Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sea is like that of it’s own sentient Creature in it’s own right, living and breathing to it’s own tune, guided by it’s own rules and restrictions, followed no laws created outside of It’s own. 

As the King is often quoted as saying “The sea doesn’t like to be restrained”.

When the son of Poseidon was Born into this world, screaming and wailing, brilliant eyes shaded with the seas he was born of, the Underwater Kingdom celebrated as a Community of their own. It had been centuries since a child born of both Land and Sea, sired by their King, breathed life in the universe. 

They lived their lives according to that of their King and Queen, only by their judgment and rulings not any other. 

Zeus may be King among the clouds but under the waves that Crown was beholden to Poseidon. 

All gods and goddesses, no matter their place on the metaphorical food chain, knew of Zues’s law foreboding contact between Divine Parent. It was well known by all and the punishment for disobeying was infamous in their cruelty. 

Rumors were spreading of discontentment between groups of elder demi-gods due to their Parents lack of taking value of their lives, in the eyes of the children, asinine laws be damned.

Poseidon would not think to be accused of the same mistreatment of his only land born child in this century. “Come, my Prince, you can do it. Strong as your πατερούλης. Come to me my most precious of pearls.” The royal family lived by their own Laws, heeding none other, Zeus would never be so brazen enough to strike down the Sea God and his Immortal Family so near to his domain. Though calmed with age and time, Poseidon was still considered one of those among them not to temp, his unpredictable nature made him ever more dangerous then the Council combined. “A few more steps, just a few more, I await to hold you with an eagerness untold of.”

Their place of meeting was the beaches of Montauk, the Land Born child of the Sea living peacefully in the safe walls of the cabin only a few steps from the waves that reside in his blood lapping at the sandy ground underfoot. Furnished to the liking of one ever Spirited Sally Jackson mixed artfully with the tones of the boy’s Divine Sea Ruling Family.

Percy Jackson knew not of a moment in his short but exuberant life of pain or as though part was missing, no stories of a missing father who supposedly held adoration for him despite his otherwise radio silence, no striking hand of an abusive step father. 

Giggling adorably is the nine month of Sea Prince, the breeze from the open expanse of waters behind the royals gathered just in the rolling surf ruffles through the boy’s squid ink black hairs, eyes that change hues based on emotion maintain a glow of the same shine of his dearest táta awaiting his arrival with hardly concealed excitement. Witnessing one’s baby take their first steps was a celebratory occasion transcending mortality. Poseidon hadn’t been there to witness his youngest Prince's true first cruising but he nor his wife and elder son had wasted even a thought of a moment when the prayer of their mortal counterpart reached their ears in the depths of the child reaching this momentous milestone. 

Amphitrite maintains the ability not to laugh at her dearest husband’s excitement, especially so when the same hands though smaller in size are seen reaching from her other side, father and son share only a moment of a glance, a challenge to see whom the babe will come to first initiated in their shared glance of silence. 

And Triton had claimed no fondness for the babe.

Giggling with her baby, Sally holds both tiny hands tight and secure as she simply assists her treasure in his stumbly pudgy legged amble to those who await him at the water's edge, Percy pauses for only a moment to glance between his papa and big brother both of whom beckoning him forward.

Let it be known on the record that Poseidon, Lord of the Seas, is a dirty rotten cheater. His wife laughing openly at his side as their son reaches around her to smack his Father’s arm with the accusation being spoken into existence as the demi-god ambles into the Sea Lord’s waiting embrace. She takes a moment to observe her husband, simply taking him in for a moment of observation, as he crows in elation to the sight of his youngest son’s first steps. The way his eyes glow in a manner she hasn’t seen in…Since his first of his many halfing children…his deep rumbling laughter in tune with the infant's youthful pitched squeals as he lifts him from the gentle waves along the shore up above his head.

Not even a year old and this babe returned to her a side of her cherished husband Amphitrite feared was going to fade into the ether once more. Undoubtedly the babe who squeals with rich laughter as the Sea God nuzzles his bearded face (his cheating card in the silent competition between himself and Triton) into his pudgy little tummy would be the most powerful of the Land Born children her Dearest had played his part in creating. The tantrums of the child were strong enough to be felt as tremors in their Palace within the deepest depths. But the one ability that would outmatch them all. One that no other Child of any other Minor or Major of their Kind would possess.

To tame the ever known to be unrestrainable sea.

Poseidon is happy, far more so then she’s seen him be in far longer then she should have witnessed the happiness fade, and most notable to all who catch sight of him–he is calm. 

“I knew you could do it, my little oscar, held no doubts.”

….

The celebration of the Sea God’s Half Mortal son’s first year upon the living world is a momentous occasion. Sally prefers for her one year old son not to spend his entire birthday under the waves within depths she herself can’t reach to be at his side without his Divine Father’s blessing. Though Poseidon would give such blessings in that of a heartbeat, it was agreed upon by all involved with the planning that perhaps exposing the youngest Prince to all that was Atlantis while still so young would perhaps be a poor decision on their part. 

