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Before Percy and Apollo got together, if you had asked who the most sickeningly in love couple was on Olympus, people would point to either Aphrodite and Ares or Dionysus and Ariadne. Now if you ask the same question, each and every person would crinkle their nose in mock disgust and answer, “Percy and Apollo.”
The two were constantly seen together, practically attached at the hip.
Apollo would serenade his lover with love poems and songs to bed and wake his lover up every morning with a gentle ray of sunlight through Percy’s window. The god would bring Percy delicacies from all over the world, from a simple slice of pizza from Italy to some foreign dish whose name wreaked havoc on Percy’s dyslexia. Apollo would even spend hours reading Percy’s assignments to him so that his lover would have an easier time with the readings.
Percy on the other hand would take Apollo swimming in the darker depths of the ocean, much to Poseidon’s chagrin. He would bake Apollo blue chocolate chip cookies, always making sure to bake extra so Apollo could share with his children. Percy would listen to Apollo’s woes and give advice on how to better connect with his children. He would spend entire nights lying awake and comforting the god whenever one of his darker moods hit him.
It became much worse after Percy’s ascension.
After Percy’s ascension, what the two did before, became child’s play compared to how they were like as two immortals.
And to think, it started with a broken arm.
***
In Apollo’s defense, it wasn’t really his fault.
Well, it wasn’t all his fault.
It was a normal, bright and sunny day when Apollo visited, as it usually is. (courtesy of the god himself). Ever since his Lester incident, Apollo had been coming by Camp Half-Blood more often, to connect with his children. He could see that many of the other campers were jealous, so he made it a habit of spending some time with the other children at camp too. He also made a note to himself to remind the other gods that they could visit their children more often.
On one of his visits, he had the brilliant idea of surprising one of his kids on their birthday. It was unfortunate that he also had the not so brilliant idea of popping up on top of the lava wall. The poor child was so startled she lost her grip on the wall and fell. Apollo reacted a second too late, but before he could even begin to act, Percy Jackson, who had been climbing next to the child to make sure she was safe, dove off the wall and caught her. Unfortunately for him, he landed on his arm.
Even more unfortunate for him, Apollo had been forbidden from interfering too much at Camp whenever he visited. This meant, no magical healing unless there was an incident. The series of unfortunate events didn’t stop there. The camp was running low on ambrosia and nectar and until the next shipment came in, they were reserving their uses for true emergencies. Now, while Percy would normally heal himself in the water, an unnamed duo had caused the lake and beach to be inaccessible.
As if to mock him, Mr. D (or the Fates) decided that today was baking day.
Normally Percy would bake alongside the children.
But the arm in a sling and cast prevented him from doing so.
So, Percy taking advantage of Apollo’s visit and guilt, “persuaded” the god to act as his “Teaching Assistant” for the week, just until the paths to the lake and beach were cleared (or until the next shipment of ambrosia and nectar came in).
But Apollo is a really, really bad baker.
The sun god seemed to struggle to mix the cookie dough properly.
Percy had rolled his eyes in exasperation and stepped forward to adjust Apollo’s posture. His eyes widened in panic and shock when his foot slid forward and his body tilted back. Apollo dropped the bowl and quickly reached out to steady the demigod.
The two stared at each other.
Apollo broke the silence, “You have freckles…”
“What about them?”
“Did you know that in some cultures, freckles are considered sun kisses?”
“What?”
***
Apollo wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
“Did you know that in some cultures, freckles are considered sun kisses?”
What possessed him to say that?!
It seemed that ever since his stunt as Lester, he had been losing more and more cool points. One of his most embarrassing moments had to be what landed him here. He had only wanted to surprise his kid on her birthday. He hadn’t meant for her to fall off the lava wall. And to make matters worse, he had just stood there while she fell. Percy had to be the one to rescue her.
And look what it got him.
A broken arm Apollo was forbidden from healing, as he was already pushing the limits of his interference.
If he had known how much he would embarrass himself afterwards, he would have just healed the damn arm, his father be damned.
“What?” Green eyes blinked up at him, reminding Apollo of a confused baby seal.
