Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Flashback"
Percy remembered the first day he arrived at Camp Half-Blood. He had been scared and confused. He had just faced a Minotaur and survived. He could only think of his mother, wishing she were alive, that she could hug him and tell him everything would be okay.

Everything had happened too fast. First, he found out he was a demigod, son of Poseidon, and now he was there, in a camp full of strange people, surrounded by things he could barely understand.

He couldn’t deny the place was beautiful. The cabins looked cozy, each with a flag representing a different god: Zeus, Aphrodite, Hermes… There was a forge, towering trees, a sparkling lake. It all seemed like a dream that wasn’t his.

He met Grover, who was already in his satyr form. Annabeth, daughter of Athena, looked at him like she already knew everything about him.
And then… he met Luke.

Percy didn’t know how to describe him. He was tall, strong, and the shirt he wore showed off his arms like his body had been carved by Hephaestus himself. His blond hair had darker undertones, like the sun and night were fighting to live within him.

But what struck him most were his eyes. Blue, as clear as the waters blessed by Amphitrite, the queen of the sea. Impossible to forget—like a vow sealed beneath the ocean.

He saw how everyone at camp adored him. How they approached him, how they followed him with their eyes. And he understood why.

When Percy knew no one, when the world felt like a storm he couldn’t control, it was Luke who approached. Who looked at him with a warm smile and offered something that felt like a promise: that he wasn’t alone.

Luke showed him what kindness was. What calm felt like. What friendship meant.
And something else.

Luke turned his darkest nights into something warm, just with a smile. He spoke with patience, guided him without judgment, as if he’d seen something in Percy that not even Percy understood about himself.

Deep down, Percy had always loved him.
But he never dared to say it.

Fear held him back. Fear that Luke didn’t feel the same. Fear of breaking something that, even without a name, was the most beautiful thing he’d had in a long time.
And then came the lightning bolt.
The betrayal.
The wound that wouldn’t heal.

Since then, Percy had avoided thinking about him. Because remembering… hurt more than he could bear.

"End of flashback."

Now, Percy stood before someone who was no longer the same. Maybe it was too late to get Luke back, now that Kronos had devoured every corner of his soul.
And still, his heart wouldn’t give up. It longed to reach the last spark of light left in him.

Because Percy kept something very deep, a love buried in the innermost part of his being, where no one else could enter… except Annabeth.
She had always known. From the very beginning.
And even though the secret wasn’t hers, she guarded it in silence, like someone tending to another person’s wound that never closes.

—"Demigods! It’s too late. Olympus will be mine, and the whole world will fall into eternal darkness," said Kronos, with Luke’s voice echoing distortedly.

—"No. I refuse to fight Kronos… but Luke, I know you're in there. Please, listen to me. I can’t let you keep doing this," Percy begged.

—"Ha, ha, ha! You can’t do anything. Luke is mine now," Kronos laughed coldly, though something trembled in his eyes.

—"Luke… I can’t let you end like this. I can’t let the boy who welcomed me when I arrived with no friends, alone, full of fear… disappear," said Percy, dropping Riptide as he walked slowly toward him.
"I can’t let the boy who taught me that, even in the darkest nights, there was still light. There was still hope."

—"No… You can’t!" Kronos shouted, staggering as Luke’s body began to resist from within.

—"Come on, Luke… I know you’re in there! You can fight this. I know how strong you are. After all, you’re beautiful, because someone who serves the Titans wouldn’t have taught me to use a sword… wouldn’t have protected me the way you did.
Someone who serves the Titans wouldn’t hold my heart," Percy said, tears streaming down his cheeks.

—"It’s a lie… You never loved me. You’d never love me, Percy. You're just saying this to fulfill the prophecy," said Luke, briefly regaining control, his voice breaking.

—"No! That’s what Kronos wants you to think. You’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met. Maybe you strayed, but I can’t erase what I feel for you.
Did you know that after I found out about your betrayal, I thought I was going to die? I didn’t eat, didn’t sleep… I had nightmares about you, Luke. I even… thought about ending my life. Isn’t that enough proof of love?"

Luke looked down. His hands trembled. Then he threw Backbiter away, as if it burned.
—"Percy… I…" he whispered, unable to say more.

—"You don’t have to say anything. I love you. Do you understand? What I feel for you is stronger than what Hades feels for Persephone… or what Poseidon feels for my mother.
I would accept a punishment from Zeus for you. I’d trade places with a Titan in Tartarus, even Atlas… just to see you happy. Because I love you, Luke," Percy sobbed, collapsing to his knees, holding him, cradling him in his arms.

Luke was crying too, though he could barely stay conscious.
—"Percy… forgive me. For everything. But now… give me the dagger, before Kronos regains control. It’s the only way…" he said, voice weak.

Annabeth, her face soaked in tears, stepped forward and handed her dagger to Percy. He gave it to Luke with trembling hands.

Luke didn’t hesitate. With one final act of will, he stabbed himself in the heel.
His body convulsed. Kronos screamed in rage before vanishing forever.

