Note: Let's see if I can write this better than Multiversal Spider...
IIIII
"Come now, brother, surely you can't be this bored?" Poseidon sighed resignedly. "The last time the fates were here was not the most pleasant... Visit."
"Agreed." Both Apollo and Hermes nodded, their faces paling a shade. Though no one could tell whether that was because of the memory of the three fate's previous visit or because they were attempting to throw some humor into the meeting.
"Bah!" Zeus waved a hand through the air. "Please, Poseidon, you're as bored as I. A visit from those witches is better than waiting for the next world peril to happen. It's been too quiet as of late. Perseus having enough time to start a family ample proof enough."
Wrinkling her nose, Athena frowned at the mention of Jackson and the reminder the sea spawn had gotten her daughter pregnant. She still had no idea what she'd been drinking when she'd agreed to allow the boy to propose to her daughter.
"Are you sure, lord Zeus, that you wish to know what you ask?" A frail yet monotone rang through the air, immediately stopping the room chatter. Causing all the gods to turn to look in the direction of the fates. The three beings were gray-haired, hunched over, and as intimidating as ever, with someone's string being played around in one of the fate's palms.
"That is the question of the hour." Zeus smiled, barely glancing at the string of the poor soul who'd caught the fate's attention before waving his hand and summoning a goblet of wine. "I want to make a deal."
"You have nothing that interest's us, king of the gods." One of the fate sisters said with a hum in her voice that sounded as if more than one person was speaking. A somewhat unnerving sound that seemed to get weirder and weirder by the century.
"True," Zeus admitted honestly, knowing that if he was going to get this to work, he was going to have to be upfront and hope it went as he'd planned. "However, I've become bored. The danger we've faced this past decade and a half did, at times, become worrying. But it spiced up the recent dull years that we've since returned to. I want something like it again."
"Brother..." Poseidon warned, his eyes narrowing at the king of the gods. "Be careful what you say next; shall you doom us all with your foolery.
"Patience Poseidon." Zeus waved the other god off and turned his attention back to the fates. "I do not wish for danger, as my dear brother fears, or another war. I believe I can speak for us all when I say we've had enough of that."
"Not even close." Are's smirked, picking at the corner of his nails with a dagger. Ignoring the annoyed looks all the other gods shot his way.
Not sparing his war-mongering son a glance, Zeus continued with his request. "I want some... Excitement. Something we've never seen or done before... Something... New."
Snorting off to the side, Hera resisted the urge to speak her piece about Zeus craving excitement. He'd done that their entire marriage with his countless affairs and dalliances with goddesses and mortals alike. However, while she'd like to start a little rant on his request to the fates and his past failings with staying loyal. Hera knew now wasn't the time.
"...Yes... I see." One of the fates replied, the three sisters silent. The air around them was still, quiet in such a way that it felt unnatural to even the gods. Yet, no one said a word to interrupt the silence.
Finally, after a few minutes, the three fates nodded as one. "Very well, Zeus. We will grant you your desire. In return, you shall complete a task for us."
"Name it, and it shall be done." Zeus agreed, mentally making a note to have Jason complete whatever task it may be. After all, why do it yourself when you can pass it off to your children?
"Excellent. Then, to cure your lack of excitement. We will grant you this." Holding out their palms, a black dot began to form above them. Growing rapidly, changing and twisting in shadows before becoming an oversized mega screen. A screen that stretched from one end of the room to the other, spanning more than a thousand meters. "This is a rather special device of ours. It allows one to see other paths, watching possibilities and different futures. Some of which are so different they could even be considered another world."
"How is that possible?" Athena questioned, studying the relatively oversized screen. Unable to find anything special or unique about the device beside's it's size.
"Don't look so surprised, daughter of Zeus. There is nothing special about this device, merely what it is connected to." The fates said, still speaking as one. "Us."
At once, Athena found the fog from the mystery of the device clearing, tidbits and random pieces of knowledge she knew of about the fates flying through her mind. "This isn't... No... You're allowing us the chance to see different paths if a different choice was made. One that didn't follow your path, or perhaps did in another manner that would begin to create yet another path."
"Exciting, is it not?" The fates said neither confirmed nor denied Athena's theory of what they were doing. "The possibilities?"
"But what is the cost? What is the task you should have me do in return?" Zeus asked. He hadn't been worried about the difficulty of the task set by the fates. That is until they'd revealed what they were giving. With such a device, the task set might be more complicated than he'd first thought it would be.
"Nothing so strenuous. All you need to do is choose one of the paths you see. To make it fairer, the task is extended to all the gods here. Once unanimously agreed. The... future chosen shall become the reality of this one."
"Sound's simple enough." Aphrodite snickered, fluffing her hair as she lounged against her throne.
"Don't be daft, Aphrodite." Athena lifted an eyebrow. "The danger of such a task is worse than a war. One simple change, a thought, decision, or even death could have massive ramifications none of us could even begin to foresee."
Tapping his knee, Zeus thought for a few moments, a question coming to his mind before he agreed to the task. "Are there limits to the number of paths we can see?"
"None except you shall be watching our chosen... He's always a delight to watch."
