Thanks, Aphrodite!

What. The. Hades.

Poseidon's PoV

I was relaxing on my lounge chair in my underwater palace, trying to wrap my mind around what had happened in the past few days. For one, I had gotten divorced with Amphitrite, my wife for many, many long years. It was mutual, but still a bit hard to get used to.

I could now have as many affairs with mortals as I wanted to, but while that notion would have been appealing to me once upon a time, it just didn't feel- right anymore. Besides, I was struggling with my feelings toward Athena. When she stepped out of Zeus' head, I thought that it was a ridiculous way to be born. But through many, many incidents, she had won my admiration and respect, and I might even have a tiny crush on her, even if I knew it was pointless. But now that the Fates had decided to decree Athena's vow invalid, I was worried that Athena would get assaulted, not that she couldn't hold her own in a fight...

My thoughts were cut off when Aphrodite appeared in front of me in a cloud of pink, white, gold, blue glitter, and she had dragged Athena along with her.

"Well, we're here! Now will you tell us what's going on?" Athena snapped. Even when she was mad, her voice sounded really good, smooth and persuasive.

"Look." Aphrodite conjured up a screen and disappeared again. On the screen was our children, Percy, and Annabeth. They had their arms around each other, and were hurtling down at an alarming speed, and they never seemed to reach the bottom.

"Holy-"

"Hades." Athena finished. "Schist, they're falling. From what I could tell, they're probably falling into T-tar-Tartarus."

I had come to that conclusion myself. I plunked myself in a deck chair again, and buried my face into my hands. "No." I whispered. "No." My voice became louder, and louder, repeating the word as if it was a broken record.

Athena touched my arm lightly. I looked toward her, and saw that she was attempting and failing to compose herself. "They're..." her voice broke. "They're strong, and with each other, they will make it out. I just know it."

"Yeah. Percy and- and your Annabeth? They're some of the strongest demigods I have ever seen. I hope- I know they will find a way." That was the moment her unshed tears spilled. Even when she was crying, she was the most beautiful goddess I had ever seen. *Cough cough* Sorry, Aphrodite. *Cough cough*

I tentatively wrapped my arm around Athena, drawing her closer to me. She tensed slightly, but eventually relaxed into the embrace. I didn't know when, but tears were slipping down my face too, drip, drip, and every time a tear hit the seafloor, a new sea animal sprung up.

"W-what will I do? Annabeth w-will believe that I hate her. I-if she doesn't make it out of the pit... She's never going to know how much I l-love her, and how proud I am of her." Athena collapsed into a heap of sobs. Sure, I thought Athena giving her mark to Annabeth wasn't the smartest thing she had ever done, but now that it had happened, it wasn't like we could change it, we could only sit back and see how it plays out. Especially with the Ancient Laws.

I told as much to Athena, and we sat there for a long time, huddled up. Eventually, Athena fell asleep, so I carried her into my palace in one of the rooms. And no, even though I like her, it doesn't mean that I'm going to try to get in her bed or sleep with her without her consent. That's just mean. I stepped back and observed Athena's peaceful face. She looked so content and young and happy when she was asleep. I decided to let her get some rest, and went into my chamber for a long night of tossing and turning.