Cabin 13

31| The Painful Price

"Action!" The cameraman yelled.

"And we're back!" Aphrodite said, looking at the camera with a movie-star-smile, "Now we have a special guest with us. Please welcome our Modern Greek Hero, the Titian Slayer, Gaea's Maker... Perseus Jackson!"

Everyone in the audience started clapping like crazy, up on stage Percy was raking his fingers through his hair, messing up the perfection the hairstylist had just finished. 

He looked up at Aphrodite, "Oh, uh, thanks," he smirked, "But you can just call me Percy, 'Kay Gorgeous?"

Aphrodite giggled, "So I hear you've made the front page of the 'Bachelor Magazine'!"

Percy frowned, cocking his head to the side, making some of the overexcited nymphs in the audience start taking out their cameras, "The what?"

"Oh sweetie, you don't know?" Aphrodite reached for the coffee table in front of them and picked up a magazine, she passed it to Percy. It was displayed for everyone on the big screen behind the stage, it said The Bachelor  in big bold letters, with a big picture of Percy standing in the ocean smiling like an imp, with one hand behind his head and the other beckoning someone to come in the water.

On the side, it said, "Newest and Most Eligible Bachelor in Town Pg. 31" "Epic Battle Between Two Heroes! Pg. 15" "Praetor's Failed Romance Pg. 20" "Sizzling Hot Eye Candy Still Up for Grabs? Pg. 24" etc. etc...

"What the— where'd that  picture come from?" Percy asked, raising his brow.

"Oh, honey you got to remember the Gods are always watching! And there's more where that came from! Flip to page 33!" 

Once again, random, highly attractive, pictures of Percy. One was even from today! It was Percy walking away from the battle with Jason, it looked super cool, with water geysers still exploding and lightning in the air, Percy's sword in his hand. Plus countless other pictures.

"Anyway hon, everyone wants to hear about you! Let's talk about your love life, I heard a rumor you have a boyfriend?"

Percy's eyes widened, "Oh, did you?" 

Nico's face reddened and he slouched down into his chair.

"Is it true?!"

"No, I recently had a little fling... but it only resulted in some kisses. We never made it official." Percy shrugged, grinning. Nico covered his face.

"So, Percy, everyone wants to know... are you officially... gay? " Aphrodite said the word quietly and gently, waiting desperately for an answer.

Percy chuckled, "Ha! Uh, no. Girls are still definitely my thing, but on occasion, I don't mind playing for the other team..."

"Well, aren't you exciting!"

Percy shrugged.

"Now let's talk. Today you were in a death match?"

Percy groaned, "Yeah, I see that made the magazine, too."

Aphrodite nodded, "Page 15. Alright everyone let's welcome Percy's Roman Counterpart... Jason Grace!" 

Jason walked out on stage unsurely, he now wore the same shirt Percy had, except in blue, he also was wearing contacts, they must have taken his glasses. 

"Come sit with us. We were just discussing the fight you two had today, care to explain how it started?"

Percy laughed, "Oh, I'll tell you! Jason took a cheap shot when my back was turned and knocked me out. Then, against my will, might I add, loaded me up and took me on a quest I had absolutely no intention of going on."

Aphrodite turned to Jason, "Is that true?"

Jason frowned, "Partially. Percy was given a vision, a prophecy. Meaning he has to lead a quest, but he wanted to bail on us, and without the quest leader there's no quest!"

"Why's the quest so important?" Aphrodite questioned.

"A demigod was imprisoned by an Underworld God, so we were tasked with saving her," Jason answered, his expression all business.

"I told Chiron after the last quest I was done! I said I was out and I meant it!" Percy spit the words at Jason.

"No more quest? What made you decide that?" Aphrodite frowned.

"Well, as much fun  as they are, I can't do that to my family anymore. My mother is finally happy and, wants to have another baby. I want to be there, for my new  sibling, and her, and especially for Annabe— ah!" Percy clutched his head, letting out a yelp, he crumpled to his knees. 

It was like watching a glitch, for a split second he remembered Annabeth. But it obviously came at a painful price...