I have a fairly long chapter for you all. 2,554 words not including the AN. I'm very proud of this here chapter, just so you know.

Warnings: Mentions of child abuse. Not descriptive, just acknowledgement that it happened in the past to a character and is occurring in the present to a different character.

Reviews:

darkworkangel: Thanks a bunch! Means the world to me.

sweetzchristopher: They definitely did not have iPads in the 70's. I don't know much about the 1970's technology, so yeah. Sorry if it's not exactly accurate.

Sirius groaned as he flopped down on his bed in his father's palace. He was so sore! His father had had him up at dawn to begin practicing his powers. Sirius still could smell stench of the dead bodies in the morgue they had visited. A young man had refused to come to the Underworld. It had taken Sirius forever to explain to him he was already dead and there was nothing the man could do about it. That guy had been a right pain in the arse for Sirius. And he didn't even want to think about the old lady in the hospital! She was a bloody nightmare!

Sirius' pillow was soft and comfy, and the gray quilt he had thrown over himself was warm. He could feel his eyes closing. Rest, after such a long day, sounded like Elysium to Sirius. Oh, how he wished to fall into Morpheus' clutches, maybe dream about something happy for once, like his best friends or girlfriend.

"Sirius!"

Sirius jumped up right in bed, on high alert. He knew that voice. Sirius' eyes met Chiron's through the misty image. Chiron was smiling happily. Percy was there, in the image, too. Annabeth could be seen just a little ways off, talking to a black-haired girl Sirius had never seen before.

"Chiron?" Sirius asked. He could feel his body relaxing as the adrenaline rushed out of him. "What's going on?"

Chiron smiled happily at Sirius. "Happy news, my dear boy. Clarisse's quest for the Golden Fleece was successful." Chiron's smile flickered for a moment as he looked back at the dark-haired girl. "Perhaps a little too successful. Thalia has been resurrected. Tantalus is back in the Fields of Punishment, if you did not already know that, and I have been reinstated as Activities Director."

Percy was grinning widely in the Iris Message, and Sirius found it rather contagious. "That's great, Chiron," Sirius said. "I'm really happy for you. How is Thalia?"

"Well," Chiron said. "She would like to thank you for your help." Chiron turned over his shoulder and called out Thalia's name. The black-haired girl came running.

"You Sirius Black?" she asked inquisitively. She popped that mint green bubble she was blowing with her gum.

"That'd be me," Sirius said. He smiled awkwardly at Thalia. Oh gods, he did not like meeting new people.

"Great," Thalia said. She didn't say it awkwardly, like Sirius would have. Confidence and ease seemed to ooze out of the girl. "I wanted to say thanks for what you did for me." She seemed to falter now. "It helped a lot. I could feel the poison, and I knew when you were there. It took some of the pain away."

Sirius could feel his cheeks heating up ever so slightly. "Glad I could help," he mumbled, embarrassed; for what, he had no clue. "Uh, sorry, but I've been training all day, so, if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep."

"Of course, Sirius," Chiron said. "Just one last thing. With Tantalus gone, your banishment has been lifted. You are welcome back at camp. I know your friends miss you greatly."

Percy was nodding eagerly from his place next to Chiron. Sirius felt guilt drop into his stomach. Sure, most of the camp hated him, but, for the few that liked him, they were great friends. At the same time, Sirius wasn't really sure he was ready to leave his dad yet. He glanced at the door. Thanatos had yet to come in to say good night, as he had done every night since Sirius had come to stay with him. Sirius wasn't ready to give up his dad yet. He knew Thanatos would not be able to come see him in camp.

"If it's all the same, Chiron," Sirius said slowly, carefully articulating his words, I think I'd rather come back next year and spend the rest of this summer with my dad."

Sirius felt even worse as Percy's smile visibly dimmed. Sirius wondered how much time Annabeth had been spending with Percy since Thalia came back. Thalia meant the world to Annabeth, Sirius had realized, after Thalia and Luke, dare Sirius even think the name, had rescued the girl as a seven year old. Could Percy be losing his best friend because of that? Sirius hated to even think about it.

"I'll come by for your birthday, though, Perce," Sirius found himself promising without even thinking about it. Had he really become that close with Percy after spending such a small amount of time with him? "And of course I'll have to come by camp to see Travis, Connor, Clarisse, Silena, and Beckendorf before I leave for school, right?

Percy's smile was back again. "Sounds cool, Sirius," he said. "Do you know where my mom even lives, though? My birthday's after camp lets out."

