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fanficsforloki · 1 year

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To Prove To You - Chapter one

Series Masterlist

Word count: 13k

Series summary: Nereide is a sea nymph with a peculiarity: She knows how to control her element (water) and has magical abilities. Poseidon, aware of that, decides to send her to Asgard as a student of Frigga. She studies with Loki, and as they grow up, they begin to develop feelings for each other. But what if Odin's plans for her get in the way?

Chapter Summary: a brief prologue of Loki and Nereide's childhood and early teens.

Content: unestablished relationship, friends to lovers, fwb, platonic love, romance, angst, fluff, loss of verginity

Content warnings: smut, melancholy, dacryphilia, Loki is a fabulous bitch with a big heart and a witty sense of humor, a bit over dramatic and very clever. He's sensitive, but hides his feelings and acts really rough around Nereide also because he likes to see her pouting and eventually becoming even more clingy.

Chapter warnings: mention of death

To Prove To You Playlist

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In the depths of the vast mysterious dark Ocean, lived a lovely nymph child called Nereide. With her long locks of umbra hair and shimmering hazel eyes, she was the youngest daughter of Poseidon, the great God of the Ocean. But Nereide was no ordinary nymph. She had a gift, one that was bestowed upon her since birth. She could control the water and had magical abilities that were beyond her years.

As soon as she grew up, Poseidon was afraid she could lose control over these powers and become a threat, so he decided to send his daughter to their nearest Realm: Asgard, the house of the norse Gods.

He wanted his daughter to become the pupil of Frigga, the queen of Asgard. He was sure she could manage that kid, he didn’t even remember who her mother was, so it was no big deal to leave her there. She would have cried for her sisters, she would have wept for the warm, salty waters and all the creatures that inhabitated them, but he didn’t care. Gods areknown to be selfish and irresponsible.

Frigga was a renowned well known magic practitioner. Nereide, a curious and ambitious little lady, was eager to learn and sought Frigga for her tutelage.

Nereide had never been away from the sea, the farest she went was the seashore. She was both excited and apprehensive about her entrusting, but she trusted her father's “wisdom” and set out on her new life.

As she approached Asgard, Nereide was in awe of the grandeur and beauty of the place. She could feel the magic and power that emanated from the magnificent kingdom. It was nothing like the Olymus, everything there seemed to her so new and…pretty. Pretty was her favourite word, and she could feel her heart in her throat everytime she pronouced it. Pretty, only a whisper. Pretty, she looked around with teary eyes.

The sun was shining as she, a naked child covered only by her long hair, was walking down the Rainbow Path outside the Bifrost.

None really paid much attention to her, some curious and weird looks flew on her tanned and soft skin. As she managed to enter the throne room, she couldn't help but feel nervous about meeting the queen of Asgard.

When she finally saw the queen, she began to fidge with her fingers. Frigga was a tall and majestic woman with piercing blue eyes and hair as golden as the sun. Nereide kneeled before her, shaking, becuase Asgard was so much cooler than the Ocean, but Frigga joined her and lifted her up, embracing her warmly. She already knew who she was and why she was there, and Nereide was surprised by the queen's kindness and warmth. She never had met a motherly figure like her.

As Odin noticed, he couldn’t help but burst out in anger: it was a shame, a lewd, dangerous creature like a nymph was unexeptable in his palace, nor his whole reign. He wanted to banish her, but Frigga insisted: she could sense that the girl had to live in Asgard for their own sake. Odin wasn’t relly pleased by his wife’s decision, but he couldn’t deny it to her.

The girl could stay, but she had to learn how to be an Asgardian, and she couldn’t be treated like his sons. She wasn’t their daughter, not even a Goddess, she couldn’t be a princess.

As if Frigga maintained the last rule… Frigga managed to teach her customs and Asgard traditions, but most important she convinced her to wear at least a tunic.

Over the next few weeks, Nereide learned how to harness her powers and control the water in a way she never thought possible. She could transform it as she pleased, in all its forms. Every day, Frigga would teach her new things and guide her with patience and love: Nereide was willing to learn, and started to feel at home in Asgard. She had found a new family in the queen, she even called her Mother, but would never call Odin her Father. He despised her. Frigga took her under her wing, but she had to be aware of Odin’s Rage against her. At first, Nereide struggled to keep up with the teachings, but she persisted and eventually became skilled.

One day, as the sun set over the mystical private queen’s garden, Frigga sat under the shade of an ancient oak tree, surrounded by a haze of glowing emerald light. She was deep in thought, and suddenly, she felt a presence behind her and turned to see Nereide standing there with a coy smile. Her pure heart and boundless potential had caught the queen's attention, Frigga lt the girl sit down with her and began teaching Nereide the complex incantations of white magic, and how to focus on healing spells.

As they were talking, they were suddenly joined by a mischievous figure…

A tall, gloomy kid was standing in front of them confounded by the girl’s presence. It was Loki. Nereide had seen him before, because he was also learning magic from his mother, but that was the first time she actually met him.

Despite the queen attempts to make the two get along, their personalities clashed and they were constantly bickering. Nereide found Loki to be arrogant and rude, while Loki saw Nereide as a naive and foolish girl.

And Loki was obviously envy: he was his mommy’s treasure, he didn’t want to share her with anyone, not even his brothers. And Nereide, oh, poor creature, she was better than him with her spells. He couldn’t accept it. Every second was a reason for them to fight, kicking and pulling eachothers hair like kittens, scratching their faces and run in tears to their Mother. Despite his charming demeanor, Nereide and Loki couldn’t seem to get along.

❆❆❆

-Ohi.

She recognised his voice immediately, and she covered her ears with her hands.

-Ohi you.

She turned back to look at him.

Loki was such an arrogant kid and always made fun of her in spite of their friendship. Being a nymph in a realm of Gods wasn’t easy for her even though Frigga loved her as her own child.

She could feel how others despised her, especially Odin.

-Ohiii, i said it first. How are you this magnificently fine morning?

-I am completely UpSeT.

-And why? Pray tell, why would you be upset at such an excellent time of the day? Have the sun and the stars not aligned for you as they have for me?

He was teasing her, testing her patience.

-Once in a while I am the one who woke up from the wrong side of the bed.

She looked at him holding her grudge.

-My head hurts…do you know why???

-Your…head hurts…? What an interesting turn of events! It’s almost like you did something terrible to someone who then cursed you, thus inflicting you with this pain!

He held back a grin, because obviously it was him who cursed her.

She watched him in disbelief. He always acted like a bully with her, always stating how much stronger and powerful he was against her. The reality was just that he was jealous. He didn’t want to share his mother with her, a mere Nymph from the sea waters and the oceans of Olympus.

-…I knew it was you! You and your silly pranks!

She splashed a water sphere on his face, making him scream in outrage and he dramatically fell onto the ground, wailing about his wet clothes and hair. He tried to play it up as if he was being tortured rather than just made damp. The whole time he was giving her his best attempt at an angry glare.

-How… DARE you.

-How dare YOU i’d say. Was it necessary???

She proclaimed, pointing her finger at him.

-Oooh, so you can put a curse on me and wound me like this and i can NOT splash you with your idiot water!? This. Is. NOT. Fair.

He was still glaring at her with his arms crossed, still wet on the floor. His hair wa stuck to hisface.

-Well, if you have any sort of remedy for my headache i will dry you up.

She said, raising an eyebrow to him.

-Why should i try to help you after you dared to pull such a heinous prank on me??? You’re the one who has clearly been cursed by the God of Mischief, it’s your own fault if can’t take a little bit of retalation!

He was waiting for her to come over and dry him off with her magic. He made no move to stand up or wipe the water off him, cleary trying to make her feel bad for what she has done o him. But he was clearly the mean one.

-You damn actor, you’re not even a God!

-I am! I am…a God.

-You are…a child.

-No i’m the future King!

-You’re not even a man!

-Of course i’m not, i’m a God!

Their quarels were always like this. They kinda enjoyed it by the way.

-Okay fine, if you don’t say you’re sorry, i will call Frigga.

She tried to threaten him.

-Oh? OH!? Ad what, pray tell, is mother-dear going to do to poor little me for getting a little wet?

His tone was full of scorn and derision, clearly upset that she alway had the audacity to frighten him with his own mom.

-I am a God, i am not to be treated like this, by anyone!

His brows furrowed with indignation, still making no effort to get out of that puddle of water he had formed on the floor.

-FRIGGAAAAAAAAA

She began to scream at the end of the stairs.

-LOKI IS BULLYING ME ONCE AGAINNNN.

When she started to shriek for the mother, Loki stood up in rage and brought her away from the stairs, facing her with his hands curled in fists.

-You are UNFORGIVABLE. I will make you pay for your disloyalty!

He lunged towards her, intendin to tackle her to the ground, furious.

She just screamed before falling down with him. They began o fight as if they were two kittens, scratching and biting, casting spells one against the other.

When tey are finished, thy both ended up all wet and with a bad headache. The hall was a complete disaster.

Loki rolled off her, his face was covered in rage and fury, still absolutely livid. There was a moment of utter silence, the only thing that could be heard was their furious breaths and the thundering of their hearts in their chests. As he slowly began to get up and stand, the only words i manged to get out between breaths, before he can fully stand, were:

-You…should not…ever…betray me…again

between patings. His face was dripping with wet hair.

She tried to catch her beath, still laying on the ground.

-And you…should NOT…do me those…terrible pranks.

she dried her face with the back of her hand.

-He stood up, his hands at his sides. The water and the rage made is face a complete mess. He was shaking with fury, his eyes wide and his mouth a thin line. He took another step towards her. There was a look in his eyes that promised danger and retribution, as if he might start another fight any seconds.

He began to speak through gritted teeth.

-You. You don’t betray the god of Mischief, EVER. Do we understand eachother?

She nodded, but then she kicked him in the leg and got up instantly.

-AND I’M GOING TO TELL ALL THIS TO YOUR MOM

She rushed upstairs calling for Frigga.

Loki, still in pain, charged towards her and pummeled her, hitting her as hard as he could.

She fell on the ground, crying because of the pain.

-How could you do this to me!? I am a girl, and you shouldn’t even touch a girl with a flower!

Now she was the dramatic one, but she had learned those tactics from him.

He stepped on her. Loki didn’t seem to care about what she said. If anything, her speech made him even angrier as he walked away from her.

No matter how many times he pushed her away, she always returned. And when she wasn’t to be found, he was the first to search all around for her. They needed eachother, they were never alone.

As the months passed by, Frigga watched the two young sorcerers as they practiced their magic. Loki was back again the best and soon began to teach himself his tricks to Nereide. She could sense a tender tension between them, despite their constant arguments. She hoped that they would eventually see past their differences and learn to appreciate each other's unique talents. Their hatred for each other had been based on misunderstanding, she was sure of it.

❆❆❆

As they continued to cross paths in their magical lessons, they started to notice the depth of each other's aptitude. Nereide was impressed by Loki's innovative approach to magic, while Loki was in awe of Nereide's skill and precision.

Frigga couldn't help but notice the chemistry between the two and encouraged them to work together. As they started to collaborate, their magical abilities grew stronger, and their animosity towards one another dissipated. They eventually became really good friends.

Frigga immediately noticed that Loki wasn’t treating the nymph as a sibling: it was something deeper, but they both had to discover it by themselves. Frigga was aware that Nereide couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of nostalgia and longing for her son, and Loki was hyperprotective and a whole different person around her…

Until that day…

❆❆❆

E...ETHIÚ

The group of children, stationed behind a bush, watched the deers they had been keeping an eye on for a long time fleeing because of that sneeze.

- Well done, Balder, you're the usual spoil-party!

Thor leapt up from hiding, and the sudden movement caused few leaves to get caught in his thick golden locks. Although he was one of the younger brothers, he was confident and didn't mind raising his voice with the older ones.

The sun, still feeble at the end of winter, filtered shy and clear through the treetops. The air was still cold, the youngs’s breath condensed.

-Don't blame him like that, he still has a lot to learn and getting upset like this is useless.

Tyr, the eldest of them, rebuked him instantly, placating the angry little thunder god.

-Come on, let's follow them and see if we can bring home a couple at least. This time I won't make up for any of your failures.

By saying this Tyr looked up to the sky, where the ravens of their father, Odin, circled above their heads, lurking on the branches as they moved.

-Huginn and Muninn??? Did our father send those damn crows to watch over us?

Balder asked raising his head as he accompanied his blind twin, Hoder, holding his hand.

Thor walked ahead of everyone, keeping his shoulders straight and his gaze determined.

-I won't disappoint him. Understood??? Ugly birds of ill omen!

-Bighead, calm down and focus on our mission.

Tyr could not even finish the sentence that Thor had started running after those deers that had gone into the forest.

-I'll take them all, even if I have to kill them with my bare hands!

At the palace, Frigga looked out the window thoughtfully. She had been waiting the return of his children since that same morning. One more stubborn than the other, they had decided to go hunting to demonstrate their strength and ability to their father. It had already been a whole day since they went.

The youngest of them, Thor, was in eternal competition with his older brothers, but he always redeemed himself, proving time after time to be the most capable, strong and daring.

Even his brother Tyr, god of War, was no match for his strength.

Thor's character was unparalleled, he was definitely the worthy heir of Odin.

The woman sighed, opening the curtains to let more light into the room, turning inside. Was it a good idea to send Loki and Nereide to find them? Evidently not.

Every god had a weakness, a flaw that would eventually lead to their downfall. And that day, when the brothers were hunting in the woods, Loki and Nereide had found them playing a stupid game:it was simple, the brothers had to throw everything they could against Balder, who was, supposedly, immortal.

Among them was Hoder, the blind god of winter and darkness, Balder’s twin.

Loki, with his ravished grin, exchanged a look with Nereide. His gaze went down to his hands, where he mastered, with his magic, a mistletoe harrow.

Despite his disability, Hoder was loved by many for his gentle nature and kind heart. But his fate would soon change, and tragedy would strike the land of the gods... Loki’s target was the great Balder, and Nereide knew damn well as she was shaking her head, looking at Loki while he was aproaching his blind brother, handing him the harrow.

And he threw it.

from the tops of the trees a flock of birds could be seen soaring in flight, frightened by the raucous cries of the boys.

Odin's two ravens flew in the opposite direction.

The kids rushed to Balder’s side, but there was nothing they could do. They were dismayed, they didn’t know how to go back to the palace and tell their parents.

His death was tragic and senseless, and it shook the entire realm of the gods. Odin was heartbroken, and Frigga was inconsolable. The other wept and mourned, for they could not believe that such a brave and noble warrior had been taken from them.

Loki had long harbored a grudge against Balder, the god of love and light, who was beloved by all, but he certainly did not want to appease his thirst for revenge with the death of his brother. Guilt was consuming him deeply. It’s not your fault, he could hear Nereide’s soft voice during the funerals, you couldn’t know.

Well, he knew, actually, the misteltoe was the only thing in the world that didn’t swear it would never injure Balder, but how could he knew it was going to kill him?

Hoder was wracked with guilt and sorrow at what he had done, and he knew that he had irrevocably changed the course of history. The others were devastated by Balder's death, and they mourned him deeply. Hoder, too, was consumed by anguish and despair, and he withdrew from them, unable to face the consequences of his actions. He was filled with regret and sorrow, knowing that he could never undo the damage he had caused. And though he was beloved, he could not find peace or forgiveness, for he knew that he had fallen prey to Loki's malevolent schemes. The other Gods sawhim as the murderer and punished him by banishing him to the underworld. Two broders went missing then, and after that, Tyr brutally died in a war.

And so, only Thor and Loki remained shattered by isolation and despair. Years passed, and Loki realized he never had hated Balder, but envied him. His heart ached for he chance to make things right, but it was too late. His brothers were gone forever, and he was left to live with the consequences of his actions.

For even the gentlest of souls can be led astray, and even the strongest of bonds can be broken by a single act of malice.

Loki was imprisoned for a short period because he’s considered responsible of one of his brothers’ death.

Loki was punished, tied to three rocks and a snake would drip poison on his face. Even though Nereide was allowed to help him ,collecting the venom in a tray, when he came back he kept the distance with her.

Loki sat underneath that snake swirling with guilt and sorrow. He had always been a mischievous trickster, but his latest plan had gone horribly wrong. He had wanted to prove himself to his father, to prove that he was worthy of being an Asgardian god. Instead, he had caused the death of his own brothers.

He thought about Nereide so much, looking at her holding up the tray, protecting him from the poison night adn day. She had always been kind to him, even when he was at his worst. He wanted to reach out to her, to beg for her forgiveness. But he couldn't. He was too ashamed of his actions, too burdened by his guilt.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Loki remained silence, still unable to face Nereide. He could hear her footsteps outside when she emptied the tray, he could sense her warmth as she kneeled before him. But he couldn't bring himself to speak to her.

When he came back, he avoided her. He only looked up at her walking in the garden with his Mother. Her eyes were sad, but there was a hint of something else there too. Something that Loki couldn't quite decipher. He heard her saying softly the same hurting phrases. "I'm sorry. I know he’s been struggling with guilt. Maybe now he can find a way to make things right."

Loki looked up at her, his heart racing. He didn't know what to say. He wanted to reach out to her, to tell her how much he had missed her. But he still felt the weight of his guilt. He wasn't sure if he could ever truly make things right.

As Nereide turned to walk away from the garden, Loki felt a pang of regret, hiding under the window where he was spying on her. He had let his guilt keep him from reaching out to her. But maybe, just maybe, there was still hope. Maybe he could find a way to make things right, as she said, to show Nereide that he was truly sorry. And maybe, just maybe, they could find a way back to each other once again.

