State of Grace

 

“So…Mr. Castellan’s your boyfriend?” Maria asked hesitantly.

 

Percy bit his lip, but nodded.

 

“Huh. I guess that would answer why we didn’t work out,” she sighed, but grinned ruefully at him.

 

Percy smiled, a bit relieved at her reaction.

 

“You’re not…freaked out?”

 

Maria snorted. “No way. I have an uncle and two older brothers who are gay, and a little sister who’s a lesbian. I’m just destined to be surrounded by same-sex couples.” She pouted. “Nah, not freaked out. Just disappointed that I’m definitely not your type and that my ex-boyfriend turned out to be gay and therefore not interested in me.”

 

Percy gave her a sheepish look that she waved her hand at.

 

“I wouldn’t mind some details later on, you know,” she said. “Like how you two know each other in the first place, how you two even got together, etc. But that can wait. Here’s my ride,” she pointed to the car waiting. “See you tomorrow?”

 

“See you,” he gave her one last smile and she winked back at him as she practically danced away to her car.

 

“I’m happy you managed to find someone who knows for sure about your orientation, and accepts it,” Hermes said, suddenly appearing beside him.

 

Percy rolled his eyes, hand almost reaching out to grab the god’s arm, before realizing they were in public. Hermes rolled his eyes this time, and pulled Percy close to his side.

 

“Mist,” he said dryly, and Percy blushed slightly.

 

“Hey, let’s go home? This weekend should be the Montauk visit, and Mom and Paul might want to make some plans. Plus, we still need to tell them you’d be coming along, though since we’re now ‘out’ to them they might be a little more resistant.”

 

“Your folks love me,” Hermes mockingly declared, dodging a hit from Percy. “Okay, so they’re not stellar with me…but I’m pretty sure they’ll agree, even if reluctantly.”

 

Percy nodded, thinking of what he could say to them to make it a little more easier.

 

“But…about that, Percy,” Hermes interrupted anxiously.

 

Percy frowned, hearing the anxious note. “Are you changing your mind?”

 

“No, no…that’s not it,” Hermes tugged him closer and started walking. “Percy…we should stay away from the waters when we get there. Any waters, if we can help it.”

 

Percy blinked in surprise, having not expected that. “What? Why?”

 

He noticed they’d made it to the bleachers, and Hermes led the way to under them, where they both sat on the ground side by side before the god began to talk again.

 

“Poseidon might notice,” Hermes said quietly. “Honestly, the only reason I got away with the beach in San Francisco, and why your father hasn’t been watching over you closely, is because he’s been extremely busy with not just rebuilding his underwater building, but has been in frequent and very secret meetings with Zeus and Hades. He’s…he’s sort of taken a breather right now, from what I’ve heard. I don’t know if he’ll check up on you, but he’ll definitely be able to catch a glimpse if you come into contact with water.”

 

Percy winced and understood, at least somewhat.

 

“For all my joking aside earlier, when it came to calling your family scary…Your father can be rather frightening, especially when it comes to you. If he knew I was with you, he’d probably torture me. And I’m not exaggerating about that, not this time,” Hermes said seriously, and Percy gulped.

 

The younger male slowly reached out to grab Hermes’ hand, and squeezed it tightly in comfort and reassurance.

 

“Well, I’ll be more than displeased with him if he hurt my,” here, Percy’s cheeks tinged red, “m-my boyfriend.”

 

Cheered up and feeling less apprehensive, Hermes leaned closer to him and kissed him softly, before he pressed a little harder. He swiped his tongue against Percy’s lower lip, and nipped it playfully as Percy’s lips opened up to him. Eager to play some tonsil hockey, he thrust his tongue into Percy’s mouth and swirled it around his younger lover’s tongue with a lazy drag that had Percy moaning.

 

“No PDA in school,” Paul’s voice said thunderously.

