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Chapter Text

Poseidon stumbled out of bed. He reached for his trident out of habit. It wasn’t sitting in its regular spot. He frowned, formed his water arm and felt around more. Still nothing. 

“Have you seen my trident?” 

Amphitrite was still mostly asleep.

“When did you remember having it last?” she muttered. He rubbed his temples and closed his eyes. “I had it with me when I met with Hades last night.” 

“You mean,“when I ranted to Hades about my many issues” I had it last night?” she needled. Poseidon ignored her. “No seriously, how could I have lost it in just a couple minutes? That’s just stupid.” 

“Yeah.”

“You’re no help.” Poseidon griped. “I’m going out to find it.”

“Good luck, honey.” 

“Luck has nothing to do with it.” 

She rolled over, pulling the sheets over her head. “Fine, have it your way, stubborn.”

>>><<<

Telemachus woke up to birdsong outside his window. He jumped out of bed to look at his calendar. This was the beginning of several days where he had nothing scheduled. His dad, mom, and Athena were all occupied with various activities elsewhere. He was free to go about as he pleased. His eyes drifted to the end of the week. That’s right. His mom’s birthday was coming up. He smiled as he thought about the necklace he had bought for her several weeks ago. I can’t wait to give it to her! His eyes moved back to the present date. He frowned. Why did it sound familiar? He flipped open his journal to a year previously and memories came flooding back. One year ago today he had met Poseidon and helped him. Telemachus wished for the thousandth time that his dad would explain at least some of his trauma. All he had for an explanation were some names he had heard him scream in the middle of the night. Calypso. Zeus. Scylla. Eurylochus. Polites. Poseidon. 

Telemachus had kept his strange interaction under wraps. He figured that the last thing his dad needed was another trigger. Also, Poseidon had seemed pretty civil during their time together. For crying out loud, he had been attacked. He was the victim and he needed help. Until he received further explanation, he would think of Poseidon as an acquaintance. Maybe even as a friend of sorts. He wished he could see him again, even if it was only just to give him another hug. Telemachus had seen how strongly he had reacted previously. Maybe, just maybe I could see him again. Telemachus hurriedly changed into a green cloak and brown trousers before running down to the beach, clutching his sketchbook. 

He settled down on some rocks by the surf and started to draw. He flipped past the previous pages, the ones of Argos and Athena, the ones of his parents smiling together until he came to a blank page. It wasn’t easy drawing the face of someone he had only met once, but he tried his best. Ok . . . I remember the nose shape, but not exactly the eye shape . . . Telemachus added a few more marks and chuckled. Adding a beard might make it look less like a woman. Once he was done he looked it over carefully. Am I satisfied with it? No. Is it recognizable? Perhaps. I hope he never sees this though. Telemachus closed the sketchbook and stood up to stretch his legs. Gradually, he made his way down closer to the water’s edge. A sudden whim hit him, and he grinned despite himself. I might as well. He cupped his hands to his mouth and screamed off into the distance.

“Poseidon! POSEIDON!” 

Nothing changed in the scene and he grinned. At least I let out some stress, screaming into the sea. He turned around to leave before a noise caught his attention. It was the sound of a huge swell coming in, larger than he had ever heard. It thundered into the bay. Poseidon was standing stiffly on the wave, glancing around.

“Hi!” Telemachus grinned, waving furiously. 

Poseidon eyed him with surprise. “Well if it isn’t my little shining angel of providence.”

“You missed me?” Telemachus cried. 

“No.”

“Well I missed you enough to count for both of us. How are you doing?”

“Huh,” scoffed Poseidon, “Well . . . my trident is missing and whoever has it is going to pay. Mercifully the other gods haven’t caught wind of it yet. If I don’t find it soon I’ll be the laughingstock of all Olympus. Besides, that thing really shouldn’t be getting into the hands of some mortal.”

“So you came here to look for it?”

“This is one of the last places I’m looking before I start getting majorly inconvenienced.” 

Telemachus thought for a minute. “I’m free for the next few days, so could I maybe… come along with you, I mean, if it’s not too much trouble?” Poseidon considered this idea. This kid could certainly be helpful, and he would also keep the search a secret. Besides, his personality seemed like one that people felt comfortable opening up around. Something he didn’t exactly have. That could be helpful in the search. He sighed. “Fine.”

“Just let me drop off a note to explain that I’ll be gone for a few days.”

“Wouldn’t it be more fun to let them think I’d kidnapped you?” 

“I’m afraid my servants wouldn’t take kindly to that idea.”

Poseidon sighed. “Be back soon or I’ll start sending tsunamis.”

“I’ll be back quick, I promise.”

Telemachus came trotting back a few minutes later. 

Poseidon rolled his head around slowly to try to ease the tension in his neck. 

“Why were you screaming my name by the ocean in the first place?”

“Because I wanted to do this!” Poseidon stumbled for a moment before regaining his balance as Telemachus charged at and hugged him. Poseidon awkwardly put his arms behind Telemachus’ back. “You just wanted to … give me another hug?”

Telemachus looked up at him with hopeful eyes. “Yeah, you usually look like you could use one.” He rested his head against Poseidon’s chest. “I’ve missed you so much.” 

Poseidon backed away. “Yeah…”

He made a wave collide with Telemachus. He came up sputtering, whipping water from his hair. Poseidon knocked him over with another wave. 

Telemachus came back up, rubbing his eyes with his fists, grinning. He grabbed one of the oars from the boat and swiped it through the water, splashing Poseidon. 

“How blasphemous!” Poseidon yelled in mock rage. He caught the boy up in a swell and flipped him upside down before his face. “What do you have to say for yourself, mortal?” 

“Nothing much, too much blood rushing to my head at the moment.” 

Poseidon released the water tension holding Telemachus, and he fell into another wave below with a yelp. 

“Are you coming or what?” 

“Trying, sir.” 

Telemachus untied the raft from its mooring, boarded it, and picked up one of the oars. Poseidon laughed, despite himself. 

“We won’t be needing those.” 

The boy stared at him questioningly before slapping his forehead. “Yeah, I suppose you can handle the steering.” 

Poseidon closed his eyes and directed their course out of the bay with a powerful current. He could subconsciously guide it the rest of the way. The boy sat in the center of the raft, watching him curiously. 

“Where are we going first?”  

“Ogygia.” 

Telemachus twisted water out of his cloak. “How far is it?” 

“We can reach it in a few hours. Hermes hangs around there a lot, and because he’s the god of thieves and news, maybe he has some answers. Oh, also, some girl is stuck there as a punishment. She’s a bit touchy, but perfectly avoidable.” 

“Oh,” said Telemachus. “She’s all alone?” 

“Listen Sunshine, she’s not prime marriage material.”

“I was wondering if she wanted a new friend.” 

Poseidon rolled his eyes. “Sure, throw her on the list.”

The morning passed peacefully for Telemachus. He sat on the edge of the raft, enjoying the feeling of the rushing water on his legs. The afternoon sun beat down on him, and the salty smell filled his nose. It’s so nice to be free for a bit. Poseidon sighed and gestured to the horizon. 

“Well, that’s it.”

They had barely reached the shore before a beautiful woman came running towards them. She wore a light green dress and her hair was intricately braided. 

“MEN! AND THERE’S TWO OF THEM!!!!!!!” she screamed. Telemachus nervously waved at her before she grabbed him and hugged him very tightly. 

“Will you marry me?!”she asked. Telemachus gasped and shot Poseidon a look. He shrugged and Telemachus thought that he could see him grinning. He made no move to intervene. 

“I’m sorry… Miss… why don’t you check out that hunk over there?” Telemachus gasped.

Poseidon could barely blink before she threw herself at him. 

“Look at that muscle tone!” she yelled. “Oh mama!” 

Telemachus watched with amusement as Poseidon turned many different colors all in a row. He gestured, making a channel of water pull the woman away, screaming in adoration.

“Ok, ok,” Telemachus said, “Unfortunately, neither of us can marry you. What is your name?”

The woman’s eyes snapped into focus and she pulled back, seeming stunned. “My name is … Calypso.” 

“That is a pretty name,” Telemachus said. “Calypso, my name is Telemachus, and this is Poseidon. Has Hermes been around here lately? He may know something we don’t.”

“Yes, he has, if you go to that old section of the palace and call or pray for him he might appear. He stops by every once in a while.” 

“Thank you,” said Telemachus. Poseidon walked away to go investigate. 

“You said your name is Telemachus?” asked Calypso.

“Yes.” 

“I knew your father,” she whispered. Telemachus’ heart thudded. “You did?”

The words came rushing forth so quickly that Telemachus suspected she had been waiting for years to say them.

“I … I - was in a dark place and wanted him to stay with me forever. I kept him from leaving for years. I thought we were in love.” Tears fell from her eyes. Telemachus knelt down to be on her level. 

