Chapter Text
Prelude: Theo, god of the moon
The world wasn’t the same after war. Humans took a big hit on its population: more of half of it either drowned by the tsunamis, hit by lightings, eaten by monsters or caught in fires. Humanity changed their ways about their own preservation also the gently pushed of my environmental parents and Lord of the Wild’s kids. How I wished Grover would have lived to see it.
After the Olympian Civil war, I was clueless. The first thing I did, was visiting Atlantis. It was so awkward to see merman bowing to me as I was the savior of the Olympus. It was just a little less awkward as my parents and Claire went with me, also because my dad promised Oceanus to take all of us to visit him. Meeting Oceanus was something else. He is an amazing chest player, not even mom could win against him. His wife is really funny and I learned a lot from her. I visited them as often as possible.
Before going to visit Oceanus, Amphitrite summoned me to her presence, just the two of us. I was really nervous. We had never been alone before. The moment I walked into the room, she reached to hug me. She filled me with motherly kisses and I was to the point of bursting in awkwardness. I didn’t know how to react.
“I can’t repair what is lost, my sweet boy” said Amphitrite and touched my cheek. I knew she meant my eye.
“I understand, Lady Amphitrite” I said and she smiled at me kindly “It doesn’t bother me, really.”
“But I can give you a new one. One that truly belongs to the sea, to your heritage” said Amphitrite even more kindly “You saved my king.”
“Thanks” I said and I felt her hand on my face covering where there was once an eye. I felt nothing, then something. When she removed her hand, I opened my eyelid and I could see as I had a brand-new eye “Thank you.”
She looked happy looking at me as hugged me again before taking my hands. She said warmly “About Lana… I want to thank you for making her happy in her last days. My son also appreciates it.”
“She was the one who made me happy” I said and sighed… I missed my wife.
“Still I want to apologize for Triton’s behavior” said Amphitrite “He shouldn’t be so difficult to you.”
“I understand” I said “He is not fond of his in-laws.”
“Actually, you don’t…” said Amphitrite “You see. When Lana was born, our oracle made a prophecy about her… She was meant to die by a child of the sea.”
I gasped surprised and she saw the confusion in my eyes as I asked “Did she know?”
“Triton never told her…” said Amphitrite calmly “He tried to keep her hidden not because of his wife or me, but because of her fate. He wanted her to have a long life. He wanted to protect her from her destiny.”
“Triton must know by now that the Fates are moody and cannot be told otherwise” I said sadly.
“I never said he was thinking clear. He was using his heart, not his head” said Amphitrite and left me alone with my thoughts.
That Spring and Summer, I spent it mostly checking Camp and the renovations. My mom had the coolest plans for my now palace in Olympus but I told her to left it as it was. I liked the simple lines that the Artemis palace had, and yes, I let her upgrading some things like a new fountain, a new movie room with the latest videogames and Lana’s statue. It took me weeks to find it in a secluded basement of her old dorm.
In August, Taylor died. I was in Atlantis when I got the news. I would never forgive myself for what happened in the funeral. I was the worst friend in the world.
Claire and I arranged a great day in Coney Island with the campers and our family in the beginning of fall, and of course, I was late because Triton called me at the last minute. He seemed eager to see me and that was a first. I found him in the same shore he left Lana and me months before.
“Lord Triton” I said bowing to him. I was still intimidated by him.
“There is no need to bow, young god” said Triton trying to sound warm but he looked awkward. I felt the same way.
“It still feels weird” I said “I never thought it could be my fate.”
“I guess it’s different for you… you weren’t born into this fate” said Triton and I felt his hand on my shoulder.
“Different is a way to see it” I said honestly and I sighed.
“I want to thank you for what you did in New York. You saved the life of plenty of mermen” said Triton and I felt the pressure of his hand on my shoulder.
“I did what it was right” I said “Sorry for knocking you out and taking your powers.”
Triton just nodded and we stared at each other awkwardly.
