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Luke woke up to something heavy jumping on him.
It was Percy.
“Uh,” Luke grunted, his hands moving up in the air, unaware of what was happening. Percy had purposely climbed to the top bunk and dove on top of him. The bunk bed rocked unsteadily and Luke’s hand flew to the window, grabbing onto the frame to rebalance them. “Percy, what in Hades-”
“Happy birthday, Luke!” Percy hauled Luke into a sitting position and flung his arms around him, sending them both flying back down onto the mattress again. Luke wasn’t sure if this bed could take much more before they went falling.
Percy hadn’t even been this excited on his own birthday. Oh, it was Luke’s birthday.
He didn’t think anyone even knew.
He’d never told the Jackson’s or anyone aside from a handful of people.
“Thank you, Perce.” Luke couldn’t help but laugh despite this. Percy really was the embodiment of a younger brother.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Sally’s voice came from just below the boys and Luke’s eyes widened. She held a plate of four blue cupcakes, one with each letter of his name.
“Sally wanted to put twenty three candles on the cupcakes but I told her we’d take twice as long picking them all out than eating the damn things.” Paul teased, earning a backhanded smack from Sally.
Percy sat up again on his lap, allowing Luke to do the same. “Can we sing for him?” Percy hated singing, especially whenever Grover would sing the Consensus Song, but right now he seemed more than willing to and it tugged at Luke’s heart strings.
So, the three of them sang for Luke, who felt tears pricking at his eyes. Percy made him laugh by grabbing Luke’s shoulders and swaying him to the song so he didn’t sit there awkwardly and when they were done, both boys climbed down from the bunk bed.
“Thank you, Sally.” Luke pulled her into a warm hug, taking in her familiar scent of candy. She’d placed the cupcakes on the bedside table, aka the furthest spot from Paul, who was clearly hungry.
“Oh honey you’re so welcome.” She stroked the back of his head, giving him a squeeze and a cheek kiss. “Gods, you need to stop growing. It’s high time, really.”
“I’ll ask for immortality next birthday,” Luke joked before going over to hug Paul, who gave him the same affection that Sally did. “Thanks, Paul.”
“Anytime, kid.” He replied, jostling him a little and further messing up his bed hair. When they pulled away, Paul looked lovingly at the cupcakes.
“Oh for Hades sake, Paul!” Sally flung her arms up in defeat, but she was suppressing a giggle. Luke was glad he was here instead of Gabe. “Just take a damn cupcake.”
Paul happily obliged and handed one to both boys too. Sally took her own and they all clinked their cupcakes together before taking large bites.
“Mhm, that’s good.” Sally mumbled, nodding in approval at her own handiwork. She must’ve baked them this morning because they were still warm. “Okay, you two get dressed. We’re going out to celebrate. Chop chop, we leave in ten.”
“Yes Ma’am,” Percy saluted and kicked the door shut behind his parents.
Five minutes later, Percy rushed out, telling Luke he’d see him out there and Luke frowned at the sudden rush when they still had time.
Luke emerged from the bedroom dressed and ready to go, but the hallway was silent. “Percy?” He called out. No answer. He walked down the hallway and hoped that this wasn’t some terrible dream where they’d all left him behind. The silence unsettled him. It always had, but this felt different. Like someone was hiding. He rounded the corner towards the tiny living room and as soon as he did, there was chaos.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUKE!” A group of people jumped out from their hiding spots and Luke jumped back in surprise. He spotted Annabeth from behind the couch, alongside Grover and Percy. Pollux and Chris popped up from behind the recliner, Thalia, Clarisse and Rachel jumped out from the kitchen and Thalia flung her arms around him from behind. Sally and Paul had jumped up from behind the TV. Three more people flickered in by the window, much to his surprise. Dionysus, Poseidon and Hermes all beamed at Luke.
“I-” he was speechless, his arms naturally wrapping over Thalia’s, who gripped onto him so tight, he was losing airflow. This was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for him.
“Oh don’t just stand there!” Annabeth giggled, moving around the couch. “Hug me, dummy!”
Thalia let Luke go and he swooped his little sister up in a tight hug. The next few minutes were individual hugs and birthday wishes. Grover told him he had a lifetime supply of coke cans waiting for him back at camp. But Luke knew it was so that Grover could eat the cans when Luke was done drinking them. Pollux and Chris tackled Luke onto the couch, breaking out into a tickle war between the three. Rachel didn’t know Luke as well as the other’s but she hugged him and teased him about being an old man. This did not appeal to the three ancient gods and the middle aged English teacher, but it made Sally cackle and that was enough for Luke.
Clarisse stared at Luke, fighting off a smile and Luke cracked first. “You can’t not hug the birthday boy, it’s tradition.”
