Work Text:
Triton was in his study writing up a report, documenting almost everything that had transpired from December 21st, 2023, to June 21st, 2024. The Di Angelos would have to be written in a private accord.
He decided to voice his thoughts out loud to see how they’d sound.
“On December 21st at approximately 12:03 PM EST Lord Uncle Zeus noticed his electric glow stick was no longer in the throne room. He claimed to have left it seated on his throne. Similarly, at 12:14 PM EST Lord Uncle Hades realized his tin foil hat was not underneath his guest throne.”
Triton narrowed his own eyes in displeasure at the words that had left his mouth. He was a civilized prince and born and bred for this job, not some hooligan. It was of great importance to use proper terminology in his report. This was to be delivered to his father, and to the people of his kingdom. He could not be permitted to make jokes.
Distantly, he thought of his younger demigod half-brother Perseus. Electric glow stick, tin foil hat, those are nicknames Perseus would come up with. He’d undoubtedly use those crude monikers in an official Atlantean report and get jeered at by father’s higher ups for his infantile behavior.
Triton would never make such an egregious error. That’s why father crowned him as the heir to the throne and not Perseus. And father’s decision could never be diminished. To simplify a colossal list, Triton was superior to Perseus in every way that was significant.
Just then his father opened the doors to Triton’s office and swam inside. Triton stopped work immediately. “Father, what can I do for you?”
“We need to talk about your brother.” Father said.
“Of course.” Triton said instantly. Because that is what one does when a king orders them to do something. Unlike Perseus who would probably be displeased at being interrupted while working.
Father sat down on one of the luxurious couches that Triton had in his office, specifically in case his father or mother needed to speak to him while he was working. Triton swam up from his desk and sat on the couch his father wasn’t sitting on. He wanted to sit next to his father, but he wouldn’t.
Father must have found the couch inadequate, it was quite old he should get it replaced, because he swam over to sit on the one Triton was on. Triton was in his personal space with how close he sat next to him, so he got up and moved to the other couch, as father frowned. He must have found both couches to be inferior in some way. He’d send for a servant to replace them once father left.
“What about Perseus needs to be addressed?” Triton asked. Even though there were a plethora of things he wanted to talk about. His father’s lies and what he entailed for Perseus among them.
Father was clearly troubled. “I’ve talked with Percy and explained everything, but I haven't been honest with you yet, and that isn’t fair.” Triton blinked. Father was acknowledging his inequitable behavior? “You’ve done all that I’ve asked you of these past few weeks without complaint, thank you. I know that couldn’t have been easy for you.” It wasn't what Triton wanted to say. He saw the way he looked at Perseus with soft loving eyes, full of pride as he tenderly dealt with Perseus wounds before.
“It’s my job.” Triton said, and that was the truth he lived to please his father.
“I know, but still, I wouldn’t blame you for having difficulty forgiving me. I’ve kept a great secret from you.” No, shit, Triton wanted to say. But that’s what Perseus would say in this situation and Triton couldn’t stopp so low. “And I’m sorry, but I want to do better instead of keeping things from the both of you.” Triton didn’t know how to respond and instead started questioning his father’s motives. Was he about to deliver undesirable news?
“And I know you’re upset that I broke my oath and had another child with someone other than your mother, but you can’t take it out on Percy.” Of course, always about Perseus, never about Triton. If Triton didn’t know any better, he’d think father would have made Perseus his heir above him.
Wait
He couldn’t do that could he?
Oh wait, he could. He is the king after all.
And he did give Perseus that crown.
Was this what the conversation was really about?
He had thought about this before, but he kept pushing it out of his mind, claiming the thoughts were irrational.
But now father was being so unusually apologetic.
He needed to find out what was really going on. “I understand. If,” he said fishing for info, “If I see him again, I will be cordial and offer my sincerest contrite for my past actions.”
“You’ll see him again. Or at least that’s what I want for you both, to spend time together and get along.” More like father wants Triton to teach him about being heir so Perseus can someday replace him.
He was going to test the waters here. See how far this ‘getting along’ would go. “Is this perhaps because you have crowned him?”
Father narrowed his eyes, in discontent or suspicion. “Him being crowned has nothing to do with you two being a loving family.”
“A loving family.” He tested the words on his tongue. “I’m not certain that is something Perseus will want.”
Father’s eyes narrowed even harder. “What do you mean by that?”
Triton tried to fish again. “It’s just Perseus has been vocally against me from the very beginning and against other gods. You appear to be an exception not a rule.”
Either Father fell for the bait and Triton caught him or he decided to open up fully. “Triton, Percy is going to be a god someday.” Triton felt like his father had just impaled him with his trident.
In truth, Triton did not detest Perseus. He tried to though, but in the end he couldn’t. Still, he didn’t want to be replaced with a better son. Perseus had won so much glory for their father with his actions on his latest quest. Retrieving the electric glow stick and tin foil hat were no small feats. Not to mention the war he stopped between The Big Three, and the news of Kronos rising that he delivered to Olympus. Triton hadn’t done something that became that notable before.