She took in a shaky breath. “Eventually I received a summons from the gods to release him. He left me on good terms but with a broken heart. Now I understand how selfish I was being. I kept him from being a father to you for years, and I never got the chance to apologize -” Telemachus put a hand on her back as she began to cry. 

“I am so, so sorry.” she whispered.

“I forgive you.” Telemachus whispered. “It must be terrible to be so isolated.” 

She choked on her tears, “I just don’t want to be alone anymore.” 

Telemachus realized that he had tears streaming down his face as well. “I can be your friend! Maybe I can even help convince the gods to release you!”

She stared up at him with a glimmer of hope. “If you could even mention my name, it would mean the world to me.” She held onto Telemachus like she never wanted to let go and cried. Minutes passed. Telemachus felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Poseidon. 

“We need to go.” 

Telemachus gently moved Calypso’s hands away. 

She grabbed his hands. This poor girl was starving for connection. Telemachus hated that he had to leave her so soon. 

 “Please, please remember me” she whispered. 

“I will.” He took off the necklace he had received from his mother years ago and put it around her neck. “This seals my promise.” Calypso clutched it and knelt down gratefully. Poseidon led Telemachus away by his shoulders. “What did you say to her?” 

Telemachus tore his eyes away from the figure on the beach. “I promised to help. I hope I gave her some hope.” Poseidon looked back at her for a second. “You’re a good kid.” 

Telemachus ducked his head. “Thanks.”

Chapter Text

Telemachus looked out from the crest of the wave he was riding. The sky was a dark blue with gray clouds streaked across it. Poseidon said Hermes told him to check for the trident with Circe. He said she was a witch. The thought made Telemachus a little apprehensive. What will she be like? Will she attack me? He paced across the raft, sighing. He tapped Poseidon on the shoulder. “How much longer?” Poseidon slowed the current down. “Probably another day, depending on how chatty you are.” 

Telemachus ignored him. “Could we … maybe go a bit faster?”

“If you want the wind speeds to break your neck, then sure. Even if you could survive the speeds, you’d probably get yourself eaten somehow in the process.” 

Telemachus turned towards him slowly. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be impatient. I should be thankful I get to go on this cool trip!”

Poseidon ignored him. Telemachus racked his brain for a new topic of conversation.

“So…” he asked awkwardly. “Do you have family besides your brothers . . . ?”

“Just my wife, Amphitrite.”

Telemachus raised an eyebrow. “Just?”

“Yeah, just her.” 

Telemachus’ face flushed. “You don’t tell her everything about you and how much you love and appreciate her and hold her gently and care for her when she’s hurting?” 

“No . . .”

Telemachus gaped at him. “That’s your job as a husband!” 

“She . . . never asked for it. She doesn’t complain. Although, now that I think about it, some nights she cries.” 

Telemachus gasped. “So then you ask her what’s wrong, right?”

“I usually just roll over and try to sleep anyway.” 

Telemachus’ jaw dropped so low that Poseidon half expected it to unhinge. 

Telemachus tried to speak for a few moments, then cried, “You need to think more about what she needs than about what you want!”

Poseidon laughed bitterly. “Hades has been telling me something along those lines for years.” He was quiet for a moment. 

“What you should do,” Telemachus said enthusiastically, “Is give her a big hug when you get back and tell her you love her and appreciate her.”

Poseidon closed his eyes. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“Just trust me.” 

Poseidon laughed tiredly. “Whatever you say, Sunshine.” He twisted slightly as he rose to his feet with a sigh. Telemachus gasped. 

“Are those gills?!?” 

Poseidon looked down at his sides above his hips. “Uh … yeah?” 

“Why didn’t you tell me you had them?!?” 

“Uh … I didn’t think it was necessary information to divulge.” 

Telemachus stared at his sides with his mouth still hanging open. 

“Actually, it was mostly because I figured you’d try to -” Poseidon slapped his hand away. “ - touch them.” 

Telemachus watched with fascination as his gills rose and fell slightly with his breathing. 

“That’s so cool!” 

“Yeah . . .” Poseidon raised an eyebrow at Telemachus. 

“What odious secrets are you hiding, Sunshine?” 

Telemachus’ face immediately flushed. Thea. Oh please, no. Not in front of a god! He’s gonna find out I have a crush! I just have to act casual. He gestured vaguely and kicked his feet nonchalantly in the water. 

“I . . . am kind of scared of the dark.” 

Poseidon chuckled. “And that’s why you’re blushing?” 

“What! No, no.” Yeah. I’m dead. 

“Is it perhaps, for, oh quite possibly, another reason?” 

Telemachus' mind reeled. He resigned to his fate. 

“Yes.” 

“Does this reason happen to be a woman?” 

“Ok, fine, yes, but I’m not telling you who!” 

“Will I at least get a wedding invite?” 

Telemachus slumped on his stomach on the edge of the raft, eager to escape the conversation. What can I change the topic to? 

“Look at all the fish! They are so cool!” he said, pointing into the water.

Poseidon rolled his eyes. Telemachus ignored him. “I see a blue one, a green one, and a - a child?” 

Poseidon didn’t react, “Her? She’s been following us for a while. I was hoping she’d bite your feet.” 

“Who is she?”

“Isn’t it obvious? She’s a siren.”

“The cool creatures who sing?”

“Yep. And then drag you underwater and eat your face.”

“Oh.” Telemachus said. “Why is she alone? I thought they usually move together.”

Poseidon' s expression was unreadable. “She was separated from her family in a bad storm. She’s on her own now. Too young to catch food. That’s why she’s going for easy prey.”

“What?” 

“You.”

Telemachus watched her with despair. “So she’s starving?”

Poseidon reclined on a wave. “Basically.” 

Telemachus whirled around, “How can you sound so heartless?” Poseidon straightened up. “Kid, I know everything that goes on in the sea. I can’t possibly have a heart for every tragic story.” Telemachus lunged to catch her. Poseidon jumped to his feet. “What are you doing?!?”

Telemachus lifted the little siren, “Just look at her little face!” The siren proceeded to bite at his hands and hiss in a hoarse voice. Poseidon looked, feeling bored. The tiny siren was about three years old, with brown hair, sea green eyes and gray scales that went from the end of her tail to her chest. As he watched, her tail shifted until it became two legs. She hissed at him hungrily and he probed her mind for a moment. She hasn’t eaten in two days.

“Give her to me.” 

Telemachus hesitated. 

“She’s under my authority.” Poseidon said menacingly. 

Telemachus handed her over. “Please be gentle.” 

Poseidon drop kicked her into the sea.

“NO!” Telemachus cried. He jumped into the waves.

“Get out of the water!” Poseidon yelled, extending a hand towards him. Telemachus ignored him. He retrieved the little siren and Poseidon used a wave to place him back on the boat. He looked at him cautiously. 

Poseidon shook his head. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed!”

“I’m ok now, though.” 

Poseidon eyed the siren suspiciously.

“You said you could sense everything in the ocean?” Telemachus asked.

“Yes.” 

“If you focus really hard, could you find her family?” 

Poseidon paused. He had never given it much thought. He looked down at the tiny girl. She was small, helpless, and - biting his finger. He ripped his hand away and projected his thoughts, sensing all the sea creatures. Although he could tell where and what they were, they were too far away for him to sense their thoughts. 

Telemachus watched tensely as Poseidon closed his eyes and slightly frowned. Then he took the girl from Telemachus’ arms. Poseidon ignored her bites and hisses and held her on her back in his palm. He carefully put the edge of his water arm’s sharp claws under her neck. One quick slice and it will be over. 

“NO!” Telemachus cried, yanking his hand away. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

Poseidon shifted his eyes to Telemachus. “It’s called ruthlessness.”

“It’s horrible is what it is!”

“Killing her will end her pain and prevent her from hindering us later on.” 

“No, no, she has to find her family!”

“I can’t sense them! If they’re alive, they are too far away for me to identify them.” 

“Let’s just look for one day. Please.”

Poseidon closed his eyes to focus. He felt arms wrap around his middle. He looked down to see Telemachus staring up at him, innocent brown eyes brimming with tears. His heart skipped a beat. He looks so much like my son that night. 

“Please Sir! I’ll watch her, I’ll be her dad for as long as I need! Just don’t hurt her!”

Something in Poseidon’s resolve melted. 

“Fine.” He dropped her into Telemachus’ arms. “One day is all she gets.” 

Telemachus began to sing an old lullaby. The tune seemed to soothe the siren, and she soon dropped off to sleep in his arms. 

Poseidon continued to mentally search for her family that night. Still nothing. He looked across the deck at Telemachus. He was asleep, with his outer cloak wrapped around the tiny siren. She was snuggled up to his chest, breathing lightly. Poseidon stared down at them. They looked so peaceful. So unprepared for the cruelty the world would demand from them just for their survival. Poseidon knew that that day would come for them. But now, in this moment, he was glad they could rest. As he watched them, something whispered in his head. Protect. He sighed, unsure how to feel about this impulse.

