Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You were beautiful. Your life was pretty much amazing. You had food, shelter and clothes, you pretty much had everything you needed. Oh how you wished you could go back…

It all changed when you found yourself trapped in the realm of the gods.

At first, you thought it was a dream. One minute, you were walking down the street, the sun shining on your face, a soft breeze ruffling your hair. The next, a wave of blinding light enveloped you, pulling you into a world far beyond your understanding. This place wasn’t like Earth. It was something ancient, untouchable, dark.

You took a step forward. And another, and another. One foot after the other, you gradually got closer. You could hear a cacophony of voices behind the door. And finally… using all your might, you pushed the door open… only to reveal a whole new area. 

And it was… the gods.

At first, you couldn't believe your eyes. The moment you stepped through the threshold, you were met with a huge palace, glowing with an ethereal light that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Columns of gold and marble stretched high into the heavens, and the air buzzed with an unnatural energy. It was one that made you feel small, insignificant. 

The gods were real. They weren’t just stories and myths from a book. They were here, in front of you, with… their eyes trained on you like a hungry pack of wolves waiting for their prey.

Apollo, the ever-so-radiant god of the sun, was the first to approach. His golden hair shimmered with every move of his very being, and his eyes, those eyes… saw right through you, as if he could read every thought and desire in your mind. He smiled at you, slow and deliberate, his gaze never leaving yours. "Ah, a new guest," he murmured, voice smooth like honey, but with an edge of something darker beneath. "How... quaint. Who might you be?"

You opened your mouth to say something, to demand an explanation, but the words died in your throat. Then the moment you tried to open your mouth, Zeus just had to make his presence known with a thunderous clap. The room seemed to shake as he stepped forward, his large, commanding figure overshadowing everyone around him. His gaze was both terrifying and enthralling as he took you in with an almost imperceptible smirk.

"You don't belong here," he rumbled, his voice a mixture of power and amusement. "You should go, while we still let you."

Before you could even respond, another God appeared from behind you. Hades. His eyes were like two burning embers, glowing with a strange intensity. He observed you with the same cool detachment he reserved for souls, but something in his gaze made your breath hitch.

“Wait! I think we should… keep them,” he says, with a peculiar tone.

What the? Why would they want to keep you? You were practically nothing compared to them.

Eros, the god of love, smirked as he walked past, brushing a finger along your cheek. A shiver ran down your spine. "Don’t you see? She’s special," he said with a chuckle, his voice smooth but edged with cruelty. "In a world of gods, she’s a rarity. The temptation, the ultimate prize." His lips twisted into something wicked, a stark contrast to the sweetness his domain implied.

The temptation? Your heart pounded as you silently questioned his words. What did he mean?

Before you could dwell on it, a sharp voice echoed through the grand hall, shaking you to your core.

“WHO IS THAT?”

All heads turned toward the staircase. Hera stood at the top, her figure illuminated by the divine glow of the palace. Her presence was intense, her piercing gaze like a blade.
Her finger pointed directly at you, her voice dripping with venom. "Who dares bring that... thing here?"

The room tensed. You swallowed hard, heat rising to your face as Hera's fury bore down on you.

“Woah, woah! Wait a second,” Hermes interjected, stepping forward with his usual carefree grin and a mock air of surrender. “Let’s not go burning the palace down just yet, Hera.”

His attempt at humor fell flat. Hera’s sharp gaze flicked to him, silencing whatever joke he was about to follow up with.

Your mouth acted before your brain could catch up. "Y-Yeah, Hera... maybe there’s been a misunderstanding?” You winced at how small your voice sounded, but what else could you do?

Her eyes snapped back to you, fiery and unrelenting. "Silence!"

The room was silent for a moment, the air crackling with unspoken energy. Hera’s piercing glare held steady, but it was clear the others were pondering what to do with you.

Zeus stepped forward, his imposing frame radiating authority. "Enough," he commanded, his thunderous voice cutting through the tension. "This mortal is here, whether by fate or folly. The question is… what shall we do with her?"

His words sparked a ripple of murmurs among the gods. Some exchanged curious glances, while others looked at you like a puzzle to be solved—or prey to be devoured.

"Send her back," Hera snapped, her tone sharp and unyielding. "She’s a nuisance at best, a danger at worst."

"Now, now," Dionysus chimed in with a sly grin, stepping closer to you. His gaze lingered in a way that made your skin crawl. "Why waste such… potential? What if we kept her?" He tilted his head, feigning innocence, though the glint in his eye betrayed darker intentions. "As a servant... or perhaps a plaything?"

Your heart dropped. Plaything? You took an instinctive step back, your hands trembling at your sides.

Hades, who had remained silent up until now, raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Interesting suggestion," he mused, his voice low and smooth. "But a mortal in our realm... as anything more than a servant? It’s unprecedented."

Apollo leaned casually against a nearby pillar, his golden aura shimmering faintly. "Unprecedented doesn’t mean impossible," he said, his voice laced with amusement. His gaze flickered to you, a smirk playing on his lips. "She could prove... entertaining."

"Entertaining?" Hera’s voice was practically a roar, her fury reigniting. "You would reduce our divine realm to a circus for a mortal?"