A small party is held between only those in the unorthodox family. Poseidon is well versed in keeping the boy distracted as his Wife and Lover prepare the inside of their Cabin home for the boy in question, the child loves his πατερούλης   just as much as his πατερούλης loved him. Being the age he was, Percy's powers he’d inherited from his Godly parent were beginning to show signs of emerging, the signs of how truly Great he would be once he came into his Power entirely, it was  painful process for one so very young, so the sight of the Lord of the Seas sitting in the shallows of the water lapping gently over them both to soothe the Sea Babe’s aches and upset was not a rare one. 

Poseidon allowed them both to feel the coolness of the waters that washed over their legs, it soothed his toddler, distracted him from his growing in power, and he’d do anything to ensure the youngest of his children knew very little of what true pain felt like. No matter the day nor time of said day it was, when Sally Jackson woke to the pained wails of her beloved baby boy only to see his crib empty with the remnants of sea salt in the air–she went back to bed without a worry in the world. 

Just as his father was, Triton was too well versed in keeping the boy entertained, conjuring the waves that had the child squealing in delight were he sat protected and safe from any real harm in the sea water comfortably upon their parent’s lap. 

“Happy birthday, baby!” Gathered around the winding deck veranda of the Cabin, the Sea Family and Mortal welcome among their ranks as the Lord’s Mortal Lover and mother of his beloved Half Divine babe, streamers of various blues and greens are hung around with the dangling lights casting a glow over the joyous occasion. “Make a wish!”

As though understanding the delighted command given, the boy’s face scrunches up in deep thought–or as deep a thought one as young as him could have–Sally coos in the same breath as the Queen of the Sea does and they all watch the child blow as one as young as he is at his single candle.

Comparatively speaking to how the celebration would have been in the babe’s Kingdom under the Sea, having it above the waves with only direct family involved was a far grander idea, having so many praising him would be much too overwhelming. 

“What did you wish for, starfish?” Leaving the adults to clean up the mess of the happy small party, Triton was tasked with entertaining his youngest brother until the tasks were completed and they ended the night as their mixed family usually did. “You can tell me.”

“Can’t!” Little Percy hugs his arms, now one year old arms, around his oldest brother’s neck contentedly. “Mommy said not come if I say!”

….

“ πατερούλης , you silly!” Is the cry of the delighted Toddler born of the Sea and Shore, just months past his first birthday, little Percy beelines as best as one with his limitations can for the man standing in the surf. “I was nappin’, and now mommy’s mad at you, better hide!”

“I dared interrupt your nap, my little squidling?” Poseidon knows exactly what he’s done and still opts to play his chance with the ignorance card, sweeping his sweet little demi-child up into his arms, once close enough, smiling into the nuzzle he receives as a warm welcome from the nearing fourteen month old boy who had one of the worlds most deadliest beings wrapped around even a single little finger of his. “Would you like to come enjoy a nap with Táta today, my sleepy little guppy?”

No angry yelling from within the beach house, not an angered woman in sight disturbed from her task of seeing her toddler son down for his nap, because everyone who knew the boy as well as they did knew that the child slept best in the embrace of his Divine father. So no one was truly all that amiss that the tot was not as he should be. 

Fast asleep.

“Uhuh, with you πατερούλης.” Little Percy Jackson, barely breaching his toddler years, yawns as a child of his age does when the young body has decided it’s missed it’s much important of slumbering times it must receive, resting his head on the Sea God’s large shoulder lightly he snuggles in close. “Sleep with ξάδερφος απόλλων too. He warm. Not warm like πατερούλης but warm too.”

Poseidon smiles at his only Land Born Son’s simple request, of all the places they’ve been to for enjoying a peaceful moment of a nap that the boy very much needed, the Sacred Waters of his Cousin’s Island were by far a favorite. He had it on good authority that Apollo and Artemis knew of their semi-frequent visits and never spread word of the discovery of a Demi-god of the Sea. Despite what most would think of him the Younger God and Goddess was very well versed in keeping his secrets as close to the chest as one could hold them. 

Speculation stated that he also found himself endeared to his nephew and niece. But as stated, mere speculation. 

“I can’t say for sure if your Cousin will be there at the moment, but I know he’s never found insult in us using the Sacred Waters for a resting place, is that where you desire most?”

The young child nods into the crook of his neck and the Sea King smiles, willing them away in a mist of sea spray, Poseidon knew without a doubt that his dear nephew knew of their appearances on his Island. The Archer Twins were one of the very few outside of the Undersea Royal Family to have met their newest Youngest Prince, a meeting that had been made on pure accident and misstep; there was never any telling when the younger Deities would be resting there as well. 

Least to say the Sun God was taken with the young Prince of the Land and Sea.

“ξάδερφος απόλλων!” As it would happen, the Sun God was partaking in a day of rest for himself on this particular afternoon, once bathing in the sun with his arms tucked around under his head, the blond young man peeks open a single eye at the call of the child. “You’s here too!”

“Is that the sound of my most favorite of tiniest cousins intending to use my Island for his nap?”

….

“TriTri, can I ask you somethin’?”

