Triton watches silently as his Father and Percy make their way around the palace. They make their way through various places, like the garden. Poseidon is smiling brightly as Percy asks questions about the underwater kingdom. Triton doesn't miss the way his father looks at Percy and it makes him boil inside involuntarily.
He had always tried to be the best version of himself and not disappoint Poseidon. But now that he knew Percy was his favorite son, it felt like a slap in the face.
Triton knows he shouldn't feel this way. After all, Percy is only human and still young while he's a god and future heir of Poseidon. He should be above such feelings, it was unnatural for them. But he can't help but feel like he had to do better, to prove to his Father that he wasn't replaceable.
After watching them for a little bit longer, hidden behind columns, Triton decides he should go train to relieve his frustration. And so he does.
He takes a deep breath as he tries to calm his nerves. And steps into their private training area that is located in the back of their garden area. It was surrounded by abalone shell columns shimmering with blue and green light, reflecting the sea colors. The columns had been added so that they could use a barrier to protect people outside of it.
The young sea god puts his shoulder-length hair into a messy bun before he starts. He takes his trident in one hand and uses it precisely. The young God controls the waves as he does. That's also one of the only times he doesn't have his precious conch with him.
Percy and Poseidon come back as they finish their little stroll around the Kingdom and Palace and they witness Triton training. Percy is snuggled into his father's side and watches the scene play before them.
"Don't get too close to the barriers Percy, it's dangerous," Poseidon warns gently, as he holds onto the young demi-god a little bit more. The affectionate gesture also shows his possessive side a little bit. But Percy didn't mind much. He was comfortable where he was.
Percy watches silently how his older brother trains. How he summons the waves and how Triton destroys the sea creatures. He moved with such fluidity. Percy couldn't help but want to try.
"Dad, can I train with Triton?" he asked eagerly. Poseidon smiles down at him but shakes his head. "I'm sorry Percy, but you're still too young and it's too dangerous for you to train with him for now. You still need to learn how to control your abilities more before you can try, I'm afraid."
Percy huffs softly but he doesn't try to fight Poseidon on it, knowing that it was a useless battle.
His father was surprisingly strict when it came to his safety. But Percy really wanted to try everything his godly siblings could do. After all, it was in his heritage. Triton seemed to finally notice that he was being watched and so he turned to face them.
"Father is right Percy, although I'm honored you want to train with me, I think it would be best if you learned a bit more about the way of the sea first." He gives his baby brother a soft smile at the way he rolls his eyes.
Triton admits that he hadn't been very kind the first time he met Percy, he was stressed then. But now, he tried to show him how much he truly cared about all his baby siblings. Despite his lingering jealousy, he didn't despise the demigod.
"So, I'm the son of Poseidon but I can't train with a trident yet? There's no fun in that." the twelve-year-old says dramatically. Both gods chuckle at his antics. Triton ruffles his hair. "Don't worry Percy, your time will come soon enough. You're still young."
Poseidon smiles at the way his two sons interact. A far cry from what he had expected. He knew just how good Triton was as an older brother but he still sensed a lingering sadness when he looked into his eldest's eyes.
Poseidon prided himself on being an attentive father. Or at least he tried to know his children's every need. Even when they are technically grown, he can't help but notice when something is wrong and he wants to make it better.
As night starts to fall, Poseidon carries an exhausted Percy in his arms as he enters the room Amphitrite had prepared for him. He pulls the blankets back and makes sure his youngest son is warm and comfortable as he carefully tucks him in. Then the sea god leans down, gives him a gentle kiss on his forehead, and whispers, "Goodnight, my little one." before he makes his leave.
….
The next day, Poseidon and Triton have a meeting to attend together. They walk side by side as they make their way to the War room.
Poseidon takes his seat at the end of the huge table overseeing everyone, Triton sits on his right. And Amphitrite takes the left. "You may sit," Poseidon announces.
The lieutenants, mainly merpeople and Cyclops, sit down. And their meeting starts. They're all focused on what is being said except Triton. His mind is wandering, he's conflicted.
Poseidon glances at him a few times during the meeting, not missing the way his son is unfocused. That doesn't seem like something he would do normally. But the King doesn't have time for this right now.
"Triton," Poseidon inquires firmly. "You seem to be distracted. Is there anything you'd like to add?" The merman knows he doesn't have the opportunity to say no but he's not in the mood either, which his father has picked up on.
