After what felt like an eternity, they were finally done. They managed to reign in Nico's uncontrollable powers, and prevented the cabin from sustaining any more lasting damage. Will finished pouring the last of the nectar he had into Nico's mouth. He helped Nico swallow the healing drink of the Gods. He still hadn't regained conscience yet, which worried Will, but his breathing had steadied and his body stopped fading. Will let out a sigh of relief as he drew back from the hunched over position he had been in for the past hour or so. Nico laid with his head in Will's lap, dozing off quietly and contently. Will couldn't resist the urge to run his fingers through those unruly, yet incredibly soft locks of raven hair. Relieve flooded through him as he watched Nico's chest rise and fall evenly. He couldn't even begin to describe what he was feeling at that moment. Relief, happiness, hope, love. Every positive emotion Will could think of was swirling inside of him. He thanked every God there was for the positive turn of events. Will was drained, both physically and emotionally, but he didn't care. Nothing else mattered at that moment then having Nico sleeping soundly in his lap. Apollo had even stopped helping half way through once he saw that Will had the situation perfectly under control, and that there was nothing more he could do. Will turned towards his father, who now stood smiling down at him. His radiant smile blinded him. Like he was looking directly at the sun. Oh, wait...
'Note to self. Stop forgetting that my dad is, quite literally, the embodiment of the sun.' Will thought to himself.
"You did great, Will." Apollo praised him. Happiness surged through Will at hearing the praise. It made Will proud to be praised by his father.
"I should be the one thanking you, dad. I couldn't have saved Nico without you." And he couldn't have. He couldn't handle the sheer devastation that was Nico's deadly powers. If his father hadn't shown up when he did...
Will shook his head. He didn't want to think about what would have happened had his father not shown up when he did. He looked back up at Apollo, the most grateful smile plastered on his tired face.
"As much as I like getting praise, I believe all of the credit goes to you. You really showed yourself, Will. I'm proud of you. Nico is alive and well because of your refusal to give up. It's all thanks to you that he made it. I don't mind letting you take all of the credit. But don't make a habit out of it, you got that?" Apollo said, pointing a finger at Will. Will laughed and nodded.
"Okay. I'll keep that in mind." Will said with a chuckle at the end. "But still...thank you dad. Thank you for coming to my aid when I needed you the most." Will's voice was filled with so many different emotions that he couldn't describe them. Tears were brimming at the edge of his eyes, but he blinked them away. He didn't want to cry in front of his dad, no matter how badly he wanted to. Just being there for him, chasing all of his fears away, and helping him save the most important person in the whole world to him meant everything to Will. He couldn't stop a smile from forming on his face. That smile grew into a full blown grin, with shinning teeth showing. Will's smile sure was addicting. Apollo couldn't help, but smile at his amazing son.
"All right, all right. Enough with the thanking. You're embarrassing me." Apollo waved him off, trying to hide the small blush that crept up on his cheeks. "I said you're welcome. Now, I really should get going. I can't keep this whole stopping time thing up much longer."
Will's smile faltered a little, but he understood. He knew his dad couldn't stay with him forever.
"Okay." Will wanted to say more, but the words wouldn't form. If he was being honest with himself, he hadn't thought about what his dad would do once all this was over. Will wanted him to stay. Very badly, so. But he knows he can't. Apollo gave him a sad smile, seeming reluctant to leave.
"Alright. My time is up. It was great seeing you, Will. In person, I mean! I see you all the time. Like, from Olympus. Everyday I watch over you, and no, that's not being stalkerish. That's just trying to be a good parent. Well, I can't say I've been a great parent. But I'm trying. I want you to know that, Will. I want to-" Before he could finish his sentence, a lamp that had been floating in mid air crashed to the ground loudly. Will jumped at the sudden sound. It had been so quiet that Will completely forgot that not all objects in the cabin had actually hit the ground during Nico's outburst. The sudden noise scared Apollo as well. Will saw out of the corner of his eye that Apollo had ever so slightly flinch when the lamp shattered on the ground. However, unlike Will, he was quickly able to compose himself.
