Luke stopped by a Starbuck’s, finding a car he liked and breaking into it. It was nighttime, so the alarm going off didn’t attract any quick attention. He quickly messed with the wires, stopping the alarm, and then he hotwired the car to work. He put Percy in the passenger seat next to him, tossed their bags into the back and casually started to drive into the drive-in, ordering two drinks for him and Percy and driving out nonchalantly.

Like nothing was wrong.

He drove and drove, and didn’t stop. Taking a sip of his coffee, he saw Percy stirring fifteen minutes later and he glanced around in confusion, seeing Luke and his drink. Percy immediately went for his drink and started sipping at it, drawing a smirk from Luke.

Percy didn’t ask any questions.

“You have a Quest,” Luke told him. “Everyone’s known about it, even before it was officially yours.” ‘I know more because I helped bring it about.’ “Zeus’ Lightning Bolt has been stolen, and he thinks you’re the thief.”

Luke explained in more detail and Percy listened attentively.

“So…what now?”

“Now we go bucket list crossing,” Luke said unflappably.

Percy looked at him in amusement, still completely tired.

“No finding the stolen Master Bolt?”

“That can wait.”

Luke had a feeling Percy wasn’t going to live long enough to fulfill that bucket list himself, so Luke was going to damn well make sure he did what he could to help. They had time. And they were going to use that time constructively for Percy’s benefit.

“I didn’t steal the Master Bolt,” Percy murmured wearily.

“I know.”

‘Because I did.’

“Neither you or Poseidon’s guilty,” Luke said confidently. ‘Because I am.’ “And I’ll make sure you clear your name.” ‘You shouldn’t suffer for me when you’re already suffering.’ “I’ll take care of you, Percy.” “Because I need to. Because I want to.”

And still Percy didn’t question Luke’s presence, the car, why they hadn’t waited for Chiron to tell the Quest, and why they seemingly seemed to have run away from camp and everyone else. Luke smiled sadly inwardly, touched Percy could trust him so much and especially in such a short time.

“You’re the best, Luke,” Percy gave him a small smile, eyes becoming droopy.

“Thanks, Percy. I try for you.”

And Luke took a deep breath and pressed on the pedal, gassing it to their destination.

Zeus won’t allow Percy into his skies, but he is the son of Poseidon so the god should protect his son on the waters.

Luke found the cruise ship and cut two pieces of paper to match the size of the tickets he saw some people having. Manipulating the Mist, the pieces of paper looked like real tickets and he went to those people and talked animatedly with them, discussing the ship and showing off his tickets. He offered his ‘better tickets’ for theirs, and they eagerly traded theirs. He and Percy were let in without complaints. They were led to a nice suite with a double bed and he and Percy dropped their stuff onto the ground. Luke collapsed onto his bed and breathed in and out for a couple minutes, closing his eyes to relax and finally registering what he just did.

He kidnapped Percy Jackson and took over a Quest that he was never supposed to be on.

He heard Percy scuffing his shoes and he opened his eyes to see the boy hesitating by the door, nervously looking at him.

“What’s wrong, Percy?”

The younger boy flushed red and didn’t answer for a second before mumbling something. Luke rolled his eyes fondly.

“What was that? I couldn’t hear you.”

Percy flinched, “I-I don’t want to sleep alone. I’m afraid of dying alone…mostly in my sleep. And I’m cold.”

Luke held out his arms, “Don’t be embarrassed. Come here, Percy.”

He scrambled over to his elder and shyly buried his face into Luke’s chest, wrapping his slim arms around Luke’s waist.

“I’m scared,” Percy admitted in a small voice.

“I know,” Luke swallowed harshly. “Don’t be. I’ll be here.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

They stayed in the cabin for a long time, until their stomachs rumbled and they looked at each other in embarrassment before bursting out laughing.

“I’m hungry,” Percy grinned.

“You want room service? It’s probably not a good idea for you to go out of this room.”

At Percy’s grimace, Luke laughed again.

“Okay, okay! How about I go out and check out what they have and bring something back for you?”

Percy gave him the puppy eyes, and Luke immediately caved.

“I’ll be back then.”

In an extremely good mood, Luke looked at the restaurants and found some NY steak he could bring back, along with some baked potato and drinks. His smile lessened when he saw a man sitting casually at one of the tables in the restaurant, and he felt the familiar warm glow that said he was a god. And probably not just any god. He had a feeling it was Percy’s father himself.

Luke sighed and headed over, putting his boxed up food on top of the table.

