Song Rec: "Walk Away" by Cory Wells. So, I've loved this guy for a while now. His music is an odd sort of mix between Chris Carrabba and a more traditional midwestern acoustic sound. It fits really, really well. Anyway, I chose this song because I really found the story of it all to be interesting. It's nothing complex, and not even slightly so at that, but that's not the point. At the end of the day, it's about someone who's sort of desperately in love with someone that they just can't be. It's this interesting mix of begging for someone to stay with you because you love them, and having to push them away because they're bad for you. The mix of the two is really sort of what makes that song, especially in the context of this story. For Percy, this wouldn't involve Artemis. Instead, I view it more as the story of his relationship with Annabeth. Being torn between loving her and knowing that their relationship just isn't what it should be. And let's be real, Percy would absolutely be the person to be completely besotted with someone and still give them up because it's not good for either of them. Anyway, that's that. Let me know if you like it.

He'd been having such a normal day too. One moment, he'd been sitting with Diana, watching some of the hunters chase each other around in some sort of game of tag, and the next he was on Olympus. Courtesy of Hermes of all people. Well, actually, that made sense. But still!

He'd been relaxing on a bench, chatting with his friend - then the messenger god had showed up, said "I'm borrowing him" and then he was on Olympus. With Hermes and Apollo! Apollo of all people. Because apparently Hermes had been getting pouty about not getting any guy time. And Apollo hadn't exactly disagreed.

Diana hadn't even gotten the chance to say anything. Not that she minded, as he found out from her brother. A little warning would have been nice at the very least. Speaking of Diana though, it now meant that he'd managed to meet up with her brother before she had!

"Why are you upset?" Hermes' voice was a little whiny and had been for a little bit now.

"You could have called even five minutes before you know," Percy rolled his eyes as they sat at one of the various decadent bars on Olympus, "I was mid-sentence!"

"You can continue your sentence when you get back in two hours."

"That seems oddly specific," Percy sighed, knowing damn well that it meant that the messenger god was going to insist on at least that much time. He'd be lucky if it was only two.

"Well maybe if you'd been showing us some love too," Apollo grinned as he came to sit down, drink in hand, "We wouldn't have had to kidnap you."

"Right," Percy resigned himself to his fate, which wasn't so bad honestly - but he'd been talking to Diana! And he'd been enjoying that conversation, "How is that I've managed to meet up with you before you've met up with your sister?"

"Well for one," Apollo half-shrugged, "Diana's been busy."

"With you!" Hermes added on, which the sun god didn't disagree with.

"With you. And, Apollo - other me that is - is gods awful at planning."

"Much like you," Percy said.

"Much like me," Apollo nodded, "But we got a date nailed down."

"Two days from now," Percy nodded, "I know."
"Of course you do," Hermes shot at Percy, "And you're not even drinking with us."

"Fine. Fine," Percy threw his hands up in defeat, "I'll drink with you. Just, please, stop fucking complaining."

It was all good natured though, and neither of the three were actually upset. Hermes certainly wasn't, especially when given the shit-eating grin plastered across his face, "I knew I'd convince you."

"You'd been bitching about it for the past ten minutes so I'd certainly hope so," Apollo said after taking a long sip from his drink, "But I'm not complaining. Percy's been an absentee friend."

"I have not," Percy clarified, mostly to himself, "You fuckers just have to plan anything. And I do mean anything at all. I would have been here."

"Well maybe if you hadn't spent multiple weeks on some road trip with my sister, we wouldn't have to kidnap you."

"Might I mention that you're still on said roadtrip?" Hermes tacked on.

"Yeah yeah alright I get it," Percy sighed, "Are we getting food at least?"

"Of course," Hermes nodded vigorously before turning to the sun god, "You did order it, right?"

The god in question laughed, "Of course. Even got enough for us to take home after."

"Great," Percy said genuinely, "I'm starving."

"Wonderful," Apollo grinned, "So how's the trip been?"

"Amazing honestly," Percy tried not to gush, but he was pretty sure that Apollo and Hermes both saw through him, "It's been nice to just travel for the sake of traveling."

"Yeah I bet," Apollo laughed easily, "Seeing how you've been gone for weeks on end."

"Yeah, are you even close to being done?" Hermes asked curiously.

"Uh yeah," Percy nodded, "I'm thinking that I'll end it when I go to Frank and Hazel's wedding. Oh, and they're getting married by the way."

"We know," Apollo nodded before taking another sip, "Ares actually seemed rather happy if you can believe that."

