Hey! Sorry for the delay in this, I majorly burnt out after the last one and did a little oneshot writing.
I have more planned in Fall Verse and have been outlining some Very Dark oneshots that will be rated M.
If you are looking for some fluff though, and are liking this so far I have some Sickfic Fluff that I wrote recently.
CW/TW: In the beginning, there is a reference to the idea that someone might be making themself throw up as well as the idea that someone might be experiencing suicidal ideation. This is not something that happens, and this is not something gone into detail at all.
Triton considered leaving once Percy had fallen asleep; after all, he would be needing legitimate medical attention rather than solely his own.
Regardless of the fact that Triton had tended to his wound during the time that Percy had been unconscious and he had gotten pretty good at it, he could not replace the care of the healers.
In the end, however, he did not leave to fetch the healers or even their parents. Instead, he used his limited knowledge to resutre the deeply reopened wound before cleaning and dressing it. It was considerably less deep than before, and without the lingering poison damage to the tissue, it was likely that it would take considerably less time to heal.
He had ultimately decided that he could not dare to leave Percy alone. Not because he might succumb to his injuries, no, Triton feared that he might succumb to himself.
Not only that but after what he had seen he needed to be able to see that his baby brother was in fact alive, to be able to feel the rise and fall of his breaths, to hear the soft thumping of his heartbeat, to be able to see the colour in his cheeks, as scarce as it may be.
With mournful eyes, the god looked down at his brother where he lay sleeping, propped up in his arms just elevated enough to reduce the strain on the reopened wound. With a tender hand, the god tucked a stray lock of hair behind his ear. He still could not believe that Percy had been purposefully neglecting to take his medication.
Alright, maybe he could believe it, but he didn't understand.
Triton could not fathom why he would do such a thing. Yes, he was stubborn and insisted that he did not need help; that he was capable of doing things on his own. But that did not mean that it was true. Did he not even consider the ramifications of not taking them for a single moment?
Perhaps he didn't. In the heat of the previous night's events, Percy had referred to his medication as being specifically for pain management. If he had gotten it into his stupid demigod head that he did not need pain medication and could just push through then Triton supposed he could see his twisted logic. Agree with it? No; but conceptualize it? Perhaps.
What exactly was he trying to prove by being in pain? Was he trying to prove it to himself, or to them?
Why did he feel like he had to prove anything like that?
But more than why he had done it, Triton could not comprehend how he had done it. He, himself had given his brother the medication and watched him take it. He had ensured it even!
It was not as if he could have just kept them in his mouth, the capsules dissolved very quickly and he would have inadvertently taken them regardless. Could he have made himself ill to be rid of them? No; no he did not think that the demigod would do that kind of thing; but then again, even after seeing the demigod disregard his health and sleep, he did not think that he would be so self-negligent that he would get to the point that he had.
Triton never wanted to see him like that again.
As it was, the delicate nature of demigods had him quite anxious about Percy's health and safety; but after seeing all that had happened and all that continued to happen to him in the past few months, Triton had come far beyond just anxiety.
It was absolutely horrifying to have seen him in that state; His eyes set back into his skull, rimmed with dark black circles, shaking to the point of collapse, retching and convulsing - unable to even vomit, drenched in sweat - hair plastered to his forehead even despite being underwater.
Barely even breathing.
Looking up at him, eyes glazed and foggy, just as he had been when this had all started.
Tearing his wound open and beginning to bleed out, the red liquid coating his hands and Triton's own. Releasing into the water around them in a stark reddish-orange cloud before dispersing, tinting the water slightly.
No, it was not that he did not want to see the boy in his arms like that again, he could not see him like that again.
He just knew that he would not be able to bear it.
Triton was unaware of his rapidly growing, swirling emotions until Percy whimpered slightly and the god was snapped back to the present.
Cooling himself, he sensed to see if his emotional … outburst had been noticeable outside of the room. He would not want their parents to worry and rush in to find the child in such a state.
He knew that it would be important to tell their parents, but he just knew that they would be devastated.
Amphitrite, he knew, would surely become all but hysterical. She had quite strongly taken to caring for the demigod whom they had both once despised. He truly could not blame her, after all, he had done just the same.
Said demigod shifted slightly in his slumber, curling further into his brother's side and hugging his arm around the god's waist.
Triton looked at him somberly and sighed, before wrapping one of his arms back around the demigod, holding him close, and threading his opposite hand into the boy's hair, finger combing it lightly as some form of distraction.
No matter how mad Triton wanted to be at him, he found that he couldn't truly be because, in all actuality, he wasn't mad; no, not at all, quite the opposite actually.
In all truth, he was simply very concerned for the demigod and was devastated that he insisted on hiding things and not seeking help when he needed it, that he insisted on not trusting him, trusting them - even after everything.