—"LUKE! NO!" Percy screamed, holding him tightly, feeling life slip through his arms.

—"Percy… I wish you could forgive me. I never imagined… all these feelings you kept inside. I… I’m sorry," Luke said, coughing blood, trying to smile.
—"Percy… I… I…"
He didn’t finish. Death was quicker.

—"Luke… Luke… Luke, answer me!" Percy shouted, consumed by despair.
Annabeth knelt beside him, embraced him tightly, trying to hold him together as his world fell apart.
—"I’m so sorry, Percy. I’m so sorry…"

Chapter Text

One Week Later

At Camp Half-Blood, Annabeth was worried about Percy. He hadn’t left Poseidon’s cabin in a week. He wasn’t eating, wasn’t speaking, and she could’ve sworn she saw cuts on his arms. She never imagined Percy could have loved Luke with such intensity. She had always thought she was that special person. She felt like she and Percy had a deep connection, a love that had been growing since they first met.

At first, Annabeth hadn’t even liked him, but over time, she had developed feelings for him. They had even come close to kissing during one of their quests. But now, seeing everything that had happened in the last few weeks, she understood—she could never compete with what he felt for Luke.

She was about to go talk to him when she noticed something near the entrance of the cabin: a letter written on old parchment, stained with ink that looked like blood.

Percy,

My sweet Percy, with curls as golden as the mythical Nemean lion, with eyes that shine green like Apollo’s laurel when you laugh, and blue like Poseidon’s Sea when you cry. More beautiful than any creature that walks the woods or swims the waves.

I write this letter so you know that there’s no torment worse than being apart from you. Not being able to care for you, or watch you slowly die a little more each day.

I’m sorry for everything I did. I know I acted terribly, that my thirst for revenge crossed unforgivable lines. But even so, I love you, Percy.

I hope to see you again someday—if not in this world, then in the Elysian Fields. Because someone as beautiful as you could only belong there.

With love,
L.C.

Annabeth felt her eyes well up with tears. She knew exactly who the letter was from. She rushed to Percy with it.

“Percy? Are you here?” she called as she entered. She found him unconscious on the cabin floor.

“Percy, no! Please, answer me,” Annabeth said, desperate, helping him into a chair. She brought him a glass of water.

“Annabeth… what happened? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you,” Percy whispered as he drank.

“I found this note… I came to give it to you,” she said, handing him the parchment.

Percy took it and read it carefully. His eyes began to cloud over, and then he hugged himself tightly, letting the tears fall freely. He wept as deeply as Orpheus when he lost Eurydice in the Underworld. And in the middle of that pain, neither of them noticed the figure that appeared behind them.

“…Wow. I’m really sorry, Percy. Maybe I can help,” said a soft, feminine voice.

Annabeth recognized her instantly. Aphrodite. She knew she had to leave them alone. If anyone could help Percy, it was her.

“You… you’re Aphrodite,” Percy said, looking up. He saw her clearly: crystalline eyes, golden hair, tall, wrapped in a scent of strawberries and broken promises.

“That’s right, sweetheart,” Aphrodite replied, with a sweet but sorrowful smile. “I’ve seen how your love for Luke defies all bounds. I don’t know how he did it, but somehow, he managed to send you a letter from the Underworld. And you… You’ve done so much for the gods. I wouldn’t be worthy of my title if I didn’t help you reunite with the one you love most.”

She held a velvet bag in her hands. She opened it gently, revealing a harp made of white marble and brilliant crystal.

“This is the legendary harp of Orpheus,” she said solemnly. “You’ve never played it, but you’re a son of Poseidon. The Nereids, the sirens, the nymphs… they’re all connected to you, and they have the most beautiful voices in the sea. Trust me, you can do this.”

Percy stared at her in awe, tears still on his cheeks.

“I can help you bring Luke back from the Underworld,” Aphrodite continued, “but there are conditions.
First: this harp will be your only weapon. Hades demanded it.
Second: when you find Luke, he won’t remember your love. He’ll be like he was when Cronos controlled him. You’ll have to make him feel it again—remind him of who you are, and who he was with you.
Third: you must not look back while guiding him out of the Underworld. If you do, he’ll be lost forever.
And fourth: you must renounce your immortality, and live with him in Corinth, my city. There, you’ll have a new life together… if you succeed in bringing him back.”

Aphrodite held the harp before him like a sacred relic.

“This is your chance, Percy. But listen to me carefully:
If you succeed—if you make Luke remember and escape the Underworld together—you will never be the same.
You will have to leave behind your world, your story, your name.
You and Luke will live in Corinth, my sacred city, where the gods do not interfere.
But there, you will no longer be Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, hero of Olympus.
You’ll forget your friends, your mother, Annabeth, Grover… even Camp Half-Blood itself.
Everything you were, everything you are, will be left behind.”

She paused, looking at him tenderly.

“Only love will remain. You and Luke. But that is the price.
Are you willing to give it all up… for the chance to be with him?”

“This is your opportunity, Percy. What you feel for Luke is killing you slowly. And this… this is the least I can do for someone who saved Olympus and believed in love when no one else did.
What do you say?”

