Percy Jackson
Ensuring that she minded her manners, Percy allowed Thalia to speak to his two guests. Circe, to no one's surprise, was less than helpful but it seemed as if Khione at least put in a good-faith effort to tell Thalia what she knew which granted wasn't much.
Before long though he found himself sparing with Annabeth. The daughter of Athena seemingly had lost none of her considerable potency and though Percy was pleased to find that he still had a distinctive edge on her in both skill and physical strength he still found her to be a formidable advisory in her own right. As Thalia sat on a weight bench and watched, he and Annabeth danced back and forth. Armed with blade and shield, they exchanged slashes and stabs while trying to outmaneuver the other. Percy liked to think that they were almost dancing. Not so much the blows, but the footwork, forcing them into slow circles as they maintained the contact. As they fought, he was aware of not only Thalia, but also Silena, Juniper, and Khione were watching.
With the audience in mind, Percy toned down in the aggressiveness while tuning up the flashiness of his moves. It was a mistake, as it turned out. The moment Annabeth realized he had started to fuck around, she let him find out.
Finding out meant that during a flashy slash, Annabeth swept in without any warning, kicking his legs out clean from under him and a moment later, as Riptide skidded from his grasp he found his left leg in a submission hold. While he was sure Annabeth would die for him, he was not surprised when she promptly forced the matter. He knew the daughter of Athena well enough to be certain that if the roles were reversed, Annabeth would tell him to break her leg without batting an eyelash. She would not be caught dead tapping out, ever. Only tickling could get her to do that.
With that in mind, and not wishing to find out how strong his godly joints and bones were, Percy did just the moment he realized she had him good.
For better or worse, the intended audience seemed entertained, with Thalia even grinning from ear to ear and even Khione cracking a frosty smile. Annabeth promptly released his leg and jumped to her feet. "Now you know who's in charge, go make me a sandwich boy!" Annabeth chanted, raising her sword to the sky in a victorious pose.
Taking the loss with grace but making a mental note to arrange some sort of payback down the line. "Um yeah, fair enough. Juniper, please go make a sandwich for Annabeth."
"Yes, Percy," Juniper promptly replied and hurried off.
"Hey!" Annabeth complained as her victorious grin faded. "That's cheating!"
Percy stuck his tongue out and picked up his sword as Thalia burst out into loud and boisterous laughter. "You walked into that one," Thalia wheezed, pointing at them. "By the gods, the two of you are a fucking mess Going to Tartarus? Harems? Physical combat? Netflix couldn't come up with shit like this!"
Soon Juniper came back with her Sandwich which Annabeth grudgingly accepted. Once they had showed Thalia out Annabeth stretched out her arms and yawned deeply. "Gotta go to a fucking construction site. Really don't want to, its so cold."
"Then just stay here," Percy suggested. "And be warm,...and pretty."
"What? Like a trophy architect?" Annabeth accused jokingly, grinning. "You just want to keep me in the house."
"Technically you are," Percy replied. "Not that you wouldn't make a great housewife."
Annabeth snorted, "That will be the day, Seaweed Brain?"
"Think about it," Percy joked. "You can wear pretty dresses, put on makeup, and bring me beer when I watch the Yankees play with the boys."
Annabeth gasped in mock outrage and was likely coming up with what would have been a pretty impressive comeback when Silena approached.
"While this is all very sweet I must cut in," Silena suddenly cut in.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow while Percy only stared at her expectantly.
"Is it possible that I steal Blackjack and pop by my fathers and then maybe camp. Haven't seen him in a while..."
"You do you," Percy replied promptly and earned himself one of Silena's quite breathtaking smiles. "You sure you want to fly in this weather though?" Percy added. "Mrs. O'Leary might actually be the more comfortable."
Silena scowled but then sighed. "You are probably right."
"I, as your master, am always right," Percy replied jokingly. "Do give your father my best."
Silena smiled sweetly. "I will."
Annabeth looked after her shaking her head slightly. "What did the two of you do last night?" she asked.
