Dealing with Drama

Apollo or Asteria: Part 2

AN: Another 8K word lemon chapter coming up straight out of the oven!

Time: After Dinner

Percy looked up at the knock on his door.

His body moved on its own, on autopilot, as Percy moved to open the door on muscle memory. His mind was clouded, his brain clogged with the discussion that the girls had just had. This time, he was excluded, as they heatedly debated Asteria's question, providing arguments and counter-arguments to justify their stand, with much more ferocity than they displayed when they were trying to name Asteria.

And this time, Asteria participated, too, boldly voicing her feelings and emotions.

There were a few who were jealous and overprotective of him, vehemently standing against the decision. The Little Big Three were the most vocal of those, shouting over the others to have themselves heard.

Shivers ran up Percy's spine as he remembered Aphrodite's offhand comment about possessive sisters. He wondered whether he should talk to them, try to figure out their feelings. He was sure that they loved him in a platonic manner, and were confused. Just a passing crush, he desperately told himself, shuddering at the thought of having to give the twins The Talk.

He just lived to see Thalia's expression when she would give Neo The Talk.

But back to the topic at hand, what surprised him was that several of the girls were all for adding Asteria to his harem. Aphrodite was understandable, her policy was the more there were, the better it was.

Athena said that him owning twenty-five girls sounded much better than twenty-four. It was also easier for mathematical calculations- don't ask Percy what she was calculating.

Hestia just smiled at him, gently telling him to do whatever he wanted- whatever his heart told him to do.

The four Dark goddesses told him that they had been allowed to join by the others, so they would not stand in the way of another joining their ranks.

Phoebe smirked at him, telling him that he would be stronger if there were more girls worshipping him on their hands and knees, and the more powerful he was, the more powerful they would be.

She was elbowed by a golden faced Atalanta, who was happy that she would be joined by her mother.

But the most surprising was Artemis, who vehemently wanted Asteria to join them, claiming that she would be safe on the island, she would be safe if she joined his harem, and was invited under his protection. She presented him with an impeccable puppy dog expression for her twin sister's wellbeing.

Percy took one look at the teary-eyed sun goddess, trying her best to erect a similar expression for him, but failing as her lips trembled. He could feel his resolve crumbling as he looked back at Artemis, who jutted out her lower lip in an innocent expression her silver doe eyes wide and shining with untainted innocence.

By the end of the discussion, the decision was almost unanimous.

He agreed. Asteria would be in his harem, but on one condition. Everyone perked up at that.

She would be the last girl he ever took, he made it very clear, his voice firm.

There was cheering as the twin archers were hugged by everybody, singing and dancing throughout the dinner, accompanied by jovial laughter. Every time Percy thought that the girls could not be rowdier, they brutally disproved him, shouting and throwing things.