Hey! I'd have posted this on Father's day, but the internet was down all around my house. So this is late and short and random, but I want it on the internet so gosh-dang-it here it is! Enjoy.
Dedicated to: My dad. The only time I wanted you replaced was when I wanted to be Harry Potter's daughter, but I talked myself out of it in two seconds flat. That's love.
"Hey, Paul?" Percy asked. Paul looked up from his pile of Summer School papers at his stepson.
"Yes?" He asked.
Percy sat down in the chair next to him at the dining room and produced an alien that appeared to be made out of cardboard, paint, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and pompoms, painted with a tie on its chest. It held a little sign that read 'You're an out of this world Dad!'
Paul said nothing and waited for Percy to explain- which was a usually wise tactic with Percy.
"See, when I was in second grade, they made us do this for Father's day. But from a young age, I refused to consider Smelly Gabe anything remotely human or associated with me. I always figured that one day, Gabe would die in some tragic accident and some millionaire would marry my mom and be a legitimately good stepdad. So I kept this little alien thing until that guy came around. And you're not a millionaire, but you're that guy I guess I kind of fantasised as a Gabe-replacemen, so even though it's a really stupid cardboard thing that I wouldn't blame you for throwing out right now," Percy took a deep breath as Paul remembered to start breathing again. This just surprised Paul an awful lot. Percy had a good relationship with his own father. He'd never expected Percy to consider him as a father figure, especially in this time of being reminded of the demigod world so much.
"Happy Father's Day, Paul." Percy said pushing the alien closer, oblivious of the shock he'd just caused, as if this was all normal.
Paul felt like more of a dad than if he'd actually been Percy's father.