Atreus laughed, jumping up from his hiding spot and pouncing on his father, wrapping his arms around his neck and hugging him. The demi-god relished in pride at the way his father gasped, caught off guard.
Hugging his father tigher and pressing more into him, oblivious to his distress, Atreus giggled and lowered himself to get more comfortable.
"Boy-" kratos's eyes widened and he made a choked sound as his son suddenly and forcefully sat on his lap, moving in such a way that-
It was unexpected for the both of them.
Kratos grabbed the boy by the shoulders, roughly pinning him to the floor with a thud. He was so weak compared to his strenght, he wouldn't be able to fight back.
He'd be so easy to...
The giant quickly shook his head, fighting every impulse while narrowing his eyes at the suddenly no-longer proud boy. "Atreus! Stop messing around. You could of...!"
He watched as his son's joy seemed to fade, the boy frowning and tearing up. "S-Sorry, father..." Atreus sniffed making Kratos softened his grip and sighed, getting off him.
He wouldn't-couldn't do such a thing to a child, his child.
Kratos watched as his boy cried, trying to be silent and act as though he was tough despite already being. Kratos wished his son could see that. After a few moments Kratos slowly reached for Atreus's hands and gently grabbed his wrists, pulling them from his face. "Boy, do not cry. There is no...need..."
The god stared at his son's face. Flushed from shame, lidded eyes shying away, hair cascading over his face, soft, fragile parted lips...
Kratos abruptly stood up pulling Atreus with him. "Let us go back inside." The god clenched his teeth trying to seem less tense than he actually was.
He heard a hum in reply from the younger one, glancing at him wiping his face. He would protect him from himself even if it meant more denial of who he was, what he was,
Or his bloodline.
