Chapter Text
Percy looked out over the water as the stars reflected on the surface. This place wasn’t really a place. He expected his father only found it the first time because he was attuned to his son and tracked him down that way. He was in between mortal and immortal, then. Now, unless Percy brought someone here, they were unable to locate it, or him. Once he’d ascended, his father could no longer track him. It was … odd. He trailed his fingers along the edges of the altar, smiling as he heard the whispered prayers of the other demi-gods and legacies of New Rome.
Behind the altar was a somewhat modest villa that was open. No doors anywhere, and the gentle sea breeze drifting through the place, making it smell like fresh air and palm trees. There was a slight scent of mountain laurel that had him aching for Apollo. But he couldn’t see him just yet. He still had a few things to do, before that. He traced the odd symbol on the altar that now represented him. While he had the trident burned on his forearm from the Romans, his personal symbol now was displayed on his opposite arm in colors that shifted from deep blue, to sea green; really going through all of the colors found in large bodies of water.
“Poseidon.” Percy whispered, grinning when his dad appeared before his altar looking confused as he spun around, before his eyes landed on his son.
“Perseus.” he whispered.
“Dad.” Percy nodded. “If you haven’t noticed, this place is untraceable. It’s neither here nor there. Existing while simultaneously not existing. One can only find it if they are called.”
“It’s beautiful, son.”
“Yeah, it is.” Percy hummed. “How is everyone?”
“Mostly worried, but otherwise fine. It’s only been a week, so it hasn’t been long.”
“Good.” Percy nodded. “Have you seen this anywhere yet?” He traced his symbol on his altar, grinning when it lit up.
“The Oracle has been drawing it.” Poseidon admitted. “There’s an altar at the camp, and the Romans are putting one up as well. But they don’t know what it means, or what name to associate with it.”
“Tell them it’s mine.” Percy said, looking up and meeting his dad’s eyes. “Just Perseus for now.”
“His domains are not yet determined.” The Morai said as they appeared, startling Poseidon. “We wish to set a meeting of pantheons with your King.”
“Can it not wait for the Winter Solstice?” Percy asked curiously.
“If he discovers on his own that many of his council have known about your impending ascension, he will lash out and cause harm to those you would protect. War would erupt, and you, Perseus, would be the one left standing.”
“I’ll arrange it, my ladies.” Poseidon promised, bowing to them.
“How is he?” Percy asked quietly.
“Missing you.” Poseidon answered with a smirk. “Call for him. Spend your time with him before seeing your family. All of them. When you are done, come to Olympus and Hestia will summon us if we are not all present.”
“He will not be able to cross to the palace.” The Morai said, frowning.
“Apollo will be with him. He will be able to escort him.” Poseidon replied.
“Your King must invite him.” They argued. “As it is crossing Pantheon places of power, he must be the one to do it. Should he choose not to, though … Olympus will start to crumble away.”
“Perhaps you, my ladies, can accompany me in convincing him to extend the invitation?”
“We can only offer insight. Your council will have to convince him. Or risk losing their seats of power and godhood.”
“That’s all you will need to say.” Poseidon said, bowing his head once more. “Someone will let you know when we are ready, Perseus.”
“Bye, dad. See you in a few days, I expect.” Percy said, grinning at his dad and hugging him. Poseidon took several big breaths before releasing Percy and taking the hand of the Morai and disappearing with them. Percy steeled himself and closed his eyes. “Come to me, Phoebus Apollon.”
“Perseus.” Apollo breathed, touching his face reverently.
“Hello, lover.” Percy grinned, leaning into Apollo’s touch. “Did you miss me terribly?”
“You’ve no idea.” Apollo admitted, shutting his mouth abruptly and looking confused at his confession. “Darling, have you some power of compulsion for the truth?”
“No idea.” Percy shrugged. “I wanted to show you this place. My place. My altar.” Percy reached out and placed Apollo’s hand on it, feeling it in his body and barely refraining from groaning.
