I'm baaacckkkkkk! I've had quite a few requests for this one and tbh, it was definitely one of the better stories I started and I'm more than happy to provide the long-awaited update. 

I noticed many inconsistencies with my storylines, especially in the first two books of their series. I cannot and will not fix everything. It was written after I watched the first Avengers movie, back before everyone worked out their feelings and things really started happening in Marvel. 

I also wrote this before the last book for HoO, because I had originally not written Nico as gay, but OBVIOUSLY, I was completely wrong and I am on the ship Solango so hard. I fixed the last chapter of Family Ties, but otherwise assume more cannon-aligned relationships and not what I left off with. 

- O - O - O - O - O -

"How's the new school?" His mother's voice is a soothing balm after nearly two weeks away. Someone had gotten his clothes, toiletries, and phone, so he has been texting his parents and friends to give them much-edited updates. He's even sent some staged photos to them and posted them on his Facebook and Instagram a few times. 

However, this call has been long-awaited. His parents wanted to wait until after the conference and then a big business deal went through before talking properly. It's not new that Ian's doing something and they find out last minute. He'd worked for a month once he turned 16 before they found out he had a job and he's the one that found a good private school in Manhatten to go to (okay, so Eric and some of the guys he went to middle school with were going and after some research, he put together the paperwork and had his parents finalize the payments). He's actually signed their signatures on more field trip forms than he can count.

They didn't respond when he said he was transferring schools. His father asked about his soccer plans and he told them he'd spoken with colleges about taking a year off from the school team and only playing club since his new school didn't have it.  Some schools pulled back but a good many are still interested in having him. He's good enough that they're willing to take the gamble.

"It's good," he says, eyes flickering across the camp from where he sits alone by pine tree. "People here are really nice and I think it will really help prepare me for college academics. I even got to meet Tony Stark for one of my classes and whatnot." 

"Really??" His father's voice is awestruck. "That's a great connection to have, son! See if you can't keep in touch."

He nods before remembering it's a call and not FaceTime. "Of course. I heard he even has connections with some of the big European teams. I wouldn't let the chance pass me up!"

Professional soccer can make good money and his parents have always encouraged him to pursue what he's good at it, namely soccer. 

He talks with his parents for another 20 minutes before they have to go. They're on their lunch break after all. They remind him to study hard, keep playing, and let them know if he needs anything. 

Sighing, he puts his phone down on the ground. Lunch at camp is starting to wrap up too and he's supposed to be in one of those history classes next, but he doesn't really want to go. He's read everything that the Athena camp counselor asked them to and the classes have mostly become reviews since most of the camp kids don't do the reading. 

His phone buzzes and he looks down. 

Jake finally punched Clint. Was epic! Needed you here to pull him off of him though. Hope nerd central is worth it :P - Eric

Ian laughs and quickly responds. Dude you better not have let them duke it out! - Ian

The typing sign shows up for a bit, disappears, and then reappears a moment later. I wanted to liveeeeeee - Eric

A picture comes through of Clint a moment later with a bruised cheek, ice pack, and overly large smile. No doubt he's pleased with himself at having finally pushed Jake over the edge. He's a notorious jokester and Jake is more the serious type, aka the perfect target for all Clint's most irritating comments. 

High school-aged Clint is, of course, named after the famous archer.

idiots - Ian

"Something funny?" 

Ian looks up to see Will Solace standing there, once again in his doctor's uniform. Behind him is a dark-haired guy wearing more angsty clothes than Thalia does and brooding. Ian unconsciously tries to poke at Percy's memories to see who he is, but the dead demigod seems to have blocked him out and he can feel the amusement emanating from somewhere in their shared headspace. 

"It's Monday. Don't you have work?" He asks, instead of answering. He puts his phone away with no intention of explaining the idiocy of his friend group.

Will laughs lightly, bright teeth flashing as the sun seems determined to catch him in the most flattering ways. Must be a Son of Apollo thing. Ian wonders if he gets sick of it. "Working the night shift for a few weeks to help with some new residents. Fortunately, this gives me just enough time to look over your arm before we head out."

Ian grimaces. His arm is healing slowly, but fortunately, it's his non-dominant arm, and Annabeth, who has been doing most of his training, has been careful of it. Still, though, it hurts more often than it doesn't. "You just looked at it yesterday. It's fine. Besides the Hunters are heading out tomorrow and Dani's definitely going to give me a checkup then." His eyes flicker to the other man. "Also, who's your friend, Will?"

Will gives him a shrewd look. "Nice try. I also had to replace a stitch yesterday, so you're not getting out of it." He turns to look behind him anyway, eyes locking on the other man before turning back to Ian. "And sorry, thought you might know. This is Nico di Angelo, Son of Hades, and my absolutely ravishing husband." 

In an instant, the impassive facade that Nico wears is lost as he flushes and his eyes flash with a glare. "Will!"

Will laughs and Ian joins in lightly. After a moment, the doctor takes the chance to check Ian's arm, which is easy since he's wearing an AC/DC t-shirt. It was one of his dad's and consequently became Ian's when he went through a stage in middle school where he rejected any and all modern pop music. The arm is fine, no more stitches pulled, and Will announces that he should be good to take them out next weekend. It would have been sooner but Ian has pulled them out more than a few times and irritated his arm by not letting it rest. 

Soon the two leave and Ian is left to his own devices. He chooses to go for a jog, the early fall sun still hot in late August, but a welcome distraction to his churning thoughts. He might even be able to get Percy to talk while he's at it. 

- O - O - O - O - O - 

The thing about the revelation of the original Percy Jackson still being a live consciousness in his head is that the demigod still doesn't have his own body. It's not like in some book or movie where his memories slowly erode Ian's or he takes over Ian's body. It's more like the Percy Jackson that died 18 years ago is trapped inside a bubble, completely isolated from the outside world with only another teenage boy for company.

His mind and Ian's are inarguably linked, though. They can share memories and thoughts extremely easily. In fact, for the first few days, they couldn't figure out how to control the sharing of information. Now Percy mostly holds back his memories and doesn't touch Ian's at all (though he's lived them all with him, so there's really nothing to share).

Ian can also differentiate between his feeling and Percy's. He gets a distinct sense of what Percy's feeling at any given time, especially if the emotions are strong. While he can be affected by them, they don't become his own more than the way someone's happiness can be infectious. 

Percy also often recedes, pulling back his presence so far that Ian can't feel him at all. Those times, it does feel like the other has gone into a separate city and turned off his phone. The dark-haired boy is often sad or overwhelmed and doesn't often open up to Ian. They're not mortal things, you know. You shouldn't have to deal with them.

By some silent agreement, they've decided to tell no one. The others would try to talk through Ian to Percy and that opens up a whole slew of trouble and emotional trauma that no one needs to deal with. 

- O - O - O - O - O - 

It's Friday again before something interesting happens. Of course, Annabeth has gone back to the city and isn't there to help.

Poseidon shows up. 

- O - O - O - O - O - 

Whoohooo! It has been a while but I hope this update is worth the wait! Leave me a comment on why you think Poseidon has chosen now to show up! I want to hear your thoughts.