Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Percy has a song stuck in his head.

Every second of every hour it croons in the back of his mind, unobtrusive yet persistent all the same. It echos devotion and loyalty in soft wordless lyrics that only Percy can hear, and he’d be loathe to share it with anyone else. He doesn’t quite know what it is, except that it’s for him alone, and he’s determined to keep it that way. So, for months, Percy has kept it to himself, even as the song intensifies in strength.

Percy doesn’t allow himself to get swept up in the melody when he’s not alone, it’s too risky. But when he’s by himself and drifting on current deep in the midnight zone with no one but the plankton as his witness, he allows himself to hear it. The feeling is indescribable, a heady rush that leaves Percy weightless and without form, making the trials of being seem far away. He never got high when he was a mortal, but he thinks this must be what it feels like. Percy understands why people spend their lives chasing it. 

Most of Percy’s consciousness was gathered at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, taking a break from the frivolity of Atlantis’ Inner Court. Soon, he had to crash a Senate meeting to intimidate its members on Hazel’s behalf (not that she knew it), and after that a meeting with Dionysus and Chiron. He still had to progress on tracking down living older demigods, record the events of his (numerous) quests, and many other tasks that he didn’t care to remember.  Right now, though, Percy can take a few minutes to himself and indulge in the song of his heart. He’s spent the past few days politicking, he deserves it.

Percy hadn’t been wrapped in mine-mine-mine-yours-yours-yours for more than a minute before he was no longer alone. His father, miraculously not in his typical fisherman wear, instead garbed in a free-flowing chiton, was by his side as if he had always been there. “Your lack of presence has been noticed,” he said mildly. “Triton is beside himself entertaining the guests.”

Percy snorted and rolled his eyes, burying the song back in the depths of his mind. “When isn’t Triton beside himself? That's more his element than mine, anyway.”

“You aren’t incorrect,” Poseidon agreed. “His nature is far more suited for it. You, my son, are far more wild. That is why you are here.”

“I needed a break,” Percy sighed. “It’s the same thing with all of them. Thinly veiled insults, marriage proposals, or a combination of the two. There’s only so much I can take.”

“You only came here for a break? Nothing else?”

“Yes,” Percy said suspiciously. “Why do you ask?”

“Such a shame,” Poseidon sighed mournfully. “I hoped you were partaking in an entanglement.”

“An… entanglement?”

“Yes,” Poseidon said impatiently. “It’s time you settle down. With a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend. A starfish even, I’m not picky.”

Percy wrinkled his nose and side-eyed his father. “I don’t like where this conversation is going.”

“It’s no matter,” Poseidon continued, waving his hand. “You’ve been a god for four years now. It won’t be too long before your obsession finds you.”

Percy’s eyebrows shot up, and he very carefully did not think of the golden thread tucked away in his mind, still singing its song clear as a bell. “What, exactly,” he said slowly, “Do you mean by obsession?”

“Ah,” Poseidon said knowingly. “You may have an idea after all. Son, when you ascended, everything you are became godly, do you understand? This includes your emotions. You feel with all the bearing of an immortal deity.”

“Are you saying I’m meant to be a creep?” Percy demanded.

“No,” Poseidon said, pining Percy with a meaningful stare. “I’m saying that you will understand why the gods have waged wars for love the moment your beloved is in front of you. And from the look of you, you aren’t too far off.”

“Hm,” Percy hummed non-commital, stirring a small whirlpool into existence with his index finger. “We’ll see.”

“So there’s nothing you want to tell me?” Poseidon pressed, his own intense eyes a mirror of Percy’s own. “There’s no one at all?”

“Nope,” Percy shrugged, keeping his voice light. “No one that I know.” It wasn’t even a lie.

“Oh well. Tell me, what was that song you were humming earlier? It was beautiful.”

“Nothing that concerns you,” Perseus hissed, vitriol thick in his voice. He sounded nearly unrecognizable to himself. “Oh,” Percy said, shocked.

“Yes,” Poseidon said dryly, laughter barely concealed. “ Oh . Come, you still have rounds to make before you can make your escape.”

“I can hardly wait,” Percy said with no small amount of sarcasm, allowing his dad to teleport them to the Atlantis throne room. His song soothed his annoyance, and Percy felt the tense line of his shoulders go down the slightest bit. He didn’t have to use all of his attention on participating in court. He can play the uneducated land-dwelling bastard they expect him to be just fine, and use the role to his advantage. If he was tuning the dagger-sharp words out in favor of his song, no one would know but Percy, and Percy alone.

