Apollo stood next to the back exit of one of the grungiest clubs in New York. He was trying to forget the stench of beer mixed with urine and ease the headache that those damned strobe lights had provoked. A shrill laugh made him jump and he glanced over to see a thoroughly pissed girl leaving the club with a prepubescent looking boy.

Truth be told, he wasn't sure why he had wound up at the club. Call it force of habit. But perhaps Artemis was beginning to rub off on him, seeing the drunk, half- naked girls had only revolted him. Companionship seemed out of the question for the rest of the night.

He wasn't sure of what to do with himself. Unlike the other gods, he didn't a spouse waiting for him, didn't have anything like Artemis's hunters to call family. It was well past midnight, his children would not appreciate the visit. He pushed off of the dirty wall with a sigh, letting his feet carry him and letting his thoughts wander where they may.

Unsurprisingly, they returned to a subject that had haunted him over the years. He had a soulmate, of that he was sure of. Seventeen years ago a word had appeared, curling over his collarbone. It meant his better half had been born. Somewhere in this world there was a person, marked by the same word, perhaps looking forward to meeting him. Perhaps they were one of the people who didn't believe in soul mates.

He knew that love had never been kind to him, never been kind to his lovers. His heart shuddered in remembrance of Hyacinthus, Daphne, and Kassandra. Had he not stepped into their lives they would have lived well into old age. Remorse wasn't a common emotion among the gods, but it plagued him often enough.

He smiled without the slightest hint of humor. It was ironic that he felt lacking in purpose and fulfillment when he was the embodiment of the sun. The very thing that gave life to Earth.

He turned his face up to the stars, looking for comfort from his sister but even that was withheld from him. The smog that clung to the city was obscuring them. Apollo took the time to look at where his feet had carried him instead. Central Park. Even at this ungodly hour it wasn't empty. He perched on a bench, disregarding the dew it had collected overnight, and took to watching the lost souls that had decided to roam the city.

He rose only when it was time for the sun to break across the horizon, resigned to go through the empty motions of another day. He'd visit his sister later on.

Artemis' day had been going well. They were deep in one of the forests of Massachusetts, hunting one of the lasts few beasts that had escaped Tartarus through the Doors of death. They had gained a hunter in the last major city they visited and the girl was proving to be a skilled huntress. The only downside was that Thalia was seizing the opportunity of being so close to New York and had decided to visit Camp Half-Blood.

The girls were currently resting, with the exception of her half-sister. Thalia was busy packing and making arrangements to make sure all her duties were covered during her absence. The goddess smiled to herself, Thalia was as wonderful a companion as Zoe had been. Years had passed since her death but the goddess' heart still yearned for the girl who had been by her side for so long. She reckoned that a part of the pain would always accompany. However, she was no longer engulfed by it. She had been able to accept that death had been kinder to Zoe than life had been, for she was finally at peace.

Artemis turned her back to the huntresses and made her way to a meadow she had found earlier that day. Being surrounded by the wild had always made her feel complete. It was in places like this, where she felt closer to Zoe. Her eyes fluttered close. Enjoying the trickling sound of a nearby river, the silence that was unique to nature, the way the sun bathed the flowers.

Even through closed lids she was able to sense the flash of light that indicated a god was visiting. She didn't have to look to know that it was Apollo.

"Brother," she called in greeting. Perhaps if she were civil he would leave quickly.

"Artemis."

The single word was enough for her eyes to snap open. He rarely called her by her proper name, always opting for 'Artie', or the dreaded 'lil sister'. But there was another reason as to why she decided to lift her eyelids. His tone was not its usual sunshiny, upbeat melody. Looking at him, she was able to tell that his smile was off as well.

Artemis heaved an internal sigh. It would seem she would not be relieved of Apollo's presence any time soon.

She made her way to the river, knowing full well he would follow. They perched on an outcropping on rocks and sat in silence. He would speak when he was ready.

That was the issue, Apollo didn't think he was ready. He wasn't even sure why he had come. His sister didn't enjoy his company, his arrival had most likely soured her day. He turned to her but her eyes were already trained on him. She knew him well but didn't prod.

"Do you miss Mother?" she asked. He smiled sadly and looked away.

"More than you can imagine. But you, you remind me of her. Thank you for that."

Artemis looked away in hopes of hiding the emotion that had flashed across her face. Apollo was a royal pain the ass, there was no way around it. Yet, every once in a while, he would open up to her, drop the façade and allow himself to be vulnerable. It was during these moments that she remembered he was her little brother. It was in these moments that she regretted all the harsh words she had shot at him. Zeus may be her father, and Athena may be her sister, but Apollo was the only one she truly considered family. Tentatively, she stretched her hand out, taking his and giving it a gentle squeeze.

In the end, Artemis was unsure of how long they had watched the river babble in companionable silence. It could have hours, years, or simply a second. Eventually she spoke again, "Thalia is setting out for Camp Half-Blood today. You could take her there. Spending some time with your children would do you good."

He nodded but his eyes were set on the sky. There wasn't a single cloud disrupting the blue. It looked as empty as he felt.

Orange was beginning to tint the sky when Artemis rose, signaling that it was time for her to return to her huntresses. As the got closer, Apollo allowed the cocky smile to govern his features. He was accustomed to the grimaces the girls wore whenever they saw him. Had come to expect the furrow in their eyes and wrinkle of their nose. Thalia was no exception. Her expression only worsened when Artemis informed her that she would be traveling with Apollo to Camp Half-Blood but she voiced no protests.

"We'd best get going, darling. The sun's about to set."

He summoned the chariot and gave Artemis a small nod. The gesture carried more weight than any words could. Thalia was already waiting for him inside the Maserati when he reached the door on the driver's side. He took a moment to settle in before looking at her.

"I don't suppose you'd like to drive again?"

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