Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson series, those wonderful books belong to Rick Riordan. I am just playing with his creations and world.

I want to thank anyone who reads this and I hope that it's ok. Criticism is always welcome.

Chapter Fifteen

Dear Thena,

I don't know how to respond to your last letter. It was so beautiful and I still cry a little whenever I think about what you said. You don't ever have to thank me Thena, we're friends and I'll always be there for you. I promise you I will take care of myself around my new friends. Also, if anyone has to thank anyone, I have should be thanking you for always having my back and always looking out for me. I miss you lots and can't wait to catch up with you soon. Also, the quote was from Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen.

Have an awesome week!

-Faye

P.S

'…for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.'

Morpheus was old and he knew it. He could feel his age, weighing him down constantly. He couldn't feel it in his bones, not anywhere in his body, he never would.

(his mind though, that ached, the memories unable to be forgotten)

The young girl, with her dark brown skin and big brown eyes that looked to him with undeniable affection and kindness made him feel older still.

She was so little for ten years of age, her feet still not touching the ground when she sat on a seat at the table. He already knew she would only ever reach his collar bones, perhaps his shoulders if she was lucky. Every single time he was around her Morpheus felt too much. He had tried to teach himself to be cautious and weary, yet at the same time he couldn't help but be filled with sheer joy and love.

(she was fragile, human and so very mortal. her entire life was attached to an expiry date he couldn't see)

Morpheus never knew he had so much love to give until he me met Faye. Perhaps it was because when she first met him all he could see when he looked in her eyes, all he could feel from her was hope.

Hope, such a powerful thing, an emotion more powerful than even love or hate. No one had ever looked at Morpheus with hope. But, a small mortal girl had looked at him as if he had hung the moon and the stars and stolen his breath and his heart away.

(when had he ever deserved hope)

It was late and Hestia had been called away by her siblings, so Faye had been left alone in the house that night. It was a perfect time for Morpheus to visit. It may have been selfish of him, but he always tried to avoid Hestia or any of the other Gods when he visited Faye.

(he wanted to be the centre of attention, the one who she looked to in need)

When he had first arrived the little girl had wrapped her arms around him tight and for a moment Morpheus took a second to pretend she was his. That he was a father returning home from a long day at work to be greeted by his daughter. He had been quick to disentangle himself when he came to his senses before blessing her with good dreams, driving away her nightmares for yet another week. In just another year he would only have to visit her monthly, if at all and Morpheus already dreaded it.

He had tried to leave quickly afterwards, to dart out the door and into the night, but Faye had insisted he stay a while longer. Since Hestia was out they could spend some quality time together. They had spoken for hours, drinking hot chocolate and indulging on chocolate that Morpheus had bought from Belgium just for Faye. The two of them curled up together on the couch, a warm throw rug thrown over their legs.

Morpheus hated to admit it, but Faye was a walking time bomb. Faye was a human who would only be given a century to live at best, hardly enough time to truly live.

(he wondered what it would cost to allow her to live)

Perhaps the King of the gods would split Morpheus's lifetime with Faye's if he begged.

(he would do more than beg if need be)

Morpheus liked to a imagine a future, a life where Hestia stopped looking at him as if he was a snake in hiding waiting to strike in the long grass. A life where he would be allowed to watch Faye grow and experience all the wonderful aspects of life.

(a world where she wrapped her arms around him and reminded him that he was needed)

Morpheus dreamed of watching her find love, of the way her smile would light up the room. He knew that he would hold her through her first breakup, whispering words of comfort while reminding her of how important she is.

(whoever was idiotic enough to make her cry would face the wrath of many of the divine, but Morpheus would not rage, he would comfort and support Faye)

Morpheus imagined walking Faye down the aisle, her hand in his. Though whether there was a man or woman in the world worthy of Faye, Morpheus honestly doesn't know. He dreamed of being introduced to her children, of growing old with her, supporting her through the good and the bad. Of watching his family grow. Morpheus wanted to be there for it all, but there was just not enough time.

(mortals never seemed to have enough time)

"Thank you," Faye said, breaking Morpheus from his reverie.