"I shan't reveal my secrets," Sirius said with a wicked grin as he slashed his hand through the rainbow that had appeared in his dark bedroom. He turned to the ajar door where his father was standing.

"You're staying."

It was a simple statement, but Sirius could see the emotion behind his father's eyes.

"Yeah," the demigod said. "I mean, how often am I going to get to stay here with you? I like it here, Dad."

Thanatos smiled at the moniger, as he always did. It always made Sirius feel giddy inside to call the god Dad. He had a dad, a real one; a father who treated him like an actual son. Sirius scooted over on his bed to make room for Thanatos to sit down with him. And if Sirius cuddled up to his dad? Well, no one had to know.

"I am glad," Thanatos said. "I did not have it in me to tell you Chiron was back." The god's eyes looked sad. "I have never been as close to any of my children as I am you, Sirius. I enjoy our time together."

"Me too, Dad," Sirius said. And, with his head resting in the god's lap, Sirius closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Are you sure this was a good idea?" Thanatos asked as he peeked around the corner.

"An excellent idea," Sirius said, looking behind them. He couldn't risk Peter, Remus, or Marlene seeing him with his dad in Diagon Alley. As much as he trusted them, he wasn't ready to share his other life. He had only shared with James because he couldn't keep it bottled up inside himself with all the stress he had been feeling that day.

"It's clear this way," Thanatos said.

The god and demigod rushed into the bookstore across the street. Both looked like they were about to break into fits of laughter. Sirius was clutching at a stitch in his side from the attempt to not laugh while he was running.

"This is the last stop," Sirius said, a small giggle escaped from between his lips. "After this, I'm all done with school supplies. I need to get something for Percy too, though. His birthday's tomorrow."

"Right," Thanatos said. He looked thoughtful for a moment. "The son of Poseidon. Would he appreciate a book on magical water plants?"

"Percy's got worse dyslexia than me," Sirius replied, mumbling under his breath. He picked up one of the books on his list and fit it into the crook of his arm. "And I have to have the school nurse cast a charm on my eyes once a month so I can read my school books. Maybe a magical water plant?"

"Is there anything else?"

As the two were speaking, they were walking through the store grabbing the books on Sirius' supply list.

"I've got it!" Sirius whisper-yelled as he grabbed the last book. "Magical candy! Percy's always telling me about how his mum gets him candy for his birthday every year, but I bet he's never had magical candy."

"That is a good idea," Thanatos agreed. "Shall we check out?"

Thanatos and Sirius began to move back down the aisle, one all the way in the back of the store. Sirius froze as a slight figure turned the corner and entered the aisle. Thanatos froze behind his son, instantly recognizing the boy for who he was.

"Sirius?" Regulus asked cautiously. He took a hesitant step forward. Crystal blue eyes hesitantly went up to meet Thanatos'. He flinched back, but did not move.

"Hey, Reg," Sirius said. He sent a reassuring smile at the boy, who was shaking just a bit, but Sirius' trained eyes could see it well. "Where are your parents?"

"Mother is still yours," Regulus mumbled, but he flinched violently at Sirius' heavy glare.

At seeing his little brother flinch, Sirius was immediately in front of him, wrapping the boy in a hug. "S'Okay, Reggie," Sirius whispered into Regulus' ear. "Not mad at you."

Regulus pulled slightly back from Sirius to look at Thanatos, who had yet to move.

"This is my dad, Thanatos," Sirius explained, stepping back from Regulus to lay a hand on his dad's arm. "I've been staying with him for most of the summer."

"Is it true?" Regulus asked. "That you're a-" Regulus broke off, unable to finish the thought.

"A god?" Thanatos asked with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, it is true, although I suggest you keep that to yourself. The time is not yet right."

"Okay," Regulus agreed quickly, nodding his head. He turned back to Sirius. "Si?" he started. He took a second pause. "I miss you."

Sirius felt his heart break a little on the inside at the sight of his brother's miserable face, once always filled with joy. Sirius' three years away had destroyed the little boy his brother used to be.

"I miss you too, Reg," Sirius said, wrapping his brother back up in his arms. "All the time." Sirius was glad to note Thanatos had turned away from the little scene. "I didn't think you'd want to see me anymore."

Regulus shook his head violently. "No, Si," he muttered. "I still love you. Do you think...Well, do you think we could, maybe, spend time together in, like, Hogsmeade, or something."