Hermes cut in, raising his hands in mock surrender once more. "Relax, Hera. We’re just brainstorming here. No one’s decided anything… yet."

"But I think we all agree on one thing," Zeus interjected, his booming voice silencing the growing bickering. His eyes locked onto you, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "She’s not leaving. Not yet."

The room went still. Every gaze turned to you, their collective attention making your breath hitch.

"Let’s see," Zeus continued, his tone contemplative. "Perhaps she can prove her worth. If she’s to remain here, she’ll need to serve a purpose. A servant, a messenger... or something else entirely." His smile widened, but it wasn’t comforting. "Let’s see what fate has in store for our unexpected guest."

Chapter Text

It’s been a week since you entered the gods’ realm, and ever since then, you’ve been reduced to a mere servant for them. Your days were spent feeding grapes into their mouths or, worse, being treated as their plaything.

Oddly enough, you’d somehow gained an unofficial title of “Third Ruler of the Gods.” It wasn’t assessed by Zeus or anyone important, but a few gods jokingly referred to you as such. To your surprise, nor Hera or Zeus were furious about it. If anything, Hera actually seemed amused. It felt like a mark, something that would never fade, a constant reminder of your peculiar position among the gods.

Every time one god finally let you go, another would pull you into their orbit. It was a relentless cycle, and today was no different. And today, you found yourself with Artemis.

“Pay attention, focus on the target,” she says with one of her hands adjusting your elbow while the other is on your back. “Okay, hold… hold…”

You paid attention to her voice, waiting for her signal to let go. 

“Okay, shoot!”

Your finger let go of the string, launching the arrow into the air. Both of you watched as the arrow flew through the air… and onto the target, perfectly in the middle. 

“There you go,” she says proudly.

Artemis was one of the better gods. Sure, she was possessive in her own way, but it wasn’t suffocating, it wasn’t as annoying. Unlike the others, she didn’t obsess over your every move or try to claim you with marks on your body as a warning to the rest. Time with her felt like a breath of fresh air. It was usually quiet strolls through the woods, hunting or whatever she wants. She let you exist in peace, unguarded, if only for a while.

For the next few hours, you two hunted and strolled around the woods. The peaceful serenity was a temporary escape from the chaos of the gods. Artemis led the way, her calm presence making it feel like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

She didn’t rush you, she allowed you to enjoy the quiet moments, the rustling leaves, and the distant calls of wildlife. There was something freeing about being in her company, the peace you felt was impeccable. 

As the evening wore on and the woods started to quiet down, Artemis stood up with her arms stretching above her head. “Unfortunately, I need to get going,” she said, a hint of reluctance in her voice. “I’ve got other matters to attend to.”

You nodded, not wanting to break the silence. “Right. Thanks for today,” you muttered softly.

She gave you a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ll be around.”

Artemis turned away, her steps soft against the forest floor, blending into the night as if she were part of the trees themselves. You watched her leave, feeling the familiar tug of unease. Alone again.

Sighing, you made your way to the palace. Surprisingly it was quiet when you arrived, only the soft wind blowing across the room. Hesitantly, you passed through the main room and into the hallways.

Opening the door to your room, you saw a shadow, and a tang of worry hit you. Your heart skipped a beat as you hesitated in the doorway, scanning the dark room.

“Hello?” you called out quietly, filled with unease. There was no answer, but you felt eerie.

You stepped in cautiously, watching your step as you went. The door creaked slightly behind you as your hands guided it to close. Then, a faint sound of a footstep echoed from the corner of the room, and your gaze snapped in that direction. A figure then emerged from the shadows, stepping into the dim light.

“Who’s there?” you demanded, but your voice trembled despite your attempt to sound confident.

The person grinned, its eyes glowing in the low light. "I think you already know," came the deep, familiar voice.

It was Hades.

“What do you want?” you asked, your voice barely loud enough, but still strong.

He tilted his head slightly, a small smile appearing at the corners of his lips. “I want you,” he said simply, his tone smooth, almost too calm.

Your pulse quickened, not out of fear, but something else. You had been caught in the realm of gods for so long, dragged from one god to the next, and now… Hades is standing in front of you, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along.

"You’ve been... watching me," you murmured, piecing it together. “Just like the others.”

Hades didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer, his shadow falling over. “The others may play their games, but I am not like them. I offer you something different.”

Your gaze shifted upwards to meet him, your mind racing with thoughts. After all, nothing good comes from Hades, the god of the underworld. 

“What do you want from me?” you asked.

He studied you for a moment, the weight of his stare being both unnerving and… magnetic. 

“Hm, nothing more than your company. I believe… you belong... with me.” He replied, his words were slow and deliberate, as though he was talking to a child.

You swallowed, trying to push past the strange mix of emotions swirling inside you. “I’m not some... possession.”

Hades’s smile softened, now amusement visible on his face. “No, you’re not. But you are someone I want to keep close. Someone who understands the balance of power... of what it means to truly be free.”

The tension in the room thickened, and you felt the urge to escape, yet you didn’t move. Something inside you told you that there was more to this than just another god trying to claim you. Something about his words felt different.

“Why me?” you asked quietly, unable to stop the question. “Why are you so persistent?”