“I know we haven’t talked about Lana… I’m sorry for your lost. I know you loved her. She knew it” I said.
“Apparently, no more that you” he said “Do you miss her?”
“I am still trying to process everything but yeah, I miss her. She would love to brag that she was dating a god” I said trying to sound hopeful.
“You will see her again. She will reborn for sure. She left so much unfinished” said Triton and we looked at each other again. He seemed honest, encouraging.
“Maybe but… will I recognize her?” I asked worried.
“You will” said Triton and I could tell he was saying it with such conviction that I believed him.
“Thanks for your kind words” I said.
“It’s a brand-new world and it’s time even for the Gods to change his ways” he said and patted my back.
“A brand-new world indeed” I said.
“Now, go” he said pushing me away “I heard about the celebration in NYC. Don’t tell your father what we talked” then he vanished.
Right after, the winter assembly, Triton summoned me again in Atlantis. I was worried that he was going to talk about the fool I made myself in front of grandpa. Claire laughed so loud that it only made me feel more embarrassed.
“Lord Triton” I said bowing as I entered the room.
Triton barely looked at me as he unstrapped the sword in his waist. He kneeled and said “I present to you your new sword. You get to name it.”
“Thank you” I said taking it. It was gorgeous. It looked like my dad’s Riptide but the engraving in the hilt had the lunar cycle surrounded by waves. “Just in time since I am leaving.”
“Where are you going?” asked Triton intrigued.
“I have to pick up some friends. Do you wish to come?” I said “I could use some help.”
“Where?” asked Triton even more intrigued.
“Tartarus” I said and he just smiled at me.
We were away for 2 years in a large and dangerous bonding trip to Tartarus. It was gruesome but we didn’t return empty-handed. My parents were the most surprised and happiest that we returned alive and with company. My dad talked to Iapetus and Damasen almost daily since then. Iapetus, aka Bob, decided to live in my palace in Olympus for several years. I didn’t mind at all. I was never there anyway… and Damasen chose a nice strawberry farm called Camp Half-Blood before getting his own place close of Iapetus.
When I returned from Tartarus, the first thing I did was to visit Em and Maya. Of course, Em hit me with wall of emeralds before hugging me. Maya was big almost 3 and she talked a lot. I visited them almost daily since Triton lost a bet against me and was taking care of my obligations for a year. At first, I was just spending time with Em. I helped her with Maya, the bakery and stuff. I wanted to make sure she was ok. I had failed to Taylor as I wasn’t around that much. I stayed in my old room. Sometimes, I woke up with Maya on top of me as I was a rug.
It happened one night after dinner, three years after Taylor's death. We were washing dishes together after dinner. I blew foam on Em’s hair. We laughed loudly. She hushed me because Maya was finally sleeping. Then we looked at each other, really looked. I looked at her like I never did before. My hand touched her hair to remove the foam. I remember her stare. It was intense, electrical and we kissed. We literally jumped at each other. We ended up making up on the floor. That night we conceived our son. I was so freaked out of what had happened that I didn’t returned for a month. When I returned, Em had news: we were pregnant.
As soon as possible, Em arranged a dinner party for our parents. Luckily, my parents were in town checking some renovations at Temple Hill.
“They are here” said Em as we were in the kitchen. The food and the table was ready. Maya was staying with Piper and we were alone.
“I will come back in 5 minutes. Don't tell them without me” I said and kissed her briefly before disappearing.
Once our parents were inside the house, I appeared outside like another guess with a bottle of fine wine. It was going to be a night of a lot of news. Dinner went well. Our parents talked about renovations, training, their kids, Calypso’s wedding plans, etc.
Em was the one who started the conversation saying “We have something to tell you.” There was awkward silence and I was nervous.
“I'm pregnant” said Em and I at the same time “we are expecting.”
