Archive of Our Own ^beta

The Winter Solstice came and went, and soon it was Christmas Eve. Dionysus allowed snow to fall into the camp even though it was practically empty. Most campers, even the year-rounders, were spending the holidays with their family. Dionysus was curled up by the fireplace, trying to stay warm, a smile on his face as his wife Ariadne had been permitted to stay with him from Christmas Eve through New Years. Needless to say, Dionysus was the happiest he had been all year. Pollux was curled up between them, softly snoring. Dionysus played with Ariadne’s hair and hummed a merry tune to her. He was cut off by a loud rumbling earthquake. Ariadne flinched and Dionysus was ready to inflict the worst case of madness onto someone. 

“Hey, Dio,” Zagreus smiled, kicking in the door to the Big House. “I come bearing gifts.” He looked Dionysus in the eye with the most serious and deadpan look. “Do not do anything so that you-know-who finds out. I had to make so many contracts to make this work.” He looked exhausted and very annoyed. 

“What is it, Zag?” Dionysus didn’t bother to hide the annoyance and irritation in his voice. He glared daggers at the Prince of the Underworld. “Why bother me and my family on Christougenna Eve?” 

“Come on in you freeloaders who left me to fight everything on my own,” Zagreus sighed and stepped to the side. Castor and Dakota sheepishly smiled and waved at their living family. “I am taking Nico and Will. For whatever we do this time of year.” With that, the Prince left to kidnap his sibling and his boyfriend. 

“Castor? Dakota?” Ariadne gasped, covering her mouth, tears in her eyes. The two dead demigods rushed to hug their mother. No, she wasn’t their biological mother, but every Dionysus or Bacchus kid saw Ariadne as a mother. “How?” Dionysus asked, doing his best not to cry. Pollux, however, embraced his twin, sobbing his heart out. 

“Prince Zagreus made a deal with Hades to allow us to be with you for Christougenna and New Year’s,” Dakota explained, hugging Dionysus. “Silena convinced Zagreus, claiming this was the holiday in which families come together.” 

Dionysus wetly laughed, embracing all three of his sons. “I have missed you all. Let’s not let this blessing go to waste.” He made note to send Hades some of his best wine. “Come, we were about to watch a movie.” 

—

Nico did not take the kidnapping well. Will didn’t either. Even though Will was the only Apollo kid left at camp, he didn’t want to be in the Underworld. Apparently, someone (cough, Luke, cough) let the notion that Christmas (or Christougenna for the Greeks)was a holiday celebrated by mortals where families came together for a feast and gifts. Will groaned, hugging his stomach, and he glared at Zagreus. 

“Hey, Father agreed to have family here. Are you not dating my brother?” Zagreus asked with a knowing smile that oozed innocence. Fake innocence. Zagreus knew exactly what he did. “That makes you family.” Will flipped him off. Nico stifled a laugh. 

“William, do not make such a rude gesture to a prince,” Reyna chidded, having been the first kidnapped by Zagreus. “Before you ask, Hazel invited me and Frank.” Frank waved from the lounge’s couch, sitting next to Hazel and Melinoe. Zagreus’s sister smirked at her brother. “You are the last ones to arrive.” 

“Gee, thanks,” Nico mumbled, standing up and brushing himself off. “Who told him about this time of year?” Nico glared at the shades, Dusa, and the broker. Luke Castellan whistled a Christmas tune while maintaining eye contact with Nico. “You,” Nico snarled, “are dead to me.” 

“Everyday,” Luke quipped, smirking. Will choked on his spit, while Hazel burst out laughing. Frank giggled and Reyna rolled her eyes with a faint smile. “Don’t blame me–” 

“ –love made me crazy,” Ethan snickered. Luke shot him a glare. 

“Zagreus heard it originally from a shade in Elysium. He asked Pat who didn’t know, and then Theseus who flat out refused to say, and Achilles who knew better than to answer. I told him because I could.” He popped a pomegranate seed into his mouth. “Besides, I wouldn’t expect you to–”

“That’s enough, lad,” Achilles spoke, entering the lounge. Luke fell silent and avoided the Disappointed DadTM look. “You know better than to anger the Ghost King.” Luke mumbled something and reluctantly apologized. Achilles was the biggest father figure in the House of Hades. He could even tame a loose canon such as Luke Castellan, Son of Hermes. “Prince, your Father wishes to speak with you before the others arrive.”  

