Favorite : Change for the both of us

Chapter 7

I stay the rest of the weekend at Poseidon's.

I really should go back to the home to join the other kids shopping for school however Poseidon insists on us having a lazy day in front of the TV. I sit next to him, his arm around my shoulders, laughing and making points about the shows and movies we're watching. It's nice, and for the first time in a while I feel like I have a proper home.

"C'mon," Poseidon says eventually, sighing as he pushes himself off the sofa. "We need to get out of this house some time. And you need stuff for school,"

I frown, reluctantly standing up too. "But I wanna stay here," I whine, looking longingly at the TV. Praise be to Netflix.

Poseidon shoots me a look. "Go get changed,"

I huff, but obey.

Thirty minutes later, we're walking into the mall.

Now, I've never liked large crowds. I'm not really a people-person, if you haven't noticed. I mean, I don't mind being around people I'm close to – like Poseidon. To be honest, he's the only person that I've ever been close to. But the mall is literally the best place to go if you want to get lost in an unfamiliar crowd. I instinctively push closer to Poseidon was we fight our way through the sea of people, worried about getting split up from him.

"So," he says and he places a hand on my shoulder. "Where do you usually get your clothes?"

"Uh, anywhere that they cost less than five dollars or off older kids," I reply.

"Hmm," Poseidon frowns. "Well, c'mon, I'm getting you some proper clothes. Clothes that fit," he looks at the jeans I'm wearing pointedly, which are so long I'm walking on the tattered ends. I don't bother trying to protest.

That is, until I see the price tag on a set of new jeans.

"You can't pay that for a pair of jeans," I gasp, looking at Poseidon as though he just declared himself the king of, I don't now, cheeseburgers (though that would be pretty awesome). "It's ridiculous!"

"It's what normal people pay," Poseidon says, rolling his eyes. "Go try them on. If they fit we have a baseline for what else to get you,"

I try to make them not fit, but they fit. I'm not happy.

By the time we're paying for all the new clothes I'm pouting.

"How much money did you just spend on me, exactly?" I ask as we head back to the car, carrying three bags of new clothes.

"Enough," replies Poseidon.

"Why?"

"Because you're my son. I'm meant to spoil you. And also, no offence, your old clothes were really scruffy and not even the right size for you,"

True. My mood brightens slightly but I'm still not displeased. Hugh's words are fresh in my mind. Why would anyone bother with you? I sigh angrily and rap my forehead to knock the thoughts out. Poseidon gives me a look, though he seems to be able to tell what I'm doing, and doesn't comment.

When we got home, Hestia calls. Poseidon goes into the kitchen to talk to her whilst I look for another new movie to watch. He comes back in looking displeased.

"Hephaestus's wedding is in two weeks," he says. "The weekend after you go back to school. Hera wants me to attend,"

"Oh no, not a few hours with your family," I gasp, grinning. Poseidon sits besides me and ruffles my hair (also shoving me away slightly).

"Shut up," he says. "It's worse than you think,"

I roll my eyes. "Then why do you have to go?"

"You've never met Zeus's wife. If she wants the family together, she'll get us together. Hestia said I should bring you – after all, the family doesn't even know you exist yet," Poseidon's face suddenly breaks into a mischievous smirk. "Ooh, but it'll be good to introduce you..."