Percy had expected a full-blown lecture from his father but what made it worse was that Poseidon had led the two of them in pure silence back to Percy's house. When Sally opened the door, her face fell. By the bruises and cuts on her son, she could only guess that something had happened. Paul came to the door right when Poseidon left in a wisp of sea air.

Percy said nothing as he pushed past his mother and stepfather. Paul just let out a controlled sigh as Annabeth disappeared into the living room. Sally followed her son into the kitchen and filled the sink with water. It was halfway filled before she turned off the faucet and led Paul into the living room where she was sure Annabeth would explain.

The water looked clear as Percy stuck his hand into it. The water swirled up his arm and healed all his cuts and bruises. Not one drop hit the tiled floor of the kitchen. Percy drained the water and looked out the back door of the kitchen. Their new house sat over a massive lake. Without another second of hesitation, Percy raced out the door and threw his shirt on the soil ground. He kicked off his shoes, pulling of his socks, and dived head first into the sparkling water.

He stayed submerged for so long that the sky had turned completely dark. The moonlight sparkled against the water, tinting the night with a marvelous silver.

Percy, his father said in his head. Poseidon didn't sound angry, or disappointed. Just concerned.

Reluctantly, he surfaced. The water left him like he was made of plastic. Every part of him was dry. His father held out his shirt. Percy took it gingerly and slipped it back on. The kitchen lights were on and three silhouettes were scrambling about the place. Annabeth must have stayed.

But they could wait.

Percy sat down and let the water tickle his toes. He felt Poseidon sit down next to him.

They sat together in silence before Percy spoke up. "Sometimes I wish I was normal." Silence. "Just the people out there," Percy continued. His voice contained a hint of disgust. "They think they know everything. Like the way the act and…" Percy cut himself off. No use in venting to his dad.

He finally settled on, "I'm sorry I lost it today."

Poseidon placed a hand on Percy's shoulder. "Under normal circumstances, here would be the part where father starts to lecture his son, but Percy… You made me proud today, although your mother might disagree."

"A hero getting beat up. Real worthy."

"In this day and age, there aren't many out there your age that will get into a fight if someone throws a rude remark about their parents."

"I kind of miss the old days," Percy confessed, looking down to hide his smile. "It used to be that every time I went to sleep, I knew what I had to do tomorrow, even if it was life-threatening. I mean, what now? Kronos is defeated for the while being. I go back to school. But I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know who I want to be."

"You're Perseus Jackson," Poseidon answered. "Son of the Sea God. My son. Don't you forget that."

"I know…" Percy sighed. "I think it's the ADHD. I'm just itching for a fight."

"You're a half-blood. It's how you're supposed to feel."

"Back to the beginning. Just like before. No one knows anything."

"Percy…" Poseidon began. "Percy. Look at me." Percy looked up. His eyes met his dad's. He wasn't sure how to decipher those eyes. They were constantly changing –just like the sea.

"Just because everyone else can't feel it too, doesn't mean that you have to forget. Alright?"

"Yeah…" Percy agreed somewhat distantly. Poseidon smiled and Percy couldn't help but smile back. The sea god dissolved into a wisp of sea air again and floated towards the bay. Pretty soon, Percy heard footsteps approach him. His shoes and socks fell into his lap.

Looking up, he saw grey-stormy eyes smile at him. "Come on Seaweed Brain." She smiled and held out her hand. "Your mom's got dinner ready. It's getting cold."

Percy nodded and slipped on his shoes, taking her hand in his. He joined the rest of his family at the kitchen.

At the end of the night, he knew who he was. He was Perseus Jackson. Son of Poseidon the Sea God, Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. A hero. A demigod. A half-blood. Half-god, half-human. Living in both worlds. He'd been to Hades twice and came back alive both times. He, along with his "relatives" had saved the world. He was going to settle for some boring mortal life. If the world wanted him, then the mortal realm had better pack in some kick-ass life for him, or else he won't be satisfied.

fin.

The last thing that Poseidon says is a lyric from the song The Call by Regina Spektor. Just thought it fit the story.