Of Storms and Bloodlines

Years went by and Percy went to Camp Half-Blood every summer. Storm got better at handling Percy's long absences; Percy got better at handling demigod life. Neither of them were pleased with the arrangement, but they made it work. After his long, harsh summers, Percy wanted nothing more than the simple comfort and love of Storm and the other ranch horses. They made life bearable. He was at the ranch, grooming Storm's dark coat when Beckendorf fetched him for the Battle of Olympus.

He glanced over at the son of Hephaestus, who vividly stood out in the middle of the barn dressed in his battle gear. It was time. Percy patted the stallion affectionately, firmly locking his fear and apprehension away deep inside himself.

"I'm off." Wish me luck.

Storm snorted, shaking his beautiful mane. Foal strong. Foal return. Percy's lips twitched at Storm's confidence.

I'll try my best, he sent back. He left with Beckendorf, shutting the barn door behind them, taking one last look back at Storm. The stallion calmly met his eye until the barn door clicked shut.

Percy was not sure if he was strong, but he did indeed return a few days after his fateful birthday. The Big Apple Horse Ranch was a sight for sore eyes. Percy gazed at the peaceful scene in front of him. The ranch still existed, peaceful and flourishing, because the demigods beat Kronos back. It cost them some valuable lives, Silena, Beckendorf...Luke. Good friends, who deserved so much better, happier, peaceful fates than they received.

It was early. The sun barely peeked over the tops of the green forest. Even from this distance, Percy could see the dew shinning in the pasture, fog drifting between the fence posts. Bree bustled around the house, probably making breakfast before she started on her daily chores. The ranch hands had not even arrived yet. Percy knew Bree would not mind if he checked on the horses, even at this hour. He was anxious to see them, especially Storm.

As he slipped inside the barn, their collective minds reached out for him, even as they slumbered. Percy smiled faintly, his body starting to relax under the calm embrace. His heart was still heavy and aching, but he hoped with time it would heal. At the end of the barn, Storm waited from him, dark eyes following his every step.

Foal.

"Hiya Storm," Percy called softly, his throat constricting.

He unlatched the stall, letting the stallion out. Storm gently stepped forward until he stood in front of Percy. Percy forced a smile before hugging the horse tight, burying his face in the coarse hair. Images of the war still haunted his mind, but as he pressed closer to Storm, they were forced away by stronger equestrian memories: lush green grass, beautiful open skies, the rush of wind through Storm's hair. Percy submerged himself in the peaceful, simple thoughts. He did not want to remember anything else.

Affection rolled around him, all encompassing. A long sigh escaped Percy's lips, tension leaving his muscles as he relaxed against Storm's strong frame. He pulled back, nodded his chin towards the door, letting Storm know he wanted to go out to the pasture for a ride. He never saddled or roped Storm. His stallion did not need to be led, he was too proud for that. But he would follow Percy without faltering, like he did now. Percy lifted his head to the clear morning air as they left the barn, inhaling deeply. Everything was so peaceful, so quiet. Percy leaned against Storm, letting the stallion comfort him.

Safe.

"Yeah," Percy agreed softly as Storm gently nuzzled his hair. "Come on, let's go for a ride."

Percy was tall enough to mount Storm without a problem now. The last six years, while they had never been particularly kind, had given Percy extra height and weight so he stood tall and steady next to the horse. Storm patiently waited for Percy to get situated on his back before trotting off. He picked up speed, easily hurtling the pasture fence. Percy could not help but grin. He loved how wild and free he felt riding Storm. It did not matter how many times they rode out together, the feeling never faded. They never used a saddle, and neither worried about Percy falling off. Storm would race through the pasture, leaping over fences and dashing along the forest. Storm never held back, he galloped without abandon. The wind sliced across Percy's face, ruffling his hair as he leaned forward, tightening his legs around the horse to steady himself. He had no trouble staying on, even as Storm hurtled the pasture fence at full speed. He loved it.

He could forget about the war when he was out here, at least for a little while. Storm galloped around the edge of the Big Apple Horse Ranch, man and beast silently patrolling the corners of their home. Percy patted Storm's neck affectionately as the horse slowed.

"Thanks Storm, I needed that. Let's head back to the barn now before Bree freaks."

Storm tossed his head, affection rising up to wrap around his charge as they turned around. The pair took their time returning, Percy leaning back to let Storm do as he pleased. They slowly meandered around to the barn and Percy dismounted, patting the stallion affectionately.

"Come on, I'll fill the food and water trough then I have to go see Bree. Wouldn't want her to think someone was stealing her horses or anything."

