AN: Just to clear up all your doubts, I haven't read ToA. There will be no major spoilers in the book, I've just set the time.
Time: A year after Orion's Massacre
Percy plopped down on the log beside Artemis, snaking his hand around her shoulders, and held her close to his chest. The auburn-haired goddess sighed softly, leaning into his chest, in her eighteen-year-old body.
On his other side, Thalia snuggled into him, hugging his arm tightly.
Annabeth sat at his feet, resting her back against the log, and draping his legs around her petite frame.
Percy whined playfully about being trapped, but was promptly ignored.
Artemis was listless, reflecting the mood of her Hunters. Her auburn hair had assumed a silver tint in the dull moonlight, making her look like the goddess she was. Her eyes stared into the dancing flames of the campfire, reflecting the orange light in her silver irises. She had a sad, depressed air about her, and had the beginning of bags under her eyes. Her hair was slightly knotted, and her uniform was not as impeccable as it usually was. The bright silver had turned dull, the silver dagger she used to roast marshmallows was not as sharp as before.
Thalia was dressed in her usual goth style, her flowing, silky black hair cascading down in a soft waterfall down her back. Her eyes were closed as she basked in Percy's warmth, her soft pink lips parted as she let out soft breaths, almost on the brink of falling asleep. She was wearing a silver-studded black leather jacket, combat boots, and ripped black jeans that allowed Percy to catch a glimpse of the smooth pale skin of her toned legs. An elegant black choker sat snugly around her neck, and did not seem to bother the girl in the slightest as she dozed.
Annabeth was dressed plainly in a standard-issue Camp Half-Blood t-shirt and shorts. Her luscious blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail as she absentmindedly played with her necklace of Camp beads. She stared into the flickering fire, for once not being able to pay attention to the book that lay open in her lap, apparently forgotten. Percy's bare legs were draped over her shoulders, his ankles resting on her soft thighs as she unconsciously massaged his bare feet slowly. Percy could not see her eyes, but he knew that her grey eyes were sharp and perceptive as always, providing him with an insight into her brilliant mind that processed stuff at superhuman speeds.
Artemis suddenly shifted, pulling his arm closer around her shoulders as she leaned closer to him, hiding her face in his broad, clothed chest. Percy could tell she was trying not to cry. Trying to be strong for them. For her Hunters.
His hand weaved through her soft hair, laying comfortingly on the back of her head, soothing her as he massaged her scalp. He applied slight pressure, encouraging her to let loose all her thoughts to him. He basked in the loving warmth the three girls exuded.
Annabeth hugged his legs closer to her body, shivering slightly from the cold, despite the fire that was barely feet away from where she was sprawled.
The sky was dark, the innumerable stars twinkling like always. The moon, a waxing crescent, glowed a dull yellow, which did not do much to illuminate the dark forest around them. The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, all the unknown critters making chirping noises. An owl flitted through the branches overhead, emitting a soft hoot as it went. The wind rustled the leaves of the coniferous trees, making the looming pines whisper as they waved their leafy arms. A soft shower of dry leaves drifted down to the forest floor with a gentle rustle.
The Hunters, once the mightiest regiment of the Olympian armies, now sat a pitiful bunch of disorganized warriors around a dying campfire in the middle of nowhere. Their ranks had been thinned from over forty to only seven, excluding Thalia and Artemis. And of the seven, only Phoebe and Atalanta were left over from the ancient times. Of the others, only three were well trained, and two had been accepted just before the second Giant War.
They sat on logs around the dying campfire, wallowing in self-pity as they roasted marshmallows. Once proud, their will had been broken by the loss of their sisters, and now they were no better than the average demigod. Some had dried tear tracks on their beautiful faces, and all their uniforms were askew, improperly maintained and dirty. The roasting of marshmallows had none of the fun it did- there was no singing, no catapulting molten sugar at others. It was done only as a mere tradition. The tension, regret and sadness in the air was so palpable it could be cut with a knife.