“Well,” she sighed, checking her nails. “I suppose if it’s tradition…” her smile finally broke through and she launched herself at Luke, who accepted the hug gratefully when he caught her. “Happy birthday, loser.” She mumbled over his shoulder.
“Thanks, stupid.” Luke earned a rough squeeze, making him squeak like a chew toy, but he didn’t care. He’d never hugged Clarisse before.
Next up was Poseidon, who had his elbow resting atop his son’s head like a table rest. Sally smacked it away. “Happy birthday, Luke.” Poseidon surprised him by offering a hug rather than a handshake and he wasn’t sure if it was because Hermes was here, or if it was because he’d spent so much time with Luke, he’d grown fond of Sally’s ‘eldest’.
“Thank you, Poseidon.” Luke patted his back as they broke apart. He was only now getting used to not calling him Sir.
“You sure you’re not like, forty?” Dionysus scrunched his nose, eyeing Luke suspiciously. “Because you look forty. Maybe older. Sixty?”
“You’re an ass,” Luke rolled his eyes, grabbing Dionysus by his shirt and into a forced hug. Though it wasn’t really that forced. Dionysus sighed dramatically, patting Luke’s back with the tips of his fingers like he had the plague. Sally raised her brow.
“Fine, fine!” Dionysus groaned. “Consider this charity work.” He finally hugged Luke back properly, like he always did when there wasn’t an audience. “Happy birthday, cub.” He lowered his voice for just the two of them to hear. Gods forbid people found out Dionysus cared for people. Some people. Very few people. A limited number of people he could count on one hand.
When they pulled apart, Luke turned to Hermes, who nervously tapped a letter against his palm. “From mom,” Hermes muttered in Ancient Greek, though everyone including Sally knew what was said. Poor Paul got a translation.
“Ah,” Luke gingerly took the envelope and placed it on the coffee table. “Later,” he murmured, plastering a smile back on and going to embrace his father. “Thank you for being here. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“I think I have an idea,” Hermes replied softly, pressing his lips to his son’s cheek. His tone changed slightly and Luke’s arm hairs stood up. “Happy birthday, Luke. May the gods protect you so long as you live. You, Luke Castellan, have everything I have now.”
“Dad, what--” Luke felt his body tingle, but Hermes held him tighter.
“Blessed be the Heir of Hermes, Son of Travelers, Tricksters, and Messengers. Every door will be unlocked for you. Every crevice of the universe belongs to you, every pocket of space will be available to you. Every key is yours, Luke Castellan, son of May Castellan. What’s mine, I share with you now.” Hermes pulled away and his glowing eyes slowly dimmed.
Luke’s heart was racing, but he felt… different. Stronger. Like every nerve in his body fizzled with newfound energy. Like power. “Did you-”
“Give you a gift? Yes,” Hermes replied quietly. Poseidon and Dionysus had gotten the others distracted enough that none of them had even seen what had happened. “You should’ve gotten everything a very long time ago but…”
“I get it,” Luke answered quickly, offering an empathetic glance to his father. “It’s okay, really. I didn’t even think I was your Heir…”
“There is no one else I’d want as my Heir, Luke. Olympus’ hero.” Hermes placed a hand to Luke's cheek, who suddenly felt bad for Chris. “I trust you more than anyone. Maybe one day we can talk immortality, but for now… make me proud.”
Trust. That was a big word to Luke.
He swallowed hard, jutting his chin out in confidence. “I’ll make you proud.”
“I know you will.” Hermes smiled and pulled away. “Now, cake time!” He spoke louder, clapping his hands together.
“You just got here!” Sally glared at the god and she crossed her arms. “Hermes, you don’t need mortal food.”
“I do if it’s made by you, Chef Jackson!” Hermes beamed like a cheeky child, making Sally roll her eyes. She pushed her tongue against her cheek to fight away her smile and Luke saw how Poseidon’s jaw ticked. Thankfully, they were far away from a large body of water. But there was a possibility he might just burst one of the apartment pipes.
“You, Hermes — I wish you had a goddamn surname! — really get on my last nerve.” Sally was just about as good as Percy at hiding a smile. Which was not good at all.
“It’s a gift,” Hermes bowed theatrically, making Dionysus snort. He’d poured himself apple juice because Sally had a no magic rule in the apartment, and no god ever dared cross Sally Jackson. They knew better. She had her own version of Kleos.
“Wait, gifts first and then cake!” Thalia insisted, grabbing onto Luke’s hand and tugging him over to the couch. She was so excited, it made him smile. It was nice to see her. He wondered if the Hunters were waiting for her at camp.
“See now that, I can agree with.” Sally gave a decisive nod and everyone gathered around with their drinks and snacks. Percy dove onto the couch, leaving no space between him and Luke.
