Sunburn- phoebus apollo

--xvii. tensions, conflicts, and a very goldy christmas

CHRISTMAS EVE BEGAN WITH the sound of banging pots and pans and the overblown splash of a water hose.

"You're kidding," Rhea said, her face twisting in horror at what her mom just said. She was currently in the living room chilling with her twin. Her mom had entered and brought them a plate of blue chocolate chip cookies but also with a side of request.

Percy on the other hand, looked as if the world had just ended. "Mom!" He all but screeched. "They're not on the 'meeting the parents stage' yet. And besides, I don't want to spend Christmas with him."

Their mom, however, was not having it. She crossed her arms. "Hush, Percy. You don't have a say in this. And Rhea dear, you're bringing him over. End of discussion. Otherwise.... otherwise no Taylor Swift music for a month."

"What?!" Rhea gasped.

"You both have already seen his side of the family," her mom pointed out. "Now what's left is to meet ours."

"Yeah," Percy snorted. "When they had a friendly discussion on whether to kill us or not."

"Hey," Rhea snapped. "If I recall, he stood up for you."

"Didn't ask him to."

"You're such a baby."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am--"

"Stop!" Their mother retorted, and the twins instantly stopped their bickering to face their mother. She had a stern expression on her face and that honestly scared Rhea a little bit. "You bringing him or not?" She had the look on her face that said 'or else.'

The daughter of Poseidon smiled nervously. "Whatever thee queen wishes."

In response, her mother rolled her eyes playfully before leaning in to peck her forehead. "Love you!" She turned around and went back in the kitchen. "Enjoy the cookies, love!" She hollered.

*******

APOLLO

Apollo was the most awesome god on Olympus--all facts, no printer. Everyone loved him, save for a few annoying expectations, like Zephyros, who still held a grudge against him after what happened with Hyacinthus. Regardless, for the most part, Apollo was well-loved, had great hair, and had perfect teeth any dentist worth his salt would murder him for. He had nothing to worry about. Aphrodite had even assured him that his pretty love's mother would positively adore him. (He didn't even need to think about Jackson. That brat better be grateful after he saved his life on Olympus.) Tonight would go off without a hitch.

When Rhea had first invited him over for Christmas, he'd been ecstatic, because surely that must have meant his charms had finally been useful. He'd been mildly bummed when he found out she'd been forced to bring him over by her mom, but that was okay, too! He never turned down an opportunity to impress--and he'd been told by man that he was extremely impressive.

His confidence wasn't as high when he actually showed up at her house.

Sally Jackson looked much like how Poseidon had described her a few years back. She was all smiles when Rhea opened the door for him, peeking over her daughter's shoulder with a cheerful happiness that was infectious. Apollo could tell immediately that they were going to get along like a house on fire.

Perseus Jackson was a different story.

That demigod brat looked at Apollo like he was a sack of expired potatoes. The god had barely managed to not sneer right back at him. He had that look in his eyes his sister's hunters did whenever they saw him.