Chapter Text
Percy really shouldn’t have been surprised when Aphrodite came to his apartment in New Rome. He’d dealt with many gods in his lifetime, and he had a literal god as his boyfriend. But he was still wary about how this meeting was going to go.
“You’re not here to give me a quest, right?” Percy asked.
Aphrodite shook her head, looking sullen. “I’m here to talk, Perseus. Would you mind listening? Apollo tells me you’re a good listener.”
Percy’s eyes widened. Well, this was new. He smiled softly, being the kind-hearted soul that he was, not being able to turn away a person (or a god, in this case) in need. He made space, opening his door a bit wider, to let Aphrodite in.
“Thank you,” Aphrodite smiled, looking a bit better. “I shall repay you for your debt.”
“No matter,” Percy waved her away, heading to the kitchen. “You can sit on the couch. Now, what’s up?” He was referring to the blue couch in the room after the kitchen. His apartment was mediocre, with the entrance and a doorway to the left leading to the kitchen. If you follow along the little hallway at the entrance, you reach the hall. At the back of the hall were the clear doors to the small backyard, where a little garden with fruits and vegetables like lemons, oranges, tomatoes, carrots, and onions. There were hyacinths (per Apollo’s request) and roses. To the left of the hall, another hallway started and four doors were shown. One was storage space, one was for the heating system, one for the bathroom, and the last was for a bedroom. The bedroom had a closet, and one window looking out to multiple shops, and that was it.
Aphrodite looked at him weirdly, for just a second, before sighing. “I suppose I should start, shouldn’t I?”
Percy tilted his head. “If you’re not ready to speak, I’m willing to wait. Jasmine tea?” He offered.
Aphrodite got that weird look back on her face, still lasting for a second before disappearing. “Yes, please.”
Percy, who was poking his head outside of the kitchen, disappeared back into the kitchen.
Aphrodite heard a few clashes and bangs, but it was mostly peaceful. After a few minutes, she heard a few footsteps, before a teapot was placed on the coffee table in front of her, along with two teacups. The clear liquid (with a greenish tint to it) was poured into the two teacups, and Percy sat on a chair opposite to the couch and coffee table.
He slurped on the tea, patiently waiting for Aphrodite to speak.
Aphrodite tried to remember the last time anyone had been this kind to her. She couldn’t. “I-I think my daughter hates me,” she admitted. “Piper. And Ares cheated on me, even after we agreed to try not to cheat on each other for at least a year. And Hephaestus… it’s too late to make up with him now.”
“Let’s start with one issue at a time. Can you tell me more about your situation with your daughter?” Percy questioned.
“That’s just it,” Aphrodite looked close to tears. “I don’t know the problem. I tried to talk to her, after the second Giant War - you made a big impact on us, so everyone talked to their children - and when I tried to speak to her, well, she completely ignored me!” She took the teacup set out for her, and drowned it in one big gulp.
“More tea?” Percy said. When Aphrodite shook her head, he continued speaking. “She wants you to get to know her on a personal level,” Percy paused, remembering something. “Actually, she wants you to get to know all of your children on a personal level. She thinks it’s unfair that she’s your favorite child, when you haven’t even gotten to know the others. She thinks that gods should stop having favorite children, and I agree, but that’s not important right now. What is important is the fact that she hates how you behave as if you’ve known them forever, when you barely know them at all.”
“Oh,” Aphrodite said in a small voice. Percy had never heard a god speak in such a small way before. They always held an air of confidence. Aphrodite nodded, a determined look on her face. “I don’t think I can change the fact that I have a favorite child,” she admitted, “It’s a feeling. I can’t change that. Well, technically, I can, but I want my natural feelings to stay. I can’t lie to myself, or change the way I feel, because the truth is that those feelings would be fake. I can, however, get to know my daughter, and my other children better. And that’s what I’ll do. Thank you, Perseus. I think I shall take my leave. I know what to do with Ares and Hephaestus now too.”
“Of course,” Percy said. “Come back anytime!” He called, realizing he might regret those words later, but for now Aphrodite was someone in need, and if she needed a listening ear again, Percy would not refuse. And he wanted to make that clear.
A few hours later, Apollo arrived at his apartment.
“Hey,” Percy greeted him easily, as Apollo headed into the kitchen where Percy was cooking.
Apollo hugged him from behind, resting his head on top of Percy’s. “What are you making?”
