Tobias was leaning against the counter, watching as his father charmed the water to wash the dishes. Clearly, Percy was enjoying his magic, like the child he was.

"So, yeah. What is going on, mate?"

"Dunno."

"Yeah you do."

"No, I don't."

"Do."

"Don't."

"Do." Tobias glared at the back of Percy's head. The sauce-stained water in the sink bubbled angrily. Percy looked calmly and casually over his shoulder at his eldest son. "Don't make me call you the Tobster in front of your friends."

"Why are you so horrible?"

"Or I could get Lou…" Tobias sighed, his shoulders dropping in defeat. "Oh, now you're sulking." Percy moved and lent on the counter next to Tobias, folding his arms. Tobias had the sneaking suspicion that Percy was going to copy his every move, so he stayed still.

He smirked as the ADHD part of his father's brain grew bored and Percy grew restless.

Percy bumped his shoulder into Tobias's. "Talk, now."

"Or what?" Tobias challenged.

"I don't know… see, Lou has some great friends in the Hermes cabin… and I'm dying to see how far they could go with this Tobster thing."

"I wasn't the one who made that up! That was you!"

"No it wasn't." Percy protested.

"Was."

"I'm in charge here, Tobster. Shut up and answer my question."

"What question?"

"What's going on at school?" Percy waved his hand, gesturing at Tobias. "Or just life in general?" Tobias sighed, looking at the floor. Percy tilted his head to the side and watched his son curiously.

Then he smirked. "Is it a girl?"

"What?" Tobias's head snapped up, his tone defensive and a guarded look in his eyes. "No!"

"It is." Percy teased, smiling triumphantly.

"No, it's not!"

"Is."

"Dad, it's not a girl!" Percy bit his lip, studying his son's eyes.

"Ain't a guy is it?" He asked carefully.

"Dad!" Percy chuckled.

"I'm just messing with ya." He grinned.

"I'm going off you."

"Go off me completely and we'll disown you."

"Harsh." Percy smiled evilly, waiting patiently for Tobias to answer his question. Tobias sighed again. "It's not a girl and it's definitely not a guy." Percy nodded, chewing his lip while wearing a look of interest. Tobias had his father's undivided attention, which was difficult as Percy, being ADHD, had trouble focusing on one thing for more than ten seconds.

Tobias slowly counted the ten seconds, noticing that Percy's eyes were still locked with his. Yup, Percy wasn't going to let this go.

Tobias grumbled. "I don't like school."

"Who does?"

"Mom."

"Exception."

"The other Athena kids."

"More exceptions."

"And Minerva's kids."

"Are you trying to get me to make exceptions?" Tobias nodded. "Not gonna happen anymore." Tobias shot his father a lopsided grin. "Besides, your nan is Athena. She'll be after you for dissing education."

"Right." Tobias said, not really too sure what to say to that. It was true, Athena had drilled into Annabeth's head that all the children needed a good education. Tobias was shunning his.

"You can't keep getting in fights, Tobias."

"Mm-hm."

"I'm actually being serious for once. Gimme some credit, alright?" Tobias held his father's green gaze. "Don't give me that look." Percy warned, pointing accusingly at his son. Then he sighed, his broad shoulders stooping. "Just tell me what's going on and we'll get it sorted." Tobias looked at the floor, tracing the tile pattern with his toe. His left hand went absentmindedly to his right bicep. Percy's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he didn't say anything.

Tobias couldn't tell him.

Tobias couldn't tell anyone.

What'd you all think Tobias is up to?