I don't own Percy Jackson & the Olympians. And just a warning; this contains fluff. So if that sickens you, I wouldn't read it. Oh and this might interest you, it might not; I will be able to update less and updates will likely be shorter due to the fact I have exams this year. Yay. Enjoy!
Poseidon looked around him, not daring to inhale, exhale or make any other sound that might give him away. Which would be basically anything, since the thing he was afraid of had excellent hearing. So good she would hear it the moment he breathed or swallowed even.
His sea green eyes were wide with weariness and slight hope that grew the longer he wasn't caught, the longer that what he was afraid of didn't notice him. The proud, impish god looked small and insignificant, like he wanted to be. If he made himself look as small and insignifant as possible, 'it' might not notice him. He might even get away.
His shoulder were slumped, there were dark circles under his eyes and every little sound made him jump. Poseidon was a proud, powerful and courageous god, but even he - god if the sea, the earthshaker, the king of Atlantis, he who battled Typhon and banned him to Tartarus among dozens of other impressive titles- felt as powerless and vulnerable as any mortal man might feel when this great challenge was bestowed upon him. The greatest challenge of all.
Poseidon - despite his reputation and a certain grey-eyed goddess suggesting otherwise - knew a lot of things, but he was utterly clueless when it came to what he was fleeing for. He had suggested anything he could think of, done anything he could think of, but it had not calmed down the 'it'. It had only made it more frightening, until Poseidon felt like he might actually throw up from nerves or fear. He couldn't remember ever feeling like this; confused, scared, clueless and yet happy at times. It was the oddest sensation. And not something he liked feeling either.
Poseidon crept further, carefully watching his feet so he wouldn't stand on something and give himself away. He was so focused on the floor, placement of his feet and being silent that he didn't see 'it' at first. The only reason he looked up - and thus spotted 'it'- was because some sort of instinct alerted him.
Swallowing hard, pleading it would be something else than what he feared it was, Poseidon looked up. And froze , his brain and body both ceasing to work, hen he saw 'it' standing in front of him, with folded arms and a cold, calculating look in her grey eyes that made him feel truly like a mortal man capable of dying- or actually being killed.
It would be his extremely difficult, extremely hormonal and EXTREMELY frightening wife Athena. She looked every ince of goddess and made him feel like a mere mortal at the end of his life, looking in eyes of death. She made him feel like whatever he might try, whatever his abilities were, he didn't matter. She was the one in charge, the one who decided his fate. He had no longer any power over his own life. Or that what she made him feel like at least.
She looked both beautiful and terrifying; her hair was longer and silkier than ever and fell to just below her waist, her grey eyes were narrowed and flashing, her mouth was pursed in a way he both feared and adored and her swollen belly stood out like a cat in a dog pension. He adored her swollen belly, the sign that she was carrying his child. He was the only one who would ever have that privilige and normally it made his chest swell with pride. Right now, it reminded him of why she was so dangerous.
" Poseidon. Do you want to elaborate on the fact that you are occupied with doing nothing while you ought to be occupied with tending to your pregnant wife?".
" Ehhm, I was just- ".
" You were doing absolutely nothing! Can I never count on you?".
" That is not fair! I have bending to your will, fullfilling every strange wish you had and exhausted myself in doing so" Poseidon protested. And made a fatal mistake. Because rule number one for dealing with hormone-ruled women is to never disagree with them. It doesn't matter what they do or say, just don't disagree if you value your happiness. Whether they have their period or are pregnant, do not disagree or A; they will get extremely angry or B; they will start the waterworks and drown you with them. Metapohorically speaken of course. They will just make you feel guilty and like you are a jerk.
And you are both. Pregnant women are never the guilty ones or the ones that are misbehaving. They are the poor, unfortunate casualties of things like nausea, mood swings ( although most will insist their environment is the casualty of those), hormones, kicks in the bladder and such and possible the most painful experience in life called childbirth. So do NOT disagree with them or upset them in any other way. Or you will regret it. More than anything.
