Chapter Five -The Girls…and Guys-

Hector despite being new had solidified his reputation in a mere few hours at Camp Half-Blood. His name was passed around the camp quickly due to that absolutely unreal jam on the backboard, in fact it was so impressive it cracked the backboard. Hector checked his watch as the sun began to set, it was now 8 PM. He'd been quite busy playing basketball the entire day and talking to the crowd that the day itself had passed without notice. But now it was time for him to relax, the campfire songs and marshmallows wouldn't start for another hour.

He laid on the wooden bench next to the court as the lights turned off one by one.

"Pretty exciting isn't it?" Laura's voice came from behind the bench.

Hector moved his head to look upwards and saw Laura gazing down at him with a smile.

"Yeah," Hector grinned. "Camp isn't so bad…do you think the world is like this?"

"Unfortunately not everyone is," Laura sighed and leaned on the bench. "But it does have a majority of good people."

Hector nodded, "I hope the world stays this way."

"Me too." Laura smiled.

Then the last light shut off, "I'll see you at the campfire Hector."

"Later." He sat up.

'She was cute,' He thought. 'For us God's age isn't dependent on love…unless they're under 14.'

He thought of her and changed his watch to a black rolex like her eyes. Just for a reminder of who she is when he makes the decision. Then he stood and walked over to the vineyard which wasn't more than 10 feet away from the court.

"Lovely plants." He mused as he swayed with them in the wind. The grapevines were delicious smelling as well as satisfying.

"What brings you here?" A male voice spoke aggressively.

"Just enjoying the vines." Hector turned to find a dark tanned boy with black hair and brown eyes.

"Well don't enjoy them so much you eat them," The boy still spoke aggressively. "Otherwise I'll drive you mad."

Hector grinned, he loved people that threatened him because it was attractive.

"Is that so?" Hector stepped forward.

"Damn right." He sneered.

"And you are?" Hector stuck his hands in his hoodie pockets which he'd been wearing all day despite the heat earlier in the day.

"Jaxson Scott," He crossed his arms. "What's it to you?"

Hector smiled, "Nothing just wanted to know your name."

He went down on one knee and tended to a vine that was becoming rather dry, the water bottle he'd stolen from one of the players earlier in his hand. Slowly he monitored how much water he would pour on the vine. Then he stood again and smiled before turning to leave.

"You're different," Jaxson said as Hector walked. "What's your name?"

"If you don't know yet then that's good," Hector smiled. "Enjoy your night Jax."

Jaxson stood there thinking about the tall figure who'd been quite gentle with his vines.

Hector continued out of the vineyard and to the Campfire where people began to gather, he glanced at his watch to find it was 15 minutes past 8.

He found his seat on a log with his back facing the direction he came from.

"Hector!" Will and Nico grinned as they joined him on the right side, filling that side of the log up.

"What's up guys?" Hector smiled.

"Nothing much," Will nudged his arm. "You seem to be pretty popular on your first day."

"I mean who wouldn't if they were a pro at basketball?" Nico laughed.

Hector shrugged, "Dunno about pro but I'm working on it."

The couple nodded and began to get touchy so Hector scooted a bit to the left and waited the last 45 minutes in the awkward space. Finally all the other Logs were filled up with Cabins and Chiron joined the one across from them.

"Campers!" Chiron called and everyone cheered. "Time to roast and boast!"

Everyone smiled and hooted as they brought out their sticks, Hector was the only one who didn't bring one. Even Nico and Will had theirs, they began roasting their supersized marshmallows.

"No stick huh?" A familiar voice and figure came and sat next to him.

"Yeah," Hector sighed then smiled when Jax handed him the stick he'd brought. "You sure?"

Jax nodded, "Feel bad for earlier plus I'm not that hungry."

Then his stomach rumbled, Hector laughed lightly and roasted one of Nico's hand sized marshmallows. After he pointed the roasted marshmallow towards Jax who looked at it and then back at Hector.

"You sure?" Jax frowned.

"Obviously." Hector grinned.

Jax bit it and his mouth was covered in gooey marshmallow while he chewed, this caused him to laugh harder than earlier. Jax wiped his face embarrassed, he hid his face in his hands. Hector looked at Jax's shirt which said, "Got any grapes?" and smiled. Afterwards he removed Jax's hands away and bit the gooey marshmallow leaving his mouth covered in marshmallow as Jax watched.

"Nothing to be embarrassed of," Hector smiled after he swallowed. "I like your shirt by the way."

"Thanks," Jax glanced down at it. "It's really special to me."

Hector nodded and looked at the fire which had turned a beautiful shade of green, the cheers and singing of the campers around him filled his heart with joy. Maybe, just maybe this world does need the Olympians.

"So," Jax smiled and held Hector's hand. "I heard we're the same age superstar."

The two clicked, it had happened to Hector earlier in the vineyard but now they both clicked in sync.