___

Percy doesn’t sleep as often as he used to, but once a week, he ventures into Hypnos’ realm to provide his mind a much-needed respite. That night he had a dream, a dream that cloaked him in warmth and love like a cherished blanket from his childhood. He stared and stared and stared at the sun, taking in its blazing glory with wide eyes that didn’t burn or go blind. Percy doesn’t think he’s ever seen something so beautiful.

Love , the wordless song urged, carrying Percy to his feet with its exigency. Come, it cried, bringing tears to his eyes. I want to, Percy thought desperately. Please, I want to.

Percy woke up with a face wet with sorrow. He could not recall his dream, only a lingering pull in his chest that carried him to the cabin's window. He watched the sunrise with a melancholy air and, for the first time, wondered what the sun must feel like.

___

Percy is afraid he might be losing his mind.

The world has seemed monotone lately, and he desperately wants for something he doesn’t know. Smiling feels a little bit more forced, and laughter doesn’t come as easy as it used to. He’s snapped on more than a few of Atlantis’ noble class and other sea deities, and now he’s being regarded with a weary air, like Percy will explode if they’re not careful enough. Maybe he will.

The song grows more mournful by the day, and he wants to wail alongside it. He’d sink to his knees and cry in harmony if not for Percy’s responsibilities. 

Loyalty doesn’t feel settled; instead, it is twisted into pins and needles that creep along his spine. His domains have gone awry in a reflection of his state, and Perseus revels in the lack of control. Some things are just meant to happen, after all.

More often than not, the skies have been a lifeless grey, and Percy feels lost at the sight of it. Sunsets have been replaced with looming overcasts. Foggy mornings have taken over for sunrises. Percy didn’t know how much the Sun had become a part of his routine until it was gone. Now he’s untethered without it to guide him, and Percy’s sure he’s never felt more lost in his life.

Every day he goes through the motions. His mother’s eyebrows furrow in concern and Paul is infuriatingly more nice than he usually is. His father’s annoyingly knowing eyes follow him wherever he goes, and if he’s rougher than usual during trident practice, only the two of them are aware.

Percy was in Olympus, for once, an occurrence that was as rare as an eclipse. He walked the breathtaking gardens with Hermes in mind, their meeting slash hang-out long overdue. While he wanted to cancel it with everything he had in him, Percy knew exactly how hectic the other god’s schedule was, and he was his first godly friend aside from Grover. He would see it through, even if it killed him.

The golden string sang sadly as it always did. His constant companion usually stayed at the same volume, but something about it was off. It sounded louder, more urgent. It made Percy stop in his tracks, hackles raising as he skittishly scanned the surrounding area. His eyes stopped at…  Apollo. Apollo, who’s blue eyes were quickly being overtaken by gold. Apollo, who is looking at Percy with such a heart-aching expression it made him stumble. Apollo , who looks bright and lovely and embodies everything he loves about the sun. Apollo’s sun.

His father’s words echoed in his head. “ You will understand why the gods have waged wars for love, the moment your beloved is in front of you .” The song’s crescendo ends and quiets into nothing, yet Percy is content in its silence. He understands now… he understands.

Percy’s legs carry him to a frozen Apollo. The god looks as if he’s at war with himself, yet he does not disappear or run away. He looked resigned to Percy’s approach, and his fingers started to tap a quick tempo on his leg. 

“Apollo,” Percy said easily. “Long time no see.”

“It’s been a while,” The god agreed. He would not look Percy in his eyes. “We’ve both been busy.”

“We have.” 

The two of them stood in front of each other in silence, before Percy broke it. “We should talk.”

Apollo sighed and smiled a smile that held no joy before nodding his head. “You know then.”

“It’s hard not to,” he offered, trying to ease the mood. His words had the opposite effect.

“I’m so sorry , Percy. I tried to stop, but I cannot,” Apollo confessed miserably, staring into the distance. “I love you too much.” The unshed tears in his eyes made them shine like molten gold. A single drop rolled down his face and dropped into the garden, where it scorched the grass. It made Percy want to do something to ease his pain, but what could he do when he was the source of it?

“And I don’t love you enough,” Percy realized. “Not yet.” Apollo made a breathless noise that sounded painful. His body wavered as if he was going to keel over where he stood.

“To imply that you love me at all is a level of cruelty I never thought you capable of, Percy. It seems as if we are both learning new things about each other.”

