Christmas with Heroes of Olympus

Annabeth
It's not weird to ask Percy to come with me to celebrate with my family, right? Does he want to? Would it be weird? Do I want him to see how I act around my family?

Percy
I don't know. I'm kind of sweating, not going to lie.
See, I went to my mom for advice, because that's what moms give advice on, right? She's supposed to be good at this sort of thing. And I ask what I should get Annabeth for Christmas.
And as a response, she laughs and tells me that I know her like the back of my hand. There's no better person to ask but myself.
Which is really helpful, Mom. Thanks.
See, that's the thing- I have no idea what Annabeth wants. I've gotten a bunch of things, and I look at all of them and groan. They're okay, but none of them are right.
None of them are right.
I feel like the first Christmas after the war should be special. And Annabeth's special.
And these gifts aren't special.

Frank
I've never had a Christmas at New Rome, and neither has Hazel, and I have no idea what to expect.
I need a break from praetorship. This is going to be amazing.

Hazel
I couldn't help but notice after Frank and I kissed how Reyna smiled at us. It was just the worst mixture of bittersweet, sad happiness.
When everyone has free time to themselves tomorrow, I wonder who she's going to hang out with.

Reyna
Would it be odd if I gave Hazel and Frank presents? Do we know each other well enough?
Yes. We do. We’re together all the time- I know what food they like, what they disagree with, what their favorite movies are… But is it just because I'm praetor? Would we even speak to each other if we didn’t have these jobs? I can't tell.
Discomfort sickens me. I'm going to go over the celebration for tomorrow. Maybe I'll send Hylla an Arcus-Message...

Leo
I've been scared. It sounds stupid, but I've been scared. I can't let Calypso see how nervous I am. She's freaked out enough- already insisting on not going. But they've all wanted to see her ever since I dropped in on Thanksgiving... I can't say no.
Honestly? Secretly, terribly... I kind of want to agree with Calypso, and say no. Which is terrible. Absolutely terrible. They're my best friends. And she's my best friend. I should want them to meet each other. And I do want them to meet each other. I'm just afraid that somehow, with the luck I have, with the hands I have, I'll make this all go wrong...

Calypso
What if he realizes that he misses his friends more than he likes me?

Jason
Will and Nico. How can they both be so blind?
I didn't want to do this, but I'm going to need to bring in some bigger help.

Piper
I don't know how much Christmas means to Jason, but it means a lot to me. I want to spend it with him, and the rest of Camp Half-Blood, but how can I when my dad for the first time in five years has two whole uninterrupted days to spend with me?

Nico
Gods, I hate him.

Will
Gods, I like him.

Reyna
Hylla didn't answer.
I wish I could talk to Nico. I don't know- I'm feeling kind of...
I'm not feeling very festive, or anything joyful at all at the moment. I just want to talk to somebody. Anybody.
It hurts to admit it.
I have to call Nico. But what if he's in the middle of something? Should I interrupt him?

Piper
Leo's coming, too, with Calypso. How can I choose? How many other times will I get to see Leo, now that he's going around the world with Calypso half the time? How many other Christmases will my dad have TIME for?

Nico
But I kind of really do like him at the same time. What's wrong with me?

Will
I kind of hate him at the same time, though. What's going on with him?

Calypso
He told me he loved me, once. I sang to Festus when he started malfunctioning, while Leo fixed him. He hasn't malfunctioned since. The last time Leo checked up on Festus was last week- and then he sang around me and kissed me and told me he loved me.
Leo did, not Festus.
Anyways.
I think it's the first time I've heard it like that. "I love you!" In that exact way. In that happy-go-lucky, romantic way, thrown out to the wind like it's a fact.
Leo is a collection of many firsts, though.
I don't know why I'm remembering this now, and why it fills me with so much terror as we fly to the camp he loves so much.