"A gentleman does not comment on such things," Percy replied smoothly and pulled the daughter of Athena closer to kiss her on the temple. Silena only rolled her eyes.
"I just remembered something," Percy announced and told Annabeth about the prayer he had gotten from Piper last night.
"We were studying around that time," Annabeth admitted. "Sure she wasn't fucking with you?"
"I doubt it, looks , sounded like she wanted to make out with you right there and then," Percy reasoned.
"I guess I'm flattered then," Annabeth said. "Hope it doesn't make us being roommates an issue though."
Percy hesitated for a moment. "You know, I'd be cool with you and Piper making out."
Annabeth pulled away and looked up at him incredulously. "You kidding?" she asked, her cheeks flaring up bright red which quite frankly Percy did not understand considering that three-way with Silena.
"Nah, you and Piper doing the kissing thing would be kinda hot..."
Then after a moment, Percy added. "Speaking from experience here, everyone should have a daughter of Aphrodite on retainer."
Annabeth laughed and Silena cleared her voice.
"In that note, I think will leave. See you this evening," Silena announced. After kissing Percy's cheek and giving Annabeth a quick hug she whistled and Mrs. O'Leary came bounding over.
After Silena departed into the shadows Percy stood there alone with Annabeth. "I really didn't notice," Annabeth mused to herself.
They noticed Juniper watching them from the courtyard where she was shoveling snow. "You, me, date night with a happy end?" Percy asked.
"Would love to, but Piper still needs help studying," Annabeth explained. "And I can't now, actually already running late. I'm supposed to be on a construction site." Percy sighed dramatically.
"Out of curiosity, you haven't actually done anything with Juniper?" Annabeth asked her eyes on the dainty four-foot-ten dryad.
"No," Percy replied.
"You know she has the hots for you?" Annabeth asked. "I get you not touching her before we opened things up but now it is and she's really cute and I know for a fact that Juniper has the hots for you."
Percy shrugged. "She's Groover's ex," Percy explained awkwardly.
"She's also one of your ladies, and don't know. Leaving her out while you rail Silena on the side. Sure, it is your choice but you did take her in knowing she wants you."
Percy stared out at her. "Are you trying to get me to fuck her or something?" Percy whispered.
Annabeth shrugged. "Dunno, it just looks like you are playing favorites. I get Circe and Khione, they don't want to be here. But Juniper, ...it could be taken as you not don't want her around?"
"I don't really," Percy admitted. "She pressured me into it. I know Juniper is pretty but it just feels weird."
"Well, Juniper is the one mopping your floors or bringing me Sandwiches while Silena gets the other side of the deal. And let's face it, these days Silena isn't really working herself to death."
"Fine, I'll think of something," Percy replied, asking himself why he was complaining about sleeping with what admittedly was probably most nerds dream girl, with her pointed ears and submissive personality.
"Good boy," Annabeth replied and then glanced back at him mischievously. "Doesn't have to be sex, but just keep that in mind to include her. Juniper is stuck here long term. And while that certainly is her own fault we don't need to be dicks about it."
With a heavy heart, Percy watched Annabeth walk away not too much later. When he headed back into the house he found Khione waiting for him. She leaned against the wall, loosely holding what looked like some romance novel in her hand, and looked at him expectantly.
"Now that Silena is gone, do you wish me to retire to my cell?" she asked.
"You can stay up here," Percy replied. "I trust you won't cause any trouble."
Khione lips curled into her trademark cool smile and slowly tapped her collar. "Even if I was willing to try, I am doubtful the consequences would be worth any gains made."
"If that is what keeps the peace," Percy replied evenly and spread his hands.
"The peace," Khione echoed as if the choice of words amused her. She turned around and proceeded back to the lounge where she had been seated, her feet bare on what was probably a rather cold floor.
With a sigh, Percy headed downstairs and checked on Circe. The sorceress in her orange camp half-blood shirt was as ill-tempered and bored as ever. As seemingly always the sorceress lay on he cot, staring at the ceiling. She did not bother looking over at him.