As the sun began to set, Loki sat alone on a cliff overlooking the vast ocean. The weight of his actions had driven him into seclusion, and he kept his distance from Nereide, the only person he had ever been truly close to.

Despite her efforts to coax him out of his shell, Loki kept his guard up, refusing to let anyone see his true emotions. Every time Nereide tried to get closer, he would push her away, afraid that his feelings would only cause her pain.

❆❆❆

As days turned into weeks, Loki's isolation became more and more unbearable. He longed for Nereide's company, but his guilt held him back. He didn't want to bring her any more pain. As Loki sat alone with his thoughts, he heard a faint whisper on the wind. A voice that sounded familiar, yet distant, calling out to him. Curiosity got the better of him, and he set off to find the source of the mysterious voice.

As he walked, the voice grew louder, calling out to him with a sense of urgency. He followed it to a nearby cave among the searocks, where he found Nereide, her eyes filled with tears.

Without a word, the awkwardly looked at eachother. They both grew up, they had spent years together in that cell but they both felt so distant from the other. For a moment, Loki hesitated, unsure of what to do. But as Nereide's tears continued to fall, he knew that he had to take a chance.

In that moment, Loki realized that even though he couldn't change the past, he could still choose to move forward. And with Nereide by his side, he knew that anything was possible.

But as usual, his cynism took over.

-Oh, look who’s back, the weirdest maremaid.

He said, leaning on a rock. The crashing waves sound was distant from them, the echo of their voices filled the small cave.

Nereide wiped away her tears, her voice was soar.

-Why don’t you mind your business and think about where have you been instead.

-Don’t try and turn this around on me, Nereide. I know exactly where I’ve been. If you have a problem with me, I’m happy to take it to another dimension and beat the crap out of you!

They exchanged a complicit look and Nereide ran away from him, yelling: -Beat me all you want i ain’t going!

-Don’t run from me you little…!!! I should…i should…!

…

I’ll tink of a punishment for you later!

-You don’t even try to catch me, you lazy boy?

-Hmf. Why waste my time chasing you when I know you won’t get far…

I’ll get my revenge one day!

It seemed that nothing had changed between them, they seemed even closer than before. Nereide snorted, walking back to him.

-oof, it’s not funny if you don’t collab!

-You know, chasing you is so fun but i always end up trapping you unless you jump in water, you coward.

They both sat on a rock, looking at the sun diving into the ocean. The sky was already lilac, nearly livid, some stars were visible.

-You didn’t even ask me how am I!

Said the girl unable to hold back her smile. She was so childish from times to times, she could cry her soul out and two seconds later it was like nothing happened.

-Ugh, you’re beind dramatic again. You ALWAYS pull the sympathy card because you think it’ll get you out of any ‘trouble’ i’ve caused you, but you know what? That’s not going to work anymore. I’ve had enough. No more favors from me. Got it?

We all know he didn’t believe his own words and Nereide knew better. She held his arm, leaning her head on his shoulder.

-Who is the drama queen now?

Why don’t we go to the palace? Thor and the others are having so much fun doing some fights!

-Only you are the drama queen, And i’m done with your antics. You are always the one to blame, not me! Why in the nine realms would i do you any favors after what you said about me!? I’m not your pet, Nereide, i have far more pride than that, unlike you.

He pulled his arm away from her, storming outside the cave.

He wasn’t ready to face her yet, and he blamed himself for that. He didn’t expect her to be so…gorgeous. She grew taller, her features still sweet and innocent, yet more mature. And her eyes, god, her fawn eyes, he couldn’t hold his gaze on hers without thinking of sinful stuff. Acting out of anger was the best way he could run away with his mad beating heart.

Nereide looked at him incredulous, following him

-did something that i don’t know happen to you, Loki?

She asked, truly concerned.

-You happened, Nereide.

You happened and now I will have my revenge.

Actually, he would fuck the brains out of her, he wants to choke her and fuck her till she’s unconsious, but he wants to degrade her so much. He wants to see her teary and pleading eyes, because he knows that Nereide gets turned on by his attitude. They weren’t kids anymore and he knew better, he knew how to read her, spying on her like a maniac.

He just stomped out of the seaside, fuming and seehing.

He’s usually calm and relaxed, but this was unacceptable to him. The idea of Nereide that had power over him (without her knowing) was unthinkable, but he’s doing his best to hold back his temper.

Nereide began to cry again. Big, plump tears running over her cheeks.

-i’m sorry, whatever i did, i am so sorry

-You’re doing it again, doll. You’re trying to use my empathy against me! You’re trying to make me feel bad for you, bu i will not have you taking advantage of me! I will not let you play with me! I am the God of Mischief, for crying out loud! I’m done being nice! I should be the one who drags and bangs you everywhere like a rag!

Nereide was utterly in shock, hurt by his words. She ran away, bursting in tears. Loki follows after her.

-I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET.

With rage and something between lust and hunger, he summons an opening to another dimension. He shoved Nereide into the portal with as much force as he can muster, closing it behind him. It’s dark there.

-Is this another one of Your tests!? I can’t anymore, please…

Something lit up. They were in the library.

-You’ve brought this upon yourself…

And as he said that, he shoved her in the corridors.

from that moment, the brothers' tragic story was no longer mentioned by the two. Indeed, Frigga's predictions of their affection had turned out to be true.

❆❆❆

Each year was passing by, they were both learing magic from Frigga and they were always locked up in the library, studying.

Thor and their other friends always called them to go on adventures with them, but they hardly went out.

Loki began to be more and more closed in on himself as they were growing up, only her company was welcome.

But whenever he joined the others he never let her go with them. He was convinced that she could be endangered, and he wasn't entirely wrong.

But it was always a joy to return to the palace and find her lost in her spells, to search her all over the rooms only to find out that she was in the garden waiting for him with new books, or flowers, or anything they could do together.

She was a free girl, daughter of nature, always smiling and naive; her sun-kissed skin felt as soft and sweet as a peach, her big eyes always bright. She had freckles and very long dark hair, always loose.

It was unthinkable for everyone that Loki was her closest friend: he had always despised everyone who wasn’t divine, yet there he was, more and more lost walking with her, training with her, talking with her...

You are wrong if you think that no one made fun of him for this.

The truth is, Loki was teased about a lot of things. He was put down for not being like his brother Thor, and he was very bad-tempered.

Nereide seemed the only one who didn’t mind about it. They’ve been friends for a lifetime, and she knew that he wasn’t easy to understand sometimes. She knew she had flaws too, so she accepted him as he was.

-Nereide!

Whenever she heard him pronounce her name she felt a shiver on her skin.

She smiled widely at him. She was caressing some roses that had just blossomed.

-Oh, it’s you!

-Oh? OH??? Have you forgotten who i am??? The greatest god of them all? Did my magnificence slip your mind?

He said dramatically, leaning against her as if he was about to collaps.

She laughed at it, reaching him and holding his arm.

-How could i ever forget your greatness, my beloved God.

-You can never forget it. Anywone who does shall be punished by me. Punishing is my god-born right!

-Yeah yeah, it is, it is… Come with me.

She held his arm trying to bring him with her.

-I would love to walk with you, great Nereide. We’re going to discuss punishing these mortals, aren’t we? Or are we going to discuss how magnificent i am? You may speak first.

Loki followed her, matching her pace. She was shorter than him, like a lot, so he needed to go slower.

-I suppose you could say that one is infinitely more than the other and it’s a difficult choice.

He turned to her with his head held high. His eyes almost shone with a holy light.

Nereide giggled, walking outside in the front gardens with him.

-Why can’t we just do both, you Narcissist?

-Of course we can do both! We can do anything!

Loki gestured broadly with his arms.

-Look at verything around us, we have control over the fates of everything that’s mortal! We can change the weather, cause disasters and ruin all those “precious” creations! We are their masters, they are playthings to us! We can take what we want from them, whenever we want!

The nymph rolled her eyes, waiting for him to finish before speaking.

-…Why can’t we just do something constructive instead of destroying? Like, we already have everything, let’s just leave them alone. Let’s go to the sea instead!

-Ohw, but my beautiful Nereide, i’ve always had a faschination with the cruelest parts of mortality. It’s the negative emotions of the mortals i love most. Anger, greed, pride, hatred…Those are the things tat fascinate me the most. How the negative affects on everyone’s life. And chaos…chaos is a personal favorite of mine. I cannot resist it’s allure.

He sigghed dramatically, looking off into the far distance.

-And my love for chaos must be fed…

She smiled again, shaking her head a little and nudging him.

-Want to train together with some magic pranks?

-Yes, yes, very much. I’m always in the mood to destroy your enthusiasm.

They both laugh at this, knowing that is’s completely false.

-I think i actually have a really fun, possibly mean, little trick i want to show you.

She held his hand, speeding a little, dragging him.

-Let’s head to the Arena then, it should be empty. I have seen Thor and the others going to the Bifrost earlier.

-Excellent! I love the sound of us having the entire arena t ourselves. Now, watch carefully here, and don’t blink!

She released his hand and began to run to the arena.

-I can’t wait to see it!!!

Loki turned to look at Nereide with a mischievous, devious and devilish smile. A smile that was filled with all kind of mayhem and hijinks from which there was no escape. Then, almost as a stage magician would do, he snapped his fingers and sent Nereide to one of his illusionary dimension.

She huffed, stumping on her feet.

-Oh, not again!

He heard Loki laugh and laugh, cackling with glee before he snapped his fingers once again to return her back to the arena.

-And that, Nereide, is why we don’t mess with the Gods. Mwahahahah!

She formed an ice spear with her magic and threw it at him.

-LOKI YOU KNOW YOU SCARE ME WHEN YOU DO SUCH THINGS OH DEAR.

-I know! That’s the best part! Isn’t it just so much fun? Isn’t it delightful how i can be mischievous? Just think of how funny it would have been if you never came back! It’s hilarious! Wouldn’t that be the cruelest prank i’ve ever pulled?

He started to laugh, doubled over with laughter.

She held his face in her hands, studying him. He was insane sometimes, kind of a maniac, but she grinned.

-So you want a real fight, don’t you?

She stepped back, forming a few water spheres.

-Don’t hold back then, i’m more than ready.

He smirked, twirling in his hands two daggers.

-That’s a worthy challenge.

He stepped back, keeping his eyes on her.

-I’ll make this brief, Nereide. So go ahead, attack me!

She threw the water spheres to him. By his surprise, the water was boiling and it turned into steam and it didn’t let him see a single thing around him.

-You know why you shouldn’t challenge me?

She turned into steam herself, following the wind and confusing with the steam around.

-Because i have learned from you.

Loki laughed, enjoying her attempts.

-Now this, this is funny!

He said to himself as he let some magic flow within him to clear aways the steam. He saw nothing but the empty arena space, but he knew better. He could sense Nereide’s magical energy all around, and he grinned.

-You really are full of mischief, aren’t you? I LOVE IT.

Rain started to fall and Nereide turned back to herself little by little.

-Tadaaan!

She screamed when she was entirely back

-Am i good enough?

She formed a wave with the water from the rain.

Loki was smiling at her with a sense of pride, but also with the devilish sense of enjoying a good battle. He was thinking to himself “Yes, she’s definitely worth my time to mess with!”, before realizing he had said this thought out loud.

He knew she heard him loud and clear, the silence among them was cringe.

Loki quickly cleared his throat.

-Ahem…Not bad, but you still aren’t good as me, dear Nereide.

His signature smile grew even wider as he heard her voice becoming a pitch louder. She was nervous. He loved to make her mad, he alway loved to mess with her.

-Well, i’m no God so of course you are stronger and better than me.

The rain had stopped. The wave she was forming was big enough and she thew it at him, turning it into ice as he was on top of it, trapping him.

She began to jump and cheer in triumph.

-Aaah! I got you!

she was clapping her hands

-That’s the first time i do it, Loki!

He culdn’t resist the encasement, but he could free himself anytime. Instead, he giggled. He was happy that she was improving day by day.

-Well done Neri, well done!

His laughter sounded as if it was teasing her, daring her to try harder.

-Is that all you can do?

-Not at all.

She turned the wave back into water, letting him fall. Then turned it into snow so that he wouldn’t get hurt. She took two ice daggers and went on top of him, keeping a foot on his chest.

-Any “last words”?

She asked ironically. It was at this very moment that Nereide realized Loki was looking at her like a proud father would do. He’s not in any danger at all, nor felt frustraed. He was just enjoying their time, because he was simply having fun with her. She had realized for the first time that Loki wasn’t actually looking down on her for being weaker than him. He actually thought quite the opposite. She was just so good in his eyes, he couldn’t hold back his happiness.

Nereide smiled back at him, sitting on the snow and then laying beside him, looking at the sky.

Their shoulders were touching.

-You’re the best anyway.

Loki looked at her with genuine appreciation and gratitude in his eyes. He had gone from teasing her to respecting her, always bouncing between these two moods. His expression showed he had recognized her ability and how he had earned his respect. It was like his facade was melting from his face, showing the being underneath. Loki’s new look almost felt like an apology, as if he had suddenly gotten serious.

He always felt bad after each time he was rough with her.

-Nereide, you are…brilliant.

❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆ ❆❆❆

#loki #loki fanfiction #loki imagine #loki laufeyson #loki smut #loki x oc #loki x original female character #loki x y/n

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withlovefromolympus · 2 years

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Hephaestus headcanons

because why not?

Man’s built like a refrigerator: stocky and sturdy and strong from the ground up, with the exception of his leg, of course

He loves dogs. He has like ten of them, all different sizes/breeds, and they keep him company

What are warm showers? He’s a blacksmith. Hot is the last temperature he wants to douse himself in, so cold is much more refreshing

He helped found the paralympics. He got tired of seeing disabled people excluded from the most glorified, highest-ranking sports competition in the world

He’s a very heavy sleeper who can’t be woken up unless you bang a pot against a pan

(Unofficial) god of disabilities. No other god/dess was interested in the role, but he said it should be a thing, especially since he felt connected to disabled people and played a large role in growth of public accessibility technology such as elevators

He’s quite good at calligraphy. It’s not a hobby for him, but the talent isn’t surprising since his hands are naturally steady and can move smoothly

Sometimes in his free time he’ll go to Home Depot or Lowes or Menards and just wander around.

He’s honestly not that bad-looking, just not “perfect” in the sense that a god would be. He’s very rugged, quite hairy, and always dirty.

He donates a lot, monetary and hand-crafted items-wise, to orphanages and the foster care system. He gets what it feels like to not have parents.

Though younger than Ares, he’s slightly taller than him. Shorter than Eileithyia though. (She’s tall)

He and Hera have made up, for the most part, but he still considers Thetis his first mom and makes sure to visit her and make her nice things every once and a while

He’s no couch potato by any means, but he plays video games after work sometimes to relax

He’s the only god to have some type of connection with other gods:

Athena: both crafting gods; Ares: makes weapons for him; Artemis: protector of children (headcanon that he has a soft spot for defenseless kids); Hermes: transportation god linked to technology and mechanics (cars, planes, trains ect); Hades: jewels in underworld are crafted into jewelry pieces; Poseidon: earthquakes sometimes directly related to volcanoes; Aphrodite: goddess of passion, passion seen in his line of/for physical labor; ect

He’s not the most attentive husband, but that’s how he and his wife like it. He leaves Aphrodite alone to do her thing; then they go out to dinner or something small to catch up

He likes nature more than you’d think! He enjoys taking walks in the woods for fresh air away from the stuffiness of the forge

He’s close with Hestia. They’ll sit by the hearth and chat about anything and everything. He’s one of her favorite nephews, and he feels comfortable enough around her to open up

One of his favorite things to drink are smoothies. When Zeus asks who wants to go to Costco to grab some big-box items for the Olympians to share, he volunteers because that means snabbing a berry smoothie on the way out

Either he’s in his work clothes or pajamas. There’s really no in-between. The first time Apollo saw him in a flannel and non-sooty jeans, he asked him if he was feeling okay

#hephaestus #hephaestus deity #greek mythology #greek gods #headcanons #incorrect greek gods #incorrect greek mythology #percy jackson #greek myth #classical mythology #greek posts #percy jackson and the olympians #pjo #cabin 9 #piper’s hcs

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happyk44 · 2 years

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Zeus being his regular paranoid self and believing Hades is up to something. Poseidon is easy to ignore, he never shuts up and also his wife would never let him go completely off the rails and he worships the ground she walks on so he'd listen.

Hades isn't like that at all. He's quiet. He doesn't show up to the parties, always sending his employees up with a small gift and apology of "He's sorry he couldn't make it but he's still working". When he does show up, he stands in the corner. He speaks to three people as Hera demands of him but otherwise hides away with a plate of foods.

It's disconcerting. And Zeus isn't really known for his rational thought process. He swallowed a woman out of worry. And anyone who points out that his father did the same of his siblings is quickly thrown out the nearest window.

So he sends Hermes down to the Underworld. Hermes is easily likeable. All the Underworld workers like him and he's one of the first people Hades speaks to when he's on Olympus. Through his mail service, he's already developed a familiarity with the land of the dead. Ghosts don't make him uncomfortable. The skeletons bustling around don't send chills down his spine.

He's perfect for keeping an eye on Hades.

He's easily hired. Thanatos can't collect everyone by himself and Hades is often too bogged down by work to assist for more than a couple hours. It's interesting work. He doesn't like picking up small children, it makes him sad, but other than having to dodge a couple chairs from grandmothers who don't want to leave their grandchildren and swords from soldiers who want to keep fighting, it's easy.

And Hades is nice. He has tired eyes, fighting off Hypnos and his children and their sleep demands. But he stands tall and strong. He's lithe and haunting but speaks with a soft tone. He's indifferent to the tears of the dead but he holds their hands when they ask and watches like a concerned father when they sink into the Lethe.