Our parents stared at us and I had never seen that look on them: it wasn't anger neither happiness. It was disappointment. Dad's eyes were more obvious yet he was the first to stand up and hug Em. He showered her with congratulations and promises of more visits and plenty of gifts while mom stood up a whole minute later and showed the same love to Em.
For me, my dad only squeezed my shoulder and mom said drily 'congratulations' to me. Hazel just stared at me and she frightened me the most with those glaring golden eyes. Next, she stood up and gave Em a cold hug and she congratulated us just out of courtesy. Her mom avoided looking at her and quickly bid us goodbye as she had an early morning at the bakery. Em hid her tears the best she could as she was clearly hurt by her mom's reaction.
It took 6 months for Hazel talking to Em again and they worked together daily. Most evenings, Em locked in her bedroom to cry while I made dinner and took care of Maya.
When he was born, I was away. I had to be: important Olympian matters. Triton couldn’t take my place. I stood by Em's side since the day she told me she was expecting and failed on her the most important day. Still, she never took it on me. She understood my responsibilities. She understood duty above anything else but she was still heartbroken that I missed it.
I saw her the day after. She was glowing on bed and kissed me with so much joy. She irradiated happiness. She told me it was fast and almost painless childbirth. We named him Thadius Taylor or Thady for short.
He was the most beautiful child I had ever seen. He had the best of us: my stormy sea green eyes, Em's rich caramel skin, my fair nose, her messy wavy hair, and mostly he was loved.
After Thady was born, I tried to stay by his side as much as I could, at least once a week I was for dinner. I would play with Maya and Thady while Em made dinner.
For 15 years, I was happy, we were a happy family... Then things got sour. He didn't ask. He begged for a quest. He wanted to prove his worth. He wanted to prove he was praetor material like his mother, Uncle Sean and grandfathers. Most important, he wanted me to be proud of him. How I wish I had told him I was proud of him no matter what. I gave him an easy one, level one quest. Find Hermes' staff. Somehow the god kept 'losing' it. I never thought of the outcome.
3 days later, I heard the news. Orion tracked him. He had reformed and wanted revenge. 20 years before. I fought him with my sister Aida and I was now his new bane. My son wasn't only dead but that monster tortured him.
The day I returned with Thady’s body to New Rome, it was the last day Em talked to me. I place his body in the coliseum and waited for Em to come. She already knew the news as one of Thady’s quest friend had returned without him. I waited for one hour and Em wasn’t here. I went to the house and I found her sitting under Thady’s favorite tree, the one I planted when he was born.
I opened my mouth to say something at her but she glared at me. She said furiously “Don't you dare to 'Em' me. My son is dead and it's all your fault. I lost him. Get out! I don't want your sorry excuse of godly ass here.”
I knew she was grieving. I was too. I said quickly “He is my son too. You are not the only one…”
“I don't care!” she yelled and the yard ground swallowed me “I don't want to see you again… Go to the house, Maya Radcliffe, right now.”
Em passed her daughter who was staring at us not knowing what to do. She said softly “Sorry, Theo” and followed her mom.
After Thady, I lost interest in mortal affairs. I didn't visit camps nor my parents. I travelled and formed the Wild Hunt once again. There weren't only girls, anyone who wanted to join. The family grew, even nature spirits and satyrs joined. If there were romantical attachments, I always let them go if they wanted. Some did, other stayed and made the family bigger. We were a family of fighting nomads. I wasn't going to punish them for so natural like falling in love.
Years later, I was close to Mexico when I received a message by a cloud nymph. The message said "Theo, mom and grandma needs you. Love, Maya... and Thadius" it was written with Maya's stylish handwriting and a little kid with crayons. I guessed Thadius was Maya's son. She was no longer a teen.
Returning to New Rome was difficult since Em and I weren’t in speaking terms, but Maya called and that was all I needed to know.
I knocked the door of once my home and I couldn’t stop thinking in my son. He would be a man, maybe with kids like Maya. The door opened taking me out of my thoughts and I saw Maya. She was so grown up. I could see Taylor’s smile on her as she saw me standing there. She said lowly almost in a whisper “Theo, thank you for coming. Mom wanted to see you. Of course, she will deny it… she is still mad, you know? I know it wasn’t your fault. I love my brother but he was reckless.”