Percy stood frozen, thinking. On one hand, he could reunite with the love of his life—Luke. See him again, tell him how he felt, how much he missed him. But on the other hand, it meant leaving everything behind: the camp, his mother, Annabeth, Grover, Chiron… all for love.

Percy knew it would be hard to leave his life behind. But if the gods were giving him a chance to be with Luke, he would take it. He would do whatever it took.

He turned to Aphrodite.

“I accept all your terms, Aphrodite. I love him… and I’ll do anything for him.”

“Well done, sweetheart,” she replied gently. “I’ll wait for you here so we can go to Corinth. There’s a secret entrance to the Underworld there. I’ll give you some time to say your goodbyes. I’ll be here when you return.”

She handed him the legendary harp of Orpheus.

Percy didn’t hesitate. He knew he wouldn’t have time to say goodbye to his mother or many others. So, he went to Annabeth and Grover, his two best friends, to say goodbye one last time.

He ran and found them talking.

“Percy, tell me—what did Aphrodite say? And… is that Orpheus’s harp?” Annabeth asked, intrigued.

“Yes, it is, Annabeth,” he replied, taking a deep breath. “Aphrodite just gave me the chance to bring Luke back from the Underworld… with some conditions. If I do it, I’ll never be able to see you again… or the camp. I’ll live forever with Luke, in Corinth. Just with his love. She gave me this harp—it's the only weapon I’m allowed to bring.”

“Oh, my gods, Percy…” Annabeth murmured, tears in her eyes. “I know you’ve already made your choice. I don’t even have to ask. You love Luke… as much as Orpheus loved Eurydice.”

She hugged him tightly, for the last time.

“Percy… I know I loved you… and that it will never be returned. But I hope you get to be happy with Luke,” she said, crying, and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before walking away. “I wish you the best, Percy.”

Grover stepped forward, eyes full of tears.

“Percy… bro… I’m proud of the person you’ve become. I’ll always love you like a brother. I was lucky to be your guide and your protector all this time. Go get him. Fight for love. I’m proud of you. I love you, man.”

They both walked away, leaving him alone.

Percy cried. They were the best friends anyone could ask for. And he was grateful, silently, that they understood him better than anyone—even more than his own father, Poseidon.

He returned to his cabin, where Aphrodite was waiting.

“I know it’s hard to say goodbye to those you love,” said the goddess, gently wiping his tears, “but soon you’ll be with someone who loves you too.”

“I know. I’m so sorry,” Percy said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. “Well… let’s go to Corinth. Then to the Underworld.”

He held the harp in his arms as he looked at Aphrodite.

“Let’s go, Percy. For true love,” she answered, and led him out of the camp—where someone Percy knew was waiting to take them to Corinth, and then to the secret passage into the Underworld.

The beginning of his reunion with his true love.

