At first, when he woke up, Percy was confused. The day was beautiful, with the morning sun, a celestial artist, painting the room with a gentle warmth, its golden fingers delicately parting the curtains. Blinking away remnants of dreams, Percy's eyes adjusted to the soft interplay of light that almost danced upon the walls. From the shadows, he could tell it wasn't even that late, meaning for once he'd woken up on time. Everything seemed to be going so well, that he even thought yesterday's events were just a bad dream. When he thought about it, yesterday had been so crazy, he wouldn't have been surprised. Artemis taking him on a picnic, Athena getting drunk, Percy sleeping with the hunt (no not in that way), Aphrodite pleading with him to come back… The list just went on. He laid in bed, just thinking what was real and what wasn't. After his talk with Hypnos, Percy had begun training for illusions more and more, to the point where they could sometimes even fool him. Of course, this made him start to see the philosophical and ethical sides of illusions, and how to decipher the difference between real and imaginary.

Unfortunately, his delusion abruptly ended with Aphrodite knocking on the door, not bothering for an answer, and walking in with two trays of breakfast.

Percy's initial surprise morphed into a resigned amusement. Of course, Aphrodite's sense of privacy had always been a bit unconventional, to say the least. To give her credit, the breakfast actually looked nice. On the first tray, there were fluffy scrambled eggs cooked to a perfect lightness, a pile of sausages with a tempting aroma, and slices of toasted bread with a pat of butter that seemed to glisten in the morning light. A small jar of colourful berry jam sat beside them, its contents looking sweet and vibrant, while a single red rose stood tall in a tiny vase, adding a touch of nature's beauty to the scene. The second tray held a mix of sliced fruits that appeared as if they were picked just moments ago: the refreshing pink of watermelon, the sunny yellow of banana slices, the bright citrus of orange segments, and the deep blue of plump blueberries. There was also a bowl of creamy yoghurt, its surface smooth and inviting, accompanied by a drizzle of honey that promised a touch of sweetness.

Altogether, it was a spread that seemed to say, "Enjoy the morning." The only issue was that this was the first time Aphrodite had ever brought him breakfast, and it was proof that there was something she needed to talk about. Well, it seems like yesterday's event wasn't a dream after all.

"Good morning Percy," Aphrodite said a bit too brightly. "I thought it'd be nice for us to have breakfast in bed together." He raised an eyebrow. Normally everytime Aphrodite made a risqué joke like that, she'd giggle to herself as if she was being naughty (which she was.) However, this time, her expression held a level of seriousness, something that both amused and scared him. Honestly, serious Aphrodite is something you never wanna see.

"'Morning Aphrodite," Percy began cautiously. "Whatever serendipitous cosmic alignment has graced my chamber with your divine presence, in this immediate moment of unfolding chronology?" She stopped putting the trays down for a second to look at him with her eyebrows furrowed.

"Uhh… I'm sorry, what?" Percy rolled his eyes, realising that his attempt at wit might've been a bit too much for her.

"What brings you to my room?" he said lamely. Jeez, she just had to ruin the moment didn't she?

"Well, like I said, I want to have breakfast with you."
"Aphrodite," he sighed. "Let's be honest, you have never randomly given me breakfast in bed, and I highly doubt you're starting now. Just come clean." The goddess shrugged, as if to say, 'well you never know, I might be.'

"Fine," she frowned. "I need to talk about yesterday as well." Percy paused. He should've seen this coming, yet for some reason, he hadn't.

He didn't say anything, shifting in his bed to adjust his posture, and gratefully taking the first tray with sausages and eggs. The mere sight of sausages made his stomach grumble as he poured a fresh glass of orange juice. Aphrodite took her more healthy tray, before sitting on the other side of the bed and shuffling close to him, so close that their legs were touching. Of course it didn't help that she'd chosen her attire to be… distracting, but that was just how she dressed. Her low-cut shirt that left little to imagination, paired with snug-fitting trousers that unfortunately showcased her curves in every way. Talk about modesty. Normally, he would've immediately complained, but after yesterday's showdown, he decided to just zip his mouth and roll with it. After all, it was clear that Aphrodite was attempting to extend an olive branch, albeit an abnormal one, and no matter how uncomfortable he was, pushing her away would only make things worse.