 

They broke apart, with Percy extremely embarrassed and Hermes looking at Paul with an innocent grin. Paul glared at the god before helping Percy up and ushering him away, muttering about “protecting him from perverted gods.” Percy inwardly laughed, while Hermes was sure that he’d have fun messing with Paul that weekend.

 

However, as Hermes had to check in at Olympus, Percy was left to his own devices at his home for a little bit. His mother was visiting with a friend she made from college, if he remembered right, and Paul was getting groceries. He had been able to make a crack at Paul about his “housewife tendencies.” Paul responded with a cheeky grin and a “And damn proud of it.” Percy was left very amused.

 

But now he was alone and bored. His thoughts trailed over to the boxes innocently sitting in the corner of his room and where he’d left them ever since getting them, and he scowled and pushed his thoughts in any direction but that.

 

“What’s that unhappy frown for, Percy?” a graceful, soft voice greeted him.

 

He turned quickly on his bed and a wide smile broke out across his lips for Athena, who smiled back softly at him.

 

“Lady Athena, what are you doing here?” Really, it was so strange to find that he now enjoyed her presence and had come to look forward to her rare company.

 

“Ah, well, it’s unfortunately not for pleasure this time,” Athena remarked with a sigh. “It’s…business in a way. On a personal note. And perhaps…you are the closest thing I have to a real friend, I suppose.”

 

Percy sat up and looked at her attentively, looking concerned but touched at her admission.

 

“Percy, Annabeth’s been plagued by spiders. And I don’t mean it as a joke –she’s literally being stalked and hunted by them, sometimes even in large armies,” Athena’s voice carried a lot of worry and stress, and he felt rather odd but happy that the goddess was willing to reveal such things to him and confide to him.

 

But on the other hand…

 

Percy winced. “I think I know who is responsible…”

 

Athena looked at him in confusion. “Truly? I don’t understand what could have prompted this situation, and the only one who could control such a large quantity of spiders would be Arachne.”

 

And so Percy proceeded to tell Athena about Hermes and his encounter with Annabeth at the Californian mall, and pointblank and without emotion repeated verbatim what she’d said. Afterwards, they were stuck in silence and Percy was unable to even look at her.

 

“I-I see,” she’d forced out. “That is…I was not expecting that.”

 

“Yeah, so that’s what happened. And I’m pretty sure Hermes is behind the spider attacks because of that,” Percy half-way muttered, still avoiding looking at her. “I’ll talk to him.”

 

“Thank you…for telling me,” she said dazedly. “I apologize for Annabeth’s words,” it seemed she was starting to pull herself together and become as composed as she usually was. “I thank you again for offering to talk to Hermes, despite the fact that it is my daughter at fault. I believe…I believe she didn’t mean what she said, if it is any comfort to you.”

 

Percy didn’t answer that, but managed to at least give a sharp nod.

 

“If you don’t mind, I think I shall take my leave now. I don’t wish to impose on you,” she said gently.

 

That made Percy snap out of it and his hand reflexively darted out and grabbed hers. She stared at him, but he was finally looking at her.

 

“You…don’t…you don’t have to go, Lady Athena. I’m currently lacking friends that are ‘in the know,’” he said plainly. “It would be nice if you stayed awhile. Maybe –maybe you wanna go out for ice cream?”

 

“It’s ‘want to,’” she said, but a smile was playing on her lips. “And I don’t eat mortal food,” Athena started grinning slightly. “I suppose I could always just come and just watch you eat, though.”

 

“Excellent,” Percy clapped his hands, playfully exaggerating by rubbing them together eagerly. “Come on then!”

 

And he was playfully tugging at her hand and leading her out. Though a part of him felt like he’d lost Annabeth, he also felt as if he’d grown closer to Athena.

 

Later, when he was on his way back home alone, he saw Hermes waiting at the park that was on the way. The god gave a small grin and wave, and he rolled his eyes and returned the god’s greeting.