"Then I see no reason not to accept." Zeus stood, taking a step forward and grasping a small remote that had appeared as soon as he'd accepted the task from the fates. At worst, he could just watch different futures for the next ten years and pick one with a minor change, such as camp half-blood being renamed to camp cog (children of gods) ... A ridiculous change. But it would be amusing to suggest if they ever came across such a path.
"Zeus." Hade's hissed at his brother's rashness. He kept silent during the talk and earlier debate between his siblings. But even he knew this decision wasn't one to make so lightly as Zeus just had. The fates were never genuinely kind, even to the gods.
"Not to be rude or question this decision. But why even agree to father's proposal?" Artemis asked, frowning. She was getting a strange feeling about this entire affair. One that wasn't entirely pleasant or welcoming, for that matter. The fates never did anything they didn't plan or foresee. No one, god, mortal, or monster, could change that.
"Because child Zeus is not the only one who has become bored as of late." All three fate sisters smiled, showing off their grotesque rotting teeth before vanishing from the throne room.
"Well, that went better than expected." Poseidon sighed relievedly, then rounded on Zeus. "Now tell me, brother. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!"
"Please, Poseidon, control yourself," Demeter muttered. "Though I must agree with him, Zeus. Why do all this and agree to such a deal?"
"Why not?" Zeus countered." Do you all truly wish to repeat the same routine we've all been doing these past five years? How long before we all fade? Unable to bear to continue this life. Bored with the lack of changes, excitement, and new interests to play with?"
"...You truly are living up to your drama queen title, aren't you?" Hades sighed, lips twisted amusedly. Then after thinking for a few moments and looking rather ruefully, he nodded. "However, and as reluctant as I am to say this. I believe I agree with you."
Sure it would take time. Hades wanted to watch Nico grow up. As well as see what the child of Perseus and Athena's daughter would be like... Among other things. But even Hades had to admit that life was beginning to grow stale. Things weren't the way they used to be. The world was changing, as were the mortals. Even the demigods, their children, were becoming different from the ancient past. The possibility of the god's fading seemed more likely with every decade that passed by.
"Well, I, for one, don't," Poseidon replied, eyes storming. "I don't think any of this will end well for anyone... But what's done is done."
"Glad you've come around." Zeus chuckled, then glanced around the room. "Does anyone else have any objections or something to get off their chests before we start? No? Then let's begin!"
Flicking on the switch on the remote, Zeus snapped his fingers. Vanishing the torch lights and transforming his throne into a comfortable seat. Excitement already building up in him as the screen flickered on, the image already a hundred times better than any movie mortals had come up with in the past century. Though given the fates had created the device, he supposed he should have expected such a result.
"Styx almighty, what was that?" Percy groaned as he came to, pushing himself up from the ground as he checked his surroundings. He felt as if he'd just been stepped on by a titan... Again. Yet somehow, if he saw his surrounding correctly, he was in New York. Not the underworld or even Olympus. But on the street right outside his old apartment from when he was a kid.
"Hold up? Percy, is fates chosen?" Apollo grinned. "Never thought they'd pick him with how much he tries to go against all their plans."
"At least we know it won't be boring." Artemis agreed. If there was one thing that no one could deny. It was that Percy Jackson's life was never uneventful. The only difference between now and the past was that instead of battling monsters, he was battling the challenge of fatherhood.
Getting a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Percy reached into his pocket to check his phone, but of course, it wasn't there. The feeling in his stomach getting worse, Percy walked up to a newspaper stand and looked at the date stamped across the corner, Sep. 1995. Ten years and three and a half months before Luke stole the lightning bolt, if he remembered correctly. Though given how long it had been since he'd thought of anything that far in the past. Percy couldn't be exactly sure his dates were correct.
"Damn meddling fates." Percy cursed under his breath. He'd run into the three sisters yesterday, and they'd told him he'd meddled with time too much. An absurd notion. It wasn't his fault he'd found himself back in his eleven-year-old body... twice. Attempting to do everything better and end the war early was the obvious thing to do, wasn't it?
Yet now, after accusing him of meddling with time. The fates thought it fitting to send him further back in time than he'd ever gone before? Worse yet, in his twenty-six-year-old adult body? How could he do anything with another him running around? A younger child version of himself?
"That shouldn't even be possible," Athena muttered, looking annoyed. The possibilities and calculations had never been proven for time travel. Even with godly intervention, it had never come close to even a prototype.
"Percy looks to be in his twenties... The same as now. Think it's a coincidence?" Apollo asked aloud.
"Don't know, don't care," Aphrodite replied immediately, her eyes locked on Percy's form on the screen. "How about instead of chatting, we watch hunky Percy."
"He's married, Aphrodite." Artemis sneered with disdain.
"Don't worry, dear." Aphrodite waved a hand. "I won't steal him from you. We can share him."
Rolling her eyes at that, Artemis didn't bother giving the other goddess a reply. It would only encourage her, Aphrodite having been on a teasing spree these past few years when it came to Artemis and Perseus. And all because she nodded at the boy and didn't mind talking with the son of Poseidon. It was ridiculous how Aphrodite could manage to purposefully misinterpret her respect for Jackson as admiration or attraction. Artemis simply respected the boy for his warrior prowess and respectful attitude to the gods... Well, most gods, though even that was debatable.