His gaze softened, a rare vulnerability flickering in his eyes before it was disappearing again. “Because... you don’t belong to the games the others play. You’ve seen what it’s like to be treated like nothing more than a pawn. I am offering you a choice. A chance to escape”

You didn’t know how to respond, the weight of his offer settling heavily in the air between you. Hades wasn’t offering you power or gifts like the others had. He was offering something more dangerous. His trust, his space, and a place in his realm.

Somehow, in this sick and twisted game, everyone believed you were more than what you were. Yet, they were treating you like an object. A prize that could be won. You highly doubted the fact that Hades thought any differently. 

The rest was a blur. You had no recollection of what you even said, and now you’re somehow in bed with the two rulers of the underworld. 

The room was dark, shielded from the faint glow of the underworld's endless fires casting shadows on the walls. You could feel the strength of their presence beside you, Hades was on your left while Persephone was on the other. They hadn’t said much after you were led here, but there was an undeniable tension in the air, a strange comfort that made your heart race. 

You shifted slightly, trying to process everything that had happened. How had you gone from being a mere servant in the gods' realm to this dark corner of the underworld?

The duo was quite excited when you stepped foot into the underworld. Saying Persephone was elated was an understatement, she was ecstatic .

"I never thought anyone could visit like this, oh the things we’ll do together." she had said, her voice gentle but laced with something else. 

Now, both gods were here with you, in the quiet of the underworld, and all you could do was wonder what the hell had just happened. You couldn’t help but feel like you were caught between two worlds, not really fully belonging to either.

Hades shifted in his sleep, and you instinctively tried to pull away, but his arm shot out before you could go any further. He pulled you closer with an iron grip and stuck you between them. The warmth of his touch was strangely comforting, as though this was where you were supposed to be.

Persephone, sensing your discomfort, spoke up. "Don’t worry," she said, her voice soothing in the stillness. "We don’t bite... unless you force it."

You let out a nervous laugh, unsure if it was suited for the situation, but somehow, it felt like the tension in the room had eased a little. "I didn’t ask for any of this."

"And that’s exactly why you’re here," Persephone said cryptically. "You didn’t come looking for power or glory. You came to escape."

Escape. The thought echoed in your mind. You had been planning to run for so long, and now you had somehow ended up here, surrounded by beings who controlled the very realm of death.

"Do you think I could actually leave?" you asked. “Escape this hell hole?”

There was a long pause, and for a moment, you thought they might not answer. Then, Hades spoke, his voice low and commanding but not unkind. "No one ever truly leaves the underworld. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be a prisoner."

The weight of his words seeped into you like poison. You had heard whispers, stories of the underworld’s control, of gods who ruled with absolute power. But in that moment, you realized you were not a mere pawn… well, at least, not in their eyes.

Persephone shifted, placing a hand on your arm. "If you’re looking for freedom, you’ve already found it. You just have to learn to accept it. This is freedom."

And with that, the tension in the room eased, leaving you to wonder what your future held in this strange, dark place. You agreed they were nice, but this wasn’t exactly what you wanted to do for the rest of your life.

The next morning, you spotted a woman standing near the edge of the underworld, her presence odd yet strangely calming. You stepped closer to her, curiosity washing over you. The closer you get, the clearer she became.

She had long dark hair that framed her face softly, and though she looked out of place, there was a warmth in her gaze that contrasted the coldness of the surroundings. Her clothes were simple, nothing like the gods’ lavish clothing. She wore a simple t-shirt and jeans, yet somehow it made sense.

Her eyes met yours, and for a brief moment, you could see a familiar kind of understanding in them. She didn’t say anything and just looked at you in silence.

It took you a second, but when the realization hit, your heart skipped. Those were the eyes of a mother. 

“You know… being separated from your kid hurts…” she says with sorrow. It was visible in her eyes and voice.

You hesitated, unsure how to respond. The words she spoke felt like they held more weight than you could grasp. 

She seemed to sense your uncertainty and gave a soft, understanding smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make things awkward.” She said while looking around, trying to fully take in the surroundings. “This place… it’s not the easiest to be in, is it?”

You don’t know how to reply to that either. The underworld was suffocating, its darkness pressing in on you no matter where you went. There was no sunlight, no warmth. Just the cold embrace of the gods’ realm. But her words made it feel… less suffocating somehow.

“I just want him to be okay,” she continues, her gaze falling to the ground for a moment before meeting yours again. “I always worry about him. But this time… I have to trust that he’ll be able to handle whatever comes next.”

It’s strange. The calmness in her voice, despite everything. You couldn’t help but wonder how she’d managed to hold onto her sanity, especially when her own son was caught in the chaos of the gods. 

“I’m sorry…” you say, although you knew you weren’t the one at fault.

Silence followed, and none of you said anything for a fleeting moment. 

“If you don’t mind me asking… What's his name?” you ask with uncertainty.

“Percy… Percy Jackson,”

Chapter Text

It had been a day or two since you had that conversation with the mysterious lady. Her words had been stuck in your head ever since then. There was something about her that you couldn’t quite place. You confirmed she didn’t have a threatening aura at all, but there was something strange about her presence alone. It was faint, almost like a chill that lingered even after she was gone.

