~ * You Ask of My Companions ~ *

"You ask of my companions.

Hills, sir, and the sundown, and a dog as large as myself that my father bought me.

They are better than human beings, because they know but do not tell."

- Emily Dickenson

"Can I get a dog?"

This was the greeting the little green-eyed hobgoblin choose to lobby at his father the second Poseidon stepped inside. The words didn't register properly until Poseidon had hung up his keys, shucked off his coat and taken half a step towards the coffee pot.

"A what?" he asked, unable to stop his nose from wrinkling in disgust as he half-twisted to stare at his son.

Percy, three months shy of twelve and already the spitting image of the man across him, blinked up at Poseidon, a spoonful of Fruit Loops pausing en route to his mouth.

"A dog," he repeated, raising his voice as if Poseidon hadn't heard him clearly the first time.

"I heard you the first time brat," Poseidon huffed, mostly so he could process the strange out-of-the-blue request. He finished taking the rest of the steps to the coffee pot, flicking it on and rummaging around their little cupboard space for the grounds.

"Well, you said what, it's not my fault you're old," Percy grumbled, returning to shoveling his cavity-inducing cereal in. Poseidon considered forcing the child to eat something with less sugar or brush his teeth at the least but the thought flitted quickly by; that sounded like a job for his ex-wife not him, he was the fun parent after all.

"Brat," he fired back, swiping a banana from atop their fridge before sitting down across Percy.

Percy shoved in some more cereal while his father peeled the banana, unfazed by the name calling. Poseidon broke the tip off and waved it across the table. Percy rolled his eyes but obediently reached out to take it, popping it in his mouth between bites of cereal. Which was disgusting. Ah to be young again. Poseidon settled back, satisfied his paternal duties were somewhat filled for the day now the child had some potassium in his system and began eating the banana while waiting for his coffee to brew.

"So?" Percy asked after a few blessed moments of silence. Well, it was nice while it lasted.

"So what?"

Percy made a noise in the back of his throat. "Can I get a dog?"

"Where on earth would we keep a dog, Perseus?" Poseidon demanded, sweeping his arm to gesture around the boat that doubled as their home, as if the boy could have possibly forgotten that tiny little detail.

Percy scowled, a divot appearing between his brows. He slunk down in his chair, pouting blackly at his Fruit Loops as though it was the cereal's fault the boat wasn't fit for a mutt.

"It could be a small one," Percy huffed, banging his spoon around the rim of his bowl.

Poseidon thought of a little Shih Tzu, or worse a Chihuahua, an awful little yapper of constantly trembling fur and nervous puke.

"Absolutely not."

"Why not?" Percy complained, throwing his arms in the air and accidentally launching soggy pieces of cereal across the table. "It wouldn't take up much room, it could sleep in my room, it wouldn't eat much! You're being unfair!"

Poseidon wondered how the conversation devolved so quickly. It was only nine am; Percy wasn't usually labeling his father an unfair tyrant until at least noon. Coffee, Poseidon thought, he needed coffee. He twisted around and despairingly watched the maker slowly drip the much-needed elixir.

"I said no, Perseus."

When he dared to peek back, he saw Percy's cheeks darkened, angry red blotches spreading across his cheek and neck. His jaw clenched as he clanged his spoon around the bowl. The sound was obnoxious and grating; Poseidon sighed and stood, not wanting to watch the child's face go through the five stages of doglessness. The coffee maker was still dripping but Poseidon risked it, reaching out to pour himself a cup.

"I don't understand, where is this coming from?" Poseidon asked, putting the coffee pot back under the still dripping machine and taking a long drink.

Percy didn't respond. Ah, one of those games. Poseidon half turned, one dark eyebrow raising in the hopes of extracting an answer from his stubborn offspring. He wasn't a teenager yet but stubbornness already ran through his veins. Poseidon's own fault, he assumed. It was a family trait—a usually amusing one at that, given it was directed at an uptight teacher or Sally's new husband Paul and not Poseidon himself. You reap what you sow, a voice annoyingly like his sister's reminded him. Poseidon pushed the thought away, returning to the silent-off his son and him were apparently having.

"Well?"

Patience was never Poseidon's strong suit. Percy let out an explosive sigh—eleven-year-olds were good at those—and slumped back in his chair.

"I just want a dog! I'll take care of it, it doesn't have to take up a lot of space. You can afford one."