"This really takes third times a charm to a new level." Percy groaned aloud. The whole situation was absurd. What was he supposed to do now? He couldn't relive his life for the third time. He wasn't in his eleven-year-old body or, rather, two-year-old body if he was right about the timeline. And even if he was, at this point, Percy wasn't sure he would want to repeat his life. He'd done it all, facing down monsters, gods, titans, primordials, more titans, giants, and Athena, his ex-mother-in-law. Though the latter had only occurred once, during his original life.
The two previous times Percy had the chance for a redo, he hadn't dated Annabeth or anyone in the camp, for that matter. He couldn't bring himself to after returning and being so much mentally older than everyone else. It would be awkward and more than a little creepy if he chose to do so.
"Good, he would have lost most of my respect if he had," Artemis said, and if anyone had been paying attention to the god, they would have seen Apollo nodding his head in agreement.
He wasn't sure how the gods could do it. Didn't everyone seem like children... And yet they... Yeah, he didn't want to go down that rabbit hole. It was a disturbing thought.
"Pfft!" Hades spit out his wine at the remark on screen in surprise, then began chuckling. "Here that, dear brothers? Of course, I can't leave out my nephews as well. Perseus brings up an interesting point, does he not?"
"Oh? And what about me? Am I not to be included?' Aphrodite sniffed, glancing in Hade's direction. "I'm not sure if I should feel insulted or not."
"...Aphrodite. Your inclusion is a given."
Seeming to take the words into consideration for a few seconds, Aphrodite finally nodded. "I'll accept the compliment."
Pushing those thoughts away before he went too deep. Percy stared at the light coming from his old apartment, now facing a slight dilemma. Did he go, try to explain things to his mom, and see how things turned out? Or maybe go to the camp and talk with Chiron? His advice would be welcome with how lost he was currently feeling.
Yet, even as Percy considered those options, it all felt off to him. It... It wasn't what he wanted to do.
He'd spent almost an extra twenty-eight years, not counting his original life doing the same thing over and over. Same battles, talks, and experiences, with occasional minute differences. Oh, sure, he'd tried changing things. It never worked, though. Almost like a script that, when going off track, reversed until everything was lined up again. Which begged the question. Why would he do it again only to end with the same result?
"He raises a valid point," Athena said as she watched. Perseus was in a difficult position, one that looked bleak in either direction. Of course, if it was her in this variation of a time loop. She would have attempted to broker a deal and get some benefit... Jackson wasn't her. So Athena expected whatever happened in the future for the man wouldn't be pleasant.
"I want to know what the fates have planned for Percy." Poseidon grimaced. "It can't be for no reason. It's not like them."
"If it is, I'll be shocked." Hera nodded in semi-agreement.
And if he really thought about it, he technically had the world open to him now. He wasn't twelve, unable to leave or go on his own (Not that it ever stopped him when it came to quests). He didn't have any responsibility or guilt holding him back from staying now that he wasn't the only Percy. Plus, even with the minute changes, did anything that bad outside of a few deaths happen the first time he completed the quests and the first two wars?
What could he do better that he hadn't already tried, that young him couldn't do? Percy knew he could do it, the kid was himself, and he'd done it. So... Why bother with the camp or anyone in it at all?
Liking the idea more and more, Percy gave another glance at the window of his old apartment, his mom no doubt home at the late hour. Then began walking in the opposite direction towards the downtown part of the city, decision done. He'd leave the world in the capable hands of younger Percy and his friends. They would get the job done, and he could enjoy life until the fates returned. Something he'd never honestly gotten a chance to do in any of his short lifetimes.
"I can't say I'd blame him." Hermes sighed.
"I can." Athena snapped, annoyed. "This time, it's obviously different if he's not back in his younger body. Maybe Jackson could change things he couldn't before. Yet he now chooses to give up? He doesn't even try?"
"Athena, please, anyone would get tired after repeating the same life twice. I think it will be good for him." Demeter spoke up, giving Athena a look that made the goddess glare.
A short trek and a few blocks travel later, Percy was sitting in a bar and ordering his first drink. He seldom got the chance to have alcohol. In fact, he hadn't had any since his first life. So, to celebrate yet another redo, Percy was going to get wasted. With luck, he'd wake up to find it was all a dream, and if not. Well, there were always other things to try.
"Yes!" Dionysus yelled happily at the sight of the wine. "Way to go, Perry! The only better thing would be if we could drink along with him."
Picking up the glass the bartender placed in front of him. Percy stared down at the clear liquid, unsure what it was, but as the effect was what he was going for. He ignored the idea of asking the bartender what he was drinking and downed the alcohol. The odd and somewhat uncomfortable burning sensations slid across his tongue and throat. Yet it wasn't wholly unpleasant and brought up old memories of the first time he'd done this. Memories he could only vaguely recall.