He had thought that they had grown close over this time, even the past few weeks had improved their connection. Triton, despite his earlier hesitation, had taken to going on each and every daily swim with Percy and Amphitrite. Occasionally Poseidon had joined them, but he tended to have more daily duties than the rest of them and thus could not always make it.
There had been just over a week of the swims, maybe a week and a half, but even so it had already started to feel routine, the new normal; much like how Percy himself had when he first arrived. He meshed with the family so well, well… at least the family that was present. Despite how it may seem, Triton was not an only child.
Triton was actually surprised that one of his sisters had not yet decided to make a visit, aware of the demigod or not. While they did not always happen to pop in, it had been a while since one of them had. At least however long Percy had been there.
Doing quick math in his head, the god blinked down at the boy in his arms in surprise. "How exactly is it that you have already been here for over two months?" Longer than that if you counted either of the times that he was unconscious.
He really hoped that this was not another one of those times.
Before his worry could grow, the demigod shifted and groaned, moving slightly out of Triton's hold to sit up in bed. The god kept one arm wrapped around him, his hand planted firmly on his brother's back. The other held Percy's arm, helping him to rise comfortably.
"What… Happened?" he pivoted slightly, grimacing when it pulled on his fresh sutures.
Triton made a thoughtful sound. "You do not remember?" in response to Percy shaking his head he sighed, before retrieving his medication and giving it to him as well as a glass of water. "What is the last thing that you do remember?"
The demigod took the medication before handing the glass back to his brother.
"I, um, I remember coming to breakfast and feeling pretty tired. I remember you being all weird about it and freaking out over, like, nothing."
He blinked a few times looking down at his hands and frowning. Triton had done his best, but the rich red of blood still clung to the skin in spots, leaving traces of the events from the night before.
Triton let out a breath. "Perseus, can you honestly look at your current state and tell me that you think the events following that were 'like, nothing'?" he said mimicking Percy's voice at the end of his question.
Percy just shrugged and picked at his nail, "Well, I don't know what happened, for all I know you poisoned me or something."
Triton used the hand that was supporting Percy's back to lightly smack the back of his head leading to a falsely offended, snickering demigod and a light-hearted smile appearing on his own face.
"At the very least, we are fortunate that you have memories up until that same morning, it is only the next day." Percy nodded in response before his hand shot to his stomach as it growled loudly.
Triton swore internally. How could he have forgotten? He should have insisted that they go and get food the moment that he woke up.
He had eaten very little for supper the night before, did not eat breakfast, and then spent the day vomiting anything that had been left in his stomach. He was probably absolutely famished.
"Can you stand?" The god asked, swinging his tails over to sit on the edge of the bed, leaving room for Percy to scootch to it himself.
Trepidously, the demigod stuck his feet over the edge and placed them solidly on the shell-studded ground. With a deep breath from both parties, Percy pushed himself up and stood his ground.
"Yeah, I'm totally good, I promise." Triton nodded, but kept a hand on his back regardless, and guided him towards the dining hall.
Triton mentally ran through some information. It was between breakfast and lunch meaning that their parents would both be-
Dark green spread across his cheeks as a small blush crept onto his face. When did he start referring to them as that?
It was not the first time, and certainly not the first time even that morning. But when had he begun? Would their - his- Amphitrite be mad, would Sally?
Percy seemed to catch onto his discomfort, took a look at his face and laughed. "Dude, I don't think I've ever seen that look on your face, what's up and why do you look like a watermelon"
Ichor further flooded his cheeks, colouring them an even deeper green, though now he was self-conscious beyond his inner monologue. Seeing this only made Percy laugh more.
Triton gave him a mock offended expression before smiling at him, glad that the demigod at least seemed not only fairly cognisant, but happy as well; two things which were not always easy to find with the demigod, especially not lately.
Triton steered him into the dining hall and the two took their seats, the staff waited a moment's hesitation before entering through their normal doors.
Percy had all but given up trying to thank them by this point, because once again, as quickly as they had come, they were gone.
Percy's stomach growled again and with a watering mouth, he loaded up his plate before chowing down like he hadn't in quite some time, bringing a relieved look to his brother's face.
While gods did not need to eat, they could for a variety of reasons. It could be a taste, comfort or a social thing; not to mention that certain foods from one's own domain could even give them energy.
Mostly due to the latter reason, the very worn-out Triton loaded his plate as well, eating with such tenacity that he had nearly forgone his manners! Yes, he could be a bit overzealous at times, but he still held himself to a set of standards.
The brothers ate in relative silence, the limited sounds of cutting food and Percy lowering his glass were the only things to be heard.
