Vmm, vmm.

Apollo woke up to the sound of his phone vibrating in his backpack. He drowsily reached into the front pocket, and turned it on. He got a face full of light, burning his eyes to the darkness they were used to. He looked to see a text from Trucy.

'I'm fine, Polly! Stop teasing me about missing you!'

Apollo smiled at the text, and typed something back.

'Whatever you say, Trucy.'

He checked the time on his phone. It was 5:12 AM. Maui was only 2 hours behind L.A, so Trucy must've just woken up. The sun still hadn't risen, but the light of it pierced over the horizon of mountains, ready to raise up and wake everyone up on Maui at any time.

Apollo knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, so he instead pulled out a volume of Death Note and started reading. He only read the manga for about five minutes before noticing Athena slightly moving.

"Ungh... What time is it..?" Athena moaned slightly.

"About quarter past five." Apollo said to her. She rolled over till her back was resting fully on the soft bed below her. She extended her arms out to her side, her left arm slightly hitting Apollo's face.

"Sorry." She apogized, pulling her arm away from Apollo's cheek.

Athena pulled the sheet off her, and swung her legs over the bed ledge. Apollo looked over at her. She pulled her bag over to her to get changed into her day clothes. She grabbed the collar off her long orange shirt and pulled it off, exposing her entire back to Apollo. She reached into her bag, pulling out a bright yellow bra, clipping it onto her. She then pulled out a yellow singlet, and put it on herself.

"Is every single piece of clothing that you have yellow?" Apollo questioned. He still held the manga in his hand, but was instead looking at Athena as she put on her black shorts.

"I'm gonna take a guess and say all YOUR clothes are red." Athena accused Apollo. He tried to think of a snappy comeback.

Nothing came to mind.

Apollo closed his manga, putting it back into his bag. He flung his legs over the side of the bed, and stood up, walking over to the window curtains. He flung them open, and saw the sun still hadn't raised up. Athena watched the shirtless Apollo look out the window, his hair all messy from the pillow. He walked over to his suitcase and pulled out a red singlet that had black stripes down the side of them. He still wore the black shorts from the previous day.

"Oh man, the sun is gonna come out soon!" Athena exclaimed. She immediately grabbed Apollo's hand, pulling him out of the room towards the elevator. Apollo felt a mix of surprise and happiness at Athenas excitement. The two eventually reached the elevator, and Athena tapped the ground floor button multiple times.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" She was jogging on the spot, still holding onto Apollo's hand. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she started sprinting, dragging Apollo with her.

"Gah! S-slow down, Athena! My arms about to get ripped out of its socket!" Apollo told her. She ignored him, and continued running. They went down a flight of steps that contained a garden on both sides. They ran past the pool, which looked clear and beautiful. They eventually reached a steep grass hill which led down to the golden sands of the beach. Athena continued to drag Apollo by the hand down the steep hill, but tripped on something, causing her to fall on her side, sending Apollo with her. The rolled down the hill together. The hill had soft grass, and the sands were soft so it didn't hurt. When they reached the sand, Apollo sprung up, running over to Athena.

"Athena?! Are you alright?!"

Apollo heard the sounds of her beautiful laughter. He couldn't help smiling himself. She rolled onto her back, tears of joy in her eyes as she continued laughing. She felt tremendous amounts of joy, and you didn't need any special hearing to see that. Seeing Athena laughed filled Apollo with tonnes of happiness and energy.

He loved her laugh so much.

He stretched out a hand, and she took it, getting up. Apollo pulled her up, and as she got up, she fell forward onto Apollo. She put both her hands on his strong chest. She looked up at him, and he held her shoulders. Their faces were a couple of centimeters away from each other, and she could feel his warm breath on her face.

"I gotcha, tiger."

Athena stepped away from Apollo, and looked at the mountains that were past the large building they had checked in at yesterday. The sun still hasn't risen. She looked back at Apollo, and Apollo stretched out a hand. She took it, interlocking her fingers with his, and they started to walk down the beach.