“What do you want?” Luke asked irritated.

Poseidon looked at him calmly, “Why have you taken Percy?”

“Why? Anxious for him to clear your name?” Luke sneered.

Poseidon frowned, “Percy is my son. His welfare is my concern.”

“Then why haven’t you taken cared of him all these years?” Luke continued to get angry. “Why leave him on his own, with just his mother to take care of him? Why not check up on him? Visit him at least? Even if he doesn’t see you.”

The sea god closed his eyes before opening them and staring at the demigod intensely.

“I did once. When he was younger. Sally didn’t know and Percy would be too young to remember. I had my duties to care of and I did not want to reveal Percy’s presence to anyone, especially my brothers. If I stayed, if I visited, if I clung to him like I wanted…Hades would have sent monsters to him in massive groups and Zeus would have stopped at nothing to kill him. I did all I could to keep him alive.”

“Why didn’t you look in on him then?” Luke stayed stubborn.

“Besides knowing that was dangerous as well?” Poseidon said sarcastically. “It would hurt a lot more knowing what I could have, instead of being oblivious to the one person I want and need the most in this world. He is my son, Luke Castellan, Son of Hermes. And ignorance is bliss.”

Luke reluctantly admitted inside that Poseidon might be the one Olympian parent that might care for his kid.

“I would like to see my son.”

Luke sighed once more and conceded.

Leading Poseidon to his and Percy’s room, he was caught off guard when Poseidon stopped him and told him something that made him blanch.

“Your father is keeping my son company.”

Angry, Luke unlocked the door with his key and stomped inside, eyes immediately catching sight of his father entertaining Percy, who was laughing uproariously and without restraint. His own father had a smile on his face.

Smoothing his face, he cleared his throat.

“Percy, I brought food,” he said stoically, holding up their boxed dinners.

Percy’s smile slowly started to fall, seeing Luke looking discontented. Seeing who most of the unhappiness was directed at, Percy shyly scooted away from Hermes.

Using that small and unsure voice once more, he looked at Luke with wide eyes.

“Are you unhappy with me, Luke?”

Luke blinked and rapidly shook his head, dropping the food and rushing to Percy’s side, pushing his father away.

“No, of course not. I brought steak, okay? And because I couldn’t find any chocolate strawberries, I got you a small slice of chocolate cake and a strawberry smoothie,” Luke said soothingly.

Percy uncertainly hunched closer and wrapped his arms around Luke’s neck, and Luke patted his back tenderly, glancing back at the two gods disdainfully.

“Percy, I want you to take a shower. You look pale and sweaty. A shower might help you feel better, or at least wash off your sweat,” Luke ordered. Percy yawned but nodded, leaving Luke with the two gods.

“Ask your questions and then leave. I’m taking care of Percy just fine,” Luke snapped. “He doesn’t need anyone else and you’ll get your damn Master Bolt back in time.”

“Why does my son look so sickly?” Poseidon asked, and Luke was at least contented that the first question showed once more how much Poseidon really did care for Percy.

Luke grimaced, “He is sick. But he probably wouldn’t want me to tell you what’s wrong. He doesn’t like people knowing. And since you haven’t bothered to check up on him, why should I bother telling you anyway?”

Poseidon pursed his lips, but Hermes interrupted

“It’s long been predicted the Quest would be for him, but also for Grover and Annabeth. Why have you forced your way into it?” Hermes’ face was stern, but his eyes were soft.

Luke’s lip curled, “I suppose I know now what fate you were talking about before for me, but Percy is my reason not to suffer that fate. And I’m going to save him. They wouldn’t have been able to take care of him like I could, protect him the way I will.”

Hermes’ eyes widened before sadness entered them, though Poseidon himself seemed unsure of the exchange.

“Why are you not going to look for the Master Bolt right away then?”

Luke looked haunted, “Because I want Percy to enjoy himself before it’s too late.”

“Before it’s –?” Poseidon’s question was cut off as Percy stumbled back into their midst, leaning heavily against the wall.

“Luke!” Percy whimpered. “My chest hurts.”

Luke ran to his side, reaching him just before Poseidon did. He didn’t miss the longing on Poseidon’s face so he reluctantly handed Percy over as he dashed to their bags and began rummaging for the bottles Dionysus gave for Percy.

“That is not something that Dionysus hands out everyday,” Hermes commented, seeing the bottles and recognizing the handling and craft. “Especially in that amount.”

Luke ignored him and the prodding for answers, darting back to Percy and tilting his head back, pouring the tincture into his mouth.