Ah yes, manipulation. Sally always warned him he was teaching the boy bad habits. Hm, well, the joke was on her—if that was the most manipulative Percy got then by the end of this argument he would buy Poseidon a new dog. Poseidon chuckled to himself, taking another drink. Percy's scowl darkened, knowing it was him his father laughed at.

"You work all day and drag me out to this little boat every summer! I'm states away from my friends and my mom," he accused, eyes wide and stormy. "I'm lonely."

Well . . . shit.

1.

"Something small and not a dog," Poseidon instructed, one hand on Percy's shoulder as he led the boy into the hot, cramp pet shop a full forty minutes from the harbor.

They were immediately greeted by the ungodly squawks of colorful, exotic birds, whose shrieks beat even the little bell over the door in announcing their entrance. Poseidon swallowed back a groan, resigning himself to the miserable experience.

"Alright look, small mammals at six o'clock, that'll do nicely."

"Like rats and stuff?" Percy asked, twisting around to look up at his father.

Poseidon, who was trying to limit what promised to be a long affair, ushered the boy forward, steering him towards the rats and stuff. The first cage facing them was filled with rats in various shades of black, brown and white. Three lay in a heap, another ran on a wheel, and a fifth cleaned itself in the center, two beady black eyes fixed on the father-son duo.

"See, lots of fun," Poseidon said cheerfully. Percy twisted his neck, his face a perfect template for the disbelief Poseidon himself felt. "Fine. Go look at the hamsters."

Poseidon gave Percy a little push forward, following behind as they traveled deeper into the chaos. "They're bigger and hairier," Poseidon said, eyeing the rodents with barely hidden distaste. "Oh look, buy one get a wheel half off, how droll—"

A glimmer caught Poseidon's eye and the familiarity caused his head to turn. "Oh, fish."

"I don't want a fish," Percy scoffed, trying to pull away. "We live on the ocean Dad, you're always bringing fish on board why do I need another?"

"Yes and goldfish are awfully dull," Poseidon agreed distractedly, peering into the wall of blue. The collection was small but the little fishes flitting back and forth weren't goldfishes. His eyes flickered down the nameplate and he frowned.

"That isn't right, the fin is high but the coloration is all wrong. And they aren't tropical, why is the water temperature so high—"

"I'm going to look at the hamsters, Dad."

"Yes, yes, okay—excuse me, Miss, what kind of fish are these? The coloration is all wrong. Well yes, I'm certain, I'm a marine biologist."

The discussion exploded from there. The twenty-something-year-old cashier went and double checked the digital catalog, her eyes stormy and teeth clenched, then called the manager and had to haul up the physical catalog from the back before discovering the labeling error.

"Ah yes, that makes more sense," Poseidon chuckled, taping the top of the aquarium fondly. "It's all in the coloration you know."

"Are you going to buy one sir," the cashier ground out through tightly clenched teeth.

"Oh god no, why would I want one of those? My son, Percy, wants something fuzzy. Right, Percy?" Poseidon ignored the black look the cashier sent his way—it was familiar, women often granted him such expressions—and found his side child-less.

"Percy?" Poseidon called, stepping towards the hamster section. Fat little hamsters ran gaily on wheels or stared sleepily up at him but there was no raven-haired menace underfoot. Poseidon's heart gave an uncomfortable lurch. Reptiles, boys liked reptiles, that's where he had to be, Poseidon rationalized as his feet beelined him through the store, heart in his throat.

"Perseus?"

"Dad, hey dad, can I keep him, please?"

Poseidon whirled and spotted his mini-me's head peeking around a door in the back. "Dammit, Perseus," Poseidon said crossly, rubbing his chest to force his heart back down to an acceptable level.

Percy was unfazed by Poseidon's scolding. His father reached out to gently rap his knuckles against Percy's raven hair, then smoothed the unruly strands back a second later.

"Don't run off without telling me," he scolded. "Your mother will kill me if I don't return you in September."

"Yeah, you'd be dead," Percy agreed casually. "Well, you were so wrapped up in that stupid fish so I went looking for my pet. That is why we came here you know."

Poseidon grunted, squeezing the back of Percy's neck.

"So, while you were so wrapped up in the stupid fish—"

"They were incorrectly labeled."

"—and making that girl cry—"

"It's hardly my fault she can't handle her job properly."

"So while you were being a jerk, I checked out the other animals. Remember, pet?"

"I am aware."

"Because I'm lonely."

"I said I'd get you a pet, Perseus."

"So I found the pet I want. Let's pay and leave then."