"This is just so you don't fall over." Apollo told her, explaining the reason why he was holding her hand. She didn't care about the reason, she was just glad to have him walking alongside the beach, the sun rising up to the left of them. They continued to walk down the golden path of sand, small waves crashing into the sand, causing the golden specks to soak and get muddy. The two of them were bare feet, and it felt good for their skin to touch the soft sand. A slight breeze chilled throughout the air, but the warmth of the sun countered it.

"It's gonna be a hot day." Apollo guessed.

"Oh, yes please." Athena said.

Eventually, Athena saw the tip of the glowing sun pierce through a gap in the mountains, shining down on the two of them. The sun ever so slowly raised up, and it looked beautiful. The heat of it hit the two of them hard, and Apollo's guess was confirmed.

It was definitely gonna be a hot day.

(O)

The man stood his balcony, watching Apollo and Athena walk down the beach, holding hands. He took a swig of the beer he had, and continued to look at them. These two had ruined his life.

And he was pissed.

(O)

The sun eventually lighted up all of Maui, and the day had officially begun.

"So, plans for today?" Apollo asked the girl. She thought for a moment, tapping her earring.

"Let's get back to the room, and maybe I might have thought something by then."

The two turned back around, going towards the large building of rooms. Couples had already started going towards the restaurant, getting breakfast.

"Hey, Apollo. You know what I just thought of?" Athena asked. Apollo turned to look at her.

"Coffee?"

"Coffee."

The two entered the restaurant, sitting down at the best table. It was a round table, made of glass in the middle. The view of the beach was just to the side of them. They sat the opposite end of the round table, checking the breakfast menu.

"Ugh... I need some coffee. Right now." Apollo moaned.

"My exercise tire you out?" Athena asked.

"If your idea of exercise is dragging me out at five in the morning and rolling down a grass hill, count me out from now on." Apollo told her.

"Well, too bad." Athena joked, putting down her menu. A waitress walked over.

"What would you two like?" She asked. Apollo went first.

"I'll just have an Espresso please." He told her. He wasn't exactly in the mood for breakfast, and it's not like he had much anyway.

"I think I'll have the same as him." Athena told the waitress.

"Alright.. Thank you." The waitress jotted down two espressos into her notepad before walking away.

"An espresso, Athena? Never seen you have one of those before." Apollo questioned.

"Always fun to try new things." She told him.

"So, what do you think of Maui so far?" Apollo asked her.

"I'm loving it. I'm still thinking about what to do, but I know it's gonna be good!" She told him.

"What kind of good are we talking? Your good or mine?" Apollo asked her. She slightly giggled.

"Can't spoil it!" She said. Apollo leaned back in his chair, sighing.

"Of course you can't..."

The waitress came back holding two small coffee mugs. She placed them down in front of them.

"Thanks." Apollo said, leaning forward and grabbing the handle of the mug. He took a sip, and felt the caffeine immediately rush through him, making him ten times more awake than before. Athena took a small sip, and immediately liked what she was drinking.

"Apollo, I freaking love you." She said, taking a large sip of the espresso.

"So you like it?" Apollo asked. Athena was in the middle of her drink, and focused her eyes on him. She took a sip, and exhaled.

"Oh, yes I do. Yes. I. Do."

Apollo smiled, raising the mug to his mouth.

The brightness of the sun eventually made the world light up, showing off the full power of summer in Maui. Once the two had finished their espresso, Apollo smacked a ten dollar bill on the table and walked out of the restaurant. The two made their way to an elevator, and Apollo push the button to call it.

The elevator doors opened, and inside stood a man. The man walked out the elevator and shoved Apollo with his shoulder as the man moved past him. Apollo looked at the man who had just bumped him.

"Hey! What's your problem?!" Athena yelled at the man.

"Leave it, Athena." He told her. The man walked towards the restaurant. Apollo and Athena stepped into the elevator, Athena pushing the 3 button as she stepped in. Apollo watched the man that shoved him walk into the restaurant. He had a black hood over his head, and you couldn't see his face at all. He turned around to look at Apollo before the elevator doors shut.

"Ugh! What's wrong with people?!" Athena complained.

"It's alright, Athena. Just forget about it." Apollo told her. The elevator doors opened, and Apollo and Athena stepped out. Apollo somehow grabbed the key when he was being dragged out of the apartment by Athena. He put the key into the door handle, and opened up the room.

