Chapter 11-
"Percy." Apollo wrapped his arms around her the moment they were in his temple. She choked and tears flowed heavily down her face. "Shh, it's alright." He rubbed her back and ran his hands through her hair.
"Too much." She sobbed the words and he gripped her tighter, cursing the demon who had forced her into this.
"Shh." He led her to the couch and rocked her gently. "I know. I know." It was a long time before she drifted off, her mind having been too overwhelmed and exhausted from the experience. Apollo shifted so that she was curled up in his lap. He reached for his book, looking for something to get his mind off everything that he'd heard.
It wasn't long before Artemis walked in. She froze when she saw the position they were in and Apollo closed the book, setting it down as he raised an eyebrow at her.
"Is she?" she didn't say anything else, as he nodded, shifting so that Percy's head was resting on his shoulder. "I've never seen you look at someone like that before." She murmured, watching as her brother looked down to make sure Percy was peaceful.
"I've never loved someone like this before." He sighed and slowly, ever so slowly, shifted Percy so that she was lying on the couch. Artemis quickly grabbed a pillow and put it under her head before following Apollo into the kitchen.
He stood in the doorway, where he could keep an eye on her and Artemis stood beside him.
"Apollo, they're going to kill you when they find out." He leaned against the door and sighed as she said this.
"Artemis, I'm never going to have another demigod child." He watched as she looked over at him in shock.
"You love her that much?" she paused "If you are telling the truth then-" she paused and looked over at Persephone, then at him. "She loves you too?"
"Yeah." He smiled softly and looked down at his hands. The two were now sitting in the doorway and Artemis reached forward to take his hand.
"I'll support you two when the time comes." She paused "I'm glad she had someone to make her happy, especially after-" she didn't finish, as she choked up. After several minutes, she began again "Please let her know that anytime she needs to get away, she can join the hunt. She doesn't have to take the oath or anything, just let her know, okay?" Apollo nodded and Artemis stood up, leaning down to kiss her brother's cheek. "I'm happy you've finally found someone, Apollo." She murmured, before walking out of the temple.
Apollo sat in the doorway for a few minutes before standing up and heading back to the couch, a soft smile on his face. Sitting down, he felt Percy stir next to him.
"Hey." He murmured, watching her sit up. Percy smiled at him softly, eyes still dark from her experience.
"Hey." She leaned forward and kissed him and Apollo chuckled, stroking her cheek. They sat in silence for a minute, just watching each other.
"Do you want to go do something?" he questioned, watching as she shrugged. "Come on," he stood and held out a hand for her to take "I know a place you might like."