The living proof of this was when Athena turned bright red , gritted her teeth, her eyes darkened until they looked the colour the sky was during the worst storm you can imagine and her form flickered and worsened Poseidon's headache. He flinched.
" EXHAUSTED YOURSELF? EXHAUSTED YOURSELF? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS REALLY EXHAUSTING? NOT ONLY CARRYING A CHILD WHOSE ANTICS MAKES PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IMPOSSIBLE , BUT ALSO A LAZY HUSBAND WHO DOES NOTHING BUT COMPLAINING! I HAVE HAD IT! I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY MAIDEN'S VOW, THEN AT LEAST I WOULDN'T BE IN ANY TROUBLE".
Poseidon attempted to remind himself of the fact that his wife was very, very pregnant and thus didn't realize how horrible she was behaving. He tried to remind himself that she carried their unborn child, that she was more vulnerable than she had ever been. He tried to remember how kind and loving she was when hormones hadn't attacked and taken over her brain and body. But it was no use. Despite everything, despite how much he loved his wife and their unborn child, Poseidon got angry. He couldn't stay calm after everything, afer all bad-mouthing, the accusations and everything else Athena had done while all he tried was helping her. He exploded.
" I AM NOT LAZY! I HAVE DONE ANYTHING YOU ASKED THESE PAST MONTHS AND IGNORED WHATEVER I DESIRED. I DON'T MIND CARING FOR YOU, I DON'T MIND BASICALLLY BEING USED AS A SERVANT, BUT I DO MIND YOUR INSULTS AND INSISTING ALL MY HARD WORK WAS NOTHING! PERHAPS YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED A MAIDEN".
As soon as the last word's left Poseidon's mouths, he hated himself for saying them. He had clearly crossed the line and was annoyed with himself for his lack of self-control. Shouting at a pregnant woman was one of the lowest things a man could do, especially if that woman was the love of his life and seeing her hurt , hurt him more than anything else in existence ever could.
There was a tense silence in which stunned grey eyed met shocked sea green ones. Husband and wife, man and woman, ying and yang. They truly were two halves of one circle and thus couldn't exist without the other. And now things were said and done and the circle they formed was crumbling to dust, pieces slowly breaking just like Poseidon's heart.
He could have sworn he heard an audible crack when a horrible, all-consuming pain invaded his chest at the exact moment grey eyes turned misty and wet with tears. Athena desperately fought, using all the strength she could muster against the hurtful feeling. She was struggling desperately to hold herself together, but even she couldn't win a fight against hormones and hurtful words.
The river of tears behind her eyes tried to worm its way out, only held back by the dam Athena had built with her will, until a few tears escaped, the dam cracked, more tears escape and the dam barely managed to keep up. Then, Athena lost, the dam broke and she sank to the ground to hugg her knees while more and more tears escaped. The proud and strong goddess of wisdom was reduced to a sobbing, hurt woman. Defeated by hormones and hurtful words from the man she loved most in the world.
Poseidon felt tears gather in his own eyes while his heart felt like it was slowly breaking. First, he felt like someone had given him a small electrical shock. Then, the sensation grew in intensity until it felt more like someone was turning a knife that went right through his heart . The feeling grew even more in intensity until he felt like someone was electrocuting him, while driving a stake through his heart and slamming into his stomach with a boxing bracket. He couldn't ever remember feeling like this. With every tear escaping it's grey prison, Poseidon felt it hurt more. Seeing Athena's tears and knowing it was him who had caused the river to flood, the dam to broke, hurt him just too much. He loved her, more than any possession he had , more even than his powers. She was the person he cared most about in the entire universe, she made his universe.
He ran towards her, stopping when he was in front of her. His body wouldn't allow him to hesitate though. Before he had time to look through the curtain of tears in his own eyes- that were threatening to fall- he was already sitting on the ground. His arms were around Athena, he held her shaking body as close to him as he possible could and shook with her. He rocked her back and forth while stroking her hair and murmering sweet endearments and '' I am sorry".
