Poseidon sat upon his Atlantis Throne.
At his side was his wife, Amphitrite.
As well as their son, Triton.
Within his throne room, his officials and people of importance were all gathered, along with some of his other children that had earned positions in Atlantis.
It wasn't just the commotion caused by his youngest son. That was definitely a facet that got people worked up.
But overall, he didn't cause much damage.
Poseidon had just waved his hands to clear up all the blood that seeped into the city. Some poor fish died, but that wasn't even worth a consideration.
And sure, there are giant tentacles and a giant eyeball slapped across the barrier around Atlantis…..
Actually, Poseidon sighed again after thinking about it.
Even so, that wasn't the reason everyone was gathered.
Everyone in Atlantis worth their salt was now aware of who Ocean Song was. Of the youngest son of Poseidon who fought the God of War and lived to tell the tale. The rumors of him completing a quest, stopping Olympus from initiating a civil war, and even earning the grace of the queen of gods.
Poseidon had heard some of the rumors, and ironically, they were a bit less absurd than the truth, which is usually the opposite of what happens.
Ocean Song was the talk of the town, as it were.
And it wasn't even just in Atlantis, where Poseidon's influence was most prevalent.
The sea nymphs talked across the waves.
The mermaids met with surface friends.
The Lesser Gods went up top and traded gossip.
There was one name on everyone's lips right now.
Poseidon was proud.
How could he not be? Sure, there were the remains of a giant sea creature smacked up above his city and palace, but just as well, it was a monster slain by his son. The same son who fought his fellow god and lived.
He was a father, a proud father.
He didn't expect his son to suddenly show up, but he was still going to make it a grand occasion. It wasn't often that one of his children could make such a showing to the entire world, after all.
And one of his Monster children at that.
The great doors opened, and even trumpets played at his arrival.
Ocean Song marveled as he stepped inside.
The coral-lined walls are inlaid with glowing luminescent pearls and jewels.
Various aquatic creatures present. Some large crabs that looked at him and nodded in approval. Mer people who held high positions, and a few noticeable monsters amongst the numbers.
He gracefully walked past the pillars of beautiful coral and reef, his robes billowing heroically.
"Greetings, Royal Father!" Ocean Song greeted Poseidon first. "Greetings, Royal Stepmother. Greetings, Royal Senior Brother!" He clasped his hands and bowed to each one of them in descending order as was proper.
Poseidon smiled brightly.
There was nothing about his introduction that he needed to scold his son for. Likewise, he knew that both his wife and his son were also happy with how he greeted them.
Calling Poseidon 'King' in this context and referencing that was not inappropriate in the least when residing in Atlantis as one of his subjects.
He was a god, of course, but he was also the king of Atlantis, which held a special significance.
"Father, I hope my offering was enough!" Ocean Song smiled just as brightly. "If not, there are more tentacles—"
Poseidon's eye twitched. "No." He interrupted his son. "It's enough."
"I believe the populace will be enjoying calamari for the foreseeable future." The queen snorted.
"Hey there, Little Bro. Heard you did some good stuff up on the surface; good job." Triton gave him a seal of approval for everyone to see.
That is, all of Poseidon's court weren't oblivious to how the entirety of the Royal Family welcomed him openly.
It made quite a few in the crowd displeased. There were more than a few of Poseidon's other bastards, similarly, other Cyclops who haven't earned that kind of acknowledgement after working for him for centuries.
Poseidon cleared his throat. "You surprised us with your sudden visit. Normally, it's polite to announce your arrival ahead of time."
It wasn't quite a public scolding, but just a hint of one that would alleviate some dissatisfaction among his people.
"Oh, don't be such a stickler, husband." The queen came to his defense. "Besides, you were going to invite him soon anyways. Now, my little stepson, I hope you brought your stepmother a gift." Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Ocean Song perked up. "Yes, Royal Stepmother, I come bearing gifts!"
"Oh?" The queen was surprised; truthfully, she just wanted to tease him a little.
She found him a bit fun at the moment.
Ocean Song produced a decorated box. "Please accept this meager offering, Royal Stepmother. My young brother Tyson, still a child, handcrafted this for you."