Telemachus woke up slowly. He had had a restful night, besides when he’d heard Poseidon’s footsteps next to him. He’d been afraid that he’d take the little siren again. Thankfully he hadn’t. Telemachus sat up, yawned, and stretched his arms. The siren squirmed against the cloak swaddled around her, snapping her teeth. Telemachus held her at an arms’ length, still blinking sleep from his eyes. 

“Morning, little princesses.”

“Good morning, Mr. Poseidon Sir.”

The little siren whimpered.

 “Good news, I decided on a name for her! I’m going to call her Andromeda,” Telemachus yawned, flinching as she freed an arm and swiped at him. 

“Andromeda? With an emphasis on the “drama?” ”

Telemachus yawned again. “Could you hold her for one second, please?” 

Poseidon sighed moodily. Telemachus noticed dark circles under his eyes. 

“When did you sleep last?” 

“A couple nights ago, I’m a god, I can go for a long time without it.” 

“But you look so tired!” 

“Just hand me Drama.”

Telemachus obeyed. Poseidon took her in his water arm and held it carefully away from the rest of his body. Telemachus continued to stretch and rub his eyes. He watched Drama trying to furiously gnaw through the water arm. 

“Would Drama like fish instead?” he asked.

 Poseidon gestured and a huge wave full of fish slammed onto the raft. He let Drama down onto the deck and she ate several in a flash. When Telemachus scooped her up, she was in a much better mood. She cooed and laughed at Telemachus, tugging on his hair. Telemachus smiled faintly and ripped his hair out of her fist. She looked at him with her sea green eyes. “Dada?”

Telemachus’ heart skipped a beat. “I’m sorry, baby, I’m not your dad. He’s still out there.” The little siren twisted. 

“Mama?” 

Telemachus stifled a laugh. “No, that is not Mama.” 

Poseidon turned around in confusion.

“It’s the hair,” Telemachus mouthed. 

Poseidon sighed. 

Telemachus spent the whole day playing with Drama, tossing her into the air and telling her story after story. He sang the old song his parents had sung to him, the one about capturing wind and sky. Eventually her eyelids grew heavy and she yawned. Telemachus held her in his arms and paced across the deck, humming the old song. Poseidon watched him quietly.

“You’re going to make a great dad someday.”

“Thanks.” Telemachus said appreciatively. 

>>><<<

Poseidon pressed his hand to his head again and closed his eyes to search the sea again. Telemachus watched, hoping against hope that her family was still alive. Poseidon’s eyes shot open. “I found her.” He redirected the raft until a group of sirens came into view. 

A siren almost identical to Drama swam by. She hissed and lunged at the raft. Poseidon flipped his wrist, using a wave to keep her back. Telemachus looked down at Drama. He knew what he had to do, but the moment he had been waiting for now caused him such pain. He could feel a pit form in his stomach. He worked to ignore it. He nudged the little siren. 

“Drama, it’s time to wake up!” The siren stirred and stared up at him curiously. He turned her around until she could see the other sirens. She instantly began to squirm and squeal happily. Telemachus knelt over and put her into the water. Her tail reformed and she swam to her mother immediately. She looked at Telemachus one last time and squealed. Then she was gone. Telemachus sank to his knees, his eyes filling with tears. “Why do I miss her so much?” 

“I guess it’s because of how much you liked her. I’m glad the slimy thing is gone.”

“I want to be a dad!” Telemachus wailed.

“Hold on, hormonal,” Poseidon said, “Give it a few years.” He straightened. “Oh look, the rest of the pack is seeing if you’d make a good appetizer.” 

A siren taking the shape of a woman rose out of the water, followed by another siren that looked like a man. Poseidon raised his water hand to send them back with a wave. At least he intended to. The man looked exactly like Odysseus. Poseidon’s heart thudded. All his old memories came rushing back. This boy, this - friend, was the boy he had promised to drown. The one he had fantasized about holding down and gouging his eyes out. His head flooded with a million conflicting thoughts. 

“Jump in the water, son!” the sirens sang. Telemachus walked unsteadily towards the edge of the raft, an uncanny smile on his face. Although he knew about sirens and their abilities, their singing had put him in a trance. 

Poseidon reached out his hand almost unconsciously and caught Telemachus by his cloak just as he dove off the raft. He scrabbled around for a few seconds, screaming, “Let me go! Please!” 

Poseidon groaned. “Nope. It’s for your own good.” He flicked his wrist and a huge crest slammed into the sirens, throwing them off into the distance. Telemachus shook his head as if snapping out of a trance. “Did you just save my life?”

“Well I kept you from jumping to your death in such a stupid way.”

Telemachus hugged him around his chest so tightly he gasped for breath. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! You’re such an amazing friend!”

Poseidon set him down silently and sank into a crouch, his back to Telemachus. 

“Are you ok?” Telemachus asked quietly. Poseidon stayed quiet. 

“Was it because you realized who my dad was?” Telemachus whispered. 

Poseidon turned towards him slowly. “How much do you know about him and me?”

Telemachus slowly backed away a step. “I just know he doesn't like you . . . "

Poseidon stayed eerily silent. Telemachus backed away another step. 

Poseidon shifted. “Never mind all that. Telemachus, it’s been a long day. We should get some rest.” 

Telemachus stiffened. That was the first time he had used his real name. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep, not with his heart rate going this fast, but he nodded and sank onto the raft. He closed his eyes. A chill ran down his spine as he felt the moonlight blocked out by a shadow cast over him. He opened his eyes a slit. Poseidon was standing over him, watching him with icy blue eyes, before sighing and laying down on the other side of the raft. Telemachus closed his eyes again and tried to control his breathing. He prayed to Athena but received no answer. Despite his fear, he drifted into a fitful sleep.

Poseidon watched Telemachus as he drifted off. He watched as his breathing evened out and his muscles relaxed. He had made a promise to his son and Odysseus. Poseidon drowned out the protests in the back of his mind. He instead focused on how Odysseus had humiliated his son. His blood pressure increased and he muttered a curse as he remembered his son’s suffering. He moved until he was crouched over Telemachus. He was ready to do what needed to be done.

Chapter Text

Telemachus woke up to quiet muttering, followed by the sound of  footsteps. His chest burned as he struggled to keep his breathing even. He opened his eyes a tiny slit. Watery claws were poised less than an inch over his eyes. Telemachus closed his eyes, trying his best not to tremble. He felt small and helpless, like he had the day the suitors had first come. He let out a tiny gasp as the watery hand seized his face and squeezed it. Telemachus could feel blood trickling down his face. Only one person has ever grabbed my face like that before. Antinous. He could bear it no longer. His eyes shot open and he tried to push the arm away. 

“LET ME GO!” His hands went right through the water arm. Poseidon didn’t flinch. His pupils had been reduced to slits. There was no light in them. The water hand released his face and seized his hair instead, slamming his head into the raft. Blotches appeared in Telemachus’ vision. He fought to remain conscious. 

“How is this fair?” he gasped. “My dad is the one you hate!” Poseidon flipped Telemachus onto his stomach and pressed his knee into his back with such force that it knocked the wind out of him. Telemachus gasped for breath and reached for something to hold onto. Anything. Athena. No response. Poseidon dragged him up part way by his hair. Telemachus heard him whisper, “How does it feel to be helpless?” 

 “Sir, I know exactly what it’s like! I’ve lived my entire life feeling like that!” Telemachus gagged, spitting out blood. 

“Don’t talk to me about pain.” Poseidon snarled. He gestured at the scars running along his neck and face. “Your beloved dad gave me these! HE’S A MONSTER!”

He threw Telemachus onto his back again, slamming his chest into the deck. Telemachus cried out as pain shot through his ribs.

“Odysseus broke the only thing I loved!” he screamed in Telemachus’ face. “My son hasn’t spoken to me in over ten years!” 

“I’m so sorry!” Telemachus gasped, tears streaming out his eyes. His head pounded from pain and confusion. His dad was the attacker all along? He had given Poseidon those scars? He knew his dad wasn’t a monster, and right now he wished he was there to save him. He hated how close Poseidon was to his face. He noticed for the first time how unnaturally sharp his teeth looked. Please, please don’t use them. “I wish I could fix the past! I can’t though! What do you even want from me?” 

“All that concerns you,” Poseidon said, so quietly that Telemachus had to strain to hear him. “Is that I promised to gouge your eyes out myself.”

He seized Telemachus’ face again. “And out of everything I’ve failed at, that’s one promise I can keep.”

“No! Please!” Telemachus writhed and tried desperately to free himself from his grasp, tears streaming down his face.

Poseidon flexed his claws. “A promise is a promise.”