"Really?"

"Well, it's more like Mars has been trying to make his worse half more likable," Hermes shrugged, "But yeah. Mentioned it to the council and everything."

"Huh," Percy was a little surprised, but he supposed he should be more happy about that than anything, "That's good."

"Yep," Apollo nodded, "Now, how long have we got you for?"

"Minimum of two hours," Hermes answered, cutting Percy off.

"Great," Apollo clapped his hands together jovially, "Now what have you been up to on this road trip anyway?"

"Basically whatever catches our attention," Percy shrugged, "Though we do occasionally stop to do non-road-trip things."

"Such as?" Hermes asked.

"We went to a party. Well," Percy rubbed the back of his head, "Two parties I guess. But for very different reasons."

"And those reasons are?"

"Ah well, the most recent one was just a bunch of the demigods," Percy explained, "Annabeth hosted it here on Olympus actually. And the other was because we were hunting monsters, so it wasn't really a party."

"That's why you needed a car," Apollo snapped his fingers as everything clicked for him, "How'd you like it by the way?"

"It was great," Percy grinned, "And totally not something that I thought you'd own."
"Ah well," Apollo grinned at Hermes conspiratorially, "I wanted to branch out a little, you know?"

"What he means is that Artemis needed to borrow something since the Moon chariot is a little much for mortals," Hermes explained smugly, "And he came to me for help."

"You weren't supposed to say that," Percy laughed, "I think Apollo wanted me to think it was his great idea."

"Yeah yeah alright," Apollo chuckled, "Maybe I did. But still, it was fucking great, right?"

"Pretty great, yeah," Percy chuckled, "What gave you the idea anyway?"

"Well, actually, it was more like Hermes remembered that Artemis has always liked them, so he told me to get one," Apollo scratched at his cheek, "I think I'm just going to give it to her."

"She doesn't seem like the type to have anything like that though," Percy pointed out.

"He's right," Hermes agreed.

"Yeah, I know," Apollo rolled his eyes before turning to Percy, "Do you want it then?"

"What?"

"I thought it was pretty straight forward," Hermes shrugged.

"First, fuck off," Percy shot back at the messenger god before quickly looking at the other god, "And second, that's completely random."

"Well you and Artemis spend a lot of time together, and it isn't like her to have something like that, especially because of the Moon chariot being a thing, so this is the second best thing."

"How?" Percy asked, only somewhat exasperatedly.

"Well, honestly, it's not really my cup of tea, and it feels wrong to just let it sit, right? So I might as well give it to you."

"And, if Artemis does like it," Hermes added, "You two are always together and she can take it from you if she really wants it."

"Which she won't," Apollo clarified, "But just in case."

"Woah woah, that's a lot to just offer."

"Not really," Hermes and Apollo both said together before Apollo continued, "We're gods. It's not like it's some incredible magic weapon that's the only iteration in existence. It's just a car."

"And I feel like that's a lot because I used to not know of my heritage and we didn't have things like that," Percy countered.

"And you're going to not only be a god along with us," Apollo leaned in a little, "But you're going to be an Olympian too. It's only a car. You could literally summon a hundred like it the moment you become a god."

"That doesn't mean it doesn't feel like a lot for me," Percy argued, "And I see your point but still."

"Okay okay how about this," Hermes broke into their little argument, "What if we leave it in your garage and you can deal with it when you get back."

"How is that any different from me accepting it?" Percy asked incredulously, shaking his head slightly in confusion.

"He's right," Apollo rubbed his jaw, clearly trying to think of how to convince his friend to take this car off his hands, "How about we make a bet?"

"A bet?"
"You know us Greeks love a wager," Apollo grinned.

"Okay," Percy said slowly, clearly suspicious, "What's your bet?"

"Haven't got that far yet," Apollo shrugged.

Hermes chimed in again, "I flip a coin. Percy, since you don't want to win, you get to call which side it lands on first."

"Two out of three?" Percy asked. He was still a little reluctant to accept it, but he figured it was only fair.

"Two out of three," Hermes nodded, "Apollo will get to call it the second flip, and it'll go back to you on the third if needed."

"Fine by me," Apollo grinned, "Good luck."

Half way through the first flip, it occurred to Percy that he was making a bet based on chance with the god of prophecy. And, of course, he managed to call the wrong side too, which meant that Apollo was absolutely about to just call the opposite side of whatever it was actually going to be.

