Playing with motivation. Amphitrite is a mother before a lover in this story, which is why she was so quick to accept Percy. She saw a hurting kid and went "mine now." Said kid's background is irrelevant.
.
Perseus Jackson, Amphitrite decided, really was such a sweet little thing with his wide, green eyes and adorable blush. She was rather reminded of when Triton was still small and filled with wonder for the world around him. It was a shame, she decided, that she had kept her distance so long. Percy was just so easy to love.
"L-Lady Amphitrite, you don't have to trouble yourself. Really. I don't need anything from camp."
Oh, this dear boy. He feared inconveniencing her when that was far from the truth. She desperately wanted to help him. After seeing how the child had practically bloomed under Poseidon's attention, she felt a little jealous. Amphitrite wanted to have a relationship with the demigod where he trusted her and was genuinely happy to see her. Proving she was a stable adult figure he could turn to with his needs and wants was the first step.
If anyone had told her years ago that she would want to interact with her husband's bastard at all, she would have laughed. Fate was such a fickle thing.
"Perhaps I chose my words poorly. Is there anything you want from the world above?"
He once more bashfully played with the hem of Triton's purple sleep shirt and mumbled, "maybe a few things…"
Too cute. She squeezed the hand she was holding before letting go and rising from her chair, minute flicks of her tail keeping her stationary as Percy slowly stood.
"Come along, child. I still have a few chitons from when Triton was younger. They will do until I can get you your own."
Amphitrite led the silent and exhausted demigod back to the room she had given him. It had been her granddaughter's in a different life, and it was nice to see someone as kind and gentle as Pallas inhabiting the space. Percy was left with instructions to freshen up and settle himself before she zipped a few doors down to her little memory room where she had tucked away all her children's childhood mementos, including Triton's.
Out of the three chitons, she decided on a peach-colored one with bronze clasps on both shoulders and a soft leather belt. It was the least ostentatious, which the demigod would probably be more comfortable in. It would look silly with Percy's sneakers, but she didn't have other footwear options.
Percy stood in front of the full-length mirror when Amphitrite returned to the room, prodding at the pearls and flowers in his hair. She decided it would need refreshing before they left. Maybe some bronze or gold tinsel and a few little sea shells… hmm.
"Do you know how to put on a chiton?" Said clothing item was transferred to the demigod's arms at his uncertain nod. "Try to put it on behind the changing screen in the corner."
All in all, he did fairly well. She only needed to adjust the bronze clasps to sit right before ushering Percy to sit on the foot on his bed once more. He wasn't in much of a talking mood, only nodding when she asked if it was alright to do his hair differently. Amphitrite was content to let him relax after a stressful morning as she played with his lovely, thick locks.
She hadn't realized how much she missed having a young one to pamper like this.
"After we get your hair done, I will pop us over to your camp and we can gather what you need and inform Chiron of your extended stay here. I'd like to get your measurements for some clothing of your own, but Triton's will do for another day if it becomes too much."
The demigod hummed in understanding.
"Your brother should join us later, and your father will be back for dinner." Here, she paused, trying to decide how to word the next part. "I know historically, we have not seen eye-to-eye. I apologize for that. You were and are just a child with the world thrust upon your shoulders. It was foolish of me to hold your father's actions against you. I hope, with time, you can forgive me and we can have a relationship, whatever that may look like."
"'S not your fault, but thanks. You and Triton and Dad, you're all being so nice to me. I really, really wanna make whatever this is work."
Her smile was wide enough to make her cheeks hurt. Kissing the crown of the child's head, Amphitrite made a silent promise to the demigod and herself that this tiny mortal would be a part of her family as for as long as she could make it.
They rested in a comfortable silence as the Queen of the Seas undid the littlest prince's hair and pinned back the top half with a pin of shells and wove bits of gold and bronze throughout. A single, thin braid of the metals was draped across his forehead in initiation of a delicate circlet. A fitting look for one of the ocean's greatest treasures.
