Chapter Text
Percy Jackson is going to die
All mortals do at some point. Demigods, for all that they're half god, seem to be quicker at that than your average mortal. It probably has something to do with the quests and being hunted by monsters from a young age though
It’s actually quite depressing how short life is when one of your parents is literally a god, Percy concurs that had she been half-vampire she’d live longer, though an eternity without sunlight or garlic sounds terrible. There's also the fact that some versions of vampires cannot cross running water and that genuinely sucks, Percy likes swimming
Anyway, demigods tend to die young. That's one of the facts of life Percy quickly learned ever since finding out her father is Poseidon. Gods are real, she can breath underwater, Zeus is a bitch, Ares took after his father in that regard and Persephone Jackson is going to die young leaving everyone she loves behind
That's not her being a quitter, by the way. If all Percy needed to do in order to reach adulthood was to keep on fighting whatever the fates threw her way, she’d gladly do it. There would be no foe big or strong enough to stop her from spending the rest of her life with her family.
That, however, is out of her hands due to her shit luck of being the child of the prophecy that's going to die at 16 years old. In all honesty, that's really depressing, but maybe someone will think it’s funny how specific this prophecy is? Like, damn, no hope of even making it to 17, can’t even get a driver’s license
There are thousands of ways to cope with your impending death. Some people become alcoholics, some people cope with humor and others just whore around, but Percy? She obsessed over the heroes that came before her
Percy once heard from somewhere that in times of strife humans tend to navigate towards things that previously brought them comfort. She never thought much about it until she found herself obsessing over the old myths. It probably sounds contradictory when the reason for her times are strife is the fact that the myths are true and she’s the next sacrificial lamb of the fates, but still, they bring her back to a time where it was just her and her mother snuggling on the couch while she was told about the heroes of the old. A time before Gods, monsters, Prophecies and Gabe where her biggest concern was getting her piggy-tails pulled by some jerk in kindergarten.
Percy is not the biggest reader out there, her Dyslexia making the attempt at reading painful and her ADHD making it impossible for her to sit still while reading a book. But, thankfully, some kind soul out there invented audio books and cd players so she can happily indulge in her newfound hobby without having to hunt down the ancient Greek version of the myths. Annabeth probably has some but she’s touchy over her books and while Percy knows her friend wouldn't mind lending them to her at all, she still doesn't want to bother her
Also, the way she’s been enjoying the myths is kind of embarrassing
Percy likes hearing the myths, not because she admires the heroes, wants to be like them or whatever. She likes hearing the myths because she feels comfort knowing that maybe someone out there relates to getting fucked over by the fates as much as she's currently getting.
When it comes to Perseus, was killing Medusa as unimportant to him as it was to Percy? That as scary as it was, he had more things to worry about at the moment? If she ever talked to him, would she realize that instead of Gabe soley being Polydectes, her mother's unworthy suitor, he was also Percy's Scylla? What was scarrier for him to face? The monsters or the prospect of his mother being hurt?
All Odysseus wanted was to go home, but had he ended up on Calypso's island before the war would he have been tempted to stay there as Percy once had? Would he get angrier at the implication he’d run from war or that he’d leave his wife? What was more important to him, love or duty? Is it sad that Percy will die knowing more about the latter than the former?
Achilles, was it worth it? To throw away your chance at a happy peaceful life for eternal glory? Would you get angry to find out people care more about the one you loved than the ones you hated? Is Elysium the ultimate goal or is it the consolation prize for a sad life? Will Percy see the ones she lost in Elysium once it’s all over or will she be stuck as one of those ghosts that appear to heroes when they need someone to talk to and a god can’t be bothered?
It’s unhealthy, but Percy cannot stop thinking about Elysium. Heroes live sad lives but do they have happy afterlives? Percy knows about the Isles of the Blest, the tropical paradise she once saw on her first quest, so if Elysium by itself is worth it, why does it exist? Is Elysium not that good or are the heroes who spent so much time of their lives fighting for the gods unable to settle down without knowing they achieved the best of the best?
It’s unfair, Percy decides, that she’ll lose her life before she ever got to truly live it and her prize will be something that she’s not even sure is the best she can be offered
Moving on! Percy's cd set of Greek myths is the best thing in her life at the moment. All she needs to do is play it and she’ll have something to focus on while she does anything else. Today, she’s making tomato spaghetti while she listens to the track she calls “Gods and their dead exes”
It’s interesting to say the least, that there are people who are remembered because a god loved them so much they didn't allow them to be forgotten.