Faye was as always, fidgeting and restless. All nerves and jitters. Morpheus wondered sometimes if that was why they were drawn to each other, opposite forces attracting. If Faye was a child of fire, he was a child of ice. Tranquil, cold and centred in himself.

"Whatever for?"

He couldn't possibly think of what she was thanking him for. A mortal, so imperfect yet so important. There was nothing to thank him for, nothing that he didn't do willingly for her. Morpheus knew now after all these years why Hecate was so possessive of her, to have Faye's focus entirely upon you was something that Morpheus was hard pressed to explain properly.

"For this," Faye replied, gesturing around them as if that explain everything, "For taking away my nightmares."

Of course he would take away her nightmares, if Morpheus could he would make sure Faye had only good dreams, that the images that plague her are gone from her mind forever.

(he would purge the nightmares from her mind for all eternity)

"You don't deserve to be plagued by such thoughts. I'm just happy it's been working as well as it has, I have found over the years the closer I am, the happier the dream."

It was a devious thing to say, manipulating his words to make Faye want him to stay, because all Morpheus wanted was for her to wanted him to stay. He didn't want to be cast aside as he so often had as soon as he had finished what had been asked of him.

Fortunately for his consciousness, Morpheus didn't have to dwell on his thoughts long when Faye elbowed him gently to get his attention.

"Would you like to stay the night, or at least until Hestia comes home?"

"I doubt Lady Hestia would like that."

The words felt like ash in Morpheus's mouth and all he wanted was to eat them back up, to prevent Faye from ever hearing them and instantly accept. He didn't want to go, he wanted to stay, to keep her dreams hay and pure. Wasn't that why he had insinuated they would be better the closer he was to her?

"Lady Hestia isn't here though, is she?" Faye said, smiling up at him toothily.

Morpheus tried, he truly tried to be the better person, to say no and leave Faye. But, Morpheus was a God, and above all else, Gods were selfish beings.

"Very well. But know that you are far too cheeky for your own good"

The hug he got in response made his shoulder relax and brushed away the strands of Faye's hair that had fallen into her face gently. Faye's eyes were already closing when he pulled her in closer, wrapping an arm around. Morpheus's magic already beginning its work when she mumbled out a 'goodnight' to him.

Leaning in closer to her, he sent her dreams of the ocean, of swimming with dolphins and colourful fish, he sent her dreams of forests and fields of flowers, he sent her dreams of flying high in the sky, exploring the world around her.

"Sweet dreams Faye," Morpheus whispered, closing his eyes fractionally, hardly wanting to miss a moment.

It may have been slightly creepy wanting to watch her sleep, but had to keep a constant eye on the rise and fall of her chest, he wanted to make sure that he didn't miss a thing, that he didn't miss the way her lips curled into a happy smile in her sleep or the way her nose crinkled slightly as she moved her head into a more comfortable position.

In moments like these, when everything was quiet and he a few moments of peace Morpheus wondered when the gods would be judged for their sins. No matter how small or how large, they had all committed atrocities. There were crimes that had to be answered for and balance was needed in the world. There would be a time when they would all answer and Morpheus could only hope Faye was not involved in any way or form.

(though sometimes, he wondered whether Faye had been sent to them to judge them, to tear them down from the inside out)

The day that Athena and Poseidon met Faye popped a blood vessel, tore out her hair and screamed bloody murder. Well, at the very least she felt like that was what she did.

Artemis had arrived as usual for her visit and Athena, much to Artemis's annoyance and Faye's pleasure had decided to once again join them. Hestia had eft the two goddesses with strict instructions that there was to be 'no funny business' after she had decided to leave for a few hours to go around and see her mother. And so, two goddesses and a mortal girl were left alone for a mere few hours. Fortunately, no one died.

Unfortunately for the garden, Poseidon somehow decided that it would be the perfect day to drop by and say hello to his 'Guppy'.

The first warning sign that something was wrong was when the doorbell had rung. No one they knew rang the doorbell, everyone who was close just waltzed on in. So, Athena had taken the prerogative to gracefully get up from the floor where they had all been sitting around playing Uno and answer the door.

The second warning that something was clearly wrong was the loud bang and torrent of swear that resounded through the house. It also didn't help matters that when Artemis and Faye came running around the corner to see what was wrong they were met with the sight of Athena in her full battle regalia and Poseidon with a bunch of blue flowers and a look of shock on his face.