Aphrodite's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Are you gonna start eating that?" she asked, noticing he still hadn't made a mood on his food. "Because if not, I'm sure I can squeeze some more in."

"I'm eating," he assured her, cutting off part of an egg and swallowing it as proof. "But I'm also listening. You said you wanted to talk, so let's talk."

Aphrodite's gaze shifted nervously between her delicate hands and Percy's face. The morning sunlight painted her in a warm glow, giving an almost ethereal quality to her presence. Cautiously, she took a sip of orange juice.

"Percy," she began. "I just want to say that I'm really, really sorry for lying to you. Honestly, I don't know what got into me. I felt like you'd overreact if I told you the real truth, but now I realise that by hiding it from you, I only made it worse." Her eyes bore into his, her sincerity as clear as day. "It was like a ticking time bomb, just waiting to be set loose. And then it didn't help that a drunk Athena is worse than a drunk Zeus, and that is saying something." She paused, searching his face for any hint of a reaction. When his expression remained inscrutable, she cleared her throat and continued, her words tumbling out in a rush of anxious honesty.

"I mean, I know it was stupid, but I thought it was a good idea at the time. You know how love can mess with your judgement, right? And I didn't want you to get all worked up about it, so I thought I'd just... handle it." She fiddled with the stem of her glass. "But clearly, that backfired spectacularly. I know you have every reason to be angry with me, but I hope you can find it in you to forgive me. For what it's worth, I promise I won't keep secrets like that again." She fell silent, her gaze shifting between her hands and Percy's face, a mixture of hope and apprehension in her eyes. Several seconds passed without a word from him, and she shifted uncomfortably, her nerves beginning to unravel.

Finally, unable to bear the tension any longer, she blurted out, "Aren't you gonna say something?" Her tone was a delicate blend of apprehension and urgency, her heart hanging on his response. Percy heaved a sigh, long and deep, as if exhaling the weight of his thoughts. His eyes held a mix of weariness as he looked at the goddess.

"Aphrodite, what would you want me to say?" Percy asked. "The issue isn't that you broke us up, because I've gotten over it. The issue is you led me to almost believe the whole breakup was my fault… as if I had done something wrong, or hadn't done something right."
"I know," she said, a hint of impatience seeping into her voice. "But let me make it up to you." She inched closer to him, her head now resting against his shoulder.

"How do you plan on doing that?" Percy asked.

"Well… You've always believed in giving people a second chance. With Luke, with the Nemesis boy, with Nico, the list goes on. All I'm asking is that you give me another chance as well." Her gaze locked onto his. "This means a lot coming from a goddess, but as your mentor, I do care about you, Percy. I've learned quite a bit from our time together, and as a person, you've helped me change. And of course, as a goddess, I've helped you look as ravishing as possible in even the most simple of clothes." A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of Percy's lips, her charm breaking through his defences momentarily.

"If I say yes, will you stop leaning on my shoulder and sitting really close to me like you always do?" he asked with a defeated sigh. The goddess grinned.

"Deal!"
"Then alright," he said. "I mean, I suppose it was a mistake after all, and like you said, even immortals aren't perfect. And maybe I overreacted a teeny tiny bit by running away. Just promise not to hide anything from me again." She nodded earnestly, giving him a friendly hug, before practically leaping out of the bed.

"Here, I'll take your tray downstairs and let you get ready in peace," Aphrodite offered, a playful glint in his eyes as she took his now finished tray and carefully stacked it on top of hers." Percy flashed her a grateful smile.

"Thanks, Aphrodite," he said genuinely. The goddess waved it off with an airy elegance. She leaned casually against the edge of the bed, as he quickly finished the rest of his juice.

"Do you have any plans for today?" she asked casually. Percy took a moment to think. Truth be told, he did have a couple of things to do, although one thing had been nagging at his mind for a while.