It sinks warmth into the pit of Hermes' stomach. He lingers close and Hades lets him. Then he remembers why he's there.

He wonders what his uncle would think of him. Would he be disappointed? Or would it just be another expectation? He has so little faith in the love held by his chosen family. They give him little trinkets and he pauses every time, confused by affection. Even with his daughter, who's been with him almost as long as the Furies. The Furies who are fiercely protective of him. Everyone cares so deeply for each other.

And then there's Hermes, sneaking around, peeking through diaries and unlocked doors.

He's a spy and he hates it.

There's no abandoning this responsibility without setting off his father (and who would ever want to do that?) so he works hard. Does his best. Sneaks Persephone downstairs when Hecate needs some old bones for a potion. Sure, he could get them for her, but his sister is lonely and his uncle is lonely and his cousin has always wanted a mother.

Why not?

They hit it off.

It's nice. Warmth swells in his stomach. As does jealousy and regret. But they're happy. They're happy.

His father for every report Hermes writes assuring him that Hades isn't planning a thing against him. Macaria for having a mother. Hades for having a wife who brings daylight and life back into his gloom and doom. Persephone for having freedom and love without attachment. Everyone else for the flowers that grow that they'd never seen otherwise and the newfound brightness to their boss's eyes.

They're all happy. Even if he doesn't know what the swarm of difficult emotions in his belly is, he knows they're happy with what he's done for them.

That's what matters. Right?

#happy talks greek mythos #hermes

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blackcur-rants · 2 years

Text

TO FIND YOUR WAY ON THE PATH UNWINDING

“¿Quien es tu?” Sebastian Noceda asked the mysterious figure who approached him out of the mist and fog.

The stranger stayed taciturn, his pale face motionless as he looked at Sebastian. He was a tall man dressed in garb that could been from any time between Shakespeare and Ford.

He spoke with the same calm and measured diction of the old Reverend back in Gravesfield.

“Do you know Doctor Richard Wittebane?” Sebastian asked at last, voice trembling with curiosity.

The stranger smiled.

“No, my friend” the stranger said after much trepidation, “He could be a cousin of mine, born long after my time in Mortal Realms. Our surname is not a common one, to be quite honest. It is a very specific name for a highly particular occupation”.

“Was that…weaving or wood carving, by any chance?” Sebastian asked again, “The Reverend’s son Joseph took up wood-carving not long before the fire that took me away from my wife and child”.

“Killers” the stranger replied, his voice trembling with grief and self-directed rage, “My father, Reverend Samuel Wittebane, and my uncle, William Wittebane, and my grandfather, Edgar Wittebane…they were all Witchfinders in the Old World and the New. My brother Philip and my cousin Roger also wanted to join in on our family crusade…but they were too young to wield more than sticks and fake torches. And Uncle Edward was too much of a drunken lout to be of much use at anything, to be quite honest”.

“That’s very interesting, mi amigo” Sebastian said, “My family came from Spain. We were Jewish, and the Inquisition drove us from our homes when the Catholic Monarchs came to power over Granada. One of my ancestors was Jaime Noceda, a name cleverly disguised…”

“How so?” the stranger asked.

“Well in Hebrew” Sebastian responded as he summoned a can of Coca Cola into his hand, “Hayim means life and sounds like the Spanish name Jaime, while Noceda sounds like “No ceda”, or “Does not yield” in Spanish. So it sounded like it just meant “James of the Walnut Grove”, but it actually meant “Life does not yield”. It was a subtle reminder to the Monarchy of Spain and to the Inquisition and to the Church as well that we would never surrender our faith or our true souls to the false image of the Cross”.

“Once I thought I would be like that in what I thought was the Realm of the Devil. My father named me after one of the spies whom Moses sent into the Land of Canaan to scout the cities of the Gentiles” the stranger said whilst refreshing himself with the gift that Sebastian had given to him a few minutes ago, “and for a while, I thought it was my destiny to bring the Witches down from within”.

“So your name is Joshua, then?” Sebastian asked the stranger, “My father was a big fan of the author Sebastian Keith and all of his corny old mystery stories. So when he met Mama in college, they decided on that name because of how much they loved those silly books. It’s funny, isn’t it Josh, where parents get the names of their children?”.

“My name is actually Caleb” the stranger sighed out at last with a slight chuckle, “Think it means “Dog” in Hebrew”.

“Good solid name” Sebastian responded, “It evokes the sense of a loyal person who sticks true to their principles no matter what the squalls of common idiots say and regards those they love with the utmost affection and steadfast loyalty”.

Caleb chuckled lightly to himself.

“I think my father gave me that name to set my life’s path as that of a hunter who would not be swayed off the trail and would chase down and kill Witches like a dog kills foxes and rats and rabbits to bring to its master. And Philip was named so that he would come to love the steadfastness and dogged determination of the old workhorse that ploughed our fields back home. Our father…Oh how he loved symbolic names like that”.

(No one tell him that horses were the sacred animal of the pagan deity Poseidon, he who might very well have been Lord of the Underworld in Ye Olde Mycenaean Times).

“I’m not immune to symbolic names myself, to be quite honest. My father in law, old Arturo Marchena, was named by his father Samuel Marchena after old King Arthur of Logres, as a reminder of the heroic struggle he and his friends were fighting against Trujillo. And I think Cami’s own mother named her in honour of an old Arabic word for “Beauty” because she and her husband both regarded Cami as the most beautiful thing in their entire lives. They…were both sentimental like that”.

“What about your siblings?” Caleb asked.

“Neither of us had any siblings, to be quite honest” Sebastian responded, “We were both only children and so was our precious Luz…”

“I know of her quite well, Sebastian” Caleb said.

“Tell me, is she…okay?” Sebastian asked, “I have not seen her in a long time”.

“She has definitely won my long-dead heart” Caleb said back, “If you wish to know, she also won the heart and loyalty and saved both the life and the soul of one of my descendants, good old Edalyn, the Owl Lady of Bonesborough, Boiling Isles. I don’t know if my descendants would ever have reconciled without Luz’s help”.

“Beg your pardon?” Sebastian asked, remembering his little Luz as a fussy little thing who needed to be stopped from eating puzzle pieces, had to be read at least two fairy tales per night before she would go to sleep, and had just brought explosives and wild animals just to act out her Azura book report the last time he’d seen her.

“See, when I fell in love with Tabitha Clawthorne and carved my Familiar Flapjack to celebrate becoming a Witch, Philip declared the both of us to be abominations before God, and he tried to cut open Tabitha from head to groin in order to kill both her and our children in the womb. I couldn’t let that happen, and so I fought against my own brother and he struck me down in cold blood. The last thing I heard before I died was Philip declaring loudly that Babylon would fall before Tabby successfully fought him off”.

“Yet sadly, Philip...could not be stopped. He schemed to acquire the knowledge to exterminate the Boiling Isles like the Lord wiping a dish. And so he learned of that strangest and most ridiculous of all the Servants of the True Dark Lord…Gallitzur the Collector of Souls. And it was this Fallen Cherub who taught my brother a spell to drain the Life Force of an entire nation. To help him accomplish all this horror, Philip took my bones and mixed them with stolen pieces of magic to make Grimwalkers, enslaved clones that he alone could control. And with these mindslaves whom he nevertheless always killed, destroyed, and obliterated in the end, Philip rechristened himself Belos the Wise and broke the Children of the Isles, destroying their cities and using our father’s old rhetoric about Satan, Hellfire, Brimstone, and Damnation and the Papist Tricks nearly used against the London Parliament to get them to sell their souls to him and his…Golden Guard. He then sealed their magic into Nine Schools, with one of them just being for the purple goop substance the Witches of the Isles use to create what your folklore calls “Golems”. Then he further set everyone against one another by making his own Emperor’s Coven the only one that could use All Nine Schools. So cunning and insidious was this manipulation that Eda’s own older sister Lilith cursed her own younger sibling with being fused to a primordial Owl Beast unto the End of Time. And over time, the Owl Beast consumed more and more of Eda’s essence, till she would have become the creature permanently and in all likelihood would have been captured and petrified by Philip’s hideous government…until Luz caused Lilith to see the truth of her actions and though she could not undo the Owl Beast Curse forever…she did choose to share the curse with her sister so that it could become less bad”.

Sebastian was left a little shook by Caleb’s words, and he breathed softly in and out and out and in as he tried to control his emotions, which ranged in magnitude and intensity from wanting to punch Lilith Clawthorne in the face as soon as he met her to thanking the Lord that he himself had never been given any siblings.

“Philip was too distracted by his thoughts of destruction to pay much attention to Luz’s deeds in Bonesborough, but though she didn’t attack him directly after she saved Eda from execution, Luz changed the hearts of the people from within. When she met the school mean girl at the Hexside School of Magic and Demonics, Amity Blight, they did not get along. In fact, Amity almost had her killed. It was only later on that Luz discovered the sadness inside Amity’s heart. Did I mention that in addition to giving Amity the love and therapy she needed to overcome her lifetime of trauma and also helped her reconcile with her best friend Willow Park and did I mention they defeated an all-powerful Shadow Fear Monster with nothing but a dance and some plant magic!?”

“This is a lot to take in, to be quite honest” Sebastian said, still trying to wrap his head around finding out the objective existence of Witches and Demons and Magic, “I need to rest. Still can’t believe my daughter is accomplishing all of these things”.

“She is a beautiful thing” Caleb said to Sebastian, “A child of wonder. Strange to consider her past”.

“What do you mean?” Sebastian asked.

“A child born into a Jewish family and raised by a single mother after the loss of her father. A young person who never fit in her community of origin and decided to go on a journey that brought her to the point of descending into the Underworld and which I do believe has repeatedly involved her sacrificing herself and/or nearly dying so that others may live. And then there is the way that love for her changed the hearts of at least three or four (depending on how you count the Son of the Titan) souls who could be considered ‘Fallen’ in one way or another…and if I remember my Latin correctly and the story that you told about the name of your ancestor Jaime, I do believe her name can be translated as “Light does not yield” or “Light does not surrender” or “Light does not give in”. And then you get my brother Philip, who just threw together all that he hated whether it be Pagan or Papist or Witchy that he essentially slapped on himself the Greek form of the name of the Great God of Old Babylon (or maybe it was the French word for ‘Beautiful’. I honestly don’t care to remember) as what he thought was a way of pandering to the Witches of the Boiling Isles. Yet all he did was set himself up as a false god in a gilded sepulchre, a hideous mix of Belshazzar and Caiaphas unable to see the symbolism of his own actions”.

“Would you stop…” Sebastian called out in exasperation, “forcing your own Puritan cultural lens onto my family and culture!? You must know that is not how we generally think about the Messiah”.

“My deepest apologies, Señor Noceda” Caleb responded as he sat down upon a stump with a sad, long sigh, “Tabitha actually talked to me about the insensitivity of doing that when I tried to do the same comparison between the Lord of my people and the Titan of her people. Stars know it isn’t always a wise idea”.

“You are forgiven” Sebastian said at last, “Besides, I read a good deal of comparative mythology in my youth as a big Star Wars geek, and let’s just say the idea of a Child of Light who drives out the Darkness of Ignorance and heals people of their sins and sufferings is not a rare thing in either the Demon Realm or in our Human Realm”.

Caleb chuckled to himself and commented on the Roman deity Sol Invictus.

“Pretty sure that was just a fancy term for the Sun overcoming the Winter Solstice” Sebastian quipped, eliciting another chuckle from Caleb, “You know, another fun fact. Camila’s dad Arturo studied Ye Olde Kabbalah in his youth, and in that belief system, Ur, the Hebrew word for “Light”, is used to describe the emanations of Ha-Shem’s divine majesty, wisdom, and power. Some of those guys even call the Divine essence “Ur Ein Sof”, or “Light without end”. Guess you could interpret that as “Light that does not yield” if you wish to do so. Never thought my daughter could be seen as an emanation of the Divine Light from before the beginning of time. It’s a weird sensation for a parent to think about, to be quite honest”.

“Whether there’s a connection between Ur Ein Sof and Sol Invictus and La Luz que no ceda, I do not know for sure” Caleb said at last, “All things are coincidences in the end, a chain of extremely convenient things happening until the end of time brings all things to their conclusion. Yet I also believe that things happen for a reason…that somewhere out there, beyond the bright starlight, there is a Singular All-Parent who watches over all of us and guides us towards that which leads us to become our truest selves. Forgive me if I seem skittish, dear friend Sebastian. I don’t always know what to say that, no matter how slight, won’t be misunderstood”.

“It’s fine, Caleb” Sebastian responded, “I like to think Ha-Shem guides us to our right paths just like you do”.

Caleb laughed and then he and Sebastian hugged each other as they sat together on that stump of wood.

“Ultimately though” Sebastian continued, “We are but the sum of our choices. At any point in time, your brother Philip could have realised he was about to become as terrible as Cain and stopped himself from killing you. His heart could have chosen to throw the knife and stop the hating, but he did not do so. Yet you chose to be better, just like Luz chose to embrace love rather than hate with Amity. What would be beautiful about love and goodness if humans and Witches alike did not also have the opportunity to be selfish and hateful and cruel?”

“And that contrast between someone who chose to do good in pretty much the same circumstances as someone who chose to do absolute pitch-black evil is why I adore Luz so much. Where Philip is death, she is life. Where he is night, she is day. She is the glory to his sorrow. Where he brings grief, she creates joy. Where he is dust, she is gold. Where he is fire, she is air. Where he is a creature of rage, she calms and soothes those around her. And for all of the loss that Philip creates, Luz allows those who follow her to feel true glory awaken”.

“That’s genuinely beautiful, Cal” Sebastian said as he wiped a tear from his right eye, “She is an amazing girl and I am so glad someone else loves her the way that I and Cami both do”.

“If I ever get to meet your wife” Caleb said, “either here in the Realm of the Dearly Deceased or in the Mortal Realms, I would love to have her meet Tabitha. We would both compliment her on raising such an amazing and wonderful girl”.

Sebastian Noceda reached out to hug Caleb Wittebane once again and Caleb was extremely happy to reciprocate.

“So what happens to my girl next?” Sebastian asked, “Tell me, Caleb! Tell me!”

“That’s hard to say” Caleb sighed, “That aforementioned pest Gallitzur will probably send his mightiest magic against her and her friends and try to destroy them all, for they have been cast adrift from the Boiling Isles like Noah in his Ark. We can only hope that the Cosmic Principle will grant them salvation before all that’s left of the Boiling Isles is a skeleton crew. They will have to do their best, and even if it is not good enough, it will have to do”.

@elphabaforpresidentofgallifrey @daphneblakess @riverajocabed1 @theofficialkai517 @koshercosplay

#The Owl House #The Owl House fan fiction #fanfiction #death cw #religious talk cw #afterlife cw #afterlife conversation #Caleb Wittebane #Sebastian Noceda #Luz Noceda’s father #Mr Noceda #long post cw #existentialist #mythological allusions and discussions #Mentions of murder #attempted murder cw

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descendantofthesparrow · 2 years

Text

BER - The girls

Arella Hook (daughter of Harry Hook and (y/n)/rose) Arwen Legume/Godmother (daughter of Gil and Jane) and (y/n)/Rose Hook, mother of Arella and widowed wife of Harry Hook.

Arella, at the time of the present timeline, is 15-and...very much like her father, stubborn, charming, loyal, brash, and cursed. born with the very same curse her father and grandfather had, plagued with voices that tell her to spill blood. over the years she's gotten a handle on them, and now they're more like annoying friends who tell her to shove a pie in Arwen's face just cause she can. don't mean they have stopped telling her to kill but-they’ve calmed down. a wizz with mechanical weapons' like guns and bombs, Arella can handle up to 50 of Mal’s guards at a time, especially when she is able to set up her electric traps and when she lets the voices take over; and boost her natural strength and speed.

Arwen is 16 and a half fae half human, born under Jane’s once a year mating season with her true love Gil, Arwen's father. Arwen is a powerful subtype of fae, especially since she was born of true love, a wild fae specifically, able to communicate with animals and control and create anything that deals with nature. she inherited her fathers build and stature, plus with her fae side giving her unnatural strength. she looks like she can lift a car, when really she can fucking throw it.

(y/n)/Rose is 37 by the time her daughter(s) are 15&16, having raised them to the best of her knowledge of how Gil, Jane, and Harry would’ve wanted them to be. Arwen is (y/n)/Roses godchild, having been given that honor before she was born. Rose/(y/n) uses Poseidon's trident in connection with Uma’s necklace; which had to be repaired once again after it had been destroyed by Mal. using these two powerful magical artifacts affected Rose/(y/n) in an odd way, once she used to be five feet, five inches tall, now she stands at six feet exactly. Arwen following her at 5ft 9 and Arella at her old height, 5ft5, though Rose/(y/n) has a feeling Arella will have the same growth spurt Harriet did when she hits her older teens. (gurl when from 5ft4 to 6ft3 in like two months when she hit 17)

(y/n)/rose’s main objective is to take Auradon back from Mal’s claws, with the help of her daughter and niece/goddaughter, and hopefully bring back her husband, her bestfriend, and her other bestfriend; Gil from death. a few years after Arella was born, Rose/(y/n) was approached by the blood god himself, Technoblade, a name chosen for him by his followers; the voices. in return for her becoming his disciple, she would take on the curse and gain unyielding strength, speed, durability, and superior fighting skills, all to help her defeat Mal. Rose/(y/n) agreed and for 10 years has had this curse, the same as her husband and daughter.

ye, so...the girls~! bad end rewrite inspired by @disneyfan50 true defender and @thetimelordbatgirl tightrope which is co written by disneyfan50 and is a crossover au fic with timelords other fic called family business

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thejudgingtrash · 3 years

Note

11. “...did you just sniff me?” for percabeth pretty please 🙏🤍🤍🤍

Heya! I’m finally here to come back to this request 😄😄 It took me only a little bit in comparison to other requests, but I'm here!