The third warning was when the shouting began. Though, if Faye was being honest, it was more like bellowing, they screamed at each other, their voices so loud that Faye's ear drums rang.

" –and you've known her all of five minutes! You have no claim to her you insufferable, idiotic, kelp brained fool."

Faye truly believed that Athena's words were laced with venom or some divine power as Poseidon flinched away from her slightly, dropping his flowers to the ground in the process. The two Gods seemed to move in tandem outside of the doorway, Athena backing Poseidon out of the house and into the garden. Faye's heart broke at the look of sheer mortification on Poseidon's face, and she went to step forward only for Artemis's hand to wrap around her waist, pulling her close against her.

"No claim? I don't presume to have any claim to her, Faye is her own person Athena, not one of your mindless followers."

They were going to come to blows, Faye could feel it in her bones. She tried to twist out of Artemis's hold, but it was to no avail and when she looked up at her best friend she felt her blood turn to ice in her veins. Artemis was smiling as the two Gods threw insults at each other out in the garden, she was enjoying watching them tear each other apart and for once Faye had no clue who the woman holding onto her was. Faye had seen Artemis angry, she had seen her furious at times, but she had never seen her revel in the pain of others.

"Oh Poseidon, you are a worthless excuse for a God. Begone, you are not wanted nor needed here." Athena told Poseidon, her grey eyes narrowed dangerously.

Poseidon opened his mouth as if to argue with Athena only for the Goddess to cut him off, her voice loud and commanding.

"You think Faye wants you here Poseidon? She has no desire for you or anything to do with you."

The words were harsh and Faye felt her chest constrict as she took in the pale face of Poseidon and the way his eyes sought hers as if seeking to confirm Athena's words. Faye opened her mouth, she wanted to deny what Athena had said. She wanted to tell Poseidon that she cared, but the words just wouldn't come out. All she could feel was the divine force of two Gods pressing down on her, stifling the air around her, suffocating her.

"Oh this is too good" Artemis chuckled looking on at spectacle the two gods were putting on.

Faye was half tempted to slap the smile off her friends face when a crack brought Faye's attention back to the argument as the ground under Poseidon's feet began to break apart. Faye had known Athena for so long, trusted her and yet, Athena was the one who had charged into battle. Athena had said that she wouldn't overreact in her letters, she had told Faye she was fine. Yet, here she was threatening Poseidon, attempting to fight him.

All Faye wanted to do was scream. The two of them were worse than two year-olds fighting over a toy, except that these two year-olds had devastating world altering powers. They both deserved time out and lots of good therapy sessions to work through their problems.

"Artemis," Faye hissed, looking up at the auburn haired goddess, "do something. Please."

For a moment, Faye didn't think Artemis was listening to her, but thankfully the little goddess looked down. Faye wondered what her friend saw that made her face go pale, the smile drop from her lips and her shoulders square off as if readying herself for a fight, but, whatever it was Faye was grateful.

"Give them another moment Faye, they won't come to blows. Athena won't let it. They just need to get it out of their system."

The look Faye gave Artemis had the Goddess rethinking what she had said as she stumbled over her words trying to rephrase.

"What I mean, is that this is getting old pretty quickly. I mean, it was funny five minutes ago, but they should both be realising by now that this isn't a good idea. They're honestly lucky I'm around to keep the mortals away–"

Faye yanked her arm out of Artemis's hold, cutting off her friend with a curse. Her pulse raced and her palms were clammy yet she still strode forwards towards the two Gods with her head held high. Faye could hear Artemis saying something behind her and she felt the Goddess reach out for her.

It happened quickly, much too quickly for Faye to even comprehend. One moment the two Gods were yelling at each other and the next Athena was raising her spear, a look of determination on her face, Artemis's hand wrapped around Faye's wrist as she bent down to pick up a rock and as she was pulled upwards by the Goddess she reared back her arm and threw the rock as hard as she could towards Athena's head.

The sound of the small rock hitting the back of Athena's helmet seemed to silence the whole area, it was as if the whole world was holding its breath.

"Get out!" Faye screamed, tears streaming down her face.