She held out her hands, and the box floated to her; she opened it up to reveal a pair of vambraces.
They were smaller than true armor, and they were created in a way that looked more ornamental than practical. Yet, they were far from a brutish gift; elegantly carved upon them were various flowers inlaid within the metals.
Overall, while not quite up to the standard that the Queen of Olympus would wear when visiting Olympus or a party of such stature, they were nothing to scoff at either.
They held their own unique charm.
"Tyson sends his humblest regards. He is young and inexperienced, and he humbly asks for your forgiveness for such a simple work. While it is unable to match your splendor, Royal Stepmother, he hopes you will accept it, as it's the best he can do for now."
Amphitrite ignored most of the nonsense he spouted, picking up on the intent.
She also knows who Tyson was.
"They are lovely; I accept them happily. Please give your brother my regards when you see him next."
She was honest in her praise.
She would wear them casually.
"In a pinch, Royal Stepmother, they are capable of blocking powerful strikes too." Ocean Song made sure to add.
The queen laughed and thanked him for the gift.
"Do I get a gift, little bro?" Triton chuckled seeing his younger brother endear himself to his mother.
He was more than happy that his younger brother took the effort to please his mother. As a man, if you're in the good graces of their mom, you've earned a special point of respect from them.
"Yes, Royal Brother. Unfortunately, I was unable to think of a special and heartfelt gift; I beg your forgiveness. However, I did manage to bring a large assortment of surface alcohols for you to taste."
Triton actually perked up.
He didn't expect much, but he also doesn't visit the surface often. "We'll drink together later, little bro."
Poseidon sat there as he looked at his son, as if waiting for his turn.
He didn't want to say anything; it would make him look unnecessarily greedy or silly.
"....."
"....."
The queen glanced at him and cleared her throat. "And what did you get your father, little one?"
Ocean Song blinked. "For my father?"
Poseidon's back straightened.
He wasn't expecting anything extravagant; his son was still young, and he wasn't wealthy by any stretch of the imagination.
It was more his pride that demanded he also get a gift from his son. That, and his desire as a father to receive a gift from his son too.
"... Were the tentacles up above not enough? I can go get more if you want." He offered.
Poseidon resisted the urge to facepalm.
The queen had to cover her mouth to hide her near laugh.
Poseidon quickly waved his hand. "Let's hold a feast tonight to welcome my son properly to his birthright. For now, let us adjourn so I can catch up with my son."
The crowd within the throne room slowly started to depart on Poseidon's order.
"Come along." The God of the Seas gestured to Ocean Song. "I'm sure there's a lot we need to talk about."
Poseidon led him further into the palace, into a secluded area so they could have a private talk, father to son.
Technically, stepmother to stepson too, because Amphitrite followed along as well.
It was rare for Poseidon to get to have this kind of connection with his mortal children. There was a difference between those who joined Atlantis and those who did not.
Until Ocean Song became 'under' him in that regard, he was still technically supposed to keep his distance.
However, there were always loopholes to that sort of thing.
Ocean Song coming to Atlantis meant that Poseidon could act in the capacity of a king.
Just like if one of Zeus's children had the courage to walk up Mount Olympus and visit the King of Gods that way, Zeus would humor them too.
Though that had the danger of Hera, so no one had that kind of suicidal idea.
Hades was a bit more difficult because the living weren't supposed to come and go from the underworld.
Poseidon was the one with the most 'freedom' between the three there. His children could technically come 'visit' him in Atlantis.
There was, of course, the possibility it would become an issue if abused, but most were smart enough to not overdo it.
"You've certainly grown into being a handsome young man, haven't you?" The queen rubbed his cheek. "Maybe we should find you a nice wife. What do you think, Husband?"
Poseidon raised an eyebrow. "Well, there are a few princesses I can think of off the top of my head. Maybe some lesser goddesses too."
Ocean Song's eyes widened in horror. "Royal Step Mother, I thank you for your kind intentions, but this lowly Cyclops already has his heart filled by someone else. And I think they like me too."
"Hmm. And does this person happen to be a certain Goddess of Magic?" Her eyes twinkled in amusement.
Poseidon already shared with her Ocean Song's crush.
