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Leon was wearily observing the scene before the two of them.
Merlin couldn't judge him. They had entered their apartment and found it full .
Bob and Simba were chasing the roombas that Merlin had yet to fix from his little magical experiment.
Percy, Thalia, and Will were fighting over a blue blanket, while Hazel and Nico were settling in to watch the screen in the front row.
Jason was just sitting in a chair, watching everything with a small smile on his face.
“This is your fault.” Leon told Merlin. “ You are the one who brought them here, one by one .”
“I think it was Percy .” Was the very mature response Merlin offered Leon.
Not that Merlin was wrong. Percy had told each of them where to find Merlin and Leon's shared apartment, and it had been Percy 's idea to see a movie together.
“Very mature,” Leon however commented, “to blame the younger one for your decision.”
Merlin grimaced. He really would have preferred Leon not to comment on Percy's age compared to his own. It made him uncomfortable. Deeply, especially considering both the way he relied on his help and the feelings he had discovered for the boy.
“Well, I may be very mature , but I'm telling the truth.” Merlin retorted, turning in time to see that Percy had won the blanket and was positioned between two excited Hazel and Nico.
Apparently, Hazel was still on top in their competition, and Nico was taking advantage of it.
“What movie are we watching?” Jason asked from his seat.
“Thalia chose it.” Percy muttered offended.
“I was tired of seeing ' Finding Nemo' .” Thalia replied.
"What's the movie about?" Leon asked, surrendering to his fate.
“Oh, of a father who kicked out his brother from their family home. Then, when this father has a son, the brother sends his minions to kidnap him, but they lose him. A couple passing by welcomes him into their family, but even loved, the child knows he doesn't really belong to them. He goes on a journey to find himself, but his uncle keeps trying to kill him. His uncle then uses the woman his nephew loves to incapacitate him, and attacks his brother for his revenge. But the beloved woman decides to help this son and he saves his father. Then he manages to bring the woman he loves back to life.”
“What kind of movie is this?” Will asked, shocked.
“ Hercules .” Thalia replied, starting the movie.
Everyone looked at Percy.
He, smiling, said. “Watch it and tell me if this isn't the plot of the movie.”
***
As the credits rolled on the screen, Thalia turned to Percy. “You realize you're practically Hercules, right? At least, the one in the cartoon.”
"In what sense?" Leon asked, frowning. “Isn't Jason the son of Zeus?”
“I think Thalia is referring to the fact that the gods offered him immortality and that he turned it down for a girl.” Will said, smiling at Percy.
“First of all, I turned it down for Nico . And only for him.” Percy said, ruffling his cousin's hair nearby. “And not for Annabeth. I don't know why everyone thinks I did it for her. Secondly, the expression on Zeus' face made everything so much more worthy.”
“It's no fun annoying a god.” Thalia told him, sounding tired and amused.
“And yet you're annoying Merlin .” Percy retorted. “And you're wrong, it's extremely funny. Everyone should do it.”
“No, not everyone should do that.” Jason sighed. “I can't believe I have to be the one in charge!”
“Hazel is the one in charge.” Percy said. "Not you."
Hazel smiled.
“Well, she always has been.” Leon intervened. “Gwen was also in charge of the group.”
“Together with Lancelot.” Merlin added.
Hazel rise.
Percy shook his head. “Look, Merlin just betrayed me.”
Will threw a pillow at the boy's head, laughing in amusement.
Then, to interrupt the general laughter, a roar.
Percy leaned over. " Oh …"
"What?" Leon asked, a hint of anxiety in his voice.
“Simba just ate the killer roombas.” Percy murmured. “He seems to be personally offended that they tried to wash him.”
“Why do you have the Nemean lion as a pet, by the way?” Thalia asked, giving Percy a dubious look.
“I was alone for five days and I picked up strays.” Percy replied. “I went from adopting demigods to adopting animals.”
“Who are the next ones?” Jason asked. "Gods?"
“Well, he already adopted some Greek, Roman and Egyptian gods.” Nico listed. “Merlin is technically a Celtic god, so we can add him to the list. So… he already adopted gods, Jason.”
Jason sighed. "My mistake."
"Don't worry." Percy smiled. “Even the best ones make mistakes.”
Another roar.
“Now they are destroying the house.” Percy commented. "I hope it's not a problem."
Leon groaned. "No, do not worry." Then, glancing at Merlin, he added. “I got used to the chaos.”
Merlin, in response, smiled proudly.