Zagreus groaned and dashed off to find Hades. Nico and Will found a seat in the lounge by the bar. “So, you’re Achilles? THE Achilles?” Will gaped, eyes wide. 

“Indeed I am, lad,” Achilles confirmed, grabbing an alcoholic drink from the bar. 

“Achilles, what are we doing?” Nico asked bluntly. “Dad isn’t the most holiday person, and it’s very out of place.” He didn’t care if what he said was being mean or rude. He just wanted to know what the hell was going on and why the hell it was going on. 

Achilles stared Nico down. He opened his mouth to speak, but the forgotten hero was cut off. “Be mindful, child. This is an attempt by your godly brother to strengthen the familial bond here within this house and the Underworld.” The Primordial Goddess of the Night Nyx walked into the room. Everyone fell silent to show respect. “I find this to be a good idea. As do the others.” 

Nico flushed with shame. It had been awhile since he had spent quality time with the House. “I am sorry,” he apologized, and Nyx’s eyes softened. She gently lifted his chin, her eyes full of compassion. “It’s okay, child. Just remember your roots.” She took a dark colored drink in a goblet made of gold with sapphires embedded into the sides and sipped it, smiling. 

Nico fell into a comfortable silence, listening to the other occupants of the House and its guests converse with one another. He finally took notice to all of the red, white, and green Christmas decorations which he KNEW Luke had stolen. He figured he blackmailed Hermes into stealing them and giving them to Charon which Luke paid for the ferryman to deliver them. How did he know? Because that’s what Luke did for every other mortal holiday Zagreus found out about and wanted to participate in. 

“Oh shit,” Luke hissed and hid behind the broker’s desk, praying to Chaos and Erebus or any primordial that he would survive the night. “Shit shit shit shit.” 

Silena laughed at Luke’s suffering and went back to shit talking with Ethan and Achilles at the bar. Why was Luke so scared? A furious Megarea stormed into the lounge, seemingly disgusted by the pop of color and celebration. She scanned the area for Luke. Nico, being a cheeky brat, pointed to the broker. 

“ACK! MEG NO!” Luke shrieked when the Fury lifted him up. He bit his cheek to keep from laughing. “I thought you’d like the pop of color! Ya know, to give the tortured souls some…” he trailed off laughing. 

“Meg what are…Blood and Darkness!” Zagreus wheezed, earning a glare from the Fury. “Don’t kill him! We need him! Wait for our next session.” Luke eagerly nodded, agreeing with the Prince. Meg swore in an ancient language and dropped Luke. Her once blue hair was now a deep green with red highlights. 

Nico smiled. Soon enough, Thanatos and Hypnos arrived with Patroclus, who nodded to Zagreus and smiled at his Achilles. Thanatos, Zagreus, and Megaera sat on the lover’s seat, all squished together without a care in the world. Hypnos floated on his own personal cloud and chatted away with Dusa. 

Reyna, Hazel, Frank, Will, and Nico moved to a quiet corner to talk. Hazel mentioned the Capture the Flag game and while it was bittersweet, it was nice to think back on the times they had with Jason. Poor Jason was taken far too early. Nico hadn’t seen him in Elysium and wasn’t allowed near the arena for Zagreus’s fear Theseus would challenge him and accidentally kill him. They laughed about the old days, and Reyna spoke highly of Thalia and the Hunters. She told the story of how Zagreus and Artemis hung out on a regular basis. It was clear who the favorite Olympian was. Frank and Hazel spoke of how Camp Jupiter was now as strong as ever and restored to glory. 

Persephone and Hades finally made it. Nico perked up when Persephone brought in vasilopita, melomakarona, kourabiedes, and diples. She smiled at Nico and showed him a separate box of cannolis for him. Cannoli was one of Nico’s favorite desserts. Nico beamed. The Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld also made gingersnaps, and other American Christmas treats. 