Annabeth
I just want him to be my side. It's really short notice, too- I have two tickets, and everything, and I told Sally, but I (for some reason?) haven't told him.
He's probably going to say no. It's too late- I should've asked him a while ago. Or he doesn't want to see my family after I ranted about them for so long. Or he'll be too nervous to meet my stepmom, or something, even though he already met her.
This is so complicated.

Percy
I just don't know how to tell her, with all these little things, how much she means-
I gave her the red coral pendant when we first started dating, and she seemed to like it. So that was special. It was from Poseidon's palace itself. But I can't do the same thing twice. And I don't know if I picked out the right clothes, and I don't know what types of things she reads, and I just don't know if she'll be disappointed in me, and I've never really spent a Christmas with her... like, as my girlfriend…
This is so complicated.

Frank
Reyna just told me I had to lead holiday ceremonies tomorrow.
I didn't realize the Romans celebrated Christmas! Or Hannukah! For some reason, I always thought that Romans didn't believe in God? Because they believed in this thing called Roman mythology?
Reyna told me that it doesn't matter: Christmas is Christmas. You can still be a Demigod and have religious beliefs. Which is true. I just don't like talking in front of holiday ceremonies.
I just want to relax. I know that sounds lazy. I know I have a duty to perform at all costs. And I'll perform it. But I was really looking forward to a day curled up on a couch watching movies.

Reyna:
Oh, gods. I knew I shouldn't have called.

Nico:
I don't know what was going to happen before Reyna Iris-Messaged me.
All I know was he was laughing (at me), and I'd turned away, and he laughed some more and pulled my arm back, and we were really close. His eyes are really blue.
Something happened, and I get really nervous thinking about it, and I don't know what would've happened, until-

Jason
No!

Will
No!

Jason
Don't walk away, you idiot! Get back there! Get back to Nico!

Nico
"Hey, Reyna."

Reyna
"Gods, Nico, I'm sorry. This wasn't that important anyways. I'm sorry I interrupted-"

Nico
"No, no. There was nothing to interrupt."

Reyna
"Oh?"

Nico
"There was nothing that you interrupted."

Reyna
He's lying.

Nico
The subject needs to change now.

Reyna
"I was calling, because… I'm sorry. I don't really know why I called."

Nico
"Reyna. Don't be sorry. Just tell me."

Reyna
"I'm not feeling that great."

Nico
"You're sick?"

Reyna
"No. Not physically. I'm just feeling a little lonely, I guess."

Nico
"I'm always here for you. Do you want me to come over tomorrow, or-"

Reyna
"I wish I could say yes, but even if you did, I'll be doing Christmas ceremonies all day. We wouldn't be able to… to 'hang out', or anything."

Nico
"Not a problem. I can-"

Reyna
"No, Nico, I don't want you to do that for me. I want you to spend it with someone who can actually give you time. Maybe… I don't know… Will seems like he'll be free…"

Nico
"I know what you're doing."

Reyna
"You guys seem happy-"

Nico
"Stop it. Stop it right now."

Reyna
"Nico-"

Nico
My ears are turning red.

Reyna
His ears are turning red.

Nico
"Reyna. Please."

Reyna
"All right. As you wish."

Nico
Finally.

Reyna
"But I don't want you coming over just for me. It wouldn't be worth it."

Nico
"You know that I could-"

Reyna
"Give me a call tomorrow? That should be enough to cheer me up."

Nico
"You're not alone anymore. You realize that, right?"

Reyna
"I know. I do know it. And the loneliness really is much better, now. It’s just that the doubt is still there sometimes."

Nico
"Sometimes it's hard to see what's right in front of you. I'll call you tomorrow."

Reyna
"Thank you. And Nico?"

Nico
"What?"

Reyna
"May I say one more thing, without you interrupting me?"

Nico
"I'm afraid."

Reyna
"Sometimes it's hard to see what's right in front of you."

Nico
What? I don't under-

Reyna
"He was trying to hold your hand."

Hazel
I went over to Reyna's office, and she wasn't there.
I need to get Frank.

