The Storm - Harry
Out of him and Percy, Harry was probably the more talkative one. Granted it was mostly because Harry was trying excuse where he was all the time, but he also tried sometimes with Amphitrite, Triton or even Poseidon, but most replies were blunt and short, and Harry’s attempts at conversation would die in his throat.
But with Tyson, Harry was almost a completely different person. Poseidon had observed the two deeply engaged in the most innocent conversations, it slightly warmed Poseidon to see his son happy to talk with anyone else but Percy, even if it was just the cyclopes who’d helped astronomically during the Battle of Manhattan, and even the attack here on Atlantis.
Tyson seemed to love the conversations and would become visibly upset if he asked Percy or Poseidon about where Harry was just to be told he was out somewhere. That was when the idea hit the sea god.
“Tyson,” Poseidon asked him softly one day. “How would you feel doing a special task for me? Not as the general, just for me.”
Tyson’s calf eye lit up, “A favour for daddy?” he repeated excitedly.
“You can’t tell anyone,” Poseidon added, letting his tone turn stern enough for Tyson to understand the severity. “The next time Harry slips away; can you follow him?”
“Follow… Brother?” Tyson asked slowly. “Why?”
“I’m just curious to know where Harry goes.” Poseidon half-lied.
The cyclopes nodded slowly. “Okay, I’ll do it!”
“Wonderful.” Poseidon replied, “I’m glad I can trust you.”
Tyson frowned. “How will I know when Brother leaves?”
“See if you can convince Harry to bring you along next time, but do not mention me.” Poseidon instructed.
༄༄༄
When Harry returned the following evening, Poseidon saw Tyson drag him off for a private conversation, Percy seemed curious at why Tyson had hurriedly pulled Harry away and voiced it to Poseidon.
“What do you think Tyson wants from Harry?”
“Maybe he made something interesting he wants to show Harry.” Poseidon said airily.
Percy’s brow furrowed. “Do you know something about this?”
“Why would you think that?” Poseidon asked.
“You don’t normally answer questions like that.” Percy said. “I’ve never heard you use that tone before.”
Holy shit… Poseidon thought. How much have I missed about these kids?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Poseidon replied quickly.
“Yeah, that might work on a kid, not me. What’s going on Poseidon?” Percy demanded.
Why did it hurt him to hear Percy call him by his normal name? Normally such a thing never would’ve happened. Granted, he’d never had a demigod child turned immortal before, maybe the reason why was that, not even Triton called him Poseidon. He spoke to Poseidon more like he was an employer, not his father, he’d gotten so used to Triton referring to him as “your Majesty” it was practically the same as a kid calling their parents “mom” or “dad”. It was an alien concept to him, being called Dad.
“Poseidon,” Percy said loudly, “Answer the question.”
“We’re not talking about this,” Poseidon interrupted.
“Yes, we are.” Percy insisted. “I want to make sure you’re not making my brothers do something stupid or dangerous.”
“Do you really think I’d put my own children in danger?” Poseidon demanded.
“You never had any problems doing it to Harry and I!” Percy replied.
“I didn’t always assign every quest you had!”
“You still could’ve done something to help us!”
Poseidon sighed frustratedly. “You really think I didn’t try?”
“You sure didn’t make it look like you were trying.”
Poseidon vanished in a swirl of bubbles, to annoyed to deal with arguing with Percy.
༄༄༄
Percy searched for Harry and Tyson a short time after Poseidon vanished, he’d checked the forges, war room, even Harry’s own room, nothing. He’d caved and asked Triton, who just raised an eyebrow.
“Do you think I care where you two bastards go?”
Yeah, thanks asshole…
Percy didn’t keep talking with Triton for long.
“Ugh, where could a cyclopes and a god go?” Percy mumbled. “Maybe Harry snuck out again?”
It seemed like the best option than searching every tiny part of Poseidon’s enormous undersea palace.