As she’s listening to the narrator describe how Aphrodite cried with grief holding Adonis’ body in her arms, Percy couldn't help but think about her own death. It’s coming soon, she’s prophecitized to die at 16 and she became 15 less than a month ago.
Her birthday was a nice day, she has to admit, surrounded by her family she could forget that the little 15 birthday candle on the top of her cake flicked like how she assumes her life force does. She even saw her dad! Poseidon coming over was a surprise but a nice one, he even got her gifts; a sand dollar and a pearl necklace she hasn't taken off since. Even Nico came by, his presence being a gift by itself because him being there means he’s alive and well
She’ll miss everyone when she dies but she knows they're all going to move on at some point. Mom is going to marry Paul and have the life she would have had she not given birth to Percy and married Gabe to protect her, maybe even have more kids and tell them about their older sister who died at 16.
Poseidon will have more kids in the future, kids that won't be born out of a mistake but also won’t be the child of the prophecy Poseidon can brag about if Percy doesn't fuck everything up. A mean, petty, part of her hopes that they don't make him as proud as he says she does before she quickly shoves it down as it’s not nice to want that for her future younger siblings.
Tyson will live his life and work in the underwater forges. Percy's biggest fear when leaving him behind is due to how kind he is, because what if someone hurts him and she’s not there to make sure they regret ever messing with her little brother? She shouldn't think that way, he’s strong and Poseidon wouldn't let anyone who hurt him get away scott free, still she can only hope he’s as much of a tattletale as Polyphemus
Annabeth will grow up and become an architect like she’s always wanted. She’ll create something that will outlast her and maybe along the way she’ll look back and think about her best friend who died in war. Maybe she’ll think about her whenever she sees the color blue or the sea, but that's asking for too much
Thalia will keep on being a hunter of Artemis, never once regretting her decision to leave everything because they needed to buy more time with the prophecy and she was the oldest child of the big three. She’ll live for hundreds, thousands of years and maybe every once in a while think of Percy and the friendship they built in the year they studied at St. Florence’s All girls academy together.
Then there's Nico, he’ll get to grow up. Percy can’t ask anything out of him but that. Nico will grow up, he’ll make more friends, maybe he’ll follow a hero’s fate, maybe he won’t, either way him getting to grow up will be the best thing Percy sacrificed herself for. Then when she gets to Elysium she can tell Bianca she protected their little brother
Grover, Silena, Beckendorf, Drew, Rachel, Connor, Travis, all the names of the people Percy will leave behind and will inevitably forget about her after she dies race through her brain imagining how their lives will go on when everything is done.
Taking a deep breath, Percy clutches her pearl necklace trying to reign herself in because pipes burst when she cries and mom shouldn't have to hire a plumber all because Percy decided to be a baby about her death.
Turning off the spaghetti, it’s good enough already, Percy went and sat on the living room’s couch hunched down with her head in her hands. The only sounds inside the apartment were her breaths and the cd’s narrator’s voice talking about Orpheus and Eurydice.
Obviously, Percy is not as ok with dying as she would like to believe. She’s not a coward, she won't run away from the Prophecy no matter how easy it would be to just join the hunters or something along those lines. She won't put a younger kid in the line of fire all because she doesn't want to do it herself!
Percy is going to die in less than a year and she knows that, she knows that, she just…doesn't want to be forgotten. That's selfish, everyone should move on without being burdened with memories of her, she wants it even! Besides, it’s not like she’ll be completely forgotten as everyone will know what she did and being remembered for saving the world should count for something, right?
It should but it’s not enough for her, Percy doesn't want to be remembered because she was a good little soldier for the Olympus, doesn't want to be remembered because of the enemies she killed or any feats she made. Percy is fated to be remembered as a hero, yet there's no one she envies more than the ones who were known for being loved.
Percy knows that sounds pathetic, she’s never even been in a relationship! That thing with Calypso doesn't count. Her first kiss was with Annabeth and only because they thought they were going to die so might as well not get to the underworld without coins and kissless. Even so, is it so bad that she feels sad that she’ll be reduced to a weapon her father made with a random mortal woman? When there are people who got to Elysium because of how much they were loved?