“How is she?” I asked stepping in.
“Somedays good. Somedays bad. This is a good day. I even saw her giving Thadius a large ruby” said Maya closing the door behind me “she is sitting under Thady’s tree.”
I walked outside and she looked at me as she was in the rocking chair. She had more grey hair than the last time we saw each other. She glared at me saying “What are you doing you here?”
“Maya called” I said appearing a chair to sit next to her.
I saw her sighed deeply with tight lips as she was clearly annoyed of her daughter’s doing. She said “She had no reason. I am fine. It's just cancer.”
I looked at her surprised. I honestly didn’t know. I said “I could make it go away, you know?”
Em looked at me and said so honestly “I know but don't want to”
“But... What if...” I said freaking out.
Em interrupted me as she took my hand. She said “It's going to be on my terms then, understood? I am sick on Gods sticking their noses where they shouldn't.”
I wanted to accept her terms but it was large surprise. I played a dirty hand as I said to her “What did your mom say?”
Em stared at me, then she whispered as she looked up to the tree “You definitely have not been around in while.”
“What do you mean?” I asked already understanding her words.
“My mom passed away 2 years ago” she said and I could tell she wanted to cry.
“Why didn't anyone tell me?” I asked half-angry half-sad.
Em looked at me saying “I asked them not to... Your dad insisted in summon you. He knew how much you loved my mom but I was still hurt and angry at you. I just didn't want you here. I couldn't deal with you on top of everything at the moment… I just couldn’t see you.”
I felt her words heavy like everything else. I said “I'm sorry for your lost. You mom was awesome. I don't remember a day growing when she wasn't baking or making anyone happy.”
Em smiled and wiped a tear saying “At least, she met Thadius, her great-grandson. She had the long life she wanted.”
“How did she...?” I asked whipping my tears.
“A fatal heart attack. She was at the bakery. I was there too. I just remember her falling to the ground so suddenly and she just wasn't breathing anymore” said Em and sniffed.
I was about to say something when I heard Maya yelling “Theo! Mom! Thadius! Lunch!”
Em looked at me and said “Tell Maya that I am not hungry... In the attic, there is a box for you, things that I thought you would want, some yours, some Thady’s.” I stood up and kissed her forehead. We looked at each other remembering that once we were best friends. She gave a forgiving smile and she looked away unable to look at me. I guess even after all those years she still saw Thady in me.
I walked upstairs. On my way to the attic, I found young Thadius coloring. He was maybe 5 years old. When he looked at me, he stood up trying to arrange his hair and politely said “Good day, Mr. God”
“What’s up, kiddo?” I said “Don’t call me mister. I am Theo.”
“Ok, Theo” said Thadius shyly “Grandma talks a lot lately about her youth lately... Was it that awesome?”
“It was when you remember but it was hard too. We lost people we loved... Your mom's dad” I said and the little boy looked at me confused.
He said “I thought you were her dad. I saw you in a lot of pictures with grandma, mom and uncle Thady.”
“No, Taylor Jason Radcliffe, he was my best friend in the whole world, after your grandma of course” I said “You couldn’t never ask for a better grandpa. He was amazing.”
Thadius looked at me and I saw how he figured things out. He said amazed “So you are grandma's second husband... That's why mom doesn't call you dad.”
“We never married but you could say that” I said.
I knew I made a mistake as I saw the surprise in his face. He said loudly “You can 'No marry' someone to have kids?! I have to tell my friends” and he ran downstairs.
“Wait...” I said trying to stop him but it was too late “Maya is going to kill me.”
Right on cue, I heard Maya screaming “Theodore!” Let’s just say that lunch was very awkward.
The day that Em died, I wasn't there with her. Maya told me it was quiet. Em didn't suffer at least. I lost my best friends and I was facing a long immortality alone.