Finally, after a moment that felt longer than all the millennia he had lived to Poseidon- her shaking stopped and she sighed. She pressed herself against Poseidon, as though she wanted to mend the invisble circle they had broken with their angry words. She wanted her ying back, because without ying, yang couldn't exist. Just like so many forces, they only were able to exist because the other existed.
Poseidon tightened his arms around her, in reply although he was careful so he wouldn't hurt her, and inhaled her scent. Indefinable, unique and sweet. Her scent was just as perfect as the rest of her was.
He pulled back and tenderly wiped away her tears with his thumb, not hiding the pain and regret in his own eyes. He wanted her to see it, to know how much this fight had hurt him and how truly and deeply sorry he was for hurting her. She needed to see what this fight had done to him.
They had fought often, but never quite like this. Not while she needed his support so badly. Not with words that cut more than the strongest weapon - or the sharpest- ever could. The words itself hadn't been that horrible, but the fact that there had been a mix of accusation and truth of them had been. They both had had their doubts about this relationship - strange and forbidden as it was- and their doubts had surfaced at the worst moment possible.
Their eyes crossed and they didn't need words to know the thoughts, feelings and hidden emotions of the others. At this moment, their eyes was all they needed. Neither shield them, neither tried to hide the bad amidst the good; the tiny droplets of doubt and slight fear amidst the sea of love, devotion and desire.
They smiled at the same time, sharing some secret message, and Poseidon removed one of his arms, so he could lay his hand on her swollen belly. She slowly placed her own hand over it, stroking his hand with her thumb.
Their eyes never left each other and for a moment - despite their difference in colour- they mirrored each other perfectly. Sea green and stormy grey met each other again and held the same overpowering love, awe, happiness an fierce protectiveness. At that moment - their hands entwined on her belly, their eyes locked and sharing the same soft smile- they knew no matter what challenges they would face, they would be okay. Because true love, two halves of one whole, would never fail. They would fight, there would be words, insults, accusations but in the end, it would be okay. They would apologize and continue their lives. They wouldn't mess up. Their love wouldn't waver, lessen or even cease to exist. It would survive, no matter what. And their little one would grow and prosper amidst the eternal love his or hers parents had for each other.
Both held the other's eyes while their faces inched closer; Athena admired the blue and green mxing together his eyes while Poseidon admired the way her eyes melted just a little whenever he kissed her. Their breaths mingled; salty and sharp with sweet and a tinge sour and both inhaled deeply, drawing the other in. Lips went dry, throats as well and both swallowed at the same time while they were surrounded by the other's scent and taste while still looking deep into the opposite pair of eyes.
Then, they leaned forward and lips met, flesh on flesh. Their breath didn't just mingle but become one while eyes finally closed. The kiss stayed like that for a fleeting moment; sweet, tender, not more than a feather's light touch. Then, it turned heated. Like a sleeping volcanic waking and erupting with tremendous force, spewing lava in the air.
Athena burried her hands in Poseidon's thick hair and pulled his head towards her. Poseidon put his hand on the small of her back and pushed her in his lap. She reacted by wrapping her legs around his waist- more or less. He wrapped his arms tighter around her and she pushed her body against his, which he responded to with a slight gasp. She took advantage of his momentary stupor and frantically pushed her tongue in his mouth, demanding,wet and hot. He recovered and sucked her tongue further in, while also cupping her bottom.
They kissed like that for a long time; her hands burried in his hair, her legs wrapped around his waist, one of his hands on her hip, the other on her bottom while their tongues circled around each other and attacked, each one battling for dominance and not ready to give up. Oxygen disappeared out of lungs, quiet moans and gaps were swallowed, tension build rapidly while they kissed and hold on to each other.
