Healing

Chapter Twelve-Getting Used to it. Kinda.

*Percy's POV*

I wake in the morning with no bad dreams, no sweat, no screaming. Instead, I wake with a smile. I pop up, take a shower, then make breakfast to get on the good side of the team before changing for the usual run. When I go out, however, there's someone waiting for me. My lips quirk up at the sight of Hades in shorts and a long-sleeved running shirt waiting outside the front door. He shrugs while looking at me a bit uncertainly.

"You've mentioned your runs, so I thought maybe I'd join you?" He offers and I grab another water on the table by the door, then toss it to him.

"As long as you can handle quite a few side glances from Sam, you're welcome to join." He half-smiles and nods before we both turn when the man in question heads out with his eyes immediately on Hades. "He's going to run with us," I tell him firmly and his eyes flash to mine, wait a moment, then he nods. I smile happily and Sam lets his own shine through before we get started. Sam is kind. He asks light questions as we go about his parents, what his hobbies are, his favorite foods, stuff like that. I'm grateful for the respite from the heaviness of the last few days and I like seeing Hades around other people. He seems pleasantly surprised by Sam's interest and smiles softly often. It's a good look on him.

"So, where do you stay with no parents and, no offense, basically no friends?" Sam asks and after shooting him a sharp look I turn to Hades. He grimaces and shrugs.

"Nowhere, really. I'll move around until I'm tired and settle down for a few hours, but other than that I'm moving." He explains and my eyebrows go sky high.

"What?" His eyes turn to me and his cheeks brush pink. "Sorry, I'm just surprised. You never mentioned anything like that before." Instinctively, I reach over and take his hand to comfort him. His body relaxes as his hand tightens on mine.

"We had a few more important conversations to have than my living situation."

"Well, not anymore. You'll stay here with us from now on." I tell him firmly while his and Sam's eyes both go wide.

"You might want to ask around before stating something like that, Percy," Sam warns while Hades nods rapidly. Meanwhile, Bucky and Steve have slipped out of the facility and are heading towards our stagnant party.

"Hey Dad, I want to ask you something." I start and Sam sighs deeply. Bucky's eyes are steady on Hades and I's entwined hands, but he looks to my eyes as he stops.

"Name it, kid." He tells me and I take a breath.

"Hades doesn't have anywhere to stay, so he should stay with us," I tell him and watch the shock roll over his face. Sam pats Hades' back and guides him away from the two of us along with Steve. Bucky and I reflexively angle ourselves away from them so our words are less likely to be overheard unless this turns into a screaming match. Which is entirely possible with two people as stubborn as Bucky and I.

"You're kidding." He poses hopefully, but when my eyes don't waver from his he sighs and rubs a hand over his face. "Persephone, you're expecting me to allow the boy who is God of the Underworld, the one that lied to everyone about his identity, and the one who steals you away to stay with us?" Bucky asks and I nod.

"Yes. He doesn't have a family; those who are still alive suck. He doesn't have a home; he's just been squatting wherever he could for a few hours of sleep, then just moving again. And he has abilities no one else has, no one else but us. He's just like us, Dad."

He sighs heavily again. "Not everything is a personal problem, Percy."

"But this is." I insist. "Moving around, only stopping to rest then moving on again? That's you before Da found you. The only having family alive that sucks? That was me. He's like the team, but it's more than that. He's like the two of us." My eyes burn into his and tell him that I absolutely won't be budged on this subject. He pauses and hope surges in me. If he's pausing then that means he's thinking and I have the advantage. "Better to keep him close anyway to keep an eye on him. Tony's cameras would track his every move so you wouldn't have to stalk him all the time and you can more easily learn about him with him living here. Plus he'd owe you." I go on and he runs a hand over the scruff on his face as he looks over his shoulder at the young man. A few moments pass before I grab his left wrist to get his attention. He looks back at me and I make my eyes big and pleading. "Please, Dad."