Storm neighed, amusement radiating from the dark stallion and he followed Percy into the barn. Some of the other horses had woke by now, their conscious minds curling protectively around him as he went about his tasks.

Be right back, he assured them as he let Storm back into his stall.

In the sea of comfort and familiarity, Percy failed to notice the one pair of eyes trained on him that were not equestrian. As the hero of Olympus slipped inside the ranch house, his father, Lord Poseidon, god of the sea, Earthshaker and Stormbringer, the Horselord, stepped out of the shadows. Poseidon calmly watched his son disappear from sight, secure in the knowledge that his boy would return shortly. In the days following Percy's sixteenth birthday, Poseidon had watched his son carefully, closer and more attentively then he ever dared before. It was liberating to watch Percy without fearing his brothers' wrath or vengeance. No one, not even Zeus, would dare lay a hand on Percy now.

Poseidon glanced around the barn he found himself standing in curiously. This is where you spend your time then, he thought, glancing around at the half asleep horses that were slowly becoming aware of his presence. He strode forward, smirking as their thoughts exploded around him: Excitement, confusion, joy, awe, Big Lord is here! Big Lord is here!

"Peace," Poseidon commanded idly, reaching out to scratch the nose of a tan mare. The trembling creature's chaotic thought stuttered: disbelief, awe, Big Lord, here?

"Indeed," Poseidon agreed. Unlike mortals, and even the superior merfolk of Poseidon's domain, horses were perfectly content to bask in the glow of their Lord without alterative motive. Horses were too basic to want for power or control, they only desired love and affection. Poseidon patted the mare with a smile; he had almost forgotten how fond he was of his creatures.

"You are simple yet loyal, that is probably why Percy is so fond of you," Poseidon mused as he withdrew his hand from the mare's head despite her protests.

One of the horses snorted. A twinge of anger and distrust tainted the air of affection and excitement around the Horselord and Poseidon turned around with a frown. The tendrils of malcontent came from a stallion at the end of the barn. He was tall and proud, black as the midnight realm of Hades, and his dark eyes blazed angrily at Poseidon. The sea god recognized him as the horse Percy took for his early morning stroll.

Poseidon raised an eyebrow.

"I must admit, until this moment I have never felt such, or any, anger directed at me from a horse," Poseidon divulged calmly, more intrigued than insulted. "Be calm, beast, what ails you?"

The other horses had quieted, the once explosive and excited whirlpool of thoughts dialed back to a soft murmur of discomfort and confusion. It was clear that this dark stallion was respected among his peers, who were unsure how to react to his hostility towards their lord. The dark stallion ignored them, focusing his unwise anger at Poseidon.

Big Lord hurt foal.

"I haven't hurt any foal," Poseidon objected mildly, raising his arms to gesture around the barn, "and I find no foal here. You are mistaken."

The stallion tossed his head, outrage, anger and a surge of protectiveness bombarding the god before him. Suddenly, the image of Percy appeared in the stallion's mind, smiling clear and bright as Apollo's sun.

Foal.

"Percy?" Poseidon realized, his eyebrow climbing even higher. Sometimes the primitive and simple thoughts of horses were difficult to grasp. "Yes, Percy is my 'foal'."

The stallion reared, his hooves angrily slamming against the stall door. Fury rolled into Poseidon as the stallion protested. MY FOAL.

Poseidon bristled.

"Your foal?" He repeated with a sharp, unamused laugh. His disbelief mingled with outrage, how dare this obviously deranged stallion lay claim to his son? He pointed his trident at the beast, the tip a breath from its nose, as he warned, "Take care beast. I am a forgiving lord, but you must not try my patience - it will not end well for you. Percy seems fond of you, and that is all that withholds my ire."

Poseidon swelled as he spoke, his very being enlarging as his godliness filled the small enclosure. The other horses cowered, fear and terror filling them in face of his power and anger. The stallion's mind shuddered and he took a step back, his hooves pawing the ground nervously before his thoughts regrouped. His anger returned, determination driving out any fear Poseidon temporary instilled in him. Poseidon was begrudgingly impressed. He could see why Percy liked this horse, it was as stubborn and reckless as his son.

My foal, the suicidal horse insisted. He opened his mind and suddenly Poseidon found himself submerged in the stallion's thoughts. Percy was crying. Not the same Percy who left the barn only a few moments before, but a younger version of him, younger even than the one who knelt before his father for the first time on Mount Olympus. The stallion felt his emotions, heard his thoughts, and Poseidon heard the echoes of them through the horse's memory. Memory-Percy was curled into himself, misery and pain radiating from his small form. The stallion nuzzled his son's wet cheeks, soothing and gentle. Percy blinked his too wide eyes at the stallion, his cries fading under the stallion's attention.