Athena was so immersed in the moment, the feeling of his strong arms wrapped around her, his salty scent comforting and exciting her at the same time, that she didn't notice it at first. It being water running down her leg. She snapped her eyes open and - with some difficulty- pushed him away from her. She inhaled deeply, silently cursing the horrible timing and at the same time thanking 'it ' for finally getting ready to leave ( she had decided 'it ' should leave ages ago, but it hadn't agreed).
Poseidon blinked a few times, looking rather like a lost puppy. His hair was a mess, his lips were swollen, his eyes glazzy, but it was the slight pout that gained her attention.
" Athena, what- ".
She interrupted him, ignoring how adorable that pout was. So kissable as well... Really terrible timing.
" My water just broke".
He cursed, throwing an angry look towards her belly as though that would change anything. Athena rolled her eyes a little when she saw her husband glare at their unborn child, like he could force the 'it' to remain inside.
Like that look would defy he forces of nature and force our child to remain inside me while process has already started.
The only consequence from that look will probably be our child coming out slowly, so my pain will intensified.
" Honey, ease glaring at our child. It won't urge him to stay put. And honestly, I don't want it to".
Poseidon sighed and nodded, glaring one more time at her belly. Athena rolled her eyes at his childish antics and started to get up, only to gasp when he pulled her down into his lap again. He grinned at her, his eyes darker with both hints of desire and misschief. He licked his lips, giving her that charming, misschievous look he knew she normally was unable to resist.
" You know, the contraptions won't start for a few hours, we could-".
" Poseidon. Don't. Even. Think. About. That. It is very likely the most ludicrous thing you have ever uttered, and you have a limitless ammunity of ludicrous ideas. Now are you going to get me up or-".
He gave her a quick kiss, ignoring her angry look completely, and grinned at her again. " I was joking, love. Just trying to keep the mood- he recoiled slightly at Athena's look- , not that mood, I swear! I just attempted to make us both relax".
" Oh, well that is rather sweet of you".
Athena smiled at him, her eyes softening in that familiar way, and kissed his nose. " Now get me up, unless you want our child to be born here".
He chuckled. " Rather not".
He helped her get up, escorted her to the bedroom and went to get Artemis. Then he leaned back and waited for this moment he had both longed for and dreaded; the birth of their child. It wasn't his first time, but he was still nervous.
At first, nothing much happened. Athena and Artemis talked. They talked some more. They talked more until Poseidon started looking longingly at the wall, wanting very much to bang his head against it. The subjects they were talking about made him either uncomfortable ( Artemis' Rant, Artemis' tale about Leto giving birth), bored ( new theories, highly advanced math, hunting) or annoyed ( Artemis' rant).
After what felt like eternity, but must have been a few hours, Athena flinced and bit back a groan of pain. Poseidon immediately ran towards her, worried for her safety.
" What is happening? Athena, are you-".
" I wouldn't-" Artemis tried to say, but she was too late. 'Poseidon hadn't realized his wife had just gone into labour ( quite stupidly so ) and thus wasn't prepared for very sharp nails digging into his flesh while crushing his bone. Athena gripped his arm like it was a life-line while she paled and hold back groans, screams and curses. Poseidon was doing the same, for Athena was literally breaking his bones and her nails were making holes in his flesh- ichor poling out of the wounds. Artemis had ran towards them by now as well and was muttering encouragements.
It went on like that for a long time; Athena would grip his arm, crush his bones, tear open his flesh and mutter things while Artemis tended to her and Poseidon tried to not notice the pain. After a while, it changed though. Athena was now no longer just gripping his arms and using it to lessen her pain ( by being nice enough to share a little of it with him, of course), but was also cursing in Greek, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and a LOT of other languages ( Poseidon lost track). She also started to loudly proclaim - e.g scream- she would never sleep with him again ( those weren't her exact words, but let's spare virgin ears the real ones).