“Apollo. Apollo,” Percy said, forcing the god to look at him. “You’re Truth . Tell me, am I lying?”

“How, then?” he demanded. “How could you have possibly fallen in love with me? I made myself scarce, I watched you from afar, I never said a word to you! You hate gods, you’re supposed to hate me . How, Percy, could you love me?” Apollo’s chest heaved as he panted from the force of his outburst. For a few seconds that stretched to an eternity, his ragged breath was the only sound on the beach.

“For a long time, I’ve had a song stuck in my head,” Percy said simply. “Beautiful is too weak of a word to describe it.”

Apollo was silent, only listening to what Percy had to say. His rapidly tapping fingers gave away his anxiety, only stilling when Percy grasped his left hand and put it over his heart. “It’s right here,” he continued. “It never stops. If it did, I would die.”

“Listen,” Percy encouraged. “You can hear it. I know you can.” The symphony of Apollo’s devotion sang clear as it always did, the notes swelling with joy at being acknowledged. “It’s been telling me to find you, and I didn’t know how. But, Apollo, it’s your song. It could be no one else but you. I don’t want it to be anyone but you. Let this happen. You marked yourself as mine a long time ago, let me do the same.”

Apollo’s hand trembled from where it rested on Percy, and he stared at it with transfixed eyes. “That’s it?” He said wondrously. “That’s all you need to want me?”

“I mean,” Percy said wryly. “You’ve had years to totally not stalk and fall in love with me, I need to catch up.” Apollo snorted and rolled his eyes, putting his other hand on Percy’s hip. Percy was cautiously going to take that as a good sign. “I’m not saying we get married right now-”

“Married,” Apollo breathed in awe, his eyes big and round. A fond smile found its way to Percy’s lips before he knew it was there.

“-But we can go on dates, spend time together, do whatever it is regular couples do. It’ll be fun. Besides,” Percy coaxed, “wouldn’t you like to know more about me from me? Shocking, I know.”

“You…” The sun god trailed, more hesitant than Percy had ever seen him. “You want to try? Truly?”

“No, Apollo. I don’t.” Percy deadpanned. “I want nothing to do with you at all.”

Apollo’s face cycled through the entire spectrum of emotions in less than a second before he gasped. “Liar,” he crowed victoriously. “You didn’t mean a word of what you just said!”

“Now you’re getting it.” Percy tilted his head and kissed Apollo’s cheek, marveling at the warmth of the god’s skin. “Give me a month,” he whispered. “I’ll catch up to you.”

“Whatever you say, εραστής.” Apollo sighed contently into the junction of Percy’s shoulder and neck. “Whatever you say.”

Chapter Text

“You can’t add that,” Percy argued. “It’s not a necessary detail!”

Annabeth looked at him incredulously, her dark eyes flashing impatiently. “Did you, or did you not, argue about calling Gladiola by his name?”

“Does it matter? It’s not relevant to the story, Wise Girl. Also, I had just woken up. Forgive me for arguing with a dog while I had crust in my eyes.”

“See?” Annabeth pointed. “You’re doing it again. If Gladiola were a pegasus or some sea creature we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“Annabeth,” Percy stressed. “He was pink and rude.”

“And thanks to his reward money, we got to California. If it weren’t for Gladiola, you would’ve been a smite stain years ago, and this book would be ten pages long. Therefore, the dog stays.”

“Fine,” Percy said begrudgingly, tilting Annabeth’s office chair backward to watch the fan blades as they spun. “Gladiola stays. I still don’t understand why we have to chronicle my life anyway. I’m not even being cocky, everyone knows what happened. I was at the center of every major event that’s happened in the last decade, I’m hard not to notice.”

Annabeth inhaled and pinched the bridge of her nose, summoning every drop of patience she had in her body. “It’s the old Greeks who know. Since the monster problem improved, Camp has an influx of younger children who weren’t there for the war or Gaia. Their knowledge is completely secondhand. That doesn’t even mention that most Romans don’t know the entirety of what you’ve done. For them, you’re just a Hero of Olympus. Not the Savior of Olympus. You’re the most important historical event in centuries, Seaweed Brain. History needs to be recorded. And as your best friend and most frequent quest companion, I am uniquely qualified to do the recording.”

Percy groaned and tilted Annabeth’s chair back even further, ignoring the warning creek of its spine. “We know,” he tried to appeal. “Isn’t that enough?”

