Chapter 10

POV: Perseus Heitor Jackson

I found Hera lying on her bed, she was on her stomach and crying loudly and continuously, in a rather desperate way, it hurt my chest to see her like that, she's so good to me, so kind and gentle with me, it was very painful to see her like that. Before I could say anything, she noticed me, and without even looking to confirm who it was, she shouted:

"GET OUT OF HERE, I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO ANYONE." She shouted, but for the first time in all the time I've been living here with her, I didn't obey her, of course I couldn't obey her, not when she was in such a sorry state, it cut my heart to see her like that, she was a real mother to me, I'll never forget what she did for me, the nights she slept with me and cuddled me, I loved her so much, she would fight with me when I spoke with my mouth full, if I said something bad or wrong she would scold me, but I understood that it was her way of educating me, making me a better person, I can't, I won't let her suffer like that, at least not alone. I walked over to her and started to run my hand through her hair, caressing her, just like she did with me when I was sad and crying. "I warned you." She raised her head from the pillow quickly, she was extremely angry that I hadn't left, I could tell that her eyes looked murderous to me, pure brown with pure anger, no sclera or pupil. But when she saw me, her expression softened, her eyes returned to normal, although they were extremely red from crying, and without hesitation she started crying again. I sat down on the bed and she laid her head on my lap, and I stroked her hair. "I'm sorry, Percy..."

"Shh..." I made a noise to interrupt her. "Don't apologize, you're not to blame for anything, it's okay now, I'm here with you." I said, trying to comfort her. She didn't answer me, she just kept crying. I kept stroking her hair and occasionally kissing her cheek.

"He betrayed me, Percy, again, and had other demigod children, I think she's 5 now and he also has a boy a bit younger, how can I be such an idiot like that."

"It's not your fault Hera, you're not an idiot, you're the kindest and most intelligent woman I've ever met, don't even think for a second that you're an idiot." I said sweetly, instinctively I remembered some of her old stories, Hera always took Zeus' mistakes out on his children who had nothing to do with their father's mistakes. "You know, Hera, I don't know what's hurting you, but from what I can see, it's hurting a lot right now, forgive me for saying so, but I have to say it." I paused for a moment, Hera was looking at me intently. "I know you're very angry, but I don't want you to take your anger out on those children..."

"No, Percy, I don't want to hurt them, not even their mother, I don't want to cause anyone any more pain." Said Hera staring at me seriously, I was very happy to hear her words, Hera was really changed, even finding out about Zeus' new betrayal, she's not trying to kill those poor demigods, after all I understood that very well, although I can't remember, I know that Amphitrite, my father's immortal ex-wife, tried to kill me for being a bastard son of Poseidon, even though I had no guilt for being born the son of who I was.

"Good, I'm very happy to hear that." I smiled at her, she gave a tiny smile in response and lay her head back on my legs, I continued stroking her hair and cuddling, just enjoying each other's presence, Hera sometimes cried a little. It hurt so much to see her suffering like this, I was suffering with her, I needed to do something, anything to cheer her up. It was at that moment that a rather risky idea occurred to me, it was a crazy idea, I didn't know how the other gods might react to it, especially my grandmother Athena, I really didn't want to hurt her, but I wanted Hera to be happy so much, I couldn't be happy with her being sad, so in a rather impulsive way, after all I am my father's son, when I realized, the words had already come out of my mouth. "Hera, I want you to adopt me!" In response to my sudden request, she jumped to her feet and looked at me in astonishment, as if she hadn't heard my request.

"What did you say, Percy?" She asked in a whisper, as if she didn't want anyone else to hear.

"What you heard." I said firmly, without hesitation. She was still staring at me in amazement. "Look Hera, you're already my mother, I consider you my mother, I want you to really be my mother, and I know you'd be very happy, and I'd do anything to put a smile back on your face." She smiled briefly, but it disappeared, and I have almost a good idea why. "As for Zeus, I want him to go fuck himself..."

"Perseus, watch your mouth." She said scolding me, even though she was scolding me, it was inevitable not to laugh, she really did act like my mother.