"You bought your swimming gear?" Athena asked Apollo as she made her way over to her suitcase.

"Yeah, of course. What are we doing, Athena?"

Athena pulled out her yellow bikini and smiled at Apollo.

"You ever gone cliff jumping before?"

(O)

Apollo carried his backpack which contained his red swimming trunks. Athena held her athletic bag which had her yellow bikini. They got out of the taxi at the best cliff jumping location.

Black Rock beach.

It was a 50 minute drive, and the time was about 10:30 AM. There were not many people at the beach, which made it all the more better for Athena and Apollo.

"Cliff jumping, Athena? Have you ever done that?" He asked her.

"Nope! There's a first for everything!" She said. They made their way to a changing room, and Apollo went into the males one. It was empty, and Apollo started to get undressed.

He felt some nervousness. He had never cliff jumped before, and he felt as if he were going to smash into the rocks if he jumped. But looking scared in front of Athena was already embarrassing enough.

Even Athena herself couldn't held but feel butterflies in her stomach. She put on her yellow bikini, and was ready for the cliff jump. She stepped out to see a shirtless Apollo with his red swim trunks.

"Let's go!" Athena nodded towards the cliff and they made their way there.

Very few people were at the beach, and none were on the cliff. Apollo and Athena made their way up the black rocks.

"Don't look down, don't look down, don't look down..." Apollo muttered as he walked along the black rocks.

He looked down anyway.

Clear waters with waves splashed below them, and Apollo saw himself getting higher with each step. He had nearly reached the edge.

Then he felt his foot slip on loose stone. He fell sideways towards the black rocks. Athena noticed, and immediately grabbed for his arm.

She held tightly onto his arm as he leant over a large collection of stone below him. Athena pulled him up.

"Don't... Don't do that..." Athena panted.

"Hey, it's not like I MEANT to slip over and nearly die. C'mon, we're nearly there." Apollo told her as he walked further towards the edge of the cliff. Apollo held onto a metal pole sticking out of the ground, looking at the thirty feet drop into the water below him.

"So... You wanna go first?" Apollo volunteered Athena. She shook her head.

"Nuh-uh! You first!" She told him. Apollo sighed, and looked back at the drop.

It was now or never.

He took a deep breath, stepped back, and jumped.

He plummeted towards the ocean feet first, the wind rushing up his body. He eventually slammed against the clear ocean, the cold water getting into his skin. He swam up, and his face broke out of the water. He gasped for air as he looked up at Athena, who leant over the side holding onto the metal pole.

"How was that?!" She called out to him. Apollo spit out some water, before putting on a massive grin towards her.

"That was awesome! You gotta do it!" He yelled. Athena wasted no time, jumping off the edge of the cliff. She screamed as she plummeted through the air, her long hair flowing with the heavy wind. She hit the water feet first, just like Apollo. Her hair floated majestically underwater, and she immediately started to swim up. She broke the water surface, and wiped her wet face with her hand, and started laughing.

"That was amazing!" She yelled. The two started to swim towards the shore, anticipating another jump. They swam back to shore, and started to climb the rocks again.

When they reached the top, Apollo leaned on the metal pole above the cliff, catching his breath.

"Ooh, what's that?" Athena asked, looking at something in the water below. Apollo walked over to her, looking into the water 30 feet below.

"I don't see anything..." Apollo commented.

Then he felt a set of hands push him from behind, and he fell off the cliff into the water, head first. He swam up to the surface to see Athena laughing herself to tears.

"Gotcha!" She yelled, laughing yet again. Apollo, although angry at Athena for pushing him in, couldn't help smiling slightly. After Athena had laughed herself to tears, her stomach slightly hurting, she eventually jumped in. Apollo swam under the sea to see her.

Apollo could clearly see Athena underwater, and he noticed a fish swimming towards them underwater. It swam in front of Athena, and she gazed at it in awe. The fish looked around, and Apollo watched as Athena went to slowly and softly touch the fish. As soon as her finger was placed on the fish, it swam as full speed away from her. She watched as the fish swam deep into the ocean floor. Apollo eventually swam upwards, breaking the surface of the water. He looked around, and saw more and more people pouring into the beach.

