Chapter 14
Steve POV
Percy and his cousins weren't at breakfast in the morning but I didn't want to wake them up considering the mood they might be in after that bombshell yesterday. After we'd all had breakfast it became clear that nobody else was going to go get them up so begrudgingly I trudged to Percy's room. The door was slightly ajar and I pushed it open completely after knocking twice.
I expected them to be…I don't know what but certainly not looking really adorable sleeping on top of each other, their limbs a mess and Percy drooling on Nico. I'm pretty sure the boy is not going to appreciate that and after their banter yesterday I can only imagine the chaos that is going to ensue. I grin and go to shake them awake but decide better of it. I've noticed they react rather sensitively to being touched except familiar people. That's just another mystery to add. I sigh and shout,
"C'mon guys! Up and at 'em!" In my best military voice. They just grunt and roll over getting their limbs tangled again in the process. They might not look like cousins but their manners do match.
Suddenly Nico's hand accidentally hits Percy and Percy is up like lightning, panic in his wild eyes. He scans the room strategically before noticing me and his cousins. He slumps in relief and then flashing me a quick smile untangles himself gently.
"Morning Cap what're you doing here?"
He doesn't seem mad about what happened yesterday so I reply, "Good morning Percy. It's about time you three woke up it's 11 already."
He just smirks at me and I can already see some mischievous idea forming in his mind.
"I know just the prefect way to wake them up. Follow me."
He leads me to the bathroom and I understand the idea. We each quickly fill up a bucket, while we're doing this I decide to apologize for yesterday.
I start cautiously, "Um, Percy, I'm sorry about pressing you yesterday. We didn't know what happened but-"
He cuts off my rambling and gives me a genuine smile although it's a little strained his eyes also turn slightly dark, "Its ok. What's happened, happened. Doesn't matter."
I stare at him for a minute before his smirk returns, "C'mon time to wake my cousins up." He looks positively devilish right now.
We haul the buckets to the room easily. Percy silently counts down and on three we dump the entire two buckets of water on them. Completely drenching them. Some water drenches me too but surprisingly Percy who was nearer than me is completely dry. I don't have much time to ponder on this as the two cousin's spring up.
Percy has already backed away and is snickering at them. I'm not so lucky. Nico instantly tackles me to the ground. The kid has more strength than I estimated. And one hell of a punch too as is proven by the black mark on my jaw. I grumble and put my hands up admitting defeat.
Suddenly the temperature in the room drops and shadows around the room starts lengthening. Percy who was laughing till now immediately tensed and looked at Nico.
Nico on the other hand a devilish grin on his face. Was he the one doing this? I'm not sure these kids have too many things to hide.
I jump as Percy yells, "Ηρέμησε τον Νίκο! Δεν ξέρουν ακόμα." (Calm down Nico! They don't know yet.)
I don't understand a word except Nico. Then Thalia interjects, they argue for a minute, yelling over each other before I clear my throat to make my presence known.
The cousins look at me, their heads turning around in sync. "Wow guys that was not creepy at all." I remark dryly.
The cousins all smirk and then Percy declares something before exiting the room muttering about breakfast and what sounded suspiciously like 'crazy family'.
Thalia and Nico grumble but follow him. It's clear that when he wants to he can take charge. That is one quality I can admire. Anyways I jump again as Nico pops his head out saying, "Hey Cap you coming?"
And then he disappears. I don't even question it anymore just shake my head and follow the three teens downstairs.
I thought that there would be some lingering tension in the room but it seems that it's good. I don't question little miracles and drop it. The team is joking around with each other like any other day. That all stops when Percy clears his throat. Like he wants to announce something.
Once he is certain he as everybody's attention he starts speaking, "So I know you guys have been wondering about me and have lots of questions. I'm going to tell you everything." Finally. I glance around at everyone they all look eager and relieved at finally getting answers.
He looks each of us in the eyes before continuing, "But remember what I'm telling you cannot go outside this room. That is extremely important. If this gets out let's say a war won't be the biggest problem. I'm not kidding. So, swear that you won't tell anyone."