“I didn’t think we’d need another one so fast,” Luke muttered.

“Did you steal it?”

“No,” Luke finally acknowledged his father. “He gave it to us. Him, I mean. Like Percy was going to be able to take it when he needed it…or let the others know he had to take it. He’s better off with me,” Luke muttered.

Percy was mumbling incoherently.

“This isn’t working,” Luke gritted his teeth in frustration. “Can’t you two do something? You’re gods! Stop being useless!”

“What does he have?” Poseidon demanded and Hermes was already shifting through his bag for something.

Luke cringed, “Leukemia. I don’t know what kind of meds he had to take. He didn’t mention them to me.”

Both gods paused, and Poseidon stared at him.

“What stage?” Hermes asked for them.

“…I don’t know,” Luke whispered. “He told me…that he wouldn’t live pass sixteen. That if his leukemia gets worse, he might not even live until then.”

“My son is dying,” Poseidon stated in a hollow voice.

“Yes,” Luke turned away. “We…we have to do something for him. Why can’t you do something?”

“Diseases are tricky things,” Hermes talked, for Poseidon was too busy holding onto his son and murmuring into his ears. “For one, the gods are forbidden from direct intervention in human affairs. The other thing is…usually they’re Fates-designed. The Fates intended to give the disease to someone because they’ve prearranged their life to have it and that person is to die when the Fates have decreed.”

“People have survived diseases like this! They’ve defied the Fates, so Percy can too! We need an actual doctor,” Luke stood up abruptly and was about to run out to get help and ignore the gods, when Percy’s hand shot out to grab him.

“No, no! You promised!” Percy insisted weakly. “You said you’d stay by my side. I don’t…I don’t want to be alone. I’m afraid of dying alone. You promised you’d stay and I wouldn’t die alone…”

“You are not going to die, Percy,” Luke glared. “I’ll make sure of it. I’ll save you. But I have to go find a doctor, so you have to let me go. You won’t be alone though,” he hesitated, looking at the gods. “Your…father is going to stay with you.”

“M-my father?” Percy asked dazedly.

“Yes, that’s right, my son. I’m right here,” Poseidon murmured reassuringly, feeling the unfamiliar emotions of pain, sadness, and also love and relief for his son.

“Dad,” Percy began fading in and out of consciousness, and Luke ran out to hurry to a doctor. His father was right beside him.

“He’s not on duty. He’s resting in room 289,” Hermes declared.

Luke’s jaw clenched, but he nodded jerkily, switching directions. Hermes followed after him and they were in front of the door in no time.

“What on earth –who?” a middle-age man opened the door and blinked at them in confusion. “Is there something the matter?”

“You’re the doctor, right? My friend is really sick and needs to see you. It can’t wait –” when the man was about to protest. The man nodded resignedly and followed after them, and stopped short at the sight of Percy.

“That’s…that’s my patient,” he muttered. He took out a light and directed it into Percy’s eyes. “Percy, can you hear me?”

“Doctor…Doctor Lawrence?” Percy moaned.

“That’s me,” Doctor Lawrence smiled. “Can you see how many fingers I’m holding up?”

“Five.”

Doctor Lawrence winced. He was only holding up three.

“Percy, we’re going to need to get you to a hospital,” he said gently.

Percy nodded and faded back finally into unconsciousness.

“I want answers,” he rounded on them. “Perseus was supposed to come in for his summer check up, but he missed it and no one answered when we called home. Then we hear something about a freak car accident and the boy and his mother missing. Why is he with you, and who are you?”

“It’s a long story,” Luke cut in before the other two could try to manipulate the man. “I’m Luke. His brother.”

The other two looked sharply at him, but didn’t contradict him.

“Where are his remaining meds?” Doctor Lawrence frowned at them all.

“We don’t know. He didn’t even mention the meds to Luke, and we weren’t aware that he had leukemia,” Hermes said for them all, as Luke was starting to get irrational and Poseidon was busy focusing on his son.

Doctor Lawrence pinched the bridge of his nose. “He was supposed to get his refills the day of his check up, and a week after he was supposed to go on chemo again. He shouldn’t even be on this boat. His immunity and resistance isn’t up to it. He shouldn’t be anywhere near Greece,” he reprimanded.

“He wanted to go see all the places from the Greek myths,” Luke crossed his arms stubbornly. “It was part of a list he made. I didn’t…I didn’t want him to die before he got to go and see everything!”

Doctor Lawrence nodded understandingly.