"Actually, I do need to go out for a bit," he said after a pause.

"Oooh, getting some more action with the hunt?" she teased. Percy rolled his eyes, although he couldn't help but feel a bit better that Aphrodite was back to her usual banter.

"I'm going to visit Poseidon today," he sighed. "There's something he wants to talk to me about. Supposedly it's got something to do with Riptide, but knowing how he works, we could end up talking about anything."

"Then… Artemis action after, right?" Aphrodite offered. Percy rolled his eyes.

"Well not-"

"So Artemis action before?"

"Aphrodite, I'm not going to visit Artemis-"

"Artemis action!" she whooped, causing Percy to groan at just how childish she could be sometimes.

"Aphrodite, we're just friends!" he said exasperatedly. "Come on, surely I can be allowed to visit a person for a bit of socialising."
"Yeah, but my senses start to tingle when you're spending so much time together-"

"Please never use the word tingle like that again," he pleaded. Her smirk only grew, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.
"What's wrong with me saying…" She bent down, lowering her voice, her breath tickling his ear as she whispered, "Tingle," her words a sultry caress against his skin.

"Aphrodite!" he yelled. "This definitely doesn't classify as trying to make things up." She raised her hands in mock surrender.

"Okay, I'm sorry!" she sighed dramatically, walking towards the door.

"But seriously," she smirked. "Have you even considered the possibility that you like her?"
"Aph-"
"I won't judge," she assured him. "In fact, I'd be reassured that at least you have good taste in a hot goddess-"
"Aphrodite!" Percy grumbled. "Why do you have to make everything like that?"
"Like what?" she asked quizzically, tilting her head to the side. "What, just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't complement another, less beautiful girl. Just ask her out already."
"Aphrod-" For the third time, he tried interrupting her, but it didn't work.

"Percy," she giggled. "Come on, the two of you have spent so much time together recently. She's actually nice to you, and vice versa. There must be at least some feeling between both of you, even if neither of you have bothered to acknowledge it."

"Maybe it's because we actually are just friends?" he offered. Aphrodite merely rolled her eyes.

"Are you really going to deny this?" she smirked. "You really want to pretend you haven't taken an extreme notice of Artemis's gorgeous, silver eyes? Or her luscious, long, auburn hair that shimmers like a sunset? Or those long legs that would probably look better if they were hanging off your bed? Ah, see, there's that blush creeping up!" He scowled, causing her to only smile wider. "In all seriousness, if you like her, just tell her. Artemis appreciates bluntness."
"Yeah, but she doesn't love like that-"

"Doesn't she?" Aphrodite asked, a twinkle in her eyes. "Think of it like a university. Everyone sends in applications. She shortlists a few for dates or interviews. Only then does she decide whether she's willing to enrol them full time."
"And how many times has she 'enrolled' someone?" he asked, for some reason dreading the answer.

"Zero!" Aphrodite said happily. "But darling, there's a first for everything!"

"You're really helpful, aren't you?" he muttered. "But you still haven't addressed the main thing. What if I just don't like her? What if we actually are just friends?"
"Then I'm wrong," she said flatly. "But I've been doing this a lot longer than you have, so think about who has a higher chance of being wrong. Ask or don't ask, I just want what's best for you, Perseus." With a flutter of her lashes and a parting smile, she turned and elegantly exited his room, leaving Percy wondering just how deep in love infested waters he had gotten himself…

Atlantis looked magnificent, it always did, but Percy's heart wasn't really interested in the tour. He was still conflicted about what Aphrodite had left him with. Percy had just gotten out of a relationship, became a god, and had many responsibilities now, including all his training. A relationship meant commitment, and he didn't know if he would have the time for it. Besides, the main issue was still present: Percy had no idea if he even liked Artemis, or if they just had a strong friendship, or whatever they had between them.

"Percy?" Poseidon frowned. "Hello, Earth to Percy?" Shaking his head, he gave his father a sheepish smile.