 

“So, went off to a short jaunt with the all mighty wise goddess, did you?” Hermes asked, but he was still smiling and his eyes were teasing.

 

Percy smirked. “Jealous?”

 

“Completely. I knew that woman was trying to move in and snatch you away,” Hermes mock-proclaimed, slinging an arm around Percy’s waist at the same time. “Athena always has a plan, after all –isn’t that what she and her brats always say anyways?”

 

Percy laughed at the turn around of Athena and her kids’ favorite saying, even more so at the wink the god sent him. However, his laughter died down and he was left to a small, rather sorrowful smile on his face as he idly watched the ground.

 

“Speaking of Athena’s brats,” Percy started quietly.

 

Hermes looked at him puzzled.

 

“You went and sent armies of spiders after Annabeth, didn’t you,” he stated, and was not asking it.

 

Hermes looked up and watched the sky, his face not revealing anything. His hold around Percy’s waist tightened and Percy waited patiently for the god to finally answer him.

 

“Arachne sent the ‘armies of spiders’ actually. I just went to Arachne,” he said nonchalantly.

 

Percy stayed quiet and the two of them just continued walking towards Percy’s home in silence. But then Percy started to talk and Hermes looked at him sharply, directing all of his attention on his younger lover.

 

“I see. I’m not angry, so don’t think or worry about that,” Percy said, surprise visibly appearing on Hermes’ face. “I’m not angry. I’m just…disappointed.”

 

Hermes flinched.

 

“I appreciate it, really I do,” he told the god sincerely, giving him a soft smile. “It means a lot that you would get so defensive on my behalf, that you would show that you care so much. But this isn’t what I want,” Percy said firmly.

 

Hermes sighed and unenthusiastically said, “Fine. I’ll talk to Arachne and see what I can do.”

 

Percy stopped and Hermes copied him. The shorter male leaned up and placed a light kiss on the god’s lips, before leaning back and letting Hermes see how grateful he was.

 

“I’m just really surprised you aren’t angry,” Hermes reluctantly said. “Though disappointment seems…a lot worse in hindsight.”

 

“Just forget it,” Percy lightly slapped the god’s arm. “Let’s just go to my house. Help me pack, you overgrown child.”

 

Although one could say Hermes got off lightly, inside he felt a terrible ache and vowed not to do something as rash again (or at least try to, knowing his and the other immortals’ ingrained nature). He didn’t like the idea of disappointing Percy, and felt more horrible knowing that he did. Just knowing Percy was disappointed in him (and at the same time, had already been able to forgive so quickly the action and then managed to be so wise and grown-up to rise above being angry) made him terribly depressed and completely miserable. He hated the idea, feeling, and knowledge of Percy being disappointed.

 

He would try his damndest not to let it happen again in the future.

 

And yet, a part of him was amazed and proud at the display of gentility and maturity Percy showed –and he really couldn’t help smiling tenderly to himself.

 

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The ride wasn’t as bad as Percy feared it would be. He knew it was a long ride to Montauk, and he was worried how Hermes would be received by his parents and how he would act in the first place. But it seemed shorter than usual, and he had a feeling (more so with Hermes’ so-called nonchalant face), that the god was helping things along and allowing them to speed along to their destination. God of Roads, Traveling, and resident speedster…

 

Why that sneaky god…

 

‘Which fit that bastard too,’ Percy thought fondly, mentally shaking his head.

 

“Well, that wasn’t too bad. We made good time!” Paul exclaimed with a grin, as he got out of the car and gazed out towards the entrance of the beach and where the cabins were.

 

Sally gave a sly look towards the couple, rolling her eyes at her son’s grin and Hermes’ sheepish look.

 

“Come on, dear. Let me show you around. Those two can bring the luggage. Percy, you know which cabin,” Sally took Paul’s arm and led him away, leaving the two to snicker with each other.

 

“At least we get to be alone,” Hermes wagged his eyebrows.