“Don’t you understand?” Telemachus screamed with a broken voice. “You’ve hurt him already more than you could ever imagine!” Poseidon paused, his hand loosening ever so slightly. “Is there something I don’t know about?” 

Telemachus closed his eyes. “Every night I hear him screaming about his past.” 

“Good.”

“My old dad, at least the way mom describes him, is almost completely gone!” 

“Yes.”

“You are insufferable!” Telemachus cried.

Poseidon made no reply. He traced the skin next to Telemachus’ eyes, leaving bloody trails. Telemachus’ mind raced, searching for any ways out. He found none. The claws traced closer. He lay completely still, no longer fighting. I’m going to die today. Closer.

“Just promise me one thing.” Telemachus whispered, fresh tears running out of his eyes. The claws paused. 

“What’s that?” 

“Promise me that you won’t tell my parents how I died.” 

“Your parents? That's who you're worried about right now?” 

“The news would leave my mother childless and widowed.” 

Poseidon scoffed. “I wouldn’t come kill your dad after that.” 

“You wouldn’t need to.” 

Silence filled the air again.

Telemachus whispered, “I can’t win this fight. You know that. All I ask is that this struggle ends here and stays here.” He closed his eyes and waited. 

The hand on his face trembled. 

“This is the only way.” Poseidon hissed.

“I trusted you,” Telemachus said quietly, a shudder of pain running through him.

That phrase shattered Poseidon’s focus. That’s exactly what my son said that night all those years ago. His vision blurred for a moment as his mind was racked with memories. He released Telemachus’ face, tossing him to the side. The boy’s head struck the raft and he went unconscious. 

Poseidon shook his head slowly. He had meant to send Telemachus to the ground again, not knock him out. Now he was laying sprawled on the raft, eyes unfocused with blood trailing out of his mouth and nose. Bloody gouges surrounded his eyes. They were still filled with tears. Brown eyes. Just like his son’s. He closed Telemachus' eyes so he wouldn’t have to look at them anymore. Poseidon felt his rage slowly drain from his body, leaving a pit of emptiness in his stomach. A shiver ran through him. He sank to the ground and looked away. His ears still rang with the boy’s screams, his hands still felt the boy’s trembling body.  He had been so afraid. Usually Poseidon enjoyed watching the fear he inspired in others. But this . . . this was just different somehow. 

He grimaced when he saw that his hands were still covered in blood. He used a wave to wash it away. Waves sent the raft reeling, echoing the turmoil in his mind. Poseidon dropped to sit on the edge of the raft, feeling numb. His thoughts screamed in his head. Stop thinking about it and just get it over with! It’s only fair with what happened! Stop being so weak! You’ve done worse. Oh, you have done so much worse! Let the world fear your name again. He rose to his feet and walked over to Telemachus. Raising him up with one hand, he seized his face again. He examined it and hesitated for a moment. That hesitation was all it took for the other thoughts to fill his mind. He’s just a boy like your son! He didn’t even know what happened! He helped you when you were hurt. He trusted you. And you broke him. Just like you break everything else. He suddenly realized that he had instinctively shifted so that he was cradling the boy in his arms. The quiet voice in his head spoke again. Protect. He set him down immediately and moved to the other side of the raft. 

The sea grew increasingly choppy in response to his conflict. I have a responsibility to my son! He needs vengeance! He rubbed his temples. Don’t you remember, idiot? Your son rejected you. That’s a lost cause. You’ve tried to fix that and where has it gotten you?  Poseidon cursed and sent a wall of waves out. That does it. He sighed. I’m throwing this away. My bitterness. I don’t exactly know what that means, but all it’s done is made me miserable. His mind slowly cleared, leaving a hollow pit in his stomach. The quietest thought in his mind spoke up. The one he’d been trying to silence. I miss being a dad. A wave of emotion rose in his mind that he shoved back down immediately. He rubbed his forehead. What is a dad like even? Definitely not Kronos. His head filled with memories of someone else. The one who had cared for him when he was sick. The one who he’d fallen asleep on his chest countless times as a boy. The one who had cradled him while he screamed for his missing arm. Hades. Hades is what a dad should be. Mist swirled around his head and he traced his hand through it. A groan sounded from behind him and Poseidon set his jaw. This boy . . . I need to protect him. Like Hades would. Do for him what I couldn’t do for my son.

Chapter Text

Poseidon pulled out of his thoughts and looked again at the boy on the deck. He was just as he had left him. Broken and bleeding. Poseidon sighed. I need to fix him up. He ripped some strips off his cloak to use as bandages. He approached Telemachus’ side quietly and began to bandage his head. Telemachus let out another groan as Poseidon lifted his head. Poseidon moved his hands to bandage part of his neck. Telemachus snapped out of his stupor and tried to pull Poseidon’s hands away from his neck. 

“Let me go!” he gasped. Poseidon pulled him upright and got in his face. He could still feel him fighting him. 

“Hey, just take it easy there,” Poseidon said tiredly. 

Telemachus stopped struggling. “It doesn’t seem like I have much of an option.”

Poseidon reached for the bandage again. Telemachus closed his eyes. Poseidon could feel his body trembling. He adjusted the bandage over the wound and released Telemachus. Telemachus sat on the raft, staring up at Poseidon in confusion. No wonder. He sighed.

“Why are you . . . acting so strange?” 

“I’ll explain in the morning.” 

Telemachus lay down for the second time that night. He was unable to fall asleep for another hour with the tumult in his mind. His body throbbed with pain and the cold seeped into his bones.  I really should've grabbed another cloak. He shivered. Eventually he found a somewhat comfortable position and relaxed.  Just as he began drifting off he heard footsteps again. He thinks I’m asleep.  His heart rate shot up to its previous level. He squeezed his eyes shut and his body tensed involuntarily. Is this night going to last forever? He heard a sigh and to his surprise, felt Poseidon lay his cloak over him. He arranged it for a moment around him before walking away slowly. His mind raced with confusion. What?  He stared at the golden scars covering Poseidon’s back and neck. Old wounds from my dad. My dad isn’t the kind of man who would hand out pain for the thrill of it. So what actually happened? He wrestled with his questions until sleep overtook him. 

He was woken up early the next morning by a strange noise. He rubbed his eyes and looked across the deck at Poseidon. He was kneeling, covering his mouth with both hands. He was shaking slightly. Telemachus rose and came towards him quietly.

“Mr. Poseidon, Sir?” 

Poseidon didn’t move.

“Are you ok?”

Poseidon coughed and gestured for him to sit by him. Telemachus walked up to him silently, still wrapped in the massive cloak. He slowly lowered himself onto the edge of the water raft, doing his best to aggravate his ribs the least. Still, the sudden pain in them made him suck in a quick breath. He dangled his feet in the rushing water. They sat there silently for a long time. Telemachus angled slightly towards Poseidon, ignoring the pain in his head and chest. 

“Can I ask you a question?” 

Poseidon’s eyes darted towards him. “Yes.” 

“It’s a stupid question.”

“I don’t care.”

Telemachus fiddled with the cloak. “Am I … um, safe with you for now?” 

Poseidon looked down at the boy, still bloody from the previous night. He was trembling slightly. Where to begin? He rolled Telemachus’ question around in his mind. His head felt clearer than it had in about a decade. Any anger he had entertained had been displaced by grief and weariness. 

“Yes. You are safe now.” Hollow words when contrasted with my actions last night. 

“The anger’s passed . . . for good,” Poseidon said, shifting. 

Telemachus' shoulders relaxed for a moment before he flinched in pain.

 “I’m still a little confused over what happened, y’know with my dad and everything. I mean, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Telemachus kicked his feet in the water. 

“You deserve an explanation.” 

Telemachus looked up at him curiously. 

“Ok, well this was what, eleven years ago? I heard my son calling me and I went to him. Honestly, I was a bit annoyed. That was until . . . well . . . I saw that his eye was . . . destroyed. Some people, including your dad, had come into his cave and killed his favorite sheep. He killed some of the men, and then the rest of them, led by your dad, drugged him and gouged his eye out.” 

Telemachus winced. “Is that why . . . ?”

“Yeah.”

“So then what?” 

“I hunted your dad down and demanded an explanation. He seemed to think he apologized, but I didn’t find it convincing. So I drowned over five hundred of his crew.” 

“You what?!” 

“I killed them.” 

“But that’s wrong!”

“Perhaps. You’re not a parent yet.” 

Telemachus shook his head slightly. 

“Well it turns out it was all in vain. When my son realized Odysseus had escaped, he . . . well, he told me he wanted me gone.”

“I’m so sorry.” 

“Yeah, yeah.” Poseidon cursed and was silent for a moment.

“Ten years later I found your dad again. This was just last year. He only really snapped after I threatened to kill you and your mom.” 

Telemachus blinked. “And he stabbed you. With the trident.”

“Exactly. Then some kid came along and helped me. Funny how that works.” 

