I am not proud how long I researched oceanic fauna and reef biodiversity for this. Enjoy the sporadic update.
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Academics had spent millenia pondering the connection Posiedon had to the oceans. Were the waters affected by Poseidon? Was Poseidon affected by his domain? The answer was neither.
Poseidon and the seas were one and the same- both vast, changing, and horribly greedy. Poseidon had lived long enough to not argue against his nature. He was a jealous god that grasped what was his and never, ever let it go. Not truly. What was of the sea would always return to it.
But all the wonders of his domain paled to his single greatest treasure: the family he had made for himself, one that was not poisoned with paranoia and jealousy like his relationship with his own father and siblings. This was the family he kept and cared for, the family he protected more fiercely than a sea serpent does its hoard. The scene before him reminded him why viscerally.
Percy's new rooms were awash in activity. His wife's Ladies had obviously conscripted others into helping to freshen the place, moving out Pallas' slowly decaying furniture and replacing it with new items made from driftwood, seaglass, and coral colonies that hosted schools of more bright little fish, all eager to put their venom to use for the 'sweet little lord'. Light-colored tapestries of some of his son's greatest triumphs hung from the walls. A pocket of air had been added in a new loft area, two lone bags sitting on the rock. He was sure Sally would want to donate items for that area.
Then there was the main event. Amphitrite and their son were deep in a semi-heated debate over the better shade of blue to make Percy glow. Said child was standing on a small pedestal, looking distinctly lost and uncomfortable, as Atticus and Ophelia, twin tailors, fluttered about him, pinning swathes of a fluttery fabric in a lovely abalone shade.
If he had his way, his little one would drip with pearls and shells and all manner of signs of his domain.
"This one highlights that golden tan you have, little lord," Atticus explained in a warm voice.
"Could be let out, brother dear," Ophelia commented. She moved to loosen the fit around Percy's shoulder. "I'm sure his majesty would like to be able to move."
Atticus' sunflower yellow face settled into a pout. "But our prince has such a wonderful body, one of a hero! He should allow us to gaze upon it in reverence."
The black and white stripes along the cheeks of Ophelia's own yellow face seemed to flash as she geared up to have an argument. Seeing how uncomfortable his pearl was becoming, Poseidon stepped in to de-escalate the situation.
"It seems Amphitrite has had you busy today, my son. I hope you are not too tired, I had rather wanted to take you somewhere wonderful for dinner."
His son's cute little face lit up at the sight of him. Something ancient and primal purred that his lovely child was so very happy to see him.
Percy Jackson was something unique by the standards of his non-divine brood. He was kind and selfless, always giving of himself. While he could be stirred to anger, Percy was usually relaxed and some level of calm. Truly, this demigod was begotten of his better visage, a child of his summer seas. This only gave rise to a stronger urge to protect him; through all the trials and horrors his son had faced, Percy remained such a gentle soul, unwilling to strike first.
He'd not had a non-divine child so sweet since Theseus. Nor one his family approved of so ardently.
"I'm not too tired. Actually, I'm kinda riding a high right now. We went to camp and I got some stuff off my chest. I feel a lot lighter now. 'S nice."
He would have to get the story from his wife later.
Atticus and Ophelia were good at reading the queues, which is the reason they had been the royal tailors for several centuries. The twins worked in tandem to pull the half-finished chiton off of Percy and slip a creamy green, single-shoulder one onto him. It was all done so smoothly that he doubted that Percy even noticed.
His child truly looked like a member of his marine family in stately dress with a small braided roped of precious metals across his forehead. Poseidon had a flashback to Triton standing young and serious on the eve of his introduction to court. All Percy was missing was a set of tails instead of legs…
After the tailors had finished with his son, the two serpents Triton had gifted Percy were quick to slink to his side and demand (beg) for pets. Percy laughed lightly, but brought both close to nuzzle faces with. Here was his sweet little pearl, treating two of Triton's deadliest like puppies.
These were the guards that his messenger and heir sent with highly classified or sensitive information. Sea serpents as a whole were fiercely protective of whatever they considered their hoard. They were the origins of the legend of the dragon's treasure. The serpents frollicking about Percy had been Triton's most promising of the hatch, marked for their unwavering loyalty and battle prowess. Suitable guards for one of his ocean's riches.
Amphitrite startled him from his musings as she wrapped herself around his arm, watching Triton join Percy in lavishing attention on the little monsters with a soft look. "What did you have in mind for dinner, my husband?"
He loved when his family reinforced the claim he had on them, a claim they themselves enjoyed.