“Open mine first,” Percy insisted, handing Luke a long, rectangular box. “Well, mine, Tyson’s and my dad’s.” He jutted his chin out to Poseidon. There’d been many awkward moments when Percy called for his dad and Paul and Poseidon would both turn around.
The thought alone that he’d gotten a gift from Poseidon was big enough a gift. If past him could see future him now… Young Luke would have an aneurysm.
Luke unwrapped the gift and pulled open the cardboard box, resting it on his and percy’s knees. When Luke moved aside the tissue paper, he let out a soft gasp and pulled the item out. Everyone else gasped with him at the sight. Even Hermes’ eyes widened.
It was a sea green sword. The hilt had Hermes’ Caduceus, two snakes winding around the winged hilt in celestial bronze. The sword itself was engraved with Luke’s name right at the base. ‘Property of Luke Castellan, Heir of Hermes, Friend of the Sea’ .
“I-” Luke was at a loss for words again. He looked between Poseidon and Percy, who had identical smiles.
“Tyson made it,” Poseidon offered, pointing to the sword. “Said his big brother needed the best gift in the whoooole world.” Poseidon mimicked his son. Luke was always surprised when a god showed their personality. “He also wishes he could be here, but he’ll visit soon.”
“Th- Thank you… Both of you.” Luke stared at the sword again. This one felt like his. Not like Backbiter had.
“What are you naming it?” Annabeth asked, eyeing the details with wide eyes.
Luke stared at the sword for a moment. “Ενδέχεται,” Endéchetai . He looked at Hermes, whose lips were pursed but he gave a nod of approval. He’d named the sword May, after his mother. “Everything I fight for, is for her.” He elaborated and Pollux squeezed his shoulder, who was perched on the arm of the couch behind Luke.
“My gift next!” Clarisse announced and Luke stared at her open-mouthed. “Keep staring at me like that and I’ll burn it.” Luke clamped his mouth shut.
Hermes magicked Clarisse’s gift off the kitchen table right onto Luke’s lap and Sally placed her hands on her hips.
“It’s a habit!” Hermes wailed, raising his hands. “It’s literally my job!”
“Consider yourself unemployed in my house,” Sally stated and Dionysus let out another snort. A man of many words. Sally narrowed her eyes at him. “Says the wine dude drinking apple juice.”
“Hey now,” Dionysus cradled his cup. “I’ll have you know this apple juice is exquisite.”
“We got it from Walmart,” Percy offered as if Dionysus needed an apple juice recommendation.
Luke smiled at the banter as he took Clarisse’s gift and began to open it. He pulled out a celestial bronze dagger and smiled. It had an outlined engraving of Clarisse pinning him to the floor with her spear.
“So you never forget who’s the strongest,” she stated smugly.
“I will remember that forever now, thank you.” He chuckled, twisting the dagger between his fingers. He’d carry it everywhere.
Thalia snatched her gift off the table before Hermes could, the pair locking eyes, both daring the other to snatch the gift, and walked over to hand it to Luke. It was a small bag, so he pulled out the tissue paper and pulled out a beaded bracelet. It was identical to the necklaces they had at camp, except each bead that was painted represented every year that Luke, Annabeth and Thalia had known each other with small doodles representing their important moments. He had to laugh when he saw the tree.
“The empty ones are for us to paint as we go,” Thalia noted, holding up her wrist to show she had a matching one. Annabeth did the same.
“This means everything to me,” Luke felt his throat close again, deeply grateful that he still had them in his life. He slipped the bracelet on and held it up proudly.
Next was Chris and Pollux, who’d gone for a big joint gift. They’d giggled the whole time, insisting that they couldn’t show everyone and that it was at camp for Luke when he got back. It seemed to add ten decades onto Hermes and Dionysus’ features. Luke knew that meant mischief, but he couldn’t wait.
Dionysus wanted to give Luke an unlimited supply of wine, but Hermes had forbidden him, so instead, Luke got his blessing of fruitfulness so that Luke could make the best of every situation. He’d also snuck a couple bottles of wine under Luke’s clothes in his closet with the help of Pollux.
Paul and Sally had gotten Luke a skateboard so he and Percy could go to the skatepark together, and they’d been typical parents and bought him a new wardrobe. Sally had said he dressed like a fifteen year old and he needed some proper adult clothes.
Rachel had gotten him a gift, which surprised Luke. He couldn’t wait to get to know her as a friend. Grover and her had teamed up and gifted Luke a stack of records. Hermes had gotten him a record player over Christmas, and he was slowly growing his collection. So the pair got him ten new records to add to the pile.