Chapter Text

As Percy and Aphrodite left the camp, he didn’t expect to see a taxi parked right at the entrance. Much less, the messenger god was waiting for them. Hermes.
Percy was stunned. He knew Hermes and Luke had never had the best relationship, but seeing him there, waiting to drive him, made everything more... interesting.
Without saying a word, he got into the taxi with Aphrodite. He knew the trip would be fast aboard the personal vehicle of the messenger god.
“Hey, Percy, kid... long time no see,” Hermes said with a small smile, giving him a brief hug.
“Hi, Hermes. Yeah... It’s been a while. How are you?” Percy replied, looking at him through the rearview mirror, while Aphrodite remained silent, watching them both.
“Look, Percy... I know what you’re about to do,” Hermes said, his voice barely trembling. “And all I can do is wish you the best of luck.”
He quickly rubbed his eyes, as if trying to hide his tears.
“Now I realize I never truly understood Luke. I was a bad father. Because of me, he ended up hating the gods, joining Cronos, and nearly destroying the world. If only I had talked to him more... maybe everything would’ve been different.”
“Hermes... it was never just your fault. You did the best you could,” Percy replied firmly. “I blame myself too sometimes. Luke never really had someone he could talk to... that’s why he ended up so broken, so full of anger. But I also believe the hatred he felt toward the gods wasn’t entirely fair.”
Percy took a deep breath.
“What matters is that, in the end, he redeemed himself. He sacrificed himself for everyone. He saved Olympus. That’s what really matters.”
Hermes nodded, his gaze lost on the road.
“You’re right, Percy. And honestly... there’s no one better for my boy than you. You’re one of a kind.”
The god smiled sadly.
“Despite everything that happened between you two, you always tried to be there for him. That’s why you have my blessing. There’s no one I trust more.”
He paused.
“I hope you can save him, that you two get a second chance. That’s what I want most: for him to be happy.”
“I swear, Percy, I’m proud of you. You two are like water and fire: opposites, yes, but also necessary to each other.
You’re like Orpheus... and Luke is your Eurydice. You love him so passionately that even Olympus itself can feel it.”
After those words, Hermes went silent, more serious now, focused on the road.
The journey was taking them to Greece. To Corinth, the sacred city of Aphrodite.
In the mortal world, it looked like just another city. But the gods and demigods could see its true face: a place where the flame of immortal love still burned, where a secret part paid eternal tribute to the goddess of desire.
As Percy sat in the back of the taxi, lost in thought, a small flashback came to him.
________________________________________
Flashback
“I know you didn’t kill the minotaur, useless demigod. You don’t even know who your godly parent is,” Clarisse said, flanked by two other children of Ares. “You deserve a lesson,” she added, as they grabbed his arms and shoved his head toward the toilet.
“No... please, don’t,” Percy begged, struggling. But something happened that he couldn’t have predicted: suddenly, a jet of water burst from the toilet, soaking the three demigods and knocking Clarisse out cold.
Just as the others ran off in fear, Luke entered, a little sweaty from training.
“Percy, are you okay?” he asked, helping him up. “If they did anything to you, just tell me and I’ll...”
“No, Luke. They didn’t do anything in the end... I’m fine. Thank you,” Percy replied, with small tears in his eyes.
“Oh, P... Percy, come here,” Luke said, wrapping him in a warm hug. “I know it’s your first day, and maybe a lot has happened, but I’m here to help you.”
Percy didn’t know why, but he cried freely. He wanted to stop, didn’t want Luke to see him weak, didn’t want anyone to help him. He just wanted to leave, to sleep...
“Let me go, Luke... I’m fine,” he tried to pull away, but deep down, he knew he wanted to stay in that hug—that hug and Luke’s scent, which smelled of eucalyptus and citrus.
“No, Percy. I won’t. It’s okay to cry. Crying doesn’t make you weak—it makes you stronger than you think,” Luke whispered, hugging him tighter. “Come on, let’s go to the cabin to rest. You need it. Tomorrow, I’ll teach you how to use a sword so you can defend yourself,” he said, gently lifting him and kissing his temple. “Remember, Percy, you’re strong and an amazing kid. To hell with the schools that treated you badly.”
“L... Luke,” Percy whispered, looking at him intently. And right then, he knew. He was hopelessly in love with that boy.
________________________________________
End of flashback
“Percy... Percy, hey?” Aphrodite said, calling him as she noticed he was still lost in thought.
“Oh... sorry,” Percy said, snapping out of the trance and looking at her.
“We’re here, Percy. Look,” Aphrodite said, pointing out the window.
Corinth didn’t do justice to what the books said. The city stood between two seas: the Ionian and the Aegean. The water was so clear that you could see the bottom with ease. Its architecture blended modern buildings with majestic structures covered in detail, devoted to the goddess of love. There were pink columns, ancient ruins draped in flowers, and temples everywhere. Red roses, hyacinths, and vivid myrtles adorned every corner. In the distance, Percy could see Aphrodite’s main temple—bigger than he had ever imagined—guarded by an imposing statue of the goddess.
“Your city is beautiful, Aphrodite. More beautiful than the books describe,” Percy said, still in awe.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” she replied with a smile. “We’ll go to my temple, and there I’ll tell you what comes next. Inside is the secret passage.”
Once in front of the love goddess’s temple, the two got out of the taxi. Before leaving, Hermes wanted to say something to Percy.
“Percy, if you see Luke, please tell him I’m sorry, that I regret how things turned out. He’s the best son I have, and I hope one day we can talk,” Hermes said as he quickly drove off, probably back to Olympus.
“Come, Percy, let’s go,” Aphrodite said, leading him into the temple.
Percy was amazed by the beauty of the place. Once inside, he saw it was filled with roses and myrtles; there was also a small pond with greenish water that seemed blessed by Poseidon himself. He noticed the red and pink pillars, and from the pond emerged a mermaid—possibly sent by his father.
“Hello, Percy, my lady,” the mermaid said, her long red hair and honey-colored eyes enough to make any sailor kneel before her.
“Percy, what you’re about to do is difficult, and Poseidon knows that. He knows there’s no stopping you, and so he won’t try. I’m here because I know you must play Orpheus’s lyre to enter the Underworld, and you’ve never played an instrument. That’s why I bring you this memory—it will help with your task,” the mermaid said, handing him a glowing orb that disappeared as soon as Percy touched it.
“Good luck, Percy, and may Poseidon protect you in your quest,” she said, leaving them.
“All right, Percy, come,” Aphrodite said, leading him to an underground passage that led to the Underworld. At the entrance stood Hades’ dog—Cerberus—guarding the door.
“Percy, take this before you go,” Aphrodite said, handing him two pearls. “I know you’ve used them before, but unfortunately, you can only use them once you’re on the surface again, by Hades’ orders. When you reach the surface—between the world of the living and the dead—just step on the pearls and don’t look at Luke; just place one in his hand, or he won’t return with you. Do you understand?”
“I understand, Aphrodite. Thank you for everything,” Percy said, now with only his lyre. “But... something I don’t understand is why you’re helping me so much,” he added, looking at her.
“Percy, your story and Luke’s are incredibly similar to that of Orpheus and Eurydice. I never helped them... and maybe I feel guilty for that. Seeing the love you have for Luke and the love he has for you—I couldn’t not help you,” said Aphrodite, with small tears in her eyes. “Percy, once you’re with Luke, if he remembers the love he has for you, play Orpheus’s lyre so that, once he does, his soul can go with you and your journey can begin. You must play the most sincere melody, Percy—one that reaches his soul.”
“Thank you for everything, Aphrodite. I will,” Percy said, determined.
When he reached Cerberus, he began to play the lyre. He didn’t know how, but his fingers moved, creating a melody so beautiful that Percy wanted to cry. It was the melody of the love he felt for Luke—a love not easily broken like Poseidon’s trident, a love that overcame any limit, like Hades’ relationship with his wife Persephone. A melody that would bring Luke back to him, and which instantly caused the massive dog to fall into a deep sleep, allowing Percy to move forward through the passage into the Underworld.
“Luke, I’m coming for you,” Percy said, tears in his eyes, clutching Orpheus’s lyre, watching how it created the most beautiful melodies, as if the god Apollo himself had blessed him for this task. Percy felt he was descending into the abyss, like Orpheus, trying to recover the only love of his life. That’s how Percy felt.

