Chapter Text
It was too soon. Percy was still too young, still too naïve to the ways of their world and ignorant of the weight that his name will soon hold.
Poseidon didn’t want to claim the boy. Didn’t want for Percy to lose his innocence so young.
12 was too young.
Poseidon had done well in keeping Percy a secret. He didn’t visit (no matter how much he wished to.) he stayed away every time Percy got kicked out of another school for things he couldn’t control. And he held his tongue when the sea took notice of his youngest… along with Atlantan people.
Rumors about Percy’s existence began floating in the water when he was 5 years of age. Those of the sea had taken note when the boy had created waves that were too big to be natural.
One night, Sally had prayed to him. Percy had unknowingly destroyed the plumbing while throwing a tantrum.
She hadn’t known how to keep their son’s powers under control. How could she? Even if she had the proper resources to help Percy manage his abilities… He was 5. He wouldn’t be able to, even if he tried.
But despite Percy’s power, with his lack of control and the danger that it might cause. Sally was more worried about drawing the attention of others.
She wasn’t wrong. Some Nereids and other residents of the sea had already noticed the boy. But no one of importance had seen his son… yet.
So Poseidon stepped in. He commissioned his cyclopes to create a bracelet made of Atlantan steel. Then Poseidon imbued it with a power that restricted Percy’s access to his abilities. He specifically designed it so it wouldn't cut Percy off from his domain but rather weaken the connection and make it harder to reach.
(Of course, the cyclopes all realized what the bracelet was for. How could they not with all the rumors… but the people of the sea were not like those on land. They knew that Poseidon’s youngest son must be kept hidden. So on that day, Percy became the ocean's best-kept secret.)
'Φράγμα κυμάτων' is what Poseidon named the magic item.
And once Percy grew more powerful, he would outgrow it.
Poseidon had expected him to outgrow it by the time he was 14.
He didn’t think he would outgrow it any sooner…
And that’s how he found himself where he was today. Watching his 12-year-old son fight off a hellhound after his first capture-the-flag at camp.
Poseidon didn’t want to claim Percy yet, he wanted to keep him safe for as long as he could. And if he claimed him now, Zeus would blame Percy for his missing bolt. Even though Poseidon never wanted the master bolt. Why would he- the god of the sea- want the master bolt?
But it seemed fate had other plans, because when Percy fell into the water and began healing, people saw, and the gods noticed…
He could see Apollo’s shock in the way the sun seemed to flare. Could feel Athena rolling her eyes. Could sense Hades letting out a long sigh… and he knew the other Olympians had seen his son for who he was.
Then there was Hestia, poking in his ear. "You can’t deny it now. He’s yours. Might as well make it official." She told him, whispering into his mind from her spot at the hearth. She didn’t sound surprised, and knowing his older sister, she probably already knew Percy was his.
He sighed, raised his hand, and placed his claim.
Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon
Poseidon was summoned to Olympus not 5 minutes later.
He braced himself as he entered.
The throne room was quiet and tense. Like a rope about to snap.
The only people present were himself, Zeus, Hera, and Hestia, who was watching from the hearth.
"Your son?" Zeus asked, tone dangerous.
Poseidon only hummed, already wanting to go back to the sea.
"You mean to tell me you have a son who lives in the city, and he didn’t steal my master bolt?!" Zeus was standing up now.
Hera watched the interaction with bated breath. She knew if war were to break out… it wouldn’t be pretty.
Poseidon knew that as well. But did the king?
"Why would I want your bolt? I am a creature of the sea. You are a creature of the sky, and I have no desire for that domain." Poseidon told his brother.
Zeus growled. "You may not want the sky, but rather my throne."
He looked at the king and laughed. "And now you question my loyalty. I am not a treasonous individual, brother. If I wanted the throne of Olympus, I would have taken it long ago."
"Enough!" His brother yelled. "If you do not return my master bolt by the solstice end, I will wage war on you and your entire kingdom."
"You would wage war on me for a crime I didn’t commit!" Poseidon yelled back.
Then Hera spoke up, her voice as soothing but stern as she could manage. "Husband, a war among the gods would throw the world into chaos. Is it truly wise to-"
"Silence!" He cut her off. "You have until the summer solstice." Zeus told him, his voice cold.
Poseidon knew the Queen was right. A war between sky and sea would throw the world into chaos.
He didn’t wish for war. But he would not submit to his brother. For it is not in his nature to stand down.
The sea does not like to be restrained.
"I do not want to fight you, brother. But if you make the first strike, I will have no choice but to defend myself." He said, voice tight.
"Then so be it." And with that, the king flashed away to prepare his forces.
The Queen lingered. "I will try to talk some sense into him… I doubt I will be successful." She paused. "He’s scared."
Poseidon sighed. "As am I."
She tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because if I didn’t take the bolt, who did?" He asked his sister.
"Hades?" She laughed. "He wouldn’t-"
He laughed as well, though there wasn’t any humor to it. "Not him. Our brother knows better."
"The who-" She cut herself off, going pale with realization. "No." She said, leaving little room for argument.
"Hera-"
"No, Poseidon. I will not think it." Her eyes went dark, in the same way their mother’s eyes did when she was thinking back to darker times.
They stood in tense silence for a while before a voice from the hearth spoke up.
"There have been signs… Monsters reforming faster than they should, aided by a different type of power. Whispers in the prayers sent from afar." Hestia said, a distant look in her eye.
"Even if he is stirring, he would not have the power to take the master bolt from right under our watchful eyes!" Hera exclaimed, a bit hysterical.
Poseidon hummed. "It wouldn’t have to be him directly. If a demigod servant was quiet enough, they could have done it."
"I will not- cannot think it. Not until we have solid enough evidence to consider it a possibility." Hera said, her queenly composure slipping at even the thought of their father stirring.
"Then don’t. Do not think about it until you have to." Hestia said, attempting to calm her sister.
The Queen took a breath. Regaining her composure. "I must go speak with the king."
"I appreciate your efforts, sister." He told her.
She nodded in acknowledgment before flashing away without another word.
"Sooner or later, he will rise." Hestia said after a moment. "I know it, she knows it, you know it. Zeus knows it to, he’s just too scared to admit it."
Poseidon hummed. "Hades and Demeter? Are they aware?"
"I do not know. They have been… disconnected since the pact. I try to call them home, but they never listen. But I assume they’ve seen the signs the same as we have." She told him.
"And what of the others? Athena, Apollo, Ares…?" He trailed off.
"They do not know the signs like we do. But it would not surprise me if Apollo already knew before we did." She sighed and looked back at the cold fireplace. "Things are shifting, Poseidon. The hearth is colder than ever, and yet…" She trailed off, poking at the coals with a metal rod. As she poked and prodded, there was a spark. Not a flame, for the hearth hadn't had not been lit in a very long time, but a spark. "…Perhaps there is hope."
They let that sit. The air was heavy with anticipation. Like the world itself was waiting for… something.
Then he spoke. "I should go prepare for an attack." And he turned to leave.
"Poseidon."
He stopped. And turned to look at his older sister.
"Perseus… Percy. He’s different. More gentle and patient than your other children. He has a strong sense of family… don’t ruin him."
The words settled over him. He’s different. Gentle and patient. Don’t ruin him.
"I won’t."