are you mine[?]

.six.

Patroclus and Nico came into Olympus to a hero's welcome, Hades right behind them, despite the fact that Hades was only supposed to visit Olympus on winter solstice. The god of the dead looked stunned when his relatives clapped him on the back. Patroclus doubted he'd ever gotten such an enthusiastic welcome before.

Clarisse marched in, still shivering from her time in the ice block, and Ares bellowed, "There's my girl!"

The god of war ruffled her hair and pounded her on the back, calling her the best warrior he'd ever seen. "That drakon-slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!"

She looked pretty overwhelmed. All she could do was nod and blink, like she was afraid he'd start hitting her, but eventually she began to smile.

Patroclus stood by the hearth, helping Hestia's flames grow higher and higher by smashing one of the lanterns into the warning coals. The fire shot up and then settled again.

Then conch horns blew. The army of Poseidon marched into the throne room.

"Percy!" a young Cyclops yelled. He charged toward Percy with his arms open.

"You are not dead!" he said.

"Yeah!" Percy agreed. "Amazing, huh?"

He clapped his hands and laughed happily. "I am not dead either. Yay! We chained Typhon. It was fun!"

Behind him, fifty other armored Cyclopes laughed and nodded and gave each other high fives. "Tyson led us," one rumbled. "He is brave!"

"Bravest of the Cyclopes!" another bellowed.

Tyson blushed. "Was nothing."

"I saw you!" Percy said. "You were incredible!"

"Yes. Um . . . three cheers for Tyson!" the satyr squeaked.

Patroclus felt a small smile pulling at his lips. He adjusted his now only spear on his back as he watched the interactions around him.

"YAAARRRRR!" the Cyclopes roared.

The conch horns blasted again. The Cyclopes parted, and Poseidon strode into the throne room in his battle armor, his trident glowing in his hands.

"Tyson!" he roared. "Well done, my son. And Percy —"

His face turned stern. He wagged his finger at the boy, and for a second Patroclus was nervous he was going to zap him. "I even forgive you for sitting on my throne. You have saved Olympus!"

He held out his arms and gave him a hug.

"Dad—"

"Shhh," he said. "No hero is above fear, Percy. And you have risen above every hero. Not even Hercules—"

"POSEIDON!" a voice roared.

Zeus had taken his throne. He glared across the room at Poseidon while all the other gods filed in and took their seats. Even Hades was present, sitting on a simple stone guest chair at the foot of the hearth. Nico sat cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet.

"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus grumped. "Are you too proud to join us in council, my brother?"

Patroclus thought Poseidon was going to get angry, but he just looked at Percy and winked. "I would be honored, Lord Zeus."

Patroclus guessed miracles did happen. Poseidon strode over to his fishing seat, and the Olympian Council convened.

}{}{}{

He sat straighter in his guest throne, Achilles's spear propped at his side as Zeus spoke.

"As for my brothers," the god said, "we are thankful" — he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out — "erm, thankful for the aid of Hades."