"I think it would do Percy a world of good to leave the palace walls for a while. Let him see the wonders of my domain. However, he isn't ready to be announced to the people, so I was thinking of a picnic in that one reef. It's private, and its keepers will not bother us."
Percy was cackling as the two serpents teamed up to knock Triton over and nibble at his inky hair.
"The one you built for our granddaughter?"
Poseidon nodded. "He'll love all the color and life there, and I think it would be good for Triton to see the reef being enjoyed by someone he cares about again."
Pallas was still a hard topic for the family. Triton had loved his offspring just as fiercely as his father did his own, and it tore him apart when Pallas was betrayed to her death. Percy was very much like her, and Poseidon was sure that having the demigod around would help his heir to remember the joys caring for another brought, rather than just the pain of their loss.
That isn't to say Percy was the replacement of Pallas. Far from it, Percy was a unique addition to their family that created a new dimension. However, having an event or person that parallels some deep pain can help one process those hurts. That's what the sea god was hoping for, anyway.
"Then you should wrangle your ridiculous sons. I'm off to the kitchens to gather food for a picnic. There's so many delicious things I want that boy to try…" she trailed off, deep in thought about what delicacies Percy would most enjoy, no doubt.
He loved that woman. She accepted Percy so easily, content with another child to teach and care for.
It was quick work to settle his children and right Percy's mussed clothes. A single look and pulse of his power had the two sea serpents slinking off to an added nook on Percy's bed. Really, his little one had managed to worm his way into the hearts of two sea monsters and turn them into overeager puppies in twenty-four hours. Wonders never cease with his child. He dreaded to think what would become of the Kraken or Cetus when they inevitably met.
"What are you planning, Father?" Triton asked with a suspicious squint.
He blinked in mock innocence and steered his two children through the door and down the halls. Various forms of aquatic life stopped to bow before the royal family. The excited whispers of the 'littlest lord' and his great deeds and greater kindness made Percy blush and shyly sink into his side. What a precious boy. Who would expect the twice-over savior of the world to be humble and rather bashful?
"It's been so many years since we went as a family to watch the anemones bud. I thought we might all share a meal and a change of scenery. It's been a trying few years for us all."
Triton hummed in a way that could either be comprehension or disagreement, but he didn't kick up a fuss, so Poseidon counted it as a win. Getting that boy to spend any length of time in leisure was like pulling barnacles from a rock, honestly.
Amphitrite joined them at the side door of the Royal Wing with several ichthyocentaurs in tow, laden with all manner of baskets, blankets, and pillows. She was brutally efficient to his often wandering personality, and it made him love his wife all the more. He might get sidetracked from time to time, but he always returned to her embrace without fail.
"Anemones bud? We learned about them in school at one point, but not that…" Percy mumbled. Ah, his tiny one had much to learn about his home. As his father, Poseidon was happy to teach him.
"Sea anemones are quite strange little creatures, my pearl. They reproduce in many manners, but the ones we are going to see create offspring by making offshoots of themselves, like tree branches, that eventually mature into their own polyps. It's a favorite pastime for Atlantians in early summer to view the anemones around the various garden reefs."
"Like going to a conservatory to see blooming flowers?"
"Quite so. There are gardens of sea flowers here too, but I thought you would like to see something unique to your oceanic heritage."
Percy shot him a small smile from his place at Poseidon's side. "Er, thanks for thinking of me. And tagging along, I guess."
Triton scoffed softly. "Foolish child. You are family. You belong with us."
His wife nudged his heir in a reminder to be gentle with the fragile demigod. "Sweet one, what your brother means to say is that we want to spend time with you. We enjoy your company."
"Oh," Percy said dumbly.
The rest of the swim through the upper levels of Atlantis was made in comfortable silence. As one, the family had reached the agreement that Percy needed time to process. It was part of the reason he was here, after all.
If Poseidon had his way, and he would, Percy would become enamored with his life here that he would never leave again. The child's place was with his family, forever.
Percy probably didn't realize, but Poseidon had strategically chosen the route they were taking to show off Atlantis' newest prince in a very specific way. His subjects could see the Hero of Olympus, bask in the presence of his tiny one, but they could not approach and interrupt his family. And Percy, hopefully, would not notice the worshipful gazes. Afterall, natural ascension was the best choice for keeping Percy and would go much smoother if the demigod wasn't actively fighting destiny.
Triton swam up to his side with a flick of his emerald tails. "Why are you taking us to her garden?" he clicked in a pitch above the demigod's hearing range.