Gods, she knows she's not making any sense but she doesn't want to, Percy’s going to die at fucking 16 years old in a battlefield fighting against titans and the guy she still sees as an older brother figure because no matter how bad he is she still thinks he’s great and isn't that sad? He told her he saw her as a little sister and stabbed her in the back but even when trading blows hoping to end her life he still feels more paternal than her actual father
Lost in her conflicting thoughts, Percy did not notice her cd went on for longer than usual until she heard the narrator start a new myth she hadn't heard from him before, Apollo and Hyacinthus.
Percy knows how that one goes, Hyacinthus was Apollo's lover and while they were playing disk one day Zephyrus, the west wind, deflected the course of Apollo’s disk so it hit Hyacinthus’ head fatally injuring the boy leaving the god to cry over his lover’s corpse. Later on Hyacinthus was deified and had a festival dedicated to him by his people.
The raven haired girl knows all that and hearing the narrator say it all over again is not helping her already insane feelings. At this moment, Percy feels…envy? Towards a dead boy.
As much as she would like to pretend otherwise, Percy is no stranger to envy. Growing up she envied kids who had it better than her, kids who didn't have a smelly jerk for a stepfather, kids who were good at school and didn't get kicked out of every single one they ever went to, kids who could actually read something without the letters floating around.
The feelings lessened as Percy grew, knowing there's no use in feeling sad over not having something that was never hers in the first place, but they never completely went away. Because, right at this moment, she’s feeling envious of Hyacinthus, a boy who’s remembered for being loved thousands of years after his death.
She doesn't hate him though, far from it. All that envy is doing is making Percy want to know more about him. What was Hyacinthus like? He was a spartan prince so he must have been good with a sword for all that people only remember his beauty, would he spar with her like Clarisse does? Bloodthirsty with the clear goal of winning but pushes you to your limits like nothing else or like Luke once did? Aware he’s superior to you and giving you pointers so you can hope to get to his level while kicking your ass to the dirt?
Was Hyacinthus a dog person or did he like cats? A proper prince or someone more wild? Was he a good person for his time or was Apollo attracted to him because there was something darker underneath the beautiful face everyone was so focused on? Maybe it’s because of how different Hyacinthus' life and fate are from Percy's and other heroes’ but she can’t stop thinking about him.
He must have been great, Percy imagines, no one ever remembers someone who’s only a pretty face for this long.
Strangely enough, thinking about Hyacinthus is soothing for Percy. At least made her get a hold of herself enough so no pipes burst in the apartment and that's more than most breathing exercises do for her.
Without noticing, thinking about him soon became a habit for Percy. Whenever she was annoyed, bored or sad, her mind would wander to Hyacinthus and she’d get lost thinking about the type of person he was. She’d like to get to know him, even if she’d end up hating him if he turned out to be a Herculean type of irredeemable jerk, she think it’d be worth it
It’s October, two months since Percy became 15 years old and one month ever since Hyacinthus became a constant thought in her life. Today Rachel invited her to an art exhibition. After one too many bad experiences with museums, Percy tends to avoid going to places like that but her red-haired friend assured her everything was going to be ok and begged her to go with her. Not exactly believing but unwilling to let a friend down, Percy agreed to go.
Entering the exhibition after being driven by Rachel’s private driver, Percy quickly noticed the many paintings and statues, some mimicking the renaissance style while others seemed to choose a more surrealistic style.
Afraid of talking too loudly and looking stupid, Percy whispered to her friend “Is there a theme for the exhibition?” she asked, looking around. The fanciness of the gallery should make her feel underdressed with her baggy jeans and black crew neck top, but after seeing how all these artsy people dress? Percy feels basic but not liable to get kicked out, which is pretty nice all things considered. She even came with her cleanest pair of combat boots!
Hooking her arm with her Percy's, Rachel said “Greek mythology” right before leading her friend deeper into the gallery
Giving an amused smile, Percy asked “A bit on the nose, don’t you think?” letting herself be lead by her red-haired friend
“What can i say, being subtle doesn't match with the two of us” Rachel said with a shrug
“True”
It was a great exhibition, Percy was reluctant to come but she turned out to have a lot of fun. She wasn't someone who knew a lot about art or painting but she could still appreciate things she didn't completely understand. Rachel was great company, though she kept pointing at random depictions of heroes and asking Percy if she was related to any of them
Spoiler alert, she was
“Is he a relative of yours?” Rachel asked, pointing to a painting depicting Odysseus’ fight against Polyphemus
“Yeah, that’s my half-brother”
“Odysseus was your half-brother?”
