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The only way Percy could describe the mood on Olympus was uneasy.
The streets weren't as filled as he remembered them being, and everyone who was actually outside spoke in hushed voices, sending them looks as they walked.
Percy held on to Apollo's hand tight, not being able to bring it to himself to let go.
He still didn't understand what Amara had against him, specifically. It's already been made clear enough that Poseidon definitely played a hand in why she was a... what ever the fuck she is, today. But why him?
Percy frowned. This could just be another classic case of "I cant beat your dad's ass, so I'll beat your instead", which appeared more often then not when it came to fighting monsters. And if his dad did do something, it wouldn't be hard for her to imagine his face while giving Percy a beating, considering they looked uncannily similar to each other.
Percy glanced at Zeus, who had kept his head straight forward the entire time. What did he know about all of this?
Would cornering him for an interrogation be stupid? Hmm... with the way Apollo had a death grip on his hand right now, he probably wouldn't even make it that far anyway.
Whatever, he'd probably figure it out.
—
Turns out, he didn't need to devise an escape plan to run from his lover, as Apollo seemed perfectly content with watching Percy question Zeus.
"Child, how many times have I told you? It is not my place to say anything on this matter, as I am certain your father is not above screaming at me if he were to find out, which he would ." Zeus glared at him, but there wasn't any real heat behind it.
Percy doesn't know when exactly Zeus had gone from the pain in his ass who was hell bent on killing him, to a god Percy could just barely tolerate. It was a nice change it pace, although nothing could really take back the damage that had been done.
"Please, I need to know!" Percy groaned. "Amara's kidnapped me twice now. And she's tried to kill me. And honestly, I find your lack of willingness to share knowledge quite offensive."
Zeus looked over to Apollo, who was stifling his own laughter. "You mind helping here?"
"No, you seem to have it covered pretty well."
Percy huffed, sending the sun god a look. "Shouldn't you be against this? You're the god of knowledge, and he is actively keeping knowledge from me."
Zeus lightly flicked Percy's forehead. "While it's amusing how you still think you have any chance at getting information out of me, I feel the need to mention that in the early days, Apollo would spend literal weeks following me around for any information I might have had. He blabbed relentlessly and only stopped when dragged away by Artemis, if not to only come back later."
Apollo frowned at the other god. "Okay, maybe I asked a few questions, but I certainly didn't spend weeks following you around," he paused, seemingly conflicted. "Did I?"
"Oh, you absolutely-"
Just then, the doors swung open, and Poseidon furiously stormed in. Percy stiffened, and hearing Zeus mutter what sounded almost like a prayer under his breath did not soothe his nerves.
"Zeus," Poseidon glared at his brother, holding his trident tight. "Give me my son. Now. "
Zeus took a deep breath. "Poseidon. I suggest we take this to-"
"I'm not leaving," Percy cut in. Screw 'diplomatic talking', or whatever the fuck. His father was as stubborn as he was, and simple words wouldn't change his mind.
"Perseus, my son, it is not safe for you here." Poseidon stressed. "Why wont you just let me protect you? You do not need to deal with her, I will."
"It's already been proven I'm not totally safe down there either," Percy tried to reason. "And she's already thrown my life into a turmoil, I should at least be given the chance to help fight against her."
"You will be targeted. She will do everything in her power to get to you, and she will try to kill you."
Percy crossed his arms. "I'm not weak. I can fight against her."
Poseidon raised an eyebrow at that. "She's already kidnapped you twice."
"Minor inconveniences. And it's not like I died."
Apollo opened his mouth to contradict this, but Percy sent him a look that immediately shut him up before the damage could be done.
He turned back to look at his father. "I don't want to leave behind the people I have up here." Percy said quietly, trying not to smirk as he saw his dads expression soften.
Poseidon didn't speak for a long moment. "Fine. However , if you are to remain on the surface, you must always be with a trusted deity, no matter where you are or what you're doing. Do I make myself clear?"
Percy hesitated for a moment, before nodding in agreement. "Fine by me."
Poseidon put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "Please, for my sake, stay safe."
Percy stared for a few seconds, before impulsively wrapping his arms around the god in a hug. "Thank you."
Poseidon offered a small smile. "Of course."
Percy cleared his throat, pulling back. "Now that I think about, I haven't had any ice cream in weeks, which personally feels like a crime. See you later?"
Poseidon sighed. "Yes, yes. I suppose so." With one last glance at Zeus, Poseidon left the three of them with each other once more.
"So... ice cream?" Percy asked Apollo cheerfully.
Zeus shook his head in disbelief. "I cannot believe you just did that."
"Do what?"
"Convince the most stubborn man I know to change his mind in record time." Zeus elaborated. "How on earth did you do that?"
Percy shrugged. "I don't know, I guess I'm just persuasive."
"And manipulative," Apollo muttered under his breath, not loud enough for Percy to hear it. but enough that Zeus sent him a look for it.
Percy tugged at Apollo's arm. "C'mon, I need my ice cream."
Apollo sighed, but he smiled down at Percy. "Where to?"