Also since @percyheartsannabeth, @skaterannabeth and @not-optimistic-petrol-biscuit had asked about fluff. Here you go... Kinda? 😬 Anyway. Here's a monster sneak peek into may I introduce you to my beloved wife? 😋

It took me all day yesterday, but I managed to pump out 11k words. That's a record for a single session in one day (with like two breaks). And yes, that is still not the entire chapter. Here are roughly 9,2k for you to consume!

TW: alcohol, overbearing relatives not minding their own business, a tiny section talking about domestic abuse and Athena and Frederick Chase ain't shit but that's nothing new. Poseidon too, for once. Enjoy!

may I introduce you to my beloved wife?

(*absolutely not proof-read, my bad)

Annabeth sighed. You can do this. You can do this. You’ve already finished the week. Think about the money. Think about the move to California. Push through this day and next week, think about the money and the minute you’ll hand your termination in. She wanted to splash some water up her face, but the makeup that tinted her lips in a luscious rose and added some bronze to her high cheekbones was too expensive to be washed off and hastily reapplied.

It was pre-Dionysus Day, which meant it was merely the calm before the storm. The first sparkling sip of an impending disaster waiting to rollover the roomy Greek villa Percy forced her to stay in. Well not really forced. Forced and bribed her to stay in. That made it sound slightly better. Just think of the one-hundred seventy-five dollars he’s going to transfer into your bank account for your new start in California. I should renegotiate. California is also expensive. Make it two-hundred fifty thousand.

The tall blonde looked at her reflection in the mirror. A young woman full of life was the first thing she had seen in the morning but now she looked tired and annoyed, just how she felt. Something crashed in one of the dozens of rooms next to her and people laughed. Annabeth sighed again. It was the only thing she could do, otherwise she would scream like a banshee, making sure that at least Hermes and Prometheus would check her, if it wasn’t for Percy stuffing socks into her mouth to make her shut up before they got to her. The majority of his Greek relatives had been lovely if not terribly nosy and overbearing. It was the opposite of her family. His was warm and chaotic and for the most part welcoming. Hers? Cold, apathetic, disapproving of everything she did. She had no family in comparison, and neither would she want to compare this wholesome messy bunch to the cold-hearted Athena Pallas and the monster that was Friedrich Chase.

Annabeth respected Hera and Hestia, she definitely side-eyed Aphrodite who was cheating on her husband and she would definitely stay away from Zeus. Crossing paths with him occasionally in the New York office of Atlantic INC. was terrible, seeing him openly be flirty and loosen up during a forced trip was way worse.

This was a bad idea and I have a terrible feeling about this. The burgundy wrap dress that hugged her skin was soft and light but in the Thessalian heat it felt like a sticky cocoon caging her. She wasn’t a beautiful butterfly, ready to burst out and wow everyone. Neither was she a moth drawn to a flame. She was a bug that had been sprayed by Percy with a pesticide, wrapped in toxic chemicals which were slowly dissolving her body, piece by piece.

A knock shoved the horrendous image inside of her head aside. “Yes?” she asked with a firm voice. Too firm with a hint of annoyance, but she was not a professional actress and could not switch her emotions off as she pleased. She was a junior marketing manager for Christ’s sake. Not for much longer. Only two more months…

Percy opened the door. “Are you ready?“ he asked with his usual pleasant baritone reaching her ear.

He wore light linen pants that hugged his legs loosely and a light blue shirt with the first buttons opened up. She could see his defined chest and the swirls of black hair peeking through. The hair was styled into a disheveled curly mess which suited him way better than the gelled back corporate look and he forgot to trim his beard like the day before. Annabeth couldn’t deny what she saw – her tormentor was a very attractive man.

“Do you want to bail?” His sea-green eyes darkened a shade. Worry flashed through them.

Annabeth exhaled sharply for the last time. “I wish I could but then I’d leave you without a fiancé,” she smiled through the pain.

Her glance found her reflection again. The topknot was still intact, and a few strands carefully framed her heart-shaped face. She looked perfect on the outside and she wanted to commit manslaughter in the inside.

“Let’s get over with it,” Percy sighed and stretched his hand out. It seemed like Percy was the one that would rather bail.

Annabeth took it without any complaint. She was the happy girlfriend soon-to-be-wife and holding hands was way better than being forced into kissing him during Sports Day. The Theodoropoulos family truly had planned activity after activity during those two weeks in winter.

“Oh!” Sally peeked into the bathroom and saw her son holding Annabeth’s hand.

“There you are! Is everything okay, mija?” she asked with her sweet Dominican accent and looked at Annabeth.

Annabeth automatically smiled back. Sally was the mother she never had, and it broke her heart crumble by crumble by the sheer charade Percy and she were forced to display for the next six days. Sally Jackson deserved the best. She certainly didn’t deserve being deceived and lied to by her terrible son and his tag-a-long coworker.

“Yes, Percy was just making sure we’re arriving on time.” Annabeth got on her toes and placed a soft kiss on Percy’s stubbled cheek. It tickled but by now she had gotten used to it.

He rolled his eyes, smiled at his mother, nonetheless. Sally’s eyes sparkled and she clapped, clutching her hands tightly. “You don’t know how proud you’re making me, mijo,” she then said teary-eyed.

“You finally found a great girl and she is standing next to you.” Sally wiped a tear away and the awful feeling that sat on Annabeth’s chest and made everything heavier, amplified by a thousand times.

This was way worse than being referred to as the woman that would bear him three to five children presuming with the first one sired on this current vacation by Ares. Yes, Annabeth wanted two children at max, but not definitely now. She was twenty-eight and in the prime of her life! Note: Percy would certainly not be the father of said two children. Unruly blond waves and a mischievous grin blitzed through her head. Pale blue eyes came back from the deepest pit of her memory. Luke. Fuck no, that was even worse than Percy. His betrayal… Annabeth tried to shake the memory off and focused on the ongoing situation in front of her.

Sally truly hoped her son found love and not a quick fling. Oh shit, Annabeth thought and looked up to Percy whose face expressed similar thoughts. His conscience nibbled and guilt flooded his body.

“Mamá,” Percy began and released Annabeth’s hand in order to grasp the older woman’s shoulder.

Sally brushed his large hands off. “No, no! Off you go! You younglings should be downstairs celebrating your reunion with the entire side of Poseidon’s family.”

Annabeth appreciated the fact that Sally was invited and flown out each winter holiday by the Theodoropoulos’. Despite having been divorced from Poseidon for over twenty years, she was still a popular and welcomed guest, not just because of her son’s attachment to the Greek side and his tied division of the Greek family company.

Sally gave each of them a last smile before entering the women’s bathroom. Percy exhaled and pinched his nose. After ten seconds he released the nose and looked back at Annabeth. “Ready?” he asked a final time. Annabeth nodded.

The loud singing, yelling and talking that had been muffled by the bathroom hit her by a tenfold. The place had all the Mamma Mia vibes without the fun singing four days ago. Not anymore, as drunk relatives hit up the shore with loud music and talked loudly in their Pontic Greek dialect.

As the couple descended the stairs and walked through the parlor, a new wave of guests arrived at the same time. Three people that have just entered early adulthood looked up to them. Two men, one blond with a stoic face and bronzed skin, the other was shorter with spiky black hair and a beautiful grin on his lips. The woman next to him was the tallest out of the trio and possessed a high ponytail that would leave Ariana Grande dying out of envy. The dyed lilac hair swung around and nearly reached the middle of her thighs, meaning the hair was even longer without its tight prison on top.

“Thanatos, Zagreus, Megaera!” greeted Percy and gave each one of them a rib crushing bear hug. They looked pleasantly surprised at seeing Percy being accompanied by a pretty woman his age. It seems like the proposal didn’t reach all of the ends of the Greek world.

They fell into a short conversation in Greek and Annabeth smiled politely next to Percy as she fell entirely out of place. The evil Duolingo owl didn’t prepare her for this experience. Neither did her mother bother teaching her at least their Athenian dialect properly. She could introduce herself in Greek, order a beer, say goodbye and that was it. Thank you, Athena. For nothing again.

“Oh, you must be Annabeth,” Megaera eyed her carefully and Annabeth had the feeling that she could split her open with her hands. Weirdly enough, Annabeth was kind of into it. Megaera wasn’t only as tall as Percy but she was clearly the one with the toughest workout regimen as she displayed her muscular legs and defined arms with a short cocktail dress only a few shades darker than her hair.

“Yes,” Annabeth squeaked. She nearly added a ma’am towards the end. Megaera cocked her dark eyebrow. She had an aura that demanded respect.

“Interesting to see the woman who captured Perseus’ heart. It seems that he did develop a good taste after all. Calypso was as pretty as the crescent moon flower but sadly as dull as his corny jokes are.” Megaera’s deep smirk was a stamp of approval as her eyes roamed all over Annabeth.

“Hey!” Percy interrupted and placed a firm hand on Annabeth’s waist, as if he was trying to mark his territory.

“You have your own toys right to your right,” he then added with a playful tone.

Megaera actually laughed and waved dismissively. “That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more.” A clear offer which left Annabeth’s face turn into a fiery tomato red.

“Anyway, we have some catching up to do,” Thanatos proposed as Zagreus and he silently watched the conversation blossom. He sounded as reserved as he looked.

“Indeed,” Zagreus agreed, surprising Annabeth with a posh English accent. “Father will murder me if we miss out on his moussaka. It’s to die for you need to try it, Annabeth, at least before Hephaestus gets ahead of himself.”

Annabeth laughed. The Theodoropoulos did have their positives. “I will, Zagreus,” she nodded.

“Oh please, if aunt Sally gave her go for you to stay here, you’re as good as family. We’re Than, Zag and Meg for you,” Zagreus offered.

“Annabeth is already my nickname but thank you for the kind offer!”

The three new guests went on to join relatives and friends at the party which seemed to get more chaotic by each passing minute as the volume seemed to increase.

“My cousin Zagreus from my uncle Hades’ side,” Percy explained as the three went out of his sight.

“Are they friends? Or…”

“Pretty sure they’re polyamorous. You know, I don’t know, and I honestly don’t really care, I see Zag once every twelve months at max. Just don’t stick to Meg’s side for too long otherwise she’ll turn you into her fiancé.” Percy’s tone suggested that he was not joking.

“Oh.” Annabeth didn’t know what to think of it.

Percy closed his eyes as if he was making a silent prayer, before his sea-green met Annabeth’s light gray ones. She smelled like lemon with a hint of lavender, instead of roses like normally. Delicious. If it weren’t for the fact that it was Annabeth.

“So, listen. You know I’ve talked about Dionysus Day and how his birthday brings out the worst side of everyone.”

Annabeth nodded as Percy went on to explain.

“Pre-Dionysus Day is basically same with the only exception that my great-grandmother’s house is filled with the entire family. Yes, we’re expected to eat, drink, laugh, drink, dance, drink, reminisce on our past, drink, make fools out of ourselves in order for them to take blackmail pictures and drink some more, but no matter how much they want you to open up… try to control yourself. Everything you say can and will be used against you.”

Annabeth’s stomach started to churn, and her knees slightly gave in. “Look, I’m truly sorry for the mess that I’ve caused,” Percy looked directly into her eyes and tried to ignore the rosy streaks across her flushed cheeks. “And my relatives can be overbearing. But if we manage to stick through this night and the next one tomorrow, we’re as good as done with playing games.”

“Fine,” Annabeth gritted through her teeth. She had agreed to the terms and condition. She didn’t need a reminder of the stupid decision she made two months ago.

“Let’s go.”

She placed her hand on the doorknob that separated the parlor from the huge living room. Percy followed her as she opened the door. A wave of laughter, wine, ouzo, discovered secrets, cigarettes, sweat and fun hit them.

“Oh wow, someone should open a window.” Percy suggested as he coughed. Luckily cousin Metis had the same idea. No, aunt Metis. Or was it Thetis? Why did Percy need to have so many relatives with similar names again?

“Oh, Annabeth, look at you!” Aphrodite had snuck up behind them and surprised the fake couple by hugging each of them and nearly spilling the expensive Greek vintage in her hand on Percy’s shirt. The red alcoholic liquid carelessly swirled in her glass and more than often seemed to want to escape from her clutch.

“Aphrodite, be careful!” Percy reminded her as she dug her fingers into his arm. Her nails were as fake and bought as was the bond between Annabeth and Percy.

“Oh, please cousin, you should learn how to loosen up!” She laughed, but it sounded more like the shrill sound a bird made when it got nearly hit by a car. The high pitch made Annabeth slightly frown.

“Take your girl upstairs and show her all the Zorbas moves you got!” She wiggled her badly overdrawn eyebrows.

Aphrodite had always been the poster child of perfection. She knew how to dress her curvaceous body the right way, she knew how to apply the perfect touches of makeup on her face and she was the most graceful being Annabeth had ever met. Seeing her so disheveled left the blonde American content. It showed that Aphrodite wasn’t one of the gods, she was a mortal mess like they all were. That, and it was kind of funny seeing the abrupt transition from oozing perfection to looking like a rough mess after a couple of glasses of wine.

“If you know what I mean, you two know what I mean, right?”

“Yes,” Annabeth and Percy answered. Unfortunately, they did.

“That reminds me, this is such a pretty dress that you got!” Aphrodite’s eyes widened and she tugged at Annabeth’s sleeve that went slightly over her elbows. “Percy needs to bring me a couple of those the next time he visits. Oh wait! You’re about to marry, Annabeth can take me shopping. I want to visit New York next summer. When was your wedding again?”

Panic filled Annabeth she tried to stutter a lame excuse like they had done the entirety of the stay. Aphrodite’s brown eyes found something else to focus on in the meantime. Her hand went out to poke the tall blonde’s chest as she went on to pull on the thin fabric.

“You should show the men what you got! Free the girls!” Aphrodite yelled over the loud music, pushing Annabeth’s C cup to its limits. “Let Percy stand in the corner with that stupid frown, all jealous and depressed while you’re out on the hunt!”

Percy did not look amused especially since he tried to pull Annabeth away.

“Yeah, just like that!” Aphrodite’s glass pointed directly at his face as Annabeth tried to shove Aphrodite’s fickle fingers aside. “Oh, if I were just a little bit younger and not tied to your cousin…”

“You mean cousins,” Percy corrected and made a step backwards as Aphrodite’s dreamy and drunk dazed focus shifted from Annabeth to him.

“Aphrodite, leave Percy and his future wife alone,” Hera arrived to save the stressed couple and rolled her eyes. “Go harass Hephaestus and try to be a faithful wife for once in your life.”

She still looked like she had a massive stick shoved up her ass by the way she stood entirely straight next to them, but Annabeth appreciated the gesture. If Hera didn’t like Aphrodite much, Annabeth would rather join Team Hera than stand alone by the bleachers and under Aphrodite’s charmspeak. Aphrodite pouted and stomped with her feet twice as if she were a toddler and not a grown woman marching towards her forties. Then she stormed off and ran into the arms of her lover, nother husband to spite her mother-in-law and embarrass her even further.

“Malàka,” Hera cursed and lost her cool for one second, before clearing her throat and focusing on the already tired fake engaged couple in front of her. Not even Hera seemed to be averse from drinking a glass of wine or two. “You two definitely need a drink.”

Annabeth agreed with her for once.

She pointed at the bar behind her, which was managed by Dionysus and his wife Ariadne. The number of relatives ganging up on them and demanding new drinks was frightening. Surprisingly Dionysus kept his cool and shoved drinks in people’s hands at an impressive speed.

“Yeah, let’s get over with it,” Percy sighed and took Annabeth’s hand again.

“Are you okay?” Annabeth asked him. She knew from Thalia that Percy rarely ever drank and that his family was to blame for most of it. Percy seemed stiffer and graver than usual as well. As much as she disliked his jokey nature and easy-going demeanor he displayed at work, she’d much rather have that Percy by her side right now. Dionysus Day and the day before seemed like it was hell on earth for him and walking through it each year must take a toll on him.

“Yeah, let’s just each grab a glass of wine. Let them be happy about me shoving this disgusting stuff down my throat.” He thanked Ariadne as she prepared two glasses of the same vintage Aphrodite seemed to have inhaled earlier.

“Thank you.” Annabeth took her glass and sniffed. The wine smelled sickly sweet with a hint of the bitterness that the fermentation process had left. The glass in her hand weighed surprisingly heavy, not because of the wine itself but because of the golden swirls decorating it. The glass transitioned from the crystal-clear transparency into a deep black. A lyre surrounded by a bigger laurel wreath decorated the middle section and a golden snake was wrapped around the stem. The golden rim gave it a nice finish.

“Into a fruitful night,” Percy darkly mumbled over the music. He was really not looking forward to it, which confused Annabeth immensely. She didn’t understand why he pushed himself through this if he really didn’t like the drinking activities. He surely had his reasons, hence her not starting a fight with him over it. It was his family and their tradition after all.

“Into a fruitful night,” Annabeth instead repeated.

Issuing a weird toast as well. Percy Jackson was clearly not a drinker. Their glasses clinked and each of them took a sip. Thankfully grandma Rhea made sure they were well-fed before the festivities began.

“Fuck,” Annabeth muttered. A fine vintage as well. Not as sweet as she thought, it left a hint of sweet cumin as the lingering aftertaste. Her lipstick left a mark on the glass, but she didn’t bother to care as she took another gulp. The wine was nearly finished. She slowly started to understand why ancient civilizations went crazy after this stuff.

