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When Percy disappeared into the water, Apollo couldn't tell if he was about to scream, cry, or kill someone.
And honestly, he may have just done all three, had Artemis not come to him, trying her best to soothe and distract him from his pain.
But no matter what she said or did, it was undeniable.
Perseus left him.
He left, while that creature was still hunting him down. It wasn't safe, why would he leave? And in such a panic, as well?
Poseidon certain couldn't protect him, not as well ad Apollo could. He just wanted to lock his precious sea shell away within the castle walls.
"Apollo-" Artemis tried to get his attention, staring at him worriedly.
"I need to speak with our father." Is all Apollo said to her, leaving his sister alone on Delos in a flash of light.
He desperately tried to ignore how the flowers that bloomed on his shoulder throbbed.
—
Percy marched all the way to Atlantis's doors, glaring at any guard that tried to stop him.
He couldn't afford to wait another second for this.
(When all this was over, he'd have plenty of time to feel bad about his treatment of the Atlanteans)
However, Atlantis seemed slightly... different. He couldn't quite place what it was, though. When he gave himself a moment to look at the walls, they seemed to shimmer and shift in place.
Percy found himself having to force his eyes away from them, more focused on the task at hand.
"Perseus? What are you- Perseus!" Triton called out, grabbing his arm to stop him.
Percy scowled. " Let go of me. I am going to end this, whether you will help me or not."
Triton stared at him, hesitant. Before taking a deep breath and nodding. "I will not fight against Father, I refuse to. However, you have a right to know what happened all those years ago, especially with how deeply it has affected you. Follow me, I will lead the way."
Percy didn't say anything else to Triton as his half-brother lead them to the throne room. He kept a close eye on him, just in case.
"How is Apollo?" Triton asked at some point, voice feigning disinterest. Percy could tell he was trying to gather information, though. "Last I heard, he had flowers blooming from his shoulder."
Percy didn't say anything for a moment. "He's... fine. Or at least, he's pretty good at pretending he is. I can tell that they bother him, no matter how much he tries to hide all of the itching." Percy paused. "How do you know about that?"
"The fish gossip a little too much for their own good, you hear a thing or too, should you open your ears."
Percy hummed in response.
Eventually, the two siblings reached the tall doors to the throne room. Percy clenched his jaw in anticipation, anger thrumming through his veins.
"Triton," Poseidon acknowledged as they entered. His eyes widened as they landed on him. "And... Perseus? What is this?"
Triton opened his mouth to respond, but Percy beat him to it. "Tell me about Amara."
Silence rang through the large room. The air was tense, and Poseidon stared down at Percy with a neutral expression. "No."
Percy felt his eye twitch. "Wha- what do you mean no?"
"It means just as it sounds." Poseidon stood from his throne, walking towards Percy. "I have tried everything to protect you. Amara is not something for you to be concerning yourself with. I will deal with her myself, without your... input."
"No," Percy shook his head. "No. We are not doing this. I- I have been kidnapped, poisoned, stabbed, and thrown around like a fucking rag doll. You will tell me why all of this is happening."
Poseidons expression softened. "Oh, my son. You have always been a little too much like me for your own good. But your games will not work on me."
"Father," Triton cleared his throat. "I... do you not think it would be more wise to tell him? He could be a great help in finally ending all this."
Poseidon seemed to genuinely be pondering over this. His expression started showing that he didn't agree with this though. So, as Percy does, he impulsively blurted out, "If you don't tell me I'll– fuck. I'll run off to Delos."
Percy's confidence faltered as he saw a dark look plague his father's face. Shit. Well, a little too late to back out now. "You saw how hard he worked to get me back last time. How far are you willing to bet he will go for me?"
"Apollo... can easily be dealt with." Poseidon held his head high, but the uncertainty in his voice was clear as day.
Percy held back the urge to smirk. "And risk a war with Zeus? He'll stand by if he thinks you are being just, but an attack over something like this? Against his favourite? You may want to rethink your strategy."
Percy held his gaze against Poseidon's intense stare. After a long moment, his father looked down, sighing tiredly. Percy only now allowed himself to smile in victory.
Checkmate.
"Amara..." Poseidon started, looking remorseful. "Amara was– is –my daughter. She was born during the ancient times, in what I now believe is Heraklion."
"Right, but how did she go from demigod to whatever she is right now?" Percy asked, crossing his arms. A sharp look from Triton quickly reminded him to be more patient, though.
Poseidon tapped his finger on his trident. "You remind me of her. You share the same wild anger that she did. Admittedly, I was... a little cautious of you for a time being. I was worried you would end up sharing her fate."
Percy took a moment to process this. "I- what changed, then?"
Poseidons lip quirked up in a small smile. "I soon realized you had people around you to keep you grounded. You were, and still are, angry. But those around you reminded you to not get too lost in your own head." The smile disappeared. "Amara... she never had that. Not like you do, at least. And with everything else going on at the time, she quickly became bitter."
"So... you're saying that the only reason I'm not a foggy, blue monster thingy is because I have friends?" Percy summarized incredulously.
Triton tch'ed next to him. "Amara allowed her rage to consume her until nothing was left but a broken shell of who she once was. We are saying you are better than that."
"But she was also young when it happened, right?" Percy asked, looking between the two gods. "So what else was going on that was bad enough to push her over the edge like that?"
"I-"
Poseidon froze in place, cutting himself off. He stumbled a bit, raising a hand to his temple as he gritted his teeth in pain.
"Father?" Triton asked, alarmed. "What is the matter?"
Poseidon looked up at Percy, looking more than a little displeased. "Seems like Apollo has decided to take matters into his own hands."
Percy grimaced. "Oh. Uh. Sorta forgot to mention it, but I kind of left Delos in a rush. Didn't really explain... anything. So he might be feeling more than a little hurt."
"Yes, that would explain the flaming fireball that just crashed into my waters." Poseidon scowled, straightening himself. "I'd prefer we deal with this swiftly."
The water around them swirled, and just like that, they were taken above the surface onto the beach.