Triton wrinkled his nose; it was not that the demigod was particularly being noisy, and although they would have to be refined eventually, he was certainly using some degree of manners. In all actuality, it a minute thing that was just a small pet peeve that the god had acquired after just over two months of eating with him.
"Perseus?"
The aforementioned demigod looked at his brother questioningly, glass in hand "Yeah, what's up?"
The god rolled his eyes at the incredibly casual response. He supposed that if he did not very lightly encourage some refinement, Apmhitrite would do so a little less lightly once Percy had improved a touch more. This being so, Triton figured that he might as well try.
"Now you see, in a formal setting, one might not always want it to be heard when one lowers their glass to the table."
Percy choked on his drink, attempting to cover it with a cough, and all but gaped at his brother, amusement in his eyes.
Triton, on the other hand, paused in his advice to stare baffled at the demigod, "What- You know what, it does not matter." He let out an exasperated breath and picked up his own glass.
"Now, you see; when you have finished taking a drink and you wish to put your glass down, what you are going to want to do is-"
Percy suddenly burst out laughing, cutting him off, and leaving an affronted Triton to groan and throw his free hand up in annoyance, earning him more laughter from the demigod.
"What could possibly be so amusing?"
Percy had moved his chair back slightly and was leaning forward in laughter, one hand on his abdomen, the other still holding his glass. He took a deep breath, and brought his free hand up in a placating gesture, before using it to cover his grin and hold back another laugh.
"Nothing, nothing." He gave Triton an innocent look and scooted his chair back towards the table, before taking an exaggerated sip of his juice and raising his glass, "Cheers,"
He did not wait for Triton to respond before taking another sip and lowering his glass back to the table, cushioning it with his pinky finger before it made contact.
Triton blinked at the glass, and then back at him.
The more time that he spent with his brother, the more that he was beginning to think that 'exasperated' would be his new favourite word.
As if exclusively to prove him right, they finished the meal in which Percy ate with over-dramatized etiquette the entire time.
Triton had been getting more and more riled up throughout the meal and when Percy lowered his utensils, he decided to seize the opportunity, "You know, if you were to tone it down just a little, maybe you would actually be using an adequate level of manners for your environment."
Percy gasped in mock offence, one hand coming to his chest, and the other hovered, splayed in front of his mouth. "Now how dare you, I cannot even begin to fathom what it is that you could be referring to." Triton rolled his eyes, setting down his own silverware.
There was a moments pause before he grinned deviously and tilted his chin up at the demigod, "You know, if mother dear hears you speaking like that, I can say with certainty that there is no way that she will ever allow you to speak as informally as you do again," He paused with a false show of thought, "The same can most likely be said for your table manners,"
"Who knows, maybe it might extend further out from there. Maybe she would enroll you in charm school. Maybe I should let her know," He paused relishing in the panicked look on his brother's face, "However, I could just not tell her. But I am unsure as to why I might feel incentivized to do so."
The demigod froze at his brother's words, "You're bluffing, I'm not giving you anything," Triton simply grinned impishly, and for a moment, Percy was reminded of another messenger.
Rather than replying right away, the god slowly rose from his chair and pushed it back in, while he was not speaking, he was keeping Percy's attention fixated upon him in anticipation nonetheless. "I believe that she had wanted to join you for your daily swim today, if you would like, I could bring it up to her then?"
While Percy and Triton had teased each other and done the whole sibling thing so far during his time under the sea, to the point that Percy had quite gotten used to his brother's general temperament, and his totally not volatile moods. He had never seen a look quite like that on the god's face. It was horrifying.
"What do you want?" Percy asked with dread, already fearing the answer.
Triton's mischievous grin grew and he tapped his chin, pretending to ponder the question, while making a low hum of thought "I think that I will have to put some thought and consideration into it, I very well might simply hold onto that for another time."
"You are absolutely terrifying."
"Awe, Perseus. You're too kind." He swam to his side and reached out to ruffle the demigod's hair, "It's been a while since I have been revered."
Percy swatted his hand away with a scoff, "No, that's not what I meant and you know it."
The god nodded with a placating smile, "Ah, yes. Whatever you say."
Percy let out an incredulous sound which Triton ignored entirely, turning to leave and speaking with an enthusiastic tone. "If we leave to go and meet her now, she might be able to get you enrolled by the end of the day."
Percy all but sprang to his feet, pushing his chair out in an instant and rushing to catch up to the god who was already halfway out the door. "Triton, wait! Come back!"
When Triton not only refused to wait but increased his pace, Percy was forced to quicken his as well. They certainly weren't running, or the underwater equivalent to it, more like… speed swimming; and Percy certainly wasn't chasing Triton. No, not at all. He was simply following after his brother who was moving away from him at a rapid pace in an attempt to evade him.
Totally different.
