Finally got done with my first exam, which was pretty much the only major one. (These are college entrance exams btw so I don't have to crack them all.) So overwhelming to get done with something that important, something that I have spent so much of my time and patience on, sacrificed so much for. Just hope that I get a decent result after all. Anyway, moving on, this means that I can get back to posting twice a week after all. I can't wait.
For those who missed it the last time, CHECK OUT NEPENTHE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN TRITON AND ATHENA. I will not be explaining it again, and I think it is worth a read anyway. Also, I'm posting another one-shot, one that's been sitting in my folder since before I even posted this fic. I was waiting for the right moment and this seems to be it.
And getting to the important parts; on with the story!
First date. Percy wasn't sure he was ready for his first date with his fiancé. Percy made a face; he was engaged to be married. He was taken. He was-
"Stop thinking about the f-word," Triton suggested. Which was now fiancé, of course.
Right. So, but still…what was he supposed to wear? "Should I go in my worst pair of jeans or my most faded t-shirt? I can't wear both because they somehow actually go together."
"You have them both here?"
"Yeah, dad got me most of my stuff here from New Rome. He even got me my skate-board even though I don't really need it."
In other words, Triton summarized, he brought everything Percy could need or want for so he wouldn't miss New Rome.
"You know how you're being a super brat all the time?"
"I am?" Percy looked genuinely surprised.
Triton ignored the confirmation he had needed. "Do that with Apollo. That guy loves the mirror and his hair more than anything else in the world. He'll run away screaming."
Percy snickered at the mental image, then abruptly sobered. "But seriously, Triton. Am I really being too much?" He asked, all big green eyes and sad pout.
Triton melted. "It's just a little hard seeing you in pain," he understated. "But I'd much rather be in here than out there wondering what's wrong."
"I know I'm being difficult," Percy said. "Thanks for everything."
"Yeah," Triton said with a smile, "You're a super annoying brat who accidentally got married to a man thousands of years his senior-"
"Triton," Percy laughed despite himself, lightly slapping his shoulder. "You're incorrigible."
"Big word right there," Triton said, looking impressed and pleased. (Though really, he was just happy that this was the first time he had thought of his inevitable marriage with more than just disgust. Life wasn't fair and sometimes things went wrong. Percy needed to be strong and accept his new reality for the sake of his own piece of mind.)
"Shut up," Percy said absently, now standing in front of his wardrobe to look through his clothes.
"Okay, look on the bright side. By the time you get back, your room will be ready."
Percy looked around in confusion. "What's wrong with this room?"
"This room is just a simple guest room. When dad came in, he put you in the first room he came across and you didn't seem to be in any mood to move. But by the time you come back from this date, we'll have your room ready. And your room does mean your room. Even if you don't live here and only visit occasionally, nobody will touch it."
"You don't have to do that," he said but still grinned, pleased.
"This is your home too, isn't it?"
Percy looked at Triton almost blankly. "Yes, I suppose," he muttered. Triton couldn't figure out if it was callous denial or warm acceptance of the fact.
Percy awkwardly tugged at his hair. He was not comfortable in his suit at all. It was a nice suit, apparently tailor-made for him or so Amphitrite had assured him. Because apparently, he could not go for his date in a torn-off denim and faded t-shirt.
As if he needed another reason to hate their 'dates'.
"I'll take you up to the surface," Triton offered.
"No, Triton, you will stay here and finish up your duties. That you've been neglecting," Poseidon said sternly. Amphitrite chuckled.
"Oh it's alright. I can go up to the surface by myself." Percy said hurriedly. As much as he liked to get Triton into almost trouble, he didn't actually want him in trouble. Almost was the key word here.
"It's no problem," Poseidon soothed him. "It won't take long."
Amphitrite chuckled again. "If it's no trouble, how about I take him to the surface?" Amphitrite asked, lacing her arm with his. "A little bit of step-mother step-son bonding."
"Sure," Percy said, shrugging. Amphitrite was way cooler than he had expected or hoped she could be.
"Sure, mother. Or mom. Whatever you prefer, my dear," she smiled serenely at him.
