The paper wasn't much. A single page of rolled parchment, wrapped with a single strand of ribbon. I dragged my thumb along the edge of the paper, my fingers pinching around one of the ribbon's ends and drawing it. It unfurled. Gentle cursive spread across the cream-colored paper, written in Atlantean and by a hand I could vaguely recognize. 

To her Royal Highness, Daughter of the Sea God, our Lord and King, His Majesty King Poseidon,

By the order and request of the king, you are to make motions to arrive at his palace in a timely manner. He has made to prepare for your arrival as early as possible, and is willing to provide overnight accommodations if they prove necessary. Food will of course be provided and you will have full access not only to your quarters but to all finished room of the palace, including the king's personal chambers. 

There wasn't a signature. Not that I really cared about who Dad had writing his letters, more so that I wanted to know who wrote Dad's letters so I could complain about only being my father's daughter. Not my own person. All I would ever be is his child. 

The seal at the bottom only served to prove that. I'd seen the summons sent out to other people, Tyson had one he carried with him everywhere just in case he had to prove he wasn't evil, and all of them had the couriers seal. A blocky, simplistic design pressed into red wax, compared to the elegant, intricate trident pressed into blue of my father's. The one on the paper was the latter. Another reminder that as a demigod I was an extension of my parent, not a separate person.

"What is it, Percy?" Dick asked, trying to lean over far enough to see it. His chair tilted, and he straightened. It righted with a quiet thud. 

I rolled the scroll. "Nothing. Just-" I paused. "It's a message from my family." 

"They sent a scroll?"

"My family isn't normal. Something that you guys just made worse."

"That's fair."

Metal scraped metal, and Alfred, who decided to come check in and make sure Bruce hadn't killed us with his cooking, glared at Bruce. "Master Bruce, you better not scratch my good skillets." And of course he brought a selection of skillets to use with him.

"Relax, Alfred, I know what I'm doing." Bruce wiped his hand on his pale pink apron. Across the front, black letters declared him the world's most beautiful cook. I really hoped that was a gag gift. "Why'd they send the thing? And how'd they know where we are in the first place? I didn't think anyone managed to trail us here."

"No one did. They just have the annoying ability to know where I am at a given time. I mean, look at my cousin. Minute I'm living at your place he shows up with a delivery, and this isn't where he normally runs his route." I sighed. "And as for why, well, I'm just going to hope they aren't going to try to murder me. Again."

"I'm going to assume that's a joke."

"You'd be assuming wrong, Bruce." I waved my fork in the air before sticking the piece of pancake in my mouth. "Being a bastard child born out of an affair doesn't earn me any favors, and it just paints a huge target on my back." One that got bigger and bigger with each year and each monster I took down. I stood. "I should probably head out before they think I'm not coming. One lecture is enough." Hope Dad didn't mind a sweatshirt and jeans, and if he did, well, that wasn't my problem.

"Wait, wait. Hold- Percy!"

"Bye! See you guys later, you know, if I'm not dead," I said. I darted out the door and down to the waves. With a quick look around to verify no one had followed me and that there were no mortals around to freak out when they thought I had drowned, I walked into the waves. Cool water washed around me, and sand and rocks pressed against my bare feet. The drop-off left me floating mid-water. But that soon ended as I gather enough control to rocket myself through the water, weaving in and out of currents as it suited my needs. Schools of fish scattered and reformed, at one point a couple dolphins joined in.

Though I was pretty sure they did that to take advantage of the way I seemed to keep coming across fish. I slowed to a stop, leaning back and stepping onto the shelf of land where Dad's palace sat. The streets weren't hard to traverse. I mean, they'd have to be. They were literally just open stretches of water marked with glowing sea flora. Not exactly like a rural backroad. The shadow of the looming palace stretched over me. My mouth twitched as I saw the cyclops working on rebuilding portions of it. Another reminder of what my existence had caused. I frowned and shook my head. He didn't have to listen to me, and if he hadn't then we'd all be dead.

Swimming forward, I approached the huge doors. Spears crossed in front of me, each edge a razor and a point just as sharp.

"State your business," one of the near identical guards said. I blinked and looked between them. Twins? Or creations?

I held the scroll out in front of me. "I have summons." The guard took it, leaving his spear in place as he looked it over, face paling. He cleared his throat and handed it back. "Apologies, your Highness. I was not informed of your visit. Please, go right ahead." The spears were removed from my path. Everything in me went to holding back the groan that tried to fight its way free. My bare feet hit on the cool stone tiles, silent as the sea around me. Must've been too early for the servants to prepare for petitions. 

I had hoped to sneak into the throne room without further issue, without attention so I could say I showed up and then immediately leave without talking to anyone else. Of course, I knew the Fates hated me, so I had no idea why I didn't expect one of the young heralds in training to be pressured into announcing my presence before I came within ten feet of the room. 

Dad grinned as I stepped into the throne room, and the expression didn't leave his face even as mine remained passive. The only time it might have wavered was when I knelt in front of him. He sighed. "Percy, you don't need to do that. I am your father."