Taking the bottle the bartender had so kindly left behind, Percy refilled his cup. Sipping at his drink this time, trying to enjoy the taste as best he could. Somewhat imitating the other patrons around the bar drinking and laughing or sitting somberly in their chairs, silent. However, after a few minutes, the glass still half full, Percy set it down. Having enough, the drink was terrible, end of story. He wasn't sure what it was or why anyone in the bar was drinking the beverage. The only upside was the feeling it gave, but he wasn't even feeling a buzz, and the bitter, slightly rotten taste was putting him off the idea of ordering a different drink.
Scowling, Dionysus glanced at Poseidon. "Some son you have."
"You have to admit it's an acquired taste." Poseidon retorted, smirking at his nephew.
"First time drinking ?"
Hearing a voice speak next to his ear, Percy tensed, turning sideways to see a woman a little too close to him. Standing inches away and clearly in his personal space, though, she didn't seem to notice or care. "Not really, it's just been a long time."
"Ooh, she's pretty." Apollo wiggled his eyebrows, Hermes doing the identical thing on the next throne beside him.
"Enough, Apollo." Artemis ground out.
"She looks familiar." Aphrodite frowned, her comment going ignored by the others watching.
"Oh?" Looking taken aback, the woman smirked and sat down on a stool, leaning her chin on her palm, her dark red hair falling across her right eye, hiding it from view. "I guess you do have a rule-breaker air about you. But never mind that. What's a cutie like you doing here?"
"Uh, trying to get wasted?" Percy said, almost hesitant, barely resisting the urge to ask if the woman speaking to him was Aphrodite. He knew she probably wasn't, as the goddess usually had an outrageously perfect figure and skimpy dress or nothing at all. Not a semi-modest dress like the woman next to him. Still, being called cutie was something that rarely happened to him unless the goddess or her daughters were involved.
"Ha! I knew he checked me out before!" Aphrodite yelled with a wicked smile. "Oh, wait until I tell Percy and Annabeth what we just saw. He's never gonna live it down."
"Of course, he's checked you out, Aphrodite." Hera sneered. "No mortal or otherwise can resist at least a glance. You'd be a poor goddess of love and beauty otherwise."
"Ignoring that." Apollo started, looking at Aphrodite. "Does not one else find it weird that Dite regularly has dinner with the Jacksons?"
"I have dinner with them on Saturday," Hestia spoke up from her spot by the hearth.
"A few times a month for me," Hades answered.
"Once a week." Both Athena and Poseidon said simultaneously before giving the other annoyed looks.
Sighing, Apollo nodded. "Never mind."
"Alone? Haven't you ever heard that drinking alone is bad for your health? Shame on you." The woman tsk'd and grabbed the bottle on the counter table. "Here, let me help you shoulder the burden and finish this drink."
Watching as the woman took a swig of the alcohol straight from the bottle, Percy raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "Thanks, I guess."
"You're welcome. You look like you needed the help anyway. The name's Catie, by the way."
"Catie?" Percy asked, racking the back of his mind for anyone he knew under that name. He came up with nothing, however, goddess, demigods, or monsters alike.
"For good reason." Dionysus rolled his eyes. "Cake's a terrible name, that poor child."
"You got it, handsome." Catie nodded. "So... What's yours? You're not gonna leave me in suspense, are you? Ugh, the wait is already agonizing as it is. C'mon, tell me. Tell meeee!"
Smiling now at the over-dramatic act Catie was performing on her chair. The woman even going as far as to throw out her arms and drop her head on the counter. Percy leaned back on his stool, waiting a few extra moments until the woman glanced at him, then answered the question. "Mine's Percy."
"Percy, huh?" Catie replied, a grin appearing across her face. "That's five letters, the same as mine. Some people consider that good luck, you know."
"...Is that a pickup line? I've never heard that one before." Hermes asked.
"It must be, man," Apollo replied, notebook out, scribbling down the new information.
"Why's that? Does something special happen?"
"Nope. It's been around forever, though. Wish I knew who started the rumor." Catie shrugged. "Anyway, now that our greetings are out of the way. It's question time. What bring's you to this dump of a bar? It's not really the best place to drink unless watered-down imitations are your thing."
"...I didn't know that," Percy admitted, sparing a glance at his glass. Of course, as a son of Poseidon, he could sense water if he tried, but as he'd gotten older. His power had grown, as had its capabilities. And as he didn't want to be sensing the sweat and other liquids in the building and anything else in a block-sized radius. Percy usually tuned it out or blocked it as best he could. "And this was the first half-decent place I found. The others looked worse. So for a 'dump,' I'd say this isn't that bad."
He wasn't even lying about the last part. The bar had a kind of rustic feel with wooden floors and walls. In fact, everything except the chairs looked to be made of wood, with random assortments of art hung up along all the walls. The most modern thing in the building appeared to be the register at one end of the bar counter with a monitor next to it.
"Aww, that's sweet." Catie laughed. "I meant more the atmosphere than anything else. This might be my first time here. But even then, it's clear that the depressive-looking guy at the table is a regular. So's the moping woman playing with her wedding ring. Same with the obvious couple pretending not to be together and trying to strike up conversations with the people next to them."