"It has suddenly occurred to me," Percy said dryly as Hermes flipped the coin the second time, "That I just made a stupid bet."

"Truly," Apollo nodded, "Tails by the way."

Sure enough, it landed on heads, and Apollo shot Percy an absolutely shit-eating grin.

"So we'll just have Hermes drop it off at your home, and you can deal with it whenever you get back," Apollo clapped his hands humorously, "You forget that while we Greeks love bets, we love our tricks more."

"Right," Percy sighed, "Can I make a counter bet?"

"Nope," Hermes grinned, "You lost unfair and square."

"I feel like that's not the saying," Percy grumbled a little, "But fine. You guys win. I probably won't have enough space for it."

"Oh don't worry," Hermes chuckled, "I'll talk to your dad about expanding your space a little."

"Of course you will," Percy sighed again, "Can we move on now?"

"Sure sure," Apollo laughed, "But on the off chance I feel like messing with you again, what kind of car do you like?"

"Fuck off," Percy grinned despite his mild-annoyance, "What made you guys decide we had to hang out tonight?"

Hermes shrugged, "Heard you were on Olympus recently and thought we should spend some time catching up."

"Pretty much," Apollo agreed, "Though Aphrodite mentioned wanting to talk to you. Any particular reason for that?"

Percy shrugged, "Nope."

"Right," Apollo seemed amused, "Anyway, how was seeing your ex again?"

"Fine," Percy shrugged, "It seems like we're on speaking terms again so that's something."

"Is that all?" Hermes asked, clearly wondering about something.

"Well, it sounded like she's into some guy, but apparently it's not going all that well," Percy answered after taking a sip of his drink.

"You're kidding right?" Hermes asked.

"No?" Percy shook his head, "Why would I be?"

Both of the gods looked at each other, then back to the young immortal, "She meant you. As in she likes you."

"What? No she doesn't," Percy made a face, clearly not believing either of them, "There's no way she'd be into me again."

"I'm not sure if she ever stopped honestly," Apollo said delicately, "but she definitely is. The little boyfriend she'd had made some big scene about it recently."

"Really?"

Hermes nodded, "Yeah man. It wasn't pretty."

"When did this happen?" Percy asked.

"A little while ago. Maybe a few weeks?" Apollo tried to recall, "It looked like she shut him up pretty well though, so don't worry too much about it."

"Huh," Percy sighed and took another long sip of his drink, "Why would she like me anyway?"

"Dunno if you've realized this," Apollo chuckled, "But you're kind of a catch."

"Right," Percy rolled his eyes, "You'd think that would have stopped us from breaking up in the first place - not - that I'm complaining about it."

"It's hard to tell what someone's thinking," Hermes shrugged.

"Not really," Apollo disagreed, "I feel like it's not that hard to tell how someone feels about you."

"Eh," Hermes waved his hand a little, "Fifty-fifty."

"I feel like you're oversimplifying it a bit," Percy shrugged, "but what do I know."

"Well, it's binary, right?" Apollo asked, "They do or don't like you."

"That's not necessarily fifty-fifty," Percy argued.

"Well it's like Schrodinger's USB then," Hermes was quick to answer.

"What?" Both Percy and Apollo were bewildered by this statement.

"Isn't that," Apollo looked confused, "about a cat? As in… Schrodinger's cat?"

"Seconded," Percy agreed, "please tell me you're not serious."

Hermes shook his head, "No no you don't get it, this is just the modern equivalent."

"How?" The other two asked in unison.

"Okay look," the messenger god summoned the aforementioned device and handed it to the young immortal, "which side is up?"

Percy took the flat stick and spun it in one, full rotation so that he could examine both sides, "Uh, this one is."

"But why did you spin it?" Hermes asked.

"Because I wasn't sure which side was up?"

"Exactly. Even if this usb - and most such devices have a specific marking for up, you'd still spin it because you're not sure which side can be plugged in until you've spun it around to examine both sides."

Apollo blinked, "So what does this have to do with cats in a box?"

"I get it," Percy grumbled, "And I hate that even makes a little bit of sense."

The messenger god grinned, "See?"

"Still don't get it," Apollo groaned, causing the other two to laugh.

"I see Artemis got all of the intelligence," Hermes snickered.

"Again," Percy chimed in, "seconded."

"You would," Apollo smirked.

"For good reason," Hermes half-agreed, "how's that going by the way?"

"What do you mean?"

The two gods groaned before Apollo said something, "he means why aren't you dating yet?"

