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Freyr often found himself lingering around Natalie and their son.
He wasn’t supposed to, gods weren’t meant to stay after all. But, it couldn’t be helped.
He enjoyed finding them at a park, watching from a distance as Magnus climbed a tree. Natalie would let him until he got too high. Then she would call him down.
He would linger in the air as they had dinner outside, Natalie sharing old stories with the young boy. His grey eyes glimmered in interest.
Today they were visiting a national park, far from Boston. A seaside park, with rocky trails. The salted air was good for his son, and he seemed to be enjoying himself.
Magnus was running along the rocky path, his blond locks falling just below his chin. He held a green water bottle in his hands. Natalie always let his hair grow longer, much to the PTA mothers dismay. Natalie followed behind him, at a more leisurely pace.
“Not so far, Pumpkin!” She called. Magnus stumbled, stopping just before colliding with another boy.
Freyr frowned instantly. Something was strange about the boy. He was no older than 8, curly blond hair and vibrant green eyes. His mother had dark brown hair and kind blue eyes.
He felt the presence before he recognized it. Freyr turned, smiling wryly at the god.
“Poseidon.” He nodded.
“Freyr, is that boy yours?”
The Greek looked at Magnus. Natalie had caught up to him now and was apologizing to Poseidon's boy and his mother.
“Yes, and I assume that one is yours?”
Poseidons face soften as he gazed at the boy. “Percy.”
Percy was chatting excitedly with Magnus, pointing at the ocean. Natalie had given up on trying to corral her son, and had taken to chatting with Percy’s mother.
“Wasn’t there some agreement you and your brothers made? Something about no more children?” He asked and glanced back at the god, careful with his tone.
Poseidon’s eyes darkened, he tensed. Freyr raised his hands in surrender.
“I mean no trouble, it is merely curiosity.” He said.
Magnus now walked with Percy, happily jumping over stones. The two women followed behind them.
“Yes, there was an agreement. But seeing as my brother has violated the agreement, it is only fair that I also violate it.” Poseidon said, his voice harsh.
Freyr interacted with the Greeks occasionally. A couple centuries ago, he and Apollo had run into each other at a tavern. Just six years ago, Athena showed up to have a chat regarding the Chase family.
They were certainly an interesting bunch, but seeing as who was within his own branch of divinity, he had more right to be rude.
“I understand,” Freyr said, walking along the cliff.
“He looks like his mother.” The Greek said, walking alongside him.
Freyr smiled, humming. “He does doesn’t he?”
Magnus laughed loudly at something Percy said, jumping on a stone and falling backwards onto his butt. Freyr winced, waiting for the cry of pain or the tears. Poseidon also paused, brows furrowing.
Before Magnus could even look afraid, Natalie stepped forward, carefully picking him up. She brushed dirt from his jeans.
“Careful, what have I told you about jumping off rocks?”
“Only do it if you’re sure you won’t fall…” Magnus frowned, “but I didn’t think i was going to fall.”
“Well then, you just have to get better at guessing then.” She smiled, patting the boys cheek. “You hurt?”
“No, mama”
“Well then, there you go. Keep playing.” Natalie stood.
Percy stood a few steps ahead, waiting patiently for Magnus to catch up. Percy’s mother smiled at Natalie, linking their arms.
“He’s strong.” Poseidon mused, “and clumsy”
“Oh, he’s only a boy, six year olds aren’t known for their elegance,” Freyr laughed.
The two boys ran the remaining length down to the ocean. They tossed themselves into the sand, grabbing clumps and trying to shape them into figures.
“He has your eyes,” Freyr commented, watching how Percy’s eyes took on a blue hue, reflecting the ocean next to him.
“everything else is from his mother though, Sally is special woman.”
Sally, Percy’s mother, sat down on a bench. She began unpacking her backpack, pulling out several sandwiches and containers.
Natalie opened her own backpack, pulling out a large blanket. She laid it on the sand, taking a seat in one corner.
“Come join me! There’s enough space for the four of us.” She smiled. Sally beamed, grabbing the food and taking a seat across from Natalie.
“Thank you! This is great, I haven’t had a fun outing with another mother in a while!” Poseidon sighed at that.
“What does that mean?” Freyr asked, Poseidon let out a heavier sigh.
“The mortal man she’s with, Gabriel, he is absolutely horrible. I don’t know what she seeing in him.” The god complained, taking a seat on the ridge. Freyr sat down next to him.
“Horrible how?” He had time, might as well make conversation.
“He’s an asshole” the Greek said plainly, resting his head on his hand. That caught him off guard, he laughed.
“Nothing that can compare to a god?” Freyr said. Poseidon paused, tilting his head in contemplation.
“It’s not an ego thing, he just genuinely is a horrible mortal.”
“So why is she still with him?”
The Greek fell silent, eyes falling on his son. Below them, Percy and Magnus had finally sat down to eat. They shared a container of blueberries, chattering.
“Magnus doesn’t talk this often,” Natalie commented, lounging back onto her arms.
“Neither does Percy, guess we’re lucky they found each other.” Sally hummed, leaning back.
“Or unlucky, they might never stop.” Natalie grinned, looking up at Sally.
Poseidon finally answered, “To protect him, the man is horrible enough that he hides the boy from any who want to harm him.”
Freyr frowned, Natalie was always on the move with Magnus. They both knew forces of evil would start coming for him soon.
“Magnus doesn’t have long before the worlds realize who he is. I…I worry about that.” He admits, they had common ground here.
“There’s not much we can do for them, is there?”
Percy crawled into his mothers lap, resting against her chest as he continued talking with Magnus. What do children talk about? He would have to ask someone about that later.
“Hardly anything, nothing we can do ourselves that is.”
That was something, a small spark of hope. He could never appear to his son, at least not frequently. But others could. And that could be enough. Maybe just for a little while.