Care for foal.

The image changed, Percy was older. He scowled angrily at nothing, violently stabbing hay with a pitchfork as he worked. Percy's emotions swirled heatedly, not unlike his father's a moment ago, only he took his ire out on the unresponsive pile of hay. In the memory, the stallion nipped at the back of Percy's shirt but he waved the horse away. Poseidon could hear the echo of Percy's voice, distorted and distant as the verbal exchange meant little to the horse: "Go away Storm, I'm not in the mood."

The stallion, Storm, nipped at Percy again, catching his shirt between his teeth and giving a little tug. Percy stumbled backward and, unable to keep his balance, fell in the dirt. He glared up at the horse, and even in the old memory Poseidon could feel the potency of his irritation. But Storm snorted at him.

Storm trotted off as Percy scrambled to his feet. The stallion paid no mind to the boy's mutterings so Poseidon could not make out what his son said. But he did see Percy chase after the irksome horse, shouting and calling as his short bipedal stature struggled to keep up with the horse. Percy never caught him. Instead his son collapsed on the ground, red faced and panting, his arms crossed. Storm meandered over and Percy swatted at his leg.

"Jerk." Percy said, the word alien and meaningless to the stallion in face of the warmth and affection his son broadcasted. A reluctant smile twitched on Percy's lips until he finally gave in and laughed when Storm nuzzled the top of his head.

Make foal happy.

The memory changed again. A tree cradled Percy against its rough bark. He was upset, but this was a different upset then Storm had ever seen. There were no tears, no anger, but something darker tainted Percy's emotions.

"You know," Percy's voice rang through the memory, more pronoun and clear then any of the others, "You make a pretty good dad. Better than him at least."

Poseidon, the real, physical one not transfixed in the stallion's memories, froze. Storm may not completely understand what Percy had said, but he knew it was important. He knew it would hurt the Horselord. The memory was not over, and Poseidon stood stiffly as the rest of his son's words washed over him.

"Relax Storm. He doesn't want a foal anyway. I'm just useful is all." Percy's words were soft, his eyes sad. "Just useful is all."

Big Lord hurt foal, Storm repeated, his memories evaporating and bringing them both back to the present.

Poseidon ignored him. The memory replayed in his mind, Percy's eyes, so much like the ones that graced his own face, seared into his conscious. Was that how Percy felt? Did his son honestly believe Poseidon thought so little of him? Perseus Jackson was the best thing that happened to him in centuries, perhaps even longer. He felt nothing but overwhelming pride and warmth when he thought of his only mortal child.

Foal need better, Storm insisted. Poseidon turned to glare at the offending beast that interrupted his disturbed musings.

Better than him at least.

Poseidon took a moment to contemplate destroying the hateful creature before him. Surely Percy would not be too upset; a simple horse could not compare with the lord of the sea. He lifted his trident, the dangerous three pronged tip rising, when the barn door flung open and Percy stormed in.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, upsetting my horses like –" Percy demanded.

Poseidon turned, secretly pleased at the steel and authority in his son's voice. Percy's face was as dark and stormy as the restless sea, but the expression froze when his eyes met Poseidon's. His mouth fell open, a flush coloring the tips of his ears.

"Dad?"

Dad. At least Percy called him that, instead of 'my lord' or 'Poseidon'. Some demigods never addressed their parents by anything other than formalities. Not Percy. He was 'Dad' to Percy. Poseidon decided that counted for something and lowered his trident, smiling at his bewildered son, inclining his head.

"Percy."

"What?" Percy asked, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on the tan mare's trembling neck. The mare whined, pressing closer to him. The moment Percy stepped in the barn, the other horses relaxed. Their fear and unease evaporated as they clung to his son's presence.

Little lord, they cried in relief. Safe. Calm. Little lord keep us safe.

Poseidon may be the Horselord, but Percy was the one who cared for them. The argument and tension between Poseidon and Storm unsettled them, but Percy was safe. They trusted him to keep them safe, even from Poseidon himself. Percy absently stroked the mare's nose, unconsciously repeating Poseidon's earlier ministrations.

Poseidon stepped forward, away from the beastly Storm, and smiled reassuringly at his son. "Can't a father visit his son?"

That was not what he had planned on saying; that damned conversation with the stallion unsettled him more than the god cared to admit. He tightened his grip on his trident as he added, "I wished to speak to you. I could not get you alone on Olympus."

"Oh," Percy said, but he looked just as confused as the moment he first saw Poseidon. Was Poseidon's presence truly that surprising to him? Surely he must know of the favor his father held for him.