"Uh," Percy rubbed the back of his head, "I'm trying to figure out how to ask her out?"

"Wait," Hermes stopped him, "Serious?"

"Yeah."

Apollo grinned while Hermes sat back, clearly dumbstruck by the admission, "I can't believe it."

"Believe what?"

"That you and Artemis are going to be a thing."

"Why wouldn't they be?" Apollo asked, "they're going to be a great couple."

"That's a strange statement," Hermes said after a moment, "even if it's very true."

"I know," Apollo grinned, "it's hard to think of my sister settling down, but I'm glad it's you of all people."

"Thanks, I think?" Percy said awkwardly.

"So how'd you find out?"

"Uh well, she and I drank a lot that night and we were talking about our lives and I sort of realized I couldn't imagine mine without her in it in some way."

"How'd that go in the morning?" Hermes asked.

"Well, I woke up with Diana instead of Artemis so I can't say I'm sure."

"Woke up with?" Apollo questioned, suddenly seeming a little concerned.

"We sleep in the same bed?" Percy said, suddenly wincing at the realization. It was one thing to do it, and another to say it out loud, especially to her brother.

The other two gods were silent for a long, excruciatingly uncomfortable moment.

"And it took you this long?" Apollo asked the question all three of them were wondering.

"Uh," Percy looked away, rubbing his arm, "Yeah."

"Spill," Both Hermes and Apollo were perfectly in sync as they spoke.

"Uh," Percy started again, "I'm an idiot? And somehow managed to not notice some apparently very clear signs. And she's felt this way for months now."

"What could have possibly given you that idea?" Apollo asked dryly, "And I was only a few weeks off my drachma too."

"What?"

"Nothing," Apollo waved him off as Hermes snickered.

"So what are you going to do?" the messenger god asked, "You've got a plan, right?"

"Uh," Percy rubbed the back of his head again.

"Do all of your answers start with "uh"?" Apollo grinned, "And surely, after this long, you've got some idea."

"Okay yeah I have some ideas," Percy said defensively, "I've just been indecisive."

"Well what are you thinking?"

"Concert, dinner, confess, probably in that order?" Percy explained weakly, "And flowers. Forgot that."

"Flowers are good," Apollo said sagely, "What kind of concert?"

Percy was still unsure about that, "Dunno yet. Don't have a phone to look up what concerts are around."

"Two tickets for the pit at the House of Blues in Anaheim, let's say two weeks from now?" Apollo didn't waste any time figuring out something that could work for his friend, "And Hermes will get you dinner reservations for say seven?"

"You just know that information off the top of your head?" Percy asked.

"One of my sons is performing, so yes. And I was going to drop a hint to you guys anyway," Apollo answered it easily as Hermes looked at his phone. The messenger looked to be searching for something as he scrolled through it. It took him a moment before he set it down on the table.

"George and Martha are looking for some place suitable. I'll let you know when they find something they think you'll like," Hermes grinned, "I can't believe this is actually happening."

"Me either," Apollo agreed, "Now, flowers. I can get you a fresh bouquet the day of."

"Actually, I was going to make the bouquet myself," Percy said, seeming a little more confident about the whole thing.

Apollo seemed to smile a little wider at that before clapping his friend on the back, "And you think you aren't the best man in the world."

"I'm not," Percy said dryly, "I'm just good at dates."

"Just accept the damn compliment," Hermes complained, "You're too humble."
"Right," Percy rolled his eyes, "Anyway, help me plan a little more."

"I think all the important stuff is done," Apollo shrugged, "All that's left is the small details."

"Agreed," Hermes nodded at that.

"Guess so," Percy seemed slightly uncertain, but he brushed it off quickly, "I'm really hoping this goes well."

"It will," Apollo chuckled, "Unless you magically do a one-eighty in terms of personality, you'll be perfectly fine. She's done literally nothing to hide her feelings for you."

"I guess so, yeah," Percy recalled a few instances that he'd just taken as her teasing him - and he supposed that she had been doing so, but things seemed to click together, "I'd rather not think about how many signs I missed."

"Do me a favor, Percy," Apollo laughed, turning to his friend somewhat seriously, "never tell me a word about them."

Hermes laughed, "I'm sure she wasn't subtle at all."

"About as subtle as a brick likely," Apollo laughed before turning back to Percy again, "But seriously. I don't want to hear anything about it."

"I'd really hope not," Percy agreed.

"Yeah," Apollo nodded, "Aren't you glad your amazing friends kidnapped you today?"