"Look Hera, I'm right and you know it, Zeus does what he wants, every time, he thinks he can do what he wants with you and you're left here suffering, it's time to show him that you can also do what you want, you're the Queen of the Gods, show him that you must be respected, and that you do what you want, at the time you want, even if the other gods don't like it, especially Zeus himself. And I love you like a mother and I want you to be my mother." She smiled broadly and gave me a tight hug, it was so comfortable to be in her arms.

"Thank you." She pulled away a little and smiled at me. "Thank you very much, my son." Now it was my turn to smile. "I think we should break the news to the other gods. What do you think?" She asked, smiling sinisterly, and I smiled back, but curiosity struck me.

"Hera... I mean, mom." She smiled even more. "I have a question." She gestured for me to continue with my question. "Hestia told me about the process of "adopting a child", so how does it work and how are you going to do it, mom?"

"Well, it's actually quite easy, and almost the same way that a god normally claims a son in the camp, in my case, a golden peacock feather will appear on your head, a kind of magical hologram, and you'll become my son for real, and well you'll also have all my powers that I'll teach you to use, they're the same as my blessing that I normally provide to the demigod ladies, who become my devotees, my followers, but it goes to you for being my son, A power that makes you more intuitive and persuasive, making you able to pull out and hide secrets with ease. There's also the sensitive eye, which allows you to see inside a person, in other words, their feelings, small family-related problems, self-flagellation, excessive jealousy, recent fights, among other uncomfortable situations that usually shake someone's emotions. You should do this by scratching the ground somewhere with feathers, they are capable of erecting extremely effective and strong impenetrable protective barriers. The peacocks you will be able to speak and command them, Power of speech, you have the ability to enchant everyone with the words you pronounce. No one can resist the charm of your speeches. This allows you to control the environment in which you find yourself in any way you wish, and you will also always be heard, no matter who the listeners are, your mind cannot be controlled in any way. In other words, you become immune to any mental effect and I will teach you all of these and many other skills with great pleasure."

"I'm looking forward to it, and when are you going to make the appointment, mom, and adopt me?"

"Today, and I'll make sure it's in front of the whole council and I have another little surprise, but I'll only tell you about it at Olympus. "

---- Break ----

POV: Hera

Well I'm more than happy, more than at any other time in the last 200 years, how funny life is, at one point I was devastated, but that little guy helped me so much, in a few words and caresses I was already feeling much better, but he had saved the best for last, I never imagined he would ask me that, it took me by surprise, But I really couldn't deny his request, after all, I confess that I was thinking of asking him, after all, you can't help but love him, he said that he really loved me, and he said that he wants to be my son, even if it means fighting with his father and grandmother and all of Olympus, he's too much, so brave and so strong. I've called an emergency meeting, I've asked all the Olympians and many others to be present, they're all here, it's today that I'm going to put an end to everything, Zeus doesn't deserve me anymore. Hephaestus has just arrived, he was the last remaining God, he arrived punctually at the last moment before we started the meeting, every time it was like this, he was the last to arrive and the first to leave, so as not to have to talk to Aphrodite, who was more like a puppy after him. He's so happy now that he's no longer with Aphrodite, but the poor thing is a wreck, she doesn't even go out clubbing in search of a lover, I'm pretty sure she's been cheating on him all this time and she still hasn't given Hephaestus a divorce and he doesn't even make a big deal about it these days. I'm interrupted by Zeus who speaks:

"What have you called the meeting for, Hera?" He asked, his voice overflowing with kindness, every time he betrays me, he gets into this meltdown, this huge ASSHOLE. I stood up and faced the other gods present.

"Well, thank you all for being here, I know how busy you are and how important your immortal lives are, but I needed you all to be here, after all I don't hide the things I do, I don't hide them from anyone." I said seriously, taking a poke at Zeus, but he wisely remained silent. "I'm here to tell you two things. The first is that I need Percy's help." I used my power and teleported him to the throne room. Percy stepped forward and bowed to every god and goddess present at the meeting, except Zeus, he stopped in front of me smiling. "Well, the first reason is that I'm going to adopt Percy as my legitimate son." Saying this, I installed my fingers and did it in front of everyone, without even asking what they thought of it. Percy glowed faintly and a very beautiful peacock feather shone on his head, he smiled, and all the gods who were present were too static to say anything, except Poseidon, who just smiled. "He consented, and I always wanted to have him as my son." Without letting me finish speaking, Zeus rose from his throne, tens of thousands of lightning bolts began cutting through the Heavens in an instant, but I didn't back down.