Shaking her head, Percy replied “Gods no, sorry thought you meant the Polyphemeus, the Cyclops” thankfully Rachel didn't say her father's name so he probably didn't hear that question, he’s still…touchy when the subject is Odysseus “But yeah, I think Odysseus was the great-grandson of one of my cousins? Something along those lines” Percy answered tilting her head to the side trying to recall her family tree
“Is there anyone you’re not related to?” Rachel asked
Shrugging, the demigoddess replied “Your guess is as good as mine”
“Fair, so—” Whatever Rachel was about to say was interrupted by her phone ringing, mouthing “Sorry” to Percy she hurriedly scurried away to answer knowing it’s unsafe for demigods to be in too close of a distance to phones
Left alone in the middle of the gallery, Percy decided to move along and check the other pieces instead of just waiting for Rachel to come back. That and some people were starting to stare at her where she stood and that never ends well for her.
For a while she passed through other art works, all gorgeous and interesting in their own ways, but none that caught her attention. There was Theseus slaying the minotaur, Hercules strangling a snake in his crib, Atlas holding the weight of the sky and many more. The effort put in every single one of those pieces was stunning, but Percy couldn't find it in herself to be truly enraptured by what they showed. It’s hard to be amazed by something that's your daily life and source of your stress, after all.
Making her way through the exhibition, Percy felt someone bump into her from behind. Startled, she quickly turned around, hand in her pocket gripping Riptide only to see there wasn't anyone there but before she could think much about it she was distracted by the most gorgeous painting she had seen the entire night, maybe her whole life
Transfixed, Percy could not tear her eyes away from it. She doesn't even need to look at the description the painter left on a golden plaque in front of the piece to know the two main characters were Apollo and Hyacinthus. In the painting, they sat together in a field of flowers, both of them drenched in sunlight but it looked impossibly softer once it graced Hyacinthus’ skin. Apollo looked at his lover with a face so soft and sweet Percy can only wonder if the god she knew was ever capable of actually making that expression and Hyacinthus? Gods, Hyacinthus.
The object of Percy's thoughts and obsession looked everything she imagined him to. He was pretty, that much is obvious, with his tanned skin and dark curly hair, but Percy cared more about his eyes. Deep purple eyes of the prettiest shade that looked so kind, crinkled with happiness as he wholeheartedly returned Apollo's affectionate gaze. Hyacinthus was wearing a typical spartan crimson garb and by the side that wasn't pressed against a god he had a sheathed sword close by ready for action at the drop of a hat.
Hyacinthus in this painting couldn't be more opposite of Percy. The demigoddess knows she doesn't have the most amiable appearance, having the type of face that’ll sooner inspire dislike at first sight than love. Hyacinthus is not like her at all, not when he looks so kind and most importantly loved.
It’s a feat, Percy thinks, to be so obviously a warrior yet be remembered because of how much someone loved you. Hyacinthus was a son of Clio of History, a demigod who must have gone on quests. He was also a spartan prince so he was most likely a warrior with a mind for strategy, yet instead of being remembered for how much of a good weapon he was he’s remember for how loved he is
Percy envies that, it’s actually easier to accept that you're envious when the subject of it has been dead for longer than you’ll ever be alive, she has to admit. Percy will die in less than a year and leave everyone she loves behind. She's the child of the prophecy but who’ll care about that 10 years from now on? She’ll still be dead.
In a hundred years from every trace of who Percy once was as a person will be forgotten in favor of her feats, she’ll be remembered as a weapon, a “hero” who did what she had to do because she was prophecitized to do it, all for the sake of the world and glory. Will she get remembered as Percy or Persephone? Will they remember her name at all? Dad will make sure they don’t confuse her with Hades’ Persephone at least so one less thing to worry about
Percy will never get a driver's license, she’ll never graduate high school or get into college. She’ll never get to grow up. She’ll never get married, have kids or even fall in love—
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” A smooth, melodic voice shook her away from her thoughts.
Shaking her head, Percy replied “Yeah, i think so” tearing her eyes away from the painting to look at the person who popped up right next to her, well, as much as a god can count as a person anyway
Perfectly messy blonde hair, navy blue v-neck sweater vest over a long sleeved white button up, gray trousers and pristine white sneakers. Standing next to her was Apollo looking every bit like an art student who works as a model during his spare time.
