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APOLLO FOLLOWED ALEC off of the rooftop, shooting Artemis a thankful smile as he watched her make her escape from the shadowhunters. Apollo put his thumb and pinky to his ear in a 'call me' gesture, before running after the dark haired man.
"Alec, darling," Apollo called out to the tall shadowhunter who was walking with all the fury of a righteous man. "Hey, slow down, I can't fury walk like you do." Apollo thought Alec might've just continued on, ignoring his calls, but Alec slowed his pace before coming to an abrupt stop.
Apollo continued to move forward, rushing towards the upset boy. He didn't have to move very far before Alec turned around and lunged at the god, almost tackling him to the ground. Apollo embraced the taller boy, stroking his hair. Apollo could feel little droplets of tears fall onto his neck from where Alec was hiding his face.
"It's okay, darling. It'll all be okay." Alec just shook his head and closed his eyes, letting Apollo's sweet words carry his hurt. Apollo just gripped him tighter, as if he could open up his ribcage and make a home for Alec in there, protecting him from everything that wanted to hurt him. As if Alec could hear Apollo's thoughts, he burrowed further into the god and just let his tense body finally relax.
* * *
Apollo woke up to shouting. He could hear Simon blowing up as he groggily left Alec's room, careful not to wake the sleeping boy. Apollo made his way to where he could still hear all the commotion.
"He's my problem!" Apollo heard Simon shout as he made his way to the institute entrance, where Simon, Clary and Jace were all standing. The three of them stood in a weird triangle, with Clary trying to placate both Simon and Jace.
"He's just like Kirk Duplesse from high school. Do you remember him? Total jerk with the square jaw. Smelled like body spray, always bullying people." Simon gestured wildly with his hands, eyes burning with unshed tears. "Why don't you do your own homework? Just once, yeah?" Simon shoved Jace before walking off. Apollo simply followed the mortal boy. Simon was one of the few people he actually liked, he wasn't going to let the boy leave without anything to protect himself or his family.
"I'm not saving his ass a second time." Apollo heard Jace say, his smug aura just radiating throughout the room.
"Can it, jackass." Apollo called back, pinching his fingers together as if holding a dart and throwing it Jace's way. A flash of golden light hit the blonde, causing him to groan and hit the wall behind him.
"Really, Jace?"
"Simon!" Apollo called out to the boy. "Hey, Simon. Hey! Simon." Apollo jogged a little to catch up with the fuming boy.
"What?" Simon stopped, turning to the god, his eyes glossy and full of sadness. As Apollo went to speak, Clary cut him off, not even bothering with an apologetic look.