He meets his stern gaze. "I apologize Father. It won't happen again." Triton replies, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him. He blushes slightly, but his Father is not done.
"You cannot afford to let yourself wander Triton," Poseidon adds firmly. His temper started to get slightly angered. "Your duty to Atlantis comes first." Triton looks down at his lap as he gets scolded in front of everyone."Yes, Father."
He nods silently. Before his father grabs the attention back towards the meeting. Triton tries to re-engage himself when the topic of the surrounding villages arises. He had been appointed to oversee them. While Poseidon dealt with Atlantis as a whole.
Their council comes to an end and Triton is quick to take his leave which doesn't go unnoticed by his parents. Usually, they would make their way back together. The Sea King sighs softly, but Amphitrite is quick to add. "You should have been nicer to him."
Poseidon turns in her direction, an eyebrow raised. "I have to be firm with him, Amphi." He says sternly. But he was sad that Triton didn't wait for him either.
"I don't take things personally when Zeus comments on me at the council."
She sends him a glare. "Maybe you don't take it personally, but Triton is not you or Zeus, he's your son and he longs for your approval, to make you proud."
He rubs at his temples. "I understand that, but once he's King no one will be there to hold his hand. He needs to be prepared for everything, I cannot afford to coddle him."
His wife's glare doesn't stop. " I'm not suggesting you coddle him. I'm simply reminding you that, before being your Heir, Triton is your son. And sometimes it seems like you forget that."
Poseidon sighs. He knows Amphitrite is right.
"You're right Amphi." She smiles finally and places a gentle hand on his arm. "I'll talk to him tonight and apologize if he accepts to even talk." He adds sadly.
"Do you remember when I met you the first time?" She asks, and Poseidon already doesn't like where this conversation is going. But he nods.
"You just gained your underwater domain. You didn't know anything. And sometimes you were scared because you wanted to prove yourself to your subjects and your Family." She points towards the surface.
Poseidon smiles, he remembers himself then. It had been the first time he was on his own. He had to learn everything about the Sea and its inhabitants, and some things were harder than he thought.
Having spent most of his life in Kronos's belly, he was deeply scared without his siblings at his side, even if he would never admit it out loud.
Amphitrite takes his hand into her own and looks him in the eyes. "And now, you have become a better King than Oceanus could have ever been."
"Thank you, my love." He replies, going in for a kiss but she stops him in his tracks. She puts her index finger on his lips. And he pouts. "But, imagine what would have happened if you didn't have the support I gave you then. See your Godling self in Triton."
He listens attentively. "He needs the same support I gave you all those eons ago." Poseidon nods. "I know."
Amphitrite wraps her arms around him, going for a cuddle because she knows that's what he loves the most. "Then talk to him. Show him that you have faith in him as your son, not just as your Heir or Lieutenant."
He returns her embrace. "I will." He feels his wife plant a gentle kiss on his temple before letting go. She makes her leave but turns as she swims towards the doorway. "And cheer him up, I do not want to see one of my babies sad."
She smiles as she swims away. He will try his best to make sure Triton feels loved.
…
Poseidon makes his way through the hallway leading to their family area in their PalaceHis thoughts linger on Triton and how he talked to him during the meeting. Their relationship was quite formal on the outside view, but in private Poseidon tried to remain approachable
He reaches his oldest son's room. His door is slightly open and so he knocks gently. "Triton? May I come in?"
Triton looks up from the scroll he was reading on his bed, as Poseidon enters the room. "Yes, Father."
Poseidon watches sadly as Triton quickly rises from his bed and bows in greeting.."Triton, you know such formalities are not necessary." He says as he guides his son back into his bed. Taking a seat on the edge as he does.
The young God blushes slightly at being scolded by his father once again. He didn't want to upset Poseidon in any way. "Is there a problem?" He asks after a few moments of silence.
Poseidon tries to collect his thoughts so he doesn't make the wrong move this time.
"I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you during the council." He says looking down at his lap.
Triton is taken aback by the apology, he thought he was going to get chastised even more then. Usually, his father would add another layer of criticism.
"Father…I- it's alright." Triton stutters out. He rubs a hand over his neck. "I know you mean well." Poseidon watches how nervous his eldest son is around him and he feels his heart sink in his chest.
He never realized it before. He thought he was doing what was best for him. But now he sees that his relationship with Triton is not how it should be. He never wanted any of his children to be so nervous that they wouldn't come to him if they had a problem.