"You doing alright?" Percy asked.
She ignored him.
"You know, your behavior isn't helping your case," Percy offered helpfully.
Finally Circe glared over at him.
"Progress!" Percy thought to himself. She was now at least reacting to him.
"So all you do is stare at the ceiling?" Percy asked.
"If you like I can bring you something to entertain yourself? Books? A movie?"
Circe snorted derisively. "I have explored the arcane arts for millennia, delved into mysteries your little brain could not even hope to fathom. Do you think I would care for some novel? I am not some snow goddess that will spread her legs for some cheap comfort and distraction."
"I will take that as a no," Percy replied dryly. He did not bother to correct Circe on the Khione matter. Not that he would say it out loud but Circe struck him as quite underfucked. A healthy long overdue railing would probably improve her outlook on life. He did not voice that thought either.
Thinking to himself that he needed to find a viable long-term solution for Circe he left the sorceress to her own devices and returned upstairs with half a thought to maybe seek out Apollo when he noticed that at some point someone had turned the pool's thermostat up. The snow-covered inner courtyard was filled with thin vapor and the water had returned to a liquid state.
When Khione came into view Percy froze in his tracks. The goddess had disrobed and was now descending the
steps into the water. Her skin was as pale as the snow around her. She had curves and a nice ass though lacked Annabeth's or even Silena's muscle tonus. Her pail breasts were larger than Annabeth's, not that that was hard, and from where he was standing looked quite aesthetically pleasing. Though arguably she was a goddess so that is to be expected.
The moment lasted for only a moment before it was over and the goddess had fully submerged fully in the water before her head bobbed up through the surface again.
Percy tore his gaze away and spotted Juniper sitting at the lounge, listlessly flicking through the TV channels while wrapped in a thick blanket. His previous conversation with Annabeth and Silena came to his mind. It wasn't easy to see Juniper as anything other than his mate's ex. An ex that for some reason strong-armed herself into becoming his servant. Arguably she was cute,... very cute, despite lacking Silena's curves. Especially with her very short stature, petite build, and pointed ears. Not that elf girls were a particular kink for Percy, though he put it down as an overall plus simply because to him it was something of a novelty and it gave her already angular features and cut jawline a fine finishing touch.
When he sat down next to her Juniper's bright green eyes flicked over at him. "Percy," she greeted him, shivering slightly and wrapping the blanket around her even tighter if that was at all possible.
"We haven't really talked in a bit, you doing alright?" he asked.
"Winter wasn't this cold in Camp Half-Blood," she complained.
Percy grinned apologetically, "Well, we are on a mountain over New York City in the middle of winter. It's seventy degrees in here..., can't be that bad."
She looked at him mournfully, clearly just like Silena and to some extent Annabeth, Juniper considered the overall temperature to leave much to be desired for. "I can turn up the thermostat," Percy offered.
"That would be very nice!" she replied, her tiny little feet disappearing under the blanket as she pulled her knees to her chest.
Juniper glared over at the pool. "Must be nice not getting cold," she growled under her breath.
"It really isn't that bad," Percy assured her. "Weren't you fine earlier?"
The look that Juniper gave him offered a pretty good idea how dire she considered the temperature situation. Percy got up with a sigh and turned up the thermostat a few notches before returning to the couch. "It'll get warmer soon," Percy promised her.
"Thanks," she replied and offered him a small smile and held up one side of the blanket for him to join her under. For a moment Percy was once again reminded of the conversation he has just had with Annabeth and Silena, and then pondered whether Juniper was inviting him for his benefit or if she was trying to leach off his warmth.
After a moment of hesitation, he did join her and sure enough, he felt her scoot up against him. There was nothing sexual about it, more a purely utilitarian stealing of warmth. That much was confirmed when he felt Juniper's feet pushing up against his legs. Then, he had firmly set boundaries when Juniper had first moved in.