“Last but most important,” Annabeth teased and summoned an Iris message. “Chiron, Camp Half-Blood.” The image flickered and soon enough, Chiron was in the frame. “Please tell me you’re there.”
“I am,” Chiron chuckled and smiled at Luke. “Happy Birthday, Luke.”
“Thank you, Chiron.” Luke smiled too, but that slipped into a confused expression when Chiron stepped aside, showing a cabin Luke had never seen before. It had Hermes’ flag, but it was smaller than cabin 11. “What’s this?”
“That,” Annabeth pointed. “Is your new cabin.”
Luke blinked. “My new cabin?”
Annabeth nodded. “Designed it myself. You’ll have to come to camp for a full tour, but it’s yours. Own bathroom and everything. Chiron and I thought you were too old to be sharing a cabin with so many people.”
“It’s high time you got your privacy,” Chiron agreed, raising a teasing eyebrow. “And proper rest.”
That made Luke chuckle, but he was still semi in shock. “It’s incredible, Annabeth… Beyond that. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You can let me shower in there when there’s no more hot water for the rest of us and I’ll be fine.” She replied.
“Deal,” Luke smiled.
They wrapped up the call with Chiron and rambled on about how they would all be annoying Luke in his new cabin. Sally chided them, told him the cabin was for Luke’s privacy, but Luke didn’t mind. He’d have them all over every night if he was allowed.
Finally, they dove into singing, followed by the cake. This time, Sally had put all twenty three candles on and made Hermes pick out every last one.
The rest of the day consisted of the group laughing, sharing quest stories, listening to the gods who had their own humorous stories to share, and devouring all the snacks. Luke moved around at one point when the conversations separated and he made sure to spend equal amounts of time with everyone.
The sun began to set and Dionysus rounded everyone up to take them back to camp and Hermes offered them a ride. Poseidon was last to leave, wanting to spend some extra time with Percy. So Luke told everyone he was going to shower.
Now, he was sitting on the fire escape, a joint between his lips and the window closed so the smell wouldn’t waft through the apartment. Sally didn’t mind that he smoked, it was the smell she was opposed to.
Her and Paul had gone out to have dinner so Poseidon had his privacy with Percy, and promised the boys they’d bring back food for them and more dessert.
Luke stared out at the New York bustle and thought about the day. About how everyone he thought he’d lost had come to celebrate his birthday. How they all hugged him and made him feel loved. He twisted Thalia’s bracelet around and a teardrop hit one of the beads.
The window cracked open after a while, revealing Percy and Luke cleared his throat. “Your dad gone?”
“Just left, yeah.” Percy closed the window behind him and shuffled around to fit on the cramped fire escape with Luke, who stubbed out the joint and rested it on the windowsill. He never liked smoking around Percy, but it was the only thing that helped him sleep at night and dull the ache of his scars. He’d never tell his father he was in pain, he’d asked for too much already. Percy eyed Luke closely. “Luke, are you crying or are you just high?”
Luke’s jaw clenched and he turned away for a moment, gaze locking on the opposite building. Amongst their silence, car horns blared and people chatted loudly as the city night life enveloped them. He watched a group of friends rush across the road, all dressed up and giggling. They had so much life in them.
“I didn’t think I’d make it to twenty three,” he finally answered, his voice just above a whisper. Percy remained silent. “And if I did… I didn’t think I’d have any friends around.” He sniffed. “It’s not like Kronos would’ve gotten me a fucking cake.” His tone was bitter, full of self resentment still. Sally had wanted him to see a therapist, but how was he supposed to tell a therapist any of this? She was horrified at the realization that demigods had no such thing as therapy.
“I think he would’ve,” Percy scrunched his nose. “But, like, a carrot cake. Grandpas are weird that way.”
Luke couldn’t hold back his laugh, lightly shoving Percy’s shoulder. He always knew how to lighten the mood. “It would’ve been a shitty cake.”
“The shittiest,” Percy hummed in agreement and silence fell on them again. “You know,” Percy shuffled closer when the wind picked up and Luke draped an arm around him for body warmth. They could go inside, but they’d always enjoyed the loud city. They weren’t used to silence. “I’m really glad you made it to twenty three, Luke.”
“Thanks, Little Fish.” Luke replied. Little Fish was his nickname for Percy when they were alone. He decided not to be the embarrassing older brother and call him that in front of people. “I’m glad you’re here too. Clearly the Fates have a soft spot for us.”
“They better,” Percy scoffed. “We’re like the only reason Olympus is still around.” He fiddled with Luke’s new bracelet, studying each of the doodles on them. “I love you, Luke.” He murmured, dropping his head onto the older demigod’s shoulder.
Luke smiled, staring out at New York again. The Empire State Building was lit up blue. “I love you too, Perce.”
Best birthday ever.