Annabeth scowled and grabbed the nearest throw pillow on her couch as if it were her knife. Just as she was about to fire her weapon of mass destruction, they were interrupted. A disembodied voice called from the kitchen, slightly muffled by the sound of rummaging through the fridge. “She’s right, you know.” With a glass of orange juice in hand, Apollo turned the corner, sipping it languidly. “I, for one, would love to learn all of the events that led to you becoming the person you are today. There’s things I don’t even know about your life. Plus, ascension can finally be a documented process. It’s a worthy venture, for the sake of The Pursuit of Knowledge and all that.”

“Thank you, Lord Apollo,” Annabeth said evenly. “What are you doing in my apartment, Lord Apollo?”

“Please, Annabeth,” the god gave an award-winning smile as he passed his half-drunken glass to Percy. “Call me Apollo.” Her eye twitched near-imperceptibly.

“What are you doing in my apartment, Lord Apollo?” Her bland smile turned more into a cringe as Percy drained the remaining orange juice. Annabeth was good at many things, but being able to control her expressions was not one of them.

“Oh, I wanted to ask Percy something.” Apollo grabbed the back of Annabeth’s strained office chair and wheeled Percy from behind the desk. The sun god spun him around with a flourish before leaning down on the armrests. His smile turned softer around the edges.

“Oh Great Hero,” Apollo intoned gravely. “Pearl of My Heart, Love of My Life. Would you care to set the sun with me?”

“Oh, Light of My Life, Song of My Soul,” Percy swooned dramatically. Annabeth didn’t even think he was playing it up that much. “I thought you would never ask.”

Annabeth sighed heavily, dropping the poor imitation of a smile. “Get out. Both of you, get out.”

Percy gasped and pressed a hand to his chest, where ironically, his Prince of Atlantis string of pearls sat. “Annabeth,” he said in faux-concern. “What’s gotten into you?”

“It has been 3 weeks since you started dating,” Annabeth seethed. “And you’re already committed to being the most annoying people on Earth. Come back when your head isn’t in the clouds, Seaweed Brain.”

“With that book on Atlantean architecture,” Percy promised. “And a cappuccino from that place in Italy you like.”

“Make it two of them,” Annabeth said wryly. “Have fun. Later, Seaweed Brain.”

“Later, Wise Girl.”

Percy and his hanger-on disappeared, finally leaving Annabeth blessedly alone in her home. With no arguments to distract her, Annabeth continued writing out their first quest's timeline. She had nearly lost herself in the scratching of her pen when the chair Percy inhabited fell apart, breaking down completely and laying in pieces on the floor. Annabeth gave up on making progress and fell onto the couch, screaming into the cushion.

Once she composed herself, Annabeth slid her lighter out of her pocket and picked a piece of chocolate covered in blue wrapping from the bowl on her coffee table. She kept them there specifically for moments like this. Annabeth put the flame to the candy, watching it burn before clearing her throat. “To Perseus,” she stated clearly. “You broke my chair. Fix it or else.”

In the blink of an eye, the chair was upright and in place as if nothing was ever wrong with it. The smell of a sea breeze wafted through Annabeth’s living room, and despite her exasperation, she smiled at how it lingered.

—

Apollo watched as Percy gazed out the sun chariot’s passenger window, trying and failing to keep himself from tapping the wheel too vigorously. Overthinking had never been a vice of his, but after having spent so long denying only to jump abruptly to having - well, it was easy to fall into it.

Old Apollo never would’ve had this issue. Old Apollo would be cool, calm, and collected; the embodiment of suave. He would’ve been able to talk to Percy without a second thought, without agonizing over every word and every possible response. Old Apollo would approach Percy with a charming devil-may-care smirk and quip on his lips, and that would’ve been the end of it. But, Apollo isn’t like that, not anymore. Lester has left his acne-riddled mark, and he’s better off for it.

Having a delicate mortal life tempered Apollo, chipped away some of his selfishness and tore away his pride. It made him better at considering the consequences of his actions, and how they affect others. For example, if he makes the wrong step now, everything could go wrong. Apollo could seriously hurt Percy, and if he did that, he’d hide away in shame for a thousand years. And how could Apollo do that, when he knows the exact hue of green Percy’s eyes when he’s happy, or how his nose scrunches when-

“I can hear you worrying from here. What’s on your mind?”

“You,” Apollo replied instantly. “Us. I want this to be a good date.”

“I’m enjoying myself right now,” Percy said honestly. “You’re not?”

