Father and Sun

That night, for once, Will Solace had a dream instead of a nightmare. It was in his own house's living room. On his sofa sitting seriously was none other than his, "Dad?"

"Hey Will. Sorry to disturb this late after a long day but, could you and Nico come out. I need to talk..."

Will instantly shot up. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and shook the sleeping figure near him. "Neeks, wake up. "

Nico groaned loudly and slowly sat up groggy. "What happened? It's three in the morning and tomorrow's a Monday."

" Dad said he needs to talk."

That got Nico's attention he let out a big yawn as he kicked off the blanket.

They both made their way to the living room half asleep but were wide awake the moment they saw Apollo on the sofa with a little boy sleeping with his head on his lap.

"Who-?" Will started.

"Mason. He's my son." He looked at Will, " You're brother."

That surprised them. The Apollo cabin hadn't had new members in years. Especially that young.

"He's the first one I've had since Lester Papadopoulos."

Nico knelt in front of them and combed his hand through the sleeping boy's hair, "How old is he?"

"Six. Turning seven this November."

" Why do you have him?" Will asked, leaning against a wall with his arms folded.

" I've been raising him on Olympus."

Nico's eyes shot wide open. " No wonder he feels strong. "

"But isn't that forbidden?"

" That's why I came here. To ask you a favour."

"What ?" Nico asked getting up.

" Could you raise him for me?"

Again, both their eyes opened wide.

" Dad knows he's there. If I defy him who knows what he'd do to him. He's not safe on Olympus."

Apollo was serious, that much was obvious.

"I want him to make friends his age. Go to school. Complain about how annoying people are. Fail and try again." Apollo looked at both of them. "And I want him to have a stable family while he's doing all of that, to help him find his way when he's lost. And I can't think of anyone else I trust more than you two."

Apollo felt the boy stir, and a low sob coming from him.

"Why dad." Mason sniffled. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Of course not baby. Listen." Nico and Will left to the hallway to give the two of them space while they came to a decision themselves.

"You can go to school now Mason. You'll meet new people, talk about songs to friends. You'll be happy."

"But you're not there! I don't want school. I don't need friends!! I need you... please. I won't ask about school again." Mason was now sobbing loudly into Apollo's chest, and all he could do is hug him back.

He didn't want to let go of him. He didn't. But, he knew that was wrong. He knew that this would be better for him.

So it hurt this bad to let go...

"Who's he?"

Apollo turned to see a small brunette stand in the hallway Nico and Will had just left through.

"Rose, why are you out of bed?" Nico started directing her away from the living room back to her bedroom but she didn't budge.

"Why's he crying?" Rose forced herself out of Nico's hand and ran first towards another room (presumably the dining room) and ran back to Mason just as fast. She stuck her hand out and handed him a lily. "When I'm sad, I look at flowers. You feel better right?"

Mason looked at the flower puzzled. His face was still damp with tears but his expression was of someone who didn't know if he should be intrigued or crying.

"Pretty, isn't it?" Apollo sat him on his lap, with the smaller back resting against his chest so he could face Rose. "You must've gotten used to seeing the hyacinths and DELOS. But there are so many more out here."

Mason twisted his head back to look his father in the eye. "I want you to see all of them. And you can do that if you're here." Apollo gave a melancholic smile.

Mason was confused. This was a hard decision to spring on a grade-schooler. He wanted both worlds but had to choose. The frustration made him cry all over again which made Rose confused and Apollo sad

Will and Nico wordlessly nodded to each other. "Dad, we'll do it if Mason wants to. "

Mason looked down at his lap. 

"You don't have to decide today. " Nico told Mason with a smile. "Right?" Nico asked Apollo with a bit of an icy edge to it. He knew what it felt like for the person closest to you to leave you behind suddenly.

"Of course not." He told confidently and hugged him closer. He wasn't ready today.

Mason looked a bit relieved. Enough so to fall asleep. Rose was still looking at him confused, but she also looked groggy after the must help adrenaline ran out.

"Bed time you." Nico guided her back to her room.

Will and Apollo were alone now.

"Will. I'm sorry-"

"It's fine dad."

Apollo wanted to tell him it wasn't for asking him to take Mason in. It was for all the times he felt abandoned. Or upset. Or alone. Or unloved.

"You're good, dad. Trust me." Will smiled at him, as though he could read his mind.

"You're good too, son." He smiled back, less confidently. A few seconds and bright flash later, Will was alone in the room, hopefully, the guardian of two.