Without notice, a decade went by and as Triton once said time has a different meaning for gods.
My parents died last year. They died days from each other in their peaceful quiet bed. They had the death they wanted as they had a long life. Claire and I were there with them holding their hands and thanking them for everything.
I was on a harbor in cold winter night after a mission with Triton. The Wild Hunt was camping in the beach but I wanted the night for myself. I was leaning over the handrail by the boardwalk. I liked to see the sea at night. How the waves moved in the darkness. I touched my necklace, to the wedding/engagement ring of the only girl I ever wed. I won’t deny there have been others but Lana was there always in the back of my thoughts. I loved Em but I was never in love with her. We stayed together because it was the right thing to do, because we had a kid together.
As I walking by the cracking wooden floor, I saw a group of girls, maybe early 20’s, laughing as they were leaning on the bar entrance wall. All of them were wearing colorful wigs in funny hairdos and glowing in the dark necklaces. One of them stood up as she had intense green hair. She looked at me briefly and her eyes gave a green sparkle under the neon lights. She was pretty. There was something about her that was calling me.
Before I could approach to her, she was dragged by her friends inside the bar. Suddenly, I was in the mood of a drink. I walked inside looking for her. I didn’t see her on the dance floor or the tables around it. Maybe, they went to a different bar without me noticing it.
Thereby, I sat on the bar and asked for beer. I had barely taken a sip of my drink when I felt a hand seizing me by the arm. I instantly turned to see the girl I was looking for. She said without really looking at me but to my left “There you are” Then she turned to face a large guy “This is my boyfriend. Baby, he is Aaron, a classmate.”
For the situation, I could tell she wanted me to play along. She didn’t look at me since she was staring at her classmate. I reached for his hand shaking it “Hi, I’m Theo. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you” mumbled Aaron “Well, I have to get back to my friends. Have a good one.”
Once the guy was out of sight, the girl sighed deeply. She said “Thank you. He has been almost harassing for a couple of weeks.” Then, she looked at me. We faced each other and I recognized her under her light brown skin, green hair and dark brown eyes. I knew her like my own existence: my home, my beacon and my anchor. I felt like the moment froze in time as I stared at her. I probably looked like an idiot.
“Do I know you?” asked the girl “Have we met before?”
“Not yet. Like I said before I’m Theo” I said shaking her hand “Nice to meet you.”
“Are you an actor or something like that?” she asked and I shook my head in denial. She smiled awkwardly and shrugged saying “Maybe around the city. Manhattan is big… Anyway, I’m Cassandra Villalobos.”
Her friends started to yell at her “Cassie, it’s our turn on the karaoke. Come!”
“Going” said Cassandra and turned at me “Come with me?”
“Sure” I said and she took my hand to pull me across the crowd. Before she could pull me, she looked at me and her eyes, her intense dark brown eyes, stared at me once again and I was completely lost in them. I felt like 15 years old all over again back to Camp Half-Blood, 16 years old in Taylor’s wedding, 20 years old in my parent’s house and in Atlantis. We both looked out of words just looking at each other, the scene around us and its noise and people didn’t matter, just us.
“I don’t know how but I feel like I know you, like I can trust you. That’s a first” she said finally. She looked flabbergasted, I was too.
“I…” I said but I couldn’t finish the sentence as her lips found mine right there in the middle of the bar surrounded of people. I could taste a hint of alcohol in her lips. It was an intense kiss like we were sealing our fates once again. I got the faint feeling of our wedding day. Her right hand touched my chest over my heart and found her ring on the necklace.
“Sorry if I was too sudden but I felt like I had to” she said looking at her hand touching the ring on my necklace. I smiled at her and she took a deep breath. It was probably too much to handle at once. She looked dizzy “I really need to lie down… Could you take me home? It’s been a long day.”
“Long indeed” I said nodding and I took her left hand with no intention of ever let her go again.