I remembered what Grover had said back on our first night, when we'd been in that clearing after killing Medusa. "I'm pretty good at reading emotions. You're glad your dad is alive. You feel good that he's claimed you, and part of you wants to make him proud. That's why you mailed Medusa's head to Olympus. You wanted him to notice what you'd done."
Back then I'd been skeptical that he was right. But now, as I thought about it…
I thought back to when I'd been playing Capture the Flag and I'd seen that hologram of the trident. Thinking back on that time, I realized now I'd felt glad he'd noticed me. Whenever we were facing monsters or other trouble—Medusa, Crusty, the Furies, and so many others—I'd wanted to impress him. Even though I felt resentful that he'd claimed me only because he needed me, I realized now I hadn't been doing it just for my mother. All along, I'd wanted Poseidon to notice me, to prove myself to him.
And when I'd talked with him in Olympus… I'd felt glad he had thanked me after Zeus left. What Poseidon had said… "You did well, Perseus. Do not misunderstand me. Whatever else you do, know that you are mine. You are a true son of the Sea God."
It had felt gratifying to know I had made him proud and I'd lived up to my father's name. And then when I'd been reunited with my mom, it had felt so good to know both my parents were proud of me.
I watched the fireworks exploding above us—so many of the great deeds heroes had done. And my father thought mine deserved to be up there—worthy enough to be in this show. If I was truthful with myself, all along, I had cared about my father, and he'd cared about me. And he was proud of me. As I watched the firework show, I felt more at home than I ever had in my life. I imagined my father standing in front of me, his eyes bright with pride, saying You are a true son of the Sea God.