"I've already warned you, son." Poseidon said sternly. "And if you don't know if they return your affections, then perhaps it's an ill-fated relationship from the start." He wouldn't outright tell his son to abandon the possibility, but he also cared about his son too and didn't want to see him heartbroken by a cold, heartless witch.
"Come, tell your stepmother your worries. As a woman, I think I can decipher some clues for you. What makes you think she likes you as well?" The queen was taking far more fun in this than she initially expected.
"She kissed me." Ocean Song said bluntly. "Does that mean she likes me, Step Mother?"
"....."
Poseidon, in the safety of their solitude, face-palmed.
He realized he was getting worried over his son for nothing.
He used his trident to bop Ocean Song on the head.
Amphitrite didn't say anything, because she felt like he deserved that too.
"Well, maybe a concubine or mistress." The queen offered, mostly to get Ocean Song flustered some more.
"No! My heart will only have one and room for no more!" Ocean Song vehemently rejected it.
The queen was surprised by how quickly and firmly he rejected the idea of multiple women. "Oh? Do you hear that, Husband? He says that he'll only have one love for his entire life."
Poseidon had the vaguest impression that she was taking a jab at him.
"Son, immortal life is long. Some time in the future, you may…have your eyes wander." Poseidon was likewise saying that in his own defense, not really giving advice to his son here.
He saw his wife raise an eyebrow, and he shrank back ever so slightly.
"Uncle Hades said the same thing." Ocean Song noted.
"Oh?" Amphitrite perked up. "And what did you say to your Uncle Hades?"
Poseidon suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
"Uh…." Ocean Song clammed up. "Perhaps I shouldn't repeat it…"
"No, no. I insist." She put a hand on his shoulder. "Please, say it."
Ocean Song swallowed. "I said that it's impossible to look at other women if you have a fat ass sitting on your face."
The two gods went silent as they stared at the young Cyclops.
It was far from what either of them expected. Enough so that it genuinely started them into silence without a thought to respond for several moments.
Poseidon put a gentle hand on his son's shoulder. "You are truly my son."
The queen felt her face twitch slightly.
She couldn't get mad at him because she did all but force him to spit it out despite his hesitation. But even so, she felt the need to take it out on her husband later.
Ocean Song cleared his throat. "Father, there is a reason I appeared so suddenly."
"Is it because you were afraid I wouldn't let you come if you asked ahead of time?" Poseidon asked.
Ocean Song's eyes widened. "How did you know!?"
Poseidon let out a long sigh and bopped his son on the head again. "What's the reason for you wanting to show up unannounced, my son?"
The young Cyclops' face turned serious. "Father, there's a knot in my heart that won't come undone. I have thoughts of my mother, and I wish to know who she is."
Poseidon's expression changed slightly. He didn't expect his son to come for a reason like this.
"You want to know who your mother is." He summarized.
"Yes, Father."
The queen was silent, letting the father and son have this moment despite her own distaste about talking about one of her husband's dalliances.
"You may not like the answers I have for you."
"Don't worry, Father. Even though there are knots, my heart is firm; I can take any bad news you give me." He said heroically.
He put a hand on Ocean Song's shoulder again. "You misunderstand. I mean that I don't remember who your mother is."
"Pardon?" Ocean Song blinked.
"You're my son in more ways than you realize. I saw a sea nymph and son; she had the most amazing butt imaginable." Poseidon reminisced.
"....." Ocean Song was stunned into silence.
"The biggest I've ever seen, Son. It wasn't romance, not like Percy's mom. I saw her, and things happened beyond my control."
Ocean Song's face became blank.
"...you don't remember her face?"
"Son." He looked at Ocean Song seriously. "Understand when I say you take after me. It wasn't just other women I couldn't see. For a period of time, the entire world ceased to exist as it was completely blotted out."
Ocean Song realized.
Through the horrific imaginary his father painted that will haunt his dreams.
He was well and truly his father's son.
For a moment, both Father and Son stood there, their robes billowing together in silence.
Amphitrite had already gotten up and left. She was going to find one of the maids to tell them to prepare the couch for her husband tonight.
[Line Break]
A/N
Poseidon: Sorry, son, your mom was a booty call, in more ways than one. I don't even remember what her face looks like.
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