She had spoken with calm certainty, yet something about the way she looked at you made you feel as if you were under a microscope. Her eyes seemed to see through you, as though she knew something you didn’t. You couldn’t shake the odd feeling.

It didn’t take long for 2… or 3 other guests to arrive. They caused quite a havoc too. You heard Cerberus barking and went out to see what was happening, only to be met with an… interesting scene. 

You saw a group of 4 people, including the mysterious lady you saw the other day, backing away from Hades and Persephone. Hades had a weird… glowing stick in his hand and Persephone was staring at it in amazement.

“A-alright… we’re gonna go now…” a teenage boy stammered with his hand held out to keep a safe distance from the pair. 

You watched from a distance, trying to make sense of the situation. What on earth (or rather, in the underworld) had just happened here?

You continued watching, trying to piece the events together. Nothing was making sense at all. Then, you saw Persephone swiftly take down Hades. You listened closely to their conversation.

“W-what…?” the same teenage boy mumbled. His eyes were filled with fear.

“Do you know how suffocating it is to be trapped in here?” Persephone spoke up, grabbing the glowing stick from Hades’s hands. “The only thing I ever wanted was to get out of here,”

The group backed away.

“And now… you guys…” she says in a condescending tone.

Somehow, almost instinctively, you threw yourself against her from behind. The force of your movement sent both of you tumbling to the ground. She let out a startled cry as she fell, her arms flailing in an attempt to steady herself, but it was no use.

The bolt from her hands fell onto the ground and the teenage boy quickly rushed to grab it. 

You hit the ground hard, the impact worsening your senses. Scrambling to your knees, you looked over at her, expecting a fight. But to your surprise, she didn’t immediately lash out.
Instead, she groaned and slowly pushed herself up, turning her head to glare at you. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed, her voice low but venomous.

“I—I…” Words caught in your throat as you tried to come up with an excuse, but you couldn’t. You had acted on pure instinct, and now you were left to deal with the consequences.

The air grew thick with tension as the two of you stared each other down. She brushed the dust off her dress, her eyes never leaving yours.

“Well?” she said, her tone dangerous now. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Well, I do,” the boy holding the bolt says before directing the bolt at her.

The weapon in his hands illuminated with an intense light, almost blinding, as if the storm itself had been summoned to the very spot. Its energy crackled and roared, the sound tearing through the air with deafening ferocity.

The thunderous charge shot from the bolt and to her, unrelentingly sending a thunder strike. She barely even had time to react, her eyes widening in shock as she instinctively raised her hands to shield herself, but it was of no use against the sheer force of the strike.

The ground trembled beneath your feet as the bolt connected, sending a shockwave that rippled through the surrounding area. Dust and debris swirled into the air.

When the light finally dimmed and the rumble subsided, you squinted through the settling haze, heart pounding in your chest.

“Holy shit.” you say breathlessly.

“That was insane.” the horned guy said, his hand extending as if he was explaining.

Then silence followed and none of you said anything, that was until you did. “So… Do we get to go home now?”

“No…” the teenager murmured. “We still have to return the bolt… but we also only have three of… these,” he mentions, showing three small orbs in his hand.

“What are those..?” you ask.

“They’re our ticket out of here, but we only have three,” he answers.

“Why’d you only bring three?” you interrogate, with an accusing tone. Though, you weren’t sure what you were accusing him of.

“We lost one on our way here,” the horned creature responded, gaze flickering back and forth from you and his friend.

“Well I’m not staying here,” you say, hands held up.

“Well then I don’t know!” he yells.

“Okay calm down, I’ll stay here. We just need one more person to stay here,” the mysterious lady from a few days prior.

“Wait… are you… the lady from a few days ago?” you ask, pointing your finger at her.

“Yes,” she replies, her voice soft.

“So… that’s Percy?” you point a finger at the teenager holding the bolt. “Fuck it, then I’ll stay here.”

“Wait, are you sure…?” the girl asks.

“Yes, I’ve endured much more of the Gods’ bullshit.” your tone harsher than you meant it to be.

And with that, the three kids leave you and Percy’s mother. The place grew silent, not one of you saying anything, and the two gods not having woken up yet either.

You had no plan for what would happen if they woke up. There was really nothing you could do to contain them, aside from hoping they stayed asleep no, knocked out.

Luckily, Cerberus had quieted down and retreated into the shadows, leaving only the sound of your breathing and the occasional crackle of the torches lighting the room.

You glanced at her, unsure what to say. Her expression was calm, almost too calm, as if she’d been in situations like this before.

“So,” you began, breaking the silence, “how long do you think we’ll be stuck here?”

She didn’t look at you when she replied, her voice steady but distant. “Long enough to wonder if it was the right choice.”

Her words hung in the air, and you weren’t sure if she was talking about her decision to stay or something else entirely. Either way, the waiting felt endless, and the weight of what came next hung over you.

Were you even going to escape? Luckily for you, those thoughts were cut short when you found yourself back in Olympus, gods standing in their seats as they watched you in the middle.

“Percy…?” you call out his name softly, looking around to find him.

“I’m here,” he replies, loud enough for you to hear.

You sat in the grand hall of Olympus, the weight of their gazes pressing down on you like a smothering blanket. It wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling anymore, but that didn’t make it any less oppressive. The gods didn’t need to speak to remind you of where you stood. Right beneath them.