"Triton get back here!" came the demigod's muted shout from behind him as he briskly made his way from the dining room, weaving throughout the halls.
Triton had been keeping a very close eye on his brother since he woke up that morning. While he had drastically aggravated his wound, tearing it open and had required new sutures, he was rapidly improving, not only physically but mentally as well.
It was no secret that the demigod was having memory and cognition issues. Oftentimes lately he would seem to forget simple words, not be able to comprehend simple concepts or even what people were saying to him some of the time.
It was very troubling for Triton to watch, he could not even imagine what it was like to experience. Perseus was normally so quick-witted and resilient, and watching him have these cognition issues in addition to seeing how they affected him was quite saddening.
The new medication certainly seemed to help, but not all the way. At least now that he was taking it he seemed to be sleeping better, to be able to concentrate a bit more and his memory and cognition issues had improved greatly.
At least it had seemed as much. It was troubling that when Percy woke up, he seemed to be missing an entire day's worth of memories. But it was unclear how much of that could be attributed to having just woken up, the previous sickness, the renewed injury and the lack of food.
Triton hoped that now that Percy was more awake, had taken his medication, and had something to eat that he would continue to see improvements. It was because of the improvements that he had seen in just the time that they were eating that he was monitoring Percy's state in the way that he was right at that moment.
While he had needed an extra hand moving around when he woke up, he had all but jumped to his feet in the dining room sparking the idea in Triton to see exactly how far improved he had progressed since that morning.
By the way that his brother was chasing after him with a whispered shout, it seemed as though he was doing quite well.
While the primary reason for him leading the demigod in circles throughout the corridors was to monitor his physical state, he could not deny that it was not partially due to the growing fraternal bond that they were forming.
Triton had never truly had a brotherly relationship. Sure he had his sisters and Kymopoleia could definitely be … exuberant at times, but even still it was a different experience.
Perseus frequently kept right on par with him, the two of them playing off of each other's energy level and teasing in the perfect way. That's not to say that Percy couldn't piss Triton off whether through self negligence or by hitting Triton with an unexpected teasing jab in a sore spot. Triton was reminded of this as a nearly out of breath Percy called out from behind him.
"Fine, be that way! But just know that when you joke like that you look and sound exactly like dad!"
Triton abruptly halted in his path and spun on his fins to meet eyes with Percy who had taken the distraction he had made as a chance to catch up to him. "What did you just say?" Disbelief coated his voice as he started down the now grinning demigod.
"I think you heard exactly what I said." He came to a halt slightly in front of his brother and smugly crossed his arms over his chest knowing that he had hit his mark.
"Take it back." The god pointed a finger at his brother in outrage."Now."
The demigod only stood calmly "Why? It's true. He does just the same thing - the straight-faced 'I'm fucking with you but I'm gonna pretend that I'm not to the point that you don't even know if I am actually fucking with you or whether or not you have another random sibling somewhere or not', and just now in the dining room, you did exactly the same thing."
Triton recalled his pointed finger by lightly curling his raised hand into a loose fist. He opened and closed his mouth for a moment before pursing his lips, "Can we backtrack for a second there?"
"No, why?"
The god let out an irritated noise, dropping his hand down to his side, "You're impossible, do you know that?"
Percy grinned in response, spreading his hands apart, "That's what they tell me."
There was a pregnant pause before the two brothers started laughing and Triton threw an arm over his brother, pulling him to his side. "I should follow through with my earlier 'threat', you'd deserve it now." He turned and the two started making their way out to the back coral reef.
Percy just rolled his eyes, smile never leaving his face, "Ha ha very funny, yeah you go ahead and do that, I'll tell dad about your little freak out about being like him."
Triton gave an exaggerated huff of annoyance, "You wouldn't." He raised the hand on Percy's shoulder to ruffle the back of his hair before shoving him away slightly, "Little brat."
The demigod posed with his hands under his chin as if someone was taking a picture, before following along with his brother.
They had nearly reached the coral garden where the king and queen both waited, discussing something quietly with small smiles on their faces.
Before they exited the castle Triton put a hand on Percy's arm, catching his attention and stopping him in his tracks, "I haven't told them yet. I know that you do not remember as of right now, but it was pretty bad. I will need to bring it up at some point, but you seem to be doing a lot better, so for now," he took a studying breath, "For now, I suppose that we can wait and see if you have any continuous symptoms and I will proceed in accordance."
Percy blinked at his brother in shock. That was the last thing that he would have thought that the god would say to him. "Seriously? I finally start to be open about when I am hurt and when I need help after months of you guys basically begging me to, and now you're like, 'Nah, it's good, we can wait and see'?"