"For healing, my son, as much for you as for Percy. You cannot care for your brother in the manner you so clearly wish to if you do not confront the pain of your past. This will be good for the both of you."
Triton did not have a reply, but he was clearly reliving the last time he'd taken Pallas to the reef.
Said reef was one of his best. A riot of bright colors, interesting shapes, and diverse life. Blue and yellow tangs surged about, the corals waved in the soft current, and a single ray drifted lazily over a bed of sea stars. Everywhere was a rush of life, and all of it eager to welcome the divinity of the waters. The reef's keepers did an excellent job.
Percy's eyes were wide.
Triton laid a webbed hand on the demigod's shoulder. "Would you like a tour while Mother and Father find a nice spot for dinner?"
"Yeah! Ah, I mean, yes please."
His heir chuckled and gently led Percy in the direction of an ultramarine sea cucumber toddling across the sandy floor while patiently telling him about whatever his little brother pointed at. It was still a little strange, Poseidon thought, to see his heir so sweet on someone. He'd worried his son's heart was hardened for good.
Amphitrite had found a small sand bed nestled among fluttering sea grass and was utilizing Poseidon's guards that had hauled out the picnicking items to help set up a comfy little open-water gazebo with far too many pillows and blankets to be practical for dinner. A table was set on one side, overflowing with comfort food and ambrosia and nectar, both divine foods in forms Percy had reacted positively to. It seemed they were of a mind to help along Percy's ascension.
He reclined onto a throne of silvery-pink cushions with a content sigh. His wife settled into his side, and he curled their tails together as he slung an arm over her shoulders. She squeaked when he pulled her to him more thoroughly. Poseidon laughed.
Triton was encouraging his younger brother to wear the little sea stars in his palm like earrings. He could imagine the compliments the things would heap upon the demigod. But Triton likely was pushing for it so that he might contact Percy more easily, using the small things as a sort of telephone. His youngest son laughed embarrassedly, but allowed his heir to affix them to his lobes.
The reef sang with joy at the return of the royal family it had been made for.
Drawing nonsensical designs on his stomach, his wife looked up at him with luminous blue eyes and a coy smile. His chest rumbled, and he turned to give her his full attention, trusting Triton to keep Percy safe.
"He's a rather wonderful child, this demigod hero of yours, my lord."
He hummed, interested in where his wife's thoughts were going.
"It makes me wish I had claim over him as well. Would that I could have such a sweet son to spoil and care as my own."
The mental image of the previous evening when Amphitrite had pampered the demigod rolled over him and desire for this to be their every night burned in his chest. A passion for his wife consumed him as his mortal shell cracked slightly and a great many pitch black eyes beheld his wife's lovely visage, a wandering tentacle or two curling possessively around her.
"Control yourself, husband!" she gigged. By his beard, she had giggled!
"I would love nothing more than expanding this family to include Perseus more permanently," he rumbled, trying to pull himself back into a state his mortal son could gaze upon. "To see you glow with love for another child, for Triton to have a little shadow, to have my sweet son by my side where he belongs."
There were a few moments of companionable silence as he closed his eyes and listened to the rush of the reef.
"You need to be honest with him about trying to make him ascend," she said softly. "You don't have to tell him right away, he needs time to heal, but the sea does not like to be contained, nor controlled. Help our son decide this is the best choice for him of his own will."
He looked back out at the reef. Percy had a Moray eel draped over his shoulders like a scarf and was gently poking a box jelly, while Triton looked like he had eaten something sour. How this child could cuddle with dangerous animals and walk through literal Hell and still get flustered over talking to his family, Poseidon had no clue.
"He's already closer to a god than a mortal. He always has been, but the trials he's endured have pushed him to the precipice. His story need only settle. Many already worship him as divine, both above and below the waves."
She nodded against his shoulder. "I've noticed. All I'm saying is, communicate clearly with Percy about what's happening when he's healed some. There's no need for this to turn into a fight."
"I'll take you word of wisdom to heart, my wife. Now, let's collect the boys and get some food in Percy. He's far too thin to be healthy."
Poseidon called for them and his two sons were quick to join them with smiles, pushing each other as they raced to the pavilion. There was something of grief and fondness in Triton's eyes, but he seems settled and content in a way. Healing was not something limited to mortals.
Triton dished up a plate for Percy as he had in the morning, leaning heavily on the flavors his little brother had responded to most positively. Percy beamed in thanks as the food was handed off to him.
"Dad! Did you know Triton's never had cookies? Over three millennia of life and not a single one!"