Well, This Is Akward…

i am. so. sorry. for however long this post has been in my inbox 😭

I’m glad Kevin lived in canon and didn’t die like he does in half of the drafts for many reasons. And one of them is most definitely I don’t think I’d have survived having to watch Andrew grieve Kevin.

Just…Riko shooting Kevin instead of Neil which is heartbreaking enough. But then you have Andrew holding Kevin in his arms practically begging him to stay with him.

Even going so far as to use the word he hate because Andrew would do anything if it meant Kevin got back up. But it didn’t work when he was 7 and it won’t work now.

He has to sit and watch the light drain from Kevin’s eyes knowing that when Kevin needed him the most Andrew failed to protect him.

He broke his promise.

He told Kevin he’d never let Riko take him away and he’s bleeding out on the Raven’s court with a bullet in his chest all because Andrew wasn’t fast enough.

Security having to physically hold Andrew back to take Kevin away from him cause he just won’t let go. Andrew losing all of his usual composure, he’s screaming, he’s shouting and demanding that they give Kevin back to him.

The only person who can reach him is Aaron but just barely. Neil’s a wreck who’s trying to pick with a fight with Riko and the rest of the Foxes are right behind him.

And Wymack has to stand there watching Kevin get carted away and Andrew breaking down in his twins arms realising he’s lost two of his kids in one day.

We know from Jean's narration* that when it came to Kevin's abuse in the Nest it was often more psychological than physical. He was made to watch Jean's torture at Riko's hand, tend to his wounds, and keep it a secret from the other Ravens. Living his life like this while in constant space / presence of his abuser meant Kevin's ability to shut off his own emotions was one of the few ways he could protect himself.

This also let Kevin in some small way protect Jean as any closeness between them would be seen as a slight against Riko. Why I think Riko breaking Kevin's hand had less to do with Kevin outplaying him but about the two of them learning French behind his back.

Even the "bitchy" side of Kevin is part performance as Jean explains he used it to distract the other Ravens from Jean's trauma & Riko's abuse. It also allowed him to have distance from the other Ravens and their own ways to taunt / tease / harm each other. Their words cannot hurt him because they are so far beneath him they're not worth listening to.

“I’m not good enough to play on the same court as a champion.” “True, but irrelevant.”

“Where the court is, Kevin is. He can’t exist without it.”

“You.” Neil said at last. Kevin pulled at his racquet again, and this time Neil let go. “Tell me I can have your game.”

Kevin was more demanding of himself than he was of anyone around him. He set his standards impossibly high and tried for them with everything he had, and he didn’t understand why others wouldn’t do the same.

“I brought him here.” Wymack said. “He showed up at my hotel room at the winter banquet with his hand a bloody mess. He didn’t want us to notify the Ravens or take him to a hospital, so Abby bandaged him up as best she could and I put him on the bus back to South Carolina with us.”

“Fuck you cripple.” Across the room, Kevin’s face went white. “What did you call me?” “I called you a dead-weight has been.” Neil said. Kevin was out of his chair so fast he knocked it over. 

“You said he would come for you.” “I didn’t know it would be like this.” “Liar.” Andrew said, and Kevin flinched. 

“Help me.” Kevin said, almost a whisper. 

“Do you even remember how to smile?” Matt asked. Kevin glared at him. 

“Morning sunshine.” Matt said with exaggerated cheer. “Fuck you.” Kevin said. Dan yawned into her hand. “Glad to see youre still a morning person.” “Fuck you too.”

The audience cheered their hearts out, delighted by Kathy’s surprise, but they weren’t quite loud enough to drown out Kevin’s soft voice at  Neil’s side. The words sounded like a desperate prayer.

He ended up with his thigh pressed against Neil’s, hard enough Neil could feel him trembling. 

Abby jogged the last couple of steps to Kevin and crushed him in a fierce embrace. Kevin held onto her for dear life 

“Dont rely on something as insubstantial as a miracle,” Kevin said. “You won’t win anything by standing around. Finish getting changed and get down to the court.” “One day I want you to look up ‘insensitivity’ in the dictionary,” Matt said, annoyed. “I’m sure it’ll do your ego wonders to see your picture printed there beside it.”

Kevin had a knee hugged to his chest and his face hidden in the fold of his arm. His knuckles were white where his hand was clenched into a fist. Neil didn’t think it was the bus that was making Kevin shake like that. 

Wymack pulled a bottle of vodka out of the bag and put it down beside Kevin. “You have ten seconds to inhale as much of this as you can. I’m timing you. Go.” It was alarming how much a man could drink when he needed an emotional crutch. Wymack had to pry the bottle from Kevin’s desperate fingers afterward. 