Poseidon frowned down at Percy. Percy's eyes were wide, his face carefully devoid of emotion.

"Don't ever play poker kid." Poseidon ruffled the kid's hair with a smirk. It was going to be so easy to catch him sneaking around in his teenage years. "Show me the animal first."

Percy's shoulders slumped. "He's in the back. He's only here for transportation but Dad! Dad, he's great, he likes me and they say he'll probably be put down because he's lame, Dad, but that's not fair! He's nice and funny and we can't let them turn him into—"

Poseidon froze. Standing in a makeshift, run-down barn through the backdoor of the pet shop was a large, black—

"—glue."

Horse.

"A horse."

"Can we keep him?"

Poseidon whirled, gaping at Percy than back at the full-grown horse. This was supposed to be a pet store, not a farm! It was supposed to be a nice, little, normal pet store, why was there a barn with a horse? A worker stood at the entrance of the barn, watching the pair out of the corner of his eye.

"Is this part of the pet store?" Poseidon demanded.

His confusion muddled him enough that he didn't stop Percy from darting forward.

"Yes," can the bewildering reply. "The shop teamed up with the local humane society. Their center is at least forty miles from here so instead of dragging the animals all the way up there, they bring 'em here. Even the bigger ones. Animals have a better chance of getting adopted if they're at a pet store than the society anyway so they'll have a better chance here."

At Poseidon's still dumbfounded look, the worker grinned.

"Can we keep him, Dad?"

Percy had found his way to a step stool, the extra height allowing him to reach the black horse inside. The horse, darker than night, had uneven teeth and wild eyes, but it nuzzled against Percy, who grinned widely, burying his hands in the mangled, unkempt mane.

"His owners abused him." Percy's eyes blazed with injustice, his jaw clenching. He ran his fingers gently through the unruly mane, his movements careful and loving before leaning his head against the horse's. Danger, danger, Poseidon's mind blared the warning.

"Which is awful, now come on Percy, let's go back and look at the rats." Poseidon stepped forward, arms outstretched to call the child back to him.

"He'll be turned into glue!" Percy objected, head jerking up as his fingers tangling deeper in the horse's dark mane.

The horse let out a wild neigh, snorting and rolling his eyes. Percy smooshed his face back against the beast's.

"I'm sure someone else will adopt him," Poseidon dismissed, still holding a hand out to the irksome child. He could only see half of Percy's face but it was enough to spot the discontent, the way Percy's eyes flickered and his lips twisted.

"What's wrong with it? Is it sick?" Poseidon demanded, exasperate. Sally would really kill him if he let their son catch horse flu or whatever. He was a marine biologist not that kind of biologist.

The worker looked from Percy to Poseidon, scratching the back of his head. "Well . . . he does have a few cognitive challenges."

"He was abused," Percy interjected angrily, possessively curling closer to the beast. Oh, this wasn't good.

"Perseus—"

"He's lame!" Percy exclaimed, scarlet with indignation and fury. "He can't walk straight but that doesn't make him any less important! I love him, I could take good care of him. Why should they kill him just because he doesn't think or act like other horses? Someone hurt him!" Tears gathered in the corner of Percy's eyes. He blinked furiously to dispel them, his nose scrunching up and face blotchy red. "Something's wrong with my head too, but that doesn't mean I'm less right?"

Sweet Lord have mercy, Poseidon thought in panic. Where was Sally when you needed her?

"No, Percy, kiddo, squirt, we've talked about this. Dyslexia, ADHD, they don't make you less of anything—" Percy scowled, jaw set and his chin dangerously close to wavering. "No, Percy, it doesn't. Nobody thinks less of you or," Poseidon turned his eyes heavenwards. Lord help him, the things he did for this child, "the . . . horse. It's not a matter of worth or—do we need to take Blowfish up on his therapy offer?"

Percy looked struck by lightning. "God no! No!"

"Well then," Poseidon said in relief. "I love you, your mother loves you, your self-esteem needs some work—let's go get a hamster."

With that Poseidon bodily lifted Percy off the stepstool. Percy, who was still trapped in the horror the word 'therapist' conjured, was caught unawares.

"What? No! I want Blackjack, Dad!"

Percy kicked and twisted so violently that when Poseidon plopped his feet back on the ground, Percy fell flat in the dirt, like a beetle on its back. Poseidon pinched the bridge of his nose. This was supposed to be a quick trip.

"Dad!"