"Sorry," he muttered with a faint smile. "Got a few things on my mind, that's all." Poseidon nodded, not pushing him for anything more.

"It's fine, Percy," he said kindly. "But I brought you here to ask something." He gestured to the dining room. "Don't worry, no one's in there this time," he assured him with a chuckle. Percy smirked, before following him in.

"So where are they then?" Poseidon sighed.

"Honestly, I'm not too sure. Amphitrite had something to do in Olympus. As for Triton, well, he has his roles and duties to take care of being the heir to Atlantis and all." Percy nodded, relieved that he wouldn't have to be put in the same uncomfortable position as before. The mere memory made him shudder as he took a seat opposite Poseidon. Almost immediately, two servants came with plates of roast chicken legs, giving one to him and one to his father. With a quick bow, they left, the door shutting loudly behind them. Now, it was just father and son, eating lunch together. Taking a bite, he marvelled at the taste, his mind momentarily swept away by the savoury flavours. Percy almost chuckled with how normal the situation was. Aside from the fact that they were in a multi-septillion palace underwater, still breathing, with mermen acting as guards, it was almost a casual, mortal, father and son meal. After the crazy last few days he'd had, this was exactly what he needed, continuing to wolf down his food. A comfortable silence settled between them.

"So Percy," Poseidon began, but his words were promptly muffled as he took another bite, his mouth still half-full. Percy let out an amused snort and shook his head.
"Dad, you need to stop eating before you talk. Basic etiquette, remember?" Poseidon rolled his eyes, his grin fond.

"Ah, mortal customs. Always a joy," he quipped, then swallowed his mouthful. Clearing his throat with mock seriousness, he began again.

"So, Percy, I wanted to discuss something with you." Percy raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"What is it?" Poseidon leaned back, folding his arms casually as he studied his son.

"Well, I know you've spent quite a bit of time with Aphrodite lately. Training, living together, and from what I've observed, you're flourishing as a god under her guidance." Percy's brow furrowed in confusion.

"What does my training with Aphrodite have to do with anything?" he asked, genuinely puzzled. Poseidon's eyes softened as he regarded his son.

"You're growing rapidly, Percy, and you've developed skills that even Aphrodite might not be fully aware of," Poseidon explained, his pride in Percy evident in his tone. Percy's frown deepened as he struggled to understand where this conversation was heading.

"Okay…" Percy said. "So, what are you suggesting?" Poseidon's gaze softened, and he met Percy's eyes with paternal pride.

"I want you to come live in Atlantis with me." Poseidon's words hung in the air, creating a weighty pause that seemed to suspend time itself.

"Live in Atlantis with you?" Percy finally echoed, his tone a mix of astonishment and disbelief. "Uhh…"

"Look Percy," Poseidon continued. "You can continue your training here and learn from the many beings who call the underwater realm home. It's a chance to discover more about yourself, your potential, and the world around you. Plus, there's no way you can properly learn about tides and rivers without me, and definitely no way you can with her." Percy blinked, his mind racing to process the enormity of Poseidon's proposal. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Are you sure about this, Dad?" Poseidon nodded, his expression earnest.
"I've thought it through, Percy," he affirmed. "And I believe this could be a great opportunity for you. We've never really been able to spend much time together, and though I can't change the past, I can certainly start to rectify the future. But ultimately, the choice is yours. I want you to be where you're happiest." Percy was still in shock. I mean, it wasn't everyday where your godly parent casually asked you to move in.

"What about Amphitrite and Triton?" he asked.

"What about them?" Percy sighed.

"Have you told them about your idea yet?" An uncharacteristic unease flashed across Poseidon's features before he tried for a confident smile.

"It's my palace," he shrugged. "If they have an issue, they're welcome to sleep elsewhere."
"Jeez," Percy muttered. "Are you really going to tell that to your wife?" The sea god opened his mouth, but shut it with a defeated sigh.