Zeus lounged on his throne, his fingers idly tapping the armrest as he watched you. The casual amusement in his eyes made your stomach churn. “You’ve adjusted well enough,” he mused, his tone light but with an edge of condescension. “Better than I expected.”

“I didn’t exactly have a choice,” you muttered, keeping your gaze fixed on the marble floor.

He chuckled softly. “No, you didn’t.”

Hera’s hand trailed over your shoulder as she passed by, the touch deliberate and uncomfortably lingering. “Such defiance,” she murmured, almost fondly. “It’s charming, really. For now.”

Athena stood nearby, her sharp eyes appraising you like she was analyzing her favorite chess piece. “The defiance is irrelevant. What matters is utility.” She turned to Zeus with a faint smirk. “Though I will admit, their spirit is… entertaining.”

“Entertaining,” Apollo repeated with a grin, stepping closer. His golden aura was warm but stifling, like the heat of a sun too close for comfort. “I prefer captivating. And they are that, aren’t they?” He reached out, tilting your chin up with two fingers. “Still so lovely, even when they’re afraid. Don’t you agree, Hera?”

“They belong to us,” Hera said simply, her tone leaving no room for argument. She slid into her throne, her gaze never leaving you. “But it’s no surprise they would cling to you, Apollo. Mortals always mistake warmth for safety.”

“I don’t—” you began, but Poseidon’s deep voice cut through.

“Enough.” He didn’t raise his voice, but the word was final. He leaned forward, his sea-green eyes fixed on you. “You’ll learn soon enough not to speak out of turn.”

The room grew unbearably still. You swallowed hard, resisting the urge to shrink under the weight of their stares.

Hestia, the only one who seemed remotely kind, gave you a small, almost pitying smile. “It’s for your own good,” she said softly. “Fighting us will only make it harder for you. We’re here to care for you. That’s what families do.”

“Family?” you repeated bitterly. “This is far from family. This is insanity,”

The gods didn’t seem too satisfied with your wording, but they didn’t bother to entertain your ‘antics’.

“Well,” Zeus said, rising from his throne. He descended the steps slowly, his presence overwhelming. “You’re going to have to learn that you’re ours.”

He stopped just in front of you, his hand brushing a strand of hair from your face. “And no need to look so frightened,” he said, his voice a low purr. “You’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”

Chapter Text

“Exactly where I’m meant to be? What kind of bullshit is that?” you ask, voice growing angry.

Hestia reaches out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear like a mother soothing a fussy child. “You don’t need to fight it,” she murmurs, her warmth coiling around you like an embrace you can’t escape. “We know what’s best for you.”

A chuckle comes from behind. “Adorable,” Apollo muses, lounging lazily as if your outburst is nothing more than entertainment. “You act as if you had a choice in the first place.”

You jerk away from Hestia’s touch, but it’s pointless. The warmth lingers, sinking into your skin like an ember left to smolder. It doesn’t matter how much you resist— there’s nowhere to go. Nowhere to run.

Apollo leans forward, golden eyes flickering with amusement. “What’s with the attitude?” he asks, voice dripping with faux concern. “I’d hate to think we aren’t treating you well enough.”

“You aren’t.” Your glare is sharp, but it only makes his smirk widen.

“Oh?” He cocks his head. “And what exactly is it you’re lacking?”

“Freedom,” you bite out.

Silence follows

…

Just long enough for dread to settle in your stomach. Then, Apollo laughs. It’s bright and warm, like sunlight on a summer afternoon, but there’s no kindness in it.

Hestia sighs, shaking her head. “You’re still thinking too small.”

“She always does,” Poseidon mutters, an ocean-blue gaze locked on you, calculating. “She keeps grasping for something she was never meant to have.”

Zeus steps closer, and the room shifts with him, the very air bending to his presence. “Why do you insist on making this difficult?” he asks, voice deceptively calm. “We’ve been nothing but patient.”

You open your mouth. Maybe to argue, maybe to spit out another insult, but the words catch in your throat when his hand cups your chin, tilting your face up to meet his gaze.

“You are ours.” The words are soft, almost a whisper, but they carry the weight of an undeniable truth. “You have always been ours honey.”

You want to deny it. To push him away. But the way they look at you… as if you’re a precious thing, a belonging, something meant to be kept, it makes your pulse stutter.

Because deep down, you already know.

They aren’t going to let you go.

They never were.

Zeus’s (bruh how are you supposed to write his name) grip is firm, but not cruel. He doesn’t need to be. The weight of his presence alone is enough to keep you still, to remind you that struggling is useless.

“You act as though you have a choice,” he muses, thumb brushing over your jaw. “As though this isn’t exactly where you belong.”

Hestia hums in agreement, her warmth curling around you like a gentle flame. “You keep fighting, but what for? Do you even know?”

You clench your fists. “I don’t belong to you.”

The words sound weak even to your own ears.

Poseidon scoffs, stepping forward, his presence a tidal wave threatening to pull you under. “Lying won’t save you, little one.”

“Neither will denial.” Apollo leans in close, his golden eyes gleaming with something unsettling. “We have already won.”

The truth of it sits heavy in the air. You know it. They know it. And still, you refuse to break.