You'd think he was torturing the child. Percy scrambled back to his feet, reaching out and tugging on his father's arm.

"Dad, please, he—he needs me."

"We live on boat, Perseus."

"We can stable him, most people do—"

"You'd never get to see him."

"We'll stable him here! We always come here, Grandma lives here and she'd love to check in on him for me. Are you gonna stop visiting Grandma?"

"There are perfectly adequate hamsters and rats inside Percy, why don't you—"

"Dad, please. He's made for me. Like the ocean calls to you, he calls to me."

Poseidon stared down at Percy, whose fingers dug into his father's arm, his ocean-glass green eyes wide and childlike, reflecting light like the sun off the ocean.

"Oh for the love of—how much for the damn beast?"

2.

"Yes Mother. Yes, we're saying goodbye now. Yes, his water and feed troughs are full. Percy—Percy is out with the damn—don't Poseidon me—oh . . . yes, I know you're my mother. Yes, I know Percy needs the damn—oh he's almost twelve Mother, he's heard the word before. I am—yes. Yes. I'm letting him say goodbye I just said that! I am—I—oh for heaven's sake—Perseus!"

Percy froze, face too innocent.

"What are you doing?" Poseidon demanded suspiciously. A quick once over told Poseidon that Percy had snuck the damnable creature some sugar cubes, which Poseidon had strictly instructed him not to do. That boy spoiled the horse, it would be the size of a house by the end of the summer.

"You've fed him enough, what did I just say, oh forget it. Smile for your grandmother, she doesn't believe I'm letting you say goodbye."

"He's torturing me, Grandma!" Percy shouted with an impish grin.

"Yeah, whatever brat. Move closer to the beast and smile."

Percy obligingly shuffled closer to his horse.

"Smile Perseus, work with me. I bought you the damn horse."

Percy snorted.

"Shut up and smile, imp."

Poseidon snapped a picture of the snorkeling demonchild—it was close enough to a smile—and sent it to his mother.

"There, I sent you a picture. Ask Hestia to show you how to open it. No, I'm not going to walk you through it. I'm going now, Mother, we have a deadline. Yes, yes, we'll be back in a few weeks. Yes, I will phone. Yes, he knows. Yes, I'll tell him anyway. Percy, your grandmother loves you, put the horse away now and get in the car!"

"Love you, Grandma," Percy shouted, grinning from ear to ear. Poseidon liked to think any additional sass he might have given was tampered by the fear of his father's withering glare. Percy bit his bottom lip, looking every inch the evil imp he was, but lead the horse back into his stall.

When Poseidon finally managed to detangle himself from his mother, Percy had his butt parked on the hood of the rental car, legs swinging back and forth.

"Off," Poseidon called, snapping his fingers like Percy was the dreaded dog. "Get down you heathen."

Percy rolled his eyes but hopped off.

"Do I have to stay with Aunt Demeter tomorrow?"

"It'll only be for a couple of hours. We're meeting with the FBI—"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, illegal animal importation, blah, blah, I know, I know—"

"—and they will not let a child sit in."

Percy opened his mouth. Poseidon firmly cut any argument off, "And I will not leave you alone in a government building. God only knows what havoc you'd wreck."

"Or I could get kidnapped," Percy objected, cross-eyed as Poseidon all but shooed him into the car. "Or injured."

"Nobody would want to kidnap you, you're a nightmare, they'd be begging to return you," Poseidon dismissed, climbing in the driver's seat. "I have to pay your aunt to watch you for the day."

"Aunt Demeter loves me!" Percy argued.

"Don't flatter yourself kiddo. She thinks you're an ungodly heathen she can tame. Women like that. Now, buckle up."

Percy scowled and refused to talk for the remainder of the drive. He thought it was a punishment but, ha, joke was on him, Poseidon enjoyed every second of blessed silence. They got to the boat and the forecast was still in their favor so Poseidon heaved anchor and began their journey south. Sixteen hours and yet another rental car later, Demeter's sun-wrinkled face smiled upon them.

"Brother dear," she greeted as Poseidon pushed a half sleeping Percy into her farmhouse.

"Percy darling." Demeter's eyes crinkled as she reached dirty hands out to embrace his child, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head.

"I don't know if you've heard, sister dear, but there's a new revolutionary invention on the market."

"Oh?"

"Yes, they're called fences and they keep annoying little pests away from my car when I'm trying to park in your driveway."

