~* Selfish *~

Triton's eyes were dark and stormed with barely contained emotion. The sea raged in eyes bluer than the depths of the sea, rolling and crashing, the tumultuous harbinger of destruction. Percy could feel the ocean's sway in the very marrow of his bones. A thrill of honest-to-Poseidon fear ran through him. It wasn't a bodily fear; no, unlike the night nearly two months ago when his brother kidnapped him in broad daylight, now Triton bore no ill-will against the demigod bastard of their father. Even if Triton's intentions were malevolent in nature, the threat of violence wasn't enough to scare Percy.

But this particular look in Triton's eyes stirred genuine fear in Percy's heart. For a terrible moment, Percy was afraid Triton would steal him away again, beneath the ocean's wave, but this time in a permanent, never to see the air of Earth again fashion, sealing the sea prince forever in their father's palace. Triton's face convulsed, clearly registering the fear in his brother's eyes.

The storm quelled in Triton's countenance, the expression falling into something . . . something almost heartbroken.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you love them more than us?"

Triton searched Percy's face, lips tight and downturned, and Percy was uncomfortably reminded of a younger version of himself, angry at the father who left, who didn't love him enough to stay.

"Well for one, because they've been my family longer." The words were bitter and Triton flinched as though Percy physically struck him.

"She's my mom, Triton," Percy said, blowing out a long breath and scratching the back of his head. "She's my . . . she was there for me when no one else was, she sacrificed so much for me and I can't—I can't just leave her because you guys come sweeping in when it's convenient for you. I mean, these past few weeks have been great, Tri, really, and I'm so, so grateful for you. You guys are . . . being there was . . ."

Percy was terrible with words on a good day, and today very much was not a good day. Triton was drilling holes in the side of his head and Percy didn't know where to look or what to say.

"We could be there for you, if you let us."

"But you can't, Tri," Percy snapped, losing his temper and finally looking back up at the god. "You can't and you know it. Sooner or later, Zeus will put his foot down and that'll be the end of it."

Triton stared down at the demigod, his face impassive. "Zeus offered you godhood once before, he would not object if—"

Percy was shaking his head before Triton even finished, blood roaring in his ears as his earlier panic ebbed back into his heart. "No, no—"

"You won't even think about it."

The cold fury in his brother's voice drained Percy of his own. Triton was right, Percy wouldn't even entertain the idea. Not now, not ever. Nothing he or Amphitrite or even Poseidon himself could ever say or do could shake his resolve.

"Because I'm selfish," Percy admitted, looking away from Triton once more and towards the city behind them. Somewhere in the distance, his mom was likely putting his sister to bed, all warm smiles and gentle laughs. Paul was grading papers or putting away dishes or helping his mom get the baby ready for the night. Annabeth was up late, sketching her latest design while waiting for him to come home. "As a mortal, I get to have you both, my mortal family and my immortal family. I'll die long before my mom and sister, and you'll never die. I won't ever have to worry about being left behind. I get you both."

"Besides," Percy said, steeling his heart and still refusing to meet his brother's eyes. "You'll get over it with time."

But I'd never get over them was left unspoken.

"You're a greater fool than I thought if you think that's true," came the cold reply.

And because he was selfish, Percy closed his eyes so he didn't have to see as his brother disappeared, leaving the demigod behind.

A/N At some point along the way, you know the sea gods were going to ask him to stay permanently. No, this is not the end of Percy's adventures under the sea, I promise there will be more fluff in the future.

As usual, I wrote this instead of doing things that need to be done so please point out any mistakes you find. Hope you've all been alright in these troubled times.