“You just did.” There was no fear in leaving her young son in the arms of his elder immortal brother some distance from the shore, Sally knew he’d never allow his head to dip under the surf more than he could take, not taking into account Poseidon’s constant vigilance of their child, if for some unseen force knocking the Young Prince the Sea God himself would ensure he returned to his big brother’s arms at once. “Alright, alright, my little seal pup, ask away.”

Percy tugs on their shared dark hair, Triton’s was longer then his and he wanted his to look like big brother’s too, Mommy was letting him grow his hair out too. “Will you and πατερούλης and θετή μαμά get in big trouble if Uncle finds out you’re with me?”

Thunder rumbles overheard as though to answer his inquiry for him, Triton hasn’t the heart to confirm these notions, and leans in to nudge the little one with his nose. Percy giggles and nudges him back. “Вујко може да плаче колку сака. Вие сте нашето бебе риба. Таткото би објавил војна ако се обиде да направи нешто.” Their baby starfish giggles when his big brother brushes their noses together once more. “И без прашање Татко ќе ги клоцне чичковците по газот.”

He giggles even more and curls his hands around the older Prince’s cheeks. “Можам да ти го клоцам задникот, голем брат!”

They stare at each other for a long time, Percy squeals with laughter at the splash of water when Triton suddenly surges forward, little half-godling still secure in his arms, and burrows into the side of his neck. As though to challenge his statement. As it turns out, the youngest Prince cannot kick the eldest Prince’s butt. 

…..

The scales had started growing in since his third birthday. Sally’s frist gaze of them had her panicking and shouting for her Immortal Lover because her baby boy was crying terribly and itching at the flaking scales, she wasn’t too surprised at the scales. Poseidon was the God of the Sea, he’d warned her of such things happening the more their child grew in his presence, taking on more of his physical godly traits then most of his other demigod children. It was due to the wailing of her precious angelfish that had her screaming his name like he’d been caught out with…

Anyway ……

“It’s alright, my child.” Sally follows his instructions to the letter . Filling the tub specifically designated for their beloved Child with water from the sea. “I know, I know, Ο μπαμπάς είναι εδώ. ” Poseidon steps into their boy’s bathroom, cooing and clicking down at the distraught child in a language Sally can’t even hope to learn, carefully lowering himself to his knees as he leans over to set their brilliant little boy in the sea bath. “See, much better, how do you feel now?” Pouring handful after handful over the wilting scales on the boy’s shoulders. Percy calms, the color returning to it’s true state. “Better?”

“Mhm. Better papa.” He nuzzles in the large hand that curls around the left side of his face. “I like’em ‘cause they’re pretty and they look like yours!”

“Well, a shade lighter, but you’re not too far off the mark.” Poseidon smiles as he plays with his boy. “Just ensure he takes a sea bath before bed, unless he’s played most of the day in my domain, it’ll ensure his scales remain vibrant and healthy.”

So, with that in mind, Sally Jackson was hardly surprised when she woke up in the morning and her beloved boy’s features had changed overnight. When she first saw his webbed fingers, she’s smiled and kissed those little fingers until the boy was in a fit of giggles, his ears sharpening to a pointed appearance only made sense due to his heritage. 

Now that said–

“POSEIDON! GET UP HERE! WHY DOES MY BABY HAVE A–”

“Mother, if you would?” Sally had called for her Lover and yet here was he and his wife and second son. Someone had placed a bet on her baby– “A bet is a bet, darling.”

“ My boy, ” seemingly choosing to ignore the betting taking place behind his back, the God reaches out for the child in question with a tentacle. It’s at this moment that Sally takes notice of the royal family’s appearance . More importantly, her baby was a baby octopus, clearly taken after his dear doting daddy. “Look at you. Just look .”

“Daddy I look just like you!” Little Seven year old Percy exclaims with pride not needing to speak his desires when he reaches out, the god already pulling him into his chest for a cuddle, his youngest was an affectionate child. Poseidon wasn’t complaining. “I wanna be a cool fish like you. Tri is a silly fishy!”

“Hey!”

“I’ve never had a Land Born child take after me so much though I did suspect considering his continued feeding on my Divinity. A Half Born taking to this form.” Percy brushes a small hand down one of his father’s raised tentacles before brushing his tiny hand over his own, looking up at his parent to do the same, it only powers the god’s elation even more. “It’s been so long since I’ve had a young on, a hatchling , Darling look at our Child.” Poseidon turns, the water twirling with him, and lowers the young octopi he’s cradling in his arms. 

The Queen of the Oceans lifts herself from the water, cooing down a the little one cradled in her husbands arms, bracing a slender clawed hand around his bicep she leans in closer to examine his little tentacles closely. “His first time shifting forms. I assume during his routine bath.” Sally nods in confirmation, about gave her a heart attack, her precious boy had been feeling bad for the last few days and she’d been giving him sea baths every hour on the hour–imagine her surprise when she turns away for a single moment and her baby boy is a little octopus from the waist down. “We’ll have to teach him to smoothly transition before safely returning him to our Dearests care.” She flutters the fingers of her other hand over the boy’s chubby tummy to elicit his well known endearing peals of laughter. “You are so precious, my little fry.”

