Chapter Text
Winter Solstice 1993.
Olympus. Home. Where he was allowed to be only twice a year for Solstice meetings, unless Father was feeling temperamental. After the meeting was over, he left the brats he was in charge of in Chiron's capable hooves, while he rejoined his beloved Ariadne.
The two of them enjoyed the muses and danced together, Dionysus blocked out the world around to enjoy his time with his wife while he could. It only took a few dances for him to feel a nervous, anxious aura watching him. No. He was not going to play family counsellor so soon. It only took another dance for his love to remove his head from her shoulder and cup his cheek, coaxing him to open his eyes. She was giving him a soft, loving look, filled with annoyance for the interruption.
"Dear, your Uncle seeks you." The contempt that trickled in gave away which uncle, and he dragged his gaze to the restless Poseidon. "Go sea to him, before he makes a scene. I shall be here, awaiting your return."
With a tenderness reserved only for those he loves, he brushed a kiss over her forehead, dragging himself away. He passed the twitching Poseidon, and motioned with a jerk of his head to follow him. They walked a fair way from the party, coming to a room that declared: 'Dionysus, Godly Counsellor', framed with grapes and vines. Further down was a sign that claimed 'all said in this room is confidential,' with a lightning bolt showing who added it. With a wave of his hand, the door opened.
Dionysus sat heavily on his chair, summoning a chalice of nectar, he had a feeling he would need it, while his Uncle sat on a seabed themed bean bag, fidgeting.
"What did you do?"
A neigh was startled out of the sealord.
"What? Nothing! Just wanted to chat, to see how my favourite nephew was!"
Dionysus merely raised an eyebrow, taking swigs from his chalice, already dreaming of dancing with his wife again. He took a deep breath, imagining he was inhaling her calming scent.
"Fine. You know that agreement that Hades, Zeus and I had after the Mortals World War Two, that we would not sire anymore children, specifically half-bloods?"
Thunk! Dionysus' head connected with his hand, he was getting a bad sense of Deja Vu.
"Oh Uncle, you didn't!"
More fidgeting. "I was passing a beach, in disguise, of course. And she saw me! Through the Mist! Like your Ariadne could-" A growl passed Dionysus' mouth, at his wife's name being spoken by his uncle. "Like other mortals with the Sight, I mean.
"And she is beautiful! Like a queen, or a goddess. It is almost as if Aphrodite blessed her, I would offer her the oceans if she but asked."
"Moving on from the poetry?"
"I have already spent a few days and nights with her and plan to do so more. She knows who I am. And you know how fertile we can be with Mortals. I believe I may have already planted seeds."
Dionysus massaged the bridge of his nose. Recalling a very similar conversation he had with his father only a few years ago. At least Hades had only hidden his, after the pact, to save his children. Why must his family be such idiots?
"So, is this all? I can go back?"
"Not quite. If, when, my child is old enough for camp, could you claim he or she as your own, so that Zeus does not release his anger on them. Or Hades for that matter."
"So, lets get this straight." Poseidon snickered, quickly shutting up with a look. "You are going to keep fooling around with this mortal, and if you do spawn a child, you wish for me to claim them as my own?"
"The sins of the father should not lay punishment on the child."
"Tell that to Hera. What's in it for me?"
"A new child?"
"No. How about you provide anything I may ask to allow this to work, and full parental rights. And when the time comes, for a prophecy, for instance, we tell them of this, and allow them to make the decision for what they wish. What they want."
Poseidon opened his mouth to argue, before (wisely) reconsidering, thinking of the family he has in the sea, his palace. Thinking of all the nature spirits he has flings with and those mistakes that result from it. A child made during a pact on the Styx would only be another mistake, likely a cursed mistake. He agreed.
"I accept your terms."
"I want it sworn."
Poseidon bristled at the insult. "You do not trust my word?"
"Considering the pact you broke? no. I would like insurance."
"Fine. I swear on the River Styx that in the event I sire a child with Sally Jackson, that I shall provide any and all parental aide; I shall give up my own parental rights, and shall it become necessary, they shall be told the truth and allowed to pick their parentage."
"The feeling of a Styx promise settled over them both. Dionysus sighed, feeling a heavy foreboding weight settle on his shoulders.
"Are we done now?"
With a nod of dismissal, the two parted ways. Poseidon to continue festivities, and Dionysus to bask in the presence of his wife.
She was waiting, as promised, as she always did, with all the trust she had in him. They embraced and resumed dancing until they had to say farewell.
A few months past. At the camp, one of the satyrs brought a basket to him that had drifted to shore. Tied to it were 'It's a boy!' balloons, and many blue things were in it. Also in it were a bunch of grapes soft toy, a toy Thymus and a toy satyr. Well, at least Poseidon could keep one promise.
Upon the next Solstice, he whisked Ariadne to a quiet corner to tell her what was going on, much as he had when his twin half-bloods had been created. Knowing how unreasonable his father could be, she merely hugged him and said she was proud of him, despite the true lineage.
The next twelve years, Dionysus kept an eye on the boy. Keeping away the signs of the sea god; doing his best to keep his scent hidden, or at the very least confused. On more than one occasion he had to manipulate the boys dreams.
Of course, the relative peace couldn't last forever. When his fathers bolt was stolen, and accusations began flying, the work doubled, especially when Grover, with his second chance, found the boy, despite the mixed efforts of Sally and Dionysus of the scent masking.
It was worst though when a particular fight bled into the child's dreams. Poseidon's desperation tugging at the only living connection to him that could save his honor. It took a bit of wrestling, creative cursing, and a new dolphin dream to replace it, and the chilling presence surrounding it.
The next day, he received a brief message through an offering that appeared on his personal brazier in the Big House:
I fear the time is coming for you to look after him. Please look after him as if he is your own. One day I will thank you for this and all your protections.
Sally Jackson.
Once he read the note, he burned it and informed Castor and Pollux of their new 'sibling', and to tell them the truth, entrusting them with it, and giving them some fatherly attention.