"No," he agreed. "But we can work something out, I'm sure of it. Come on, Percy. Just imagine, the two of us controlling the rivers, oceans, and seas together, three if Triton joins us and doesn't sulk by himself. We'd be a force to be reckoned with…" Poseidon looked at his son with hope. "All I ask is that you think about it, son. You have plenty of time before you leave Aphrodite's palace. Have you achieved your true form yet?"

"Not yet," Percy grumbled, getting more impatient by the day. Supposedly, he'd get it after an emotional event, but after the whole Annabeth incident… Well he was starting to lose hope, thinking perhaps Aphrodite had done something wrong during the Numicus thing."
"Oh wow. It's certainly taking its time. Well, you've probably still got a year or so with Aphrodite then, maybe two if she takes her time. Knowing her, she probably will, so sleep on it. Whenever you're ready, just come and tell me. And remember, Percy, I just want what's best for you."

Percy nodded, turning back to his meal. Truth be told, he honestly had no idea what he wanted to do in two years. Aphrodite would certainly offer him to stay with her. He could also move into his own palace, whenever that was completed, or even go and help Chiron at Camp Half Blood. Hades wouldn't mind Percy crashing with him and Nico in the Underworld either. Even Artemis might tell him to visit the hunters more often, possibly staying a night or so there at a time. Ah, back to Artemis. Percy mentally sighed. The mere thought of her triggered a cascade of emotions within Percy, a tangled web of feelings he struggled to unravel. Their camaraderie had evolved over time, from tentative allies to close friends. Yet, lately, an undercurrent of something more had woven itself into their interactions. Percy couldn't deny the sense of comfort he found in her presence. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze turning distant as he gazed out into the depths of Atlantis. The image of Artemis, with her silvery eyes like moonlit waters and auburn hair flickered through his thoughts. The line between friendship and something deeper blurred, leaving him in a state of bewilderment. Did he truly have romantic feelings for her? Or was it the intensity of their shared experiences that fueled this sense of closeness?

His mind churned like a ship caught in a whirlpool, tossed between the tides of uncertainty.. He recalled Aphrodite's teasing words, her insistence that he consider the possibility of his feelings for Artemis. Was it possible? And even if it was, what was he supposed to do about it?

"You're glowing," Poseidon noticed, interrupting his thoughts. Percy's gaze snapped up from his meal, his cheeks reddening.

"Glowing? Oh, come on, Dad," he chuckled, reaching up to scratch the back of his head. "It's just the underwater ambiance, you know. Makes me look all radiant and divine." Poseidon arched an amused eyebrow, his eyes dancing with mirth.

"Oh, I know a glow when I see one," he retorted. "Come on, spill the sea beans, who's the lucky girl?" Percy felt his face heat up even more, and he cleared his throat, feigning innocence.

"Lucky girl? Dad, it's just... uh, good genes, I guess?" he stammered, failing miserably at appearing nonchalant. Poseidon's hearty laughter filled the air, and Percy couldn't help but join in, feeling a bit like a fish caught in a net.

"You can't fool your old man, Percy," Poseidon chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Besides, that's how Ares used to act whenever he was in the same room as Aphrodite." Percy smirked at the thought of Ares blushing like a schoolboy.

"So who is it?" Poseidon repeated, a playful gleam in his eyes "Come on, it's so obvious you're thinking about a girl. You're glowing so bright you could probably illuminate Tartarus." Percy sighed, his gaze shifting to the swirling currents outside the dining room windows. "It's... complicated, Dad," he admitted, his voice a mixture of frustration and uncertainty. "I mean, I like spending time with her. She's amazing, and we're really close. But I can't figure out if what I'm feeling is, you know, more than that, and if what she's feeling is more than friendship as well." Poseidon nodded knowingly, his expression sympathetic.

"Ah, young love," he mused with a faint smile. "It's like riding the waves blindfolded, isn't it?" Percy let out a half-choked laugh, feeling like Poseidon had just summarised his entire emotional state in two words.

"So who's the lucky girl?" he asked. "You still haven't told me." Percy thought for a moment, debating whether or not to spill it. Of course Poseidon was just trying to care for him as a father, but he had no idea how he would react if Percy admitted he was thinking about Artemis, and he wasn't willing to find out.

