Favorite : Change for the both of us

Chapter 12

The custody papers are ready within a week, but Poseidon says that he wants to wait until my birthday (October 18th) to sign them and make it official. I'm his. At this moment in time, it's early October, so we have just over two weeks until then. I can't wait. Surprisingly, Zeus and Hades are backing us up along with Hestia. Poseidon says that he can't believe his brothers' support. Usually, they have nothing to do with him.

Poseidon and I have been getting along well, as you can tell. I'm almost completely used to being touched, so long as I'm not snuck up on and the touch isn't painful. I don't flinch like I used to when someone stands close. I've even managed to forget my past on occasions – mainly when we're watching Modern Family and laughing and joking. But despite this, I've become careless with hiding it all from Poseidon.

I mean, I was always very careful when sitting in the pool with Glimmer. I always make sure that no one is looking when I take off my shirt and quickly slide into the water. And Poseidon is never in the room when I'm changing, obviously. The marks are, usually, hidden. I'd hoped when Poseidon asked if he was okay with him adopting me that I could keep them hidden forever. But my mind wanders and I forget things – even the marks.

"Dad," I say as I walk into the kitchen, hair wet from the shower and shirtless. "Have you seen my green shirt anywhere? I can't find it,"

Poseidon glances over at me briefly. "Check in the dryer," he says whilst he flips the bacon for lunch. It's Sunday – our day off. We slept in late, and later we're probably going to head over to the aquarium.

I kneel down and open the dryer, rummaging through it for my favourite green shirt. It should be in here – I put it in the wash basket two days ago. And I really want to wear my favourite shirt today. It's so big and oversized and cosy; I've had it for years and it will probably keep fitting me until I'm around sixteen.

As I search through the dried off clothes, my annoyance quickly increases. Where is it? I bite back a growl of frustration, about to turn to Poseidon to ask him for guidance, when his voice rings out.

"Percy? What are those marks on your back?"

I stiffen. A cold feeling of dread washes over me as I realise my stupid mistake. I came downstairs without a shirt on after showering. My back – the marks on my back are completely visible.

I grab the first shirt of mine that I see – an old red one – and throw it on hastily, jumping to my feet. Poseidon is staring at me, his expression somewhere between curiosity, worry and...and anger? Oh no.

"Nothing," I say, gulping. "Uh, what marks?"

Poseidon stares me down, as though saying, 'you're know what marks...'. I feel sweat on the back of my neck.

"Percy," Poseidon says again. "Take off the shirt,"

Panic replaces the dread. My heart hammers so fast against my ribcage it's almost painful. "No," I say, trying to slip past him and get to the stairs . "I mean...there's nothing to see,"

"Oh, that's funny. I swear I saw scars on your back. Did you, I don't know, shred it open one time?"

How sensitive, dad, really, I grumble mentally. "Don't be stupid," I tell him. "I don't have any scars on my back. I think I'd know if I did,"

Usually, I'm an 'okay' liar. To anyone other than Poseidon, I'd sound believable right now. But he knows me too well and is even more stubborn as I am. Unfortunately, he knows what he saw. "You know I'm not going to fall for that. Take off the shirt and show me the marks, please,"

I curse in my head. "There are no marks," I say again, this time firmer.

"Yes, there are. I saw them,"