Chapter Text

He knew that the first time he entered the Underworld was to rescue his mother. This time, however, it wasn’t her who needed saving… it was Luke, his Luke, without whom Percy felt like nothing.

Because of Luke’s crimes, Percy would probably find him in Tartarus. To get there, he had to first cross the River Styx and then the Elysian Fields. It wouldn’t be easy—the path was filled with tormented souls and dreadful creatures, from Furies like Alecto to maybe even a Hydra.

As he moved forward, Percy felt an aura of death and eternal cold that made his skin crawl. He finally reached the shore, where Charon, the ferryman of the Styx, awaited. But Percy had no drachmas to pay the fare… until he remembered the power of the lyre.

He pulled out Orpheus’ lyre and began to play a melancholic and sorrowful melody, so heavy with longing for Luke it felt like it tore his heart out. The notes floated across the water; Charon’s eyes filled with an almost inhuman gleam, and without a word, he agreed to take him.

Percy kept playing as the boat crossed the river, and then, a flashback struck him:

Flashback

Percy, Annabeth, and his Cyclops half-brother Tyson were fighting aboard the Andromeda against Luke and other demigods. Luke looked pale, with deep dark circles under his eyes, visibly exhausted.

Sword in hand, Luke had cornered them. With a violent gesture, he threw Tyson overboard and knocked Annabeth unconscious, ordering the others to drag her to a cell. Only he and Percy remained.

“It’s been a while, Percy,” Luke said coldly. “You came to join me. You’ve seen the gods’ lies, and now you want to be part of this.”

“No, Luke,” Percy said through tears. “I came to stop you. What about all the people you betrayed?”

“I’m sorry, Percy, but the gods did this to us,” Luke replied, raising his sword. “If you won’t surrender, I’ll have to kill you.”

Wiping his tears with his sleeve, Percy raised his blade.

“If that’s what it takes…”

He attacked, trying to hurt the man he loved. Luke defended himself effortlessly, remembering every move he’d taught Percy. But as he sought an opening, Luke mis stepped and lost his sword, falling to the ground at Percy’s mercy.

“It’s over, Luke,” Percy whispered, Stormbreaker trembling in his hands as he held it to Luke’s chest.

“Go ahead, do it already,” Luke spat from the ground, lifting his face with a bitter smile. “I knew you couldn’t. I knew you were weak, Percy.”

Percy froze, looking into those ocean-blue eyes, stormy with Poseidon's rage, beautiful and dangerous. He couldn’t do it. He threw the sword away and, without thinking, wrapped his arms around Luke, sobbing in pain. He loved this man with all his soul, even knowing this was a gesture of doom.

“L… Luke…” he whispered, clutching him tightly.

Stunned, Luke held Percy back, resting his head in the crook of Percy’s neck, inhaling his shampoo and stroking his hair, soft as the silk Aphrodite left in her wake.

“Percy… I hope you forgive me one day,” Luke said weakly. “I know all of this is wrong, but someday you’ll understand.”

They stayed like that for a long time, in a wordless embrace that said everything. Percy stood up, and before the other demigods captured him to lock him up with Annabeth, he gently kissed Luke’s cheek—knowing he never returned his feelings.

End of flashback

Now, after that memory, Percy stepped off Charon’s boat and stood at the gates of the Elysian Fields—a realm only the purest of heart and the gods could enter. At the entrance was a Hydra, alert and hungry. But Percy didn’t flinch. He played the most beautiful melody he could with the lyre, pouring all his pain and love for Luke into it, and the creature, enchanted by the music, fell asleep.

Once inside the Elysian Fields, he saw they were even more beautiful in person—blanketed in glowing white flowers. But he had no time to waste. He continued walking, playing the lyre, and his music made everyone stop to listen, captivated by the sound. That’s how he crossed without obstacles, until he reached his true destination:

Tartarus.