"Seriously?" Hera wrinkled her nose.
"Oh, don't be such a prude." Aphrodite waved a hand. "Swinging is fun if you do it right. Ares and I do it all the time at one of the clubs with a few others."
"...I didn't need to hear that." Hephaestus frowned at his wife's admission, looking just as disgusted as his mother.
Listening, Percy easily found each person discussed as Catie, seemingly without shame, pointed her finger at each person she listed. "Alright, alright, so what place is better?"
"My bedroom."
"That's my girl!" Aphrodite grinned. "Oh, their kids will be so cute!"
"That's your daughter?" Athena frowned, not seeing the connection. Very few daughters of Aphrodite looked so well adjusted or ever made it to their thirties as Catie looked to be.
"No. At least, I don't think so." Aphrodite replied. "But I can adopt!"
Coughing at the sudden answer, Percy stared at Catie. "I'm sorry?"
"Oh, c'mon, cutie. It's only a joke." Catie replied before getting a sultry glint in her eye. "Unless, of course, you don't want it to be. I'm open to both options. But only after we get dinner. I'm not that easy."
"N-No, that's..." Percy began with a bit of difficulty, then trailed off, unsure what to say. He wasn't about to take the woman up on her offer if she was even being serious. But Percy couldn't deny she was attractive, and dinner sounded like a good idea. However, if he asked her to dinner now, no matter what, he'd be misunderstood.
"Say-" Catie started before getting cut off by a sharp beep. "...Damn it, not now!"
"What is it?" Percy questioned as he watched Catie pull out what looked to be a small radio on her waist. Why she had such a thing or was even carrying it, he had no idea. "Something wrong?"
Sighing, Catie looking a bit put out, replied after a short pause. "Not really. I've just stayed here a little more than I probably should have. No doubt ticking off my boss again, not that I really care."
"I'm calling it. She's a hooker." Apollo joked.
"Shut up, Apollo." Artemis glared at her twin for the comment.
"What do you do?" Percy asked, getting curious. He was now a hundred percent sure Catie, despite her comments, wasn't Aphrodite. Nor was she one of the goddess's daughters. They were usually more of an airhead and not nearly as pleasant to talk with. Naturally, there were exceptions, such as Piper, but from the looks of things, Percy was pretty sure Catie was mortal. His previous suspicions were just paranoia. After all, what really were the chances of him running into a goddess or demigod right after returning back in time?
...On second thought, he didn't want to consider that.
"He doesn't really have good luck, does he." Hestia smiled, amused.
"It's a hit or miss," Poseidon replied, just as amused.
"Hmm... I suppose there's no harm in telling you." Catie tapped her lip and then smirked. "I'm an undercover cop, hence the dress and why I'm working. Supposedly there's some grifter group of women around here, and I'm looking for them."
"Wow, you were way off," Hermes smirked at Apollo, the other god shrugging in reply.
"Are you sure you can tell me that?" Percy chuckled; he was sure there was supposed to be some secrecy involved in undercover work. "That's not why you approached me, is it? I can't say I'd be much help. First time here, remember?"
"Nope, you're good," Catie replied, beaming. "But when I spotted you, I knew I had to get your name. It's not every day I get to meet a good-looking guy. While okay, most of the men at the station don't stay in shape past the requirements... It also helps you're hot."
"He gets better looking every year." Aphrodite sighs, looking wistful.
"Seriously?" Apollo glanced at the goddess. "How does Athena's daughter stand you?"
"I see... Thanks?" Percy said after a slight pause. He'd been single for twenty-eight years now, and while he'd been on a few dates. Percy had never met someone outside of Aphrodite, who he usually ignored, who was so forward and unashamed. It was strange, but he kind of liked it.
Catie chuckled, then opened her mouth, looking ready to say something, when another sharp beep came from her radio device. "Ugh, alright. I have to go, but before that, take this."
"What?" Percy asked, confused, then understood a second later when Catie wrote down her number and shoved it into his hand. However, before he could say anything more, she took off. Watching as Catie ran out the bar door, Percy turned his attention to the small sticky note in his hand. Catie's phone number sprawled across it as well as a small message.
I get off at five during regular week hours!
Call me, Cutie!
xoxo,
Catie
"Well, that's cute." Hestia smiled. She liked Annabeth just fine, but it was nice to see even with this Percy's unfortunate situation with the fates, he still had the possibility of having love.
Chuckling once again, Percy pocketed the note and stood up. He didn't feel like drinking anymore, and he knew it was time he found a place to stay before it got too dark. That and he needed to figure out when to call Catie. If he was going to start a new life, he didn't think it would be a bad idea to begin with a date. If things went well, who knows what he'd be doing in this life.
Six months later
Staring down at the ring in his palm, Percy took a deep breath. Trying to control the nervousness that kept creeping up on him despite all his attempts to stamp it out. It had been a long but fun few months since the fates had sent him back. Sure the time period had been a little weird as he didn't remember things back from 1995 when he was a kid. But he'd adjusted without too much difficulty.