Poseidon is weary, protective of his hatchling, clicking harshly when the notion of setting the boy in the water is brought up. “Μπαμπά, μπορούμε να κολυμπήσουμε;” All it takes is a mere request from his beloved youngest to have that mood taking a sudden drastic turn to meet the child’s soft demand. “Of course we can, my most precious one, you hardly need to ask.”

Sally can’t help the anxiety that creeps up. “Will he…?

“Of course, all of my children instinctively know how to swim in whatever form they may inherit, besides he won’t be far from my sight.”

……

Percy’s eight when he sees Camp Halfblood for the first time. Ducking into his dad’s shoulder as they step from the gentle lapping of the lake within the borders of Camp Half-Blood, tears having long since ceased his cheeks still show their evidence of them, fingers clutching at the fabric of the god’s shirt in a certified stress grip. 

Humming under his breath, deep in his chest, Poseidon keeps his rage under control lest he cause his precious treasured child even more pain. A soothing melody meant to soothe the young ones, usually it worked, typically he wasn’t trying to soothe after the little one witnessed his entire world go up in flames. The only reason Poseidon knew the fate of his and his Wife’s Companion was due to the sudden violent splash of his Land Born child entering his domain, surfacing only in time to yank the boy around, his wails barely heard under the enraged thunder overhead and the burning cabin he’d once called home, crushing him into his chest as a final lightning bolt strikes the once beautiful cabin and the remaining structure explodes into bits of rubble and debris.

He pays the other children no mind as he strides up the embankment, for the Big House that contains those he seeks, the world was no longer safe for his treasured babe.

“Uncle.” Violet eyes shift from the Elder to the boy in his arms. “Seedling.”

“I thought, misguided in my assumptions, that my brother–” The Sea God can’t get the words out beyond that, turning to press his lips to his son's head, bowing into his soaked curls. “This is a Declaration of War to think to act against my Child and Lover so near my Domain.” Poseidon inhales the scent of his son, for it will be a decent time until he can do so again, nuzzling the child one final time. “He’s still able to care for himself, but has an aversion from being apart from the hip for the most part, I am entrusting my babe to you Dionysus.” Raging stormy eyes meet calm shimmering wine for a long tense moment. “Don’t think my retribution for your failure will be less then horrific.”

“Hey, I’m fond of the mini sea sponge.” The God of madness keeps his tone pointedly even. “He’ll be under my direct care until he can return to your own.” Percy doesn’t make a sound, not a peep, as he’s transferred between papa and cousin. Curling around the Camp Director like he had his father only moments again. “He’s family, in the good way, Uncle I give my word he’ll be just as safe with me as he would be in your own arms.” Little arms snake around his neck. Typically Dionysus wasn’t so hands on, bar it when he’s with his own Godling children, but hey, this is his favorite cousin. “Kick his ass.”

“He’ll be lucky if I only maim him for what he’s done.”

….

Percy doesn’t feel much of anything, retreating inwards in the wake of everything , lifting his arms for μεγάλος ξάδερφος Διόνυσος to pick him up, the God of Wine does so without complaint. Uncle’s kid is a small child, a minnow really, Dionysus hardly has to do much to keep the child perched on his arm. 

The child’s well mannered and as Uncle stated, self sufficient, already dressed for the day and waiting for them to make their way to the Dining Pavilion for breakfast. “Ready squirt?”

“είμαι έτοιμος.” The boy rests his head on his shoulder. Time is all that was needed. His cousin just witnessed his entire life explode before his very eyes in a far too literal sense. There was no telling when he’d be reunited with his dear old dad again. “ Μπορώ να φάω μαζί σου”

“Of course, baby cous, no questions asked.” Dionysus glares at any of the other little brats that stop and stare as he makes their way to their destination, typically he simply flashed there, but he agreed with himself that the adorable scamp he’s carrying with him needed to see which routes were most important around the Camp. Even if the kid was going to be stuck to his side for the coming months. “Gotta get you in some sea water too, kid, or them scales gonna start getting nasty with you. Οχι αστειο. ”

“I don’t wanna swim without daddy.” Kid was heartbroken, in one foul swoop from his asshole holy fuckwad of a Father, he’d lost everything . “Can daddy come swim with me?”

Chiron was unaware of there being a new camper and thus– “Who might thi–”

Sharp little claws dig into his shoulder as the little fish hides away from the new person. “My lil cous, was asked personally to see to him, for all my faults I’m good on my word.” Dionysus pats the minnow’s back soothingly. “Maybe not your dad, hatchling, maybe your μεγάλος αδερφός or one of your αδερφές.”

“You don’t typically take on any of the children directly, perhaps it is best to take him to his cabin, has he been claimed?”

“You could say that.”

“I don’t under–”

“Can θετή μαμά? ”

The Director gets the scamp to down four small anchovies. “Though Lady Amphitrite would love to swim with you I don’t think she'd be able to at the moment. We can see if Triton, Rhode, Benth, or Kym can come swim with you.” And three more makes seven anchovies. “All four of’em even.”

Percy lifts his head from his big cousin’s shoulder, snatches three anchovies being held as offering to one famished fishling, and spares the new person an apprehensive glance before looking up to meet swirling eyes of magenta. “μπορεί να έρθει η Ρόδος να κολυμπήσει?”