A dark prison where Titans and unforgivable criminals suffered eternal punishment. As he approached, a familiar figure appeared—Alecto, her gaze sharp and threatening. She was ready to stop him. But Percy played the lyre once more, now with the most sorrowful note of all. Even Alecto, a creature of the Underworld, couldn’t resist. The music overtook her, and with silent tears, she pointed to Luke’s cell before falling asleep.

And now, he was standing before him.

Percy opened the cell and saw him—those ocean-blue eyes, that golden hair that could rival Apollo’s. But something was different. As Aphrodite had warned, Luke remembered nothing. Not his love. Not his betrayal. Not even Percy after his death—only his time as Kronos’ ally.

“Percy Jackson!” Luke shouted furiously, standing up. “You’re here to ruin Kronos’ plans… and I won’t allow it!”

He shoved Percy hard, knocking him to the ground along with the lyre.

“You could’ve joined me. We could’ve destroyed the gods. But you refused. Now you’re going to die.”

“Luke, listen to me!” Percy shouted desperately. “This isn’t you! Those are just memories speaking through you. Remember who you are! The most amazing guy at camp, the only one I could truly be myself with. Remember!”

Before he could finish, Luke struck him, leaving him sprawled on the ground.

“I don’t believe a word of it. You just want to ruin everything.”

“I love you, Luke!” Percy cried, eyes full of tears. “I love you more than Apollo loves music, more than Hephaestus loves Aphrodite, more than Orpheus loved Eurydice! Please, remember! I’m here because I love you!”

Luke paused. His guard dropped. His expression softened for a moment.

“P-Percy…”

“I can’t let it end like this. Not with you. Not with the boy who taught me to fight, who helped me become a better demigod. You were my first friend, Luke. My light when all was dark,” Percy said, crawling toward the lyre. “Only you could turn damnation into art, like Orpheus playing before Death. And I… I always wanted to tell you this, but I was too afraid. Luke, I lo—”

He couldn’t finish. Luke slapped him, sending him crashing into the wall. The lyre rolled away to the far end of the room.

“Stop lying, Percy Jackson!” Luke shouted. “We both know that’s not true.”

He drew a small dagger and approached slowly.

“You deserve to die for betraying me… and Kronos.”

“If that’s what you want… then I’ll do it for you,” Percy said, tears falling as he lay at Luke’s mercy.

He took Luke’s hand and placed it on his chest, right over his wildly beating heart.

“Don’t doubt my feelings. I love you, Luke. More than you can imagine.”

Luke trembled.

“P-Percy…”

“Remember who you are. You’re not Kronos’ servant. You’re Hermes’ son… and the person I care for most,” Percy said firmly, the dagger still grazing his skin.

“No… you don’t love me,” Luke whispered, voice breaking. “I know about Annabeth. I saw the way she looked at you… and how you looked at her. Don’t lie…”

He pressed the dagger just enough to draw a thin line of shimmering blood.

“Luke…” Percy said, looking straight into his eyes.

Luke blinked. Then he dropped the dagger in horror and threw it away.

“Percy!”

Percy took the chance. He crawled to the lyre and grabbed it. His trembling fingers brushed the strings.

The sound that emerged was both heartbreaking and beautiful. Every note carried a piece of his soul—his love, his pain, his sacrifice. He had given up everything: Camp Half-Blood, his mother, Annabeth, Grover… all for a single chance to see Luke again.

And something clicked.

Luke blinked.

At first, it was just a flash—a night by the fire at Camp Half-Blood, Percy laughing with marshmallow on his face. Then, a training session in the arena, their swords clashing, and Luke unable to stop smiling. And then… a silent promise shared in a glance.

The shadows began to lift.

The pain of betrayal, the weight of Kronos, the hatred that had consumed him… all cracked open like an empty shell.

He remembered. Everything.

“Percy...? What are you… how...? Are you okay? I… I…”

He couldn’t finish. Percy’s lips found his, and in that kiss, Percy gave him everything: the yearning, the joy, the hope of a second chance. Everything he hadn’t said in years.

Luke laughed through tears.

“I never thought you felt the same… But I love you too, Percy. Since the moment I met you. And I’m sorry for everything… at least you’re a demigod and your skin heals quickly,” he said, smiling as the wound began to close.

This time, Luke kissed him—with more passion, with certainty. Percy felt he could die right then and be happy.

After the kiss, Percy gave him a glowing pearl.

“Take it. It’ll bring us back. But we have to use it once we’re on the surface. If I let go too soon… you could disappear. And I couldn’t bear that, Luke. I’d die if it happened.”

“Percy… you should’ve left me here. How did you do all this?”

“Aphrodite. She saw our love. She helped me find you and offered us a new life… with conditions. I’ll never be a hero again. I won’t see my mom or my friends. But if you’re with me, I don’t need anything else. We’ll live in Corinth… her city.”

Percy took a deep breath, trembling.

“Luke, don’t say that. You know I love you more than Zeus loves Olympus. I love you so much it feels like one day I might die because of it. I know you made terrible choices, but in the end, you found redemption, and that’s what matters. And Luke… we’re like Orpheus and Eurydice. But this time, I’m not going to look back. I won’t lose you. Not again.”