"Who happens to be an immortal god," I mumbled. Nevertheless, I stood. And then immediately acknowledge Amphitrite in the same manner. 

"Perseus," said Dad. "Stand up."

I didn't move. Not until Amphitrite told me to listen to him. Then, and only then, did I stand up, shoulders pressed back, hands in the pockets of my jeans. Dad lifted himself from his throne, leaving his trident leaning against it. He walked to me. 

"How are you doing?" he asked. For all it seemed like he was actually asking, he wasn't. No matter what I said, he'd only take the answer he wanted. 

I nodded and forced a smile to spread across my face. "I'm good, Dad."

To my immense confusion, he frowned. Did I do something wrong? Was my smile too obvious? Or was it not big enough? 

"Percy, I had to pry you off of Annabeth's corpse."

"Yeah, and I'm good."

"And I'm the god of deserts."

"I-"

"Stop lying to me."

I swallowed and dropped my gaze. Biting the inside of my cheek, I shrugged. "I- I don't know. I'm not taking it as hard as I should be, I know that, but I've already had flashbacks, so is it worse? I didn't start having problems until a month after the first war, but this- this is-" I shook my hands. "I don't know." 

With a practiced motion, Dad's arm swept around me and pulled me close to his chest. 

"It's okay. Sh," he hushed, making me all too aware of the hiccups and cries leaving my lips. "It's okay, princess. I've got you." Dad nudged my chin up, making it so I had to look at him. I settled on looking over his left shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught his frown. I didn't have time to react before his beard scratched against my skin, and he pressed a kiss to my forehead. "You do know you are safe here, right?" I didn't give a second thought before I nodded. A hand rested on my head before tousling my hair. "Good. Now, as much as I want to spend time with you today, I have meetings and we need to have a little conversation."

Why did I have the feeling I wouldn't- Oh right. The Fates despise my existence.

"The- The weather's been really weird, hasn't it?"

"I think we both know that's not what I mean. You haven't known the boy for a week, Percy."

""I know," I said. "But it's not like I'm dating him or anything. I already told him that nothing can happen between us." And sure, I might hug him and sure we might've kissed that once, but that meant nothing. I frowned. Wait. "You were watching me?!"

Dad rubbed the back of his neck. "I've been doing my best to keep monsters away from you, that only helps if I know where you are." He sighed. He slid his hand down to gently grip my arm. "You've already dealt with enough, and I just want to keep you safe."

"I'm- Out of everyone I know, I'm pretty sure Kaldur ties with Orin for being the least likely people to hurt me.

A gentle smile spread on Dad's face. It didn't quite reach his eyes. "I know," he said.

"And I'm going to go before this gets any more awkward." Amphitrite stood, vanishing into the water, leaving the room as if she had never been there. I glared at the space she had occupied. Traitor.

Dad's grip tightened, fingers digging into my bicep before slackening. The soft laughter took me off guard, as did the way he brushed a piece of hair away from my face. "I trust Orin as a judge of character, and I trust that Kaldur boy would never intentionally hurt you, but I'm honestly more worried about what would happen if anything happened to him."

"Trust me, I'm as aware of that as you are." I huffed. "It's not like I wanted to get close to him and believe me, it's the last thing I was trying to do. Personally, I blame Aphrodite."

"I understand that, Percy, but still. If he hurts you..." The murderous gleam that flashed in his eyes was far from unnoticed. And honestly, I didn't mind it. Far better to have it aimed in defense of me than towards me. And you wouldn't see me complaining about Dad wanting to protect me. If it ever came down to it, it would be a welcomed interference. 

The smile on my face came naturally that time around. "I get it, Dad," I said. My words were hollow. I didn't understand. As much as I wanted Dad to protect me and help me, and be a parent who would do those things for his kids, it made no sense. Why would he care so much for me? Why care about a weapon?

"Though I do wonder, how much could I scare him without chasing him off?"

"Dad."

"Hey, I never said I would do anything. Yet."

I snorted and shook my head. "I should probably go. Bruce is probably getting worried."

Dad pulled me back to him, squeezing me in a tight hug. He rested his chin on my head. "Mine," he said.

I pressed myself closer to him. "Yeah, I'm yours." As proven every time someone refers to me as Sea Spawn or daughter of Poseidon. "I don't think many people could replace you."

"Really I was going for the 'nobody could replace you' aspect, but I'll take what I can get." Silence washed over us. "Weren't you supposed to go do something today?"

"It is not allowed to be Saturday. Nope, illegal." I pulled away from Dad. "I need to go meet up with the Team. Which is...well, I'm hoping it'll be fun. Love you, bye." Moments before I could disperse, Dad placed his hand back on my shoulder. In the blink of an eye, my clothes were replaced with my uniform. "Thanks." I smiled, both at the gesture and having an answer to an earlier question. "Oh, and while you're doing nice things for me, how about getting them to lay off on the titles?"

My body dissolved into water, but not fast enough to avoid hearing Dad's reply.

"Never."

Well, I got new glasses and a hair cut and i go back to school next week.

Uh

DEER

are in my yard and I need to feed my animals

See yah