“It’s as beautiful as its god.” Apollo said truthfully, dragging his fingers along it and grinning when Percy shuddered. He traced the symbol, and Percy felt it as if Apollo were caressing his arm where the mark glowed. “Just gorgeous.” Percy gasped as he felt Apollo’s breath by his ears, even though he was leaning over the altar. When he felt the tongue trace the symbol, he nearly collapsed, but Apollo caught him and set him over the altar.
“Don’t stop.” Percy whispered.
“What does my lord wish?” Apollo whispered, kneeling beside the altar and tracing the various shapes and images portrayed with steady determined fingers.
Each shape felt etched into Percy’s skin with the heat of the sun, making his breath catch. Apollo continued to trace the various markings and whisper appreciatively. Percy arched back as if the fingers were moving along his body in intimate places, driving him mad with lust.
“Apollo.” Percy groaned out, his body shaking from the overwhelming sensations.
“Perseus.” Apollo said reverently, leaning over and kissing him fiercely.
“Worship me.” Percy whispered.
“I’d love to.” Apollo swore, climbing up and pressing their bodies together. They’d only had sex the one night before Percy had ascended, even if it had been nearly all night long. But now, having ascended, everything felt amplified. Every touch, every kiss, every groan and moan; all of it setting his nerves alight.
“Don’t stop.” Percy gasped, digging his hands into Apollo’s arms as he thrust into him. “Gods, Apollo!”
“I can’t- Perseus, I can’t-” Apollo struggled, breathing heavily as he gripped Percy’s erection and pumped it, causing him to arch up into his touch even more before he was coming and Apollo following him, collapsing on top of him still on the altar, which was glowing slightly.
“So good to me.” Percy murmured, once his breathing evened out, stroking a hand through Apollo’s hair. “Such an amazing offering of love and devotion.”
“All for you.” Apollo nodded against Percy’s chest.
“Only me.” Percy said, tugging on Apollo’s hair slightly. “Bless people with children, but this is for me only from now on.”
“Is that a command?”
“No. I won’t command your love.” Percy shook his head. “But I’ll not take another. You’re it for me. Should you stray, should you choose to take another, there won’t be a place for you here anymore.”
“I like a challenge.” Apollo hummed. “I won’t swear not to stray, because it won’t even cross my mind, but I promise that you have my heart. And I’ll strive to be worthy of the love you’ve shown me.”
“Want to see the rest?” Percy asked, still stroking a hand through Apollo’s hair.
“I’d be honored.” Apollo agreed, kissing his chest before sliding off the altar and helping Percy down.
Once they were inside the villa, Percy wasted no time in devouring Apollo. They spent a long time just touching and tasting each other. When Percy was finally sated, they rested. Since time was different now, he wasn’t sure how long they had actually been wrapped up in each other.
He looked down at his body and realized he hadn’t really worn any clothes since his father had left with the Morai. He imagined the outfit he wore for his first photo shoot all that time ago and smiled. Though he had been barefoot then, he now sported bright green converse as he walked out of the villa, Apollo trailing along, curious as to what he was doing.
When Percy looked at him with a raised eyebrow, he conjured his own outfit that was similar to Percy’s but with gold converse, before accepting the hand Percy held out for him. Between one blink of the eye and the next, they were standing on the porch of the Big House. Percy scrunched his nose up as the many scents associated with camp assaulted him.
“You get used to it.” Apollo said with a soft chuckle. “Come on. Let’s go see if my kids are here.”
“They are.” Percy said, grinning when Apollo tilted his head in confusion. “They often speak to me. Places that have lots of demigods are a bit loud, actually.”
“Dad!” Kayla shouted, before shrieking, “mom!” and barrelling into them and wrapping her arms around them.
“How did you all end up on ‘mom’ for Percy, anyway?” Apollo asked, laughing lightly.
“I already have three dads, and Percy is basically the camp mom since he cooks snacks for us and makes sure we’re prepared for our quests before he lets us go.” Kayla said, shrugging as she let go of them. Her shriek had drawn attention and soon all the other campers were out and surrounding them. Percy rubbed his temple as he heard them in his mind calling out in happiness.
“You all are very loud.” Percy muttered, grinning when they laughed. “Tell me what’s been happening since I’ve been away.”
