chironeis reblogged
Demigods at Christmas
this was submitted in nine separate messages by an amazing, very talented anon and i love it so, so much. it definitely deserves its own post.
- When Jason thinks of Christmas, he thinks of duty. He thinks of New Rome, of agreeing to take patrol or extra chores. It wasn’t like he could go home. Other people should have a chance to see their families.
- When Annabeth thinks of Christmas, she thinks of an empty camp. All the other campers, even the year-rounders, would try to go home. Her father never called. She’d be left in the big house, Chiron awkwardly mentioning her father, and Dionysius making off color jokes.
- When Hazel thinks of Christmas, she thinks of loneliness. The wispy women would come to her mother during the holidays, asking if their men would return, if things would get better, voices slurred with drink. On bad nights she’d curl up in her room, covering her ears to stifle the sounds of crying.
- When Leo thinks of Christmas, he thinks of the foster homes. Picture perfect parents seeking picture perfect children. Sometimes they wouldn’t even make it to Christmas Eve before the whispers, the fears, and the yelling . He’d spend Christmas day run, run, running, his breath steaming in the cold.
- When Frank thinks of Christmas he thinks of war. His grandmother would always set a place for his mother, even when she was in the desert. Her omnipresent absence would eat away at the holiday. The nauseating Christmas carols singing of joy felt like the ultimate mockery.
- When Piper thinks of Christmas, she thinks of fast food. Her father always had some new movie premiering just in time for the holidays. He’d forget about spending time with family. One of his assistants would take her out for a “treat.” Piper would sit in the empty McDonald’s until her fries got cold.
- When Nico thinks of Christmas, he thinks of the 1940s. Bianca and his mother, wandering through the streets of Venice, the lights on the gondolas, floating through the canals. He thinks of all the days that were stolen from his sister. He thinks of cold.
- When Percy thinks of Christmas, he thinks of extra beds. A pull out couch, some blow up mattresses. People will have to double up, but they’ll find room. New Yorkers know how to maximize a small space.
- When Christmas comes, Piper spends the day cooking with Paul Blofis; he listens intently to every word she says. Jason sees Thalia for the first time in ages. Nico and Hazel decorate the tree; it glitters with light. Sally puts an extra blanket over Leo when he falls asleep. Annabeth rarely leaves the circle of Percy’s arms. She can feel him shake when he laughs, which is often. When Sally starts the carols, Frank sings along. Everyone sings along.