Now, if she could throw those ratty shoes into the abyss. Or maybe feed them to the kraken.
Percy looked like a dashing prince of old when she was through with him. His hair framed his sharp jaw and bright eyes, while the peach color of the cloth brought out the color in his skin. All he was missing was the care-free smile, but that would come with time.
"Are you ready, Percy?"
He gave a decisive nod and, surprise of surprises, reached for her hand on his own. A soft, thrumming purr like gentle water lapping on the shore echoed from her chest. A far too quiet whisper of cresting waves answered her from the demigod. He seemed startled at his own actions, judging by the wide eyes.
"That purr is completely normal. Just little bits of the sea we both carry greeting each other, nothing more."
Comprehension dawned on his face. "Like how Dad's like a massive storm and Triton's kinda a fast-moving current?"
"Exactly!" she exclaimed, bringing a finger on her unoccupied hand to her nose to mimic the surface saying without so many words. "Now then. To the surface?"
After the demigod gave his nod of assent, she directed her divine essence to disperse them in a burst of tiny bubbles. Far more silly than simply melting into seafoam or becoming one with the waters, sure, but Amphrite was rewarded with a small grin for her antics.
It'd been centuries since the Queen of the Seas had last set foot on land, having less of a reason than her husband or any of her children. It was a novel experience to do so while holding the hand of one who had lived there his entire life, which was only a fraction of the time since her last breach.
"You don't have to come to camp, if it makes you uncomfortable to be away from the water." Such a considerate child Percy was, putting her comfort before his own. However, she knew this was not a trial he needed to face alone.
"Nonsense. I haven't seen Posiedon's cabin since the initial construction. I designed it, you know."
Percy's eyes widened in shock. "Really? You did an awesome job; it really feels like Dad's place in Atlantis, right down to the smell. Wish the beds were a little softer, though. But that's camp, I guess. Better than sleeping on the floor in Hermes' cabin."
She tucked those nuggets of knowledge away to think on later. Not that she planned for Percy to ever spend a night on the surface again, but perhaps she should look into a softer mattress. The demigod did seem to sleep well on the sea sponge of his bed.
There was a shout and suddenly two demigods were rushing towards them. Amphitrite tensed, ready to pull Percy behind her if they tried anything. They, wisely, stopped short.
"Gods, Perce, we were so worried!" a child that was obviously the Sun God's spawn cried.
"We thought we had another Peacock Incident on our hands when we couldn't find you." The broody one had to be her brother-in-law's son. "Please… don't just disappear like that on us. I can't lose you again."
Percy seemed to draw strength from her presence. "Like you guys would even notice."
The golden one's eyes widened. "Wh-what?"
"Look," he sighed, "I'm really happy for the two of you. You guys both found someone. Awesome. But you're so wrapped up in each other that you've been blowing me off for weeks."
They looked ready to interrupt her little one while he was being so brave and strong, so the goddess glared them back into silence.
"Triton found me in the middle of a mental breakdown last night. Triton. Not you guys, not Annabeth, not anyone else here. I'm done feeling pushed out and shoved to the side, so I'm taking a break in Atlantis."
"When will you be back?"
Percy slumped in exhaustion. "I don't know. I'll IM you guys in a week or so and we can clear the air then. Right now, I just can't."
She patted the demigod's shoulder, so very proud of him standing up for himself, and guided him towards the cute, squat cabin she had made Poseidon on a whim two hundred years ago. He hadn't changed hardly anything besides the addition of a little rainbow fountain, the sentimental fool.
Percy's whole life, depressingly, fit in two duffel bags. Outside of a few school books, several sorry-looking outfits, and a minotaur horn, there wasn't much. She vowed to fix that as she gently nestled several delicate glass figurines that the cyclops Tyson had gifted him.
"Anything else you would like to have with you?"
When Percy shook his head, she snapped her fingers and sent his belongings to his room. She would help him unpack at a later point.
