Chapter Text
"Satyr!" Demeter shouted, and Grover shot her a 'what.' look. "What is this passage about 'treading lightly'? It mentions 'abuse' as well. What is the meaning of this? Who would dare lay on hands on the children of the gods!?"
Ah. They had found that bit.
Grover sighed for the umpteenth time. "Some parents blame there kids for their problems. As you know, monsters attack ddemigods, and the families of these kids can suffer from the monsters as well. This can lead to resentment, fear, or even hatered of their children, and favor their mortal kids or neglect, ignore, or outright abuse the half-blood. It's actually very common among demigods."
"WHAT!?" Ares, Athena, Poseidon, Zeus---nearly everyone was shouting in outrage. Again.
"No wonder our children hate us." This time, the voice came from Hephaestus. This quieted everyone.
"They... they do not truly hate us, do they?" Aphrodite asked.
Dionysus replied. "In a way. Some are angry, some loath or become saddened, but most do not truly hate us. Though you must not forget Luke, and how many sided against us in the Second Titan War. In fact, the ones who are hurt the most were apart of that war."
Everyone paused to mull this over. For once, Grover didn't feel annoyed, if only because he could see regret on their faces. And Gods did they have a lot to regret.
But hey. Maybe this was a step in the right direction.
~~~
PERCY
Percy glanced to the side, excited, if not very confused. When Poseidon has asked him to come with him, Percy of course accepted.
He didn't realize exactly what he had agreed to.
His father had been taking him everywhere. After he kinda-sorta explained that the Old Laws were gone, he had began introducing him to anyone he saw fit. He also kept asking odd questions about holiday mascots and teeth.
Also, he has asked if Percy was still growing.
And he had quizzed him on words. When questioned he had simply said "just making sure you know how to talk."
It was... weird. Concerning. But then Percy saw a shark and got a little distracted. It wasn't his fault though! It was like this weird fog had began settling over his mind, erasing his worry's and doubts, but also making it hard to think. I mean, he thought about some things.
Like the fact that Poseidon looked very cuddly.
It was a weird thing to think, but he couldn't help it. It was like there was an invisible force just begging for him to jump into the Sea Gods arms and never ever leave.
It was so strong Percy was seriously considering following through with it. The two sat in the chariot as it raced through the waves, just... hanging out. (He really felt like he should be more suspicious of this, but... that was a lot of work and he just wanted a nap and---)
Slowly, Percy inched closer. It took maybe five minutes to close the five inch gap between them, but hesitantly, he laid his head on his fathers arm. Then, so fast, he didn't even see it, he was moved---but not away.
No.
Closer. He was settled nearly on his lap, his head resting against where his shoulder and neck met and it just felt so nice and he was soo sleepy and---
"Shhh," Poseidon whispered into his hair, "get some rest." Then a weird sound came from his throat, and Percy was out like a light.
~~~
ANNABETH
Where was everyone?
Percy was missing, Clarisse was missing, all of the Apollo kids were in their Cabin and wouldn't come out, and Nico couldn't be found.
It made goosebumps break out all over her skin. What was going on?
That was why she was currently at the beach; looking for Percy.
"Percy? Percy!" She called, cupping her hands over her mouth.
"You won't find him." Annabeth nearly screamed as she whipped around, staring wide-eyed at the woman.
Athena.
"Mother," Annabeth greeted, her guard instantly up. Ever since that quest that led to them falling... she had never had the same relationship with her mom.
"Daughter," Athena greeted smoothly, walking up to her. Like always, she looked perfectly regal; her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, her stormy gray eyes twinkling with wisdom. Annabeth tensed as Athena held out her hand. "Walk with me?" She requested. Annabeth gazed up into those eyes, so deep you could get lost in them.
Something wasn't right, but who was she to deny a goddess?
She took the hand, immediately forgetting why she was out here in the first place. Wasn't she looking for someone? Oh well. Her mom was here.
Everything would be okay.
~~~
WILL
"Please let me get up." Will begged as Apollo cradled him. At first, it was sweet. Odd, but after everything that had happened, Will found he had liked it in his dads arms. But when it was made clear he wouldn't be letting go for a long time, Will had become restless. He didn't want to stay still!
Apollo made a noise that basically meant 'no, stop trying to leave.'
"Please, dad, I have to pee." Will begged, and the god cracked an eye open. It was a lie, but maybe if he got to the bathroom he could escape---
"Flower, I am the God of Truth. You can't lie to me." His voice was stern, but laced with amusement, as was his face.
Will groaned as Apollo somehow pulled him even closer. He just wanted to stretch!
~~~
CLARISSE
They had been riding around for a while now. While it was sudden and truthfully a bit odd, Clarisse found she didn't mind. She liked the feel of the wind in her face, and she liked looking down at the cities. She was sure she had something akin to wonder on her face, but Ares made no mention of it, nor did he look disapproving, so she figured it was fine.
Gods, this was amazing. She felt like she was flying---she was flying. She had ridden in the chariot before, but no one could command the Chariot of War like the God of War. Not even his own children.
"Daughter." Her gaze snaps up to find Ares watching her, though he doesn't look angry. In fact, he looks almost... amused. "I take it you enjoy this?" Clarisse felt heat flood her cheeks as she nodded.
Ares made a sound that honestly didn't even sound human, but somehow relaxed her. In fact, it made her want to scoot closer to her dad, curl up next to him, and just let him protect her---
WHAT.
What was she thinking? What----why---HUH? Since when had she ever needed protecting? Tilting her head to look up at Ares, she noticed he was staring at her through the corner of his eye. Oh gods. Did he know what she was thinking?
Was he going to kill her for being weak? She---she didn't mean to think it!
It doesn't matter. You should know better then to want such things.
After all, it's you're fault Silena died.
Shut up. Oh Gods, please not right now when she is with her father.
Why not? He was bound to realize how weak you are sooner or later.
Shut. Up.
Or what? You never were one to think with you're head, were you? Always with you're fists, you're pride. You're nothing but a little girl swinging her daddy's sword---
"SHUT. UP." She said, rather loudly, through gritted teeth. She felt Ares falter next to her, then realized how that sounded.
Oh Gods. He probably thought she meant for him to shut up. Had he been talking? She couldn't remember. He was gonna kill her. Rip her limb from limb---burn her to a pile of ashes---she---she couldn't breathe---
She felt a hand place on her shoulder, gently shaking her. Then suddenly, it was like a breeze flooding her mind, blowing the bad emotions away, if only for a second.
It took her a moment to realize where she was. Not on the battlefield. Not watching her friends die. She was with her father, in his chariot, for some bazaar reason. Said father had, at some point, pulled her up against his chest, holding her gently but firmly.
"D-dad?" She hated the way her voice broke.
"I'm here." He whispered. "I'm right here." His grip on her tightened. "And I'm not leaving." Something in his voice made her shiver.
Strangely enough, she believed him too.