As she looked at her so-called fiancé, she saw that his glass was already empty. A grimace rested on his face as well.

“Err, Percy?”

“What?” The dark brooding look on his face was no more.

“Shouldn’t you take it easy?” Annabeth carefully asked. His eyes narrowed.

“I am,” he stated and cocked his head towards his cousin who was still busy playing the barkeeper but kept an overall watchful glimpse on the guests that flooded the gates.

“Dionysus saw me drink. Most importantly he saw us have a drink. That should be enough for me, but if you want some more, be my guest.” He shrugged.

Annabeth felt that she should probably drag his mopey ass out of the party, but it was way too early to leave. “Fine,” she said and asked Ariadne for a refill. Annabeth went in for another long sip. She should definitely stock her wine cabinet once she was back at her shitty apartment. Before the glass reached her lips again, Hermes snatched it away and chugged the remaining wine.

“Hermes, what the hell?!” Ariadne grabbed the glass and pushed her husband’s cousin away. The bored postman was back with his shenanigans.

“My bad, dear wifey, but I’m on a mission here to abduct sweet Annabeth,” Hermes winked and placed his hands around Annabeth’s shoulders.

“What are you up to?” Out of all of the relatives she’s met so far, Annabeth was convinced that everything Zeus had ever sired was a mistake. Zeus himself was a mistake.

“Can you stop being German and boring for once?” he joked. Annabeth’s eyes narrowed. She did not like this one bit. She turned her head around and saw that Percy had been pulled into a conversation by Hypnos and Morpheus. He had completely forgotten about her. Great.

Hermes guided her through the crowd, towards the middle of the room. They had to dodge chairs, drunk relatives, a sofa, chatty relatives, the coffee table and dancing relatives before they made it.

“There she is!” greeted Achilles the confused marketing manager.

Paris, Helen, Patroclus, Hermes and Achilles stood in a circle around a table. Dozens of shots of all sorts of colors were displayed. Annabeth had a terrible feeling about this.

“What is this and why are you pulling me into this?” Annabeth asked and did not like the mischievous grin they all shared. She wanted to go back home and cuddle with Daedalus on her sofa and push his cat ass out of the way before the next steamy Outlander scene hit the screen. Yes, Annabeth was that much of a single that seeing some on-screen action was the best she could get. She hoped that the mangy cat didn’t bother Thalia all too much while she was staying in Greece. She owed her so much already.

“Well, I stayed in your country,” Paris started. “And they have a weird tradition with ouzo. They don’t drink it the way we do, watered down and slowly at lunch and what not…”

Annabeth was still American for the most part and had nothing to do with Germany. The last time she stayed there was nearly thirteen years ago. She didn’t want to have anything to do with Germany. Friedrich Chase lived in Germany. And she fucking hated Friedrich Chase. Therefore, she hated Germany. Things that would never change. Okay, Hamburg was a cool city and she was glad her father moved to Cologne. Should she feel the urge to travel back to Germany for a week or less, she’d go to Hamburg, take ten thousand pictures, and post them on Instagram the minute before she was boarding her flight back to New York. Helping her to enrage her stupid father was all Germany had to offer.

“Germans do ouzo shots,” Patroclus cut to the chase. “And since you’re the newest member of our family…”

“And German!” Paris and Hermes added simultaneously.

“We’ve decided to play this little game,” Achilles added.

“What’s the name of the game?” Annabeth asked. She was only slightly curious. Emphasis on slightly.

“Last man standing. Oh sorry, ladies. Last person standing,” Hermes corrected himself as he placed four shots in front of each person. That was way too much hard liquor to handle. But if she did Jägermeister bombs in her sophomore year of college without any issues, this should be fairly easy.

“What are the rules?” They all looked at her in silence. No rules. No prize. Just drink.

“Oh wow.” The urge to roll her eyes and walk off came back with a force.

“I think I’m going to pass,” Annabeth said and already turned to her right.

“Why?” Helen asked innocently. “Need your man to look after you? The one who’s having an amazing time back there with his third glass of wine?”

Foul game. Annabeth’s head shot to the right. Helen was right. Percy was laughing and looked like he was having a great time chatting with Oceanus and his wife Tethys. Tethys refilled his glass as her husband and Percy broke into laughter once again.

If that’s the case…

“Fuck it, I’m in,” Annabeth agreed. She swallowed the bait and she knew it. There was no reason why she should feel upset about Percy opening up all of a sudden. He desperately needed it. Why she wished to be a part of that, Annabeth did not know.

“Great!” Helen threw her brown mane over her shoulders and grabbed the first glass.

“Για μας!” they all yelled and chugged the liquor. Gia mas, the Greek toast, was repeated every time and it seemed to brighten the mood, despite resting heavily on Annabeth’s stomach. Her college days were over, but she was glad she resisted coughing repeatedly.

Patroclus clutched his stomach after the second shot, Helen ran out after the third, Paris and Achilles were laughing maniacally after the fourth and Hermes mysteriously disappeared after the first one. Annabeth was the last person standing. She placed the crystalized shot glass back on the table and examined the messes around her. The only thing that had happened to her, were that more golden locks escaped from her bun and her lipstick needed some reapplying as she left marks on each glass.

Annabeth tried to take a step away from the table and felt how the world slightly shifted around her. The fact that she would curse and hate herself for her behavior in just six hours, was something drunk Annabeth gladly put aside. The headaches that definitely would haunt her for the rest of the trip didn’t matter, she won and that was all she cared about.

“Hell yeah!” she yelled as all inhibition faded away, leaving pure and raw life force behind. Unbeknownst to her, Annabeth had moved right into the circle of dancers.

“Perseus, get your bride before she breaks her legs!” someone laughed. Was it Iapetus? Or was it Hyperion? Who even cared at that point?

The next two hours were a blurred mess. A blackout slowly crept through her mind, leaving foggy memories behind. Annabeth felt how she was dancing with people and how people were laughing. Were they laughing at her or with her? Did it really matter? Why was her hair repeatedly slapping her face, didn’t she tie it up?

She danced with different people, men and women. She really hoped that the guy that looked like a naked Danny DeVito with longer black hair was not Zeus who had lost his shirt and pants. Who was the guy with the sea-green eyes again? Why was he clapping and laughing whenever she was busting a move next to Hermes? Was he important? Why did he remind her of work? The shots might have been a short-sighted idea after one and a half glasses of wine. She probably overestimated the amount of food she had consumed at dinner prior. Wasn’t she supposed to try someone’s moussaka?

“There you are! Ares, stop dancing with her for once. We’re about to leave.”

Ugh. Ares. Not Zeus, but still yucky.

Sea-green eyes. Percy, of course. How could she have forgotten the asshole that brought her into this whole mess? He seemed fairly sober, didn’t he have a glass or three of wine? Annabeth was certain, she’d be able to drink him under the table. His height and his build might put him at an advantage, but if he wasn’t used to drinking, she might have a fair shot.

A rock song was the next song that appeared. Percy wanted to drag Annabeth off the dance floor.

“Oh no!” Aphrodite intervened with a shrill screech. “Give the two lovers some room to show each other affection!”

Hera actually raised her glass for once to show that she actually agreed with one of Aphrodite’s wild ideas. Someone fumbled with the playlist and a Greek slow jam roared through the old speakers.

“Are you guys fucking serious?” Percy muttered under his breath. But roughly eighty pairs of eyes were all but watching the soon-to-be betrothed and waited for a romantic dance which reminded Percy more of the horrors that the eight-grade dance was.

Annabeth drunkenly hiccupped and looked at him in surprise as she felt one of his hands around her waist and the other one taking her hand. They rocked as if it was the final dance at prom. Annabeth barely remembered prom. Oh right. Her mother had forbidden her from going. She never attended prom.

A casual glimpse through the crowd showed her that people were actually filming this nonsense and some women were actually cooing. Did… did they seriously think this back and forth with sweaty clothes on was romantic? Her eyes found Percy’s again.

“So…” he began.

“So…” she repeated.

“Careful!” he warned her before twirling her through the tight circle. People screamed and applauded. A camera flash blitzed through the darkness twice.

“Oof,” Annabeth groaned. Her stomach and equilibrium did not appreciate that sudden movement.

“I’m sorry, I won’t do that again,” Percy swore. The rocking motion made both of them sleepy. Annabeth suppressed a yawn, rested her head on his shoulder. Percy could make the perfect comfy bed, if he wanted to.

Percy, sensing that people were awaiting some action from either of them, placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face up. Annabeth’s eyes widened. Is he going to kiss me in front of them? Again? her panicked brain asked. She was turned into stone, not by Percy’s distant cousin Medusa who had eaten most of the truffles, but by the tenderness of his actions. He was one solid actor.

Percy placed a soft kiss on her forehead, before moving on to a temple. Annabeth blushed and buried her heated face in his chest as he released her. Intimate, soft and sweet. The screaming relatives disrupted their comfortable silence yet again. The slow song came to an end and the next upbeat one invited everyone back to the dance floor. Annabeth released herself from Percy’s tight embrace and just bolted. Damned be nausea. A wave of coldness hit her. She felt something she didn’t like the minute Percy had softly kissed and soberness woke her at a start. What was it? Anger? Disappointment? Longing? She didn’t know and she didn’t want to know.

“Annabeth!” Percy shouted, but the amount of people standing in his way made it more difficult for him to keep up with her. His hand brushed over his own lips.

Annabeth opened and closed doors left and right. The kitchen, the dining room, the smoking room. She hasted through the first floor until she found another lost soul in the fireplace room. Why the villa had a fireplace room in the first place, she did not know. It had been super-hot the entire time but what Annabeth understood as heat and what native Greeks deemed as hot temperatures didn’t have to correlate.

Great-grandmother Gaia’s humming faded away. The eldest of the Theodoropoulos looked up from the pair of socks she was knitting. When she came to find out the intruder was Annabeth, joy spread over her face.

“Come, come!” The broken English that she softly spoke reminded Annabeth of her own grandmother. She hadn’t seen Elsbeth Lilienthal-Chase since she had left Germany. And since her mother didn’t give her a chance to say goodbye, she didn’t have a phone number to reach her with. The only way would be through that asshole Friedrich Chase, and the only time she’d willingly let someone contact that man was if she had been six feet under and he would be forced to show up for one important family event for once.

“I was unable to sleep. Parties aren’t something for me. I’m too old and boring for my children and their children,” Gaia sighed as Annabeth took a seat on the green sofa next to the light blue armchair. All of the cushioning seemed to have been made by Gaia as the socks had the same pattern as the pillow that Annabeth leaned against. Balls of wool surrounded the older woman as if she sat on a field of fresh tulips.

“Drink, drink! You need water. I’m pretty sure you danced a lot.”

Annabeth kindly took the offer, grabbed the carafe and poured herself a little bit of water into a small glass. The water was surprisingly cold and refreshing.

“My children deem me crazy,” Gaia continued. “The war with the ottomans. Deportation. Fleeing and seeing death everywhere. Losing my father in the chaos. Then the big world war after that twenty years later. They don’t want to listen to the same stories. They only want to have fun. So, they sent me away.”

Annabeth felt terrible for the old lady. It looked like she had been through hell and back in her youth. She didn’t look like she needed much, only someone to listen to her.

“I won’t bore you much,” promised Gaia.

Gaia’s tanned leathery hands continued working on the little socks. “Don’t worry about tomorrow, dearie. We have plenty of acetaminophen and other hangover remedies. Tomorrow will be even worse, because Dionysus wants to celebrate his birthday with even more wine,” the old woman laughed, and her green eyes twinkled full of life.

“I also was young once…”

The two sat in comfortable silence, only interrupted by Gaia’s humming or Annabeth refilling her glass of water.

“So,” Gaia began.

“So?” repeated Annabeth.

“You are the woman that tamed my little Perseus,” the older woman grinned.

Oh no.

Annabeth had a lump in her throat and drinking water to solve it, didn’t work. She wasn’t just lying to Zeus and his wife. She was lying to an entire clan, from the youngest to the oldest members. What Percy and she were doing wasn’t right, neither was it fair. Sure, Percy’s shitty uncle didn’t help much by forcing him to marry the next person, but did the rest of the family deserve to be deceived as well? No, they didn’t, and that truth rested heavily on Annabeth’s narrow shoulders.

The fact that Gaia looked so much like her great-grandson was crazy. They possessed the exact same shade of sea-green. It was passed onto Rhea, Percy’s grandmother, and then Poseidon, Percy’s fucked up father. Always full of intelligence and calculation. Shifting easily from delighted and full of life to the crashing anger of a storm. Power and knowledge were key features of Gaia’s eyes.

“How did you meet my sweet Perseus again?” Gaia innocently asked but Annabeth knew that there was some sort of ulterior motive behind her question.

“At work,” she honestly answered, and Gaia smiled. The old lady was able to sense the truth.

“He’s not my direct boss, but we run into each other a lot. And we hated each other from the moment we saw each other.” Annabeth remembered how she accidentally spilled her hot coffee all over his shirt. She had been public enemy number one from then on.

“He’s an excellent boss, as much as I hate to admit it. He knows his ways around and is passionate about the ocean and its inhabitants. Definitely more passionate than me, I’m just there for the money. He actually wants to make a difference. And he’s extremely annoying, might I add.”

Gaia burst into laughter and needed a minute to calm down. Annabeth cracked a toothy grin. “Ah yes, I can see how you fell in love with him.”

Doom. Uneasiness. Discomfort. The lump in Annabeth’s throat grew bigger and bigger. Why was her vision so blurry all of a sudden? She looked down at her dress. Dark dots appeared. More sprinkled across her lap as Annabeth realized she was crying.

“I’m so sorry,” Annabeth sniffled. “I… Percy… I…”

Gaia put her knitting utensils aside and set herself upright in the armchair. “Oh no, what is going on, Annabeth?”

The calming hand on her back did not help the young professional at all. No, Gaia’s honesty and curiosity made it way worse.

“Percy and I… we’re not engaged. We did it because Zeus-” Annabeth tried to confess, but Gaia brushed her off.

“It’s okay, Annabeth. I know,” the old woman smiled.

The tears that smeared her foundation or rather what was left of it ceased to fall. “You what?!”

Shock widened Annabeth’s light gray eyes.

“I knew from the minute you stepped into my house. I’m pretty sure Rhea knows as well.”

Annabeth’s jaw fell open. “B-but how?!” she stuttered and felt like an utter and complete idiot. The first few days had been rough and difficult, but now she thought that Percy and she conveyed the illusion of being a happy couple.

“You were scared of everything including him the minute you arrived,” Gaia warmly smiled. The infectious warm smile of a grandma looking out for her little chicks. Was Annabeth now one of them?

“I knew something was off with that sudden engagement of yours with the way you two behaved. Either you were pregnant, or it was a ruse. Since you are heavily drinking and paper thin, it was clear that there was no pregnancy. You young people truly don’t eat enough anymore,” Gaia shrugged, patted Annabeth’s knee and went back to knitting the sock.

“But now… it all makes sense. You do feel something for each other. Even if you are blind to it for now.” She continued to hum. “I just hope that my dear Perseus will be the young and carefree boy he was all those years ago one day again. And I do believe that you are the key in finding him hidden underneath all those layers and walls he had put up due to his father.”

Annabeth didn’t even close her mouth during the elder’s monologue. Did Gaia seriously connote that she… that Annabeth Chase… might feel something for her soon-to-be boss? Madness. Absolute madness. She took everything she had thought of the friendly old woman in front of her back. Maybe her relatives did have a point, when they decided to brush Gaia off due to her old age.

Annabeth? And feeling something for Percy? If that something was hatred and the utmost rage, absolutely yes. But… anything else? She would receive a hefty sum on her bank account and would put in her two weeks the minute she found a better job in California.

“You know… there is a tale I’d like to tell about men.”

And Annabeth would prefer to place the glass back on the table, throw the heels away, storm out and run to the next airport.

“They are stupid vapid creatures,” Gaia carried on.

Annabeth snorted behind her glass. “That is certainly true,” she agreed and earned an honest grin from Gaia.

“My dear husband Ouranos with whom I had all of my dear children decided one day that one woman was not enough. And that twelve children were not enough.”

Twelve children?! Annabeth's womb just twisted and turned in protest. The shocked expression on Annabeth’s face made Gaia chortle loudly.

“Oh yes, back in my day we were all very fruitful,” Gaia affirmed.

“That sounds horrible,” Annabeth interjected.

“Oh, only the birth part and the eighteen years after it,” the older woman dismissed her which made Annabeth in turn laugh again.

“My father was a farmer and he had one piece of advice: never let someone toy with you. You are not a doll; you are a person with morals and dignity, a person with feelings and dignity. Let no one, especially not a man, treat you like a commodity or something to kick around. Well… when dear Ouranos left me and sought our neighbor with bigger breasts… I taught him that lesson. And I did so with my father’s trusted knife that I hung on the wall afterwards.”

There was no knife displayed on the wall. It was a fucking scythe. Large, frightening, brutal. A golden great long sickle with jagged teeth rested on the wall as if it were ready to cut you up into one thousand pieces. Was there really dried blood stuck on the teeth or was Annabeth’s drunken mind making things up?

“The minute our youngest turned eighteen he took off and was never seen again. And now, should a person, in that case my Perseus, not know how to treat you properly, you know what to do,” Gaia advised and took a sip out of her own glass.

“Uh… you mean threaten to cut his genitals off with a large and sharp family heirloom?” Annabeth’s eyes widened again.

“No, dearie…” Gaia gave it some thought. “Well maybe so, dearie,” she then went on. That made Annabeth chuckle again.