"I'll expect good seats at the wedding," Hermes nodded sagely.

"Very funny," Percy grumbled, "Isn't it a bit early to talk about weddings when we aren't even dating?"

"Right," Hermes nodded dismissively, "Anyway, point stands."

"Great."

As it would happen, Hermes and Apollo had kept him much longer than two hours as it was now well into the night. Of course, it wasn't late for Percy, but he'd still been gone a good deal of time. Still, it had been very productive, and they'd definitely had a good time celebrating even if the actual thing they'd been celebrating had yet to happen. But soon!

Progress was progress and he wasn't going to be deterred by anything. It was, after all, rather difficult when he now had a set date and plans. Actual plans.

That was a little terrifying, but Percy had to imagine he was rather ready for a new chapter of his life. One way or another, things were going to change and he imagined he'd spent long enough dwelling on it. Now, all that was truly left was to enjoy his time for the next week, invite his best friend in the world out on a somewhat hastily planned date, and hope that everything went well. And really, why wouldn't it?

Percy, naturally feeling somewhat apprehensive, wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to find the goddess right away, even as he strolled through the camp. Then again, he really wanted to at least chat with her for a little bit, and chances were that she'd end up finding him later if he didn't so that obviously meant he was off to find her.

Percy could feel that the goddess was in her tent as he made his way towards the center of the camp, trying his best to not draw too much attention. He wasn't sure what she was doing, but he was certain she was in there. It wasn't locked off either, so he made his way in after a moment of trepidation and a quick glance around. He couldn't find her at first glance, but he did eventually find that he could hear sounds from the bathroom. If that was the case, he'd wait by the bed. Best not to disturb her until she was done.

Of course, he hadn't considered that she might not be wearing anything but luckily - or unluckily depending on one's view - she came out fully clothed in what seemed like more of his clothes.

"I thought that I'd heard you come in," Diana said easily as she gently ran a comb through her hair, "How was your little get-together?"

Percy would have responded, but his brain was short circuiting at the moment. Something about the sight of the goddess with wet hair while in sweats and a shirt that looked suspiciously identical to one that he kept in his closet was doing something to him. Oh he was in deep with this woman, "Uh good. Yeah."

"Are you okay?" The goddess asked curiously, turning to look at him as he sat there, mouth practically agape.

It took him a moment to respond, but he finally managed, "Yeah. Just thinking."

"What about?"

"Uh," Percy blanked, "just that you looked really good."

"Oh?" Diana gave him her signature foxy smile, "I must say your clothes are rather comfortable."

She tugged at the article, lifting it up just a little so that he could see a hint of her toned stomach.

Percy licked his lips a little, suddenly feeling a little hot. He was sure it wasn't intentional, but gods did it make him feel something irrational. Then again, the Huntress apparently had rather strong feelings for him so maybe it was.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Diana seemed genuinely concerned, "you look… off?"

He was exactly the opposite actually, but he wasn't sure he could say that right now. His tongue did almost get the better of him, but he managed to reign his thoughts in, "Fine. Just a little warm."

"You are wearing a lot," the goddess spoke over her shoulder as she went to grab something from the other side of the room, "you should probably take some of it off."

Yeah. He'd just love to do that.

Percy tugged at the collar of his jacket, "I'm thinking I'll just take a nice cool shower. Want to eat something after?"

"Sure," the goddess turned to smile at him, "come find me when you're done."

"Yeah," Percy breathed out before practically sprinting to his tent - hunters be damned. Not actually though.

And oh dear gods - what the in the fuck was he thinking? Well, that much was self explanatory. And a cold shower? Really? Was he trying to get caught? He took a moment to throw himself on his bed, head in his hands as he groaned. What exactly had been going through his head? Well, he could explain - in quite vivid detail actually - but he wasn't sure that was a great idea.

Yeah. Those were perfectly normal thoughts to be having about your best friend. Sure, he was madly in love with her, but fuck. He might as well have advertised his feelings for her just now, and that was definitely not how he wanted to tell her - no matter how amazing she'd looked.

Or, maybe he should steer away from that sort of thought for now.

Life was hard for Perseus Jackson, but then again, it wasn't really.

Ah. Three chapters! I'm sure you can assume what I mean. Yay! Anyway, sort of a transitional chapter just to set up things. Fun things set up in two chapters from now. I mean need to have some reason for Artemis to come back right? Anyway, sorry I've been busy. Hope you guys enjoy.