"THIS IS A....."

"Shut your mouth, Zeus, or I'll shut it myself." I said low in a whisper, he paled and became quiet instantly, then sat down again, the lightning also gone along with his little courage. "Athena." I said, turning to the goddess; she still had her usual serious expression. "I apologize for the affront, it was never my intention to belittle you or cause discord between us, but I love Perseus, and in homage to Sally, I will be a mother to her, because I will love Perseus with the same intensity." Athena looked at me seriously, without smiling or showing anger at what I had just said. But before she could reply, Percy came forward to say.

"Well, I'd like to apologize to you grandmother, I love you, and I love my mother too much, but I also love Hera, I love her like a mother, and I will never forget my mother Sally, I swear by the River Styx that I will never forget her or stop loving her." Thunder echoed across the sky, confirming Percy's oath. "And I'm very proud to be your grandson, and I hope you can forgive me for the affront."

"I don't see this event as a provocation or betrayal, in fact, I imagined that sooner or later, this would happen, I know that you love me, and that you love Sally my daughter, I never doubted your feelings for us, but you really need a mother and I don't know anyone better than Hera for that, I think Sally is also quite happy with your choice." Said Athena smiling at Percy.

"You're like a mother to me too Grandma, I love you very much." said Percy smiling at Athena. Athena glowed slightly, reduced to her human form and hugged her grandson.

"There's nothing to worry about Hera, just love my grandson, as Sally would love him, as I love him." Athena smiled at me as she held her grandson in her arms. I smiled at her and nodded my head.

"Father, forgive me for not asking your opinion..." Percy began but was interrupted by Poseidon's laughter. As I imagined, Poseidon didn't care about our decision.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Percy, after all, you pulled your charm on me, sooner or later, Hera couldn't resist you and that's proof that her heart has really softened." he smiled at me, teasing me. I just had to roll my eyes, but I couldn't help smiling.

"Now we're real brothers, Percy." Hephaestus smiled at me, he was a great son too. Percy just nodded and smiled at his new brother.

"As for me? Is my opinion worthless, Hera?" asked Zeus angrily. "As your husband for millennia, I have the right to give my opinion."

"Remember, that's the second piece of news I've had to tell this assembly, I want a divorce." Everyone in the room gasped, there was a murmur of surprise, denial and even a little incredulity among the other gods. "You're just an asshole god, and I really want to enjoy life and find someone who really deserves me."

"What? Divorce? You must have lost your mind." Zeus asked, pale and incredulous. Before I could say anything, he turned his attention to my Percy. "This is all your fault, Perseus." He said angrily, and the Master Bolt appeared in his hand.

"It's not his fault, I myself swore that the next time you betrayed me, I'd file for divorce, he didn't even know I'd do it." I said with hatred. I summoned my Scepter of Devotion, and with it in my fist, I looked at Zeus with pure hatred, I wanted to crush him. "And I am fulfilling this, and if you hurt Perseus, I swear by the River Styx that there will be war." Thunder echoed, sealing my oath. Zeus sat on his throne and backed away, but I instinctively approached him, ready to attack. "And I bet you anything that no god or goddess will take your side."

"No, Mom." Said Percy stepping in front of me, holding my legs, I was about to crush Zeus' skull, while he was cowering on his throne, trembling with fear. "I don't want anyone to get hurt or fight over me, I love you and I love Zeus too, even though he can be such a prick sometimes." The gods will laugh at Percy's audacity. "And I don't want anyone to get hurt and break up our family by separating us, even more because of me." He said, holding my legs so that I couldn't advance and attack that despicable god. Then I calmed down a bit and returned to my throne. "And I want to talk to him in private." I was about to say no, but he looked at Zeus and said. "Come with me, uncle." And he walked out of the room, Zeus slowed down and followed him, surprising me a little with his attitude, he was listening to a mere demigod? Even if it was Percy.