Ares chuckles from the corner of the room, arms crossed. “I’ll give her credit. She’s stubborn.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Aphrodite finally speaks, her voice like silk, her beauty almost unbearable this close. She tilts your chin up with delicate fingers, her touch deceptively gentle. “I think it makes her all the more fun.”

“Fun?” Hades repeats, unimpressed. “You would reduce her to that?”

Aphrodite only smiles, unbothered. “Oh, don’t be dramatic. I never said it was a bad thing.”

The air grows thick with tension, the gods momentarily lost in their own silent power struggle, as if your fate is something to be discussed like a fine piece of jewelry, like a rare treasure to be found. And you were found.

“Fuck you all,” you spat, voice laced with venom. “Honestly, I’d rather be in hell rather than this— wait, nevermind— this IS hell,”

“No honey, hell is in the underworld, but you’re not there anymore.” Artemis’s voice shoots through.

“You should be grateful,” Apollo chimes in, golden eyes gleaming with something far too amused for your liking. “We took you away from all that darkness. You’re somewhere much better now.”

“Better?” You let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You call this better?” Your glare sweeps over them; these so-called gods who act like your very existence is theirs to dictate. “I don’t even have the freedom to fucking breathe without you all hovering over me.”

Zeus smirks, unbothered by your outburst. “And why would we ever let you out of our sight?”

You open your mouth to snap back, but before you can, Ares strides forward, his presence suffocating. “You’re just mad because you lost,” he taunts, voice thick with amusement. “All that fire, all that fight, and still… here you are.”

You grit your teeth, hands clenched into trembling fists.

“Don’t listen to them, love,” Aphrodite coos, her delicate fingers ghosting over your cheek. It’s a mockery of comfort, a predator playing with its food. “They’re being cruel.”

“Cruel?” Poseidon chuckles, shaking his head. “She’d be crushed if we were truly cruel. But we’re merciful.”

“Merciful?” Your voice wavers, frustration boiling over into something dangerously close to despair. “Keeping me here, treating me like some— some plaything— that’s mercy?”

“Of course,” Hestia murmurs, her warmth pressing in around you, suffocating in its gentleness. “Because as long as you’re here, as long as we have you, nothing can hurt you.”

Her words send a chill down your spine.

A low, amused hum fills the air. Hermes, lounging lazily with his chin resting in his palm, watches you like you're a passing storm. You’re wild, thrilling, but ultimately harmless.

"You act like this isn't exactly where you belong," he muses. "Like you aren’t meant to be here."

“Meant to be?” you scoff, glaring at him. “I don’t belong anywhere near you freaks.”

Aphrodite tilts her head, lips curving in a slow, knowing smile. “Oh, darling, but you do. You fit so perfectly here, with us.”

Hestia nods, her warm, patient gaze making your skin itch. “You’re safest here,” she murmurs, voice like a lullaby. “With us, you’ll never want for anything.”

“She’s still fighting,” Artemis comments, eyes gleaming in the dim light. “It’s cute.”

Poseidon chuckles, the sound deep and unwavering. “She’ll settle soon enough.”

Your stomach twists. The way they talk, like you’re some out of control pet throwing a tantrum, makes your blood boil.

"Settle?" Your voice comes out sharp, barely holding back the sheer rage bubbling under your skin. “You’re out of your fucking minds if you think I’ll ever accept this.”

Apollo laughs, golden and bright, but there’s something mocking beneath it. “You will.”

That’s it. That’s the last fucking straw.

Your hands slam down on the table with a sharp crack, the sound slicing through the room. "Shut up. I’m going,"

Silence.

Some of them look entertained, others intrigued. None of them look concerned though. 

Your chest heaves, but you don’t give them a chance to respond. You spin on your heel and bolt, your heart pounding as you tear down the marble halls.

“Ah,” Hermes sighs behind you, voice tinged with amusement. “And there she goes.”

“She’ll be back,” Zeus remarks casually, not even bothering to raise his voice. “They always come back.”

“Yeah but these past few times was us making them come back,” Hera mentions, swirling the glass of wine on her right hand.

—

After causing a small scene at the dinner table, you dashed to your room. You threw yourself on the soft mattress, letting yourself melt into the bed. 

You just laid there, unable to move. The hours passed by, time ticking with every second you didn’t move. 

Then, unexpectedly, you heard a knock. Who could it be? 

You sat up on your bed, eyes frantically looking around to find the source of the sound. You were barely awake when you discovered the source— it was Percy. Suddenly, your body shot up and you pulled the window up.

“Psst— what are you doing?” you ask in concern. “You’re— no wait WE are going to get in trouble,”

He was squatted in front of you on the roof with his hand held out, waiting for you. “No, you have to get out of here. You’re not safe here,”

“What?” you ask in apprehension. “Aren’t you Poseidon’s son? He’s going to be furious,” 

“Do I look like I care? He left me so long ago,” he responds, hand retracted as his eyes narrow onto your figure.

“Fine,” you say before you decide to hop onto the other side of the window with him. 

The roof was slanted and a single movement could easily make you slide down and fall onto the ground. Your hand stayed on the wall to let yourself steady. 

