him at his word. And he probably should have at least raised the alarm with Piper.

The annoying thing was that Jason wasn't even sure his reaction had been fear of Zagreus, or even anger at Piper. A super strong being had frozen hundreds of people before his eyes, put an arm around him, travelled him hundreds of miles in the blink of an eye, and somewhere along the way Jason had forgotten to be scared. Even now, he wasn't particularly frightened, though he had no recognition of this place. He found himself on a comfortable bed in a simple but comfortable room. A cheerful fire greeted him from a hearth to his right, and a low orange light kept the room in a warm glow.

The golden chains on his wrists should have frightened him, too. They didn't. "Zagreus?" he asked, the second he was awake enough to do such a thing.

"I am here, my lover," Zagreus replied from the foot of the bed. "I have not left your side. I had boring things to discuss with my general so I gave you some much needed rest. I'm sure you've been on edge since Hera contacted you."

Jason flinched. He'd never been spoken to like that. It was weird and controlling that Zagreus should choose whether he slept or not, but somehow more caring that he ever remembered anyone being.

"I'm fine," he said, "where are we?"

Zagreus smiled at him, "In my castle," he said, "my new citadel from which I will rule over all."

So that was another way to send dread through Jason.

"You can't!" he said, "My father is Jupiter! He is King of the gods! He will kill you if you try..."

Zagreus' smile was like a treat for his eyes. "I'm touched that you would care, my lover," he said, quietly, "but you have no need to worry. I will win."

"No," Jason protested, "I mean… he's my father!"

Zagreus nodded, "He is mine too, in a way," he said, "but that does not mean I think he should rule."

Jason's mouth dropped. "You're my brother?" he said, trying to keep down an inexplicable wave of disappointment.

Zagreus ran a hand down Jason's body. "Not really," he said, "This body is born of Hades and Persephone. Though it hardly matters."

Knowing he shouldn't accept that, Jason couldn't make himself worry. The way Zagreus was looking at him was affecting him quite a lot.

Zagreus put a comforting hand over his, "My love, I would like to give you time to recover from the betrayal of your partner, and to get used to the changes that my arrival indicates, but I'm afraid I have to push you. Time is of the essence, and as I have explained, I am yet to unify my essence with my Roman aspect. I need strength, and I need you."

Jason managed to hold back the desperate part of him that wanted to promise everything to this beautiful god. But it was a close thing.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked, nervously.

Zagreus stroked his face, and smiled at him, "You are a brave and wonderful man, Jason," he said, "I wish to keep you here, by my side."

Jason should have objected - he'd had too little time to get used to this idea, too little opportunity to get to know Zagreus. But his head nodded itself.

Zagreus' face lit up with a glorious smile. "I knew I could count on you, my beautiful lover," he purred, sweetly, "and now I must ask something of you."

Again, Jason barely held down the 'anything' that bubbled towards his lips.

Zagreus wrapped his hand around Jason's chained wrist. "If I am to reach my full potential, if I am to have enough strength and power to take fulfil my ambition, I have to fuse with Aion. My Roman aspect."

Jason still wasn't certain he wanted Zagreus to take over the world, but asked, "What does that have to do with me?"

Zagreus grinned, and pulled his sword from his back.

"This is Aion, Jason Grace," he said, reverently.

Jason looked around, confused. But Zagreus smiled and used one finger to guide his face back to the sword. "He is trapped inside the blade," he explained, "has been for thousands of years. I need him back."

Jason looked at the sword, already silver and black and gold, he could see more colors swirling, shadows shifting, impassioned, angry, restless.

"How?" asked Jason.

Zagreus pushed the blade towards him until it was less than an inch from him, "Touch it," he ordered.

With his heart beating at a million miles a second, Jason's eyes met the god's dark ones. His breath caught in his throat. It felt like he'd always known and trusted Zagreus. He couldn't imagine ever not trusting him.

He stretched out a hand and grasped the blade.

Percy was a dickhead.