“It’s the clouds,” Apollo groused. “They’re obstructing your view. How am I supposed to take you sunsetting if you can’t even see?”

“That’s it? Watch this.” Percy waved his hands away as if he were shooing a gnat. Incredibly, the clouds dispersed into nothing, leaving a clear sky painted in light reds and soft yellows. He looked incredibly pleased with himself, a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips. It made Apollo want to kiss the living daylight out of him.

“You know,” Apollo started, “I feel like you shouldn’t be able to do that.”

“It was water,” Percy shrugged. “Everything is water. The world is my oyster.”

“Let’s establish a baseline at least,” he insisted. “What can’t you do?”

Percy frowned thoughtfully as pondered, letting out a confused hum. “Hell if I know, Dad and Lady Styx are still testing my limits. I can’t do anything with a bow, but I have you for that.”

Apollo laughed loudly as he took Percy’s hand in his, running a thumb over the stubborn calluses. “What a gift you have, αγάπη μου. Somehow, you’re even worse than those I’ve cursed.”

Percy scoffed and cut his eyes at Apollo, his tone playfully mocking. “I’ve never heard any myths about your prowess with a sword, dearest . You’re just as bad with my weapon of choice, thank you.” Half-lidded green eyes stared at him expectantly, and Apollo wanted to capture that expression. To save it on a canvas and preserve it forever, so the scythe of time couldn’t dull his memory.

“Perhaps,” Apollo said slyly, “that can be our next outing. You may learn from a Twin Archer, and I can try my hand at being the student of the greatest swordsman to ever live.”

“I’m not sure about me with a bow,” Percy muttered skeptically, “but I’ll have you in fighting form in no time.”

“Don’t worry,” Apollo reassured, a shit-eating grin growing on his face. “I’m a hands-on teacher, you know. I’ll adjust your form if need be.”

Percy’s surprised laughter rang throughout the sun chariot, and Apollo mentally congratulated himself on a job well done. He could write a million and one songs about Percy’s laugh alone. He probably has.

“I’m sure you’d love to adjust my form,” Percy snorted, raising an eyebrow. “But how could I possibly say no to such an offer?”

“It’s a date then,” Apollo stated, nodding his head sharply. “Prepare to be wowed, Jackson.”

“Whatever you say, Apollo.” Percy gazed down at the sea as it reflected and shimmered with an otherworldly light. His eyes were full of wonder, and for once, Apollo felt like he was doing something right. “Whatever you say.”

Chapter Text

Apollo was falling.

He was tumbling through an endless sky, nothing below him to be his anchor and the sun chariot increasingly out of reach, getting smaller and smaller as he plummets down to the sea.

Apollo didn't mean to end up in this tenuous position, but as he drove over the unfathomably deep depths that shone and glistened with his light, well. He couldn't help but think of Percy. Of his bronzed skin, of the joy in his smiles, of the warmth in his eyes. Of the press of his lips and the calluses on his palms. Of how Apollo had been so ruthlessly deprived of his presence for the last 96 hours, 32 minutes, and 13 seconds. 14 seconds. 15 seconds. Every moment spent in Atlantis is a moment spent away from Apollo’s side, and he feels Percy's absence so keenly he thinks he could die.

The song of a siren could never effect Apollo, but that could be the only reason why he's in this predicament right now. It's the only explanation as to why he stared longingly out his window, why he opened his door with abandon to the inconceivable speed he was traveling at, why he leaned out his seat and gave himself to the clouds.

The ocean's beauty alone was never a temptation for Apollo, the risk of his Uncle's wrath was too high for him to willingly venture into the depths. But, when it said He's Here, he could not resist. Come, it crooned, and Apollo listened. His fate was to always be a fool in love, he's well aware.

Distantly, he noted, he could flash back to safety. He did not want to. The sea's surface was so close, and Apollo was so alone. He kept falling. Salt had taken over the neutral scent of oxygen, he could sense the turbulent churn of the waves. Apollo reached out a hand, and-

He was submerged.

Air he didn't need was forced out of his body in one great heave. The sound of the sea was different from the rush of air, it was filled with many different tones and tenors blending into one song. Apollo listened as he sunk deeper and deeper, watching as a few beseeching rays of sunlight reached towards him as if to put him back where he belonged.

Apollo would stay right where he was.