Ruby, a daughter of Aphrodite recently recruited, was the first to break. She flung down her stick, and flipped her luscious cherry blonde hair over her shoulder in an attempt to appear confident, but in vain. Still looking as miserable as ever, the gorgeous daughter of Aphrodite trudged over to her tent, depressed, not having spoken one word the entire depressive evening.
Percy's eyes followed her each and every movement, fixating on her perfect ass as it swayed enticingly, showing off her love genes.
He assumed that man-hating was not the only criteria for being a Hunter. An unsaid criterion was left- each Hunter Percy had ever seen, from Zoë to Artemis to Thalia, was drop-dead gorgeous. It was not surprising that so many males lusted after them.
Percy was jolted out of his thoughts when Annabeth nuzzled his crotch affectionately. Damn, she had detected his stirring member. Sending a sultry smirk his way, the blonde leaned further into his groin, placing soft kisses along his clothed thighs. "Master..." she moaned softly, so that she did not disturb anybody. "Did you see anything that you like?" She teased.
Percy checked to see if Artemis or Thalia was stirring, and sure that they were both asleep, he leaned down, blowing into her ear, and making Annabeth shiver in delight and aroused anticipation. "Yes, yes I do. The whore I want is currently between my legs. And she will be taking thirteen inches up her ass tonight as punishment. Against the tree behind Artemis' tent."
Percy smirked at the dazed look that crossed Annabeth's face. Slight drool escaped her perfect lips as she fantasized about being caught by Artemis... and many more things. Her calculating grey eyes glazed over in lust as the brilliant daughter of Athena became a mindless blonde bimbo, a side of her that only Percy saw or was allowed to see.
"You are nothing but a cum-starved nympho, you know that?"
"Yes, master. I'm your cumdump..."
Whatever she was going to say was cut off next as Artemis stirred, making Percy jerk back abruptly.
He shook Artemis and Thalia awake gently to wake them up.
Percy looked up at the night sky as they stirred, yawning cutely as they rubbed their tired, sleepy eyes. The two girls stretched to get the kinks out of their tired bodies, showing off their natural flexibility, and revealing their bare sides. Percy's hands twitched as he tried not to tickle them, and he managed, though only barely. Instead, he lovingly ruffled their hair.
"Come on, sleepyheads," he called, "Ruby has already gone off to her tent. Now off you go!" He clapped his hands, childishly adding, "Choo choo!"
Thalia smacked his shoulder. "Shut up, Jackson. Act your age." Though she could not resist the smile tugging at her lips as Percy pouted.
The son of Poseidon stood up, much to Annabeth's complaint, as she was forced to shut the book she was 'reading', and stand up with him. He pulled Artemis and Thalia up with him, hugging the three girls tightly to his chest in a bear hug.
Annabeth laughed, a lovely tinkling sound that always made Percy's heart race. "Let go, Percy, I can't breathe!" It came out muffled.
"Goodnight, Percy." Artemis hugged him, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Her lips lingered for a moment on his skin, her warm, soft hand caressing his other cheek. All too soon, her warmth was gone, as the moon goddess trudged back to her tent, dragging her feet tiredly.
"Goodnight, Jackson." Thalia tried to sound rude and uncaring, but failed miserably as she leaned up to place a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth, dangerously close to his lips. Percy tried to burn the memory of her soft lips into his mind, but she was gone, too, without a word, a slight blush on her cheeks.
All the Hunters took their turn to hug the only acceptable male on the planet, kiss his cheek, and wish him goodnight. Percy reciprocated each one with the same childish eagerness that made them laugh.
Once Annabeth and Percy were alone in the clearing, she gave him a knowing smile as she squeezed his hand.
Percy squeezed her hand back, glaring at her. "Not a word." He hissed, to which Annabeth just shrugged.
Percy's eyes narrowed, before he grabbed her book from her hand, flinging it carelessly into their tent. Annabeth protested, trying to reach out for the book, but was restrained by Percy, who slammed her into a tree, effortlessly holding her up with only a knee between her legs.