They watched the show for a while, though what it was, and what happened in it Percy could not recall later. How had he ended up in a reality where his girlfriend reminded him not to exclude members of his harem. He was just pondering how best to approach the topic without it feeling awkward. It had been so easy with Silena, she had literally led him to bed. And Annabeth, it was now obvious that she too had first set the stage.
What was the protocol of approaching a girl you had previously told to put some clothes on after she pranced around naked in front of you.
He was spared from making a decision just then when the door slid open and Khione stepped in. The goddess had already wrapped a towel around her waist and torso, though her long legs and enticing curves were still very much on display.
"I thought you'd be downstairs longer with Circe," Khione remarked almost casually and sounded quite at ease.
"No, just checked in on her," Percy replied.
"I hope you do not mind me taking advantage of the pool," Khione asked.
"You live here too, by all means," Percy assured her.
"Juniper, this might not be an ancient fjord but it would still not be the same pleasure if the resident dryad didn't join me," Khione offered. "Unless you have need of her, Lord Perseus."
"No, by all means, " Percy assured both of them.
"The water is warm, but everything else is cold!" Juniper complained.
"Would you join me, Perseus?" Khione asked.
Being invited to a swim by a beautiful goddess, it was tempting. But he knew if he got stuck here, he wouldn't get anything done for the rest of the day. "Sadly, I have things to do," Percy replied.
"Very well," she replied, not sounding too worried. "And if I leave, I'll need to escort you back downstairs."
Percy left Juniper without addressing any possible changes in he duty roster and headed out into the gently falling snow.
By chance, he found Annabeth's construction site. She was wearing an orange contraction site helmet and arguing with a Cyclops over what was probably some schematics while a bunch of other Cyclopes was working on what looked like a strange blend between an ancient Greek temple and mansion.
He did not bother her. Just as he began to make his to Apollo's residence though a familiar voice rang out in his head. "Ahm hi," his mother's voice rang out in his head. "Not sure if this is how this is supposed to work but I think I am in labor...Paul isn't here so could you and Annabeth maybe come by or something? Anyway thanks..."
Percy promptly turned around and ran back the thousand feet or so to Annabeth's construction site, drawing a few stares as he went. When he jumped over the fence Annabeth and the work crew looked at him as if he had gone insane.
"Mom just sent a message, she thinks she is in labor or something. You me, go now!" Percy panted.
Annabeth's expression changed from incredulity to concern. Showing off her habit of already planning a few steps ahead she raised to fingers to her lips and whistled sharply.
"Sorry guys, got to go. Family emergency," she yelled over at the workers. "Hold of on assembling the cross beams. I'll need to get some stats on that bronze. The ones I worked with had a lower carbon rate so this is gonna be softer, especially if it gets warm!"
"We can't continue until we install them," the leader announced gruffly.
Annabeth shrugged helplessly. "I understand that Pesomair, not my fault they send us the wrong fucking girders. You guys have off for the day until I can sort this out. Good on you for spotting it."
The Cyclops growled something about knowing his metals, which he clearly did.
As if waiting for a summons Blackjack swooped in between the rooftops and landed a few feet away from them. They mounted up as Percy hastily explained the situation and moments later Blackjack leaped into the snowy sky and then drove down towards the city.
When they knocked on the front door not even ten minutes later Sally looked surprisingly calm and put together. "Hey, baby! Annabeth! Thanks for making the time," she greeted them, clutching her stomach.
"Of course, Sally!" Annabeth replied immediately.
"Did you call the midwife already?" Annabeth asked.
"I couldn't fucking find one this short notice, at least not one my insurance would cover!" Sally complained.
"Mom!" Percy complained indignantly. "Language! Maybe you shouldn't be spending this much time with Annabeth!"
Sally actually laughed. "You think I got those words from Annabeth? You should have heard me when I had you."
"So? No midwife? What does that mean?" Percy asked uncertainly. Truth be told Percy had no experience or insight into the topic whatsoever, which was Ironic, he had to admit, because he had a harem and should really be ready for this kind of shit.