The realm of his Lover had a way of stripping you down, he noted. Apollo felt raw and exposed in ways even he did not know, yet he didn't fight it even as the depths claimed him. The pressure around him grew heavier, more oppressive. It was like a cage made of saltwater. It stung Apollo’s eyes and made his head ache with every passing second he spent in a domain that wasn't his. It made him open his mouth to sigh, but Apollo couldn't- he choked.

Not even gods are immune to drowning, it seems.

His throat stings from the rush of salt. His body jolted and shook beyond his control, he kept trying to draw in breath that he didn't need, and it hurt. This would not kill Apollo, but so far removed from his power, it would cause pain. So much pain. It was terrifying and invigorating all at once. Apollo would've laughed if he could.

Apollo stayed there, drowning and living, for what felt like a millenia and no time at all. He closed his eyes in a useless bid to shield them from the salt ages ago, so he did not see so much as he felt the presence of another. He felt gentle hands, warm and familiar, cradle his face like Apollo was something precious to be held. He felt soft lips settle over his and breathe into him. It felt like salvation.

Apollo reached up and held the hand of his savior with no small amount of desperation. He tugged him down until he was level, so he could hold his waist and feel he was solid and real. He kissed with an urgency that nearly frightened himself, trading the same breath of air back and forth. It was times like these that he could never understand how Aphrodite's power was overlooked. Apollo would challenge the gods and level Olympus himself, just so he could have this moment forever.

Swollen lips pulled away from his, and Apollo reluctantly did not follow. He opened his eyes to a billow of floating black curls and stern green eyes, a deeply unimpressed look on a beloved face.

Apollo smiled helplessly at the sight of it.

"You're an idiot." Percy stated evenly. His hands still held Apollo like he was something to be cherished. The smile he was trying to keep down wavered the ends of his mouth.

"Your idiot," Apollo returned smugly. "You have to take responsibility. If I don't get my daily care and attention I'll wither into a husk and fade away into the ether."

Percy huffed and shook his head, letting the smile he'd been fighting spread across his face. "You're so full of shit," he murmured. "I'll be taking responsibility for eternity, huh?"

"That's the plan," Apollo agreed. "I'm glad you're aware."

"You know," Percy mused, twirling golden hair around his finger, "I nearly heard "I missed you" somewhere in all of that."

"If we go home, I'll show you exactly how much I missed you, my heart." Apollo punctuated the statement with a kiss to the skin of Percy's wrist. His pulse was strong against his lips.

Percy's grin was wicked sharp in response, the edges sharp enough to make liquid heat curl in the pit of Apollo's stomach.

Hours later, when they're curled so close one couldn't tell where Apollo ended and his Lover began, Percy turned his head and focused his gaze on Apollo’s.

"Dad wanted me to tell you hello, by the way. And that you're a drama queen."

Apollo winced and stopped drawing patterns into Percy's lower back for one wasted second, before resuming his task. He'll think more about to consequences of what he did later.

Now? Now was about making up for lost time.

___

Sally was minutes away from waking Estelle from her nap when she heard the knock on the door. She wasn't expecting company, but considering the phenomenon being vigorously discussed on the 4 o'clock news, she had a feeling about who it was.

"Lady Leto," she greeted. "I believe we have a lot to talk about. Please, come in! It's wonderful to meet you."

"I'd say the same to you, Lady Jackson-Blofis." The goddess glided gracefully into the apartment, following Sally to the loving room only to stop in her tracks at the sight of the television.

"Oh my," Leto whispered. Sally could understand her shock. While the meteorologist gushed about the rarity of a false sunset, those who Know could see a golden god fall into deep fathomless blue, and do nothing to stop it. It was confusing, and telling all at once.

"Oh yes," Sally said emphatically. "Would you care for something to drink?"

"Something strong." Leto collapsed in the recliner Paul favors and tilted her head, transfixed at the phenomenon her son caused. "And please, call me Leto. It's best we get familiar with eachother now."

"One gin and ambrosia for Leto coming right up!" Sally announced as she reached for the cabinet above the stove. "Welcome to the family. Just call me Sally, everyone else does."

30 minutes later, Leto and Sally drink together as if they're old friends who have known eachother for their whole lives and not half an hour.

"Your son holds Apollo's whole being in his hands," Leto said faintly. "He'd fade if Perseus so much as asked it of him."

"Percy got physically sick when the sun wasn't out for two days," Sally sympathized. "Rest assured, it's entirely requited."

Leto snorted and shook her head, leisurely taking a sip from her glass. "They deserve eachother. How rare."

"It's wonderful to see."