"I'm free range Poseidon, and don't you dare hit one of my baby goats. They were born seven weeks ago and I'll be able to sell them here soon. My 4H kids can't wait to get their hands on—"

"I'll be back in eight hours or so, Demeter, don't let Percy near your horses he's dangerously obsessed with the beasts at the moment."

"Your interest in my life is always heartening, brother, don't let the door hit you on the way out. Speaking of hitting, hit any of my goats and it'll come out of your hid."

The conference was invigorating. The FBI were closing in on an illegal animal smuggling ring. Lionfish were the pressing concern for the Gulf region and the recent influx of the creatures was causing problems. So, as the resident expert on the debated ecosystem, Poseidon was called in. It was with a certain satisfaction that Poseidon gave counsel. These blockheaded feds and local fish and wildlife guides were clueless blunderheads and he greatly enjoyed flaunting his expertise over their ignorance. The head of the local FBI office was a woman of perhaps seven or eight years Poseidon's junior, and she sat across from him, legs crossed with a sharp smile, gorgeous eyes sparkling as he presented.

"That was an impressive presentation," she praised as the conference broke up. "I would love to talk about it over dinner."

"You would be delighted I'm sure," Poseidon flirted back with a grin, leaning closer. "But, alas, you caught me at an inopportune moment, I'm afraid. I have to rescue my son from the claws of his aunt least he hate me forever."

"Oh?" she asked, her disappointment tempered by his joke.

"But, if you're going to continue keeping me on the operation, which I assume you are as these idiots obviously cannot afford to do without me, I'll take a raincheck for later this week, if you want to give me your number."

"You're something aren't you?" she laughed and he left with her number in his contacts.

Poseidon whistled the whole trip back to Demeter's, immensely pleased with himself. Nothing could ruin this day. Maybe he'd even let Percy ride one of Demeter's horses to get the kid to stop mopping. The irksome tiny goats were absent when he pulled up, Poseidon noticed with amusement. His sister really mustn't trust him. In the distant field, he spotted the figure of said mistrustful sister, sickle in hand. Shoving his hands into his pockets and continuing to cheerfully whistle, Poseidon braved the muddy field as he marched out to greet her.

"Sister dearest," he called, flashing all his teeth when he drew close enough. "How bountiful is your yield?"

"It's June, Poseidon," she reminded him without looking up, giving a swing of her sickle, which slickly cut through the grass. "I'm only weeding. I take it the conference went well."

"Marvelously," Poseidon assured her with a wink. "Though not as golden as your luscious wheat, dear sister."

Demeter snorted, her face smudged with dirt as she knelt down. "Keep your conquests to yourself, I don't want to hear about them."

"Dear, sweet Demeter, always so genial. Whatever did I say of a conquest?"

"You don't have to, I'm your sister."

He gave a full-bodied laugh. "Right you are. Where is my heathen then? How was the imp?"

"Far more angelic then his father," Demeter muttered. "He kept the kids away from my field as I worked. Here, hold these."

She held a basket of freshly pulled weeds, which he took, as she pushed herself to her feet. She lifted a mud-covered finger to the right, where several figures could be found frolicking. "He's over there. Let me dispose of these and I'll join you."

"Much obliged sister," he thanked, returning the basket to her and moving towards the rambunctious shadows.

Percy's unrestrained laughter greeted him and Poseidon's grin increased as he watched his son running around, tiny baby goats tripping over themselves as they desperately tried to catch up. Percy stumbled as one jumped in front of him and, in order to avoid trampling the thing, tumbled to the side. The second he hit the ground, the goats poured over him, Percy laughing hysterically.

"You've been overcome."

"Hi Dad," came the slightly muffled reply, not even lifting his head as the furry mob climbed all over him.

Baa!

One of the goats hopped excitedly over Percy's face.

"Baa," Percy mimicked. The goat was so startled it froze up, legs locking into place until the tiny thing toppled over next to Percy. Naturally, Percy found this hysterical, cracking up as he reached out to pet the stunned creature.

"Making friends I see."

"Yeah," Percy said happily, surging up into a sitting position, grass in his hair.

He pulled the excited no longer stunned goat onto his lap, craning his head up to look up at Poseidon as the other goats enthusiastically tried to jump up and bite his hair.

"They really like him." Demeter had returned, walking up behind them. Gone were the weeds and sickle, but dirt still stained her face and hands.

"Yes, I can see that," Poseidon said, shaking his head.

The goat Percy held bleated, trying to eat the collar of Percy's shirt. Percy's eyes were trained on his aunt, though, seemingly unconcerned.