"Way to ruin the moment." Apollo said with mild irritation. Will turned back to look at his father. Apollo gave him an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, Will, but I really have to go." It only occured to Will then that Apollo had been trying to stall for time. Will was greatful for that, but he knows their time has run out. Time slowly began to flow floors and walls resumed their process of decaying. Though, it wasn't as severe or rapid as it was before. Will's heart began to beat faster. He felt he had to say something before time ran out completely. He turned to his father, but once again no words would form. Apollo, being the all-knowing God that he is, seemed to have read Will's thoughts before they even formed in his mind.
"Will, listen to me." Apollo began. Will gave him is undivided attention. "Words cannot describe how proud I am of you. You really out did yourself today. I just want you to know that, no matter what happens, you will never let fear or uncertainty cloud your judgement and stop you from chasing your dreams. Don't be afraid to admit your feelings for Nico. Believe me, I know what it's like to feel afraid or uncertain. Unrequited love is one of the most painful types of love their is. I know this because I've heard Aphrodite talk about it, and because I thought the person I onced loved didn't love me back. But I took a chance, and told that person how I felt about them. Turns out, they felt the same way about me. I was glad I took that chance, even if it didn't last long." A sad smile formed on Apollo's face. Will wanted to ask about it, but something stop him from doing it. Instead, he glance down at Nico, who was still sleeping in his lap. A smile formed on his face, but then it turned sad as a thought occured to him.
"Dad...what if Nico isn't the same way? What if he doesn't like..." Will couldn't finish that sentence. Luckily, he didn't have to. Apollo understood. He always understood.
"Trust me, son. He does. You and him are the same, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.'' Hearing those words sent a surge of happiness through Will. He looked back up at his father in shock and happiness.
"H-He does?!" Will couldn't explain how happy he was at finally knowing the truth. He was smiling so hard, it hurt. Apollo gave a small chuckle.
"Yes, he does. So don't wait any longer. Tell him how you feel. But, Will." Apollo paused, making sure he got Will's full attention. "Be patient with him. Try to be understanding. Nico's scared, too. Don't push him too much, okay?" Will nodded. He would never make Nico do or admit to something that made him uncomfortable.
Apollo smiled. "Good. Then I'll be going now. Take care of yourself and Nico."
"Of course. Take care yourself." Will smiled. Before Apollo was about to leave, Will stopped him. "Wait, dad!"
Apollo stopped and looked at him. "Yeah?" Will didn't know why he chose this time to ask the question that had been bothering him, but he was dying to know.
"When you said you've experienced fearing that the person you loved wouldn't love you back, who were you talking about?"
Apollo seemed taken aback by the sudden question, but he gave Will a soft smile. "Zephyros. Another man."
Whatever answer Will had been expecting, that was not one of them. Will was shocked. His father had loved another man? Just like Will? He couldn't believe it. He had never heard of this Zephyros guy, but he also never heard about his dad loving other dudes. Although, now that Will stopped and took a moment to think about it, it made sense. Apollo was one the most handsome Gods there was. Who wouldn't fall for a man like him?
"Umm...I know this must be a shocker to you, but could you not gape at me like that? It's kind of embarrassing." Apollo spoke up, breaking through Will's thoughts. Before he could really stop and think about it, words were spilling out of his mouth.
"A-Another man?! How come I never knew or heard about this?! W-What...like who even is this Zephyros guy? Dad wh-" Before Will could finish his question, Apollo held up a hand, silencing him. He let out a little chuckle at seeing Will's baffled expression.
"That's a story for another time. But for now, I really have to leave. Zeus will have my head if I'm not back. This is goodbye, Will." There was silence between them before Will was suddenly pulled into a tight bear hug by his father. He didn't hesitate to return the hug with the same fierceness. It felt amazing to be in his father's arms, and couldn't help but let his tears fall. He didn't care. He wanted to stay his father arms forever. Where he felt safe and secured and loved. But eventually, they had to separate.
"Goodbye, dad. Thank you"
"You're welcome, Will. Goodbye"
With that, Apollo's body began to shimmer and glow brightly. Will knew to look away. If you saw a God transform into their true form, you woud disintegrate on the spot. Will heard a pop, a bright flash enveloped the room, and then he was alone.
