Silence had never been so loud as the two star-crossed lovers gazed at one another. Tears had begun to stream like drops of rain on a window down the face of Ariadnê as she struggled to hold back the emotions within her. Pulses of power echoed around her feet, like a looping signal though she knew it was nothing more than Nico and Percy reacting to the way the earth began to quake softly under her feet.
She could feel their worry in the recess of her mind, but she could not give any focus to that.
No.
She gave her full attention to Apollôn, watching as his eyes clouded over in the way that suggested he was searching through the past, present, and future. She wondered what he could see as she doubted there was much to be viewed with the protections that the Moirai and Anankê placed around them.
Could he see the truth though? Could he see the love between them? Could he see the passion that they once shared?
Could he see the way that he held her oh so gently as he taught her how to dance? Was he able to see the way that he smoothly corrected her stance as he taught her to use a bow and arrow? Would he see the patient way he helped her with her homework as her stress made her dyslexia worse than normal?
Could he see how he cradled her in his arms after she had come back from the war at sea, lying awake at night as she screamed herself hoarse from nightmares? Was he able to see how the two of them shared a mutual dislike that they pushed aside as they both grieved for the life that had been stolen from Lee much too soon?
Would he see the way that he caught her so effortlessly as she threw herself into his arms? Would he be able to see the gentle yet intense way that he had kissed her the first time with love and desperation and hope flowing between them? Would he be able to see how he brought her to ecstasy as he chased away every unwanted gaze and touch from those that wished to break and assault her?
Could he see how fucking much she loved him that a piece of her felt gone without being at his side?
He blinked slowly as he returned to the present; eyes focusing on her with increasing intensity as she muttered, "Phoibos Apollôn."
Apollôn shook at the way his name rolled off her tongue erotically.
That was much too sensual for Connor's ears.
Connor could see the way the others began to appear from his peripheral as Ariadnê could also sense the echoes from Percy and Nico and Katie letting her know that they were coming to her.
But again, she could not give any focus to that.
Apollôn took a step towards her and she took one towards him.
She bit back a sob, eyes slipping close as he rested his hand against her cheek. She leaned into the touch, blinking slowly to rid herself of the tears blurring her vision.
(He was still beautiful and otherworldly and good and real... so real behind the wall of tears. He was there in front of her once more and not the object of her desires that plagued her dreams.)
Jealousy was a cruel mistress and one that Connor knew very well. An emotion that taunted him relentlessly as he saw the single minded focus that Ariadnê gave to whomever held her attention. Travis had made fun of him for weeks the first time Connor had glared at him after Ariadnê gave the elder a cheek kiss when he took on the role of her older brother.
It had only gotten worse when he was able to see the way the presence that surrounded Ariadnê shrink into herself whenever his Father and Apollôn were around her. He had never understood the meaning that jealousy was a green-eyed monster until he saw the way Percy glared at the gods for being able to connect with his sister in a way that he could not. He didn't get how jealousy was a disease until the simple statement of their names managed to wash away her worries and he was left stewing in resentment.
