Virgil's POV

The second I walked into the dining pavilion behind the Hermes cabin and other undetermined campers, I felt every pair of eyes stare at me.

As I passed one table that had a heavy scent of perfume, all of the girls sitting there fluttered their eyelashes at me and twirled their hair around their fingers. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, and just continued to follow the kid in front of me. If I was straight, I'm sure that I'd love the attention from those girls.

But sadly, I'm as straight as a goddamn circle.

The pavilion itself was very impressive. There were twenty tables all of them with plates and goblets, most of them surrounded by campers but five of them were empty. There was a long stone table at the front where Mr D sat with Chiron and a few satyrs, a hearth fireplace crackled in the wall next to them.

Patton smiled and waved at me eagerly as we passed a table full of mostly blonde boys and girls, the Apollo table I guess, and Logan nodded at me politely from the Athena table. I gave them both a tiny smile.

Finally, we approached a big stone table with 'Cabin 11' and a design of a caduceus etched into it.

I sat down on the stone bench and pulled my hood up on my head, trying to ignore the burning eyes I could tell were still trained on me.

I caught some whispers from around the room.

"Two dracaena-"

"Completely untrained-"

"Just look at his eyes-"

"He's undetermined too-"

This just caused me to draw my hood closer to my face and lower my head.

I jumped as I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

"Woah, hey!" Aly said, surprised at my reaction as I turned to face her. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, um," I replied, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, I'm fine."

I knew that it would probably become annoying, but I couldn't help it. After suffering through living with Sebastian and Susan for ten years, every loud noise or sudden physical touch made me flinch or jump.

"Okay, if you say so." She said, noticing that it wasn't something I wanted to talk about. "So, Virgil, how did you end up here? We all know about the dracaena, but how did you get to Half Blood Hill in the first place?"

I could see the other kids at the Hermes table lean in to hear my answer.

"Um, well," I began, avoiding all their eyes and hoping that they wouldn't ask too many questions. "I ran away from my foster home in Queens and met up with my friend Joan at a Greyhound station. We took it nearly all the way here, but the bus broke down on the side of the road. When we got out, the dracaena got rid of their disguises and, well, you guys probably know the rest."

"Why'd you run away?" Someone asked.

That was the question I had been hoping no one would ask. I stared at the table and began to fidget with my hands.

"Let's just say that we weren't exactly the perfect, happy family." I answered shortly, trying to keep my voice steady.

Aly was looking at me with a sympathetic and understanding look.

"Well," She said, trying to change the subject. "We've all heard through the grapevine what happened on Half-Blood Hill. But I for one would like to hear it straight from you."

Everyone at the table agreed eagerly.

Bless Aly's soul.

I spent the next few minutes recounting all of the events from last night up until I blacked out, when Chiron called for everyone's attention.

"Good evening campers!" He greeted. "I hope you all had an enjoyable day. I'm sure you've noticed a new face today. Please join me in welcoming Virgil to Camp Half Blood."

I gave an awkward wave as most of the campers clapped for me.

When they quieted down, Chiron continued.

"Now, before we begin our meal, I'd like to give a toast." He lifted his goblet, and we all did the same. "To the gods!"

"To the gods." We all echoed.

When we lowered our empty goblets, about a dozen girls with flowers and plants weaved into their hair began whirling through the spaces between the tables handing out food. Fresh bread, cheese, barbecue, and strawberries.

I took a slice of bread and cheese, along with two pieces of BBQ, and was about to start eating when I noticed the other kids standing up and lining up at the hearth. They were scraping the best looking pieces of food in to the flames.

"What are they doing?" I asked Aly. "Please tell me the food isn't that bad."

Aly chuckled slightly.

"No, they're giving an offering to their godly parents. They like the smell." She answered, picking up her plate and getting in the line herself.

I stood up and stood behind her.

"Hermes, accept my offering." She dedicated as she scraped a fluffy piece of bread into the fire. Then it was my turn. I obviously had no idea who to dedicate my offering to, so instead, I said a small prayer in my head.