Piper
He's coming up to me, now. Maybe he'll ask what we're doing tomorrow. And I'll have to tell him that I don't know, that I'll probably be flying out to meet my dad, leaving him and Leo behind…
I feel terrible.
This was supposed to be a reunion, and I re-uined it. I mean, I ruined it.
Oh. Oh.
He's asking…

Jason
Piper said yes, with that mischievous grin on her face. Meaning that business is happening.
This is going to work.

Calypso
I am so unused to snow. I faintly remember it, a long while ago, but it’d become forgotten. Ogygia didn’t have snow.
And I am so unused to this- "Christmas". It's a big deal. Such a big deal that even this Greek camp springs these loud, colorful, fake decorations against the green and white.
I am not sure how I feel about it.
It is so not like Ogygia, which is why I like it.
And it is so not like Ogygia, which is why I do not like it.
We have landed. The sun is setting along the ocean- this I do recognize, and it is this that is just the barest amount of comfort I need to feel somewhat at place in this world.
Leo is floating with joy.
I'm afraid.

Leo
Man. Man, this place…
I’ve missed it. I’ve missed it a lot. Even though I came for a visit last month…
Man.
I see… Nico. Huh. Weird. He’s the first one that popped out to me. I almost didn’t recognize him. He doesn’t have all the weight on his shoulders, or the scowl etched on his face… Oh, wait. I feel like Jason told me he was gay. Maybe coming out lifted his burden. Well, good for you, dude!
My crew! Nyssa! Jake! Even Will, who wasn’t in my cabin, but came by every day to give me daily reminders that I was an idiot! Good to see you, guys!
Oh- there’s the scary blonde I was looking for! Annabeth! Along with- ahem- uh, Percy. I stole a glance at Calypso, and she’s too busy closing her eyes on my back to notice. I kind of doubt she’s asleep- it’s a little hard to fall asleep on a flying dragon…
My heart beat faster as I thought of introducing Calypso to everyone. I gave her a kiss, afraid she could hear my heartbeat through my ribcage. I gotta chill out.
Oh. Oh, man. Jason. Piper. Coach Hedge. Coach Hedge and a baby. I could feel my chest explode with the thought of getting down there and just talking to them again…
I gave them a big wave. Piper looks stunned, which is weird. I told them I was coming. But then again, it’s not every day that a dashing young man riding a dragon with his beautiful girlfriend drops in.
I want to sing, and I don’t sing. I want to dance, and I can’t dance. I want to scream and jump, but I’m on the back of a metal dragon.
I’m a ball of fiery fear, love, happiness, and crazy.
Leo’s back, baby!

Frank
I put my hands in my head, massaging my temples. Another long day. Two Senate meetings, Christmas Eve ceremonies, speeches, honoring a newly elected member of the legion. This was the first bit of free time I had to myself.
Not that I’m complaining. It’s my job, my duty. It’s a great honor to be a praetor.
But, yes. It was a long day.

Hazel
“Frank,” I found him behind the Senate building, head in hands. He really is regally beautiful- his skin looks like liquid honey in the lamplight.
And he’s mine.
I felt my cheeks grow hot as I thought those words. I pushed it away and felt my face relax into a shy, embarrassed smile.
“Frank,” I sat down with him. “We’ve spaced. We forgot to wrap Reyna’s presents. And make her cards. We need to do all of that toni-”
I paused, seeing his hunched figure. Seeing how exhausted his eyes looked when he raised his head.
“Oh, my gods. Frank. Have you eaten anything today?”
I heard a cough, and something that sounded suspiciously like me “sounding like his grandmother”.
“Oh, be quiet,” I told him. “How are you going to get through ceremonies tomorrow?”
He groaned, barely. I slipped my hand into his, my mind racing.
Two praetors. Both seem ill- one emotionally, the other physically.
Both were occupied on Christmas- all day.
I sighed. “Let’s get you to a couch.”

Piper
They weren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow!

