A/N: Hey guys! Key things before you read,
1: I don't have a copy of Titan's Curse and I am too lazy to go check Apollo's eye color oneline. So I gave him the same eye color I do in my Greek Mythology fanfics.
2: I know that it doesn't talk about Lee much but I guessed that Lee was his fave, okay.
3: becuase Apollo calls Artemis, little sis a lot I gave her the nickname of Arty. It seems in character to me to have Apollo say that.
4: enjoy the story.
His eyes raked the sky, blinking hard so the tears didn't fall. Darkness seemed to be eating away at everything digging into everyone. Trees had gotten duller each day, the sun reflecting him. He had lost one child last summer and countless this year, but turning to the enemy was the worst of all to happen that summer.
"We all feel the same you know." A voice rasped beside him in the hidden terrace. Apollo flicked his hazel flecked blue eyes to the speaker. Hermes sat beside him his head in his hands.
"You're not the only god who has had pain ripped out of him these years and shoved back in." Apollo sighed, he knew about Hermes son, who didn't? Apollo spoke choking back tears,
"Sorry, I lost Lee this year and countless others. Hermes I'm sorry. I know I look stupid sulking here thinking that no one would find me when you, Arty and Athena know where it is." The terrace where Apollo and Hermes sat was an old secret one from millions of ages ago. Apollo and Artemis had found it as younger gods and goddesses. Hermes cast a glance at the diming sky; it seemed to get darker as every ounce of hope was draining from him. Apollo gritted his teeth the faces lost that summer flew across the clouds as if Hades was taunting him, holding them hostage. Apollo knew Hermes was thinking of Luke. The gods didn't speak his name anymore, afraid of causing pain to Hermes so they just called him Kronos or father. Apollo and Hermes sat out there for who knows how long, Apollo glanced up at the sky. Twinkling lights glittered in the stormy darkness. They shone silver and Apollo felt something being cleaved out as he looked at one in the far left, this time of year it was fading but the memory never faded from his mind. It replayed over and over again.
"You know how your sisters doing?" Hermes rasped in a dry voice anxious to change the subject, Apollo shook his head feeling the memories still fresh and raw,
"Nah, I know that she's had several monster attacks but she doesn't need any healing. Or at least that she told me last. We haven't spoken in weeks." Apollo's voice wavered at the last sentence. Hermes sighed,
"And it's not like Artemis to tell you if she needs healing anyway." A small wistful smile tugged at the corners of Apollo's lips but it wasn't strong enough to make the god smile.
"I know many gods don't claim to have favorites, but you did didn't you?" Apollo asked as Hermes sat back.
"You said it. Luke was my golden boy; it's unfair for Kronos to choose him. He was an innocent child scarred by his mother's outbursts," Hermes turned to face Apollo his cobalt eyes polished in the darkness,
"You should have told me about." He said through gritted teeth. Apollo gasped,
"I would have if I could have. You know that Hermes." Hermes nodded,
"I guess so. Your favorite?" he asked. Apollo shrugged,
"I don't know. Lee was… a very loyal camper. He was always there for others. He helped his cabin and reasoned with others. He… it was unfair that he should have died. He was the best cabin leader that my cabin has had in years." Hermes nodded,
"Out of all your kids I had met, he was one of the kids I liked." Hermes said, Apollo smiled,
"The same with Luke you know. He shouldn't have been chosen either."
There was a long soundless hour after that then the beeping of Hermes cell phone sounded. Apollo waved his hand,
"Go, I don't mind." He said. Hermes nodded,
"Remember you're not the only one who hurts as much as it feels like that."