“His bucket list? I told him he was too young to have one…but then again, it had been my idea for him to make one in the first place. I thought it would keep his mind off of things if he had a wish list of things he wanted to see and do before he…died.”

“He’s not going to die,” Poseidon muttered blankly. He was stared at worriedly.

“He’s got to be flied to the nearest hospital. There’s no way we can keep him under observation, and there’s no available medicine for him to take onboard. It’ll be too rocky for him to sail to the nearest landmass, and there isn’t a lot of time for us to be able to just sail anyway. I’ll go and arrange for air transport, just stay here with him and take note of any changes to his health.”

Doctor Lawrence left and Poseidon scoffed.

“As if I would let my son suffer through endless waves and get seasick. I could’ve cut the sailing time too.”

Hermes rolled his eyes, noting his son hovering over the younger boy restlessly.

“We’re not supposed to let him know what we are so we can’t leave any hints. We’re already interfering enough, if we make it obvious Zeus will catch on and definitely be even more angrier than he is now. Which leaves us to the question of how we are going to travel in the air without Zeus knowing and freaking out.”

“We use Kronos’ ring,” Luke stated flatly, and both gods turned to stare at him. He looked at them defiantly. “It’ll shield us from any prying eyes and get us to our destination quietly.”

Hermes gave a shuddered breath, eyes fluttering shut before opening and staring at his son.

“So you have sided with Kronos already. Am I to assume you were the one who actually stole the Lightning Bolt?”

Luke gave a derisive grin, “That and the Helm of Darkness. I was going to start a war, but my priorities have changed.”

The blond demigod looked at Percy fiercely.

“So that is what the Fates revealed to you about your son,” Poseidon murmured, looking at Hermes. He ignored the other part that wanted to smite the boy for getting him and his son into this mess –simply because Luke seemed to care very deeply for his son.

Hermes looked away, “Not in so many words and details, but yes. The gist was that my son would turn traitor, turn to Kronos, and start a second Titanomachy. And that he would die a hero’s death.”

“Contradictory since I would become a traitor –how on earth would I die a hero’s death?” Luke bit back a laugh. “Like it matters now. I have no intentions of going to Kronos so long as Percy lives and needs me.”

“So you know where the Lightning Bolt is? And I suppose the Helm of Darkness, though we had no idea it was missing,” Poseidon interrogated.

“All in good time,” Luke murmured. “Sorry, Percy. I don’t think we can go to Greece now. Will Disneyland do?”

“Mmkay,” Percy muttered, waking up at that part.

“We’ll go to Adventureland and even Universal Studios. Okay, little brother?” Luke was starting to feel optimistic again.

“Y-yeah. That sounds fun…big brother,” Percy smiled softly, his eyes still closed.

Luke swallowed down thick tears, though he couldn’t help some of them rolling down his face. Percy began coughing again, blood splattering onto Luke’s shirt.

“Damn it! Why isn’t that thing working?” Luke cursed, rummaging for another bottle.

“Fated disease,” Hermes murmured softly. “The gods are unable to defy the Fates, and not even Dionysus’ powerful medicinal wine can help. Not even Zeus, who is subject to the Fates himself but serves as their ruler, might not be able to help. It is up to mortal men to defy the Fates, and only mortal men.”

Luke poured another bottle into Percy’s mouth, and his coughing abated though he still looked pale.

“Am I going to go get chemo?” Percy sighed. “I’m going to go bald. I keep losing hair and they keep making the treatments longer and longer. This time, I won’t have any hair left.”

“I promise I’ll get you a cool hat,” Luke grinned.

“Really?”

“Yup. You’ll just have to wait a bit longer…”

Percy slowly opened his eyes, blinking cutely when he saw Hermes and Poseidon.

“It’s the funny man and the warm man that smells like the sea,” Percy smiled widely.

Luke tried not to face fault, while both gods didn’t restrain their laughter.

“Percy…the ‘funny man’ is my father, Hermes. And…the ‘warm man’ is your father.”

“Oh. Oops?”

“It is nice to meet you, Perseus, though we met earlier,” Hermes smiled back at the boy.

“R-right,” Percy’s smile turned sad and awkward and he shrugged pathetically at them. “M-my head’s not all there, I guess. It gets jumbled sometimes and I forget.”

“It’s okay, son,” Poseidon moved closer. “You have a lot of support right now. Don’t you worry about anything.”

“My mom was my only reason for living…I guess I have three more people to add to my list,” Percy added cheerily, counting the three in front of him childishly.

The others looked at him sadly.