Thank you so much to everyone who commented on my fics recently! It means a lot to me!
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter, it's less fluffy than it was intended but I'll do the fluff soon
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Kymopoleia has been back for a little bit now, and she is still very much adjusting to living with her family. She's happy to be here, especially after so many decades alone at Sea.
But there are still some lingering issues between her and her parentsPoseidon.
To be fair, he had been kind the little bit of time she spent alone with him since arriving, but she was still scared of him somehow. She avoided him every time they walked into the same room or whenever the family would share a moment together. Kymopoleia, would quickly retreat and isolate herself.
Which didn't go unnoticed by her family. Amphitrite would sigh sadly but didn't try to bring her with them, in fear that she might isolate even further.
The Atlantean Throne room was bustling with activity as the King sat on his ornately shaped coral throne, wearing his traditional robes. A crowd was forming rapidly; most of the Atlantean citizens were merfolks. Poseidon watched as some of the people approaching him seemed to be more angry than usual. He nodded as he listened carefully to their complaints about the increase in human pollution around their normal haven among the seas.
The Sea God made an effort to listen to these complaints closely to make sure his people's needs were taken care of as fast as possible so he could admittedly go spend time with all his children since on this rare occasion every one of them was in his Palace which brought him immense joy.
As he's so focused on what is happening before him, Poseidon doesn't notice the shadowy figure who's hiding behind a column at the entrance of the room.
Kymopoleia was silently observing her father. She was too shy to get close to him.
Unlike her many other siblings, godly or otherwise, Kymopoleia never felt loved by her parents.
Especially her Father who scared her most of the time.
She remembers the multiple times throughout her life when she saw fury in his sea-green eyes during councils and even when he wasn't actually on duty. How harsh he seemed with Triton too, even though her brother didn't seem to be as affected by it. Kymopoleia felt like maybe someday that anger could be directed at her if she missed a step or dared to interrupt him while he was busy.
Kymopoleia never felt close to anyone in her immediate family anyway. She had always felt unimportant, and she was always so clumsy, and awkward around others.
Rohde and Benthesykime were also amazing at siren songs. Their mother had taught them when they were small, and Kym didn't escape it but she struggled to hit the notes and sounded like a screeching dolphin so she never dared to try again.
Kymopoleia quietly continues to observe the scene in front of her when she feels someone tapping her shoulder and a small chuckle that she recognizes.
"Kym? Are you hiding from someone ?" She turns quickly startled at having been found like this. And she sees Benthesykime and Rhode standing behind her. Both were wearing a simple white dress and their crowns.
They exchange a concerned glance at seeing their sister isolating herself from everyone. They had arrived the day prior and they both wanted to spend quality time with their family including Kym. But, as usual, Kymopoleia seemed to isolate herself from everyone in recent years, which concerned both sisters. They wanted to reach out to her, but Kym seemed to flee at any attempt.
Unknown to Kym, watching her retreat like this made everyone sad.
.Kymopoleia blushes a bit at having been caught observing like this. "I-Um…I was simply watching." She tries, avoiding their gaze. "I should probably see if Mother needs help preparing the feast for tonight."
Kymopoleia tries to make a run for it while she can but Rhode grabs her arm gently pulling her back with them before she has the opportunity to flee."We were looking for you actually." She says while smiling gently at her.
"Why?" She asks. Benthesykime gives Kymopoleia a mischievous smile.
"We wanted to ask you if you'd like to spend time with us, we thought it would be nice to go to the market and maybe jump in some waves?"
Kymopoleia looks up and tries to find an excuse as to why she can't go with them but she doesn't find any so she reluctantly nods. "Okay…that could be fun." She reluctantly agrees.
"Let's go play then!" Benth says as she pulls their little sister with them through the marble columns and as they make their way through the busy throne room. But, before they find the entrance, both elder Sea Goddesses stop in their tracks as they see their Father.
"Oh, Papa's here!" Rhode says as she quickly walks up the marble stairs that lead toward Poseidon's throne. She giggles at the way Poseidon slouches into his throne, he seems bored out of his mind so she doesn't waste time as she quickly pulls her father into a big cuddle.
Poseidon grunts slightly as he feels his eldest daughter unexpectedly collapse into his chest but smiles as he wraps his strong arms around his daughter.
"Well, that is a pleasant surprise." He says kissing her forehead gently. "I miss you, my daughters." He says as he cradles her into his embrace while opening his other arm for Benthesykime, she smiles and curls into his left side.
The Sea God smiles as he holds two of his daughters. He adores them.
Kymopoleia watches intrigued at how Poseidon's eyes soften as he hugs Rhode and Benthesikyme; she never thought he could be so gentle. But then again, the young Goddess feels like she's intruding on their precious moment and she merely stays aback watching silently, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
Not knowing what to do during an awkward moment like this. She didn't feel welcome within her own family.
Poseidon noticed the way his youngest daughter seemed left out of their embrace. Even though as a child, Kymopoleia did not seem to appreciate his displays of affection, Poseidon secretly hoped that she might let him hug her one day. But he also understood that everyone's boundaries were different so he didn't push.