“But demand absolute respect from him. Don’t ask him for it. Demand it. I don’t know how but he has dragged you into our family and expects you to play the perfect fiancé. This will eventually blow up in his face and he will drag you along with him. Teach him a lesson, however.”

“You know what? I will!” With Gaia’s official blessing, Annabeth was all smiles and scheming new plots. If the head of the family gave her the approval of kicking Percy’s ass, she definitely would.

Steps echoed in the fireplace room and Annabeth and Gaia’s heads turned to greet the intruder. They didn’t even realize the door opened and closed again.

Gaia’s younger twin who still had some black streaks in the braids marched into the hall, curious about what the two women in front of her were previously talking about. Gaia’s youngest daughter Rhea had joined them. The large blue floral dress made her seem like she never left the late 1960s and the two long braids only added to that sentiment.

“Mamá, what is going on? By the way Percy is looking for you, Annabeth,” Rhea informed her grandson’s alleged fiancé before taking a seat in front of her and grabbing one of the many balls of yarn in front of her mother. Rhea then went on to play with it as if she was a six-year old.

“Oh no, Rhea, Annabeth and I were just chatting about love and life,” Gaia batted her eyelashes.

“You see, I gave Rhea the same advice about her disgraceful husband when he went out to seek another woman.”

Rhea rolled her eyes behind the large pentagonally glasses. “You and your stories about the scythe, mother,” she sighed.

“I have to make sure the younger generation knows!” Gaia huffed. “I won’t be here for much longer and then-”

“We'll regret all the things we’ve said and done to you, I know mamá, you have been telling me this since I was four years old and spilled my apple juice,” Rhea completed her mother’s sentence.

Rhea’s attention shifted to the smiling blonde in front of her. She grew to like Percy’s fiancé. She had a fire within herself and a backbone, all great things to handle a Theodoropoulos man.

“But my mother is right when she says that the scythe is a trusted tool. Zeus, Poseidon and Hades did scare Kronos with it after he tried some foul things with their sisters. Treated them worse. Did overall horrible things. He never wanted daughters, only sons. Didn’t seem to accept the fact that it was out of my hand.” Rhea squished the ball of light blue yarn in her hand.

“My children were always looking out for me and I will be forever grateful for them. I do hope that you will have the same feelings and love for your children.” It was clear who their father was supposed to be.

“Yes, I hope so as well,” Annabeth squeaked. Did it get hotter in here all of a sudden?

The door opened, and a worried Percy stepped into the fireplace room. “Oh, there you are,” he sighed as he immediately sighted Annabeth’s blonde unruly curls. He had been running from the basement all the way to the roof searching for her. Relief washed over his face like some shower gel from a cheap commercial. Only then did he realize that Annabeth had been cornered by both his nosy grandmother and his even nosier great-grandmother.

“Whatever they’ve been telling you, it’s a lie, it’s wrong and it never happened!” he warned her as he took a seat right next to her.

“Oh please, relax,” Rhea rolled her eyes and threw the wool at her grandson. “We have been talking about mamá’s scythe.”

“Hey!” both Percy and Gaia complained. At least they hadn’t dished out embarrassing stories of him taking off in diapers at night.

“This is expensive! You young people show no respect towards others' belongings,” Gaia cursed.

Annabeth took the blue yarn and placed it back on top of the pyramid of other colors.

“Thank you!” Gaia smiled before she focused on finishing the sock.

“You’ve found your fiancé, Perseus. Now go off back to celebrate and let us old people reminisce about the past and talk.” Rhea lazily waved at them whilst Gaia didn’t even look up from her craft.

“We will,” Percy said while getting up and casually dragging Annabeth along. He kissed both Gaia and Rhea on the cheek, Annabeth threw a hasty “See you in the morning!” over her shoulder before the couple left.

“Are you okay?” Percy asked as he pulled Annabeth aside for a small breather.

She nodded. “It’s just a bit overwhelming with the amount of people that either want to take pictures of us, hope I remember when their youngest kid’s birthday is, or they tell me they hope we have our first baby preferably in less than a year.”

Percy blushed. He didn’t think it was that bad, but then again, men are mostly left out of the baby talk until their mother’s saw that their best friend’s children had their first grandbaby. He truly didn’t have any intention of having a child before the age of forty. He had to save a business from his damned uncle, run and manage said business and preferably find a woman he tolerated enough to marry before he could even think of children.

Percy apologized again. “One week,” he promised her.

“One week,” Annabeth repeated and nodded.

“We’re going in, you’ve missed the high of the party with your talk with my yai yai, but that’s perfectly fine. The first have already left, let’s just mingle for ten minutes or so before we can-”

The door flung open. “There they are!” yelled Hermes who was followed by Zephyrus and Hercules.

None of them had any intention of letting the party stop before five in the morning. It was merely two. The minute Hermes had his sights on Annabeth, he knew that he had found his best drinking buddy aside from Dionysus himself. Oh no, Annabeth thought and rightfully so.

The minutes of calmness and rest next to Gaia did their wonders because Percy and she were thrust back into the party at full force. She didn’t exactly remember when the blackout happened, but it was roughly thirty minutes later. She was drinking, she was dancing, she was completely making a fool out of herself. The hair? A mess. Annabeth herself? Don’t even think about it. She had been dancing with Hermes and Patroclus, Aphrodite accidentally stepped on her foot one time when Ares approached her.

Percy broke his own promise and accepted a fourth glass of wine from Dionysus who insisted on it. That glass was his doom. The last droplet touched his tongue and his world turned into a flashy mist, his consciousness was broken into pieces, fragmented and sprinkled across the floor. Where he was, when he was and who he was were things he couldn’t remember. The only thing that popped up in his mind were waves of solid gold. Was it hair? Could hair truly move like that and possess that texture? And a whiff of lemon with a hint of lavender crawled up his nose. It was an odd combination, but it felt safe and like home. He liked this smell. Where did he smell this before?

Percy didn’t care, he had other matters to attend to. The first thing on the docket was finding the bathroom, he had drunk way too much. The house had weird rules in regard to bathrooms. Was it the left side or the right side that the young men could use? Why did his uncle Hades have to break two sinks in a span of a week when he was sixteen again? Why were women and others allowed to do whatever they wanted? His great-grandma and her weird plans were always set to make him fail somehow. Things that she had thought of decades ago still bore fruit today.

Percy stumbled upstairs and turned right and prayed the doors he was opening were empty bathrooms and not relatives making out. That was just what he needed. The first door he opened was of his great-uncle Oceanus and Tethys who had a face mask on her face and pink curlers up her hair. At least the old people still knew how to behave. He hoped his mother had left the party hours ago. He apologized and closed the door. The next one was an empty bedroom, his even maybe. No, his bedroom was on an entirely different floor. Or was it?

The next bedroom was closed off thank god, but from the sounds on the inside it seemed like cousin Eos and her newest catch Orion had some fun. Disgusting, Percy thought before he moved on. The next door was what he was looking for. A bathroom. Lit up, clean and empty. Empty if it wasn’t for this one woman who was clutching the brims of the polished sink. She was tall, the golden hair equaled a rat nest and her red dress seemed to have witnessed a lot.

“Ugh,” she muttered and looked into the mirror. Her eyes found his immediately.

“Percy?” she turned around.

Oh right. He was Percy Jackson, thirty-one, single, hopefully the new CEO of Atlantic INC., he had a fantastic apartment in the Upper East Side with an amazing view and he was in Greece to impress his family with his fake fiancé in order to secure his father’s legacy. His fake fiancé being Annabeth Chase, a woman he loathed, had to pay a little hush money and hoped would leave the company fairly soon after.

“You’re in the men’s restroom,” Percy then stated.

Annabeth looked around. No, it was not the same bathroom she used in the morning. Oh yeah, Gaia’s weird bathroom rules.

“Honestly who cares?” the junior marketing manager complained. “A toilet’s a toilet, no matter who uses it.”

Percy shrugged. Annabeth had a point but it wasn’t their house so they couldn’t dictate the rules.

“I wanted to retouch my makeup, but I didn’t find my makeup bag.” She walked steadily to Percy, but it was clear to both of them that she had her fair amount of shots in her system.

“Yeah, it’s probably in the other bathroom. Wait, let me use the bathroom for a second and then we can head back to our room and you can look for your makeup.”

Annabeth nodded and waited on the outside while Percy was tending his business. After drying his hands, he opened the door and found Annabeth yawning in front of one of his yai yai’s paintings. It showed the scythe from the fireplace.

“In all honesty, your great-grandmother is an amazing woman. I admire her. Showing kindness and strength each day. How old is she?”

“Turning 106 next October,” Percy smiled at her. “She always said she wanted to live long enough to see her favorite descendants find their own happiness, whatever it may be.”

The softness in his voice made Annabeth’s heart ache. She turned her head back to the painting. She was a nobody. She had no family, no traditions she could upkeep. She didn’t even have a steady relationship in the past five years. Fucking Luke Castellan. He also had to take that from her as well. Make her suffer. That’s what Athena, Friedrich and Luke all thought at the same time. And they all had nearly reached their wicked goal if it hadn’t been for her stubbornness and will to eventually blossom into something else. The first step towards that something else resided within her move to California. She wanted to leave everything and everyone behind and start a new life, somewhere where no one knew her.

A thumb brushed over her cheek. Annabeth looked up to Percy. She hadn’t even realized she was sobbing again.

“Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay,” Percy assured her. His hands found her sides, pulling her into a soft hug.

A true fiancé level hug. Annabeth had never felt that comfortable within a man’s reach. Percy might have been an awful and annoying coworker, but he truly cared about his fellow people. The way they slowly rocked and kept hugging each other reminded her of the school dance work they had put on the floor earlier. But this time it was real. This time there was no one taking pictures or yelling into their ears, or the demand to see a kiss.

Annabeth rested her face in his chest and Percy leaned his head on hers. It was like they had been made for each other. A welcoming scent greeted Percy. Lemon and lavender. The person stuck in Percy’s crumbled mind had been Annabeth. She was his anchor in the havoc his relatives had created in such a short time. He took a deeper breath. It felt reassuring.

“Did you just sniff me?” Annabeth laughed as she pulled away from him.

“You do smell good!” he defended himself with a stupid grin on his mouth.

“Oh, wait you’re super drunk,” she giggled again as she saw his widened pupils that had pushed the darkened sea-green iris away.

“Well, look at you,” he retorted.

They looked at each other. Aside from the bumping music and the noises people made downstairs it had been completely silent. He missed her warmth; she missed his comfort. Neither would have guessed that a simple embrace could offer so much. Neither would have thought they would take it to the next step within a split second.

One last look. A last time sea-green and light-gray met before each set of eyes closed and their lips met with a brutal force in the middle. Their teeth clacked but it didn’t matter to them. What mattered now, was the moment. Forgotten was the alcohol, forgotten were the troubles of past, present and future. Forgotten were the friends and relatives in the building and back in New York.

So... what do you think? 😄 Like I said, this is not the entire chapter 🤷🏾‍♀️ I honestly feel bad for cutting the chapter off because it's really getting more interesting from that point on 💁🏾‍♀️ I'll probably continue working on this once I've published the next act of The Fool 🥳

Also Greek people, if something seems off with this (aside from random English at times lol) hit me up, I definitely have to do more research!

#mel answers #pjo #percy jackson #Annabeth chase #percabeth #percabeth fanfic #may I introduce you to my beloved wife #mel writes #hoo #heroes of olympus #percy and annabeth #pjo fanfic #percy jackson and the olympians #mel spoils

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lifeofroos · 3 years

Text

A/N: Two proper titles in a row u n h e a r d o f f

Clarisse meets Zeus, too - requested on AO3 :)

AO3 - KoFi

The King

‘Where were you?’

Hera had her back turned towards her husband. ‘Why does it concern you?’

‘I should know what goes on around here…’

‘A whole lot goes on on Olympus that you don’t know about.’

Zeus narrowed his eyes. ‘Yet I should know about it. You could make it slightly easier, at least.’

Hera straightened her back. ‘If you insist. Do you know about Ares' daughter, Clarisse?’

‘Of course I do. She’s his chosen favorite. What about her?’

‘I just… had a word with her.’

‘Why would you?’

Hera still didn’t look him in the eye. ‘You are entitled to know what happens in your realm. You are not entitled my reasons.’ She made up to leave, until she felt his hand on her arm. She turned around and finally looked him in the eye.

She sighed. ‘I know. It’s been difficult for all of us. We… we need to get the morale back on Olympus.’ She placed her hand on his for a moment.

Just a moment. Then she was gone, leaving her husband behind in the rubble of Olympus.

Why had she spoken to the girl? It still bugged him. Why couldn’t she just tell him her thoughts? Why did she keep to herself so much?

He put his hand against one of the still standing pillars, one that had belonged to a small shrine to Demeter. It hadn’t been repaired.

Knowing Hera, she hadn’t told the demigod much. Yet she should be able to tell him why his wife spoke to him. He had to know, now, otherwise the question wouldn’t let him go.

The campers were still on the road, which made it difficult to speak to her one on one. Zeus teleported himself to camp Half-blood instead. He had commissioned the place himself, long ago, for the training of heroes. Back then, it was mostly his heroes, although later more and more kids of other gods joined as well.

A whole lot more of those would be added, now. Jackson had made them swear it on the river Styx.

Zeus looked at the twelve abandoned cabins around him. Soon, there would be many more of them. New cabins, in the same place, putting the minor gods on the same level as the twelve chosen ones.

He couldn’t really think of a reason why that would be bad, other than it was the way it always had been.

Poseidon was still proud of his child, no matter the uproar he had caused. Perhaps he was even proud of him because of the uproar he had caused.

Zeus' eyes fell onto Dionysus cabin. It had been quite the uproar when his son, then still a demigod, had joined Olympus. A scandal, madness, the people had shouted. Had he been proud of his son, then? Even if all the others were not?

He couldn’t even remember.

Ares was proud today, that was clear. He hadn’t tried to hide it while all the other Olympians were in the throne room. Zeus knew Ares was more than capable of anger, even towards the people he loved the most. Yet, he did show it when he was proud, didn’t he?

In the distance, Zeus could hear the little busses arriving. Quickly, he turned himself invisible, while the surviving heroes came back into camp.

He had expected them to be happy, or grateful. They had just defeated the evil that had been threatening Olympus, after all. Instead, they looked exhausted. As if the day couldn’t come to an end quickly enough.

A tall, brawny girl was directing a few other tall, brawny heroes to their cabin, to freshen up. That was Clarisse, Zeus knew. Aside from the pain and exhaustion the campers wore on their faces, this girl, or young woman, had a look of determination on her face as well. It stood her well.

As the last campers walked into their cabins, Zeus took the chance to come up to her. ‘Clarisse la Rue…’

‘You, as well?’

Zeus raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t expected such a harsh reply. Clarisse seemed to realise it as well. She bowed her head. ‘I beg you, please excuse me, my lord,’ she said, although Zeus could hear she said it through gritted teeth. ‘The battle was hard, I am tired, I just spoke with your wife too and I feel so…’

Zeus held his chin high. ‘I’ll forgive you this once. I understand the difficult situation you are in. I have but one question.’ Just like your wife, Clarisse thought, but she said nothing. She could keep her mouth shut this time, if it meant she wouldn’t be smote down by the king of the heavens. ‘What did my wife ask you?’

‘Didn’t she tell you? Eh, I mean… didn’t the queen tell you, my lord?’

‘You are a lot like my son. Which is understandable, of course.’ Clarisse didn’t know what to make of the harsh look in his eyes. ‘She didn’t. Why is none of your concern. Yet, what did she ask of you?’

‘She wanted to bless me, although I am not certain why. Perhaps she didn’t want me to know.’

Perhaps she doesn’t want me to know either, Zeus thought to himself. Yet, why not?

‘I think she might feel bad for the demigods. Guilt. Although, I can’t say that of a goddess, I guess…’

Guilt about the demigods? Ha.

Yet, it made sense, somehow.

Lots of sense, actually.

Zeus put up his hand. ‘Enough. Thank you. Go back to your siblings, now.’

That sudden? ‘But…’

‘Didn’t you hear me? Enough.’ With a snap of his fingers, Zeus was gone.

Hera feeling bad for the demigods. It made no sense and at the same time it did.

Anyhow, a new era was opening. And Zeus had to make sure his realm, his world, was prepared for it. What had he even been thinking? He didn’t have time to think about demigods. There was work to do.

A/N: I sailed around the word ‘children’ because of the implications that has. I don’t think Zeus would think of them as Children, but exclusively as heroes. Even when they all are children, often under 18.

Also, I think these implications are things RR didn’t think off when writing. He wanted to write a story appealing to 13 y.o.’s, and the way to do that is by making the protagonists about their age or slightly older. That is why they had the age they had, even if it turns out to have horrid implications later on.

Zeus can’t be all bad. Like all gods, he represents an aspect of the universe. And rulers can be good, but they can also be subject to whim, corruption, desire. Such is Zeus.

#Clarisse la Rue #Percy Jackson #pjo #pjo fanfic #pjo fanfiction #percy jackson fanfic #percy jackson fanfiction #percy jackson and the olympians fanfic #percy jackson and the olympians fanfiction #percy jackson and the olympians #zeus pjo #ares pjo #dionysus pjo #writing #writer #fanfic #fanfiction #conversation

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bailey-reaper · 3 years

Note

Hhhhh could you write a sequel to the hades fic???? it was SOO good!!!!!!

For Dear Life (Hades & Persephone AU)

Notes: (continued from here) Hello anon, I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed the Hades/Persephone fic! As I've said before, I love mythologies!

S/O is gender neutral (they/them pronouns). Barok refers to them using petnames.