If Sirius' heart had broken at the way his brother looked before, it shattered at how Regulus talked. Once so sure of himself, the young boy stammered now, hardly getting his words out. Sirius half wondered if it was the Slytherins doing it to him or Regulus' own parents. The gods knew Orion and Walburga Black had spared no pity on Sirius. The scars all over his body proved that. Sirius couldn't help but wonder if they would do that to Regulus too.

"Course, Reg," Sirius promised. "You'll always be my little brother. I've got ways to sneak around Hogwarts unseen. We can spend all the time in the world together. Promise."

""kay," Regulus said, still mumbling. "I got to go. I already got my books and Mother expects me back within few more minutes."

"I'll see you at Hogwarts," Sirius called after his little brother as the younger boy turned and left. He turned to his father. "Let's go pay, Dad. We'll get Percy's present and head out. I think I need a long nap."

Thanatos rested his hand on Sirius' shoulder and steered him to the cash register. They quickly paid and made their way out of the store to the nearest candy shop.

Sirius Shadow Travelled right outside the door of Percy's apartment, present in hand. He lifted his hand and knocked loudly on the door. It swung open to reveal a smiling woman in her early-to-mid thirties, if Sirius had to guess. Her smile seemed to widen as she saw Sirius.

"You must be Sirius," she exclaimed happily. "I'm Sally Jackson, Percy's mom. He said you'd be stopping by. Please, come in."

Sirius' eyes were comically wide as he followed the woman into the small apartment. He went straight over to Percy, who was sitting on the couch eating what appeared to be blue waffles. Percy's face brightened up when he saw Sirius.

"You actually came!" Percy nearly shouted through a mouthful of what was most definitely blue waffle.

"Course I did," Sirius snorted, grabbing a waffle off Percy's plate and taking a bite. "Happy birthday, by the way. How's it been going?"

"Well enough," Percy shrugged. "Just got back two nights ago. Camps been going crazy with Thalia there. Chiron's sending her off to a boarding school in Brooklyn, all girls."

"Fun," Sirius grinned, waggling his eyebrows.

Percy laughed, kicking Sirius' thigh lightly. "Yeah, I guess. It's weird, though. They're still in camp right now, but they'll be so close and so far at the same time."

"Yeah, I understand," Sirius sighed, thinking about Regulus. How could he not have noticed his brother getting so bad? "How do you feel about the whole Thalia thing?"

Percy shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, I guess. It's kind of nice having the whole prophecy weight off my back, even if I don't know what I am supposed to do yet. I just wish Annabeth wasn't ignoring me so much." Here Percy looked up at Sirius with pleading eyes.

"I don't know how it feels," Sirius admitted. "But I'm sure Annabeth is just getting used to having Thalia back in her life. She won't be ignoring you for long."

That seemed to cheer Percy up. He sat up and grabbed two game controllers, tossing one to Sirius. Sirius shoved the rest of his waffle in his mouth and sat up as well, chewing roughly. Percy stuck a game in the console, and they began to play, versing each other. Percy nearly alway won, but Sirius didn't entirely mind. He was having way too much fun.

Sirius spent the entire day with the Jacksons. His favorite part, he was not embarrassed to admit, was learning how to use the toaster. It was exceptionally exciting. Right before Sirius was about to leave, Sally caught him alone in the hallway.

"Thank you," she said to Sirius. "For cheering Percy up. He's been down the past few days. I think he was kind of hoping Annabeth would come visit him."

Sirius smiled at Sally. "It wasn't a problem. I love spending time with Percy. He's actually one of the six people I enjoy spending time with in camp."

"Only six?" Sally asked with a raised eyebrow.

Sirius shrugged. "People aren't a fan of the whole 'son of the death god' thing I've got going on."

Understanding flashed through Sally's eyes, and she wrapped Sirius in a tight hug. Sirius' eyes widened slightly, but he returned it. A warm feeling spread through him, and he wondered if this was what a mother's hug felt like.

"You'll always be welcomed in my home, Sirius," Sally promised. "No matter what. Feel free to visit whenever you want."

"Thank you, Mrs. Jackson," Sirius said earnestly. He smiled as widely as he could without his face breaking. "That means a lot."

"Just Sally," Sally said, laying a hand on Sirius' shoulder. She turned around to leave. "I'll see you soon, yes?"

"Course," Sirius agreed. Sally smiled as she walked back down the hall to say goodnight to Percy.

Sirius himself smiled brightly as the shadows enveloped him. He would later deny his eyes watering as he left the Jackson residence.