"Yeah," Hector smiled as he hid his face in his right arm. "Don't mind me…I dunno why I'm blushing."

He needed to think quickly, maybe he'd remove the immortality but keep his abilities which the other God's couldn't do. That was exactly what he did, that way his blush wasn't gold but red.

Jax moved Hector's head to face him, he was blushing too. This was the first time Jax had felt this type of way…never in his life had he felt this.

"Nothing to be embarrassed of," Jax smiled. "I like your hoodie by the way."

"Thanks…" Hector held back a smile. "It's somewhat special to me."

A cold wind brushed over the crowd and Jax closed his eyes and shivered, quickly the giant demigod took off his hoodie and offered it to him. Jax opened his eyes and glanced at the hoodie then back at Hector who wore a white shirt and something silver around his neck.

"You sure?" He asked.

"Not that cold plus I got you to keep me warm." Hector smiled.

Jax leaned on the boy after he put on the white hoodie, "Thanks Hecki."

Hector smirked at the name, "No problem Jax."

The night went by quickly as the campfire and its crowd slowly dispersed each hour at a time. Hector and Jax were the last two to leave, Jax had fallen asleep so Hector had to carry the 5,10 boy.

"Oh boy," Hector sighed. "What am I gonna do with you."

He carried the slim boy to Hades cabin where his siblings were already asleep in their bunks, every bunk but his was taken.

"You're lucky I like you." He murmured into Jax's ear and laid him on his bed. He tucked the boy in and smiled as Jax squirmed into a more comfortable position. After he changed into some sweatpants and a long sleeve camp shirt, he slept on the floor.

The next morning was very special in the Hades Cabin, Hector had yet to wake up and Jax was just beginning to. Jax opened his blurry eyes and blinked a few times before finding all the members of Hades Cabin staring at him.

"Where am I?" Jax groaned.

"Hades Cabin," Adaliah grinned. "I'm Adaliah, Hector carried you here after the campfire."

Jax sat up and looked around the room, "Where is he?"

She pointed to the floor where Hector slept facing the opposite direction.

"So who are you to him?" Adaliah plopped herself on the bed and everyone shifted their focus to Hector who yawned and then continued to sleep. After they stared intensely at Jax who looked embarrassed.

"I-I'm his friend?" Jax didn't know what he was to Hector after all the flirtiness last night.

"Bullshit," Adaliah chuckled. "You're wearing his hoodie and he let you sleep in his bed."

Jax glanced down to find himself in Hector's hoodie still which caused his face to turn hot and red.
"So," Adaliah pushed forward. "Are you gay?"

"I'm asexual," Jax looked around the room for his shoes. "Means I'm attracted to any gender."

"So gay in a sense?" Adaliah smiled.

"In a sense," Jax frowned angrily and stood up. "Do you know where my shoes are?"

Alanza Scott stepped forward and held out his gray air forces, "Here you go!"

"I appreciate it," Jax put them on in a hurry, still embarrassed. "I'll see you later!"

He stood up and hurried out the door, not noticing he still had Hector's Hoodie on.

—-

Hector woke up and popped his back on the floor, then he sat up to find the Cabin was busy.

"Morning superstar!" Alanza sat on his bunk and grinned.

"Who are you?" He groaned in pain, being mortal was a pain now since he felt much more reality then he thought he would.

"Alanza Scott," She smiled. "I'm your Malaysian sister!"

"Cool, where's Jax?" Hector glanced around the room.

"He left about an hour ago," Adaliah laid on the bunk next to his picking at her pale skin. "He was mad and embarrassed."

Hector stood up and stretched, "Word, I'll talk to him when I see him."

Adaliah stood up and smiled, "Soooo what's he to you?"

Hector gathered his clothes, today's theme was a white nike compression shirt and some stretchy sweatpants with his space jam 11's.

"I'm going to shower." He grabbed his deodorant and cologne.

After getting ready he hurried off to the day's event, the dueling competition and after lifting competition. He glanced at his Rolex and it was already 10 which means he missed breakfast so he grabbed a coffee from the pavilion and a banana. Then he continued to the range where the first competition was. In it was Percy and Jason, both of them slashing and dodging furiously.

Percy blocked a sideways slash from Jason who then jumped back and flipped his sword into a spear. Jason grinned and threw it at Percy who ran towards him and slid under the spear. Jason jumped upwards as Percy tried to strike at his shins. Then he hurried to retrieve his spear, in which he flipped it again and parried Percy with his golden sword.

"They're both excellent." Hector murmured. "Maybe I won't enter this."

"You should." Reyna stood next to Hector and grinned. "That blade of yours isn't for the weak."

Hector hesitated, "I'll fight once."

Jason was disarmed and he held his hands up in defeat, "Beat me this time."

"Sure did," Percy whistled. "Who's next?"

"I am." Hector raised his hand. "Only one though."

The giant stepped into the ring and unsheathed his blade which drew awes and oos.