We all look at each other. Percy seems serious so we all nod and swear that we will not say a word about this outside.
Percy POV
They all nod and swear. Taking a deep breath I launch into my story. I talk for a long time Thalia and Nico speaking up from time to time. I can see various expressions on their faces at some parts they gasp and open their mouths to question but I shoot them down saying that all questions will be answered at the end. I skip out the gruesome details and most of time in Tartarus. In fact I don't even mention Tartarus. It brings up too many memories which I'd rather forget. This fact does not go unnoticed by either of my siblings who give me confused glances but keep their mouths shut probably understanding my reasons.
Once finished I'm met by an astounded silence which lasts for a solid five minutes even Natasha is shocked but to her credit the former Russian spy and ex-assassin is hiding her shock pretty well. Clint has shock and slight disbelief on their faces. Steve just looks like he finally understood something which makes sense. And Tony looks...worried? I dismiss the thought deciding it not worth enough now. After a long silence
"So you mean you're like Hercules?" Tony questions. I stiffen at the name my temper flaring up slightly. That guy was not a hero. He was- wait is a jerk. I snap, "Heracles was a jerk. He got what he deserved. I will never be like him. He was a cocky, arrogant fool."
They look at me slightly alarmed. I rein in my temper and apologize, "Sorry guys. That asshole was a jerk to a really good friend of mine. He considers himself above others. Basically I hate him."
Nico and Thalia look confused and Nico then asks, "Who Percy?"
I sigh and push back the memories which threaten to take over my mind. The fight with Atlas, holding the sky, watching Annabeth fall….No. Stop.
I force them back and mumble, "Zoe, Zoe Nightshade, she was one of the Hesperides. When Hera tasked Heracles with bringing one of the golden apples. He met her and she helped him and then he tossed her aside like nothing. He didn't even credit her and she was cast out of her family for helping the hero." As I say this my fingers are absently stroking Riptide, in pen form obviously.
Clint still looks skeptical and when I raise my brow at him he asks, "How do we know you're telling the truth and this is not just another….I don't know trick or plan to maybe divert us?"
I ponder over it and suddenly an idea hits me, "You literally have a Norse God sitting with you and as for my powers…follow me."
I get up and stride out without waiting for anyone to nod. They mutter in hushed tones and then seemingly agree on something before following me. I lead them to the pool.
I raise up my hand willing the water towards me. I make different shapes with water and move them around. I even try to conjure some swords and daggers out of water and try to convert them to ice but it is taking a lot of energy so I will it to stop.
The Avengers look on in awe as I do this. Finally for a dramatic effect I wave my hand and they're all drenched by water. They just stand there in shock dripping water everywhere, mouths slightly open.
Eventually Natasha manages to say, "Okay now I believe you. But what about these two are they….what do you call yourselves, too?"
"Demigods." I supply, "Yes, Thalia and Nico are demigods too. Pinecone face here is a daughter of Zeus, the mega drama queen" There's a rumble of thunder outside and I yell back, "Don't even deny it!"
They look at me weirdly except Thor who understands I guess. Then I continue, "Death breath over there is a son of Hades, the God of the Underworld, dead and wealth."
I'm about to suggest that we head for dinner. The story telling took a lot of time but before I can speak my stomach speaks for itself and I blush.
Everyone laughs at me but nevertheless we head inside for dinner. Over dinner there is awkward silence at first but soon everyone starts warming up to each other. Thalia and Natasha are discussing different weapons with Clint and Nico chiming in occasionally. Tony and Bruce are discussing something and Thor is just sitting there enjoying his poptarts. Now that I come to think of it Thor is always eating poptarts, what's the deal there?
Ah, well, I'll talk to him later. Looking around I feel actually at peace for the first time in a long time. This feels like home. Maybe staying here will actually help me. I smile at the thought and see Steve looking at me questioningly but I just give a small shake of my head. He understands and goes back to his food.
I think that I should talk some with him, he seems like their leader after all and perhaps he'll sort of understand me. I just hope I'm not a burden to them.