Athena turned, her grey eyes wide as if only just realising that Faye had been standing there. Monsters. Hecate had called them all monsters once and in that moment Faye saw the truth in her words.

"Faye–"

"I said leave!" Faye bellowed, cutting off the Goddess before she could even defend herself.

It gave Faye a sick sense of satisfaction to see the Goddess cut off as she had only moments before cut off Poseidon. For a moment, everything seemed to pause, the air tense and Faye felt Artemis shove her behind her. As if worried Athena might suddenly turn her spear upon Faye.

The beautiful Goddess stood stock still, her face paler than Faye had ever seen it before she nodded towards her sharply and disappeared. Faye's jaw dropped as she stared at the place where Athena had once been.

Stepping out from behind Artemis, Faye began to walk towards Poseidon. The God couldn't seem to stop fidgeting as he twisted and turned his fingers together, looking down at the ground, as if ashamed.

"Did you want to come in for something to eat Poseidon," Faye asked quietly, holding out her hand towards him.

When Poseidon looked up, Faye smiled gently, taking in the redness of his cheeks and the way his eyes glistened slightly. Gently he reached out, taking her hand and squeezing. A grin slowly forming on his face as he looked down at her.

"I'm sorry about the flowers Guppy."

Faye snorted, of course, Poseidon wouldn't want to talk about the shit storm that was him and Athena. Shrugging her shoulders she began to pull him towards the house only to stop when Artemis stood in front of them, blocking the entrance. Her auburn hair flowed freely around her, while her silvery eyes were narrowed towards Poseidon as if she herself was readying for war.

And that was the final straw for Faye.

"Thanks for coming over Artemis, but how about we catch up next week."

For a moment the two friends locked eyes, both of them sharing an unspoken conversation before Artemis smiled softly. Walking forward Artemis kissed Faye on the cheek before giving her a one-armed hug, Faye's left hand still held tightly by Poseidon. Pulling away from Faye she stared up at Poseidon before snorting loudly.

"If you so much as harm a hair on her head fish-face, I'll stick you with so many arrows there won't be a difference between you and one of my targets."

Faye giggled, letting go of Poseidon's hand to hug Artemis tightly, she hated asking her to leave, but at that moment, if Artemis stayed Faye was worried about what she might say. She wasn't happy with Artemis, but that discussion could be had later.

Once again reaching for Poseidon's hand Faye tugged him inside towards the house, glancing back towards the garden and sighing with relief when she noticed it looked exactly as it once had. Giving a quick prayer of thanks to Artemis, Faye dragged the poor God inside the house, already taking note of the fact he looked sleep deprived and probably wasn't eating well.

Poseidon stayed nearly the entire night, the two of them staying up late and just talking, Faye had nearly jumped out of her skin when Poseidon had fallen asleep with his head in her lap. His snores filling up the house. When Hestia had come home she had looked at them, her eyes narrowing at Poseidon, before looking towards Faye, as if checking to make sure she was alright. And when Faye had nodded and Hestia had smiled brilliantly and brought over a small dinner, gently waking the sleeping God, Faye couldn't have been happier.

Dear Faye,

I must first start this letter by apologising to you. I have let you down and I don't quite know how all of this is going to work out. But know that I shall do my best to make amends. I am sincerely sorry for all the pain I caused. I shan't write anymore as I think that what I have to say would be better said in person, but if you don't wish to speak to me I will continue to write. I care for you very much Faye. Also, the quote you chose was from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I miss you and hope you are well.

-Athena

P.S

'There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.'

Palwen Night, serapgina987, FieryWaters, Death Fury, Guest, In the Distance, House of falling cards, RandomDude69XD, Imafantotally and ShizukaRen-Hime thank you so much for your reviews! I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a while and I can't promise anything other than I won't abandon this story. Nursing is hard and split shifts suck, but I love it so much.

This chapter is really dear to me cause I actually thought up the whole scene with Athena and Poseidon long before I started actually writing this novel. I love writing from Morpheus's perspective, he is so wonderful.

Again thank you to anyone who Followed, Favourited and/or Reviewed this story, you guys are what made me want to continue writing this. I hope everyone has an awesome week!