What was happening that the names of those among the royal Sea Family were being thrown about without care, names held power, of all beings– “ γλυκιά μου μωρό, ποτέ δεν χρειάζεται να ρωτήσεις, θα έχω για πάντα χρόνο να έρθω να κολυμπήσω μαζί σου.” 

Before Chiron can voice such concerns a gentle voice reverberates between the trees and haze of the morning, swaying through the trees like the gentle waters of the lake should it overflow its boundaries, and through the mist comes a young woman. Her eyes give away her parentage at first glance. Long dark hair flowing down her back, flowers and various small shells braided between strands, in contrast the sea green backdrop her hair rests upon flowing smoothly down to the darkest of blues. 

He kneels and motions for the children to do so. Dionysus gets the child in his lap to down six more anchovies. “Lady Rhode.” Lifting his head when he gets no response from the Sea Goddess, she smiles at him in acknowledgement, and leans over to lift the boy from Dionysus’s lap. “To what do we owe the honor of hosting you?”

“Oh, spare formalities, please.” She only has eyes for the boy, even in the avatar form suitable for the Half-Bloods that surround them  Rhode still stands two and a half possibly three heads taller then any of them, cradling the eight year old close as though nothing more than a babe to her. “I’ve come to swim with my precious baby brother.” Rhode is completely captivated by the child who had simply appeared throughout the night. “Kym and Benth send their apologies, Triton as well, I came as soon as I could.” She wiggles a few fingers around the boy’s belly, enough that the kid bursts into giggle fits, Dionysus smiles into his drink at the sound. “Thank you for calling me, cousin, we will be down in the waters. The rest of the children are welcome to join us. My Husband will ensure we have nothing less than a warm sunny day perfect for fun in the water.”

“I must say I’m con–”

“Thanks, Rho.” 

She nods, turning, her stola twirling with her, elegantly as she had appeared she returns from the way she came with the giggling Godling in her arms. “Think nothing of it, Dio.”

“ Poseidon’s Daughter ?” The Centaur has had quite enough. “Dionysus, what is going on?”

“It appears she’s taking Uncle P’s youngest son to swim so his scales don’t start to wilt and flake.” He sips from the diet coke he’d been sharing with the godling. “ And offering us freedom in her father’s domain for the afternoon with her husband ensuring it remains a bright sunny day.”

Chiron straightens in astonishment. “Poseidon’s youngest son ?” He turns his attention to where the Sea Goddess and child had disappeared. “I was not aware Lady Amphitrite bore him another son.”

“Because she didn’t.” Dionysus snorts. “Kid’s a half-blood, Uncle Poseidon found a loophole in Father’s Law, and Father discovered his Loophole.” He raises a hand to dismiss the other brats from breakfast. “War is approaching, my friend, whether we are prepared or not.” He steps out into the sun of the day, Helios was true to his word, and he adored his wife. “I’ve already informed my brothers and sisters, I alone won’t be strong enough to withstand the war they’re going to wage, they shall be here by the end of this day and the next to assist in keeping the kiddies safe and sound.”

Some of the younger ones run into the water, complimenting and whooping excitedly at the sight of the baby octoboy, geesh Uncle P wasn’t joking when he said his little hatchling took after him. Rhodos laughs softly at those who ask to play with her and Poseidon’s Half-Blood, nodding as she sends them all rolling back with a small wave heralded by shrieks of laughter. 

“Zues and Posiedon waging war against each other isn’t anything new, but this time, with Uncle P having majority behind him…..You know what’s said about Uncle’s rage.” The Wine God peers up at the deceivingly calm sky above. “Do you remember the time they tried to usurp the Throne, removing Father from power, and granting the Throne to Poseidon?” Chiron does in fact remember the date in question and grimaces. “This time, for what Father has done, Poseidon may very well succeed .”

Chapter Text

“Chiron?” The called after centaur turns at the call of his name, meeting swirling gray eyes of whom had once been the Camp’s youngest occupant, Annabeth Chase has questions and she wanted answers to those questions. “Who’s the boy playing with Mr. D?”

Indeed it is a sight to behold, Mr. D interacting with any of the campers without any form of disdain in doing so, it wasn’t uncommon to witness the god playing with his own two young ones in private but to be doing so openly and with a third boy otherwise unknown to those who needn’t know how true identity seated in the shade of a tree near the lake without a care in the world was something to take note of. “Merely a visitor for the foreseeable future. He was left in the care of Mr. D by his father.” It was to be admired the way the deity took to one of his younger forms unconsciously with the child in his care, young but not by too much, dark curls that could fall down his bare back pulled up resting in a messy bun upon his head. A more humanized form of Dionysus’s true appearance. “He’s rather fond of the child too. I haven’t learned the boy's name and I advise not pestering, child, he’s been through quite the ordeal and still hasn’t a good grasp on his abilities just yet.”

Truly, the reason the camp hasn’t been drowned like his Father was known to do to those who’d incited his temper beyond repair was because of Dionysus and Dionysus alone, he kept the boy distracted and entertained. Never let it be said that he didn’t truly care for those under his supervision. “His brother and sisters visit when they can though their visits are far between lately.”