"WOW." Exclaimed Ares, breaking the silence of disbelief that had settled over us gods in the room. "That boy is something, he can win over everyone, even the most difficult."

"And I bet Dad wouldn't hurt him, especially after that threat from Mom." Hephaestus laughed, and I smiled. And I sat down on my throne, I wanted to know what they were talking about. Despite everything, I still love that ungrateful God, but I'll stop loving him, I will. After about five minutes, the two of them returned in silence and Zeus grew to the size of a six-meter-high god and sat down on his throne.

"I talked to Percy, and we worked it out, and it's fine with me, if Hera wants to adopt Percy I accept." He said seriously. All right, I was surprised. "But I'm not going to divorce you, I love you and I'm going to win you back, meeting adjourned." Saying that, he disappeared, I looked at Percy, who just gave a faint smile, like he does when he's up to something. I'm going to find out what happened between those two.

"Well, I think I'll be going now." Hephaestus said, and before poor Aphrodite could say anything, he disappeared in flames.

"This damn blacksmith." Aphrodite cried with tears in her eyes. I confess that sometimes I feel sorry for her, but she's been very unfaithful, she deserves to suffer a bit more, but I think they'll be together in the end, I feel it and I usually get it right. She disappeared into a pink light that smelled of roses. After the other gods, there were only me, Percy, Poseidon, Athena and Artemis, who said:

"You made a great choice stepmother, Percy is incredible, one of the few boys who can become a good man, come to think of it, I think the only one."

"HEY. " Exclaims Poseidon in disbelief. "I'm good."

"I'm sorry uncle, I disagree." Said Artemis seriously.

"I agree, sister" Said Athena.

"Here comes the know-it-all" said Poseidon, so both started arguing again, thse two love each other so much that anyone can tell. I looked at Artemis and took Percy by the hand. And I said to Artemis.

"Would you like to have coffee with us?" She accepted my invitation. "Then in my Palace, I don't want to hear those two fighting again" I said laughing and teleported with Percy to my Palace. And the Goddess of the Hunt accompanied us, I looked at my son and asked. "Son, what did you say to Zeus?"

"Nothing much Mother."

"Answer me Perseus."

"Mom, I'm sorry." Seeing that I was about to complain, he came right out and said it. "No more, Mom, you know I don't keep secrets." Damn it, he never tells on a friend because he wants to, so I gave up.

"Well, would you prefer coffee, juice or soft drink Artemis?"

"A juice would be fine." And the day passed normally and Perseus didn't open his mouth.

POV: Zeus

Perseus and Zeus leaving.

I froze at that tone of voice that Hera used with me, but I love her, despite my mistakes, but that Percy just amazes me, if he didn't get in front of me, I'd be very hurt, if not dead. He took me outside and then said:

"If you really love her, why do you keep cheating on her? she's so good, she doesn't deserve to suffer, I like you uncle, but you're being an asshole."

"I don't even know Percy, I love her, and I know she loves me too, but I'm losing her, it's been months since we didn't have..." Well, he's a child, how can I say that without being an asshole, now what? " hmmm..."

"a affectionate and sexual relationships." He went on to complete what I was trying to say, damn it, he could only be Athena's grandson, he reminds me a lot of her, incredible, it seems he was also born an adult like his grandmother.

"Exactly, and I have desires..."

"Fuck you, uncle." He said, without caring that he was talking to me, in fact, he was kind of insulting me. "She has desires too and she won't cheat on you, you just have to be romantic with her and do the right things."

"I know, I know, it's just easier said than done." I said sighing, don't get me wrong, I know how to be romantic, but after so many mistakes and betrayals, Hera isn't easily pleased.

"Look, I'll help you with her, but if you betray her again, I'll kill you myself, understand uncle?"

"Yes, thank you Percy, for everything. For helping me with her and helping her not to kill me in the throne room."

"Then earn your keep, and next time I'll let her wage war against you, uncle. Is that clear?"

"Yes, understood."