“Can I ask something else?”

“I guess.”

“Why did you hold onto that anger for so long? I don’t think I could survive that.” 

“I’m his dad! No one hurts a kid of mine and gets away with it! People need to know that. No one can ever escape me in the end.” 

“Any other reasons?” 

Poseidon rolled his shoulders and drew a hand through the water. Am I really about to say this?

“I wanted revenge. I hated Odysseus for getting away. I hated him for hurting my son. I hated him for having . . . everything . . .” his voice dropped and Telemachus leaned forward to listen, “ . . . everything I lost.”

“Did it work out for you?”

Poseidon turned slowly to face Telemachus. This kid has some guts. Gotta admire that. He could tell that the boy’s face was pale. 

Poseidon laughed bitterly. “You know the answer. I ended up hurting people, some of which I cared about.” He flicked his wrist, sending watery horses across the surface. “You just happened to be caught in the crossfire.”

Telemachus was silent for a few moments. 

“And now,” Poseidon sent the horses thundering past them, “I’m trying to put that stuff behind me. But it’s . . . not exactly something I can just drop easily.” 

“I get that.” 

Poseidon snorted. “Sure, but I kinda doubt part of your history was torturing a kid for his parent’s mistakes.”

“I forgive you.”

Poseidon froze. His hand dropped to his side, the horses dissolving into mist. “What?” 

“I said I forgive you.” 

“I didn’t apologize.” 

Telemachus shrugged. “I can forgive you anyways. Sometimes - sometimes forgiveness is more about freeing yourself from your anger towards someone else than excusing their actions.”

The sound of rushing water filled the air. 

Poseidon shrugged. 

“I can take you back home if you want to.” 

The boy took a deep breath. “I actually want to keep going. I want to help you on your trip and find more answers about my dad’s journey. He hasn’t really told me anything.” 

“Have it your way.”

>>><<<

Telemachus watched Poseidon apprehensively. He was sitting on the side of the raft, staring out into the water. He had barely said anything for hours. Telemachus walked up to him, just about to ask him a question. His stomach chose that moment to growl loudly. Poseidon started. 

“When did you eat last?” 

“I ate some food I brought from home a few nights ago.” 

Poseidon stared at him. “Have you eaten anything since?”

“No.” 

Poseidon gestured with his water arm and slammed some fish onto the raft. He impaled them with his water claws and ripped them out. Telemachus’ stomach twisted. 

“Dig in.” Poseidon said. 

Telemachus slowly picked a bloody fish up. It was still twitching. I need to eat what I’m served. He closed his eyes and bit into it slowly. He tried to distract his mind from the disgusting texture. Despite this, he couldn’t bring himself to swallow. He stood there, awkwardly trying to decide whether spitting it out and possibly offending Poseidon or swallowing it would be worse. He looked at Poseidon desperately. Poseidon eyed a fish in his hand for a moment before jerking his head to the side, ripping off its head and swallowing it. So they are as sharp as they look. Telemachus’ stomach flipped as blood trickled out of the corners of Poseidon’s mouth. His stomach made the choice for him. He  staggered to the side of the raft and vomited. He gasped in pain as his ribs throbbed from the beating the previous night. This isn’t good. This really isn’t good. The sea in front of him blurred. 

He was painfully aware of how much his injuries from the previous night were burning. He took stock of his injuries. Based on his pounding headache, he wouldn’t be surprised if he’d received a concussion. He probed his chest and winced. Bruised ribs were more than likely. The biggest concern however, was his dehydration. Between his now empty waterskin and the fact that he had just vomited, his body desperately needed water. The combined heat from the sun and fire sapped his energy. He turned to Poseidon. “Do you mind if I -” he motioned like he was taking off a shirt. 

 “You think I care?” 

Telemachus immediately stripped off his cloak and flopped on it on the raft. Poseidon eyed him lazily before suddenly rising to his feet. 

“That bruising … does not look great.”

Telemachus grimaced. “Yep.” 

Poseidon’s eyes dropped to Telemachus’ stomach. “Did you starve on the trip?” 

Telemachus managed a smile. “Nah, that’s just my normal weight.” He coughed.

“I really don’t like the look of you.” 

“Thanks for the self-esteem boost.” 

“Quiet, did I hurt your head too?” 

“Yes.” 

Poseidon rubbed his forehead. 

“Well, lucky for you, we’re coming up on Circe’s island now. I’ll see if she can heal you. She knows all about plants and magic and - well, she’ll know what to do.” He paused. “She’s not a fan of men randomly coming to the palace, so try to keep a low profile.” 

After a few minutes the raft scraped up onto the shore. Telemachus stood quickly and immediately regretted it. The ache in his chest intensified as he gasped. His head spun and he staggered for a moment. He stiffened as he was lifted by strong arms. 

“Hang in there, Sunshine,” Poseidon said in an unfamiliar tone.

Telemachus nodded and closed his eyes, smothering the fear in the back of his mind. He promised that I was safe now. Besides, he didn’t have the mental energy to worry anymore. He let his body relax. He felt wind rushing against his face, heard underbrush crackling underneath Poseidon’s feet. He was running. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Telemachus could hear his heart pounding by his face. His vision blurred and he fought to remain conscious. I hope we’re close.

Poseidon finally reached Circe’s palace. The walls were made of pink stone with ivy growing over them. He kicked the gates, hoping she would hear the racket. The gates flew open immediately. Circe strode out, wearing a long braid lined with flowers. She wore a light pink sash around her chest and a skirt with slits up her thighs. Her eyes sparkled. 

“Come inside! - oh, nevermind, it’s you.”

 She slammed the gates. Poseidon continued to kick them. He heard a rustling noise and looked up. Oh this diva . . . Circe was gracefully descending over the palace wall, supported by flowering vines. She settled into a sitting position on them a few feet above his head. It almost looked as if she were sitting on a flowery swing. She eyed him critically. Her eyes dropped to Telemachus and she gasped.

“What did you do to him?!?”

“It’s a long story.”

“So what are you seeking?”

“Medical help and a few answers to some questions,” Poseidon said, hoping she would take him seriously. 

“So,” Circe said, swinging slightly, “You expect me to let you right in? How do I know that this isn’t a sick trap of yours?”

“You don’t.”

“Exactly.” Circe’s eyes glowed with magic and the vines lifted her back up the wall. 

“Wait.” 

Circe stared down at Poseidon with contempt. “Yes?”

“I don’t have to come in. I just want you to heal him.” 

Circe paused. 

Poseidon fought the word back until it escaped his lips. “Please.”

Circe froze. No wonder, that was most definitely the first time she had ever heard him say that. She lowered herself to the ground and pulled a small pouch out of her pocket. It was filled with a liquid that she poured into Telemachus’ mouth. 

Telemachus’ vision stabilized. He felt his pain’s sting melt away, and managed to stand when he was set carefully on the ground. The gate behind them opened a crack, and a small figure ran to hide behind Circe. A young nymph peered at him from behind her skirt. She looked frightened and curious at the same time. He knelt down to be on her level. “Hi there, what’s your name?” She disappeared in a flash.

“What is your name, young man?” Circe asked. 

“I am Telemachus, son of King Odysseus of Ithaca.” 

Circe’s eyes flashed. She turned to Poseidon. “You should’ve started with that.”

She turned back to Telemachus. “You look like you have a question in mind.”

He realized with embarrassment that his mouth had been hanging open. He’d been watching the sun filter through her beautiful hair. 

“You’re so pretty!” he gasped. 

Circe inclined her head. “Thank you.” 

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.” 

Telemachus held out his cloak. “Do you want this?” 

Circe glanced at Poseidon in confusion. He shrugged.

“Why?” Circe asked. 

“Well, we came here without warning you first so you didn’t have time to change. A lot of your body is showing, and well - I thought you might not want us to see that much. It’s just hard not to look because you’re so pretty and seem so nice but that wouldn’t be right!”

Poseidon groaned. “Why did you have to phrase it like that? Why?”

Circe cocked her head and laughed lightly. “You are absolutely Odysseus’ son. Very well, if only to honor his memory.” 

She took the cloak and put it on. It was very small on her. Circe laughed again. She glanced at Telemachus. “You. I like you.” She glanced at Poseidon. 

“I’ll see how long I can tolerate you.” 

“Please Miss Circe, don’t send him away!” Telemachus pleaded. “He’s my friend!”

“Very well.” Circe glanced at Poseidon, mouthing, “You have friends?” 

Poseidon rolled his eyes. The group pushed through the gates together. Circe guided Telemachus to a couch in the palace and made him lie down. She pulled out another small container. “This will sting a bit.”

Telemachus clenched his teeth as Circe applied salve to his wounds. He didn’t want to make her feel like she was hurting him. He fought the urge to scream as she dabbed the salve onto the gauges on his face. A few groans escaped his lips. He could see Poseidon watching him from across the room. He looked restless.