Annabeth nods, though the answers aren’t satisfactory, she heeds her mentor’s word and settles in a patch of grass just a bit of a ways off to observe. 

“You little oscar.” Seated cross legged, but at ease as he leans back against the base of the tree, Percy shrieks at the hand that reaches out for him after flicking just as much water as he can, little more than a splash from a stone dropping into a pond. “Trying to so–” Dionysus ducks at the sudden splash of ice cold water over his head, eyes clenched as it drips down the curls framing his face, and reaches behind him for the culprit without missing a beat. “You little scamps think you can team up on me?” 

Castor shrieks in surprise when he’s snagged by papa’s hand and tugged around. “I don’t think so, brats.” Pollux thinks he’s in the clear until fingers curl in the front of his jumper and he’s yanked forward. “I’m still far better then that.” Dionysus catches the retreating fish with a vine, tripping him with an outstretched foot and cushioning the fall with even more vines, dragging the little salt water brat closer as he tugs the one twin over around into his lap and the other over his shoulder as he bends slightly to accommodate the decision to do so on his part. “Now, what should be done to your rugrats who think you can gang up on me? I’ll have no uprisings in my Camp, don’t let the thought cross those sneaky little minds, the consequences for such attempts should be met with swift and harsh reprimand.”

It was a nice day, screw it, his kids wanted to play outside with him and who was he to say no to such convincing little pouty faces, sea pup eyes were cheating but whatever. “Let me think. Treason is a high crime after all.” Castor squeals at the fingers that claw into his tummy, kicking out in an attempt to escape their grasp, Dionysus tilts his head back as though deep in thought. “Flogging?” Percy shrieks as he rolls over onto his side as a means to keep the spidering fingers away completely not taking into account his other side for spidering fingers. “No, no, too harsh. I’m a kind God. Perhaps hard labor?” 

Pollux thinks he’s in the clear seeing as to how his dad only has two hands. Such a misguided idea. He squeals loudly when dad bends forward in a far more flexible spectacle then is assumed he’s able to and blows deeply into his tummy. “Don’t think I don’t know who the leader of this ragtag trio of rugrats was.”

….

One key detail Dionysus discovered rather quick was the trait his little cousin inherited from his father. “No! I don’ wanna!” He knew how badly he wanted his father, little Percy asked for him nearly every night, but there was little Dionysus could do in regards to that. 

The boy had refused, with epic tantrums at the ready, to take his daily swim as was needed to ensure his scales remained healthy and pristine. With the sharp claws he got from his father, and the sharks teeth–small as they may be they were still quite painful even for him–that he was not afraid to weaponize against any who tried to stand against him. 

He’d simply let the boy be, under the impression that his tantrums would come to an end when his scales started to cause him pain, alas the boy also inherited his father’s stubbornness. “I miss papa, Dio!” No tantrum this day, Dionysus resorted to simply bathing the kid in sea water, scales were safe from deterioration. No, today there were tears, bloodshot shimmer sea glass colored eyes. “I want papa, Dio, when’s papa coming back?”

“I can’t say for sure, little cousin, and I won’t deceive you.” He curls his hands under the boy’s arms, pajama clad and meant to be in bed, settles him on his hip as he exits his room within the Big House. “You know, your Papa does have his own cabin here at camp. Would you care to see it?” With it being after lights out, he doesn’t expect interruption, those who patrolled the grounds after dark knew to leave himself and the other Overseers be unless otherwise called upon. “He built it in the event a godling son or daughter of his came to Camp. Admittedly you are a rather change of circumstance.” Dionysus kew what awaited them just beyond the threshold entering into the otherwise unused cabin. But it would ruin the moment if he said much else. “You are welcome, for obvious reasons, to enter as you please.”

Stepping into the Cabin built for the children of the sea had a calming effect on the child once so distraught. The cabin inside was typical to the rest of the cabins, except for a few minor key differences, one being the large sea spring along the edge of the far right wall. Steaming with warmth as though warmed by the vent of an undersea volcano, trickling sounds of a small waterfall as salt water trickles down a sea stone fixture. 

And a simple maroon tunic far too large for a child his cousin’s size. “He may not be able to be here with you, lil cous, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t thinking of you. Would you like to test the sea spring your father built for you?”

Getting little Percy to the water took far less of a struggle this time around, the scent of his beloved papa all around him, Dionysus definitely hadn’t informed his Uncle of his beloved boy’s growing unrest at his lack of presence. Poseidon never failed to deliver when it came to his treasured baby boy. 

Seated on the edge of the pool, pant legs pulled up around his knees, Dionysus watches with his feet on the edge of the built in ledge as the little octopi child swims around happily. Diving down to explore the coral bottom of his sea water pool, returning to a more appropriate surface when the Wine God taps the water expectantly, can’t go where his Caretaker can’t reach him if the need arises. 

Once he’s thoroughly seen to his scales and gotten his exercise to keep the strength of his other form in proper order, the Camp Director is scooping the boy up in a towel, and dressing him in the tunic left in the wake of his father’s presence of thought. 