Percy looked at her, wide-eyed. "Um, okay." He paused. He couldn't say 'mom'. Mom was always and would always be bright eyes and that mischievous smile and that smell of candies. As cool as Amphitrite seemed, she could never ever ever replace Sally Jackson.
And yet, was it even a matter of replacement?
"Mother," he tried. She beamed so big at him, pulling him into a hug so warm and tight that it melted most of his doubts about it away. Only his mom could make him shed the rest.
"Oh, c'mon," Poseidon said in disbelief. "This is just not fair."
Percy looked at him in confusion, pulling away from-from his mother now, apparently. He was so missing something here.
Both Triton and Amphitrite burst out laughing. "Oh, honey. Even jealousy looks cute on you."
"Even?" he said grumpily.
"It is a very ugly emotion," Triton chimed in. "And, gross."
"I'm sorry? I'm missing something, aren't I? Again." Percy intruded.
"Oh, honey. He's just sorry not to be spending enough time with you." Amphitrite smiled, pushing his hair away from his forehead.
Percy looked at him in surprise, but before he could say anything more, Amphitrite added, "But like I said, this time is mine."
"No, it's not," Poseidon tried to draw himself to his full formidable form, the one that made even his brothers wary. It was no use. Now even Percy joined in their giggling. Great, Poseidon thought grumpily. He was just a joke now, wasn't he?
"I see what you mean," Percy said, hiccupping a little from laughing too hard.
"Anyway, I'll be taking him up." Poseidon ignored their latest bout of laughter. It was wonderful to hear his family laugh, even if it was at his expense. "I have to have a talk with Apollo."
"Oh yes" Both Triton and Amphitrite grinned. Percy smiled almost shyly. "You'll tell him to back off, right?"
"Exactly," Poseidon assured him. "And, I got you a gift."
"What is it?" Percy perked up. Poseidon didn't miss Triton's subtle instinctive reaction. He had always been an only child, Poseidon had been suspecting that it would hard to share affection and attention with another.
Triton had been pretty good about it all. But feelings could not forced on to or away from someone. Good and bad. Poseidon had no intention of letting it go far enough that Triton's jealousy started consuming him instead of the other way around.
"There is one for both of you," Poseidon said, though he had initially meant to keep one to himself.
He clasped the wrist band to Percy's wrist first. It was a intimidating, tough-looking band, made of a mix of Celestial Bronze, Imperial Gold and Divine Silver, giving it an uncanny antique feel.
The snake at the head had unsettlingly sharp eyes, tail in mouth. The 'body' of the snake was scribbled with ancient words and ruins and signs, hand-crafted by the finest sorcerers in his kingdom.
"This is protection," Poseidon told him. Then looked at both of his sons sharply, making sure to catch their eyes to show how serious he was.
"There are two of these bands. They connect the wearers. If one is angry or in pain, hurt in some way, they will provide a path for the two to connect. They are sensitive enough even to inform the other when someone is just irritated or annoyed. Eventually. Depends on the bond between the two wearers. It will take time and patience."
"But the sea is a medium to connect to anyway," Triton pointed out. "We don't need bands to look after each other."
"They're a bit more sensitive than that," Poseidon said. "I know when anyone in my family is hurt or in pain. Physically. But I think Percy's needs are a bit more emotional at this point." He caught Percy's chin in hand, looking at his red flush disapprovingly. "Nothing wrong with being human, yes?"
"Y-yes." Percy agreed.
"But Percy, I had them made because you need them. That does not, however, diminish your responsibility to Triton. If he helps you out in your time of need, these are also to help him out in his. These bands are necessary to jump through the awkward phase of asking each other for help. When you know he needs help, I want you to look after him just as well as he will after you, yes?"
"Yes, of course," Percy quietly promised.
"And Triton. This is a big responsibility. If you feel like this is too much, you can back out now."
"But I can't back out of being a brother now, can I?" There was wry humor in his tone and Poseidon smiled at hearing it.
"Exactly. You two are already brothers. This is just a way to hasten up from first introductions to close brothers."
Triton and Percy both glanced at each other, a silent agreement on their faces. "Yeah, okay," Percy agreed just as Triton just, "Yes, I want to."