Percy was promptly dragged to the amphitheater where the kids sat around him telling him all about the end of camp and the other kids who had gone off to school already for their fall term.
“Do you know? What your domains are yet?” Austin asked excitedly.
“He’s not Greek.” Rachel said, standing near the entrance and looking at Percy curiously. “Nor Roman.”
“Nor Egyptian, nor Hawaiian.” Percy agreed, giving her a crooked grin. “I’m something new.”
“I’m a little surprised you were able to get into the camp, actually.” Rachel admitted.
“Maybe it’s because he was with me?” Apollo said uncertainly.
“Maybe.” Rachel conceded, but she was still studying Percy intently. “You going to continue doing your normal life for a little while?”
“I’d like to.” Percy admitted. “At least while I can.”
“You should.” Dionysis said as he appeared and lounged back in a chair, startling a few of the younger kids at his sudden appearance. He rolled his eyes at them before focusing back on Percy again. “Most abandon their old lives because there is nothing left for them. You are not the same in that regard.”
“Any word?” Percy asked, raising an eyebrow at the camp director.
“Father is rather adamant that he wants nothing to do with you. However, when the Fates said that if he did not attempt to create a bridge, we would all perish, he looked rather constipated. As if he were trying to find a way around it.”
“Sounds about right.” Percy chuckled. “Well, I’m going to go see my family, and maybe take a walk through my city with my boyfriend, if he wants?”
“I’d love to.” Apollo perked up.
“I’ll be back sometime later, so you guys better behave and listen to Chiron.” Percy said, ruffling some kids’ hair and standing up to leave. As soon as he reached Apollo, they took a step and were in Times Square. They walked around for a little while, just enjoying the sights of the city, before Apollo stopped them under a billboard that was glitching and showing Percy’s symbol.
“What’s going on?” Apollo asked, wide eyed and a little fearful.
“Something new.” Percy hummed. “Don’t worry your pretty head, darling, the world learning about me won’t take my attention away from you. From us.”
Percy pulled Apollo in and kissed him gently, soothing his anxiety about what it meant for them.
“PJ!” Someone yelled, and Percy grinned against Apollo’s neck before looking for the source. His grin turned into a full blown smile as he spotted David hurrying over to them with a delighted smile of his own, camera in his hands.
“David, it’s good to see you. What are you doing in New York?” Percy asked, leaning into Apollo who had wrapped his arms around Percy’s middle and was resting his chin on his shoulder.
“Secondary office.” David shrugged. “Was called out to consult on some things and thought I’d do a little sightseeing. Question. Would you be interested in allowing me to photograph you and your boyfriend on a day out in the city?”
“One condition.” Percy said, holding up a finger.
“Alright.”
“Any prints that you sell, the proceeds go to shelters and programs, like the Trevor Project.”
“Done.” David said happily.
It was a nice walk through the city, even though David would throw out suggestions of poses now and again, but his camera never stopped clicking. They stopped next to a wall that was covered in graffiti that had his symbol in the middle of it. Apollo stayed back by David as he took some shots of Percy looking at it a little awestruck.
“Do you know what it means?” David asked, as he looked at his display screen.
“Perseus.” Percy answered softly, feeling a gentle breeze wrap around them before it was gone.
“Fitting.” David said, looking slightly dazed as he met Percy’s eyes.
“Suppose it is.” Percy agreed, grinning crookedly. “Let me know how those turn out. I’d like to stay and chat some more, but I’ve got to meet my family.”
“No worries.” David said, clearing his throat as he shook his head as if shaking out the daze. “I’ll let you know what comes of these. Perhaps I’ll simply send them to you.”
“Whatever you decide.” Percy shrugged. “Come on, lover, we better get going.”
“Sounds good.” Apollo hummed, reaching forward and taking Percy’s hand. Percy winked at David before stepping away and appearing in the hall of his mom’s apartment, while Apollo snickered beside him.
This all started with a few distracting camera shutters that changed Percy’s life. Now it was his turn to change other people’s lives with a few more. After all, if there’s one thing Percy has always excelled at, it’s causing chaos.