Percy was content that he could come here to talk to his papa any time he wanted to. 

…..

“It’s hard to say what Uncle is planning, Dio, he’s hard to read in times like these.” Apollo was many things, he was a part of many things, and he kept many things close to his chest. “If Uncle were to come to me for assistance though,” rocking his youngest child soothingly as his arrival had been in the midst of a rather nasty tantrum. “I would give it wholeheartedly.” His Twin peers over his shoulder to glance at his son, slowly succumbing to the sleep his rocking was ever enticing him towards, Artemis nodded her silent agreement. Standing at her true height, forgoing the childlike appearance, her hair swayed in the wind. “I know Artemis is Father’s favorite, I’ve known since he expressed his favoritism for the very first time, it was Uncle who freed me from that torture I was subjected to.”

“He looks just like you, Brother.” The Huntress doesn’t voice anything in regards to the statement made of her brother, but her disgust at the treatment he received was ever evident, and reaches over the Sun God’s shoulder to stroke a finger of the little boy’s cheek. Feeling her other half lean over to allow her access to him without having to stand on her toes to do so. “It’s rare that a child is born who resembles their godly parent so very much.”

“You’ve met Uncle P’s kiddo.” Apollo adjusts little Will in his arms as he spares his sister an incredulous glance. “And you’re surprised my lil sundrop looks like his dear old man?”

“I was just saying. Don’t be so touchy, little brother.” 

The God of Prophecy narrows his eyes. “If my baby boy wouldn’t return to his tantrum state should I not get him to fall asleep, I’d shove you in the lake, and I vow that to you.” The aforementioned boy smacks his lips, nuzzling into his Father’s shoulder one last time, and lets the hands of nap time finally take hold. “We’ll provide a boost to the protections provided to the Camp, as of now Olypus is technically locked down as per Father’s Command. It’s as though he thinks he can keep Uncle under control if he can’t reach his domain.”

Dionysus raises an eyebrow, sparing a moment to glance over to his twins and ward for a moment, before turning back to his siblings. “How’d you manage to get out of Olympus being Locked Down?”

“Father can’t interfere with the Duties such as Sunrise and stuff, if I so happened to sneak Arty out with me, then that’s just salt to his wound that he lost two key players that were never truly on his side.” And his son decides he instead wants to fight off the reaching hands of naptime. “Willie, you gotta take your nap kiddo, or you’re gonna get even grumpier and that’s no fun.”

“Don’ wanna!”

“Challenge accepted.” Apollo nods at his sister who takes his silent request of her to make the first round of blessings around the borders of the camp. “No kiddo of mine tells their pop’s ‘no’ in not so many words, so excuse us while I go show my kiddo why his decision to refuse his nap was a poor one on his part.” He throws the kid over his shoulder, the six year old shrieks with giggles as Aunty Artemis smiles at his excitement, she waves at the boy before disappearing in a soft flutter of wind. “Hermes should be coming around sometime in the next hour or so, can’t stop business, like I said. Messages to deliver and packages to collect. Two little tricksters to punish for their latest prank prayer.”

…..

“You’re not supposed to go in there.” When Cousin Dionysus was busy, Percy retreated to his papa’s cabin, where he talked as though papa was right there with him. He didn’t care much for the annoying girl who followed him around like he didn’t know she was there. “Hey! You can’t go in there!” 

Annabeth Chase was a know-it-all and Percy wasn’t a fan. He wanted to bite her but Dio said if he did (without good reason and no her annoying him was not good reason) he’d tug him over his knee and teach him why biting people with his little sharks teeth was a really bad idea. 

She was always putting her nose where it didn’t belong and admonishing him like she was his better or something every time he tried to enter Papa’s Cabin. 

It’s already been a bad week, Apollo was busy with Arty and Dio with rewriting the codes in the magic that surrounded the Camp, Pollux and Castor had some sort of sickness that didn’t require divine intervention and the God of Medicine declared would be best for them to go through to build immunity to it. None of his Big Sisters or his Big Brother have come in so long it might as well have been an eternity. 

So when the little snooty booty grabs his arm, he lashes out, or tries to, swiping out with his claws and trying to get a bite in when blue tinted hands snatch him up from behind. “Now, now, little baby brother. If you’ve returned to teething I can get you something for it. Best not to sink those fangs into another’s flesh.”

The Daughter of Athena gasps as the man curls his arm around the strange boy’s waist, long green hair pulled back in a messy bun on the back of his head, she recognizes the circlet around the man’s head. A Prince of the Seas. “He can enter our father’s cabin any time he pleases, Athena Brat.” Prince Triton, Lord Poseidon’s Eldest and Heir to his Throne, she stares in shock for a moment, he raises an eyebrow at her, and quickly bows. “We’re sorry we haven’t been to visit for a while, if it were our choice myself and our sisters would leave Atlantis to mother and be with you every day. But alas… .” Percy tries to bite his brother’s hand and Triton hums, raising his eyebrow again, and with the fingers curled around his baby brother’s inner right thigh to keep him perched against his chest as he was he squeezes and kneads until the little thing is flopping back against his chest with loud squeals of laughter. “Did you just try to bite me?”