Nico
I watched them. I watched them fly down from the sky, and I watched everyone huddle out to watch them, and I watched him climb down from Festus and lift Calypso off of his back also, and I watched everyone else shift, like something in the air suddenly became heated.
And I watched Leo kick his heels in the air and open up his arms.
“We’re here!”

Leo
The worst part was definitely going to be Annabeth and Percy, I’d decided.
Piper loved the girl. Piper especially enjoyed sharing stories of me- the ones I didn’t really necessarily want to share- accidentally firing the missile into the Roman camp.
Calypso had raised her eyebrows at me accusingly, laughing. Jason was also a nervous point for me… Standing next to Jason, who would she choose- him or me?
But he was quiet, and laughed at her jokes, and she seemed to graciously appreciate him as a nice guy, while stealing looks at me every once in a while. My heart leaped. She still wanted me. I wanted to kiss her on the face right there, but I managed to control myself.
And then Percy. Her old love. He was seeing her for the first time in years. I didn’t know who would blow up first- Annabeth, Percy, or Calypso.
Percy stepped forwards, and my heart sank. He had the outrageous nerve to look cleaned up tonight, for whatever reason.
He smiled sadly. “Calypso. Hey. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood.”
He reached out a hand.
Her eyes had flitted to me, for a split-second. There was a panic to her face.. My face had immediately changed, smiling at her with as much encouragement as I could. She needed me. She needed me to be the calm one.
Calypso relaxed, smiling with a type of grace I’d never be able to have if I was in her position. She shook his hand gingerly. “Hi, Percy. Nice to see you.”
Here was a dead end. I had no idea how we were supposed to go from here. I had no idea how the rest of this conversation would be able to run smoothly.
It was Annabeth. That girl… I’ll never forget it.
She came forwards, reaching out her hand. “Hi,” she said. “I’m Annabeth. ”
I knew Calypso was going to seize up. I knew it. I could see it in her face. This was too much.- Percy, my friends, this camp, snow, Christmas… it was too much…
“I know,” Annabeth looked at her, with determined eyes, blazing her words on forward, “That this is all probably a lot to take in. More than a lot, since you’re just seeing the world now for the first time in thousands and thousands of years. And I can’t even imagine how crazy it must be for you. So, I, uh, have something for you.”
She gingerly took out a small packet from her jacket, looking down at the snow, and looking back up again. “It’s the moonlace. The plant that you gave Percy, a couple years ago? It grew. And there’s some of its seeds in there, and some nectar, and some dirt, and I don’t know if you even have a place to grow a garden, but if you want to, you can grow it. I mean, you probably have some plants already that you brought with you, and maybe you don’t want to remember Ogygia, but if you ever feel like it’s too much and you need to get away from it all, this is there for you to plant.”
Calypso couldn’t move for a while. She just stared at the package.
I moved forward, about to take it for her, when she snapped into action, putting a hand out to keep me back. She delicately took a hold of the gift, and looked suspiciously towards Annabeth. There was a bit of… longing there, too. And awe. The sort of awe that left you speechless, unsure where to go to next. “Do you always give gifts to newcomers, or-?”
“Oh, no. It’s a Christmas present. On Christmas, you give a bunch of-”
“Oh,” her tone changed. “Oh.”
She cupped her hands around the package and held it close, looking at me. “So, this is-”
“Yep.”
“I thought you opened it on Christmas morning.”
“You normally do. But I just thought it seemed fitting tonight,” Annabeth gave another hesitant smile. And after a beat, Calypso gave a smile back.
It was genuine.
They weren’t exactly best friends, all of a sudden. But they were good. And from the way she looked around, from her to Percy to the people around them, and then turned to me, I realized that we were good, too.
Percy wasn’t going to get in the way.
I almost danced.
“The campfire,” I told her, pulling her hand excitedly towards the growing orange glow. “Singing. Your specialty. You’re going to love it.”
And they all followed.

Notes

cute