"Six months? Now that's a jump." Poseidon said. A little surprised at the direction of what they were watching. But found it enjoyable all the same. Though maybe he was a little biased as it was his son on screen.
"Percy dude is giving up being a bachelor already?" Apollo shook his head as the ring appeared. It was nice, sure. But really, someone had to teach Percy to enjoy life some more and not get roped down so quickly.
"It's sad. Maybe one day he'll be enlightened." Hermes nodded. Both he and Apollo, as usual on a similar wavelength when it came to women.
But other than that, everything had been smooth sailing. So much that it honestly had worried Percy for weeks until he'd forced himself to stop. Knowing he couldn't be waiting for things to go wrong his whole life or he'd go crazy. But still, it was weird.
That night after the bar, he'd oddly enough found some money on the side of the road. A road that had no one but him on it. So, he'd used it and found it was just enough to cover staying the night in a hotel. After that, he'd tried finding a job, failed, then by accident picked up some change. Purchased a lottery ticket, won, and then was offered a job at an aquarium after he'd visited and spoken with one of the workers freaking out over a sick fish.
"...Is that normal?" Zeus asked, turning towards his brother.
"...No," Poseidon answered.
That was all strange, but what was more peculiar than all those things combined was the lack of monsters. If Percy hadn't accidentally seen a young him and his mother at the park while walking by one day. He might have thought he was in an illusion or alternate world. No attacks, no gods, no demigods. It was all so strange; even now, things still felt off without the constant danger hanging over his head.
"Maybe he is in a different world? It would be interesting to watch, at the very least, if he was." Hades murmured, already imagining the various changes a different world might hold.
The only thing that didn't appear strange was Catie. Percy had called her a day later, and within a week, they were dating. Their relationship wasn't as smooth as everything else, with arguments and silly fights over the color of their pillows when they'd moved in together. But it felt normal, and not nearly as strange as his crazy good luck as of late.
"Oh, that's adorable!" Aphrodite squealed.
"Shut up, Aphrodite!" Artemis yelled, now getting annoyed. She was glad Perseus's relationship was going well, and he was treating his girlfriend right. But it didn't mean she wanted to hear Aphrodite's comments about it every few minutes.
That aside, it was nice, and Percy was finding himself almost thankful that the fates sent him back. Almost because it was without his consent and a little annoying. But he was enjoying his new life. It was peaceful.
"Honey, are you home?"
Hearing Catie's voice echoing from the hall. Percy stood, hiding the ring in his pocket as he waited for his girlfriend to enter the living room. Hopefully, she wouldn't guess his plan. But it was a little obvious with the rose petals on the floor and candle lights on the table. A bit classical and perhaps cliche for a proposal. But he liked it and hoped Catie would as well.
"Percy, babe, you'd never believe wh-" Catie word's stopped dead still as she entered the doorway and froze. Her eyes went wide, and a nervous look on her face screamed she had a very good idea of what Percy was attempting.
"Ouch, that doesn't look like a positive reaction." Ares laughed.
Sighing, Percy smiled and chose to just go with it. He got down on his knee and pulled out the ring. "Catie, I know this may be a little fast. We've only been dating for about six months, and I'm sure there's more for us to learn about each other. But I don't want to wait. I don't want to know everything about you and then decide to marry. I want to marry you and learn about you for the rest of our lives. However long that may be. I love you, Catie... Will you Marry me?"
"Aw, how sweet!" Aphrodite said, ignoring the dagger glare Artemis was sending her way.
"...I'm going to be sick," Catie whispered, her face going pale.
"Why that stupid litt-"
"Aphrodite!" Hestia snapped, interrupting the goddess. "Let's just watch. Maybe she has a reason."
"What?' Percy stood, not having expected that reaction. In fact, he'd considered only two. Catie saying yes, or her rejecting him with an apology, then maybe teasing him afterwords, not this.
"I hope he didn't do that with my daughter." Athena's eyes narrowed. She expected the boy to be more confident after he dared to ask her permission to marry Annabeth.
"Listen, Percy, I'd love to marry you," Catie said, moving next to Percy and sitting in a chair. "But I... I haven't been the most truthful with you... And I'm not sure you'll want to marry me when you know the truth."
"I TOLD YOU SHE'S A HOOKER!" Apollo yelled, jumping to his feet and pointing at the screen.
"She's not a hooker, Apollo! Just shut up and watch!" Artemis snapped, drawing an arrow and shooting it into the floor beside her twin's feet.
"...Whatever you say, little sis."
"What do you mean?" Percy frowned, his mind briefly flashing to the thought that maybe Catie was a demigod before he pushed it away. His luck wasn't that bad, and surely he would have noticed by now if that was the case.
"Well, I know you're a demigod. I've always known... And we didn't meet in the bar by chance."
"Okay," Percy replied, his knowledge reaffirmed that his luck really was that bad. Though he still didn't understand where Catie was going with her explanation. "How'd you know I was a demigod?"
At that question, Catie winced. "I was asked by the fates. They told me they'd brought someone here and asked If I would give their champion a quest. A blessed quest. Not the normal type a demigod goes on. From what I remember, if you had done it, you'd be the first to do so."