"I shouldn't have been so harsh with you, my son." He says as Triton tries to avoid his eye contact.
This brings him back to his earlier instinct. There was something off with Triton since the beginning of the week and he will address it. So he changes the subject momentarily.
"I also wanted to make sure you were resting after all that strenuous training you've done this week."
The sea God watches carefully at the way Triton's shoulders tense at his inquiry, and the lack of eye contact. And the fact that he didn't come into the nest for a long time doesn't reassure him either. So he tries to get him to open up.
"Triton, you know you can tell me anything." He places a comforting hand on his son's tensed shoulder. But Triton fidgets with his scroll, feeling like a small boy again. "It's nothing important. I should go back to my scrolls anyway."
But before he can pick up the scroll once more, his father removes it and takes his face into his hands, so now he can't avoid eye contact anymore.
"I see that something is upsetting you my son, and it pains me deeply that you do not want to tell me."
Triton looks into his father's eyes and his self-protection starts to crumble slightly. "I-I know it's ridiculous, but I simply feel like maybe you've changed your mind as for me being your Heir and-"
That caught Poseidon off guard. "What? How could you think that?" The young merman starts to feel even more unsure of himself. Thinking that he did upset his father.
His shoulders slump slightly, Father is even more disappointed now.
"I-I thought that you might want Percy to be your Heir in the future." Poseidon's eyes widened in surprise. "Maybe, I should step down if that is what you truly want."
Poseidon is not sure if he heard correctly. But as he takes a closer look at his son's troubled expression he knows he did. "I never once thought of you stepping down Tri. You are my firstborn, my Heir by birthright and by my own will."
Triton looks up to his father once again, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders, but he still doubts.
"I'm sorry for doubting you Father, it's just that.. I saw the way he makes you happy, and I feel as if I could never do that for you."
Poseidon feels his heart sink once again. "You do bring me joy, Triton, even if I don't show it as much as I should sometimes." He admits.
Triton refrains from accusing his father of favoritism. So he merely nods. "Okay."
His Father is not convinced by that response though. "You don't believe me?"
Triton is quick to change his mind. "I do, I believe you, Father."
His tone is unconvincing. So Poseidon sighs and pulls him into an embrace. The younger God stiffens at the gesture. But then relaxes a bit, he feels his father's hand hold the back of his head.
"I adore you Triton, never doubt that." He whispers into his ear.
Poseidon presses a gentle kiss on the top of his son's hair. He feels saddened that it's been so long since he held him like this. Maybe he should have been affectionate with him too. Triton tries hard to fight the tears that threaten to come down as he finally feels the love of his father.
They stay like this for a few more minutes until they pull away from their mutual embrace. Poseidon takes a look at his son. He sees the tears glistening. He rubs them away with a gentle thumb.
"I'm so sorry I made you feel this way, Triton, but I promise you things will be different from now on."
Triton nods. And gives Poseidon a small smile that doesn't go unnoticed.
"I missed seeing your smile, my son." Triton blushes slightly at the attention. "I will make sure I see it more often."
Triton blushes slightly as he feels a swift poke into his side and he lets out a small laugh before he can contain it. Poseidon winks at him playfully. It's been a long time since Triton saw this side of his father.
"I'll try to smile more, Father." Poseidon ruffles his hair affectionately before he rises from his bed.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure it stays there. I know just the way to bring them to you."
Triton's smiles widen as Poseidon playfully touches his fins resting on his bed. "I haven't forgotten about those fins either."
"Father, don't think about it!" Triton protests while trying to refrain from giggling.
Poseidon chuckles softly as he watches his son squirm on his bed as his fingers lightly brush over his fins once more before relenting. "Alright, I'll spare you for now."
Triton lets out a sigh of relief. "Tomorrow is another day." His father winks again. The Merman pulls himself under his blankets before his father has another playful streak.
Poseidon removes the scrolls and puts them on Triton's desk before he pulls the blanket around his son. "Sleep well Triton, I love you."
"Goodnight Papa." He responds.
The Sea God smiles at the name. It had been so long since his eldest had called him that. He nods before he makes his leave hoping that Triton finally sees how much he loves him.
Reviews:
Bookwarrior12: Thank you so much for your comment! I really loved writing the ending haha! I actually wanted to make it even more fluffy but I'm a bit shy :( ... I need to find more ideas for Tri and Papa Poseidon!
