Hades' Second Chance

Chapter 8

At first, the dream seemed a little freaky, and weird. I managed to blink away the sleep from my eyes, irritated by it. I couldn't help but notice that my bed was warmer than usual, and... that I was stark naked. Then last night came rushing back, and the last dregs of sleep and the dream faded away, and were replaced by a rush of joy.

I rolled over, trying to be quiet, and sure enough, Apollo was sleeping on the other side of the bed, his blond hair forming a halo around his head. He looked peaceful, almost angelic, laying there. His face was flushed slightly red, and his lips were just a tad swollen. He looked perfect.

I propped myself up on an elbow, and watched his chest rise and fall for a bit. Finally, I leaned over and kissed him gently. After I pulled away, his eyelids fluttered open, revealing those blue eyes that I had grown to love so much.

"Good morning..." he yawned, smiling up at me.

I leaned over, and kissed him on the tip of his nose, which made him chuckle. "Morning."

Apollo stretched out, his toes poking out from under the sheets and comforter. I laid back down, and wrapped an arm around his waist, bringing him close. He laughed, and turned around, so we were face to face. He was absolutely radiant.

Apollo rested a hand on my chest, and wrapped his other arm around my neck, gazing into my eyes, his own bright with happiness.

"I could lay here all day," I muttered, smiling at him. Apollo grinned back.

"So could I..." he said, pulling himself in closer to me, laying his head on my chest.

We stayed like that for nearly an hour, till I finally untangled myself from him, and slid out of bed. Apollo propped himself up, and looked me up and down, a sly grin on his face.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you checking me out?" I asked.

"Oh most definitely." he said, nodding vigorously.

I rolled my eyes, and tossed one of my throw pillows at him playfully. He caught it and laughed, then flopped back onto the bed.

"Go take a shower, handsome. I promise I'll still be here when you get back," he said, winking at me.

I rolled my eyes again, and walked into the bathroom.

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We sat down stairs, eating cereal on my couch, Apollo lounging across it, leaning against the armrest, with his legs across my lap. The news was on, blabbing on and on about politics, and last night's debate, neither of us were really paying any attention to it, instead wrapped up in our own conversation.

"I just wish she didn't think I was so obnoxious, ya know? She loves order and control, and I just like to go wherever the wind takes me!"

I nodded sympathetically. "My youngest brother is the same way. He likes things to be his way, and perfectly planned. Our middle brother likes to do whatever comes to mind, and I generally trust myself in the hands of fate. Needless to say, Poseidon and Zeus don't get along all that great."

"What about you?" he asked, his blue eyes looking up at me.

"Poseidon and I get along well, although he can be a little needy. Zeus and I..." I hesitated, "we have our days. Good and bad."

Apollo nodded thoughtfully. We lay on the couch, silent, as the news anchor went on about last night's debate. I listened for a moment, before getting fed up with hearing about Trump and Hillary, and turned off the TV.

Apollo snorted, "God, I am so sick of this election. I can't wait until it's over."

I pursed my lips and nodded. "I can't blame you. Two awful candidates, one is a sexist, racist idiot, and the other is a lying, scamming moron."

Apollo laughed. "That about sums it up."

I smiled at him, and tugged his feet so he was sitting perched on my lap. Apollo looked surprised, then smiled at me and leaned his head onto my shoulder. I ran my fingers loosely through his hair, and held him close.

"You know..." I said quietly, "if you and I could stay like this, for all eternity, I would be awfully happy with my life."

Apollo looked up and smiled at me. "After a lifetime of 'playing the field' I think I would be okay with settling down, as long as it's with you."

I laughed at him, and kissed his head, Apollo adjusted himself so we were eye level, and took one of my hands in his own, setting the other on my shoulder. I squeezed his hand tight, and lay my free hand on his waist. He leaned forward and kissed me, right on the lips. Of it's own accord, my arm snaked itself around his waist, and his around my neck.

I don't know how long we sat there making out, but it must have been a while, because when I pulled away, and glanced at the clock, it was noon.

Apollo blinked at me, then looked at the clock himself. "Noon already? I could've sworn it was only nine!"

I grinned cheekily, and said, "Time flies when you're having fun."

Apollo laughed loudly at that, and his eyes glittered. He stopped suddenly and we stared into each other's eyes. Apollo's eyes softened, and I recognized in them an emotion I couldn't quite place.

I don't know quite how long we sat there, just that it seemed like eternity. I'd have been fine if it was eternity. It seemed like a millennium had passed us by, when I had finally whispered, "I love you."

Apollo smiled back at me, but it wasn't one of his wild grins that stopped my heart. It was a soft, delicate smile, one that made it flutter with pure joy. There was no adrenaline pumping through my blood, but I felt alive and awake all the same.

Then I realized what that emotion I had seen had been love. Pure, emotional, love.

And he whispered back, in a voice so quiet I almost didn't hear it, "I love you too."