Triton visibly hesitated. He didn't honestly know why he had not sent for their father or called out to him. He didn't get him on his own in favour of being by the boy's side, but there was no reason why he could not have sent for him in another way.
If he were to make an excuse for himself he would say that he has a lot on his mind.
Percy getting hurt like that the previous night was fully unexpected. He was wholeheartedly accepting help working on recovery. He had seemed to be recovering so well, particularly the week or two directly prior, even despite the training incident, something which still plagued Triton's thoughts.
The events were now much more explainable now that Triton had heard Percy's most likely accidental confession.
While he wanted to give the demigod a piece of his mind, Percy did not remember telling him about the medication. Because of that, Triton had an opportunity to not only see if Percy would decide to tell him on his own in the right state of mind, but also to see if he would try to continue in his negligent and self-destructive pathway.
Triton was still unsure as to how it was possible for him to not have taken them seeing as he, himself gave the demigod his medication nearly every time.
He needed to speak to their father about it. He knew that he did, but he was putting it off because he was apprehensive about what Poseidon's reaction would be.
He could not even imagine telling Amphitrite. While Poseidon showed his emotions … in his own way, the queen tended to show hers a lot more visibly.
In particular, you could very clearly tell when she was upset and concerned; if not for her expressions and mannerisms changing drastically, then for how she tended to get fixated on trying to fix whatever the issue may be.
Triton didn't know if it was to do with being a mother, or if it was particular to her, but to quote Percy's own words 'It would be a whole big thing.' should she find out.
Not that he would ever tell Percy, but he as well was often overly anxious about concerning others too, and if he thought that he could fix Percy on his own and their parents wouldn't have to worry, then he was going to at least try.
Was he hypocritical for telling Percy to do the exact opposite?
Yes, by the very definition of the word.
But that was irrelevant because the rules that he had applied upon himself need not apply to others, obviously.
No, he was not going to address that.
Triton really needed the swim that day, there was too much on his mind and he desperately needed to clear it.
A prime example of his too-busy mind was that he knew for a fact that there was a third, more pressing issue that he needed to readdress, but he wasn't sure what it was.
It was strange, it was almost as if whatever it was, was behind a wall, he knew that it was there but he couldn't put his finger on it.
He didn't have much time to ponder what it was that he couldn't put his finger on, as suddenly there were a pair in front of his face, snapping, "Helloooo, Earth to Triton."
Gods, maybe he was spending too much time around his brother. He was seeing himself in him more and more, and now he was spacing out just like the Prince of Zero Attention Span himself who was staring at him impatiently.
"Apologies; lost in thought I suppose," He gave the boy a tight smile and the boy's eyebrows furrowed in response. "It's not like you to zone like that, is everything okay?"
Triton nodded and softened his expression, "All is well, I just have a few matters on my mind is all. I'm conflicted on a few issues and I am just trying to find the best course of action."
The god quickly pulled out a piece of parchment and a pen-like writing utensil that seemed to be made of coral. He quickly scrawled down a list of things to address with their father:
Perseus has not been taking his medication.
Because of this, he has had another incident.
Something else is wrong?
Seeing Percy nod in slight apprehension, Triton reached a hand back out to his shoulder, "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable or confused in asking to keep this silent for the time being."
"You are correct in that it is not something that you should be doing, however, I wish to discuss some concerns regarding the matter with Father privately first." Percy nodded again in understanding.
Triton let out a breath and spoke as if he was choosing his words very carefully, "Perhaps against my better judgment, I trust that you are in fact okay, and that you will speak up if you need to."
"Right now what you need, and what we all need is a little bit of time to, well, 'chill' and simply enjoy one another's company." Percy laughed slightly at hearing his typically very formal brother use slang, even when teasing him he was typically still elegant. The jerk.
"Rest assured that we will discuss this later, but for now all you have to worry about is feeling better, alright?"
Percy nodded, "Yeah, sounds good to me."
Triton squeezed the demigod's shoulder and gestured forward, "Ready to head out then?" Percy gave him a nod and they exited the grand doors to the back courtyard of the palace.
One of Percy's favourite things about the palace was the coral reef 'gardens'.
While coral is not really a plant, the reef was truly quite like a garden, and the aquatic plants that did reside there were some of the most beautiful that Percy had ever seen.
Those two groundskeepers really did quite an amazing job.
The coral namesake of the gardens branched high like trees and provided sanctuary to a range of smaller sealife who zipped in and out of the boughs reminding Percy of little birds.
Their variety of colours was unmatched, from softer blues to vibrant oranges and yellows, to striking pinks and greens, there was nearly every colour imaginable and some that somehow weren't, which Percy accounted to the different distribution of light at this level affecting the perception of colours.
Although it was frequently referred to as the coral reef, the primary feature of the gardens actually seemed to be lush groves of seagrass, kelp and a variety of other similar vine-like plants.