“There we are.” Circe said, stepping back. Telemachus felt his body relax. The salve was healing the wounds and even soothing his ribs’ pain. 

“Thank you, Miss Circe.” 

She winked at him. “Anytime.”

She straightened up and smoothed her hair back. She sighed and leaned towards the doorway. “Ok, you can come in now.” 

Telemachus looked up in surprise. “Who?”

He was caught up the next moment in a mob of nymphs. They swept him out of the room and surrounded him. He looked down into their eager eyes. They were shaking with excitement. “Uh, do you want to go… pick some flowers?” Telemachus asked. 

Their squeals pierced his ears. He was caught up in their rush and dragged to a nearby field. He watched with curiosity as they knit flower crowns together rapidly, fingers flying. He was covered in flower crowns before he knew it. He laughed.

“Thank you girls!” 

They all giggled and stared at him. Telemachus didn’t quite know what they expected from him. “Um, could you teach me how to do that?” They nodded excitedly. Telemachus started gathering flowers. “I’m excited to learn! I used to make them for mom but they always ended up falling apart. She always just put them in her hair instead.” Half of the girls swooned. The other half screamed in adoration.

Circe slid down until she was resting with her back against the wall of the palace. She smiled at the chaos. “It seems they’re getting along well.” 

Poseidon grinned. “This is his first actual exposure to girls it seems. He’ll soon learn what a terrifying species they are and stay single forever.” 

“As if men aren’t the real pigs.”

Poseidon straightened. “Could you not feed the boy past visitors?”

Circe rolled her eyes. “Of course not! You, however, might get the mouly treatment all over again.” 

Poseidon groaned. “Circe, that was over three hundred years ago!”

Circe chuckled. “I’ll make sure to at least tell him the story.” 

“Whatever. Just don’t mess with his food.”

Circe raised an eyebrow at him. “You seem oddly protective of him.”

“Whatever.”

Their conversation was broken by furious sneezing. Poseidon glanced over. Apparently Sunshine was allergic to pollen. He was bent over, sneezing furiously. At least a dozen nymphs patted him on the back and sang to him. They removed the flowers from his head. He sneezed even harder. He stumbled towards Poseidon, sneezing over and over again. 

“I need you!” It’s been a while since I’ve heard that. Poseidon coughed. Circe eyed him curiously. He ignored her and strode to Telemachus. He supported him, patting his back as he breathed in clear air again. Telemachus gave him a weak smile. 

“Thank you!”

Circe came up behind them silently. “I have a story I need to tell you - it’s about your friend here.” 

Telemachus grinned. Poseidon sighed and looked away as Circe smiled. Telemachus sat on the ground at her feet, looking up at her. 

“About three hundred years ago, Poseidon decided it would be a great idea to hit on some nymphs. Being Poseidon, however, he managed to get all the blondes confused and accidentally led on six girls at once.” 

“Oh brother.”

Circe ignored Poseidon. “Anyway, while I was helping heal six broken hearts I had plenty of time to plot vengeance. So what did I do?” She leaned forward. Telemachus waited, completely enthralled. 

“I got him to eat a hallucinogenic plant.” 

Telemachus gasped. 

“You should’ve seen him, skipping around the palace, giggling like a schoolgirl. He did that for a couple hours, made out with a tree, and passed out on the ground. I had to call his brother to come pick him up” 

Telemachus couldn’t help but laugh as he pictured it. 

“Ok, ok, we’ve wasted enough time already.”  Poseidon groaned, blushing furiously. “I really only have one question. Where is my trident?” 

“You lost it?” Circe blinked innocently. “I may or may not have heard a rumor about a new weapon in the Underworld.” 

“Of course it would end up there.” Poseidon rolled his eyes. “Maybe we can slip in and out before my brother notices.”

Telemachus' stomach twisted. “Would he … make me stay there if he catches me?”

Circe laughed softly. 

“Hades?” Poseidon looked at Telemachus. 

“Yeah.” 

Poseidon laughed harshly. “He doesn’t care so long as you don’t try to interfere with matters of the dead. You would love him. He’s nothing but a giant heart.” 

Circe smiled. “Even I think Persephone is a very lucky woman.” 

Telemachus glanced up curiously. 

“What about Amphitrite?”

“She’s a very loving woman.” 

Poseidon choked. 

“Ok, ok, time to go!” Circe strolled away, gesturing for them to follow.

Chapter Text

Telemachus perched on the edge of the entrance leading to the underworld. He could only see darkness beneath his feet. He backed up a step. “Mr. Poseidon Sir, can I …”

Poseidon stepped up beside him and looked down. 

“It’ll be ok, just take my hand.” He extended his hand. Telemachus detected a gleam in his eye. He slowly reached out his hand. Poseidon picked him up with one hand and threw him through the entrance headfirst. “Hey, I just couldn’t resist.”

Telemachus fell through the air, screaming. He clawed at the darkness whizzing past him. He wasn’t a god, just a man. How does Poseidon expect me to stick the landing? He clenched his eyes closed, expecting to land any second in a pile of bones or something equally terrible. Telemachus was shocked as he felt something soft instead. He opened his eyes to see that he was falling through cherry and magnolia tree boughs. Pink petals floated through the air, creating a sense of peace. He finally landed in a massive flower bed. Pollen flew everywhere. He sneezed. Not again. He looked around until he found Poseidon. He was standing stiffly, raised off the ground by a column of water. Flower petals had drifted to rest on his dark hair. I wonder how long it will take him to notice those. Telemachus stumbled out of the flower bed, sneezing furiously. He wiped his nose. 

Poseidon was already moving away, and Telemachus had to run to catch up with him. They climbed a hill and looked over the plain. Telemachus gasped. Millions of the dead wandered aimlessly over the ground. They glanced at them before moving on. Telemachus scanned the crowd, looking for familiar faces. He was relieved to see none he knew. He looked up. Poseidon was nowhere in sight. Telemachus worked to calm his panic. So far, he had no reason to be afraid. He glanced behind him and froze. A set of familiar eyes stared coldly back at him. It was the suitor he had killed. Wasn’t his name Amphinomus? Telemachus watched in terror as the suitor approached him silently. 

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t have a choice!” 

The suitor didn’t flinch. 

“You would have done the same for your family!” 

The suitor charged. Telemachus ran off across the field before tripping over a stone on the ground. He fell, shielding his head and yelled, “POSEIDON!” 

To his surprise, all he felt was a cold breath of air pass over his body. He backed away, shaking. The suitor was watching him with a barely concealed rage. “Murderer. Monster.” 

The accusations pounded in Telemachus' mind. “No! No! I didn’t ask for any of this! I’m sorry!” He stumbled and ran away as fast as his feet would carry him. When he had put a good distance behind him, he glanced back. To his relief, the suitor was not following him. That relief was shattered by sudden pain that sent him to the ground. He looked up. Really? A tree? He groaned and collapsed backwards. What a day. He felt like crying.  

“You can relax my friend!” a kind voice above him sang.

Telemachus opened his eyes. A friendly looking man was bent over him. He wore a ghostly set of glasses and held a sleeping infant in his arms. Telemachus squinted. He recognized the man from a tapestry at home. “Are you Odysseus’ friend?” 

“Yes! Are you Telemachus?!? Your dad always talked about you.” He looked him over. “Yes, I can see the resemblance!” 

A lump rose in Telemachus’ throat. 

The infant began to fuss and the man shifted it to his other arm. “This little one needs a nap, I better go.” He paused and looked at Telemachus one more time. “Tell your dad I forgive him.” 

Telemachus nodded. The man walked away, gently rocking the baby. Telemachus dropped to his knees. Although he was calmer now, the words of the suitor still pounded in his head. He held his head in his hands and wept once again. 

>>><<<

Poseidon froze when he heard his name. How could I have left the boy behind? He tore through the woods towards the sound, looking frantically. Would he think I’d abandoned him on purpose? He was moving so quickly he almost missed the boy’s small frame in the underbrush. He ran up to him and put his hand on his back. Telemachus looked up at him, tears pouring from his eyes. He grabbed Poseidon and clung to him like he was afraid he’d evaporate. Poseidon patted him on the back. “What is it?” 

“I - I saw someone I killed.” 

“Really?” Poseidon glanced at the crowd of thousands watching him silently. Accusingly.

“He - he tried to attack me.” He pressed his face harder against Poseidon’s chest. “He called me a murderer and a monster.”

Poseidon pulled him closer. “Why did you kill him?”

“He was one of the suitors planning to kill dad and use mom.” Oh. 

“So you did it to protect your family?”

“Yes.” Telemachus gasped. 

“Then as I see it, he’s the real monster.”

Telemachus blinked up at him, “You really think so?”

“I know so.”

Telemachus lowered his head again. “That doesn’t get rid of all the guilt.” 