"Let's do it!" Percy hurried forward without giving Hector any more conversation.

He struck at Hector who parried the celestial bronze sword, quickly the large figure pulled out a second blade and attempted to swipe at Percy's side. Unfortunately Percy jumped back and grinned at Hector.

"Double wielding," He nodded. "Takes a skilled fighter to do so."

"Enough chit chat," Hector smiled. "I've got a lifting competition to attend."

He dashed forward and struck down on Percy who blocked his blades, the ground below Percy cracked. The sea demigod began to sweat as his arms shook from blocking the pure force.

"Impressive." Percy grinned nervously.

The 250 pound giant made of pure muscle quickly dropped his second blade and pushed Percy back with his hand. Causing Percy to slide back, he caught his blade mid air and disarmed him quickly…winning the duel.

The battle was so quick everyone was shocked.

"I'll see you at the lifting competition?" Hector sheathed his blades.

"For sure." Percy stood shocked.

He left the range quickly, the crowd still in awe. He hurried to the next event's location, which he still had two hours to spare before it started.

"You're early." Clarisse looked at him from the stage.

"My strong suit lately." He smiled.

She nodded in respect, despite her past with her ex Chris…she didn't feel the need to put up a shield around Hector.

"Clarisse La Rue," She walked over to the seat he was sitting in and stuck a hand out. "Nice to meet you."

"Hector Olyos," He grinned and grasped it. "Likewise."

Their muscles tensed and they fought over control of the arm wrestle, she was clearly struggling as his arm didn't budge. He wanted to save her some embarrassment and quickly ended it after a few seconds.

"You're going to win today's lifting competition." Clarisse chuckled softly.

"Is that so?" He sat back down.

"Yeah," She looked sad. "Nobody here has beaten me in it, much less in an arm wrestle."

He nodded, "Well I'll gladly win it from you as it's an honor to meet you."

She frowned confused.

"Percy told me about you in the van," Hector smiled. "You were strong but stubborn…but a recent event made you rethink."

Her eyes teared up at the thought of Chris, "Yeah but I'm fine."

"You're not," Hector looked at her with a serious face. "But it's okay because you're strong right?"

"Right!" She grinned weakly.

"Wrong," He crossed his arms. "Your friends are here to support you, always will despite your losses of Selina and Chris."

She began to slowly breakdown, he comforted her for the next hour until she went to the stage and warmed up. He sat back in his chair and watched for the last hour of their wait.

—-

"Have you located him?" Zeus asked.

"No my lord," Hermes was sweating. "But we're still searching."

Zeus sat on his throne, stressing about how a powerful God like Olympos could just disappear.

"Do not fret brother," Hestia smiled. "He will not do anything harmful unless our meeting at the Hearth Decision goes wrong."

They only had 5 days until it was time for him to raise it or…raze it.

—-

"HECTOR!HECTOR!HECTOR!" The crowd chanted as he approached the max bench of Clarisse. He'd cleared all her other maxes including her deadlift.

He laid under the bar and smiled as he lifted it with ease, he repped it 5 times before placing the bar back. He quickly rose to his feet and bowed to the crowd, Clarisse stood in it smiling with tears in her eyes.

"Our new lifting Champion," Chiron placed the wreath of golden leaves on his head. "Hector Olyos of Hades Cabin!"

He bowed once again and stepped off the stage into the crowd, after it dispersed he met with Clarisse.

"I will offer you something you may think is impossible," Hector looked into her eyes. "The cure for him."

"This isn't funny." Her voice broke and she could tell he was serious. "Can you save him?"

"I can." Hector smiled. "Take me to him and wait outside."

She led him to the Hermes Cabin and rushed through the crowd to the back of the room where a locked door sat dormant. He opened it after she unlocked it.

"Please…don't hurt him." She asked.

"I won't." He walked in and was taken aback by what he saw.

Chris was rocking back and forth, his mouth spewing words faster than Hector could comprehend.

"Insanity." Hector sighed. "Easy."

He approached the boy and placed his hand on his head, the boy shut up as he worked his way into his head. He found the source and took it, after he backed up and looked at the dumbfounded Chris.

"T-The voices," He looked around frantically. "They're GONE!"

Hector opened the door and left the Cabin as the members swarmed in and surrounded Chris.

"How'd you heal him?" Clarisse followed.

"I didn't." Hector smiled. "I took his pain."

"You took it?" Clarisse grimaced. "And you're still standing?"

Hector nodded and turned.

"What are you?" She asked shakily.

He smiled and continued on, it was now 6 in the afternoon. Hector walked to the vineyard and found Jax caring for them with his siblings, he stood there staring at Jax in his hoodie. He grinned, eventually Jax looked over and joined him.

"Hey," Hector smiled. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Jax grinned softly. "Why're you here?"

"For you," Hector sucked his breath in. "I'll always be here to watch you do what you love."

Jax smiled and they walked off towards the Pavilion for dinner as the horn blew.