The noise Kevin made at his side was worse

Kevin stared at him a few seconds longer, then got out of his chair almost fast enough to take the whole table with him. Abby was at his side in a heartbeat, expression pinched with worry. Kevin couldn’t seem to manage words, but he gestured for her to follow. 

Kevin was silent for an endless minute, then said, “You should be  Court.” It was barely a whisper, but it cut Neil to the bone. It was a resentful goodbye to the bright future Kevin had wanted for Neil. Kevin recruited Neil because he believed in  Neil’s potential. He brought him to the Foxes intending to make a star athlete out of him. Despite his condescending attitude and his dismissals of Neil’s best efforts Kevin honestly expected Neil to make the national team after graduation.

“Will you still teach me?” Neil asked. “Kevin was quiet again, but not for long this time. “Every night.”

“Can you do this, Kevin?” Abby asked, searching his face for any sign he was okay. “Can you play?” “If I am breathing, I can play.” Kevin said. “This is my game too.”

“I’m satisfied.” Kevin said. It was the last response any of the Foxes expected from him. They forgot about Riko in favor of gaping at Kevin. “Not with their score or performance, but with their spirit. I was right. There’s more than enough here for me to work with.”

Even Kevin was going to come out of this on top. He wasn’t going to fade into obscurity like Tetsuji and Riko thought he would; he would ride the Foxes’ resurgence to the top and reclaim his place in the spotlight.

“Do you have my ticket?” “You’re not going.”

“I know what he’s like,” Kevin said. Neil looked at him but Kevin was studying his hands. “Riko. If you want to talk.”

“It is not a switch you turn on and off. You of all people know this.” Kevin finally pushed Neil off him, but he didn’t try to get past  Neil. “You did not grow up with him. You do not get to judge me.”

“Good thing you’re not there anymore.” “Jean still is.”

Kevin recoiled so hard he slammed into the wall behind him. He clapped a protective hand over his own tattoo. 

Kevin had his elbow on the windowsill and his face in his hand. “I’ll tell them so you don’t have to.” Kevin gestured with his free hand: “Get out” or “I don’t care” but not “Don’t you dare.” He didn’t say anything; Neil didn’t think he could. 

Kevin was sitting on his bed, one knee tucked to his chest, as he stared dully into the distance. Neil sat cross-legged on the end of the bed and waited. It didn’t take long. Kevin propped his chin on his knee and said, “How do you do it?” Kevin flicked his fingers as if frustrated by his own vagueness and said, “After everything that’s happened this year, after Riko and your father and the FBI and knowing Lord Ichirou has found out about you, why aren’t you afraid?”

Kevin choked on his first denial. His second attempt was hoarse with disbelief. “Don’t joke about such things .” Neil stared back at Kevin in silence until Kevin flinched and took a half-step back. 

Neil felt cold all over watching him, but he didn’t know if it was fear that Kevin was going to injure himself again or awe. He’d always known Kevin was the best, but he’d almost forgotten what Kevin used to be like at his peak. 

“Did you know I’ve never been skiing? I’d like to try it one day, though.”

Kevin didn’t slow or look around on his way to the locker room, and he pushed right past his celebrating teammates in the foyer. He dropped his helmet and gloves on his way across the changing room and caught hold of the edge of the sink. He swayed a bit like his legs wanted to give out from under him and his hands were trembling so violently Neil could see it from the doorway. Instead of falling he leaned forward and pressed his forehead to the mirror. “We’re all going to die.” Kevin said at last. “No we’re not.” Neil said. Kevin thought about that for a minute, then straightened. After staring at his reflection for an age he lifted his hand and covered his tattoo on the glass. The result sent an odd tremor along Kevin’s shoulders. Neil didn’t know if it was approval or fear. All that mattered was that Kevin nodded and turned back to them. He looked at Neil first, then Andrew. “We have a lot of work to do.” 

Kevin was too busy soaking in the joy of being back on Trojan territory. His contented expression was at complete odds with the nerves and dread evident on his teammates’ faces. Neil wanted to tell him to tone it down, but he couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Kevin in a good mood. 

“Interesting” was too tame a word for the look in Kevin’s eyes. The smile that finally slipped free and curved his lips was hungry. 

Now that number was gone, covered up by the jet-black image of a chess piece. Neil’s knowledge of chess was hazy at best, but he knew for sure that wasn’t a king. “You did it,” Neil said, too stunned to manage anything else. “Let Riko be King,” Kevin said, with the exaggerated enunciation of the thoroughly sloshed. “Most coveted, most protected. He’ll sacrifice every piece he has to protect his throne. Whatever. Me?” Kevin gestured again, meaning to indicate himself but too drunk to get his hand higher than his waist. “I’m going to be the deadliest piece on the board.”