'Dad, whoever you are, some kind of sign would be nice. Take this food I guess'

So maybe it wasn't as formal as it could have been, but given the fact he's gone fifteen years without so much as a child support cheque or birthday card, I think I was allowed a little bit of attitude.

I turned back to sit at table 11, not noticing how the shadows seemed to almost bend around me.

*******

After dinner, we all followed the Apollo cabin down to the campfire.

The rest of the Hermes cabin made sure I sat in the front row as the Apollo campers picked up guitars and lyres and began to tune them.

"Alright everybody!" Patton said, holding an acoustic guitar. "Does anyone have any suggestions for the first campfire song to welcome Virgil tonight?"

After a moment, a girl that looked a couple years younger than me raised her hand and said

"Can we do 'When Your Parents Run The Universe'?"

Sounds of agreement came from the sitting campers.

"If you guys insist!" Patton smiled and began strumming, the strings glimmering as if a spell were cast on it.

(Italics are solos, italic and underlined are all the other campers)

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your parents run the universe

Everyone joined in, except for me since I didn't know the words.

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your folks run the universe

Patton stepped closer to the crowd, still strumming.

My dad's Apollo, god of archery

He drives the sun, and writes poetry

But mostly, he just makes problems for me!

Oh no

The campers repeated him

Oh no

When your dad's a god, life can be tough

And it's got worse as a teen, funny enough

"Logan?" Patton called. Logan stood up.

My mom's Athena, she's smart and she's wise

She's sworn off gluten, and she's sworn off guys

If she came to camp, it'd be a surprise

Oh no

Oh no

Oh, and my stepdad, he hates me

And my pop works all day

So I left Nevada, and I ran away

"Is that true?" A camper from behind me asked.

"Everybody!" Patton called.

I joined in with the verse this time.

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your parents run the universe

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your folks run the universe

"Alright, who's next?" Patton asked.

Aly stood up.

My dad is Hermes

He messengers things

You'll know his sign by his shoes with those wings

I'd wait by the phone, but the phone never rings

Oh no

The gathered campers made various sounds of agreement

Because of our pranks, we get a bad rep

But one day in our cabin puts a spring in your step!

"Because you put itching powder in their shoes?" A dark haired girl playing a lyre asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aly just shrugged, and I made a mental note to check my shoes for itching powder when I woke up.

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your parents run the universe

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your folks run the universe

"Roman? How about you?" Patton asked.

A boy across from me stood up and took my breath away.

He had light brown hair with dyed red tips and eyes that matched his crimson hair. His skin was tanned and completely blemish-free. He wore a simple red sweater with a crown design and a pair of jeans, but it was incredibly hard to tear my eyes off of him. Nobody could be that perfect. Maybe he was a bad singer or something.

That theory was instantly proven wrong.

"I've got this." He said confidently.

The goddess of love

My mom's Aphrodite

She tries to be cool, but mainly she's flighty

I'll bring home a boy, and she's there in her nightie!

We all groaned

Oh no

"It's so embarrassing, guys!" Roman shouted

I've tried to seek help, from even the fates

'Cause she copies my wardrobe, and steals all my dates

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your parents run the universe

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your folks run the universe

"Alright, Virgil!" Patton said cheerfully. "Your turn!"

The small smile that had grown on my face melted immediately, and I completely tensed up.

"Oh no." I laughed nervously. "I-I don't sing. It'd make you all go deaf."

"C'mon Virge!" Patton encouraged. "We're all friends here."

"But I don't even know who my dad is." I protested.

"That's alright," Logan assured, adjusting his glasses. "Many half-bloods never know their godly parent."

"Just try your best." Roman said. It surprised me that he'd want to ever say a word to me. I looked over at him and we made eye contact.

As purple met red, I felt my courage grow a bit.

Enough to take a deep breath, nod to Patton to get him to pick up the song again, stand up, and begin to sing slowly with my hands shaking in my hoodie pockets.

So my dad is some god

That's great...I guess

Did he not want me?

Or not want the stress?

Too bad he's the worst

And my life is a mess!

Oh no

All the campers cheered and clapped, boosting my confidence to sing louder.

I hope he shows even a trace

'Cause I've got some choice words to throw in his face!