That steely cold settled into Annabeth's eyes that she always got when she committed herself to some fight, the outcome of which she considered doubtful at best. The daughter of Athena squared her shoulders and rolled up her sleeves. "Watched a few YouTube tutorials, I got this!"
"Sweetie, I love you like a daughter but just no, just get me to a hospital or something," she replied and then doubled over when what Percy assumed was a contraction or something hit her.
Percy held her upright by her arm, feeling rather useless. He exchanged a glance with Annabeth. Now that her initial bravado had been blunted, she was at a loss too.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door behind him.
"Who the fuck!" Annabeth cursed and opened it and found herself face to face with an auburn-haired girl in winter camo clothing and a bow strung across her back.
"Artemis?" Percy asked incredulously.
The silver-eyed goddess glowered up at him. "Thalia mentioned something about your mother not having a midwife?" she asked brushing right past Percy and Annabeth and approaching his mother.
"Lady Artemis," Sally asked, for once just as taken aback as he was.
"Goddess of childbirth, remember?" Artemis asked pointedly.
Sally looked doubtfully at the goddess, still in the form of a twelve-year-old girl. Finally, Artemis sighed, rolled her eyes, and snapped her fingers. In a matter of moments she aged a full one and a half decades and her hunting outfit was replaced by a set of glowing silvery and gray scrubs complete with three pens in her chest pocket, a fanny pack, and a clipboard with a collection of documents.
"I think this will work,..." his mother replied.
Artemis cracked a smile. "Now that this is settled I can tell you it isn't time yet. Your water hasn't even broken," Artemis replied.
Sally sighed in relief and dropped down on a chair. "You have my gratitude, Lady Artemis," Sally panted. "How could I ever repay you?"
Artemis winked. "Next time you make those cookies from last time, just chuck a platter into the fire."
"I will," Sally assured her.
"Now, I took the liberty to set up a care plan. I recall you have a history of preeclampsia in the family?" Artemis inquired calmly.
"How-?" his mother began to ask.
"My brother is the god of medicine," Artemis explained smoothly and smiled.
When Paul stormed into the living room, red-faced, and out of breath he found Artemis and his significant other merrily chatting away, with Annabeth and Percy sitting on the two-seat sofa looking somewhat deflated. After hyping themselves up for emotional excitement on the way down, this anticlimactic ending felt somewhat empty.
And as Sally and Artemis chatted away, with his mother having a hand resting on her stomach, about some program Artemis had set up for his mother Annabeth kept shooting these strange looks at him that made him fidgety.
"The baby?" he asked breathlessly.
"It's fine Paul," Sally assured him.
"Who is this," Paul asked, glancing at Artemis.
"I am the new midwife," Artemis explained and winked at Sally. "My name is Selene Kynigos, it is my pleasure to meet you."
The goddess rose and held out her hand. With a flash of silver light, an ID badge appeared in her hand.
"Selene Kynigos," he asked, his brow furrowed. "You were here with that Thalia girl a while ago, but you looked a lot younger." Then he turned pale. "Lady Artemis! Forgive my manners," he apologized after recognizing the goddess for who she was.
Artemis glanced back at Sally. "A perceptive one, isn't he?"
"He has his moments," Sally agreed innocently.
"I am the new midwife," Artemis explained, looking rather pleased with herself. "Goddess of childbirth and all. I have been doing this on and off for a few thousand years."
"So everything is alright?" he asked.
"It is," Sally confirmed gently and even Artemis cracked a smile. "False alert."
Percy's former teacher dropped down into the armchair with a deep sigh of relief.
"Are you okay, Paul?" Annabeth asked.
"Almost died twice on the way here," he explained. "The semiannual teacher's conference was a bust anyway, city cut half our budget so we are going to have to cut a community outreach program. After another look around Paul rose back to his feet. "Does anyone want tea?"
When they shook their heads Paul headed off into the kitchen.
Apparently, during editing, I overwrote the last chapter in a whoopsie. This is the less edited version, hope I can get to it in a night shift. Do leave reviews, hope you enjoy it.
With Regards
Henry Locker over and out