Helle // Apollo x oc

II 26 II

Tuulis POV

"Where the fuck am I now?" I say as I get up and look around. "Where's Percy!?"

There's smoke? And fire? I got out of Tartarus didn't I? What is this-
I don't have much time to think about it, as a sudden BANG shartled me. As I turned quickly to see what caused to noise-

"What the-" Oh- OH OH NO-

I then heard a mans voice, "Hello child."

"Um- Hey?" I say looking around, "You are one of the gods right?" I look at him trying to remember the stories I've heard, "Hephaestus right?"

He stood there without saying anything. "Not the social type? Got it...." I stay silent standing there.

I feel awkward so I sort of play with my nails, and shift around. Waiting to see what happens.

"I got a call, and was told to help you out. So, care to show me why I should help." He asks. Not fully focusing on me, instead keeps tinkering.

"What? A call? From who?" I winderm trying to figure out who he is.

He walks towards me, closer to fire and to the light. Now I can see him clearer. He stops in front of me, "Your father."

Oh shit- "oh- um... what did he.. Say?"

He looks at me silently for a moment, "You know, there has been a lot of talk about you. Some are saying we should just smite you. Make sure you wont cause trouble."

I freeze completely, is this it- Is this where I die?? "Sir?"

"But alas, I won't be the one to do so. I respect your skills, so there's a way to stop people from asking questions. And keeping information safe. Thus we wouldn't have to destroy you."

I let out a long breath out of relief, "What's the plan?" I ask timidly.

"You could definitely pass as one of mine..."

"I'll claim you. No one would question it. Well you will tell the camp I claimed you, obviously can't exactly do that."

His tone made it clear this wasn't a question.

"O-Okay yeah sure"

He looks at me and gives me a small nod and waves his hand. All of a sudden there are loud sounds around me, and everything around me is foggy.

As I come back to my senses, I find myself back in Manhattan and look around until I notice Percy walking out of the Empire state building. All of my worries wash away immediately as I run to him and drape him into a hug. And after a moment of surprise he hugs me back with just as much force.

"Are you okay? What happened?" I ask frantically

He shakes his head, seemingly unable to speak, so I take his hand and lead him to get a taxi to take us to Sally's place.

Once we get there he rings the doorbell and Sally opens the door, her kind eyes looking back at us, smelling of peppermint and licorice. All worry seemingly disappeared the moment she noticed Percy safe.

"Percy! Oh, thank goodness. Oh, my baby." She takes him into a crushing hug.

I step back a little bit, not wanting to be in the way, or intrude. She seemed to notice my movement and pulled me into the hug as well. "Tuuli" She says warmly, looking at me.

She told us she'd just appeared at the apartment that morning, scaring Gabe half out of his wits. She didn't remember anything since the Minotaur, and couldn't believe it when Gabe told her we were wanted criminals, travelling across the country, blowing up national monuments. She'd been going out of her mind with worry all day because she hadn't heard the news. Gabe had forced her to go into work, saying she had a month's salary to make up and she'd better get started.

Percy was telling her his side of the story when he just got into a fight with Ares??

What the fuck happened when I was chatting with the good old Hephaestus!? When we hear a grading voice from the living room, "Hey, Sally! That meat loaf done yet or what?"

She closed her eyes. "He isn't going to be happy to see you, Percy. The store got half a million phone calls today from Los Angeles...something about free appliances."

"Oh, yeah. About that..." Percy starts.

She managed a weak smile. "Just don't make him angrier, all right? Come on."

Gabe and three of his big goony friends were playing poker at the table. When Gabe saw us, his cigar dropped out of his mouth. His face got redder than lava. "You got nerve coming here, you little punks. I thought the police—"

"They're not a fugitive after all," my mom interjected. "Isn't that wonderful, Gabe?"

Gabe looked back and forth between us. He didn't seem to think my homecoming was so wonderful.

"Bad enough I had to give back your life insurance money, Sally," he growled. "Get me the phone. I'll call the cops."

"Gabe, no!"

He raised his eyebrows. "Did you just say 'no' ? You think I'm gonna put up with these punks again? I can still press charges against them for ruining my Camaro."

"But—" He raised his hand, and Sally flinched.

So... Let's just say it's safe to say if Gabe even tries anything again Sally now has a safe way out.