"Can we stay for dinner Dad?" he pleaded. "It's okay with Aunt Demeter."

"Oh is it?" Poseidon asked with an amused tolerance, turning to his sister.

She watched Percy with a motherly look in her eye that never boded well. "Yes, we talked about it. You know I love having people for dinner."

That . . . sounded terrifying, Poseidon thought in mild alarm. To wait for Demeter to finish tending her fields, or worse, compel him to kneel in the dirt to accelerate the process; picking vegetables and waiting for freshly baked bread to rise—lord, they'd never make it out of here.

"Love to sister dear but we need to return to the boat."

"I hear there's a storm brewing."

Percy piped up. Poseidon shot him a dirty look.

"No, there isn't. So, can't leave it alone for too long, I have work I need to do tonight anyway, lovely seeing you again sister—"

"Come on, Dad, please?"

Poseidon frowned at the troublesome child. Normally, Percy couldn't wait to get away from Demeter's farm, a very willing accomplice to the quick escape (Poseidon readily let his sister use him as free labor after all). Percy batted innocent eyes. Damn kids, never working with you when you needed them too.

"I thought you were excited to go diving tomorrow," Poseidon asked with a forced smile. "Can't go diving if I don't finish my work so let's hop along."

He held his hand out to help the indignant child up. Percy's lips turned down, choosing to snuggle the goat closer instead of cooperating.

"Well," Percy hesitated as the goat mowed away at his collar. His eyes flickered over to Demeter, whose eyebrows rose. "Well, Aunt Demeter and I were talking and . . . and she said I could have a goat."

Poseidon stared down at the child. "What?"

"Come on Dad, please! I'll take good care of him and Aunt Demeter told me all about his diet and we could—"

"A goat?" Poseidon couldn't believe his ears, staring at Percy in utter confusion and no small amount of frustration.

"Percy Jackson, why do you seem to be continuously forgetful of the fact that we live on a boat?"

"Dad please, we could make a nice pen for him in the office and Aunt Demeter says they eat hay — and he's a Nigerian dwarf, a miniature goat Dad, he won't get any bigger than—"

Poseidon pinched his nose. Through gritted teeth, he said, "You got a horse."

"But I don't get to see him every day! And even when I do see him, I go back to the boat alone—"

"You're the one who wanted a horse!"

"And you can't always be there and I still get lonely 'cause Blackjack is so far away."

"A boat, Perseus, a boat!"

"Aunt Demeter said—!"

"Oh lighten up, Poseidon," Demeter cut in. "I have a care package all made up for each goat so you'll already have the right stuff to begin. You just—let me talk—need a large enough area for him to roam and I've seen your boat. Now, I've never heard of a goat living full time on a boat before, but I'm sure he'll get used to it. The Navy used to keep goats on boats before proper refrigerators."

"What?"

"Give it a shot," Demeter told him as she held her hand out to Percy. The traitor took her hand and let his aunt pull him to his feet. "If the goat doesn't like the boat, bring him back before you leave. Percy is very attached and pets are very good for children. They teach responsibility, empathy and make for the best companions."

All the while she talked, Demeter brushed grass and dirt off Percy's shirt, straightened his hair and the pair shared a warm smile. Bonding, they were bonding, Poseidon thought in horror.

"Yes, sure pets might be—" he began but Demeter cut him off.

"We're done discussing, Poseidon." She smiled down at Percy. "Come, let's go pick up your starter pack. You want the little brown one, yes?"

"Yeah! I think I'll name him Grover, what do you think?"

"That's a lovely name, dear."

They left Poseidon standing in the middle of the field, a gaggle of goats running after the two, wondering what the hell just happened.

A/n Can you believe I've never done a 5+1 fic before? Can you also believe that this didn't start out as a 5+1 but a how many ridiculous pets can I get away with before Poseidon losses his marbles then shortened it to 5+1 because it got out of hand and hey 5+1's a thing? No, yes, maybe? Anyway, adding to the admittedly short list of overused fanfiction cliche's I've used, here is the first father-son story I've published in a long time. How I've missed them. And look, for all my beautiful return readers, it's not as sad as last time!

Merry belated Christmas to everyone, hope you had a wonderful holiday! Speaking of holidays, my lovely beta rhig122 wrote a great Christmas story you should totally check out. It's the first story in my favorites so check it out!

Thank you for reading, kindly drop a note and tell me what you thought. And, like always, I hope you enjoyed ~ *