While the sprawling green plants looked well groomed and taken care of, they were not forced to be contained; instead, they were allowed to weave their way through the variety of brightly coloured and bioluminescent plants to climb up the pearlescent outer walls of the courtyard like vines.
The brothers had just made their way outside of the doors when they were noticed and greeted with a wave from Amphitrite and a large warm smile from Poseidon.
Triton patted a hand on his back as they approached the pair. The moment they were intercepted Amphirtite went into mother mode, mussing his hair and doing a light check-up on him, making Poseidon's warm smile grow as he chuckled at her antics that mere months ago she never would have thought to do, especially unprompted.
However different from his life before, and despite all that had happened, Percy was quite happy about his time in Atlantis, and at some point it fully and truly started to feel like home.
At some point during their swim, Percy began to regain his memory of the day prior. Whether it be due to his improving health, the medication, proper nutrition, or his family and those around him properly looking after his mental health was unclear.
In all honesty, Percy didn't really care, but the moment he got enough of them back to really register what had happened, he cringed.
Oh gods, did he really spend the night vomiting and basically sobbing in front of Triton, tear his wound back open from collapsing, only to unpromptedly admit to not taking his medication on purpose?!
No wonder the god was so cautious with him when he had woken up.
Oh no. he had said that he had wanted to talk to their father about something in private first before addressing the injuries that he had aggravated and the state he was in.
He was going to tell him.
While Percy had gown awfully close to Amphitrite and Triton both in his time here, he had also rekindled his connection with his father. Because of this, one of the very last things he wanted to see was the disappointment on his father's face when he knew what he had done, or well, not done.
He needed to talk to Triton before he could talk to their father.
He just had to.
He put his plan into motion the moment their walk had finished. Poseidon and Amphitrite left them be to go and speak with some advisors regarding some sort of political issue, Percy wasn't sure he wasn't paying too much attention. Something about some sort of ancient lands and treaties. Boring stuff.
Percy bid them goodbye and immediately cornered Triton.
"Well you seem full of energy, I'm glad to see it. How exactly would you say you're feeling on a scale of-" Percy made a sound between a scoff and a groan.
"You can cut the 'subtly' spying on me to try to gauge how I'm doing bullshit, I remember what happened now."
"Huh," Triton said oh so thoughtfully before scanning his face for the truth before suddenly jumping forward to punch him in the arm. "Good! Now I can yell at you."
Affronted, Percy grabbed his arm and looked at his brother in shock, "Hey! That hurt!"
"I'm glad! You deserve it after what you did." The god paused, looking left and right before roughly grabbing the same arm that he had punched, and yanking him forward into a nearby room, ineloquently tossing him in.
Percy looked around, finding all kinds of books and a solid-looking desk with a highbacked chair. "Is it too late to say that I was lying?" He tried meekly, earning him a growl from Triton.
"Oh no Perseus, you are not getting off that easy." the demigod shrunk under his brother's glare, one hand coming up to rub the back of his neck.
"What were you thinking!? Why did you just suddenly decide 'huh, yeah I'll just not take the medication that is keeping me alive, it's not like I just almost fucking died or anything?' Are you a fool?"
Percy put his hands up in surrender, looking to the door before hissing back his reply, "Quiet! People might hear you."
Triton threw his hands up in disbelief, unintentionally mimicking Percy's own posture before rolling his eyes skyward. "Firstly, this is the study, this is where all of our private conversations seem to be held nowadays, it was built with the intention of total privacy so that no one, not even a god, could hear in when father or anyone was in here."
Percy scrunched his nose, "That's kind of weird, why does he need a fully private room that no one else can hear into, not even you guys?"
Triton ran an exasperated hand down his face. "This is a kingdom, there are private matters that need to be attended to all the time." Percy just shrugged in response.
Triton let out a breath, "Secondly, the only ones who would be in any vicinity to hear or that would have any business to do so are mother and father, and they will know, they need to."
"Wait, Triton, no. You can't tell them. Please." He begged
Triton laughed bitterly, his voice now rising with every word. "Please? No, no. You lost the privilege of please when you unabashedly lied to me after swearing numerous times that you were not, and purposefully did the most idiotic thing that you have ever done in the entirety of your sad little life."
Percy shrunk further into himself and Triton brought a hand up to his own mouth. "Perseus?" The demigod just took a step backwards. "Percy," He tried again, but he just took another step, this time bumping into the desk.
Triton in turn drifted forward and reached on hand out to his brother who flinched back as he rested it on his cheek. Regret swelled in his chest at seeing the demigod retreat backwards into a metaphorical shell like a hermit crab. He placed his other hand on his shoulder and pulled him tightly into a hug.