“Fuck him,” Kevin said, sliding a little further down the door. “Fuck all of them. Waste of time to be angry. They should be afraid.” 

Kevin dragged his stare back to Wymack’s face and said, “and my father comes to all of my games. That is enough.” On Wymack’s other side, Abby’s gaze softened. Wymack’s jaw worked for a moment before he could say in an even tone, “Your mother would be proud of you.” “Not just me.” Kevin said in a rare bout of humanity. 

Poseidon Gaienokhos - Holder of the earth.

Poseidon Ennosigaios (Ἐννοσίγαιος) - Earth Shaker

Poseidon Soter - “Savior”; Savior of Sailors, for when people wanted to be protected at sea.

Poseidon Aspha’lius/Asphaleius - “Of safety” ; He who grants safety to ports and navigation

Poseidon Prosbaterios - “Of Approaches” ; For safe approaches at harbor

Poseidon Prosklystios - “The Flooder”

Poseidon Gene’sius - The Father

Poseidon Pontomedon - Lord of the Sea

Poseidon Anax - King, Lord, Master

Poseidon Basileus - “The Lord, King” ; Aboard ships or in his cities

Zeus Einalios - Zeus of the Seas

Poseidon Aglaotriaina - He of the bright trident

Poseidon Eutriaina - Of godly trident

Poseidon Asphaleios (ασφάλεια) - “Of safety/security”; Protector/Averter of the earthquakes, for those on dry land.

Poseidon Hedraios - “with a Firm Base” ; Protection from earthquakes

Poseidon Themelioukhos - “Holder of Foundations”

Poseidon Hippios (ἲππειος) - “Of the horses” ; Creator and tamer of horses, for those having trouble taming horses, or if your horses were sick or in danger.  Also for protection of horses during storms, warfare, droughts, etc, as well as perform in competitions or when the distance to travel is long.

Poseidon Hippokourios - “Horse-tender”

Poseidon Nymphayaetis - Leader of the nymphs, for those asking for help to influence the behavior of nymphs.

Poseidon Tau’reus - The divinity that gave great pasture to bulls on the sea-cost, and/or it is to him that the bulls were sacrificed.

Poseidon Epoptes - “Watcher, Overseer” ; For he saw everything that happened at sea

Kyanochetis (κυανοχαίτης) - “Dark (or Blue) -Haired”, like the sea

Phykios (φύκιος) - “full of seaweed"

Poseidon Epilimnios - He of all lakes

Poseidon Kymothalis - Abounding with waves

Poseidon Prosklystios - “Who Dashes Against”

Poseidon Phytalmius - “Nurturer of Plants” ; likely due to the fact that Poseidon’s trident created the springs that provided water to vegetation.

Poseidon Khamaizelos - “Seeking the Ground” 

Poseidon Baructupos - Loud thundering, Heavy sounding (also of Zeus)

Poseidon Tropaios - “Of Route” ; (Poseidon receives that title, normal in the cult of Zeus, by Sarpedon’s troops to perhaps celebrate the paradoxical routing of an army on land by the god of the sea)

Poseidon Pater - “Father”

Poseidon Patroios - “Of the Forefathers”

Poseidon Laoites - “Of the People”

Epithets/Names of Poseidon Based on Location:

Poseidon Pelagios (Πελάγιος) -  "belonging to the sea" in Ionia

Poseidon Petraeus - He who separated the rocks, between which the river Peneius flows into the sea. Among the Thessalians.

Poseidon I’sthmius - The god worshipped on the Isthmus (of Corinth), in honour of whom the Isthmian games were celebrated.

Poseidon Pelagios - “of the Sea”, at the southern tip of the peninsula of Sinai

RESOURCES (in no particular order):

Greek Gods Abroad - Names, Natures, and Transformations by Robert Parker Oakland, CA

The Gods of Ancient Greece - Identities and Transformations by Jan N Bremmer and Andrew Erskine

theoi.com * Please be careful with theoi.com, latest updates are more on the clickbait-y type; however has pretty good information for starters- just remember to fact check everything!

Hellenicgods.org * It has come to my attention that this site is like an actual dumpster fire lmao so I wanted to come here with an edit/update to say to not use this site!! I used this briefly, only to scan over the spellings to check for consistencies, and everything else in this post was checked majorly from the books mentioned and the other resources. Thank you so much to @thegrapeandthefig​ for pointing this out!

wikipedia.com * Wikipedia just looks bad, man.. but their page on Poseidon is pretty good- Just fact check everything ! 

study.com * You need to pay, which SUCKS but is pretty good from what I was able to read