Content Warnings: abducted / hostage situation; power imbalance; intense emotions; Tia seriously screws around with Greek mythology. Like really REALLY screws around...; I'm sorry historians (again!) and mythologists

It was impossible to say whether or not the underworld met their expectations, because such things were normally so abstract and not a subject they really thought of; so, to be suddenly confronted by the literal domain of the dead, was utterly mind-boggling.

All they really remembered, as the chariot dove deep into the bowels of the earth was the feeling of the God of the Underworld holding them close and partly shielding them with his long cloak of darkness. It had surprised them to hear a heart beating in the deity's chest – surely that was something of an oxymoron?

With a firm shake of their head, they quietly wondered why they were dwelling upon that precise detail; it seemed like such a trivial thing...

They had been escorted to a garden within the deity's palace: the plants were unusual colours and shapes, no doubt thanks to the lack of sunlight they enjoyed, but it was a soothing space nonetheless and one that helped their racing thoughts to calm. As they looked around and overhead, it struck them how easy it was to forget this was a subterranean domain given how high the vaulted cavernous ceilings were.

"It is a pleasant garden, is it not?" a familiar, but terrifying, voice remarked as the tall and imposing Lord of the Dead entered the space.

Instantly the feeling of calm abandoned them and they stood with a small yelp of shock, "........" even if they'd wanted to speak, it was as if their voice was stuck in their throat.

"...." the God's expression was momentarily odd, they might have taken it as him being wounded or even disappointed, before he cleared his throat and sat on a bench fashioned from black marble, ".... I have no intentions to harm you. It may be difficult to believe that, but it is the truth... won't you come here?" he held out a hand, "I have shown you a great deal of discourtesy thus far in failing to properly introduce myself... My rashness can only be attributed to the passion you make me feel. It is... very out of my usual character."

And it was, for the Lord of the Underworld was known among his brethren as a level-headed judge who maintained utmost composure at all times. In fact, they often described him as being 'cold as a corpse' and brutal when it came to matters of logic or strategy. Impulsiveness was an unknown concept in his mind, until now...

"...I... am fine here," they replied, settling back down in grass that appeared to be more peacock blue than green.

"... Very well," once more he wore that wounded expression, but the God seemed willing to respect their reluctance, "I am the God of the Underworld, I believe your kind call me 'Hades'."

"... Hades," yes -- that was what humans called the stern God beneath the earth, but it sounded to them as if that might not be his real name, "Is... that not your name, then?"

A smile graced and lifted his features for a moment, brightening them in an unexpected way, "You are as astute as I thought... that is correct: my 'true' name is not Hades, though, mortals may call me whatever they wish."

"Then... what is your real name?" this topic of conversation made them curious: where had the names of the Gods actually come from? Were they brought to the minds of men in a dream? Or did the Gods themselves provide false identities, if so then why?

"Mmm," he looked momentarily pensive, "That is a secret, for now... a God's true name holds great power. To entrust it to another is akin to making a vow."

Their eyes widened, "Oh... I... I see."

"You will forgive me if I do not offer up something so personal at this delicate juncture, I am aware that your presence here is entirely of my doing and that you are... unhappy about it. I will not keep it a secret any longer than I must."

"...." it made sense that a God would not trust a relative stranger with something that seemed to hold a great deal of power. They wanted to ask more about it: what did it mean to know a God's true name? What kind of 'vow' did it create? But, it seemed more prudent to leave the topic for now, "... Please won't you let me go home?" they asked, eyes pleading, "I am... flattered to have caught the eye of a God, but I am a mere mortal. I cannot see what lasting intrigue I would have to a divine being such as yourself."

The Lord of the Underworld tilted his head, "Do you think me a shallow man who saw your beautiful face and thought only of that?" he shook his head, "I appreciate that we Gods have a less than glowing image among mortals, and that we have a reputation for treating humans in a superficial manner, but, that is not why I have brought you here. I do not see you as some pretty trophy to keep until I tire of you. Though you are beautiful, yes, it is not simply your appearance that has captivated me so."

"What...?" for some reason his impassioned words made their heart thud in their chest; did he really meant to say that he, a God, had fallen in love with them?

"You possess a quality of character and strength of spirit that has quite simply dazzled me... I have watched you from afar, seen how you have helped your fellows and maintained your grace and resolve even in the face of adversity. I was blinded by more than just your looks."

They blinked a few times, going over his words again and again in muted silence. How could they respond to such a heartfelt answer? It was clear that the God of the Underworld was sincere, if nothing else-- but, this was too much to take in.

"... I'm sure it must come as a surprise to hear a God's confession, but I cannot yearn from afar any longer... that is why I have brought you here. So that I might marry you and take you for my spouse."

"This... it's... this is far more than a surprise... it's shocking. I'm a simple human, surely there are other Gods and Goddesses that are better suited to wed one such as you?"

The God chuckled, "Gods and Humans aren't so different you know... We're possessed of the same diversity of thought and feelings, the same irrational sensibilities and yearnings... it is not as if for every God there is a comparable divine partner. In fact, I find a number of my divine brethren to be a noisy, irksome lot and ill-suited to my temperament. I gladly opted to rule the Underworld for it lessens the time I have to spend with them."

".... huh?" suddenly, they couldn't help but giggle, "... Are you... saying that you view the Gods as annoying relatives?"

"...." he pursed his lips, "Well... they are."

"Oh... I had no idea... So, you came here willingly?" he nodded, "That's not what our books say: apparently you drew lots with your brothers and received the underworld having drawn the shortest straw."

"...?" he looked genuinely bemused by that account, "... I've... never heard something so ridiculous in all my life... drew lots? By the Gods, no. The last thing I would want is to rule the Gods and endure the constant politics of Mount Olympus. Truth be told, I have no idea how my brother manages it..."

Once more they were laughing, for the God of the Underworld --Hades himself-- looked utterly aghast, "Oh! But what about the sea then? Wouldn't you have preferred your brother Poseidon's domain?"

"First, Poseidon is not my brother, he was a 'brother-in-arms' who assisted me and my brother... second, the sea is not much better than Olympus given its relative proximity. I find that my brethren are far slower to make the trek down into the bowels of the earth than any other place."

"I... had no idea the Lord of the Underworld was so anti-social," they mused, smiling to themself having almost entirely lost their nervousness, "But... I suppose it makes some sense, given that your domain is that of the dead. Have you... always been like this?"

"Like what?" he cocked his head.

"... Disagreeable to spending time with other Gods."

"I suppose so," he folded his arms, as if trying to recall some divine equivalent of childhood, "There are so many irksome and tedious Gods in the world, I discovered that during the wars with the Titans."

"Oh... so those wars actually happened then? Our human books are right about that much at least?" he nodded, "So... are the myths about your brother, Zeus, true?"

"What myths about Zeus?"

"That he's the most terrible womaniser who forces himself upon anything that catches his eye?"

"What?!" he stood up, clearly flustered, "Who dares to tarnish my brother's name so?! He's not some philandering hedonist! He's a man of the utmost integrity and happily married! Not to mention his wife would punish him severely were he to hold such callous disregard for the mortals..." suddenly, he stopped his ranting and looked apologetic as he sat down, "... Forgive me, that outburst was uncalled for..."

"I'm... surprised," they said, "Because our myths suggest that you and Zeus do not get along... but you seem incredibly fond of him... oh... and what did you mean that Poseidon is not your brother? Aren't all the Gods related?"

"Of course I'm fond of him," the God said, "He's my brother... and as for your other questions.... what kind of inbred bedlam do you think the Gods live in? We are not begat as generations of mortals, we all issued forth from the black waters of Chaos..."

"But how are you and Zeus related if all Gods are not born?"

"I... was a weak little God when I emerged from the primordial darkness, in fact it was questionable whether or not I would survive. Zeus took pity on me, and shared with me his ichor.... that sustained me and breathed life into me. We are brothers who share the same blood, literally."

"Oh... wow... I had no idea..."

"Why would you? It is not as if we Gods are at pains to correct the fantasies that mortals dream up to explain the world around them," he folded his arms, "I'm... glad you seem a little less nervous in my presence."

"Ah..." they blinked, "Now that you mention it, I do feel a lot calmer."

"That's good... I hope, with time, that perhaps you will... take a liking to me."

"...." funnily enough, seeing more of the God's character had endeared him to them, "I... can't make any promises," they said, while looking down and smiling.

He seemed to pick up on that coyness, "Hmmm... that's better than an outright no. Now, I should like to show you my domain. Do you feel up to a chariot ride? I won't burst up from the earth this time and grab you..."

"In that case, yes."

#barok van zieks #Barok x Ors #alt universe #request

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guardianofjunmyeon · 3 years

Text

Finding Atlantis (part 14)

Genre: Action/Adventure, Enemies to Lovers, PirateAU

Description: 20 years ago the seas became angry. Unruly and unkind to any sailor, to any ship that dared venture too far out in her waters. Many a man has heard the tales of Atlantis, the lost city, the key the ocean. But fewer men know the tale of it’s missing child. The key to the ocean, the key to Atlantis but a lost little one. The power one would hold should they find this child would be nearly that of Poseidon himself. Thus, the hunt began.

A/N: wait i forgot i left you all on a cliffhanger akjfhjf. Here’s an update (finally) im a bitch blocked about where the next chapter is going so it might take...about as long as this one took to be uploaded. Its gonna have some smut tho. This chapter has new characters and PLEASE appreciate my fucking bubble conversation, i wanted to use the whole “she came down in a bubble dawg!” convo but i didnt

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18

There are certain experiences you’ve lived through enough times to consider yourself a pro at handling. Situations like being handcuffed to a bed. Like being left on an island with no food or water. Like having to fight your way out of a bar when someone is getting too rough with the other patrons.

Drowning is quickly becoming a situation with which you are getting too closely acquainted.

When the ocean swallowed your little dinghy, your life flashed before your very eyes. This was truly the end. The last thing you would ever live through would be the song of Atlantis tickling your ears, the sight of Junmyeon glowing blue, and the feeling of Baekhyun’s skin beneath your palm.

All in all it wasn’t the worst way to go, but there was still so much more that you wanted to experience.

You’d never gotten a chance to return home, to sit at that cliff where you sent off your mother’s body and tell her about all of the things you’d done with your life. To describe to her the ship you’d bought, the friends you’d made, the adventures you’d gone on and the memories you’d made. You wanted to go find Victoria again and thank her for taking you in.

You wanted to find that boy that saved your life when you were but a child and to thank him properly. You wanted to tell him all that you’d done and repay him for giving you that chance at life. You wonder if he’s grown up into a handsome man now. If he has a spouse and kids and a happy home on that island you once called home that you left as soon as you could. You wonder if he’d even remember you.

You’d never gotten a chance to get the Storm Chaser those new upgrades that you’d been saving up for. An extension to the crew cabins, sturdier masts, a new set of sails.

You hadn’t gotten the chance to fall in love, to have your heartbroken, to have a baby or even hold one for that matter. Would you have made a good mother? Would you have made a decent wife? Would you have been able to find someone willing to spend the rest of their life with you, on the seas, on land, wherever your hearts could make a home?

Would you have tried to make a home with Baekhyun?

The feeling of being sucked down into the depths of the ocean doesn’t get any less terrifying the second time that you go through it.

As a matter of fact, having it happen again is more terrifying than the first time. Maybe it’s because you can actually feel the pressure of the water crushing your chest. You can feel the way you’re being sucked farther down and the way the water rushes into your nose from the shock of being suddenly dragged under.

It’s nothing like the storm, nothing like fighting the waves and catching the flashes of light as you fought to climb to the surface. Of being tossed around and dropping and rising hundreds of feet seconds at a time. At least then you had a purpose. You aren’t trying to save a life this time. You aren’t able to fight the invisible force dragging you farther and farther down into the water. The water around you is calm, the movement of your body whizzing through the water feels scarily misplaced.

Magical. Unnatural.

Then it all finally stops.

The force pulls you into a pocket of air and gravity takes you by force. Your body collapses on solid ground, and you can breathe. You gasp frantically for air and cough violently as you attempt to catch your breath and your bearings.

You sit up and position yourself on shaky hands and knees as you heave on the dark basalt beneath your splayed fingers.

It takes a few moments of panicked breathing to realize –you’re alive.

You’re alive.

You realize that you’re alive and then you regain enough brain power to panic over if Junmyeon and Baekhyun are also alive. You hear dramatic coughing and hurling to your left and when you investigate you find Baekhyun on his ass with his head between his knees as his spits out salt water.

He looks like a miserable wet dog. You would laugh if you weren’t sure that you look the same.

But where is Junmyeon?

You look left and right, in front of you and behind you but you see no trace of him. No sign of him in the underwater cave you’ve somehow found yourself.

“How did we even get in here?” you spit more salt water on the ground and look for your area of entry. Down. It felt like you fell down. So maybe there is something above.

A gasp gets caught in your throat at the sight above you. Open water somehow suspended above. If you weren’t nearly positive that you somehow fell from there, you would think there was some extremely strong glass blocking the water from falling through the hole above. You can see the glow of deep sea fish swimming by and you’re hit with just how far below the surface you are.

Dizziness pounds through your skull and you hurl out more water all over your hands.

Disgusting.

“Are you guys alright?”

You lift your head at the sound of Junmyeon’s voice and feel your remaining strength seeping from your bones. He looks between you and Baekhyun’s pathetic forms with distressed eyes.

Baekhyun looks up from between his legs with an incredulous open-mouthed frown. He looks your first mate from his toes to his head. “How the hell are you dry?”

It’s then that you notice he looks remarkably put together. As if he never even experienced the sensation of being pulled straight towards hell through water. The patterns on his skin have dulled down to a pale blue, but they are still there as clear as day.

“An Atlantian thing,” Junmyeon answers with a shrug and a smile. He reaches out a hand to help you to your feet but you wave him away with a shake of your head.

“No, give me a second. I just- I need,” you point to the hole above, “This is just-” you close your eyes and wave him away weakly. “Fuck, I need some time.”

He laughs lightly and chooses to help Baekhyun up while you gather your wits. This is overwhelming. “Did you just materialize down here what the fuck?”

“No, I came down in a bubble.”

“A…bubble.”

“Yeah you know one of those things filled with air-”

“You couldn’t lend us one of those bubbles?!”

“I didn’t know how. I don’t even know how I got it around me. Must be an Atlantian-”

“If you say ‘Atlantian thing’ one more time I will, and I swear to Poseidon, strangle you with my bare hands right here.”

“…Atlantian thing,” Junmyeon finishes cheekily. Baekhyun groans loudly and you can hear the weak thumps of him trying to smack your first mate and being deflected.

You struggle onto your feet as Junmyeon and Baekhyun argue. Typical back and forth between the two of them, you know Baekhyun is all talk when it comes to most people; he won’t hurt Junmyeon.

Letting your eyes fully wander the cave, you take in the shiny crystals in the rock around you and the way everything glows a tranquil light blue.

You hear the thundering footsteps before you see the people coming charging towards you out of the alcove hidden from your view.

“INTRUDERS, DROP TO THE GROUND NOW!”

“We just got up,” Baekhyun whines at your side. You lower your still shaking body back down to your knees and hold your hands up in the air to show your willingness to cooperate. In the corner of your eye you catch Junmyeon landing a swift kick to the back of Baekhyun’s legs with his good leg and sending him to the ground with a painful crash.

You flinch at the noise and the people in matching outfits in front of you hold out their swords, ready to strike at any moment. Once Junmyeon has lowered himself to his knees, the group of people break apart to make way for who you assume must be the leader. If the aura of dominance and the extra sparking pink embellishments on their otherwise plain white uniform is anything to go by.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” The man asks gruffly. He’s tall, handsome, big eyes rimmed in dark black kohl. His analyzing brown eyes drag from you, to Baekhyun, and finally land on Junmyeon. You catch the exact moment that recognition crosses his face.

His eyes widen and he blinks rapidly in disbelief, the sword in his hand clatters to the ground and resounds through the cave. “S-Suho? Prince Suho is that you?”

You turn to look at Junmyeon who has locked eyes with the leader with a look of confusion on his face.

“Do they know each other?” Baekhyun whispers to you.

“Shut up,” you hiss.

Junmyeon gasps and climbs to his feet. “Minho? Minho! I can’t believe it,” he says elatedly. The two of them run (Junmyeon more hobbling than running with the shitty cast still on his leg) into each other’s arms to embrace and you watch with a kind of fond sadness as they grip one another as if the other will vanish into thin air.

The other guards slowly lower their swords and break out into disbelieving whispers. Baekhyun grabs your left hand and lowers it to your lap. “I think you can lower your hands now prisoner. I don’t think they’re going to kill us yet.”

“It’s as if nothing in this world is enough to keep you from annoying the absolute hell out of me,” you grumble.

He beams, a wide and happy smile. “It’s my charm.”

You snort out a laugh while he stands up on both feet and holds out a hand for you to take to get up. You slap your hand in his and let him heft you to your feet.

Junmyeon calls out your name and you whip in his direction in alarm. He drags over the leader of the guard with a hand on his bicep and matching grins on their faces. “I want you to meet my childhood friend Minho!” He looks up at Minho with eyes beaming with happiness. “We grew up together, and Minho here is the Captain of the entire Atlantian military.”

Minho looks down at the ground bashfully.

“It is an honor to meet you. Junmyeon says that he wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. I, as well as all of our people owe you our highest form of gratitude,” Minho says with a deep bow.

You blink at the gesture, stupefied into immobility. Junmyeon gives you a pointed look and a subtle bow of his own to hint that you should bow back. You quickly bend at the waist and rise up. “It’s- Uhm, thank you. It wasn’t just me though, there are lots of people to thank for his return up on the surface,” you say with a nervous smile.