Poseidon smiled and clasped the second identical wrist band onto Triton's wrist.
Percy looked out towards the deserted beach, not listening in while Apollo and Poseidon had a quiet 'talk'. He had never seen one so devoid of human interference. There were no humans, no sea-side cabins, no wrappers and no fault lines as far as he could see.
Standing there in a black suit with his polished shoes felt weird. Like, he might just be the first one there, and he couldn't even enjoy it.
"Percy," Poseidon motioned for him to come over to them. He put his hand on Percy's shoulder, a calming gesture as he looked blankly to Apollo. "Nephew, I mean it. Mind your manners, yes?"
Apollo nodded. Percy was in no mood to look at him, averting his eyes. He didn't want to look down either though, didn't want to seem submissive to that bastard of all people, so he kept his eyes on the roaring waves behind Apollo, ebbing and flowing, fierce and wild and free.
Poseidon squeezed his shoulder once, letting go. "Take care of yourself, kiddo. I'll be back for you in a couple of hours."
A couple of hours too long… "Or maybe Triton will. Or Amphi-Mother will." Percy corrected himself halfway through.
Poseidon threw him a half-amused, half-exasperated look, fading away into the sea without a word further.
Percy awkwardly wondered how he should start this conversation, what he should say.
Well, great! It's my kidnapper! Too passive-aggressive for someone he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with, and one who was obviously a rather clever opponent.
Hi! Too casual for a man who had stolen and forcefully almost married him.
"Let's go so I can get back home as quick as possible," Percy said, moving on. Well, that's one way to do it, he shrugged to himself. And it wasn't like he was going to be trying too hard for this guy.
Apollo jogged to catch up. "Wait, we can't walk all the way there."
Percy stopped as Apollo caught up to him.
"Great, so how are we supposed to get there? A cab? A boat-" Percy enumerated.
"Teleportation," Apollo said in the same tone.
"Okay," Percy said and looked at him expectantly.
They both stared at each other expectantly for a moment until Apollo said, "You'll have to give me your hand. It's easier to teleport that way and I doubt you want pieces of you left behind."
Percy looked at that clean-shaven soft skin, those baby blue eyes, sunny blonde hair and loathed his perfect teeth. "I already hate this date," he said, handing him his arm, trying to fight the urge to yank it back like a wounded small pup.
Apollo tried for a smile and Percy did something between a frown and a grimace.
This was going to be a fun first date.
Hemera: No worries, I expected people to get tripped by alternating POVs; after all, it's not very common :) Thank you; I'm glad you think so.
Sunspot: Thanks so much!
Addithebookthief: Yeah, she is savage and awesome. I mean, she's married to Poseidon, the father of monsters and the god of destruction and she has a good relationship with him; what do you expect from a goddess like that?
Realfan 16: Hmm…so many things to address here; okay, firstly, your primary concern, I think, was that Percy would be subdued in a way. Crying does make a person subdued, mellow and I see what you mean by that cliché coming to life. But the thing is, I'm not working on clichés here. Percy will NOT go to his date, sit in his seat, all tearful, just waiting to be consoled, melting at the idea of a good date and a big box of chocolates. No. Just no. This is the same kid who came home, and legit just hinted at killing Gabe so calmly and casually as if they were talking about throwing out an old sweater. He will be righteously angry, backed by a few very powerful, very indignant gods. Apollo, I can promise you, won't have one single moment of peace and quiet. And you're right, even if he ever forgives, how do you ever trust a person like that ever again?
But, in direct contrast to that mental torture Percy will soon be putting Apollo through, Percy is still only 17. He needs a support system, he needs to cry and rant and scream and sometimes he needs someone to laugh with. The tones in my fics will vary, like people do in real life. It's not just one big ball of angst, mixed in with despair on top. But all that being said, if I misunderstood, and what you want is to make him just stop crying in general, then I'm afraid this just isn't for you. Percy is only a 17 year old teenager, stuck in an impossible situation and I feel like it would be missing without his tears. And besides, there is another reason for his tears that would be revealed in like, 4-5 chapters.