You thought everything was going to be fine. After all, it’s Percy Jackson— a demigod. He should be able to help you even a little bit right? He should be able to get you far enough from them? Even if he wasn’t as powerful, he still could, right? 

There was no way he came without a plan too; you just had to trust the process.

Then, a loud shatter sound. 

Chapter Text

“Holy shit, what was that Percy?!” you half-whispered and screamed.

“I’m sorry, I’m just trying to help you.” he whispers, voice just as fiery as yours.

 “Helping? You’re going to get me in more trouble if you’re not careful!” you scold him like an older sister. Well, you’re technically his stepmom if you think about it.

“Alright, whatever. Let’s just keep going!” his annoyed voice says.

Slowly by slowly, you two crawl on the cold, ceramic ceiling tiles. Your hands were bruised and wounds were all over your hands from the sharp edges of the tiles. But you didn’t care. As long as you got to be free, nothing else mattered. It didn’t matter if you had to get injured, a few cuts on your hands were nothing . 

You two trek on forward, looking for a safe way down. From the view in front of you, you’d probably predict that it was around 1 or 2 AM in the morning. The sky was dark & gloomy, dusty grey clouds scattered through the sky.

“Hey,” you call Percy. “How do we get down? We’re on the second floor,”

“With these,” he says proudly as he pulls out a pair of winged shoes.

“What are those…” you ask.

“They can fly, c’mon. I’ll show you,”

Percy puts the shoes on, wings starting to come into life as his foot goes inside. A minute flash of magic is seen on the shoe, letting Percy levitate above the ground.

“Woahhhh!” you stare in amazement.

The teenage boy goes down with the pair of shoes and softly lands onto the luscious ground beneath. And you watch as the magical footwear flies back up towards you.

“We’re so close! C’mon!” Percy cheers you on.   

You hesitated for a moment, staring at the winged shoes as they hovered in front of you. Could you really trust these things? What if they just broke mid-air, and sent you plummeting to your death? Then again, dying might be better than staying in that god-forsaken palace.

“C’mon Y/N, don’t be scared! We have to go!” Percy whisper-shouted from below.

“Shut up,” you muttered, reaching for the shoes and slipping them on. 

The moment your feet went inside, a strange sensation ran through your legs, it was like your body suddenly weighed nothing. The wings twitched, then flapped, and before you could even brace yourself, it lifted you off the ground.

“Whoa— whoa— !” You flailed your arms around in panic, nearly losing your balance as you hovered above the edge of the building.

“Relax, just lean forward a little,” Percy called, arms outstretched like he was ready to catch you if things went south.

You took a deep breath to prepare yourself before tilting forward just a bit to let it work… and suddenly, you were gliding in the air. The wind rushed past your face, cool and freeing, so wildly different from the suffocating air of the palace. Your heart pounded against your chest, but for the first time in a while, it wasn’t from fear.

You reached the ground, stumbling slightly as you landed, but Percy caught your arm before you could fall.

“We did it,” you breathed, glancing up at the palace looming above. You half expected alarms to start blaring, for divine wrath to strike you down for even daring to leave. But the night remained still.

“Yeah,” Percy grinned. “Now we run.”

And you did. Neither of you looked back.

—

It had been a few hours since you two started running, and you had no idea where you were nor what time it was. All you saw was arrays of trees before you, covering anything and everything, only a dark sky seen above.

“Hey… so uhm, do you actually have a plan?” you decide to ask. Honestly, you’re the dumb one for trusting a teenage boy.

“N-no…” the words came out of his mouth and it felt like your world shattered.

No, you couldn’t blame a minor but then it was also his fault for giving false hope. But on that pretense, everything worked out well for the boy right? It should work out fine for you too.

“You’re kidding,” you deadpanned, stopping in your tracks.

Percy winced. “Look, I just— I got you out, didn’t I? That was the hard part.”

“Oh, yeah, totally. The hard part was escaping literal gods. Not the fact that they can track us down at any second and drag me right back.” You threw your hands in the air. “Fantastic plan, seaweed brain.”

“Hey, don’t call me that—”

“Then have a plan next time!” you snapped. You could feel the panic creeping in, your breath coming faster as you glanced at the thick woods surrounding you. The cold night air did nothing to stop the sweat forming at the back of your neck. They’d find you. They’d find you, and when they did—

Percy must’ve noticed your spiraling thoughts because that’s when he grabbed your wrist. “We’ll figure something out,” he said, voice softer and way more comforting now. “There’s a safe house not too far from here. We just gotta keep moving.”

You exhaled, forcing yourself to nod. Keep moving. Right.

Together, you pushed forward through the woods, your steps quick but careful. Every snapped twig sent a fresh wave of paranoia through you, every gust of wind felt like someone breathing down your neck.

Then, the sound of something— someone — rustling in the trees stopped you dead in your tracks.

Percy went still beside you, hand moving toward Riptide.

A voice, low and amused, echoed through the trees.

“You really thought you could run from us?”

The moment you turned to run, a force slammed into you, knocking the air from your lungs. You hit the ground hard, dirt and leaves sticking to your skin as you struggled, but it was useless. Their hands were way too strong, too unyielding. They grabbed at your wrists, yanking them behind your back. Cold metal wrapped around them, clicking into place. Shackles. Again.