He couldn't believe what he'd just done. It was unforgivable. First he'd blamed Nico for Annabeth's disappearance, a proper scummy thing to do when he knew Nico had been as surprised as he was. Then, after shouting at him like a dickhead, he'd practically thrown Nico against a wall and sexually assaulted him.

Which was unbelievably evil.

For a start, Annabeth needed his help, and Percy had let his brain be overtaken by his treacherous penis. The stupid organ that had already let him down last night when he kept waking up with it pushing against Nico, even when he kept rolling himself back. Annabeth was missing, and Percy was really upset, but for some reason had given his sexual desires priority over the real needs of the moment.

Last time Annabeth had gone missing, Percy had gone on a full quest to save her. This time should be no different.

And then, there was Nico. Percy had been a dick to him, blaming him, shouting at him, but kissing him was the worst. He would have to be an idiot, by now, not to realise that Nico felt more for Percy than he let on, and Percy had realised it. He'd even shouted that at Nico, anything to make him feel as crummy as Percy had. And then he'd kissed the poor guy! When he knew how much it would mean to Nico!

And it had obviously meant so much. Nico hadn't even thrown him out of a window for being a douche, which Percy deserved. He hadn't even thrown him off. He'd kissed back like his life depended on it. Percy could still feel those lips on his, still feel the pounding of this chest, the heat of his mouth. It was not OK that it had nearly overwhelmed him.

It wasn't OK that they'd got as far as the couch, unclothed, and it wasn't OK that it had taken seeing the picture of himself and Annabeth in their Camp tee-shirts that Annabeth had framed in the bathroom to remind him he was not supposed to be like this.

He'd seen Nico's complete misery at his realisation, but it would be better in the long run. Percy was in love with Annabeth. Even the goddess of love had thought so. There was no way he was actually interested in Nico. It was impossible.

He got a normal, mortal taxi to camp, back to see Chiron, who looked immensely pleased to see him. It turned out Dionysus was yet to return - maybe the party on Olympus was still going strong.

He explained about Annabeth first, finally getting that emotion of determination that he should have had from the beginning. He had to find Annabeth. It was all that he wanted and all that he needed. Annabeth had been the most important person in his life for years.

And he loved Annabeth.

Then, after he'd shouted loudly that it was all Zagreus' fault, he'd remembered that not even the Olympians were anti-Zagreus now. They thought he was a brilliant guy. Zeus was looking forward to his return.

"Percy," said Chiron, carefully, "are you sure that Zagreus is to blame for Annabeth's disappearance?"

Percy had to blink a few times before he was certain he'd understood the question.

"Of course it was Zagreus!" he snapped, furious at the centaur, though unsure why, "how many other threats to Western Civilization are there right now?"

"Percy, you know monster attacks are not rare," said Chiron, calmly, "and you have yet to convince me that Annabeth did anything but leave of her own accord."

"The door was bashed from it's hinges!" Percy shouted, "the apartment had been broken into, what more proof do you want?"

"You live in New York, my boy," said Chiron, calmly but sadly, "Break-ins are not unusual there, I understand."

Percy actually gaped at him, "You think Annabeth couldn't handle a robber?"

"Not if she wasn't there when it happened," said Chiron quietly.

Realising he was probably beginning to look like a fish, Percy scowled, "Why wouldn't she be there?"

Chiron looked at the floor and his tail flapped. It was a sign he was feeling slightly awkward. Slightly awkward didn't really fit the emotions of a three thousand year old mythical creature.

"Percy, could it be that she has left you?"

Definitely gaping like a fish now, Percy couldn't reply.

"I couldn't help but notice how... close you seemed to Nico di Angelo when we spoke yesterday."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Percy asked, though his strangled voice and reddening face probably told Chiron everything he needed to know.

"I am thousands of years old, Percy," Chiron reminded him quietly, "do you think I am unaware of sexual tension when I see it?"

Percy spluttered.

Chiron simply sighed, "You are not the first man to be tempted by someone other than his partner. Nor are you the first to fall for a man..."