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to yell. I did not mean to speak to you like that. I was just so concerned and it worries and terrifies me that you hold such little care for yourself. I had been aware of it, but I had not known that it went to this degree." Percy shifted in his arms, no longer still, though not pushing him away either. "When you asked for them not to know it reinstated in my mind how little concern for your own life you have, your fragile, fragile life. Do you truly not care if you just fade away and die?"
Percy did not speak but shrugged in Triton's hug, despite this the god did not relase him.
They stay like that for some time before Percy wrapped his arms around Triton as well. It was a few more minutes after that that he spoke. "I did start taking them again if it makes you feel better. I chose to. I want to get better now and I want to do better, I do."
Triton finally released him, placing one hand on each shoulder he pulled him out to arm's reach and looked deep into the demigod's eyes.
After searching them to be sure of the truth, the god sighed. "How did you even avoid doing so in the first place? I was the one who gave them to you most of the time and I am sure that that was not one or two missed doses. I had not heard you, ah, purg-"
"It wasn't that."
"Then what?" The god tried to catch Percy's now avoidant eyes. "I only seek to understand, please."
At seeing that he had no inkling to respond, Triton squeezed his brother's shoulders and maneuvered him over to the desk chair, sitting him down and squatting in front of it, resting on hand on Percy's knee.
"How about this; remember that favour that you owe me from this morning? How about you tell me what you did to avoid taking your medication, and we go from there, okay?"
A light, shakey laugh fell out of Percy's lips and he nodded slightly, the heel of his hand coming up to wipe tears that Triton had not even seen.
"I, uh, I would use my abilities to keep them all encased in water and then when I was alone, I would take them out and dissolve them."
Triton sighed sharply, before squeezing the knee lightly. "Okay, thank you for telling me."
Percy looked to the hand on his knee before meeting his brother's eyes, "You're still going to tell them aren't you?"
Triton gave him a small, sad smile. "I believe that I have to, Little Pearl. I cannot see you getting hurt anymore and to be sure of that, it is important that everyone who feels the same as I do and everyone who can help, know everything that they can to help do so."
Percy nodded glumly. "I'm just, I don't know, scared?"
Triton blinked at him, "Why are you scared?" a confused half smile played on his face.
"Well look how mad you got at me, I can't even imagine dad's reaction."
One of Triton's hands came up to smooth Percy's hair and landed its way onto his shoulder. "No, no, I swear to you, I am not mad at you, and father will not be either" He let a sound out of his nose, "Perhaps diss-"
"Please, please do not say that you are not mad, just disappointed. Like, gods, I already told you this morning that you look and sound just like dad a lot, and that's the most stereotypical parental thing to say when you're pissed off, like, ever."
Triton blinked at him before letting out a true and deep laugh, "Is that so?"
"Yep." Percy replied, popping the P.
Triton gave him a warm smile before ruffling his hair and floating to rise out of his kneeling position. "Come now, let me take you back to your room and I will go and discuss things with father." he held out a hand to the demigod who hesitated before taking it and rising from the chair.
"Okay, but if dad kills me, I'm haunting your scaley ass."
When Percy had regained his memories of the night prior, Triton's own memory was once again sparked and he remembered once again the state of terror that Percy was in as he attempted to recall who had dared to have done this to him in the first place.
The last time that he recalled this, he had expressed to his parents that he did not bring it up because he had forgotten as he did not feel it was relevant, and he had more pressing things to deal with as Perseus had just awoken, so he had forgotten.
But if he were telling the truth, he had just been telling himself that.
It wasn't that he didn't think that it was relevant, he truly forgot about it and it was not until the day with his parents did he remember any aspect of it, only to somehow forget again, and it was not until that very day that he had felt like he had forgotten something.
It was almost as if it never happened in the first place, taken right from his mind.
Frankly, it was terrifying.
The strangest and most terrifying thing to him was that he did not have any idea as to how it could be happening to him. A shimmer of golden fog glimmered in front of his eyes but when Triton blinked, it was gone.
What was he just thinking about?
Oh, right! It wasnt like how Percy was having memory issues on a daily basis, where he was struggling to find the words and frustrating trying to remember things that he forgot, knowing before, during or after that he had.
No this wasn't related to that at all… Whatever was going on with Percy in recent weeks, Triton was sure that it was medically and mortally related.
But Triton was neither mortal nor susceptible to their medical issues. Not to mention that the very nature of the memory loss was different.
The golden shimmer was back, but as he blinked, once again it was gone from sight. He shook himself, sure that he must just be seeing things due to the stress and exhaustion of the previous night's events.
He paused for a moment in confusion before finding his earlier thought process and continuing it along. He must be truly exhausted.