Zagreus snatched up a candy cane and bit the bottom. His face scrunched up from the minty, somewhat bitter taste. Megaera rolled her eyes and munched on her candy cane, savoring the flavor. Thanatos laughed and teased Zagreus, taking the bitten candy and eating it himself. 

Nico smiled as the House and its occupants settled into a happy aura. Dusa hummed christmas songs as she dusted and took care of Cereberus’s tufts of loose hair. Will and Reyna sat on either side of Nico. Hazel and Frank nibbled on the pastries and laughed with Hecate and Melinoe. All the demigods in some kind of Christmas sweater. 

Luke laid on the ground, his head in Silena’s lap, and Ethan leaned against Silena, his head on her right shoulder. All three of them wore ugly sweaters. Silena’s was pink, gray, and green with the symbol of Aphrodite on her chest. Luke’s was golden orange, red, and dark green with the symbol of Hermes on his back. Ethan’s was black, dark green, and dark red with the symbol of Nemesis on his shoulders. 

Dinner came and went, and Christmas day arrived. Presents and gifts were exchanged. The demigods got gifts for each other while the immortals got gifts for each other. Megaera got a new spiked whip from Patroclus. Hypnos got a signed Asterius plushied from Megarea. Thanatos got a sweater from Hypnos that said ‘Sweet but Psychopomp’. Achilles got a ‘Underworld’s Best Dad’ shirt from Zagreus. Zagreus got a Cerberus plushie from Persephone. Persephone got a pomegranate squishmallow from Hades. Patroclus got an enchanted fishing rod from Achilles. Hades got a ‘Underworld’s Okayest Dad’ mug from Zagreus, Hypnos, and Thanatos. Nyx was given a robe from Chaos. 

“Oh! Romans plus Nico, I have a gift for all of you!” Zagreus beamed, nodding to Patroclus. The old Elysian smiled and opened the closed lounge doors. “Meet the newest Champion of Elysium, Jason Grace!” 

“Jason!” Reyna grinned, running up and hugging her old friend. Hazel, Frank, and Nico all hugged the blond son of Jupiter. “It’s so good to see you!” Sobs and laughter filled the atmosphere. 

“It’s great to see all of you as well,” Jason laughed. “I’m doing okay.” He sent a pointed glare at Zagreus. “But the other champion is very hard to work with.” Zagreus innocently smiled. “But I’m not complaining.” Jason finished and got a glass of sparkling cranberry juice from the bar. 

“Thank you,” Nico told Zagreus and went over to his friends. Luke had gotten Nico the limited edition Underworld pack for Mythomagic. Hazel got Frank an enchanted bow that would  transform into a gold band bracelet. Frank got Will a new guitar. Silena got Hazel an enchanted necklace that enhanced her magic. Jason gave Ethan a new sword that had been blessed by Nemesis and Moros. Frank gave Luke a new enchanted pouch that could hold endless items. Ethan gave Reyna a spear blessed by Achilles and Theseus. Jason didn’t get any item, but instead got endless hugs and his friends happy. That was all he needed. 

Jason shared a smile with Nico and more celebrating began. 

—

Dionysus hugged his two children tightly, not wanting to let them go again. Ariadne gently pulled him away, tears in her eyes. It was the day after New Years and Zagreus had arrived to take Castor and Dakota back to the Underworld. The god of Wine and Madness sent Zagreus a firm nod. 

“Goodbye, Dad,” Castor whispered with a teary smile. “Maybe we’ll see you again,”  Dakota finished as Zagreus took their hands. 

“I will keep them safe,” Zagreus promised. 

Dionysus felt himself die all over again when his wife and two lost children left him. Chiron came back to the Big House to see Pollux curled up next to a large panther with piercing amethyst eyes. Dionysus let out a low growled and curled protectively around Pollux. He wouldn’t lose another son. Chiron smiled and dipped his head to the god. 

“I understand, Dionysus. Happy New Years,” Chiron smiled and left the building to go check on the campers.