“Mac and cheese,” Percy replied.
“For dinner?” Apollo said disapprovingly.
“Hey, yesterday we had egg rice,” Percy said, “I consider that pretty healthy. So today we can have something unhealthy!”
Apollo smiled at his adorable pout, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
“Fine,” Apollo relented.
Percy grinned. “Aphrodite came by my place today,” he mentioned offhandedly.
“What?!” Apollo said in shock. And a bit of anger. “What was she doing here?!”
“She wanted someone to listen to her and help her,” Percy replied quickly. “Like a therapist. Apparently you told her I was a good listener?”
“What did she want to talk about?” Apollo inquired.
“I can’t say that! It’s personal to her,” Percy glared.
“Please,” Apollo whined, “Think of all the blackmail!”
“This isn’t something you should use for blackmail,” Percy gave him his death stare (he’d upgraded it, so now it was merged with his wolf stare), which made Apollo shiver. “Some problems are actually serious for her, and she has feelings, you know?”
“Her? Feelings?” Apollo snorted. “Does she think about something other than sex?”
“Yes,” Percy said firmly. “So I am keeping her issues quiet.”
Apollo sighed. “I trust you,” he said, “I hope you know what you’re doing by encouraging this.”
“I do. Now, want some mac and cheese?”
Aphrodite started coming weekly, just to rant about her problems, and her life. It was a change for Percy, to see a god so open around him (a god other than Apollo). Percy wasn’t a therapist, but he sure felt like one. Not that he minded.
“You should be rewarded for this,” Aphrodite laughed a laughter filled with tears after telling him how Ares was ignoring her, and she had made no progress with her children. “I’m sorry. I’ve been taking up your time, and not giving you anything in return. That’s probably why you were doing this anyway.”
“No,” Percy said. “I’m helping you because I want to. Not because I am looking for a reward.”
Aphrodite stared. How could anyone be so kind?
“Now for your problems…”
After Aphrodite, other gods started coming too. Percy did notice Apollo getting jealous, but he didn’t mind it much. He loved helping, even after everything the gods had put him through.
“Hermes,” Percy said gently, “Luke doesn’t hate you. He told me. W-when he died.” He closed his eyes, remembering how he died.
Hermes looked at him hopefully. “He didn’t?”
“He joined Kronos because he resented you. I am not going to lie about that,” Percy said matter-of-factly. “But in the end, he saw that you did care. The best way to honor Luke’s death is by visiting and getting to know your current children. And claiming them as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, Perseus,” Hermes straightened his suit, “I shall take your words and visit my children. Now that we have an opportunity to visit our children, I still think we’re simply in too much shock. As you know, the ancient laws have stood for centuries. To see it gone is hard to process. Not that we aren’t grateful. Many gods wish to thank you for making this happen, Perseus.”
“Percy,” Percy automatically corrected, “And you’re welcome.”
Yeah, it's becoming a full-time job. Juggling therapy with the gods (not to mention other demigods (who figured it out when they kept on seeing gods’ enter his apartment in New Rome and asked for help too) nymphs, and satyrs (roman and greek)), university, and his real job at a nearby café was a pain in the ass. But seeing the relieved faces of the gods once he was done helping, knowing he helped, made him feel better about himself. Though he was still struggling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, he was doing better now. Apollo helped too.
But when Zeus and Hera came knocking at his door, he was ready to quit being the gods’ therapist (not to mention he hadn’t told his friends about this yet). But Hera looked so sad, and very annoyed.
Percy doesn’t let them in yet, instead looking at them questioningly.
Hera cleared her throat. “We’ve been told that you’ve been a helpful source for gods, major and minor, nymphs, satyrs, and demigods alike.”
Percy nodded. “Right.”
“A-and,” Hera gulped, forcing herself to get the words out. “Zeus, dear, would you mind telling him?”
Zeus glared. “Yes, dear, I would mind. What I wouldn’t mind is not asking at all. You were the one who dragged us into this in the first place.”
“Because we need it!” Hera snapped, she turned to Percy. “See what I have to deal with everyday?!”
Deciding to pity the pair, Percy nodded. “I see. As long as you swear on the River Styx that you don't smite me for anything offending I say, I’ll help you.”
They said their oaths, Zeus a bit more reluctantly, but a glare from Hera made him say it quickly.
“Come in,” Percy said, “I’ll be right back with tea.”