"I haven't fallen for him!" Percy shouted, too fast, too angrily, too over the top.

Chiron continued as though Percy hadn't spoken, "And I take it you have now spent at least one night together?"

Percy's face was now the color of a raspberry. Chiron merely nodded as though Percy had confirmed something he had expected but didn't like.

"I suggest to you that Annabeth could have found out somehow..."

"No!" Percy snapped, "No way! Nobody knows! We were in the underworld the whole time..."

"Still," said Chiron, still infuriatingly calm and quiet, "Maybe we should consider a few options before mounting an army to go after her? Maybe try calling her cellphone? Or asking her friends if she has contacted them?"

Percy had never wanted to punch someone more than he did at that moment. Unfortunately, before he could decide if he wanted to punch himself, Chiron or Nico, Piper sprinted through the door.

"Chiron!" she cried, eyes red with tears, "There's a man! He's taken Jason!"

Percy couldn't help feel a little smug after that.

Jason was momentarily blinded by a flash of brilliant white light. The entire world seemed to shake beneath him, and his body quivered. He tried to blink but he couldn't, and his eyes were watering.

"Zagreus," said a voice, suspicious and cold.

"Aion," replied Zagreus.

"You have come far," said the new voice, and Jason saw his hand reach out to Zagreus. "What are these on his wrists?" the voice added, now with confusion.

"Chains," replied Zagreus, simply, "I mostly just thought they suited him, but I know better than to trust you."

"Ha! But I am you!" protested Aion.

Zagreus smiled at Jason wickedly, "Exactly."

Jason found himself laughing so hard his belly hurt, for no reason whatsoever.

"Come," said Aion, and Jason realised Aion's voice was coming from his own mouth, "I know what you want, I want it too."

Jason panicked. He tried to move his hands, tried to get up, to run away. He found he did none of those things.

"Hmm," said Aion, "the boy is strong. He's trying to fight me."

Zagreus nodded proudly, "Yes, Jason is no weakling. He will make a perfect courtesan when we have won."

'Courtesan?' Jason tried to say. Wasn't that just a polite word for prostitute?

Aion hummed again, and Jason felt his own hand running down his own body, tracing the lines and the bones, "I should think so," Aion said, "he's strong as an ox, but he craves orders. My word, we will have a lot of fun with this one."

Zagreus leant forward and put a hand on Jason's face. Jason could feel it, but couldn't even make the cheek shift underneath it. "Jason, my love," Zagreus said quietly, "I need to get you back. Aion has possessed your body for a moment. He will only reside in you until we have joined our essences."

Jason wanted so desperately just to trust Zagreus. He was a perfect creature, but that was no information at all. And he had no clue who this Aion was. He kept fighting.

He didn't manage to move a muscle but Aion grunted. "He's still fighting," he said, "maybe not so submissive after all. Maybe keep the chains on him after this, eh?"

"Oh, I intend to," said Zagreus. "He just looks so beautiful in them."

Aion laughed. "Right, then. Are you ready?"

"Always have been," Zagreus told him. "Relax Jason. It will be over soon, and then you will be all mine."

Both thrilled and terrified, Jason tried to hold down his panic. Zagreus was leaning forward, closer and closer. Then he claimed Jason's mouth in a powerful kiss. And the world lit up once more.

"Piper, describe the man who kidnapped Jason, slowly and calmly."

Chiron was somewhere between worried and annoyed. Percy could see his patience wearing thin, and between Percy's superior 'I told you so' attitude, and Piper's hysterical nonsense, Percy would probably have understood the feeling. Except Percy was feeling too smug.

Piper was hardly clear. "He had…" sob, "dark hair," sob, "dark eyes," sob, "he was tall," sob, "and he was …" sob, "mean…" sob.

"Yep," Percy interjected, "sounds like Zagreus to me! He's running around, kidnapping powerful demigods."

"We only know he's kidnapped Jason," said Chiron, quietly. "Did he give any reason, Piper?"