The daughter of Athena yelped, but was immediately silenced by the predatory look in Percy's eyes. She felt her panties soak as he growled possessively, his superior form dominating her petite body.
His lips met hers in a rough, hungry kiss as his hands tore at her clothes, making Annabeth moan wantonly as she was ravaged in the open, in clear sight of any Hunter that decided to take a midnight walk.
The only resistance she offered was to wrap her slim, strong arms around Percy's neck, burying his face into her chest.
Time: A few days later
Percy knocked on the wooden door, stepping back to stand beside Annabeth as the two waited for the door to be opened. Unconsciously, his hand sought out the daughter of Athena's, squeezing it as he stood.
Soft smiles grew on their faces as they waited.
The night was relatively calm, the moon was shining brightly in the cloudless sky. A few stars were visible, most gone due to the pollution in the city. There was no breeze, just the occasional burst of hot air coming in from the open windows in the corridor. Outside, on the street below, several cars honked and sped by, leaving great clouds of smoke and dust, their drivers in a great hurry. Humanity sped by, a rat race of millions, not sparing a moment to care for the fallen.
The apartment building they were in, had a cosy and homely feel to it. The building was not for the affluent- there was paint and plaster peeling off the walls, and the rotting floorboards creaking, still, it was clean. Vases of fragrant flowers were potted at every few feet, and there were small plants on every windowsill. The rest of the building was silent, most of the residents being outside, but through the door that our two demigods stood in front of, there wafted a birthday song, it's words slightly blurred.
The song stopped abruptly as the knock reverberated through the small, mostly silent, corridor.
It was followed by a great rush as all the inhabitants fought to get the door, before a woman's soft voice called out. "Back! Back all of you!" She laughed, "Robert, help me out here!"
A man, Percy assumed he was Robert, called out, "At once, love! Now, get back, all of you." There were a few weak protests, and a scuffling of feet, before everything fell silent once again.
The door opened, revealing a middle-aged woman. She was of average height, her soft brown hair falling in gentle curls over her shoulder. Her face was undoubtedly beautiful, and there were smile wrinkles around her eyes. Her lips were curled up in a beautiful, natural smile directed towards the door, her dark eyes dancing with joy and happiness. She was wearing a simple apron, smeared with pink cream, stretched over her heavily pregnant belly.
Her expression flipped one eighty degrees as she beheld Percy. She stumbled over her own feet, stuttering, "Po-Poseidon?"
Percy's lips had curled up of their own accord seeing this loving mother. "No, Ma'am, may we come in?"
The woman stuttered, "Of-of course! Oh, forgive my manners! Amanda Hill, at your service!" She opened the door, letting Percy and Annabeth step in. "Of course, welcome to our humble home!"
Percy had to stoop low to enter through the door, his six foot five frame not allowing him easy entry.
The demigod, looking, for all purposes like a hot, regal Greek god, stood in front of the doorway, towering over everything else in the room. Annabeth shut the door behind her, her other hand never leaving his.
The occupants of the room looked up at Amanda and the two occupants, the perfect picture of a happy family. Percy's heart broke at the thought that he would have to tear them apart. Damn the gods to the deepest pits of Tartarus!
Robert was a middle-aged man, tall and slightly muscular, with dirty blonde hair and a bushy beard. His hazel eyes stared up at them with distrust. A blue party hat sat askew on his head. Two identical girls, twins, twelve years, stared up at Percy with a slight blush on their cheeks. Their perfectly tanned skin, sea-green eyes, told of their Poseidon heritage. They were sitting on the ground around a low lying table, on which there was a homemade strawberry cake with several blue candles.
But the curveball? Sitting beside Robert on the couch, trying to hide herself, ogling Percy without shame, was another girl of the same age, with the most startling, and familiar, electric blue eyes.
Percy almost stumbled and fell, if it had not been for Annabeth catching him. His jaw hung loose, his brain not being able to comprehend what he was seeing.