“I’m quite happy to meet you here, it’s not everyday I discover that someone as delightful as you is also a lover of the arts” He said, looking down at Percy with a casual smile, adding a wink for good measure.
Shrugging, Percy replied “Don't know enough about it for that title to really stick, but yeah, i can appreciate it” not really wanting to give him the wrong idea in case he started trying to quizz her
“You don't really need to know everything about art to be a lover, but I can respect your honesty” Apollo nodded before continuing “We all start from somewhere, so tell me, what brings you here today?” he asked with a head tilt
“My friend wanted to check out this exhibition and asked me to come, figured why not and here i am”
“Ah, a friend? Will I be stealing you from your date then?”
Percy blinked at the question, she’s never even been on a date “No? I just came here with Rachel” Gods can be so gossip hungry “She went to take a call, like, five minutes ago. What about you?”
“With the arts being one of my domains, it’s not unusual for me to grace certain exhibitions with my presence” Apollo replied with a wave of his hand
Humming in understanding, Percy commented “Makes sense, here for business then?” if he came over to give her a random quest Percy will make sure to cause as much wreckage as possible
Completely unaware of the insolent thoughts inside the girl’s mind, Apollo shook his head saying “Not exactly, while art is one of my domains i also just enjoy going out to see seeing the creativity of today’s artists” he said gesturing to
That's actually a pretty interesting reason “Really? Have things changed a lot since back then?” Percy asked then winced knowing that yeah, obviously things have changed in the art world since the olden days. Gods, she hates how she’ll ask dumb questions without noticing.
Apollo, who either did not notice how dumb the question was or had more grace Percy gives him credit for, did not point out how stupid the question was. Instead he took that as his chance to start explaining the main differences between today’s art and the art from the past
It was a really nice talk, surprisingly enough. Apollo had a lot to say about art history in general but it didn't feel like some type of boring lecture. It was also clear that he was giving Percy a condensed version of events, but it didn't stop him from ranting about certain things
“I’ve seen the rise and fall of cubism, Picasso being an unworthy prick receiving the fame and recognition that Van Gogh should have received in life and I handled it all with as much grace as I could, but, if this whole A.I art thing keep progressing i’ll be obligated to start a plague”
Percy nodded, still not an expert in art but now educated enough to know that A.I art sucks, said “Part of me wants to ask you not to, but valid” it feels good to know about drama from communities that she's not part of “I feel like the thing that's been bothering me the most about that is how you said A.I doesn't create anything new, so, isn’t it pretty much stealing from actual artists for profit and stuff?” she asked, hoping it’s not too obvious of a question
Apollo actually looked happy at the question “Yes it is! And those people still have the nerve to call themselves artists when they haven’t done the bare minimum of effort to actually dedicate themselves to the craft yet wish to leech off from others’ skills ”
“That sucks” Percy nodded empathetically “I can’t exactly be awed by some of the pieces in here but still, the effort the people put in their works is amazing by itself”
Apollo preened at the comment, as if Percy had directly complimented him “I know! Although most artists here are fairly green to the scene the dedication they have towards art is simply exhilarating, even makes up for their lack of experience”
Percy tilted her head to the side and said “You really like artists, huh?”
“Of course I do, they’re what keeps my domain alive, after all” The god replied with a smile “Besides, although they're mortal, aren't artists the ones closest to immortality amongst common mortals?”
“How so?”
“An artist can create something that’ll outlast them, and if good enough, they can create something that'll outlast even some gods” Apollo said, tilting his head to the side in thought “It’s like that saying: when an artist falls in love with you, you never die. You'll forever exist on lines, poetry, lyrics, paintings, and photos” he casually recited, not knowing the effect these words would have on Percy
Forever exist on lines, poetry, lyrics and paintings like—Unconsciously, Percy turned to look back at the painting where Hyacinthus' kind eyes remain immortalized even when thousands of years have passed since his death.
Hyacinthus was loved, that's the one certain fact Percy knows about him. He was loved so much even when thousands of years have passed since his death no one can cast doubt on that fact. But, how is he remembered? Through art
Maybe it’s delusional, a sign Percy has lost her mind and entire sense of self-awareness, but at this moment right by Apollo's side and under Hyacinthus’ eyes, she feels the possibility of being remembered for more than being a weapon growing.