“Really now?” A familiar voice sighed above you. “You’d think after the millionth time, you’d learn. Mortals really are stupid.”

A firm grip pulled you up to your knees, and as your vision cleared, you found yourself face to face with Apollo. He crouched before you, golden eyes burning like the damn sun. Except this wasn’t his usual, playful warmth— no , this was blazing anger barely masked behind his lazy smirk.

“Bringing you back is starting to get exhausting, little dove,” he said, voice honeyed with amusement, but the sharp edge beneath it made you shiver. “You keep running, and we keep having to chase you. Do you have any idea how tiring that is?”

Behind him, you caught glimpses of the others. Artemis stood with her arms crossed, eyes colder than the night air. Hermes was nearby, shaking his head like a disappointed older brother. Even Hades was here this time, his presence heavier than a storm cloud, gaze unreadable as he loomed over you.

Percy was nowhere to be seen. They must’ve separated you two… again .

Ares scoffed, stepping closer. “If you want a fight, sweetheart, at least win for once.” His fingers gripped your chin, tilting your face up. “Pathetic.” he says as he pushes your head away with one swift flick of his wrist.

You jerked your head away, glaring. “If you hate chasing me so much, let me go.”

A sharp laugh cut through the air. Hera . She approached with the slow grace of a queen, swirling wine in a glass as if this was all some casual entertainment for her.

“Oh, darling,” she murmured, crouching to your level. “You are ours. Why would we ever let you go?”

Your stomach twisted as she gently brushed a strand of hair from your face, her touch feather-light but suffocating.

“This little rebellion of yours is getting boring,” Hermes added, sighing dramatically. “You don’t even make it fun anymore.”

You gritted your teeth, yanking at the chains around your wrists. “Go to hell.”

Apollo only chuckled. “Been there, babe. Hades wasn’t a fan.”

The god in question shot him a look before returning his attention to you. “This needs to end.”

For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then, Hera spoke again, her voice softer this time.

“We’ve been patient with you.” Her fingers trailed down your cheek, almost gentle. “But patience has limits, my love.”

Your breath hitched as her nails lightly scraped against your skin, her tone shifting into something darker, something dangerous.

“I think it’s time,” she murmured, tilting her head, “that we teach you what happens when our little dove forgets her place.”

—

Okay, by “lesson”, you didn't expect to be shackled to a bed and… for your clothes to be torn away, leaving you naked in front of their eyes.

It wasn’t your first time being forced like this, but it was your first time doing it with multiple of them.

“No! No! Wait, please can we rethink this?” you ask as you shuffle roughly against the metal restraints.

“Rethink? Oh honey, we’re done rethinking it and this is our final decision.” Hera’s voice speaks up.

You opened your mouth wanting to argue back, but instead those arguments were quickly muffled once Apollo’s lips crashed yours. His tongue was swirling inside of your mouth, desperately wanting to taste you. 

“MMFFF!” You let out a muffled protest, thrashing against the restraints.

Apollo didn’t care though. If anything, your resistance only seemed to excite him more. His lips moved hungrily against yours, tongue sweeping through your mouth as if he could devour you whole. His hands cupped your face, firm yet possessive, keeping you locked in place as he deepened the kiss.

The others watched, their gazes heavy with amusement and something darker. You tried to turn your head away, but Apollo chased after your lips, refusing to let you escape even for a second.

“You still fight,” Zeus mused, arms crossed as he leaned back lazily. “How adorable.”

“Give her time,” Aphrodite cooed, tilting her head as she observed you with an almost pleased expression. “She’ll learn to submit. They always do.”

Apollo finally pulled away, a thin string of saliva connecting your lips as he gazed down at you, his golden eyes burning with desire. He swiped a thumb across your lower lip, smirking when you flinched.

“You taste so much better than before, is it because of the situation?” he murmured, voice dripping with satisfaction. “It almost makes me want to keep you all to myself.”

A sharp chuckle came from Ares. “As if we’d let that happen.”

Your breath came in shallow pants, your mind spinning from the force of the kiss. Every part of you screamed to resist, to push back, to fight… but the gods around you weren’t just powerful. They were patient . And that was far, far more terrifying .

You barely had time to re-catch your composure before you felt a hard cock being pressed against your slit. You look downwards to see Apollo excitedly rubbing his hot, pink tip against your glistening folds. 

Slowly, and painfully, he slid it inside you. You squirmed against the shackles on your wrists as the friction started to become unbearable. You weren’t lubed at all, it was dry and rough and—

“F-fuck…!”. Apollo roughly pushed his whole member inside you unexpectedly, earning a loud shriek from you.

As Apollo claimed you in front of them, the air in the room grew thick with something possessive, territorial . The other gods watched, their expressions ranging from dark amusement to barely restrained jealousy.

Zeus leaned back in his chair, fingers messing with the bulge around his pants as gaze bore into you, intense and heavy. He was a king used to getting what he wanted, and right now, he was watching something he believed belonged to him.

You closed your eyes in desperation, trying to block out the reality of the situation. Then, you felt someone grab your chin… and something pressing against your lips. 

You open your eyes to see who it is. It’s Hermes.

“Open up,” he says as he glared down towards you, practically towering over you.

And on command, you do. 

This is going to be a long night… or nights.