Aly and other Hermes campers clapped me on the back with smiles as I sat back down.

Oh, things couldn't be worse

When your parents run the universe

Oh, things couldn't be worse

Patton did a twirl by the fire, still playing the song

But I don't care where our parents may be

As long as you are here with me

I smiled at that line

We don't care where our parents may be

As long as you are here with me

As long as you are here with me!

I joined in with the crowd of campers applauding and cheering for the Apollo performers.

We did a couple more songs, the fire growing higher and brighter as we did so, until Chiron told us it was time to head back to our cabins. We all stood up, but instead of following Aly and the others, I walked up to Patton and tapped his shoulder.

He turned around and broke out in a wide smile when he saw it was me.

"Virgil!" He said brightly, setting down his guitar. "What'd you think? Not bad for your first night?"

I gave him a small smile.

"It was great," I told him. He let out a breath like he was honestly worried about my answer. "You're amazing on the guitar."

"Awe, thanks!" He responded, still smiling. "Perks of being an Apollo kid."

"Salutations, Patton, Virgil." Said a voice from beside me.

Logan walked up to us and stood next to Patton.

"This evening's performance certainly exceeded my expectations. Bravo, Patton."

Patton's face reddened slightly.

"What can I say? I'm full of surprises." He replied.

"Both of you are." I remarked. "I wouldn't have guessed that you could sing like that, Logan."

"Yes, well," Logan straightened his tie. "I'll admit I don't do it often, but the magic on Patton's guitar certainly assisted."

"Magic?" I asked, looking at Patton.

"A simple charm on the strings." He admitted. "Just to help the words come easier to everyone."

"Well it definitely helped." I told him. Then I stifled a yawn. "I'm gonna turn in. 'Night guys."

"Goodnight Virgil" Logan said, as formal as ever.

"'Night kiddo." Patton told me, ruffling my hair in a surprisingly father-like gesture. "Go get some sleep."

"You do know that we're the same age, right?" I asked him.

He just shrugged.

I cracked a tiny smile.

"Later." I gave them a small salute and began to walk to the Hermes cabin. The door was just in sight through the crowd of campers when a voice called out.

"Virgil! Wait up!"

It was Roman.

He weaved through the demigods until he was standing in front of me.

"Uh, hey." I greeted awkwardly, trying not to look as nervous as I felt by shoving my hands in my pockets. "What's up?"

"Oh I, uh," Roman stumbled over his words, which I got the feeling he didn't do a lot. "I just wanted to tell you that you have a really great singing voice."

I could feel my face heat up and I was very thankful for the darkness that hopefully covered my features.

"Oh! Um, thanks." I replied, trying not to mess up this moment. "I was having a bit of an inner breakdown when Patton called my name."

Goddammit, I yelled at myself in my head. Virgil you idiot

Thankfully, he laughed. It was a beautiful sound, something I could listen to all day.

"I don't think we've formally introduced ourselves," I said suddenly, surprising myself as I offered a hand for him to shake. "I'm Virgil August."

He took my hand, but instead of shaking it, Roman brought it up to his lips and kissed it.

"Roman Garcia," He said smoothly. "At your service."

I was sure my face was as red as a tomato at this point.

"N-nice to meet you Roman." I stuttered before I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure.

Despite what my brain was yelling at me, I gently pulled my hand out of Roman's.

"The pleasure is all mine." Roman gave a sideways smile. My heart was pumping blood to my face so hard I'd be surprised if he couldn't hear it.

Goddamn you, Aphrodite genes.

"Well, I should probably get back before one of the Hermes kids steals my backpack." I gave Roman a faint smile before turning away and walking towards Cabin 11.

"See you around, Lover Boy." I called over my shoulder.

That night I fell asleep with a smile on my face, thinking that maybe, just maybe, there was a possibility that I could actually fit in here. Maybe even, be happy.

But like always, I was wrong.

AN- All comments are read and appreciated <3

I altered some words a little bit, but that song belongs to The Lightning Thief: The Musical and the Apollo verse is from Pocketramblr on AO3

I hope you enjoyed :)