"Why those manipulative old hags," Demeter muttered.
"Quiet sister!" Hera whispered almost fearfully. The last thing they needed was to tick off the fates. Especially at the revelation that they could travel back in time.
"I don't recall becoming their champion?" Percy raised an eyebrow, but other than the surprise at discovering Catie was connected to the fates. He still failed to see why she was so nervous. Sure the fake meeting was a little manipulative, but that wasn't a deal breaker. He wasn't about to give up Catie or decide against proposing just like that.
"Technically, you aren't. It's more their claim and doesn't truly have any basis. However, after our meeting. When you called, and we went on that dinner date. I... I couldn't do it. I couldn't give you the quest." Catie admitted, looking embarrassed. "You were the first guy I've dated in centuries, and I enjoyed myself. Most other men I'd dated were simple flings. Nothing serious, and I never felt much for any of them. You were and are different. Something mother finds hilarious and won't stop teasing me about.
"Wait, what?" Hermes said, shocked.
"She's not mortal?" Apollo questioned aloud, that not having been what she expected.
"That's my son!" Poseidon's voice boomed with laughter.
"...Centuries?" Percy croaked, flabbergasted and now slightly understanding why Catie looked so nervous. "You're a goddess, aren't you."
"...Yes. I suppose it's a late introduction, but here it is. My name is Tyche, goddess of luck, daughter of Aphrodite and Hermes."
"TYCHE!" Hermes gaped.
"Oh, I thought she was familiar." Aphrodite's eyes widened in realization.
"How did you forget your own daughter?" Athena raised her eyebrow.
"Well, I'm sorry if it's a little hard to keep track of all my children!" Aphrodite retorted with only a hint of embarrassment. She usually did know her children by name, especially the ones who were gods or goddesses. But Tyche was different. She was a loner and barely ever visited. In fact, if luck wasn't such a big thing, she'd probably be completely unknown if not for that domain.
Silent, Percy almost reeled back as his suspicion was confirmed. He was dating a goddess, not a mortal or everyday human as he'd first assumed. Which meant Catie, or instead Tyche, would never grow old, and their relationship, if it continued, would be a little more complicated than he first thought. It was amusing, however, to find his initial thought about Catie being Aphrodite or one of her daughters during their first meeting was correct. What was even funnier was it all made sense, too, especially his recent good fortune and his girlfriend being the goddess of luck.
"Percy, hun, please say something. I know it's a big shock. But I do love you. I'm not like my mother either. Sure I've had flings, but I'm not sex-crazed. I'm loyal and won't cheat, which I know is saying a lot for a god or goddess, and you might not believe it. But it's true. You're the only one to have ever gotten me pregnant too. That and the first and only person I've even considered taking that step with... Please, c'mon, stay something, Percy."
"I feel like I should be hurt, but I'm not." Aphrodite pursed her lips.
"Well, I like her," Artemis smirked.
Running a hand through his hair, Percy sighed and grabbed Catie's hand. "I'm sorry, it's a lot to take in, Catie or Tyche. Whichever you prefer. I-I don't really know how to feel about it. I love you, of course, and that's not changing. But you being a goddess is a shock I wasn't prepared for. It's... Hold up, did you say pregnant!?"
"And now he notices." Hera smiled. She'd have to find a time to meet with Tyche. She didn't recall ever visiting the goddess of luck, but if she was anything like what they saw, she would be a delight to have around. Better than her mother, at any rate.
Percy had glossed over that when Catie had said it. But now that he was thinking back, he was sure she'd said that. This made the situation all the more shocking, and yet it also filled him with excitement at the thought of having his own kid. He'd never had a kid, and the more he thought of one with his and Catie's features running around their apartment. The more he liked the idea and found the whole hidden identity with his girlfriend being a goddess, a minor thing.
It also helped he was technically just as guilty for hiding the fact he was a demigod.
"At least he can admit that to himself." Athena nodded. It never sat right with her when one partner blamed the other while being just as guilty. Just one of the many, many reasons she'd never married.
"Yes, I'm pregnant. We're gonna be having a little girl. Oh, she's gonna be adorable. I bet she'll have sea green eyes, your hair, and... Wait." Catie stopped smile vanishing. "I'm getting sidetracked, Percy. Are you alright with this? With us? I don't want this to end. I love you and want to marry you. I even called in a favor my mother and the fates owed me to make you immortal if you desire it. Unless, of course, you don't. Which I'd understand though I'd hope if that's the case you'd still want to mar-"
"The Fates owed her?" Zeus frowned. "How did she manage that?"
"Who know's," Hades replied. "It's an incredible feat, no matter how she did it.
Moving forward, Percy interrupted Catie, giving the goddess a short kiss before pulling her into his lap and wrapping his arms around her. "Tyche, I love you. Sure the name will take a little to get used to. But I'll gladly spend the rest of my life with you and our future daughter... Huh, now that I think about it, will she be a three-quarters demigod? Or just half?"
"That's not how it works." Athena sighed, placing a hand over her eyes. Making a mental note to talk with her daughter about Jackson's knowledge of demigods. It wouldn't do for a surprise to happen when their first child was born that could be resolved with a little increased knowledge.