Minho laughs. “I’m sure. You can all amaze us with tales of your time above at breakfast in a few hours. I’m sure you would all like a moment to settle and…” he looks at Baekhyun and your soaked clothing. “…clean yourselves up.”

The two of you frown indignantly.

As if you planned on showing up soaking wet.

Minho whistles loudly and a smaller man comes scrambling out of the group of guards. “Hendery, show our two outsiders where they can rest. I will take the prince directly to the Queen.”

The smaller man nods vigorously. “Yes sir. I would like to have Xiaojun assist me, if I can.”

“Take who you need,” Minho gives you both another once over before leaning down to whisper, “Make sure there is plenty of soap in their bathrooms.”

You squawk in embarrassment. Junmyeon offers an apologetic smile before coming to place both of his hands on your shoulders and lowering his voice to talk to you and Baekhyun as privately as he can. “Just follow them and relax. I will come find you once I am finished talking to the Queen. They won’t do anything to hurt either of you.” He squeezes your shoulder. “I’ll make sure of it.”

You nod in affirmation. Baekhyun grunts at your side.

Hendery and another young guard lead you away and out of the cave. You are only allowed one final look over your shoulder before Junmyeon vanishes from your sight.

The bleakness of the cave gives way to a wide low hallway covered from top to bottom in blue crystals, or maybe it’s glass.

“You’re awfully quiet,” you murmur to the man at your side. Neither of the guards bother to turn around at the sound of your voice.

“I’m trying to take it all in. This is insane I never thought I would ever actually see this place,” Baekhyun whispers back. You’re shocked by the genuine way he explains himself. “Why? Do you already miss the sound of my voice? I can keep talking if you want.”

“I’ll pass. I already miss the silence.”

His giggle resonates against the walls. You bite down on your lip to keep from smiling in return.

Your group reaches the end of the tunnel and the guards suddenly stop. Hendery turns around first. “Because we are unable to trust you we will have to transport you while keeping our city and location a secret.”

“Huh?”

“I think we’re going to get blindfolded,” Baekhyun whispers to you.

The other guard reaches into his coat and produces two pieces of cloth while Hendery slams a fist on the wall. A hole opens up where seamless wall once stood. You watch dumbly as the other guard, Xiao…Xiao something sits in the human-sized hole and then lies on his back before disappearing through a tube.

What the fuck is this place?

You’re blindfolded first and led to the hole. “Sit.” So you do. What kind of transport requires you to sit in a hole blind? You’ve lived a couple of years now and that's long enough to know that this doesn’t feel quite safe.

Before you can argue your way out of it, you’re pushed and then careening through space. With your eyes covered and the jolt of bewilderment at sliding too fast to be humanly possible you don’t have any choice but to let out a scream.

You’re on your feet again before you know it –albeit dizzy and shaking. The blindfold is removed and you’re met with the impassive face of the guard. You look around yourself to figure out what in the deep sea hell you just slid through.

“You might want to get out right about now,” he suggests.

You hear the telltale sound of Baekhyun’s yelling and cursing getting closer by the second, so you hobble out of the exit compartment and watch in wonder as the top of the compartment opens up and air blasts from the bottom to decrease the force of gravity as Baekhyun drops to his feet.

He’s shaking like a log and his wet hair and clothes are even more disheveled than they were before.

Maybe it’s the overload of being exposed to all the new technology and scenery, but you can’t stop yourself from loudly laughing at his appearance.

Xiaoxi…Xiaode…Xiaojun, that sounds right-

Xiaojun walks forward with a smile twitching on his lips to remove the blindfold from the once one-eyed troublemaker. But, Baekhyun has his eyes squeezed closed, refusing to open them. You take it upon yourself to physically pull him out of his spot.

“It’s over, you’re on solid ground now,” you tease. He peaks open one eye and it darts around distrustfully before he opens them both and leans forward with his hands on his knees to let out a dramatic exhale of breath. Another humored giggle escapes you. “You look like shit and the way you screamed-.”

He stands up straight with reddened cheeks. “Never speak of it,” he threatens in a low voice. You roll your eyes and lift a hand to fix his messy hair. You hear the hiss of air from the tube, knowing that Hendery will be arriving soon, but you busy yourself with smoothing down the unruly strands.

The red darkens on his face as you rake your fingers through the hair at his fringe. You aren’t sure what compels you to initiate the act, but he doesn’t stop you so selfishly you continue to take what you can. Satisfied with your work you smile shyly and turn away to hide your face and the heat you can feel creeping up your neck.

A cough snaps you back into attention.

Right, the guards.

Hendery has a creepily knowing smirk on his face while Xiaojun covers his mouth with his hand, but you can see mirth shining in his eyes.

Baekhyun clears his throat and crosses his arms over his chest. “So…where are we supposed to rest exactly? Or are we supposed to wander around and find it ourselves?”

Hendery motions to the right. “Down this hallway.” He nudges Xiaojun and they both walk forward. You resist the urge to smash your head into the wall as you follow behind. Into one of the…beautiful smooth white walls. For the first time you take in the interior of the building where you have ended up.

High ceilings and pillars. Enormous windows that go from ceiling to floor to show an expansive view of what awaits outside.

You’ve had plenty of time to image what Atlantis would look like, but seeing it in front of you now, bathed in a light like that of early dawn, with the reflection of water moving over the architecture…it’s too unreal, too magical to put into words.

“Keep up. You’ll be able to see the city after breakfast with the Queen,” Xiaojun advises. Both you and Baekhyun pick your pace back up after having fallen behind trying to take in all that around you.

Attempting to keep your gawking to a minimum you keep your eyes ahead and try to quickly take in as much as you can.

“We’re here,” Hendery says. You almost tumble into his side when he suddenly stops; and Baekhyun trips over his own feet at your side. “These will be your rooms. There will be drinking water and a bathroom for you to clean up. We have already notified the castle staff of your arrival and there will be clothes delivered to you for you to change into for the meal.

“Breakfast will be served in 3 hours. One of the castle butlers will come for you to show you to the dining area at that time. Until then we advise you entertain yourself inside of the room.” The door is opened and a grand suite awaits you. Your mouth drops at the extravagance of it.

A large bed rests at the very center of the room, draped in iridescent white curtains that look as creamy as milk. The floor is covered in cold white marble and speckled with shells and pearls embedded into it. A large couch is perched near the entrance, a lit fire in front of it keeping the room comfortably warm. A book shelf stretches across a third of the room only stopping at a golden archway that you assume leads into the bathroom. The room is decorated in soft golds, creamy whites and pale blues. You catch little accents of pink in the wall paint and on the couch pillows.

The dome-like shape of the room makes you feel like you’re in a bubble.

“What is with you guys and bubbles?” You grumble to yourself.

Xiaojun shrugs. “It’s an Atlantian thing,” he says simply.

You close your eyes in frustration while Baekhyun grumbles at your side.

“So whose room is this?” Baekhyun asks once he’s done cursing Atlantis and its obsession with bubbles. Hendery and Xiaojun share a look and you catch the sneakiness on their expressions.

Hendery is the one who decides to answer, cheerily as if he isn’t intentionally planning to ruin your time here in Atlantis. “Both of yours.”

“I’m sorry what did you just say?”

“This room is for the both of you.” Hendery casts Baekhyun a wide smile. “You’ll have to share because…uhm..”

“Because we’re low on rooms,” Xiaojun chimes in.

“Yes! Low on rooms,” Hendery agrees quickly, conspicuously. You narrow your eyes. “You see we have a lot of guests recently because of a…” he looks to Xiaojun for help.

“For a uh, for a wedding!”

“Who is getting married?” Baekhyun asks, just to catch them in their lie.

“One of the princes! Ah we must be returning to our Captain now. Rest well!” Hendery says quickly before he and Xiaojun rush away with their hands over their mouths, giggling like school children. You’re adults, you can share a room. You won’t let the giggling of the younger boys worsen the pounding in your chest.

You exhale and shake your head. “Come on.” You enter the room first and immediately feel relaxed by the colors, the roundedness, and general softness of everything around you.

The fire feels like it’s calling your name so you wander over to warm yourself up by its flames. Your wet clothes are beginning to feel bothersome again now that the excitement of being in Atlantis and being alive have begun to fade.

The sound of something sopping wet hitting the ground heavily pulls your attention from the flickering flames. When you turn around you don’t expect to see your roommate getting ass naked…

But alas that is what your eyes land on. His shoes and shirt are already in a wet pile by his feet.

“Baekhyun,” you admonish. He stops with his pants halfway down his legs. You look at his soft naked dick only momentarily before you raise your eyes back to his anticipatory face. “Really?”

“I’m cold and wet. I need a shower do you want me to get sick?”

“You couldn’t even wait to go change in the bathroom?”

“It’s nothing you haven’t seen before,” he responds before shucking the last of his clothing and standing in the middle of the room proudly.

In all his naked glory.

You can’t help but feel a bit put off by the fact that he doesn’t have any issue getting naked around you. He’s not even hard. It’s like your presence doesn’t affect him in the slightest.

Bitterly you wonder if you’d been Jongin would he have a different reaction in this situation. You stand up abruptly. Fuck Baekhyun.

Pettily you strip out of your clothes as you walk towards the bathroom, leaving the wet articles in your wake. “I’m cleaning myself first,” you state coldly as you all but rip the last of your clothing off at the archway of the bathroom.

You don’t turn around and you don’t bother to investigate why he seems stunned to his spot or why he averts his eyes as you walk by.

~~~

The bathroom is just as opulent as the main room. A creamy white with pretty pale pinks streaked through the marble and coloring the crystals that illuminate the room in a soft pinkish glow.

A tub the size of a small pool is carved into the corner of the room. Oils and scented salts in jars cover the expansive shelf built into the wall at its side. A wide mirror stretches across the room with a spout and basin to wash your hands in front of it. A varied range of brushes and facial oils and paints are neatly organized across the counter, settled in front of a thick patterned chaise. You find candles nestled snuggly beneath a shelf of towels and unused sponges on ropes.

Looking at your appearance in the mirror, your hold in the need to physically recoil. You skin looks blanched from the overexposure to water, and the hair on your head is knotted beyond belief. Not wanting to look at your naked form for too long you twist the knob at the tub to release a steady flow of lukewarm water. You toss in some oil that smells good and a soap that catches your attention. The bottle is make of glass and has writing that you can’t read as it must be in Atlantian, but it smells and looks good and bubbles up when it comes in contact with the running water.

Grabbing a comb from the counter of goodies and the specialized hair soap left at the side of the tub, you decide to make an event out of pulling your appearance back together. You will be meeting the Queen in a few hours.

Gingerly, you lower yourself into the water and shove your head under the spout before lathering it in hair soap and detangling the strands on your hand. Rinsing out the suds and then turning off the water, you allow yourself to be semi submerged in the water.

“Yah, you can’t steal the bath and then spend an hour using it. I could have been in and out already.” You crane your neck to find Baekhyun’s complaining form leaning against the archway.

“You weren’t fast enough. Not my problem. You can wait.”

“No I can’t.”

“You can, and you will. I’m not fucking moving.”

In the month you have spent time more intimately with Baekhyun aboard your ship as a fellow crewman, you’ve learned one thing about him that you didn’t know before. He can be astoundingly petty.

His intelligence, his wit, his strength and skill as a pirate, his ability to charm and talk his way out of anything –you knew of it all before. But this petty level of childishness is new.

That being said, you aren’t surprised to find him padding over and then climbing into the large tub across from you. He settles and then his bottom lip juts out.

“Happy now?”

“No.”

You snort loudly and his pout breaks off into something like a smile. You push a handful of water in his direction, not enough to do much and not with enough strength to even be called a splash.

The little shithead he is takes your push of water as permission to send a small tidal wave in your direction, splashing you directly in your face.

You splutter and wipe the water from your eyes while he laughs his loudest most punctuated laugh at your expense. When you squint at him through the water still in your eyes you see pure relaxed happiness in his features, and you can’t find it in you to even attempt to be mad.

This Baekhyun is the real one. The one he covers up with cocky smiles and biting words. The one he leaves locked away and protected from the heartlessness that is required of your jobs.

Happy Baekhyun is a vulnerable Baekhyun. A soft version of him that makes your heart hammer in your chest and sparks a juvenile desire to keep him at your side safe from anyone who dares try and take that side of him away.

His laughing calms to muffled chuckles hidden behind his hand. “Okay, now I’m happy.”

“That makes one of us,” you scoff out. The water begins to agitate your eyes so you run the water from the spout to flush out the fragrance laced liquid. Blindly you reach out for the stream only to continuously miss.

“Come here,” you hear at your side. “Here, lean back.” You’re moved to the side and you lean backwards only to come in contact with his chest. You tense before giving in and letting yourself relax against him. You feel his muscles shifting as he reaches around you to cup water and pour it over your eyes. You blink away the water and scrunch up your face in discomfort. “I’m not done, try and keep your eyes open this time,” he says gently.

You reach up and hold open each eyelid as he cups the water and lets it flush out the soap. Finally you can blink without agitation. You contemplate thanking him, but decide to do it once you’re safely on your side of the bath. As you’re making your escape, arms wrap around you and pull you back securely down between strong thighs and against a warm chest.

“Can you…uh can you let me go?”

“Nuh uh,” he grunts with a head shake.

You look down at where his arms are crossed over your chest and swallow thickly. He perches his chin on your shoulder and takes in a deep relaxed breath. You feel stiff as a board. “This is nice,” he sighs out.

This is too intimate. This is too intimate. This is too intimate.

“How long have you been in love with Jongin, Baekhyun?” you ask in a rush of breath. His grip on you loosens to nothing and you pull yourself away from him, crossing your arms over your chest to hide the hardening of your nipples. From the cold of the air and the all too close embrace you’d found yourself enjoying just a tad too much.

He splutters. “I- wh-” he starts to cough violently. You feel your heart sinking with each noise he makes. “I don’t- I’m not in love with Jongin!”

You let your silence and your frown portray your disbelief.

“I’m serious. I’m not in love with Jongin he’s like my younger brother, what would make you think that?!” He fake gags. “Oh gross, just the thought-” he covers his mouth to fake gag again.

You gawk at him. Is he overcompensating to hide the truth?

“What in Poseidon’s name would lead you to believe that I’m in love with Jongin? I nearly raised the kid.”

You feel embarrassment creeping up your neck like snakes. “You- the…Minseok said…”

“Minseok said I was in love with Jongin?!”

“No! Wait let me-” you smack a hand to your forehead. “Minseok said that you took the compass with you when you came to find the three of us and I guess I just I don’t fucking know assumed you had to want to find your crew most in the world and then I figured you were actually in love with one of them and Jongin seemed like the most likely of him and Chanyeol because Chanyeol doesn’t really seem like your type but I guess it could also be him since he’s kind of goofy and airhead at times too-”

His hands come out of the water to cup your cheeks and then –lips.

“Stop talking,” he says softly. Another quick press of his lips against yours. “You’re wrong and you’re stupid and you need to stop thinking before you overload your dumb little brain.”

“Hey-”

“Ah ah. What did I say?”

You purse your lips and let him squish your cheeks closer together until your lips are puckered ridiculously. The look in his eyes is fond almost, the smile on his lips and the shine in his eyes soft as he squishes and unsquishes your face.

You bat away his hands. “You still didn’t answer my question,” you whine despite yourself.

“Aw the baby getting upset?” he makes a face of exaggeratedly fake concern. “Come here, sit on daddy’s lap and I’ll make you feel all better.”

“Baek that was gross.”

“The invitation still stands.” He waggles his eyebrows and shimmies his shoulders. When his gaze drops down to your uncovered chest and a bit of the playfulness gets swallowed up by want, you feel a bit of that desire rushing through your veins again.

He isn’t in love with Jongin?

That only leaves more unanswered questions, but you let them go easily at the sight of Baekhyun reclining lazily against the side of the tub, rubbing up and down his thighs slowly and watching you with predatory closeness.

He is so sexy, you are so fucked.

Squashing the tiny feeling of shame, you crawl over and wrap yourself around him. You can feel him rising in excitement from beneath you. You let your arms rest lazily around his shoulders while he busies his hands with massaging circles on your hips.

“That feels nice,” you whisper in a puff of breath. You know that he can see how affected you are –can feel it in your impatient squirms against him as you attempt to subtly relieve the ache growing inside of you. He hums in agreement and focuses his eyes on your mouth.

You can take a hint when it’s staring you in the face like this. You lean forward and connect your lips softly. A peck. Another one. A kiss on the corner of his mouth. A kiss on the tip of his nose. Another on his smiling lips.

When you pull back there’s emotion swimming in his irises that sparks a heat in your core. You nip at his bottom lip.

A lick, a nibble, a juvenile laugh against pressed lips.

He sticks his tongue out through pursed lips, waiting for you to try and kiss him with his ridiculous expression. You pull away to grimace, only to laugh and lick a messy wet stripe from his upper lip to the tip of his nose.

“You’re a dick,” he laughs, wiping your saliva off his nose.

“And you’re a bastard,” you respond easily. You look at your deeply pruning skin with disdain. “We should dry off.”

“But I like it here in the tub; I haven’t even scrubbed the dirt off.”

“We can clean ourselves properly after I get your cock inside me.” You feel him twitch from beneath you. You cock your head to the side teasingly. “Oh, now you’re ready to get out?”

He scrambles from under you and over the edge of the tub right to the towels. You roll your eyes playfully and climb out just as he plops a towel on your head and quickly tries to dry your hair, only messing it up further.

“Hurry up. We’ll get sick if we stay like this for too long. We need to go to the bed and warm up, I can already feel a cold coming on.”

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