Chapter Text
December 31st. 2020
(Author note- the year is only so we know how much time has passed. the year is not actually 2020.(no, I don’t know what year it is in this Au. I just know it’s not 2020))
The first time Percy brought Zoe to the sea was day he will never forget.
It was New Year’s Eve, and Percy and Annabeth’s were staying at Montauk with his family to celebrate.
Zoe was 2 and a half months old, and she was curious about everything. She wanted to touch everthing, see everything. It was interesting to watch as she started to figure things out.
When they had first arrived at the rental cabin, Zoe’s head at turned in the direction of the ocean, her big eyes alit with interest.
They couldn’t even see the ocean yet, and yet that’s the first place she looked. It’s like she could sence it.
She probably could, Percy realized. He could feel the oceans presence from anywhere in the world, but it was always stronger the closer he was to it. And Zoe was his daughter, there was a chance she inherited some of his powers.
It was late at night, almost 10:00 PM, and they were staying up until midnight for new years. And Zoe was supposed to be asleep, but her eyes stubbornly stayed open as Percy rocked her gently.
She was still looking in the direction of the ocean…
Percy’s eyes drifted in that direction as well.
"You want to take her to the water?" Annabeth asked him, a knowing look on her face.
"It’s cold as shit." He told her.
She shrugged "That shouldn’t bother you once you’re in the water." Annabeth let Zoe hold her finger when she reached out. "And I don’t think it will bother her ether, if she is anything like you."
"And what if she’s not like me?" He said, worried about the water being cold. Percy could handle it because of his powers, but Zoe?
Zoe was a baby, and they didn’t know if she even had powers. Some legacy’s inherited powers, some legacy’s didn’t. (But Zoe was technically a demigod herself. Having two demigods as parents.)
"Only one way to find out." Annabeth said, a smile on her face. "Go. You’ve been wanting to all day."
Percy smiled at her "You not coming with me?"
Annabeth looked at her daughter and fiancé, their matching sea green eyes, and shook her head. "I think this a moment you two should have alone."
Percy nodded. He wrapped a warm blanket tightly around Zoe, put his shoes on, and started making his way to the sea.
Zoe’s eyes snapped to the water of the ocean, her pupils dilating. She reached toward the water with a whine.
Percy chuckled and made his way to the water. He stepped into the waves, and Zoe seemed to still, looking at the blue water with interest.
The ocean waves quieted as soon as the father and daughter duo entered the waters. And Percy wasn’t the one that calmed them.
Percy and Zoe had been noticed, and were being watched. Protected.
He walked deeper and deeper into the water, until he was a little more than waist deep.
It was a pretty night. The stars were beautiful, and the moon was reflecting light on the ocean that made it glitter like diamonds. Percy found his eyes drifting to the huntress consolation, which was shining extra bright tonight… then his eye fell back to his daughter.
Zoe had managed to wiggle an arm out from her blanket and she was reaching for the salty water, waving her hand and trying to touch it.
Percy laughed softly, about to let Zoe’s fingers touch the water for the first time but-
Something stoped him.
The water, right below Zoe’s hand… it’s was rippling with micro waves. Like a fish was swimming close to the surface.
Expect there were no fish nearby, they were leaving them alone. And there was nothing else that could cause the little waves, expect-
Oh…
The little waves were moving in time to Zoe’s hand.
Zoe making the waves without touching the water.
She had powers. And they were already presenting themselves.
"She’s going to be powerful…"
Percy head snapped up at the voice, ready to fight. But it was only his father.
"Not even you could use your powers at that age." Poseidon told him, standing in front of him, eyes on Zoe, who was still making little waves.
"You didn’t start using your powers till you were 5… she’s not even half a year old." There was something akin to awe in the sea gods voice.
Percy felt a bit of pride well up at his daughter’s accomplishment. But still… "it’s just little ripples." He said, moving to let Zoe touch the water with her hand.
He was halfway expecting her to pull back because the water was cold, but her eyes only grew brighter. And Percy wasn’t sure if it was a trick or the light or not, but her eyes almost seemed to be glowing.
Poseidon hummed. "Most tidal waves tend to start as 'just little ripples'. Look at you."
Percy made a face at that. Noticing that Poseidon had brought them deeper into the water, (more in his protection) Percy had to use his powers to keep him and Zoe afloat now.
At some point, Percy gave up at keeping them afloat, and let them sink under the surface.
He wasn’t surprised when Zoe breathed in the water as easily as she did air.
He sighed "She’s of the sea."
His father nodded. "Through and through."
"Powerful…" he laughed bitterly "I just want her to live a peaceful life. Power, I’ve found, makes that hard."
"We’ll protect her." Poseidon told him firmly.
"Damn right I will." He took a breath.
He looked back down at his daughter. She was looking around the sea floor with curiosity, running her little fingers through the water. Percy made sure she stayed dry, because it was still very cold.
Percy found it so interesting, watching Zoe explore the world.
To be able to guide her, and watch her grow… It was a privilege.
"I should go back." Percy said to his father, after a while of just drifting.
Poseidon nodded. "Happy new year, Percy." Then he reached a hand out, and brushed Zoe’s hair back gently. "Call if you need anything."