"Okay," Poseidon sighed, raising his hands in surrender. "But at least tell me this. Do you think you can see yourself in ten years with her?" Percy thought for a moment. Did he really want to be with Artemis in ten years? "You don't need to tell me," he continued, his tone soft, "because aside from teasing, what am I actually gonna do to help?" That was a fair point. And if it was Artemis, Poseidon would be howling with laughter. After all, no man had even gotten close to her in the last however many centuries.

"As much as I hate to say it, I think you need to speak to Aphrodite," Poseidon sighed. "Does she know about it?"

"Umm, sort of," he replied, a bit embarrassed that he'd confided in the love goddess over his father. Even his mother was oblivious, but that was mainly to save her from panicking. She knew how fierce Artemis could be, and would probably wonder if her son had a death wish. Then again, sometimes he wondered if he did.

Poseidon leaned back, his expression thoughtful.
"You know, she actually helped me a bit when Amphitrite and I had our... disagreements. Love, relationships… Those are her domains, Percy. And as much as we joke about it, she does have insights." Percy nodded, his mind turning over the idea.
"I'll think about it." Poseidon smiled warmly.

"That's all I ask, Percy. Whoever this girl is, iff she'll make you happy, then I approve. Your happiness matters most to me." Percy smirked wryly. He doubted Poseidon would ever approve of Artemis, if Percy did indeed have feelings for her.

Leaning forward, Poseidon took on a more serious tone.

"Percy, finding the right person is an important journey. It's not just about love; it's about compatibility, trust, and understanding." He frowned, as if debating telling Percy something.

"Let me tell you a story," Poseidon began. "Ages ago, when I was a young god, I met a nymph named Nerida. We had an instant connection, and for a time, we were inseparable. But the thing about love is that it's not always smooth sailing. We had our differences, our moments of frustration and anger. Eventually, we grew apart and went our separate ways. It was a painful experience, Percy, well at least for someone as naïve as I was back then. Anyway, it was a while later, when I was sitting down with Dionysus over a bottle where I realised that as nice as she was, she wasn't the one for me. The point is, love isn't just about the present; it's about seeing a future together, even when times get tough, and the truth is I never saw myself being with this nymph in the future." Percy listened intently, absorbed in his father's story. It was a glimpse into a side of Poseidon he hadn't seen before. As Poseidon finished his story, Percy nodded, a sense of clarity settling within him. "Don't rush anything, don't overthink. And most importantly, don't tell Amphitrite about Nerida."

"Thanks, Dad," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'll keep that in mind. And... I'll think about what you said." Poseidon nodded, his expression a mixture of pride and affection.

"That's all I ask, Percy. Just remember, your heart's desires are worth exploring, but make your choices wisely. Love is a powerful current, and finding the right person is a voyage worth embarking on."

As the words settled in Percy's heart, a playful voice interrupted their conversation.

"Tell me what?" Amphitrite's voice cut through the air like a sea breeze. Percy turned, only to find Poseidon's expression shifting from amusement to mild panic.

"Oh flip," he muttered.

"You told me we weren't gonna be interrupted?" Percy glared. Poseidon offered an apologetic shrug.

"I thought so at least." Offering a charming smile, the sea god stood up, waving at his wife.

"Hello dear," he said nervously. "I see you're back a bit earlier than expected."
"I am," she scowled. "Now what's this secret you're hiding from me?" Poseidon let out a nervous laugh.

"I'd love to tell you, but unfortunately Percy has a date and he's just finished his food so we have to go."

"We do?" he asked. "Aww come on, I haven't even finished!"

"You heard the boy," Amphitrite said, but Poseidon had other plans.

"Did I? All I heard was him saying how badly he wanted to get back to Aphrodite."

"Poseidon, don't you dare leave," Amphitrite glared.

"Goodbye dear!" he said hurriedly, before grabbing Percy's arm and flashing him out of there faster than he could say, 'blowfish.'