Poseidon tilted his chin up with his hand until he was looking him in the eyes again. “You protected those you care about.” 

Telemachus nodded tearfully. Poseidon held him until his body stilled and the tears ran their course. Telemachus backed up, wiping his eyes with his fists. 

“Let’s keep going,” he said in a raw voice. 

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It might take my mind off this.”

They walked deeper into the Underworld together. 

>>><<<

Telemachus looked around to find some way to distract himself. He watched Poseidon’s body language and tried to interpret it. Was he . . . scared? Telemachus approached him. “What’s wrong?”

Poseidon glanced to the side. “I want to find it before my brother finds me.” 

Telemachus’ jaw dropped. Hades towered behind Poseidon, finger to his lips. He was about fifteen feet tall, wearing a green tunic that contrasted with his black hair. He had a full beard with flowers woven into it. He grabbed Poseidon by the shoulders. “Too late!”

Poseidon jumped violently and muttered a curse. 

“You look wonderful, brother!” Hades boomed, gesturing to the flowers in Poseidon’s hair. Poseidon finally felt them, turned red, and tore them out of his hair. 

Hades picked them up gently from the ground and put them in his pocket. “My wife will not take kindly to wasted flowers.” 

Telemachus sneezed.

“And who might you be, young man?” asked Hades. 

“My name is Telemachus, son of Odysseus.” he bowed. Hades waved for him to rise. 

“Well, son of the great Odysseus, you look as if you have a question.”

Telemachus blurted out, “Are you always this big?”

Hades laughed heartily. “It depends.” He decreased in size, shortening to about nine feet tall. Telemachus gasped. “That is so cool!” Poseidon looks so small now. Hades dragged Poseidon into an embrace. “And how are you, Donny?” Donny?

Poseidon stumbled backwards. “I swear, if you took the trident, I’m gonna -” 

He glanced at Telemachus and covered his ears. Telemachus watched as Poseidon screamed muted words at his brother. Based on Hades’ reaction, he wasn’t even remotely threatened. Poseidon removed his hands from Telemachus’ head and shook his head in disbelief. Hades shook his head, looking sad.

“That kind of language…” 

Poseidon froze. “No, no, no.”

“I’m not angry with you, I’m just disappointed.” 

Poseidon groaned. 

“What kind of an example are you setting for this impressionable boy?” Hades probed. 

“Excuse me, Mr. Hades Sir, but I don’t think he’s been quite as bad as you might think.”

“How so?” Hades inquired. Poseidon stared at Telemachus in disbelief.

“He protected me and helped me in some tough situations. Yeah, it’s been crazy, but I think we understand each other a bit better.”

Hades turned to Poseidon. “Is this true?”

Poseidon shrugged. 

Hades raised an eyebrow. “Do I sense … teachability?”

“I was desperate.”

“So, do you want your trident back now?” Hades asked. 

Poseidon covered Telemachus’ ears again. Telemachus watched as his face turned many different shades, all one after the other and his mouth worked furiously. Hades motioned for them to follow him and they began to walk down a path towards a large house. Poseidon trotted on Hades’ heels, his threats lost to Telemachus’ ears. As they approached the front gate, Hades turned around calmly. Poseidon removed his hands from Telemachus’ head. Hades bent down to look Poseidon in the eyes.

“Would you like to use your words the right way this time?”

Poseidon made a strangled noise. Telemachus resisted the urge to laugh. 

Hades clapped Poseidon on the back. “Sorry, sometimes the internal parent voice still comes back. Maybe I’m just glad to see you making friends! I missed you, Donny!”

Poseidon rolled his eyes. “So you stole the trident . . . just to see me again?” 

“Ah, that. You’ll know soon enough.” 

They passed through a courtyard filled with flowers and fountains before entering Hades’ home. Telemachus gasped. It was beautiful, complete with graceful rafters and stone walls. Flowering plants grew over everything. Telemachus sneezed. They passed a hallway of marble columns wrapped in ivy. 

“This is so pretty!” Telemachus cried. “I wish I could live here!” 

Hades chuckled. “All the beauty here is thanks to my wife. I could never do any of this without her! She is the most amazing, kind, beautiful woman in the world!” 

“Bragging about me again, I see?” said a voice. 

Hades gasped. “Love, is that you?!”

A beautiful woman stepped around a lattice by the wall. Telemachus’ jaw dropped. She was very tall, with a kind face and a robe decorated with flowers. Dew drops shone in her brown hair. It was pulled back into a simple bun, with strands of it framing her face. She smiled as Hades waltzed forward with a bow and placed flowers in her hair. Persephone secured them before turning to Telemachus. “And who might you be, young man?” 

Telemachus bowed “I’m Telemachus, son of King Odysseus.”  

Persephone inclined her head, “You may rise. I’ve heard of your family many times. Welcome to the Underworld!” 

Persephone nodded to Poseidon and tapped her forehead mischievously. 

“Ah, you must be looking for something! Let me go see if I remember where I put it.” She had been gone for only a few minutes before she returned with the trident. She handed it over to Poseidon. “Good as new.”

Poseidon’s face flushed. “Why didn’t you tell me you had it all along?!?”

Hades looked down at him. “Well, you asked me if I had seen it and I hadn’t. However, Persephone did. She picked it up from where you forgot it in the hallway and put it in the storeroom. Of course, we discussed it before we did it.” 

“What was there possibly to discuss?!”

“Well, you’d just ranted to me for two hours about everything wrong in your life. I won’t name specifics -” he glanced at Telemachus, “but you seemed tense. More so than usual. Persephone and I thought maybe you needed a break from the ordinary. A change of pace. Did Hermes give you the message I asked him to?” 

“After a unique dance experience,” Poseidon grumbled. 

Hades laughed and pulled him into a bear hug. “Remember, I’ll always be here for you, Donny!”

Telemachus glanced up as Persephone glided next to him. “I never thought the Underworld would be this beautiful.” Do I say it?  He took  a deep breath. 

“If I ever get married, I want to have a relationship like Hades’ and yours!”

Persephone laughed a pure, clean laugh. “That’s so sweet! Sometime I’ll have to tell you about our early relationship. While it was . . . unconventional to say the least, it all worked out in the most amazing way possible!”

Telemachus’ curiosity was piqued. “I’d love that!” 

She smiled. “You’re welcome here anytime.” 

Telemachus looked over as Poseidon broke away from Hades with a breathless gasp. 

“All right, all right, Sunshine and I here have a long trip ahead of us.” 

He waited until Telemachus caught up with him before heading out the door. Poseidon paused. He turned back towards the couple watching them. 

“I promise, I’ll get back at you, brother.” 

Hades laughed. “I’m sure you will!"

Chapter Text

Telemachus lay on his back on the raft, with his hands resting under his head. He stared up at the stars. The world was silent except for the sound of rushing water. Well, that and Poseidon’s snores. While he was glad that Poseidon was finally sleeping, he wished it wouldn’t have to cost him a sleepless night. Telemachus tried to arrange the cloak he was wearing so that it covered his ears. Nope. Not quiet enough. Telemachus sighed and sat up. How could his wife sleep? He shivered and pulled the huge cloak tighter around his neck. Poseidon had insisted that he have it for the night. He looked over at him. He was sleeping on his left side, arm under his head. Telemachus stared at what was left of his right arm. It ended in a stump above where his elbow would be. He made a mental note to ask his dad about the Kronos story. He sat on the edge of the raft and waited for sunrise.

>>><<<

Poseidon woke up slowly. I guess I really did need sleep.  He sat up, checking to make sure his trident was still there. It was. His eyes focused on Telemachus. The boy was sitting near him, staring intensely at his side. “You know, I think the gills are cool!”

Poseidon jerked away. “Why. Just why?!”

Telemachus continued to stare.

Poseidon eyed him. His eyes were crazed from sleep deprivation. This will be entertaining. He turned his back on Telemachus and formed his water arm. 

“Could someone do mouth to mouth on those instead of on your mouth?”

Poseidon shuddered. “Uh, kid, how much did you sleep last night?”

“All I hear are snores!” Telemachus wailed. 

Poseidon rolled his eyes. “You’re delirious. Just give me the cloak.” 

“No!”

“No?”

“No!” Telemachus repeated. “It’s mine!” He rose to his full five feet four inches and made a gruff face. “Look, I’m you! Lord of the fishes, with the most magnificent hair ever seen! I rule the seas with sarcasm and a six-pack!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Poseidon lunged. He tied the sleeves of the cloak in a knot with Telemachus’ arms still stuck in them partway. Telemachus shrieked and flailed around before tripping on the cloak and falling to the deck. 

“Fine! You win!” Telemachus yelped. 

“Nah.” Poseidon grinned, watching him flail around the deck. “This is more fun.”