༄༄༄
The ruins of Old Atlantis were about the same as when Percy had last been there with Jason dealing with Kymopoleia’s storms. His estranged half-sister was likable enough, she was definitely an improvement to Sciron, Polyphemus or even Triton. Sure, Kymopoleia had a slight temper, but that seemed to be a common trait with Poseidon’s kids, and it wasn’t as bad as Ares or Poseidon himself.
From what Harry had been telling Percy from his time sneaking out of the palace and here to Old Atlantis, Kymopoleia (or Kym, as Harry affectionately called her) could actually be a very enjoyable person to speak to if you got the right topics, Harry had even decided to make a list for Percy’s sake, most of it included her familial and love life.
After a long conversation with Jason, Harry had elected to spend most of his time with Kym if he could find the time and privacy to slip away. Either Poseidon, Amphitrite and Triton knew and didn’t care or the reason Tyson and Harry were together was because Poseidon had told Tyson to figure out what Harry was sneaking away for. Percy loved the cyclopes but he was quite susceptible to trying to please people, including Poseidon. Both Percy and Harry tried to lecture Tyson on more than one occasion that helping all of their family was a dangerous thing, especially for the more manipulative, but Tyson – being the sweetheart he is – wouldn’t understand.
When Percy found Tyson and Harry, not only was he going to lecture Tyson, but also give Poseidon an earful of his own when they returned. Percy just hoped he’d find Harry first, and not Kym.
Which, naturally, didn’t happen.
Percy had caught movement out of the corner of his eye, and being paranoid from so many years of monster attacks, Percy had drawn Riptide, letting his weapon illuminate the dark ocean, with the dull light, Percy could see dust and debris swirling around in an eternal dance. A pale white glow greeted Percy’s bronze one.
“Perseus,” Kym said, her melodic voice slow and untrusting. “The last time we spoke, Polybotes tried to suffocate you in poison.”
“Yeah, thanks for the reminder, sis.” Percy replied. “Look, I’m not here for trouble.”
Kym floated out from behind a worn pillar, she looked roughly the same as the last time they’d seen each other, only she’d shrunk herself. Her jellyfish-like hair still flowed madly around her head, her eyes were still a pale, milky white and features eerily perfect in a way only a goddess could make them.
“You say you’re not here for trouble,” Kym observes, “but you draw your sword the second you hear movement.”
“Surprise, I’m paranoid. Happens when you’re a demigod for the past thirty-something years of your life.” Percy replied blandly. “You can’t blame me, you weren’t exactly giving me a ‘don’t worry, it’s just your estranged half-sister,’ message yourself.”
Kym sniffed distastefully. “Your lucky I prefer Harry, he urged me to approach in a more… pacifying… manner.”
“So, you’ve seen Harry?” Percy asked.
“Of course I have,” Kym retorted. “He visits every day! He’s the only company I get here and since Briares is such a bore, I rarely stay with him.”
Her husband, Percy reminds himself. One of the many things Harry told me not to bring up in conversation.
“Kym – am I alright calling you that? – I’m looking for Harry right now because I think a certain some god wants to find out where he’s going.” Percy said, carefully to avoid saying Poseidon’s name.
Kym glared at him. “You may call me Kym… it’s easier to say than Kymopoleia. And I noticed you avoided our… father’s… name, why’s that? You were so proud to be a son of Poseidon last time we met.”
“Yeah, I really wasn’t, Polybotes was the one who was all: ‘Son of Poseidon, this.’ and ‘son of Poseidon, that.’, and I’m being careful with my words because I don’t want to upset you.” Percy said.
Kym’s features soften only slightly. “You, Harry and that Jason Grace are the only ones who have been careful enough with your words.” She muttered. “You, Harry and Jason are the only people in this century I’ve grown to… like.”
“Glad we can agree on that… sis.” Percy said.
Kym nodded. “I suppose I can show you where Harry is right now.” She mused.
“You can?” Percy asked, lighting up.
“Alright, follow me, I don’t need you singing me a song.” Kym replied.