Seeing his expression, Robert stood protectively in front of the daughter of Zeus. "Who are you? Why are you here?"
Percy tried to compose himself, but could not. Wordlessly pointing towards Annabeth, he collapsed on the floor, which, thankfully, did not give.
Annabeth sighed, gesturing towards an empty chair beside the table. "May I sit?"
Robert nodded, still eyeing Percy with distrust.
Annabeth sat down gently on the chair, trying not to freak the family out more than Percy had already had.
"We are sorry to interrupt your party, but we are here on really important business. Do they know?" She asked, staring Amanda in the eye. "And what about her?"
"No, if you are who I think you are." Amanda shook her head. Then, stealing a quick glance at the daughter of Zeus, she mouthed, 'Adopted'.
Annabeth composed herself, opening her mouth to say something, gently easing them up, but of course, Percy had to speak up without thinking. "Who are you?"
She stole a glance at the protective father, and forced to urge to slam her head into the wall when she noticed him about to blow up.
"You think you can just enter my house, threaten my family, gawk at my daughter, and now-"
Thankfully, he was cut off by Amanda. "The twins are Rose and Violet, and that is little Neveah."
"Neo." The girl finally spoke up.
Annabeth sighed. "I am sorry, Mr. Hill. Percy did not mean to be rude. He just talks without thinking." Ignoring the 'hey' in the background.
"As I am sure your wife would agree, we are here on important business. Your three daughters need to go-"
"What do you mean?!" The man interrupted her.
"-with us." Annabeth continued as if she had not been interrupted. "Their fathers have called for them."
"Their fathers are dead!" He cried out.
"Their fathers are very much alive." Annabeth ignored the laughter from the twins at some silly thing that Percy said. "Their fathers are gods."
Robert just stared at her, and then looked back at Amanda. To his dismay, she gave a slight nod.
Annabeth dropped the metaphorical bombshell. "The Greek myths are all real." She waited for a moment, but when nothing came, she continued. "Rose, Violet, and Neo are demigods, children of a god and a mortal like yourself."
Percy spoke up, finally serious. "It is a matter of life and death, you have to understand, Mr. Hill. I hope you will ignore my previous words, but believe me when I say that I have no idea how they survived so long without supervision. This is no laughing matter, and it cannot stretch indefinitely. They need to learn how to defend themselves, and come to the world where they belong. The world of gods."
"Who-who are you?" Robert stuttered, not fully comprehending what he was being told. The three twelve-year-olds mirrored his sceptical expression.
Percy cocked a grin. "I am Percy Jackson, General of the Olympian Armies, Demigod Son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, Earthshaker, Stormbringer, and Father of horses-"
"-forgive his theatrics. And I am this goof's girlfriend, Annabeth Chase. I am a daughter of Athena." She spoke with a slight tilt of her head. "I assume you three have ADHD and dyslexia?"
Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "Your ADHD is not because of a lack of attention. Its because you notice too much- that's your battlefield reflexes keeping you alive- we are all warriors. And your dyslexia is because your mind is hardwired for Ancient Greek, not modern English."
Everyone but Percy, Annabeth and Amanda were doing great impressions of goldfish by that point.
Speaking of goldfish, Percy spoke up. "Rose and Violet are twin daughters of Poseidon, making them my little half-sisters." He ruffled their hair playfully, but received no reaction from the shocked girls. "And Neo is a daughter of Zeus, king of the gods."
He then devolved in a fit of giggling, imagining Thalia's face as she stared at a twelve-year-old version of herself.
Oh, wait... Thalia saw a twelve-year version of herself every time she went to a coniferous forest...
Only Percy ever found that particular joke funny.
Even Grover had grown out of that one.
"The world has gone barmy. You are all insane." So, Robert was in denial.
"No, Robert, they are speaking the truth." Amanda finally spoke up, affirming their words. "The girls need to go with them. For their own safety."
AN: Just a few Percabeth scenes, because as you saw, she died last chapter.Keep calm and CR7!! Keep calm and LM10!! (Messi)