“Nothing!” Apollo yelped, flinging his arms back, only to watch in horror as Percy fell completely backwards and landed with a heavy thump onto the floor. Percy groaned in pain as his arm was jostled by the fall.
“I think I have a concussion.”
***
Apollo sat in the corner with a dejected look on his face as his son finished checking over Percy. Luckily there was no more damage to the arm arm. Unluckily, Percy now had a concussion. The god pointedly tried to ignore the deadpan stare Will was giving him.
“Alright Percy, you’re good to go. Remember to make sure the cast doesn’t get wet and take it easy. Once the ambrosia and nectar comes in, we’ll set you up with some. In the meantime, I need you to try and stay awake. I’ll try and find someone to check in on you and make sure you stay conscious.” Apollo perked up.
“I can do that!”
He was ignored as Will continued speaking, “I’ve been told that the Hermes cabin is almost finished with clearing the path to the lake and beach, so hopefully you can just take a quick dip instead of having to wait for the nectar and ambrosia.” There was the sound of rustling papers, “I think Kayla might be free in the afternoon so I’ll try and send her over, otherwise I can ask some of the satyrs to cover.”
“Thanks Will,” Percy said as he carefully stood up.
Apollo waved his arms, “Hold on, I can watch over Percy for the day. I am the god of healing! Even if I can’t do much right now, I can at least watch over him.”
The two demigods shared a look, and not so subtly glanced at Percy’s broken arm and the ice pack resting on his head. Will cringed and Percy paled, both imagining what could happen if Apollo was allowed to “watch” over Percy for the entire day. The two had looked like he would refuse, so Apollo used his godly privilege to command them to let him watch over Percy.
What a strange sight that was.
A god, commanding someone to let him watch over them.
***
Percy sat on his bed, desperately trying to ignore the intense gaze of the god beside him. He failed. “Would you please stop staring at me?!”
Apollo didn’t bother blinking, as his blue eyes continued to stare at Percy, “Can’t. I’m supposed to watch over you.”
Percy huffed in annoyance, “You know that means making sure I don’t accidentally fall asleep or trip and injure myself more, right? ”
“Yes, and your track record has indicated that you’ll get injured the second I take my eyes off of you.”
“Well, whose fault is it that I’m injured in the first place?” Percy asked as he stood up and made his way over to Apollo.
On reflex, Apollo blinked, feigning innocence.
And whether it be the Fates or some other unholy thing, as soon as Apollo closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, Percy tripped over the magazine Apollo had tried to read before tossing on the floor. Luckily, Apollo was able to catch him before any more injuries occurred. With his face still buried in Apollo’s chest, Percy groaned in embarrassment, “Don’t.”
“I didn’t even say anything!”
“I know. Keep it that way.”
***
Apollo held onto the demigod, making sure not to jostle his arm or his head any more than necessary. But as he held Percy in his arms, he couldn’t help but note the rightness of it.
And if Apollo weaseled his way into spending time with Percy, even after his arm was healed, then that was no one’s business but his own.
***
Percy blinked at the pile of fresh pastries on his kitchen dining table. He could still see the steam wafting of the baked goods. There was also a cup of fresh tea, still steaming hot. It was only after taking in the bizarre sight did Percy move his gaze over to the god sitting at his kitchen table, his own plate of pastries in front of him.
Apollo waved, a sunny grin on his face.
Percy was sorely tempted to go back into his bedroom and pretend he was still sleeping. That this was nothing more than a dream.
But his stomach growled and Percy reluctantly made his way to the table.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing!”
Green eyes stared suspiciously at the god, “Why don’t I believe that?”
Apollo tried to retain his smile, but those piercing green eyes seemed to dissect him down to his very essence. “Okay, okay! Stop staring at me like that. I just need you to go on one date with me.”
“No.”
“You didn’t even let me explain!”
“Because, if I did, I would somehow, willingly or not, be dragged in anyway.”
Apollo took a deep breath and Percy immediately moved to cover his ears.
But it was no use.
A few hours later, Percy was grumbling as he and Apollo entered a classy looking nightclub. Of course Apollo had to flash his black platinum, diamond VIP member card…whatever that meant. Apparently it was a “couples night” and only pairs were allowed in. Percy couldn’t help but wonder why Apollo invited him of all people when there were probably plenty of people who would have thrown themselves at the god.
