Consort to the Primordials

Chapter 17: The rest of the 7 learn about Percy's poly shenanigans

Everyone walked out of the senate building, chatting with their peers and trying to avoid the topic of the newly deceased primordial. The 7 (minus Percy) walked through New Rome.

"So... you've been quiet, Annabeth," Piper commented.

"Yeah, what's that about?" Leo asked, looking up from the metal in his hands. "Percy comes back, and instead of being all lovey dovey and sticking to him, you get all closed off?"

Annabeth waved him off. "Oh, it's nothing. I just... I just have a lot on my mind."

Hazel snorted. "Please, Annabeth. We've all been friends for like, 7 years. We can tell when something is bothering you."

Jason nodded. "Does it have to do with Percy? Because he's seemed... different, and not the the 'I was stuck in Tartarus for 6 years' way."

Leo elbowed him, laughing. "And what exactly is that 'way'?"

Jason frowned. "That's... actually a good question. Maybe his behavior really is just -"

"It's not," Annabeth interrupted.

"Then what is it?" Frank asked.

"It's... how about we find a place to eat. I think you're all going to want to sit down."
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Percy hit the puck, and it slid across the air hockey table, successfully getting past his opponent.

"Oh, fuck off, Percy."

Percy burst into laughter. "Oh, c'mon! I'm serious!"

The girl flipped him off. "No. You're already treading on dangerous territory by going back. What exactly do you think will happen if you brought me back as well?"

"But seeing the reactions would be funny," Percy whined.

The girl chuckled. "Shut up, Percy. I'm not potentially dooming everything in existence by going back to 'see funny reactions.' You do realize how stupid that is, right?"

"Fiiiiine," Percy drawled. "I'll just go back to suffer more without one of my best friends."

The girl raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I'd be more lenient if one of your children wasn't teething with my pen."

"Oh, c'mon!" Percy said. "That wasn't my fault!"

The girl chuckled and shook her head. "Sure, it totally wasn't."

Percy opened his mouth to argue, but someone flicked the back of his head.

He turned around and looked directly at Chronos, who grabbed his hands. "Sorry, but it's time to go back for a while."

Percy nodded. "It was nice taking a break while I could."

As golden sand began to swirl around him and his lover, he turned his head to look at the girl.

"See ya later, Zoe!"

Zoe pulled out Riptide and flipped it. "Return soon. Hunting here... it can be boring without a friend."

Percy snorted. "Please. You have Artemis and Thalia."

As he disappeared, he watched her grin. "They're not my best friend."
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They all stared at her, frozen in various stages.

Jason had his bite of ravioli halfway up to his mouth, Piper had stopped chewing her brownie, Frank was lowering his head to bite into an apple, and Hazel was lifting the spoon to eat her gelato, et cetera...

"Holy shit," Jason exclaimed, earning a slap on the shoulder from Piper, who then turned to Annabeth.

"That explains... a lot," She said.

"Apollo, I can kind of get, but... Dionysus? Really?" Frank asked.

Annabeth nodded. "Ariadne, too."

Leo let his head sit on the table. "Jesus Christ. Can I say that as a demigod? Nevermind. Could you imagine that many lovers? Trying to have a healthy relationship like that... it really seems like it would take a long, long time."

Annabeth chuckled nervously. "Yeah, it does, doesn't it..."

Piper examined her face, eyes slowly narrowing. "There's something that you're not telling us."

Everyone looked back at Annabeth, who looked uncomfortable. "Oh, I - it's -"

She sighed. "Percy told me something when he asked me to join the relationship. But I can't... tell you."

"Why?" Frank asked.

Annabeth bit her lip. "It's... a lot, to say the least. I promised Percy I wouldn't tell, but even if I didn't, I don't think I would."

Jason nodded. "Okay. We understand."

Annabeth sighed in relief. "Thank you."

When they finally exited the restaurant, Jason cracked his knuckles. "Where even is Percy anyways? I think we should have a talk about secrets and -"

Directly next to him, a swirl of golden sand appeared, eventually dissipating and revealing two figures.

"Hey guys!" Percy said, hugging Leo. "Did I miss lunch?"

Hazel laughed. "Yeah, you did. Who's this with you?"

The man next to Percy raised his hand, waving. Percy cleared his throat and let go of Leo.

"Right," he said. "Guys, as Annabeth told you, I have multiple lovers, and-"

"Wait," Piper interrupted. "How did you know that Annabeth -"

"The same way I knew I had a sister," Percy replied before continuing. "This is Chronos, with a Ch, the Primordial of time."

Chronos bowed. "It's nice to see you all again. Before? No, again."

They all stared at him, confused. Eventually, Annabeth stepped forward, extending a hand. "Hello. I'm -"

"You're Annabeth! Yes, I know who you are!" He said. "I know who all of you are. Heck, you barely change! Except..."

He pointed at Jason. "Who are you?"

Jason pointed at himself, confused. "Me? I'm... Jason."

Chronos's eyes bugged out. "JASON? Wait, your face wasn't always scarred?"

Jason looked offended. "Excuse me?"

Chronos looked around. "And where's Lemon?"

"Wha- who's Lemon?" Piper asked.

"Jason's dragon," Chronos said offhandedly, still looking around. "Where is she?"

Jason's jaw dropped. "I don't have a- what are you talking about?"

Chronos looked confused. "What do you mean, what am I talking about? You -"

Percy laughed and turned, staring into Chronos's eyes, clearly communicating. Eventually, Chronos cursed. "You're right. I'll go."

He waved at the assembled demigods and turned into golden sand, spilling onto the ground.

Leo stared at the mound. "Is that how he teleports?"

"Pffh, nah," Percy said. "When he teleports, he flashes like every other immortal."

"Then what was -" Hazel began before Percy cut her off.

"Now. I think you have some questions for me, so tonight we can have some dinner, and I'll answer them."

He hugged all of them. "I'm sorry that I'm barely seeing you. I promise that we'll catch up tonight."

"What will you do until then?" Frank asked.

Percy chuckled nervously. "Nothing important, just... nothing important. See you guys tonight!"

He flashed away, and at the last second, his face fell. He didn't want to do this.