When the Sun Goes Down

Chapitre 3

Leto's Garden was gifted by Zeus. It was a real little paradise, with white marble walkways, wooden benches, carved in such a way to pay homage to Leto, Apollo and Artemis, and even a beautiful fountain.

Percy found Apollo sitting on its edge, staring at himself, his eyes sad. He ran his hand mechanically through the water, pushing it, then bringing it back towards him. Far away was the lively and carefree young man. Percy saw only a melancholy being, his back hunched, eyes red with tears contained, a pale complexion.

The sight horrified and worried Percy deep in his soul. What had happened to make the young god find himself in such a state ?

He slowly approached, the same way he would approach a wild, wounded animal. When he was less than ten meters away, Apollo finally saw him, and the fear that registered on his face before he forced a smile disturbed the young man.

"Percy! It has been a long time ! What are you doing here ?"

As he spoke, Apollo had risen and stepped back. Percy frowned. There was no longer any doubt, the Sun God was avoiding him like the plague. Ironic, knowing he had create it up.

"I was looking for you." he finally answered.

Apollo's eyes widened, and his pupils fluttered for a means of escape. Except Percy was a demigod. And a demigod overtrained by years of war. He had approached in such a way that the god could not escape him.

"Ah ? And why ?"

Percy had moved closer until he was less than two meters from the god. He shrugged. "You tell me, Apollo. Maybe to explain to me why you seem to run away from me, or why your eyes seem so sad every time I meet your gaze ? Or why Artemis seems to become extremely protective of you ? Any of these topics would do."

Apollo was fidgeting more and more, shaking his head frantically. His fake smile had slipped from his face, leaving only a panicked look. "I don't know what you're talking about..."

"Really ?"

Percy took a step forward, trapping the god for good. He ends up lowering his head. Percy believed that for a moment it was shame that had seized him, before noticing the shaking of his shoulders, and smelling the salt water of the god's tears. He was taken with shock. Why was Apollo crying ? Who had hurt him so much that he couldn't look up anymore ? Fear and mad rage seized him, and he swore to himself that if it was the fault of the damn King of the Gods, then Zeus was going to have a very bad surprise.

"It's nothing Percy," Apollo murmured at last, his gaze still downcast, his shoulders still shaking with spasms.

"Bullshit ! Apollo, tell me what's going on ?! Who hurt you so much that you try to run away from everyone ? I promise you that I will destroy him, god, monster or mortal."

He moved closer enough to take the god's icy hand in his hands. It frightened him even more. The Sun God was not supposed to have cold hands !

Apollo shook his head in denial. His tears were still flowing, wetting his beautiful frozen face in a grimace of pain.

"Apollo... Please, I don't like to see you like this... Let me help you," Percy tried again.

He didn't understand why the god's feelings meant so much to him, but he knew that seeing him so vulnerable broke his heart. He wanted to protect him from what seemed to be slowly destroying him.

He moved a little closer, sliding his hands down the god's arms to reach his waist, before taking his head with one hand, and caressing his back with the other, in a gesture of comfort. Apollo didn't even try to struggle, just resting his head on his shoulder, crying freely.

After a minute, he began to mumble. Percy had to strain his ears to understand.

- ... not fair... It's so unfair. I'll never be happy... Why did she have to have you? Why can't I? I'm in so much pain... I want so much to have you to myself alone...

Percy didn't quite understand what he was talking about, but continued his gentle words, his strokes on his back, and begged for the strength to help Apollo.

This went on for a good hour, Percy doing nothing but consoling the poor god, before he finally calmed down. He finally seemed to realize what arms he was in, for he straightened up sharply, that feeling of fear still etched on his face, and tried to disappear.

But that was without counting the speed with which the demigod grabbed his wrist, preventing him from teleporting.

"No ! Apollo, that's enough ! I am worried to death ! What puts you in this state, by the gods ?!"

This time it was Percy who had tears in his eyes, hurt that the god still wanted to get away from him.

"I can't tell you," the one said at last, his sobs still in his throat. "You would hate me..."

Percy felt even more confused, and he didn't like to be confused. "Why would I hate you ? Did you turn someone into plants ? Did you curse someone ? Did you kill someone innocent ?"

"No !"

"Then nothing you can tell me will make me hate you." His tone had grown softer, his eyes begging him to confide in him.

"I can't..."

Percy was getting fed up. If he didn't have an answer soon, he was going to end up breaking something.

"Listen to me, Apollo. I won't be leaving here until I get a satisfactory answer. If necessary, I will come back every day. I'll follow you everywhere, to the point where you'll get sick of me and want me to cease to exist." The god looked up in panic, as if it was the worst thing that could happen. Percy felt hurt.

"What about Annabeth ?"

"Oh, she's angry with me right now, and I don't even know why. Girls are complicated."

"And your mother ?"

"She knows I'm here, and I can always call her. Right now, you're the one who needs my help, so I'll stay there."

He shrugged, not letting go of the god's wrist. Apollo meanwhile was speechless. He didn't know what to say or what to think in the face of the young man's determination. Without realizing it, a small smile found his lips in front of the means that the son of the god of the sea put to help him, and felt grateful. At the same time he was so scared. Spending even more time with Percy might strengthen his feelings for him. But his selfish side, the one that cursed Annabeth for having what he most wanted in the world, saw here an opportunity to be alone with him for hours at a time, without parasitic company.

"I won't tell you," he said at last, his voice still trembling with tears.

"Very well," Percy sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "I hope you are ready to put up with me, because believe me, I will eventually find out."

Apollo smiled discreetly. He finally had him all to himself.