Regardless, he was certain that this was something magikal, and while Percy's current memory issues were certainly not related to it, it was very likely that the state that he woke up in was.
Triton wondered for the umpteenth time who had done this as a golden fog continued to cloud his thoughts.
Whoever it was, they were someone who despite the sleuthing and hunting the royals had been doing, still remained a mystery.
It seemed as though they got so close so many times, they had several investigators, bounty hunters and guards out patrolling after all; but every time they seemed to have this villain in their sights, they vanished, as did whatever knowledge or evidence those employed by the crown had recovered including anything that had already been turned over to the castle for their records.
Every time. Every single time without fail.
As a matter of fact, there was a current investigation into those that they had employed as apparently, they did not recall having had been employed by the Crown in the first place and because of that, they could not have possibly stolen back the evidence that only they knew about directly out of the private archives of the King.
How ridiculous was that? If they had somehow forgotten, then where did the evidence go? He was certain that they had the evidence of at least five of the mers that were locked away for the time being, or was it six? No, no it was four. Or could it have been two?
He blinked and shook his head. There were only ever two mers with evidence, why he had ever thought anything different was beyond him…
Regardless, it was getting to be aggravating.
Triton ground his teeth as he thought about the treasonous wretches that currently filled the private dungeons. They had once been some of his and his father's more trusted men and women.
It was absolutely despicable and beyond Triton what could have possibly have influenced them to suddenly not only cease their aid in helping to avenge the pain and suffering of someone as fragile as Perseus; but as well undo any of the progress that they had made and subsequently take back whatever amount they had helped in the first place.
What could they be offering them to make them turn?
Regardless as to the reasons, they had betrayed the Crown, and would be tried for doing so as soon as they surrendered what was asked of them.
Did they not understand that their sentence could be lighter if they simply returned the stolen information and begged for forgiveness, offering up their eternal debt to the King and Crown?
If he did not know any better than to believe these fools Triton would almost believe that they were telling the truth about not even having the memories of volunteering for the mission in the first place. These had been incredibly loyal folks and they seemed vehement in their convictions.
But none of that mattered, after all, how could they all have just conveniently forgotten the same thing at the same time that all of the paperwork and information that they had already surrendered mysteriously disappeared?
Oh, sorry, they had insisted that it was not that they forgot, but that it could not have happened in the first place.
That was even more ridiculous than their original claims.
It was not possible.
There wasn't someone who could just erase events from happening to some people but not others or one that could pluck select memories from various beings' minds and erase the events from having happened to them in the first place.
There certainly wasn't one who could have done all of that, or something of the like, and make off with the heavily guarded and secured paperwork that only a select few even knew of.
Triton sighed in anger and frustration at the situation at hand as he looked out the window, noticing that it was near supper time, and he was nearly late for their meal. He was sure to grab the small list that he had noted down earlier in the day of things that he had to address with his father.
Perseus has not been taking his medication.
Because of this, he has had another incident.
He nodded at it and placed it in his satchel before turning to leave for the meal.
What Triton did not notice was that while he had been trying to decipher what could possibly be going on with the mers, the fog that clouded his thoughts, leaving him uncertain and confused, also hung low in his chambers; glimmering gold and encircling his tails before slowly twisting up his body and vanishing behind his eyes, clouding them further before vanishing entirely.
An oblivious Triton exited his chambers without a thought in his mind as to the state of the demigod when he had awoken. After all, he had been entirely fine when he woke up, just a little shaken.
A figure in the corner smirked.
His tricks did not last forever on gods, but this would have to do for now. He hummed his displeasure at that.
Chaos, was it ever more difficult to get his abilities to work as well on gods as it did on lesser beings if he could get it to work on them at all.
Regardless, now that this one had once again forgotten about the younger Prince brats' little episode, it would just be a matter of erasing it from that little list before collecting and rewriting the memories from the King and Queen as well the next time that they were… emotionally fragile.
He may not have as much sway on higher beings, but everyone was weak when they were vulnerable.
After all, even the most powerful of beings had weaknesses, you just had to know how to exploit them to play perfectly into your advantages.
Speaking of which, whatever they may be, the little one's own episodes were working well to his advantage, though perhaps it was about time he added fuel to the fire and really watched how the Royal Family burned.
Originally I had more planned for this chapter, but I felt like this was a good place to stop and then at least I could get something out for you guys!
I'd like to thank everyone for the amazing support so far, you all kick ass and keep me writing ✨💚✨
I'd also like to thank the amazing Zoya for being super supportive and always lending an ear.
I currently beta for her fic Borrowed Time and if you're an angst lover (Which I imagine that you are since you're here) you are going to LOVE this.
I won't say too much, but there's a lot of good shit to come and while it's already a good fic, it's going to be absolutely AMAZING.
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