Percy doesn't know the first thing about love, has never been on a date and only ever kissed her friend because they thought they were about to die, but, if she finds an artist to love her enough, wouldn't that mean she’ll get remembered even after her death? Only this time for being loved instead of being a weapon? Just…Just like Hyacinthus?
“Oh, you must have really liked that painting” Apollo commented, noticing how the demigoddess eyes strayed to it in the middle of the conversation
“Umh—yeah, actually I do, do you know who the artist is? Want to know if I can find more of their works”
“Oh dear, you want to know the artist? Well, look no further for here he is” Apollo said, playfully bowing and Percy doesn't know if it’s him or herself, but the god looked impossibly brighter at the moment “As for my other works, I'm afraid i don’t have them outside of my palace except for special occasions so you won't be able to find them elsewhere”
Unconsciously twisting her finger around the waves of some random strand of her hair, Percy said “Really? That's too bad, I really like the way you paint” in a absentminded tone
Apollo is the one who painted Hyacinthus’ kind eyes, he remembers the exact expression of his dead lover even when thousands of years have passed since Hyacinthus’ death. Even though he had innumerous lovers after, Hyacinthus remains important enough for him to make an actual effort at keeping his memory alive.
Percy would like to say she’s not a bad person, she does not go out of her way to hurt people, she cares about how her actions make others feel, she always tries to stand up for what is right even when that gets her into trouble, but right at this moment she had the most malicious thought she ever had in her life.
Apollo is a god known for his garden of lovers, tragedy seems to follow him whenever he falls in love, but the ones who held his heart are always remembered. For better or for worse, no one can doubt how much he loved them and how tragedy followed soon after, either by their own making, his, or outside influences.
For one second, Percy wonders if there's an opening for her to join those ranks. What does she have to lose? She’ll die in less than a year anyway so it’s not like being turned into seaweed or coral will change too much of her fate. She can't ever hope to be considered in the same level of Hyacinthus, but maybe she can be a Daphne who did not run?
Biting the inside of her cheek to take her mind away from these thoughts, because she may be losing her mind but she’s not delusional enough to confuse Apollo being a generally flirty person with him being actually interested in her. She’s admittedly crazy, not insane.
“Truly? Well, i wouldn't mind making an exception for my favorite hero” Apollo said, running his fingers through his hair “We can make a date out of it, I’ll even throw in some archery lessons for you if you don't feel comfortable going to my palace just yet” then he winked, tucking a strand behind his ear
Ok, yeah, she’s insane, not blind
Hands behind her back and tilting her head to the side, Percy said “That offer sounds really nice, but I'm a genuine danger with a bow and not in a good way” trying to feel out how much he’s actually interested in her “I’m afraid that if i take you up on that offer i’ll anger you for how bad i am with it” she said in a sheepish tone, letting her actual embarrassment at being so bad with the weapon sneak in
Shaking his head, Apollo said “Nonsense, no matter how bad you are, I'm the best teacher there is. Even if you're truly hopeless at archery I’ll at least manage to get you to a mediocre level” puffing his chest a bit by the end “Besides, I love a challenge, so have me as your teacher and you can rest assured that you’ll be in the safest of hands”
“Last time I tried anything with a bow I ended up hitting everything except the target in front of me, would you be ok with that?”
“Very, it’ll only make it sweeter when i brag about your success” To his credit he actually looked excited at the prospect “Though i thank you for the warning, now I know not to teach you around other people unless we want an unfortunate accident to happen”
People will always tell you their intentions if you let them speak for long enough, Apollo is a god but he’s no exception to that rule. He wants to teach Percy so he can futurely brag about his influence on her. Bragging rights, Percy finds, are pretty much the cornerstone of the relationship between gods and heroes, well, that and nepotism
Another person would have been offended, a saner person wouldn't have indulged this whole situation and a better person wouldn't have made an actual insane plan inside their head all because they apparently haven’t come to terms with their own death just yet
Sadly, Percy is not any of these people
With a smile, Percy sealed her fate “It’s a date then” mentally apologizing to Apollo who almost looks human in his excitement at her acceptance
Well, what’s one more flower to a garden anyway? She’ll make sure to give him something to brag about in the meanwhile, if only to make up for the damage she knows she’ll cause