AMARANTHINE-ɪ, pjo/hp

DADDY DEAREST DECIDES TO VISIT

Aurora ran across the beach sobbing, not sure why. She had just been claimed by her father. She knew she ought to be happy. But the sudden turn of events had left her completely overwhelmed. The wings on her back, the red glow around her, the sudden overload of emotions and the stares from everyone surrounding her had confused and scared her up to no bounds. So, on that moment she did the first thing that came to her mind. She fled from there. She wondered if she had imagined Kayla and Annabeth call out to her as she ran. She stopped finally when she was out of breath and realized that she didn't know exactly where she was.

Aurora looked around now scared. She had heard about the fireworks beach, but she didn't know how she got there, nor she knew her way back. Her stomach gave a jolt at the thought of going back. She wasn't sure how to face everyone when they had just seen her cry. For a split second, she considered running away. Just kept on running until she reached gods know where. But the thought of going back amongst monsters, untrained wasn't something she was looking forward to. She sank onto the sand sighing. Suddenly she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders. 

She gasped and got up, willing her daggers to turn back, thinking some monster had gotten to her when her eyes fell on the man that stood before her. For one, he was extremely handsome, there was no doubt about that. Aurora had no way to describe his looks. They were fluid, constantly changing but still the same. His eyes too changed color, black to brown to green to the same ocean blue as hers but at the edges they were rimmed with red, blood red, Rory realised with a jolt. He was wearing a black shirt with a heart pierced with an arrow and ripped denim jeans. Typical American clothes. On his back slung a quiver of golden arrows and a bow adorned his shoulder. Power radiated off him and Rory took a step back unconsciously. He was gazing at her with an odd look on his ever-changing face as though she was an old belonging, he had cherished but had no hope to see again. Aurora had no doubt as to who he was, but she didn't want to believe it, especially in her current state.

"Lord Eros?" she said, treading carefully. He terrified her to no extents even though he had made no threatening moves. Eros seemed to sense her fear and hesitance. He took a step back and smiled at the child in front of him. Rory swallowed wanting to smile back but too scared to do so. "Hello Aurora. It's been a long time." His voice was deep and masculine and no doubt attractive to many. "Lord E..eros. Why are you here?" the young child asked, stumbling over her words. What Eros did next was unexpected and sudden. He bent down and picked Rory in his arms, embracing her. At first, Aurora panicked. No adult had ever hugged her in her life. This was unfamiliar territory for her, and she had no idea what to do. However, she relaxed in a minute. Eros's hug was comfortable and moreover warm, like a father's embrace (which it was). He smelled like fresh brownies, vanilla essence and the calming scent of the... sea. Aurora hugged him back as she savored the moment. After a few minutes, Eros placed the child down. He smiled at her, and Aurora could feel the warmth in the smile. "Why are you here.... Dad?" she asked.

Eros couldn't help but feel his heart swell up in pride when he heard Aurora call him 'dad' Aurora was his first demigod child in eons. His and Psyche's daughter, Hedone never had a close relation with him, the child being closer with her mother than her father. Hedone and Eros had a good relationship (which meant they didn't want to cut each other's throat every five minutes) but not a father-daughter relationship. Eros recalled the one time he had mentioned this to Psyche. She had just looked at him sadly and said "She loved you too once. You just never noticed." Eros hadn't understood the meaning of those words back then and had gotten into a rage. He snapped out of his thoughts as he noticed Aurora's curious gaze on him. "I'm here... to see you," he said, finally, not sure what to say. He could feel his mother and wife up on Olympus facepalming at his awkwardness. They were excellent with words and speaking and monologuing to mortals (that was more of his mother's territory) but he wasn't. He rarely spoke with mortals preferring to be the invisible matchmaker. "The last time I saw you, you were just an infant. You've grown a lot since then, Aurora." Aurora nodded quietly, not sure what to say. She didn't think reminding him that it was his fault he didn't visit her since she was an infant would do her any good. 

Eros could sense the unspoken feelings radiating off Aurora. He sighed. "I'm sorry." Aurora looked at him eyes wide. 

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you like a normal father. I want to raise you, but the Ancient Laws forbid me. I'm sorry you have to deal with the burden of me being your father. I've given you a life of hardships and sorrow, Aurora. You have immense power, but that power comes at a great cost. I broke an important oath fathering you. Zeus is furious. Claiming you was a dangerous step, but it needed to be done. He does not want another child like her again. But you need to know who you are, and you need to know what expectations lay on your shoulder. Your powers shall grow as you shall. Your life shall have pain and hatred and sorrow, but I promise you one thing Aurora. You shall be remembered by the Gods. May it be as a friend or foe, no God will forget about Aurora Adhara Black, daughter of Eros." As Eros finished the speech, lightning rolled across the sky, hitting the exact spot where he stood. Aurora gasped and stumbled back. "Goodbye Aurora. We'll meet again." and then Aurora was left alone on the beach, feeling worse than ever, Eros's speech hitting her hard. He had practically told her that it would be better if she wasn't born and that she was some big threat. She walked up to the sea and stared at her reflection. Her blue eyes stared back, though she could see that they were now rimmed with red like her father's. Her blonde hair was messy, and her face was tear stained. She didn't know how the Gods considered her a threat. 

She didn't know how long she stood, as she gazed at herself when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Isabelle Prewett running across the sand, her red hair flying back as she let out a gasp. "Aurora. Thank gods you're alright. What were you thinking? Running off like that?" Isabelle cried out. Aurora looked down at the sand, unsure what to say. Isabelle's eyes softened and she pulled her into an embrace. "Don't worry much, Rory. Whatever it is, in the end we'll find a way out. Don't be so afraid." Aurora sobbed a little and buried herself into Isabelle's warm embrace, feeling a little more safer and a little more wanted.

(a/n: okay guys. I know this chapter sucks and I'm sorry about it. I've been trying to update for the past few days, but I've been very busy with work. I'm sooo sorry and I promise the next chapter will be better. I'll try to update soon as well. Thank you so much for 188 reads! Until next time guys)