Triton looked for a line, something to cling onto. “Are you certain ascension in accordance with the will of the Fates?” Triton tried to sound comforting, as he prepared his father to mourn someone who wasn’t even dead yet. Hearing that tone come out of his mouth Triton started lamenting that his relationship with Perseus would eventually become nothing more than a footnote in history.
“As if I’d allow Percy to fall into harm.” Father said with barely disguised offense in his voice. “I’m very protective of my children.” Not to me. You’re letting another take my place, because you love Perseus more than me, Triton wanted to add, but he knew he had to hold his tongue in his father’s presence. He wasn’t allotted the same freedom Perseus had. He couldn’t disrespect father, he was a prince, and he had to be perfect, even in private.
Another idea popped into his head. A different angle. “And he wants this? He doesn’t wish to get married someday and reach eternal paradise in Elysium?” Perhaps he could convince Perseus that godhood was not worth it. That way Triton could still be with father forever, and Perseus would find happiness in eternal paradise.
He thought about an older Perseus finding a teenage girl with blue eyes, freckles, and curly blond hair much like his own. He could give her the father’s comfort Triton could no longer bestow upon her. And perhaps make amends on behalf of Triton and Libya, apologizing for being unable to protect her.
“Triton, I don’t think you understand.” Father said softly. “This is something Percy wants. In fact, he’s already begun ascending.” Triton stared, he was operating under the impression that ascension was something father wanted for Percy, not something that was already taking place. “As his father I could sense the beginning of ascension within him. I’ve even been making preparations so he could start ascending since he was an infant. He told me he wanted to be by my side forever.”
If Triton had a heart, it would have stopped beating. His stomach plummeted, and a strange buzzing sound filled his ears.
His worst fears were finally coming true.
This little demigod, a bastard brother, byproduct of an affair was going to become a god.
And he’d be replaced, shoved aside, forgotten.
He’d lose his position as his father’s herald.
He’d be nothing.
Destined to roam the waters for eternity, alone.
“Triton?”
He felt his breath hitch, a sob, trapped in his throat, threatening to escape.
“Triton?”
He wasn’t one to cry. He couldn’t cry. He hadn’t. Not since Pallas-
“Triton?”
Oh dear, his king was trying to gain his attention. He needed to be dignified and strong in the face of adversity. Like he was taught to since he was an infant. “Congratulations.” He said, feeling his heartbreak. “You two will be quite happy together. Now if you excuse me, I have some business, for you, of course that I must be finishing up.” Even though he clearly had business in here that he needed to attend to, hopefully father didn’t realize that.
Triton tried to turn to leave, but father caught his arm. “Triton what is going on?” Father asked him, eyes impossibly kind. Triton froze at the sight, unsure of how to respond to such warmth.
Still,Triton sucked in all his emotions. He’d bottle them up just like he always had. “Nothing, father. As I said, I have work that I need to get to.” Triton tried to get out of the room away from his father’s loving touch.
“No.” Father said firmly.
“No?” Triton asked fearfully.
“Triton, something is seriously bothering you.”
“That’s preposterous.” Triton said a little too defensively.
“Triton, I’m your father.” He said staring into Triton’s eyes, but Triton felt like father was staring into his soul. Then his features changed, his eyes were soft again. “Triton.” Father pressed his lips together in a frown, eyes looking shamed. “I know something is bothering you, please tell me what it is so I can help you.” He sounded so open, so willing to help, so much like a loving mortal father. And while he had never been cruel to Triton, he had never been so nurturing before, to an extent like this. Triton began to open his mouth to speak, but then he shut it when he heard what father had to say next. “This has something to do with your brother.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement, a fact.
Triton felt like he drank truth serum, as he answered. “Yes.” He felt like a small child. “I was afraid that...”
Father looked heartbroken when he said, “afraid that I don’t love you and that I’m going to replace you with Percy.”
A squeaking noise came from Triton’s throat.
“Oh Triton.” Father looked at him with so much pity, Triton wanted to vomit. “Come here, sit next to me on this couch.” Triton automatically followed his command. He thought he was going to be reprimanded, but father scooted so close to Triton that their tails touched. Father then wrapped his arms around Triton. Triton wasn’t used to being embraced so he remained limp instead of reciprocating affection. “I don’t love Percy more than you; I love you both equally. I always have and I always will.” Father’s words were hardly audible with how chocked up he was. “And he isn’t going to take your job. You're my heir and you always will be my Little Pearl.” Little Pearl it’s what Triton was called when he was little because he liked putting pearls on in clothes and in his hair.
“I’m sorry I made you feel unwanted and replaceable. You’re not and you never will be. I wish I had been a better father to you, but I didn’t know how to be a father when you were born. I just did what felt instinctual since I never had one myself. I didn’t know how to give you love because no one had ever given me any.” The reminder that father was a victim of child abuse made Triton abhor Kronos even more. “But I want things to change, I want to be a better father to you, to be by your side for all of eternity, if you will let me.”
How could he not let his father try to be better? Being with his father was all Triton ever wanted. “Of course, I will.” Triton said sniffling as he finally returned the hug. “Being by your side for all of eternity is what I want too.”