"Rarely have any of my children taken solace in my horses. I am glad you take comfort in them." Poseidon said. To his surprise, Percy stiffened, his hand stilling on the mare's nose.

"I have insulted you," Poseidon realized. "That was not my intent."

Percy valiantly tried to hide it, commendably schooling his expression into something falsely innocent. Poseidon sighed. How had he failed so spectacularly that his son was unwilling to even communicate with him? That his son thought a horse made a better father than him. Speaking of the devil, behind him, Storm radiated smug mirth. Poseidon's eye twitched as he turned to glower at the offensive beast.

My foal earn trust, Storm snorted. Poseidon wondered how devastated Percy would be if he rendered the stallion into a pile of ash in front of him. Judging by the panicked widening of his son's eyes, greatly.

"I was not implying otherwise. My foa - son," Poseidon corrected himself, "has earned and deserved the respect these horses give him."

"Are you talking to me or Storm?" Percy asked in confusion, inching forward. His eyes flickered between his father and Storm, obviously anxious of the tension between the pair.

"You," Poseidon said automatically, "I would not lower myself to squabble with a horse."

Percy's face closed off. A moment too late, Poseidon realized how that must sound to his son.

"I did not mean –" Poseidon tried to explain while Storm reared angrily.

No upset my foal!

"He is my foal!" Poseidon snarled, his temper boiling over. He slammed his trident against the floor at the last word, causing tremors to shake the ground. Percy threw himself forward, squeezing between god and beast, as Poseidon's temper came to a head.

"Stop," he called in alarm, his eyes wide. "Storm, knock it off."

Storm neighed angrily.

Upset foal.

"You're both upsetting me," Percy snapped back. "So knock it off."

Storm quieted at his words. Shame was an emotion horses were unable to grasp, the meaning and feeling behind the emotion too complex for their simple minds, but the emotion emitting from the stallion was the closest they could get. Poseidon refused to be shamed, he had done nothing wrong.

"Don't hurt him," Percy said quickly when the sea god shifted. The flash of fear in his eyes froze his father.

"Regardless of my feelings, I would never harm one so dear to you," Poseidon told him gravely. "I would not risk your favor in such a manner."

Percy blinked in surprise.

"Oh. Um...thanks? Behave." Percy added sternly. For a ludicrous moment, Poseidon thought he was addressing him, but Percy glared over his shoulder at the hellbeast behind them. Poseidon did not bother hiding his smug smile at the horse.

"Can we, ah, go outside to talk?" Percy asked uncomfortably.

"Of course," Poseidon agreed smoothly. He put a possessive hand on his child's shoulder, guiding him out of the barn.

Foal not need to be led, Storm objected, but Poseidon cheerfully shut the barn door, effectively cutting off the stallion's thoughts.

"Uh, sorry," Percy awkwardly said, scratching the back of his head nervously.

"Do not be," Poseidon dismissed with a wave of his trident.

"You didn't, ah," Percy asked, his eyes wide as they tracked the movement of his trident.

"Cause an earthquake?" His father finished for him. Poseidon was not unused to fear. Mortals were correct to fear him; he controlled the sea and the tremors that shook their world. He was not, however, used to that fear coming from his own offspring. From a child he loved.

"I did not, just light tremors," Poseidon assured him. He took a step back, forcing himself to calm down, for Percy's sake.

"Despite what my brethren might believe, we gods are not above fault." Poseidon said slowly after a pause. Percy peered up at him, eyebrows skyrocketing at the admission. "We…can make mistakes. And I have become aware that there seemed to be a great misunderstanding between us, my son. I did not intend to break my oath when I met your mother, but rest assured I have never regretted it. You are more than useful Percy. You are my son, and I am proud of you. I have always been proud of you."

Percy gaped at him, his mouth working silently.

"How could you when you were never there?" Percy demanded hotly. The moment the words left his mouth he shut it with a snap, looking horrified with himself. His face was conflicted. He wanted to believe Poseidon, his father could see that clear as day, but he just couldn't.

"I know that might be hard for you to understand or believe," his father continued sadly. "That my actions may not seem to always align with my words. You must understand, the world is very different for the two of us. I only caught glimpses of you growing up; I could not watch you too closely for fear of my brothers. They would have killed you without thought, without compassion. I cared enough then to stay away. You can't understand how significant that is, for a god to distance themselves from something they want. But I did, so you could live. So I could get to know you when the time was right, when you could fend for yourself."

Poseidon smiled kindly at his son, hoping he could see the pride shining in his father's eyes. "You did better than I could have ever dreamed. You are the greatest hero of your time, of all time. Perhaps greater than Hercules himself."