“We’re biting Tri?” Another voice chimes in, Percy would have crowed in elation, but alas those fingers were still punishing his thigh for even trying to get a nip in. “I wanna get in on this!”

The Eldest of the Sea Siblings rolls his eyes. “Try it, Kym, I dare you.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“I can just as easily take you and him at the same time.” He glares over his shoulder at the near albino woman coming up the dock from within the cabin. “Try me.”

“Now, Elder Brother, he’s learned his lesson. They should have told the silly girl not to touch a young one without permission to do so. Let him breathe.” Benthesukyme, another Sea Goddess, in contrast to her sister’s pristine pale skin tone, her form took to the image of the people of her region. A rich brown in tone, charcoal tinted lips and lines around her eyes, shells and beads clicking and clanging together as she snags their baby brother out of Eldest Brother’s torturous embrace. “He wouldn’t have tried to attack had the owl spawn not tried to order him about. Would you be my darling?”

“No, Benthe! She won’t leave me alone! Always following me around and bossing over me and trying to keep my from Papa!” Percy reaches up to tug on one of his sisters dreads just to hear the clacking of the small shells clicking against each other. “I wanna bite’er though!”

“I know you do, my baby brother, but you musn’t.” She pokes around his tummy teasingly. “How about you forget this bout of irritation and we enjoy our day, hmm?”

“Agreed,” Rhode snags him from nowhere, simply appearing at their sisters shoulder and snipping him up without warning, bringing forth a small shriek of surprise from the two of them in equal measure. “It’s not often we’re permitted to get together in one place like this. Mother feared greatly for her babe’s broken little heart at being separated from his family under the sea and shooed us off for the weekend to be with baby brother.”

Annabeth Chase is overwhelmed in the presence of so many sea deities together at once. Mouth agape in awe and legs unwilling to work. “Well if it isn’t the motley Sea Sibs Crew come to look after their youngest.” She starts at the hand that curls over her shoulder, looking up to see Mr. D and the other two Olympians that had arrived shortly after silent time. “Perfect, my camp is becoming much too like a Daycare then I prefer it to be, but hey, what can one do?”

“We’ll take him off your hands for the weekend.” Triton takes lead as the Eldest, reaching out to clasp Dionysus’ forearm in greeting, there was no bad blood between the sea and him. Nor Apollo and Artemis. Hermes was said to be within the camp too but occupied with ensuring his two prank playing kiddos remembered who they were pranking when it came to their rather spontaneous prayers that caused him to trip up in whatever he was doing. “Apollo, Artemis, it is good to see you both as well.”

“Back at you, Cousin.” Apollo greets in kind as his twin starts up conversations with Poseidon’s Daughters. “Been making sure little flounder here has plenty to laugh about.”

“You have our thanks.” Benthesikyme hums as she rocks their youngest soothingly. “We know being apart like this is hard, especially after the trauma he’s been through, losing the life he knew and being forced from the family he has left is as hard as one so young can handle.” Rhode nods in agreement to her sister's words as Kymopoleia hums hers under her breath. “He’s being forced to heal through a rather traumatic event with people whom he knows very little about surrounded by perfect strangers.”

Percy simply snuggles into her embrace contentedly. “I’ll try to help him as much as I can. He’s one of my favorite little Cousin’s.” The God of Healing nods. “As long as my little Will is occupied obviously and Artemis is willing to watch over him for a few hours a day.”

“Always. Your son is rather adorable.” The Maiden Goddess nods. “I’ll happily be with my dear Nephew while you aid our little cousin.”

….

“Well what a surprise we have tonight, the whole of Poseidon’s Brood of Fish Kids joining our little Camp, what a pleasure.”

“Hey guys.” Hermes greets with a quick wave, one boy on his right arm and the other straddling the left, it was rumored that the Messenger God was within the camp borders but until witnessing his being with ones own eyes there was no confirmation. “Sorry about the tardiness, we had some important matters to discuss, then we had to take a nap because they were–”

“Nuh-uh, daddy was sleepy so we took a nap so he could too.” The God smiles at the boy straddling his left arm, leaning in to nuzzle his cheek, as his brother on the Patron of Travelers other arm nods in agreement. “Daddy needed a nap, not us, we just didn’t want daddy to nap all alone.”

“Right, that’s how it went, my apologies for forgetting the way of things.” Hermes brushes his nose over the other boy’s cheek. “Updates from inside state as such, Uncle Poseidon has all but decimated Father’s Throne of Power in the Summit of Agios Antonios, such a blow is near paralyzing. Father’s first Temple, therefore Seat Of Power resides, Uncle P isn’t playing any games to get fair this time around. He’s in the game to win, not just win, to decimate the playing field.”

“It makes sense.” Dionysus joins their party in a flash. Passing cokes around. And Milk for godlings in their midst. Again, Camp was turning into a daycare long term, but there was no safer place. Especially right now. “Uncle Poseidon isn’t one for flare like Father is when it comes to warfare. He keeps his plans and moves simple, so simply they go unmissed, Uncle means to cause pain so horrid one begs him for his forgiveness.”