“Percy… oh, come here,” Luke said, hugging him tightly, never wanting to let go. He didn’t know what he’d done in this life—or the last—to deserve this, but he knew he was lucky to have Percy. Not everyone would risk everything for him. That’s true love. Now he too was crying, holding him close, kissing his lips, looking into his green eyes, and feeling everything Percy was giving him in that kiss.

“Well, Percy… lead the way. A new life awaits us,” Luke said, taking his hand, ready to do everything with him and leave the Underworld to be with the love of his life: Percy Jackson.

Fate takes fantastic turns. The boy who once thought he was the weakest ended up fighting an incredible war against Kronos—and now, here he is, in Tartarus, about to leave it with the soul he never stopped loving.

“I love you, Percy. Remember that.”

Their fingers intertwined. Percy smiled. And together, they began to rise.

Chapter Text

Percy was walking with Luke through Tartarus and had already left the Elysian Fields to cross the River Styx again. He held Luke’s hand in his, doing everything he could not to look at him. As they climbed the path that connected the Underworld to the surface, Percy saw a light in the distance and thought it was sunlight.
"Luke, look, we're there," Percy said, turning to him. But it was a mistake. That wasn’t sunlight.
They were still in the Underworld. And in the blink of an eye, Luke’s soul and body vanished.
"Luke! Luke, no! What did I do?" Percy screamed, falling to his knees, hugging the air as if he could still hold onto him, watching his one chance to be with the love of his life slip away before his eyes.
The air in the Underworld grew denser, as if Luke’s loss had silenced everything. No echoes remained, no wind, not even the distant murmur of the damned. Only emptiness.
"Luke, no!" Percy sobbed. "How could I have done this?"
"Percy... Percy..." He swore he could still hear Luke’s voice.
"Percy. Percy, wake up."
As soon as he heard that, he opened his eyes wide. He was in a bed with very soft sheets, in what seemed to be a bedroom. Had it all been a dream? A nightmare? But there, beside him, was Luke, calling to him.
"Percy, are you okay?" Luke asked, worried, touching his forehead with the back of his hand and offering him a glass of water.
"I'm... I'm okay. But what are you doing here? Was it all a dream?" Percy asked, accepting the glass and letting the water of life flood his throat and reconnect him to the world.
"It wasn’t, Percy," Luke said, pointing to a chair. And there it was: Orpheus’s lyre.
"Don’t you remember, Percy?" Luke asked with a hint of concern. "Oh, Percy, come here..."
He pulled him into a hug. He embraced him like Persephone clutches spring, with the desire to hold it close before it slips away again. As if by holding him, he could promise that everything would be okay.
As Percy melted into that embrace, the memories began to return.

Flashback
Percy and Luke, holding hands, were leaving Tartarus and saw Alecto asleep.
"So this is the power of the legendary lyre of Orpheus," Luke said, watching her.
"That’s right, Luke. The myth said even Hades was moved by it," Percy replied without looking at him, knowing he was right behind him.
"And can I ask how you learned to play it? I don’t remember you ever playing an instrument. At camp, you never went to Apollo’s cabin, or Aphrodite’s, or anything music-related," Luke said playfully, trying to uncover the secret.
"Well, let’s start with the fact that my father, being the god of the sea, commands all its creatures, including nymphs and sirens. A siren gave me a kind of orb, and that’s how I learned, partly," Percy said, as they were already reaching the Elysian Fields.
"I hope one day you’ll play it for me, Percy," said Luke, squeezing his hand. And Percy knew he said it on purpose. When they got to the surface, he’d make him pay for that smirk.
"The Elysian Fields are beautiful, Percy," Luke said, marveling at the peace and tranquility they radiated.
"Well, now it’s my turn to ask, Mr. Castellan: how did you manage to send a letter from the Underworld to camp?"
"Wow, you got it? I never thought it would arrive. See, besides being incredibly handsome, I’m also the son of the messenger god. Maybe he taught me one or two tricks to send letters from the Underworld," Luke said, laughing.
"You’ll see, Mr. Son of Hermes," Percy said, laughing too.
They passed the Elysian Fields, avoided the sleeping Hydra, and reached Charon, who was still crying. Even though he wore a cloak, the sadness in his eyes was visible.
"I want to ask how you pulled off these two miracles, Percy... but I think I already know how," Luke said, staring at Orpheus’s lyre.
The boat ride was peaceful, the silence comforting. When they reached the other side of the River Styx, they walked together to the gate that connected the Underworld with the surface.
"Okay, Luke, here it is. Take out your pearl, step on it, and picture the city of Corinth in Greece," Percy said. "It’s a long story I’ll tell you later."
Luke mimicked him and stepped on the pearl, and thus, both of them left the Underworld.
They appeared in a house in Corinth, a gift from Aphrodite, Hermes, and Poseidon. It was on the coast and decorated with objects that honored both the messenger god and the sea god. They were so exhausted that they collapsed into the bed, whose blankets were as soft as Aphrodite’s hair and as warm as the embers of Tartarus… but not enough to burn them—just enough to comfort. One of those blankets, Percy would later learn, had been sent by Hades in gratitude. But there would be time to think about that.
That night, he just wanted to sleep in Luke’s arms… and never let go again.