He kicked him slightly, sending him rolling across the deck. When he was almost at the edge, Poseidon made the waves tilt the deck the other way. Telemachus screamed and rolled back the other way. Poseidon stood over him, suddenly a bit apprehensive. “Are you ok?” Telemachus laughed. “Just a bit dizzy. Give me a moment.”

Poseidon watched him for a few moments before he leaned over and untied the sleeves. Telemachus stood up, eyes dancing.  “I still think my impression was perfect.” He pretended to toss imaginary hair and strutted across the deck. 

Poseidon grinned despite himself. “You remind me of my brothers.”

“I wish I had brothers!” Telemachus cried. 

“You really don’t.”

“I do!”

“What you really need.” Poseidon said. “Is sleep.”

“I don’t need sleep!” 

“And I don’t need a conscience yet here we are.”

Telemachus yawned and lay down. “Sing me a song.” 

“Cry me a river.”

Telemachus fell asleep.  

>>><<<

Telemachus squinted as he woke to the noon day sun. Unclear memories from earlier that morning clouded his mind. He sat up, holding his head. “What - what even happened this morning?!” 

Poseidon grinned. “You told me who your crush was.” 

I talk about her in my sleep?! “Really?” 

Poseidon laughed harshly. “Nah, but you were muttering something about a girl in your sleep. Something about how pretty she was.” Telemachus could feel his face heating up. Thea. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed the people back home. He counted the nights since he’d left. If they made good time, he could still be home by his mom’s birthday. 

“Are we almost home?” 

“Just one more day and night.” 

Telemachus calculated. “Why is it shorter?” 

“The Drama fiasco took us off course on the way.” 

“Ah.” 

They sat silently for a moment. “So, is there anything exciting happening when you get back home?” Telemachus asked. 

Poseidon sighed. “I just want to crash. Clear my head.”

“What about your wife?”

“It will be nice to see her again.”

“Will you take my advice?” 

Poseidon frowned. “Uh . . .”

“Will you give her a big hug when you get back and tell her how much you love and appreciate her?”

“Oh, that.”

“Promise me you will.” Telemachus pleaded. 

“Ok, ok, I promise.” Poseidon relented. “It’s not going to make much of a difference though.” 

There was a moment of silence. Telemachus turned to him. 

“Do you like horses?”

“. . . yeah? I’m kind of their patron god.”

“Say I found a wild horse that I liked but it won’t let me get close enough to train it. What should I do?” 

“Well,” Poseidon said, raising an eyebrow, “Your first mistake was thinking you could train it right away. You have to build trust with it first.” 

“How would I do that?” 

“Well, there’s a lot of ways. I guess it needs to get used to being around you first. Anytime you’re around, you need to be gentle and treat it kindly. Otherwise, it will probably get spooked and bolt or kick you.” Poseidon’s eyes widened with realization. “And once it trusts you, you can communicate with it. You can work toward common goals and do things you would have never been able to do alone.” 

Telemachus nodded with a small smile. 

Poseidon was silent for a few minutes. 

Then he turned towards Telemachus, “What are you doing when you get back?”

“Well, I’m going to keep working on a plan to get Calypso freed from her island. I doubt they’d let her roam freely, but maybe, just maybe, she could live with Circe. Before all that though, I get to celebrate my mom’s birthday!”

“Nice.” 

Telemachus nodded. “I can’t wait to see my mom again! She’s the most beautiful, amazing woman ever!” 

Poseidon raised an eyebrow. “What about that girl?”

Thea. Telemachus blushed. “Well, she’s the only girl who even comes close.”

Telemachus turned his thoughts elsewhere in an attempt to calm his blush. 

He kicked his feet in the water. “I’m going to miss you.” 

Poseidon blinked. 

“I’m going to miss all - this.” Telemachus said, gesturing to the whole scene. “Sailing with you, not having to worry about being a prince for a while. It’s been a breath of fresh air.”

Poseidon nodded slightly. “I think I’ll miss it too.” 

Telemachus smiled. 

“Y’know what?” Poseidon said, “I still want to kidnap you sometime. Do this kind of thing again.” 

“I’d love to come again,” said Telemachus. “Just preferably without the kidnapping.” 

 “Aw, where’s the fun in that?”

“You’d doom me to endless questions and legal paperwork.” 

“Fine.” Poseidon rolled his eyes. “I’ll figure something out.” 

>>><<<

Telemachus’ lost night of sleep caught up with him finally that night. He was able to sleep, even with Poseidon’s earth-shaking snores in the background. He woke the next morning and squinted out at the horizon. His heart caught as he recognized the shore. Home. Poseidon glanced down at him. 

“We’re back, Sunshine.”

He gestured to the sea and a swell pulled them up onto the shore. 

Telemachus pulled off the huge cloak he was wearing. He handed it back. Poseidon slipped it on and stared down at him. Telemachus took a deep breath. “Well, goodbye.” 

He hugged Poseidon around the middle and buried his head in his chest. “I’m going to miss you so much.” 

“Alright, sure.” Poseidon said casually. He pulled Telemachus a little closer, his water hand cupping the back of his head. "Y'know, Sunshine? I'm going to miss you too."

Telemachus could feel how tightly he was holding him. It was with a grip both careful and strong, gentle yet protective. Almost as if he were afraid of losing me. Or breaking me. Telemachus allowed his muscles to relax. He rested there for a while. After a bit Poseidon pulled away. 

“Stay out of trouble, you hear me?” he said, a bit of mischief in his eyes.

Telemachus grinned up at him. “Ok! Will I see you again?” 

“When you least expect it.” Poseidon nodded to him before disappearing beneath the waves.

>>><<<

Poseidon passed through his front gates silently. He breathed a sigh of relief as he entered his home. Bioluminescent algae lit up all around him. Amphitrite was standing there,  hands on her hips. Here we go. 

 “Did you even think about warning me how long you would be gone for? Did the notion ever even cross your mind?!” The bioluminescent patterns on her face glowed as she grew more animated. 

“Maybe.”

“Do you know how much of your slack I’ve had to pick up on top of my own work?!” she cried out in frustration. Poseidon stared at her, trying to ignore the frustration welling up inside him. 

“Do you even hear me?!” Amphitrite’s voice cracked with emotion. “Or are you deaf to me in your self-centered little cosmos?”

Poseidon whirled on her. 

“I’ve been taking care of more important stuff than you! Did you consider what could happen if a lesser being got their hands on the trident?!”

Amphitrite eyed his scars icily. “I have some guesses.” 

Poseidon stiffened. “You promised. You promised you would never bring that up again!” 

“You’re one to talk about promises.”

Poseidon didn’t know how to respond. Without a ready response, his anger transitioned into a frustrated weariness. He turned away from Amphitrite. Promises. He suddenly remembered his conversation with Telemachus. He shook his head and tried to collect his thoughts. Building trust. Worth a shot anyhow. Amphitrite faced him stiffly, dashing angry tears from her eyes with her hands. “Well?”

I know what I should probably say, so why does it feel like it’s stuck to the roof of my mouth? I just need to get it out, no matter how strange it feels. “I’m sorry, I should have filled you in.”

She blinked. “Did someone put you up to a dare?” 

“No … well, it’s more of a promise. I’ll explain later.”

Amphitrite stared at him searchingly. He walked up to her slowly, like he was approaching a cornered animal. He put his arms around her and rested his hands on her back. Was she always this tense? She backed away from him after a moment and searched his eyes again.

“Oh.” she said. “That’s what you’re after?”

“Nah.” 

“Then what is it?” 

Poseidon glanced over her briefly. It had been a while since he’d really looked. Wow. She was tall, with bluish-black hair that reached past her waist. The patterns on her neck, face, and arms were all illuminated with a soft blue light. Her green eyes flashed at him, still glistening with tears. A thin scar ran perpendicular to her mouth. Where was that from again? I’ll have to ask her later. He lifted his eyes to meet hers and took a deep breath.

“I wanted to tell you that … I love you and think you’re beautiful. I couldn’t, well, do what I do without you.” 

Amphitrite’s eyes widened, fresh tears trickling down her face. Poseidon cupped her face in his hands, tracing her cheek with his thumb. “And I was a fool not to tell you that earlier.” 

She squeezed his hand,  a faint smile playing across her face. She moved her hands behind his head and pulled him in for a short kiss. Oh that’s good. After a moment she pulled away, ruffling his hair.

“I like this side of you.” 

“I’m glad.”

 “I think you should spend more time with this promise person.” 

“Yeah.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry too - I . . . I didn’t mean what I said earlier.” 

Poseidon dropped onto the couch wearily. “I get it, you sound like you’ve been under a lot of stress.”

Amphitrite nodded, rubbing at a spot on her shoulder. 

“Do you want me to, uh, rub your shoulders while I tell you about the trip?” 

Amphitrite was kneeling with her back to the couch in a moment. “Is that even a question?”