Somewhere, up on Olympus, Aphrodite screamed into her pillow at the sheer obliviousness.
***
Despite his initial reluctance, Percy was enjoying himself.
Until some asshole refused to take no for an answer.
It happened while Apollo stepped away to get them some food to have with their drink.
He must have been waiting for Apollo to step away, since he appeared pretty much right afterwards. Percy could tell that the asshole had never really been told no his entire life. Despite Percy’s repeated refusals and obvious growing discomfort, he wouldn’t take no for an answer and kept getting into Percy’s personal space. When the asshole placed his hand on Percy’s thigh, Percy just about said screw it to his policy of not harming mortals and almost decked the guy right then and there.
He didn’t get a chance.
Apollo seemed to appear out of nowhere, his expression was unlike anything Percy had seen before. The god wrapped an arm around Percy’s waist and stared down the ignorant mortal. The usually jovial smile was gone and in its place was a frown that promised pain.
The mortal must have had some brain cells left because Percy was quickly left alone after that.
Apollo turned to Percy with a sheepish and apologetic look on his face, but kept his arm around his waist for the rest of the night.
It kind of felt nice.
Something shifted after that night.
***
Apollo grinned as he flashed into Percy’s room, a bag of candy so sour it was banned in the United States in his hand. His smile dropped as he heard the quiet sniffles from Percy’s bed. Apollo approached the lump on the bed, a concerned frown on his face.
“Percy? What’s wrong?”
“Go away Apollo, I’m not in the mood today.” Percy’s voice was hoarse and choked, as if he had been crying. Apollo grew even more concerned. The sun god gently sat on the bed and placed a comforting hand on what he assumed was Percy’s shoulder. He was wrong. Percy huffed out a startled laugh, “Get your hands off my butt.”
Apollo quickly pulled his hands back, “Sorry!”
Percy wiggled out of the blanket, eyes rimmed red and lips cracked.
“What’s wrong,” the god asked again, eyes full of concern.
“Nothing,” Percy replied, voice hoarse.
“It’s not nothing,” Apollo gently wiped a stray tear from Percy’s cheek, “you’re crying.” The sun peeked in through the drawn curtains and made the god’s golden locks shine brightly in the dimly lit room. There was a look so gentle that Percy couldn’t help the hitch in breath.
Percy felt a fresh wave of tears spill over, “I don’t know. Nothing is wrong, nothing is supposed to be wrong. I don’t know why I’m crying.”
Apollo drew the demigod close. “It’s okay,” he whispered, and held the son of Poseidon in his arms for the entire night, protecting the hero from nothing and everything.
***
After that night, Percy knew their relationship had shifted into something more . And if he were honest with himself, he didn’t hate it. The next time they met, Percy was holding a picnic basket in his hands and dressed in swim trunks. He had promised Apollo he would take the god swimming, well if having a picnic at the bottom of the ocean counted as swimming.
The warm rays of the sun hitting his face was the only warning he had before Apollo flashed in, dressed in his own swim trunks and a box of pastries straight from Paris in his hands. Percy snorted. He knew Apollo would buy dessert in lieu of making it…especially after that disastrous kitchen accident.
“Ready?” Percy asked, hefting the basket a little higher.
Apollo grinned, “You sure Uncle P won’t try and set the barracudas after me? Or the sharks?”
Percy smiled and began walking towards the water, having it part before him.
“Percy?” Apollo called, chasing after the demigod, “Percy, why won’t you answer me?!”
The two disappeared under the waves and Apollo barely held back a gasp at the sight of the underwater world around him. Percy smiled, illuminated by the bioluminescent life around him, he looked like a young sea god.
And Apollo knew that he was in love.
***
Percy was quietly humming to himself as he mixed some blue dye into cookie dough. The sun was shining and a slight breeze was coming in through the open window. Apollo walked around the kitchen island and wrapped his arms around Percy, hugging him from behind. He placed a gentle kiss on the demigod’s temple and gently turned his lover to face him.
“I love your freckles, you know that?”
Percy snorted, “Of course you do, you placed most of them there.”