End of flashback

Now Percy didn’t want to let go of Luke, but he had to, to wipe away the remaining tears and see him more clearly. He couldn’t believe this was real… and then he noticed something he hadn’t before: Luke was shirtless.
His arm muscles flexed as he moved, his back was well-defined, just like his chest. If only Percy could bite those arms…
"Percy, I know I’m very attractive, but you don’t have to drool all over your shirt and the whole bed," Luke said with a mischievous smile.
Percy wiped the smile off his face by lightly punching his arm.
"Oh really, Mr. Attractive? We’ll see about that," Percy said, climbing on top of Luke, about to kiss him. But he didn’t expect Luke to flip him over, leaving Percy face down on the mattress.
Luke, with his perfect smile and those white, straight teeth, looked at him amused.
"Well, son of Poseidon, look what we have here," Luke said, laughing, while holding both of Percy’s hands above his head with one hand, leaning in to kiss his neck, then up to his lips. He could die happy, Percy thought, because Luke tasted like water… like citrusy, living water.
"Now, you can tell me how exactly you managed to pull this off... or I won’t let go of you, Percy," Luke said, inches from his face, tempting him. He knew Percy would get annoyed, but he loved seeing him like that.
“F-fine, Luke...” Percy stammered, biting his lip. “Believe it or not, it was the goddess Aphrodite who made this possible, with help from the god of the Underworld... and your father, who, by the way, says he loves you very much.”
He paused, swallowing hard, lowering his gaze.
“The truth is, Luke… ever since the Kronos thing, I stopped eating, I didn’t want to get out of bed… I even cut myself on my arms,” he said, showing his forearms, where only healed scars remained. “When I got your letter, Aphrodite came to see me. She said our story—the love we shared—was a lot like Orpheus and Eurydice’s. And that’s why she wanted to help bring you back. She gave me a second chance… but I gave up everything, Luke. Camp, my friends, my family… even immortality, for you. Because I love you. And if there was even the slightest chance to save you, I was going to take it.”
Percy looked into his eyes. Those deep, blue eyes.
“One of Aphrodite’s conditions was that we would live here, in her city, Corinth. That our old lives would be left behind. This would be our new life. And… honestly, I’m happy with that.”
“P-Percy… no one’s ever done anything so beautiful and important for me,” Luke said, stealing another kiss and gently biting his lip. “You know, ever since I saw you at camp, I liked you. But I always thought you were with Annabeth. I never imagined I was the one who had your heart, Percy,” Luke said, staring into his eyes. “And also… thanks to my father for this. Maybe we had our issues and fights, but maybe… maybe it’s all been forgiven now,” he added, thoughtful, as he processed everything that had happened.
“At one point I thought I liked Annabeth, Luke,” Percy confessed. “But the truth is, she needed someone who truly loved her. And I couldn’t. We ended on good terms, and she knows. So… we’re good.”
“I know I acted horribly with you, after everything that happened since we met. I hope you can forgive me,” Luke said, brushing Percy’s cheek with his fingertips, like it was the first time he was touching him.
Then he stood up and went to the chair, where Orpheus’s lyre rested. He picked it up reverently and offered it to Percy.
“If it’s not too much to ask… I’d love to hear you play. I never got to hear it, and I’d really love to.”
“Alright,” Percy said, taking the lyre in his hands. With his fingertips, he brushed the strings like feathers. He didn’t play a sad melody this time. This time, the song needed no words. It was a tune that spoke of love, of passion, of total surrender. A song that even Olympus and the Underworld could hear. It was living proof that everything he felt for Luke was real, deep, and unshakable.
“Wow, Percy… no one’s ever done something so beautiful for me. It was amazing,” Luke said, tears in his eyes, hugging him and cradling him like a treasure. They lay together again, and Percy placed the lyre back on the chair, knowing this life, this chance, this sacrifice, would always be honored.
“I thank the gods for meeting you at that camp, Percy Jackson. You’re amazing. You’re like Orpheus: you didn’t give up on me. You were brave… and I’ll always be grateful,” Luke said, kissing him again, this time with more passion.
He took Percy’s hands and placed them above his head. And there, in that longer kiss, with tongue, with desire, their mouths began a dance only they understood. One full of longing, exciting and deep.
They had to break apart for a moment to catch their breath, but they didn’t let go.
“Luke, you know I’ll always love you,” Percy said, looking at him with all his soul. “I’m happy we got this chance. That you’re here, with me, alive. And that in the end… our story did get a happy ending. Not like Orpheus and Eurydice.”
He kissed him again, hungry, tender, needing to touch him. His arms. His back. All of him.
Because sometimes love is that: a journey into the darkness, only to discover the light was always in the hand that held yours.

The End.( For now)