He can see the envy in her white eyes, and it admittedly breaks his heart to see that one of his children feels so distant from him.
Kymopoleia was always quite different from the rest of their children, having been created from his emotions and not normally. She had a temper that seemed to make her always angry and harsh, which in turn pushed Poseidon and Amphitrite to not want to create any more children this way. They admittedly didn't know how to talk or interact with her the same way as their older children.
Despite what she might think he does love her as much as her brothers and sisters. Even though the love he had for her was also cautious since he felt as if Kymopoleia was on edge all the time and could be easily triggered into deep emotional outbursts.
So it was easier to let her be rather than interact, but in turn, it made their relationship with her non existent.
Poseidon relishes the cuddle his elder daughters give him, but his mind is also focused on his youngest. Trying to figure out a way to reach her since she came back to live with them. The cuddle lasts a few more minutes before his two daughters retreat. He smiles at them.
They return a smile and Rhode gives him a kiss on the cheek before she makes her way down the stairs ready to go to the market, Benthesykime following her lead.
Kymopoleia still hasn't moved which gets noticed by her elder sisters who look at her and then their father sadly. For a moment their joy stops and they whisper to each other about a possible plan of action to make them get closer together.
"Should we insist on her coming like we usually do or try to make them talk?" Rhode quietly asks Benthesykime.
On the one hand, both sisters wanted to involve their sister. But, on the other hand, they think that maybe Kym needs some alone time with Father even though she is very shy about it.
Benthesykime bites her lip softly, looking at both of them makes her very sad. They tried to involve Kymopoleia in multiple activities but it seemed like she hadn't found her place within their own family yet.
"What if it doesn't help, and they don't speak to each other?" Rhode says.
"We showed her how to approach him without fear, so I hope that by being alone with him, she might feel comfortable enough to take the step."
Rhode glances at them one last time before she starts to take her leave. "Alright, we'll leave them alone." Both girls exit quietly and send a soft smile in their little sister's direction before exiting the Throne Room.
Now it's just her and Poseidon. Or it feels like it at least since the Throne Room isn't as busy as it can get.
Poseidon watches her silently, he doesn't want to overwhelm her or make her run away. He tries to stay patient and watches her from where he's sitting but he fidgets a bit trying to read her features, to see any kind of reaction.
He sighs when she doesn't make eye contact with him. Unlike her sisters and Triton, his interactions with Kymopoleia always seemed to be very complicated and awkward. She would usually misinterpret his actions or words.
Poseidon is not one to sit quietly and do nothing so he tries to start a conversation with her. His fingers tapping gently on the armrest of his throne, he tries to find a way to bring her out of her shell.
Poseidon watches her silently, he doesn't want to overwhelm her or make her run away. He tries to stay patient and watches her from where he's sitting, but he fidgets a bit, trying to read her features, to see any kind of reaction.
He sighs when she doesn't make eye contact with him. Unlike his interactions with her sisters and Triton, his interactions with Kymopoleia always seem complicated and awkward. She usually misinterprets his actions or words.
Poseidon is not one to sit quietly and do nothing, so he tries to start a conversation with her. His fingers tap gently on the armrest of his throne as he seeks the right words to draw her out of her shell.
"So, Kym, do you like the market?" he asks in his own imperfect way, hoping to spark some interest.
She doesn't look at him when she responds, her voice barely audible. "Y-Yes."
He presses on, trying to ask her more questions, but her answers are consistently reduced to yes or no. Each brief response chips away at his patience. He takes deep breaths, reminding himself of Amphitrite's advice earlier—to be patient. But the frustration simmers just beneath the surface.
He quietly wonders why it was so much easier to interact with Rhode and Benthesykime and not her. He actually almost say it out loud because he has a tendency to let his frustration known but he thankfully catches himself before doing so.
"Would you like to go create storms together?" he asks, attempting to infuse some excitement into their conversation, hoping for a more lively reaction.
Kymopoleia simply shrugs, lack of enthusiasm seems to take a toll on her father's patience.
Poseidon sighs in defeat, rubbing at his beard as he desperately tries to find a way to bridge the gap between them.
But he gets interrupted by a servant makes their way through the throne room and bows deeply before the King.
"My Lord, the counselors have requested your presence," the servant announces, breaking the tension in the air.
Poseidon nods, as he stands up from his throne quickly, glancing down at Kymopoleia, who still hasn't made eye contact with him.
"Kym is it okay with you if I go? Or would you prefer for me to stay?" He asks not minding the way the servant is surely pressed on the matters at hand.
Poseidon is a Father before he is King.
He waits patiently for her response. She bites her lip once more. Deep down she would really wants him to stay, but she knows he has a lot of duties at hand and so she reluctantly nods.
"I-You can go…" She finally says making eye contact ith him for the first time.
Poseidon nods as he rises from hsi throne and follows the servant but he still looks back at Kymopoleia.
As he exits, the throne room feels quieter, the lingering tension still hanging between them like an unbroken wave. Kymopoleia remains rooted in place, her gaze still downcast, grappling with a mix of emotions she can't quite put into words.