Piper sobbed a bit more, "He kept… this arm around him!" she sobbed, "It's all Juno's fault! She sent him on that stupid quest! He should have been at home! With me!"

"What quest was this, Piper?" Chiron asked.

"Juno sent him after some rogue god," she sobbed, "and if he hadn't gone we'd never have argued! And I…"

She trailed off, and looked at the floor. Percy was momentarily speechless.

"Hera sent him after Zagreus?" Percy breathed. "Zeus will be furious!"

"And Zagreus will assume, because of Jason's parentage, that it was Zeus who sent him. He will declare war."

"But it's just him, surely?" said Percy, "he can kidnap a few demigods, sure, but does he expect to take on the whole of Olympus by himself?"

"He will find allies," said Chiron, "There are plenty who oppose the gods, for whatever reason."

"But Zeus said he would welcome Zagreus!" Percy protested, "even if he turned up with an army!"

"What someone says when they are safe and excited is different to what one says when surrounded by an army," Chiron pointed out, calmly. "Zeus is proud, he may choose to do battle."

"But what about Jason?" Piper moaned.

Chiron shook his head, "Zagreus may use him to get to Zeus. Or Zeus may be angry at him for trying to fight his favourite son. Or Hera may be angry for his failure."

Percy paled. Things were not looking good for his friend.

"But… but he was trying to do the right thing!" Piper cried.

Percy bit his lip. The gods generally didn't think like that. There had been times when he had proven his worth and saved the day and they'd still had to discuss whether or not he should be allowed to live.

"What exactly did he say, Piper?" asked Chiron, "What did you see?"

For some reason, Piper flushed.

"What happened?" Percy repeated, "How do you know he was kidnapped if he went on some quest? Did you go on the quest with him?"

Piper shook her head, and then cried again. "We had…" sob, "an ar…" sob, "ar…gument…" sob, "and he…" sob, "he said Jason didn't love me."

Chiron and Percy both stared at her. That was hardly an answer to their question.

"He…" sob, "he brought Jason… back. And he… had his arm around him."

Percy frowned, "I think he can shadow travel, like Nico. So… was it… that?"

Piper shook her head again, "It was like… like they were… lovers."

Percy mouth dropped open.

"He kept… he kept calling Jason his lover… he was… he stopped Jason loving me!"

Piper descended into sobs again, and Percy looked at Chiron.

Chiron sighed. "This is not the first time demigods have come to me shouting supernatural when their partners have left them."

Percy and Piper both shouted at that. It was totally unfair. Annabeth had not left Percy!

"However, Zagreus' and Hera's actions seem to be heading in one direction; war."

Percy shivered. Another war on the scale of the titans and giants could be his last. It was only by some miracle he'd survived the wars he'd already been involved with.

"And we cannot ignore the possibility that Jason and Annabeth have been caught up in this. Percy, has Nico di Angelo sided with Zagreus?"

"No!" Percy shouted, furiously, "he turned him down! We told you!"

Chiron nodded. "You said he is after the children of the elder gods."

"That explains why he took Jason!" Piper cried, "He wants to use him."

"But," Chiron interrupted, "we must ask ourselves 'why?'."

Percy thought for a moment. "He just wants powerful demigods," he said, "why else would he take Annabeth?"

Chiron looked at him like he was desperately holding in his patience, "We do not know he has taken Annabeth, and if he has, it is possible Annabeth went willingly; she is a fine strategist, which Zagreus needs as he is so outnumbered. Or we must not forget that Annabeth is engaged to you, and is there anything you wouldn't do to get her back safely?"

"No!" Percy cried.

"Exactly. She is another route to a child of an elder god. She was taken from your home, was she not?"

Percy hadn't thought of that. Though it did make sense. Zagreus had already asked him for help.

"We must work out why he needs a child of the elder gods," Chiron insisted. "How might one of you help overthrow the Olympians?"

Percy took whole minutes to come up with an idea.

AN: Reviews, as always, are warmly appreciated!