"It kind of does with legacies." Hephaestus shrugged.
"I don't think it really matters," Catie said, a relieved smile appearing on her face. "But that's for later. Percy, it's my turn. Will you marry me? Will you spend the rest of our immortal lives bound until we fade? No matter how hard it gets or how sick of each other we may become after millennia together?"
"Good luck with that." Hera smiled a little bitterly.
"They might accomplish it. Tyche is the goddess of luck, and they do seem good together." Poseidon said after a bit of thought. Percy usually did manage to startle them with the things he did. At times it wasn't the most direct way, but he did get whatever was tasked done. So Poseidon didn't see why his son couldn't do the same with his marriage.
"I will." Percy chuckled, the situation oddly reminding him of the day he'd been rewarded on Olympus and refused immortality. Then it had been for Annabeth to stay mortal, now it was the opposite, and he was choosing immortality for Tyche.
"I knew that was his reason." Poseidon sighed.
"As did we all. Jackson's infatuation was obvious." Athena groaned out in reply.
"Oh, thank the fates!" Catie breathed out. "You had me worried for a while, babe."
"Why's that? Did you plan on keeping you're secret forever?" Percy asked eyebrow raised.
"Nope, I was worried you'd reject becoming immortal. Eighty years is fine, but eternity together sounds way better." Catie shrugged. "Plus, there's that abandonment rule on Olympus. I've never understood how the other gods do it. But with you becoming immortal, it's no longer an issue."
All the gods, minus Artemis, stared at Zeus at Tyche's mention of that rule. Seeing the looks everyone was sending him, Zeus waited for them to move on. But after a few more seconds and seeing no change, he glared. "The rule's been changed for years. No sense in holding it against me now."
"If you say so, brother." Hades mocked.
Nodding, Percy gripped Catie's hands, then slipped the ring on her finger, both silent as they stared at it. Enjoying the moment. That is until a thought occurred to Percy, one that had been bothering him since he'd been brought back. "What exactly was my quest going to be?"
"Ha! It was some absurdity with you marrying Artemis, having a kid with that kid eventually becoming the most powerful demigod in the world. Supposedly it would be needed in the future, and they wanted both of you to do it. Something about it being Artemis's firstborn child and her breaking her vows inadvertently creating something special or some other nonsense." Catie snorted. "As if I'd bless my man to chase after another goddess. Nope, you're all mine."
There was dead silence in the throne room, a silence that was quickly broken by a loud roar from Artemis.
"WHAT! What were those old hags thinking! Me and Percy!?" Artemis yelled, looking outraged. "They're out of their minds! No, they've lost them! How could they possibly devise such a stupid, ridiculous, and obviously idiotic plan? As if I could ever fall in love, let alone have a child with a male! Percy or not, that's never going to happen!"
"I will admit it's a little out there..." Hestia started, tentative, ignoring the glare Artemis was sending. "But I don't think it's that ridiculous. You two wouldn't be that bad together."
"I've been saying that for years, and she still won't believe me," Aphrodite said in agreement.
"What!" Percy laughed at the so-called quest. "That's absurd. I'm glad you made the choice you did. Somehow I just can't see myself and Artemis that way."
"Good. I'd rather you didn't, as you've just proposed... By the way, what do you think of the name Chiara?" Catie asked, placing both of their hands on her stomach. "I've been thinking of names all day, and that one's kind of stuck in my head."
"Isn't that the name of one of the demigods in camp?" Apollo asked, the name vaguely familiar to his mind.
"Nah, you must be thinking of Chelsea." Dionysus shook his head.
"I think it's a beautiful name... What if it's a boy, though?"
"It's a girl."
"But how do-"
"It's a girl."
"Okay." Percy chuckled.
"...If it's not, we're having another. Well, no, we're having another kid, no matter what. I want at least six. But still the thought of having a little girl with your eyes is adorable... You know what, on second thought, a little you running around would be just as good. Oh, he'd be so cute! A second cutie to the family!"
[Do you choose this future?]
"Wait, that's it?" Poseidon frowned as the screen darkened and the question appeared on the screen. "That's disappointing. I would have liked to see Percy's child."
"Same." Artemis nodded, having calmed down since the reveal of fate's plan for her and the son of Poseidon.
"Enough chatter. I assume we're all in agreement about not choosing this future?" Athena asked, eyes narrowing at everyone in the room. Daring someone to say otherwise.
"Yup." Apollo nodded, with everyone else following soon after.
"...They would be cute, though," Aphrodite said after everyone agreed, and the choice vanished from the screen.
Giving Aphrodite another annoyed look, Athena pulled her attention away from the other goddess. Though privately in her mind, although she'd never say it aloud. Athena agreed. Tyche was a good match with Jackson. But compared to her daughter, there was no comparison. No one was splitting those two apart unless her daughter wished it... An impossibility she was reminded of every time she visited.
IIIII
Note: This was a little random, and I didn't plan on using Tyche until halfway through the chapter. But I like it. Anyway, I have a short list prepared for other worlds with Percy. However, ideas are always welcome!