Then that went on for a long time; Athena cursing, calling Poseidon names and proclaiming sex was the worst thing ever and she would never do it again while Artemis rolled her eyes, gave instructions and tried to keep the future father from breaking into tears or fainting. Which might make Poseidon sound like a wimp , but Athena was gripping his arm with as much strength as she could muster - which was a LOT- and her nails were sharper than a cat's. Also, her insults were so rude Artemis actually threatened to wash her mouth with soup. Apparently the goddess of knowledge also had a lot of knowledge on swear words.
After days ( A/N it also took Apollo nine days or so to get born, so it takes deities probably longer to get born) , the baby finally wormed its way out ( after a lot of pushing and encouragement of Poseidon that earned him outraged looks from Athena; " What do you mean, work a little harder? I am -fuck- doing all the -crap- work!") and landed safely in the hands of Artemis, who had been kneeled between Athena's legs.
A few hours later, another baby followed and landed in her arms. Athena muttered a few last curse words and collapsed, completely exhausted. Her body was covered with sweat and ichor, her face was red and she was wheezing. Poseidon, personally, thought she still looked stunning. But then again, he was so deeply in love with her he always thought she looked stunning.
He carefully removed his arm from her grip and , after placing a tender kiss on Athena's forehead, walked towards Artemis with shining eyes. Wordlessly, she handed them to his. He smiled at her while rocking the two babies in his arms, practically glowing with happiness.
" Hi. I am your father" he said in a softer tone than Athena or Artemis had ever heard him speak in. It was surprisingly tender and even human. Poseidon didn't look like a proud , all-powerful god at the moment. He looked like a very happy, ordinary father.
Athena opened her eyes slowly and managed a weak smile at her husband. " Show them to me" she said softly and he immediately walked towards her and handed her the two babies. She gave them each a kiss on their head and smiled , cradling them in her arms.
"Well, you two gave me the worst experience of my immortal life, but I have to admit, it was worth it".
She looked at Poseidon, who was grinning, and narrowed her eyes. " Don't ever put me through this again. I will discover a punishment a thousand times worse than Tartarus if you do".
Poseidon swallowed nervously and took a step back when he saw the murderous look in his wife's eyes. " Eh sure darling. Anything you want".
He nodded enthusiastically, and she smiled at him. " Good. Then give me a kiss and take them ,because I am exhausted and require sleep".
Poseidon smiled and perked her on the lips before gathering the twins in his arms. Artemis walked towards him and took one of them in her arms, shaking her head when the little boy tried to grab her bow. She looked up at Poseidon and gave him a smile. Which was quite shocking, because Artemis rarely smiled at him.
" You know" she said, looking down at the boy in her arms. " He reminds me a lot of Apollo".
At those fateful words, Poseidon froze with an absolutely terrified expression on his face. He looked much like an innocent man would do when he had been sentenced to a life long in the worst prison that you could imagine. Or someone who faced an angry Athena.
Artemis was oblivious to it as she looked at the girl in Poseidon's arms, who was scolding at her younger brother.
" And she reminds me of myself. Would you allow her to become a hunter when she is an adult?".
By then, Poseidon was pale, shivering and looked absolutely terrified. Artemis finally started to realize something was amiss when she looked up and saw his expression. She didn't say anything though, just kept an eye on him and his daughter to make sure he wouldn't drop her if he fainted or anything.
He looked at the cute little girl in his arms with the same love, but it was in the back of his eyes now. He studied her, like he was trying to find something, and paled even more when he apparently saw something.
Artemis frowned when she saw how pale and sick Poseidon looked. " Poseidon? Are you- " she started, only to be interrupted as Poseidon pushed the girl in her arms, muttered something about devil twins destroying his sanity and fainted.
Athena sighed and looked down at her husband. She felt sorry fr him, really. " Did you really have to do that?".
Artemis, focused on the boy and girl in her arms, shrugged. " They do remind me of me and Apollo. I thought he would like to be prepared".
Athena wisely shut up, thinking to herself that you couldn't prepared for Apollo and Artemis.