 

“Hush. Just help me get these bags,” Percy headed over to the open trunk, hauling out a few bags and either tossing one at the god or shoving it into his chest.

 

He took some for his own and started leading the way, the god whistling some happy tune as he followed.

 

“What do you want to do after?” Hermes asked curiously and Percy thought about it.

 

“You know, I’m kind of hungry,” he glanced behind him at Hermes. “Why don’t we cook something for dinner, while Paul and Mom are out spending time together?”

 

“Let’s do spaghetti,” Hermes said immediately and Percy agreed, missing the glint in the god’s eyes.

 

Of course, nearly half an hour later, Percy figured it out. After all, a bunch of noodles in your hair and stuck on his face and around his neck, it’s kind of hard not to. The mischievous god, despite also being covered in noodles (Percy definitely was proud of giving as good as he got), was grinning widely and triumphantly.

 

This was what Sally and Paul came to the cabin to.

 

Sally raised an eyebrow. “Please stick to the other kind of noodle war for you two.”

 

“Sally!” Paul said scandalized.

 

She just smirked, while her son blushed bright red and Hermes echoed him, only accompanied by chuckling and a wink towards her.

 

“Please tell me you at least managed to cook the sauce,” Paul said dryly, rolling his eyes at their antics.

 

“Sauce cooked,” Hermes gestured to the sauce pan.

 

“I don’t know; I think those two prefer another type of sauce right now,” Sally said innocently.

 

“Mom!”

 

Sally and Hermes grinned at each other, while Paul and Percy both face palmed after trading exasperated looks.

 

Dinner that night was peaceful, if playful, and all of them went to sleep relatively in a good mood. Sally and Paul went to one room, while Hermes and Percy separated from them and went into another room together.

 

The next morning dawned bright and early, and Percy and Hermes were the first to be up. As a treat, Percy felt like making his mom and his new stepdad pancakes for breakfast and as he was working on making them, he had Hermes go and make some buttered toast and set up the table.

 

“Don’t get high off the toast fumes,” Percy said sarcastically as he saw Hermes standing above the toaster, sniffing deeply and eyes rolling.

 

Hermes just smirked at him. “But it smells so heavenly.”

 

They traded a few more good-natured barbs before he had Hermes get the blue coloring, and started to mix it into the batter.

 

“Blue pancakes…sounds yummy,” Hermes commented. “This your and your mom’s blue food thing?”

 

“Yeah. It’s tradition by now, I suppose,” Percy sounded thoughtful. “What do you think? Something to pass on?”

 

“It would be nice,” Hermes agreed, keeping his voice neutral and unrevealing.

 

After all, if he delved more into the topic, Percy would have to ask who he would plan on passing the tradition onto.

 

Percy was, for all intents, gay. An adopted child would have to become aware of Percy’s demigod heritage and subsequent godly family (as well as Percy’s relationship to a god –Fates willing they were still together by then). And if it was one of Hermes’ kids that was adopted, it would have to mean one of two things. Hermes had gotten someone else pregnant and Percy could then become the adopted parent (but of course, Hermes would incur Percy’s wrath for the infidelity and he knew that Percy wouldn’t stand for it and become all the more angry about it). Or it was a kid he’d already had and would be near Percy’s age or know him from the war ( in either case, things would just be odd and/or there could be a case of hero worship).

 

Whatever it was, he knew it was much too early to be talking about kids in the first place.

 

“Did you get the utensils out already?” he heard Percy ask him.

 

“Yep, everything’s set.”

 

“Good, because I’m starving,” an unexpected voice interrupted them, drawling the words wryly.

 

They turned and faced the culprit, seeing someone they hadn’t expected at all.

 

It was neither Paul nor Sally, come to join them. It was, to Hermes’ horror and Percy’s utter surprise, Percy’s immortal older brother.

 

 Prince Triton of the Sea Family had come to visit.