There was a cheerful thought, Poseidon could not wait to bait Zeus with that one. But this was neither the time nor the place. He calmed himself once more.

"I have always cared for and been proud of you, just in different ways, the only way I can. You do not have to believe me, but I will make this right. I will prove it to you."

Percy bowed his head, blinking rapidly. Poseidon let him compose himself before boldly declaring: "Come stay at my palace."

Amphitrite was going to kill him, Poseidon mused as Percy's head snapped up in surprise. That was alright, it was worth it to see the expression of shock and tentative hope on his son's face. His palace was not fit for visitors at the moment, the war left it a ravaged, empty shell. He would build a room just for Percy, Poseidon decided. A grand room where his son would always feel welcomed and accepted.

"You're serious?" Percy asked in disbelief.

"I am."

"That," Percy floundered. He seemed to be at war with himself, before a grin slowly edged up his face, "that would be awesome."

A very mortal response, but Poseidon looked beyond it. As the pair spoke, life on the ranch continued around them. The woman in the house left for the pasture some time ago, and trucks arrived bearing her daily stable hands. Behind them now, a couple such workers opened the barn doors wide, releasing the horses into the pasture.

"Percy!" The woman from the ranch house called. Her eyes flickered to Poseidon in mild interest, who smiled pleasantly, before adding, "I need your help when you get a minute."

"Go," Poseidon told him. "And do not worry. I will return. Think on what I have said."

Percy nodded. "I will."

He turned to go, but hesitated. He looked over his shoulder at his father, unsure. "Ah…thanks, Dad."

Poseidon grinned, clapping Percy on the shoulder. "Of course my son."

With a faint smile, the son of Poseidon left his father, running off to see what the mortal woman wanted. Poseidon watched him go, content that, at least for the moment, all was well. His mood soured as the dark stallion emerged from the barn. Out in the pasture, Percy's head turned. The horse comforts him, Poseidon tried to reason with himself, glaring at the offensive creature as it trotted towards his son. His response was only natural. Given time, Poseidon should be able to break that habit.

Storm snorted, as though he caught the stray thought. Poseidon scowled.

"Do not test me, beast," Poseidon warned, "I can still bring your demise. He would forgive me with time, after all you are but a horse."

Storm flicked his tail, unimpressed.

My foal.

Poseidon's eye twitched. "Three days at my palace and he shan't even remember your name, foul beast."

Percy hovered nervously at the edge of the pasture, torn between racing back to break up their potential fight and aiding the mortal woman. Poseidon held a hand up to his son in peace. He would not hurt Percy's horse.

Foal strong.

"I am aware," Poseidon sighed. He eyed the horse distastefully. "I do not expect you to understand, simple creature, but know that I love my foal and I shall not let you take him from me. That being said… I should thank you."

Storm paused, confusion rolling off his dark hair. He only recognized and understood a few words and phrases of human speech, and while most of Poseidon's words meant nothing to him the last two he had heard before.

"You took care of him when I could not. For that alone, I would spare your life." He had no quarrels about making it miserable, but he would spare it. "Thank you."

Keep foal safe. Storm thought. Poseidon was not sure if that was a demand or Storm's own agenda. Either way, he nodded.

"Yes, we must keep our foal safe. My foal," Poseidon corrected immediately. "My foal. He is not yours, hellbeast do not – are you walking away while I still speak to you?"

Poseidon watched in outrage as the stallion turned away, disinterested.

"Of all the disrespectful, lack of self-preservation," Poseidon grumbled, shaking his head, "You suit him well."

He raised his eyes to the pasture, where Storm galloped off to meet Percy. The great stallion butted against his son, who stumbled slightly, before shoving the horse back. He could see Percy's grin even from a distance. Storm threw his head back and Percy, with the utmost swiftness and grace, swung himself up and onto the horse's back. The shadow of pain and grief still clung to his son, but its grip had lessened and he sat proudly on his stead, head held high. It was a perfect image, Poseidon thought, as they rode away.

Well, almost perfect.

A Pegasus would be better. Or a Hippocampus. Or any creature that wasn't the damned stallion.

"Farewell my son," Poseidon called gently, "until we meet again."

A/n You know that moment in TLO when Poseidon met Percy after the battle? This conversation took place in lieu of that one. Well, here is part three of the story, I hope it was worth it! Originally, this was supposed to be the end. It still kind of is, but I'm not marking this story as complete yet. I have a few ideas bouncing around my head regarding these three that I'd rather like to try; I'm just not sure when they'll come out. Probably not a for a little while. A big thank you to all of you who've followed, favorited and especially reviewed! All your support really lifts my heart. As always, I hope you enjoyed ~ *.