"I'm sorry, Percy," Poseidon mumbled once they'd arrived outside of Aphrodite's palace, "but man, I was in a sticky situation."

"You still are," Percy mused. Poseidon nodded.

"I am," he admitted. "Amphitrite hates it when I talk about former relationships, no matter whether they were last week or twelve centuries ago." Percy couldn't help but chuckle at how scared his father sounded. Oceanus, Kronos, even Giants couldn't make him flinch, but the prospect of a talk with Amphitrite had him shivering in his boots.

"Well good luck," Percy tried. "And save me some of that chicken! It was awesome!" Smiling, the sea god waved his son goodbye before taking a deep breath and flashing to wherever he was planning on hiding from Amphitrite.

Aphrodite was waiting for him in the living room, sitting cross legged on the sofa and reading a book.

"Hello Percy," she greeted, humming to herself.

"Afternoon," he sighed, collapsing onto the sofa opposite. "What'cha reading?"

"Just some book Ares lent me," she admitted. "It's about war, but war and love, they're just the same thing." Percy raised an eyebrow.

"How so?" Aphrodite looked up from her book, her eyes twinkling.

"Percy," she began. "War and love, they're both fueled by the same passions of mortals and gods. Both are driven by powerful emotions - desire, longing, and even a certain thrill. In war, worlds collide, and hearts are broken. And in love, the pain of longing and loss fuels the embers of bloodshed. Ares embodies the fervour and chaos of war, just as I am the embodiment of love's beauty and enchantment. In a way, you could say he's like my evil twin."

Percy nodded, taken slightly aback by the comparison. He leaned back, propping his feet up on the coffee table, and listened as Aphrodite continued.

"Now Percy, how was your day?" she asked. Percy sighed, unsure how to explain it.

"It was okay," he said, deciding not to share the news about Poseidon offering him to stay at the palace, and how he was actually considering it. "You know, the usual demigod father-son stuff. How about you, Aphrodite?" Aphrodite tilted her head, her gaze keen.

"It was decent," she replied. "Went on a date with Ares, which wasn't too bad." The smile on Percy's face faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of disappointment. It always shocked him how easily she could just cheat on Hephaestus and feel no remorse.
"Ares again?" he said, his voice carefully neutral. "How did that go?" Aphrodite's eyes sparkled mischievously again.

"Remarkably well, Percy. We went to a coffee shop, amongst other things." Percy's brow furrowed in confusion.

"A coffee shop? That doesn't really sound like Ares." Aphrodite laughed softly.
"Ah, but that's the point, my dear. Coffee shops are a neutral ground, a place where even the most warlike hearts can find a moment of peace." Percy considered her words, before offering a shrug.

"Where else would you say is a good date spot?" You know that saying where a person can talk someone's ear off about a topic they love? Well, that's Aphrodite when it comes to love and relationships. She practically leaped at the chance to rant about different date ideas and spots.

"Well," Aphrodite began, her voice full of excitement, "a stroll by the moonlit sea is always romantic. Dancing beneath a canopy of flowers is cool, and I've done it a few times. And a shared adventure can always bring people closer."

"Like a side quest?" he asked.

"Exactly like a side quest," Aphrodite replied. "Hmm, I'm sure there's more. Playing hide and seek is good, though a bit old fashioned. You can take her for a meal, or invite her to yours. Honestly, dates can be really simple. It's the thought that counts. You can do something like… Like a picnic under the stars!" Percy nodded thoughtfully, absorbing her suggestions. But then Aphrodite's expression turned quizzical, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Why this sudden interest in romantic advice, Percy?"

Percy took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering as he met her eyes.

"I've talked to my father, and listened to some advice from you." Her expression held a knowing glint, as if she'd already anticipated the direction of their conversation.

"And?" Aphrodite prodded. Percy sighed.

"I want to ask Artemis out."

Sooo, he's finally doing it... Well, who knows what's actually gonna happen when he tries it. As always, hope this chapter was good, and please do leave a review, even if a small one :)