"You look rather tired, sweet one. Let us speak with the hero trainer about your change in location and be done with this whole mess. I want to make you something to drink that will warm your spirits and we will see where the day takes us."
"I'd like that."
Even tired and wan, Percy's smile could brighten a room. He needed to do it more often, in her opinion.
The old centaur made their mission easy, waiting patiently outside the cabin for them to emerge. His face was old and grim, arms crossed, eyes staring out across the valley.
"I supposed I've seen this coming for some time, my boy."
"Chiron…" the demigod trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Chiron shot him a tight smile. "The surface is no home for those of the sea. I hope you'll still come to see us up here, though. I and many others will miss you greatly." Here, he turned to look Percy in the eyes, hands coming to rest on his shoulders. "And remember above all else, you are the single greatest hero I have ever had the honor of training. You are kind and strong and quite quick on your feet when you use that thing between your ears. I am so very proud of you."
Tears wet the child's eyelashes once more, a deep rosy blush crossing his face. "This isn't goodbye. Just a see you later."
"I'll hold you to that, my boy." He met her approving gaze and switched to a dialect older than Greece. "Now take him from here quickly before chaos ensues. News will reach Anthena's child quickly."
She dipped her head in dignified gratitude and managed to hustle Percy back to the shore without any further issues. The Fates were on her side; Percy was not ready to face Annabeth and everything their relationship actually was. That day was coming, but the demigod was already overtaxed. He needed time and space to heal and realize some things on his own first.
Her son was waiting for them in the sand, looking distinctly out of place with two legs. His green skin popped violently from the background of tittering naiads. Sharp blue eyes were quick to zone in on Percy and check him for any visible injuries.
The freshwater nymphs followed his gaze and exclaimed varying 'Percy!'s' as roughly a dozen youthful women glomped onto the demigod. It was quite amusing, especially the way Percy lit up and seemed to settle into himself.
One was a deep blue, erring on black, with a woven circlet of some river plant. She gently pushed the crowd back to give him space. Obviously the leader, she spoke with a strong and clear voice that demanded attention. "Lord Triton has informed us that you are cutting your time at camp short for a long stay in your father's domain. We hope our little lord won't forget about us."
"Lydia, I could never forget about the first friends I made here. I'll definitely still visit. Don't get into too much trouble without me, ladies."
A perky, overeager naiad that looked to just be on the cusp of puberty nodded repeatedly, her dusky face flushing purple.
"As our lord commands, so shall we do," Lydia said with a short bow and smile.
Percy really was something else. To gain the loyalty and approval of some of Posiedon's subjects that were mostly disillusioned to the grander of the gods was no small feat- especially when Amphitrite was almost positive Percy didn't realize they were heeding his commands. He would make a fine prince.
She startled at the thought, even as she decided that Prince Percy of Atlantis had a rather nice ring to it. After all the child had done for the seas and the world as a whole, he probably deserved it more than anyone. Perhaps she would bring it up to her husband and see his thoughts on the matter. Obviously, Poseidon would say yes in a heartbeat, but it was always a good idea to make him think such things were his idea in the first place. Less Olympian drama for her that way.
"Let us return to Atlantis," Triton grumbled petulantly. "It stinks of land."
Percy shot him a look. "You didn't have to come up here, you know."
"As if I would leave my little brother to the mercy of fools!"
"That's rich, coming from you."
"You little-"
She cleared her throat sharply. "Boys, this is not the time nor the place. Percy, wave goodbye. We still have things to do at the palace; I'd like to get you a few sets of your own clothes, not that you aren't absolutely precious in Triton's."
He blushed, but waved to the giggling naiads before racing to catch up to them. Triton swiftly took his hand before she could even react, and they were off to Atlantis, a spark back in the demigod's eye.
It was a good move on her part to have Percy physically and mentally move himself home. It was an end to a part of his life that was harmful. Now, she could focus on helping this sweet little boy to learn who he was and embrace his heritage in a healthy environment. Oh, she was so happy to have a child in her care once more.