He heard Athena come into the surface, and she looked at the people.

"We should go." She told Apollo.

"Right you are. Before this place gets too crowded."

The two swam to shore, going over to their backpacks. Apollo unzipped his, pulling out a black towel to dry himself. Athena used her white towel to dry her long hair and body. The two walked over to the changing room. Apollo's messy, brown hair was still wet. He put his red singlet and black shorts back on, and stepped out to see Athena facing him in her yellow singlet and black shorts. Her bright yellow bra straps were exposed on the side of her singlet, but she didn't mind. She had already called for a cab.

She reached into her athletic bag, pulling out her phone and turning the camera on.

"You know what to do, Apollo." She told him. They sat down in the grass, and Athena sat next to Apollo. She held the camera in the air, and Apollo smiled a full teeth smile. He felt Athena put her spare arm around him.

Then he felt Athena's soft lips against his cheek.

Athena took the photo, and went to look at it. Apollo lightly rubbing the cheek Athena just kissed him on. He went to look at the photo too. They both had obvious wet hair, and Apollo was still smiling as it showed Athena with her eyes closed and her lips on Apollo's left cheek.

That was probably Apollo's favourite photo.

The cab eventually pulled up, and the two stepped in. Athena tagged that photo in a message to Phoenix.

"Great Wailea Resort, please!" Athena told the driver. The cab started driving, and Athena leaned her head on Apollo's right shoulder as she tried to go to sleep. Apollo smiled, running his fingers through her long hair. He held her tightly with his right arm, and looked out the window. They would eventually reach the resort at 12:00 PM.

(O)

They eventually reached the resort and the two got out. Athena was still slightly snickering about pushing Apollo in, and Apollo lightly punched her left arm, causing her to rub her sore arm.

"Ow! You're a bully!" She said angrily to him. Although she was holding her fists out, Widget was lighting up green. The two went to the elevator, and next to the elevator was the same man who had shoved Apollo in the morning. The man wore a black hood and hid his face entirely. Apollo looked at him for a bit, but the man didn't look up. Apollo and Athena got into the elevator, and started going up to the third floor.

"Who is that guy?" Athena asked "He gives me the creeps."

Apollo shrugged.

"Dunno. Someone who doesn't like red?"

Athena slightly snickered before the elevator door opened, and the two of them stepping out. Apollo opened the room door, and stepped inside. It had been cleaned thoroughly, and the bed had been made again. Apollo felt sorry for whoever made the bed, because as soon as he opened the door, Athena dived on the neatly made bed.

"I'm gonna have a bit of a nap..." Athena mumbled, raising a finger.

"Yeah, I might too." Apollo said. He sat on the edge of the bed, grabbing his phone. He had no messages from Trucy or Phoenix, but instead from Blackquill.

'How is Cykes doing? I hope you are taking care of her.'

Apollo sent back a message, before laying in the bed.

'She's doing fine.'

Apollo heard the light snores come from Athena. He looked over at her. She was completely spread out on the bed, facing Apollo with her eyes closed and mouth slightly opened. Apollo ran the tips of his knuckles over her forehead, and ran his fingers through her long, orange hair. He knew he wouldn't be able to take a small nap, so he stepped out of bed, grabbing his phone to send a message to Phoenix.

'Could you send me the latest photo Athena sent you?'

(O)

Apollo held a locket in his hand.

On the front bore a steel tiger. He had paid quite a bit for it in the jewerly store, but it would be well worth it. It contained nothing on the inside yet, but Apollo had used the resort computers to print off the photo of Athena kissing his cheek. He made it smaller, and when it came out of the printer, he grabbed it, using some scissors to cut it down to just Athena and him. It was small enough to glue into the locket, he did so.

Apollo looked at the locket. The tiger on the front, in a stance of hunting, looking for prey. When opened, it bore a photo of Athena kissing his cheek, and him baring a full teeth smile. He slightly smiled at what he had created.

He got up from his seat and walked down to the elevator yet again. It was around 6 PM, and he was wondering if Athena had woken up by now. The sun was setting, and Apollo knew he would have to take Athena to see it by the beach.

As Apollo walked to the elevator, he looked around for that strange man. He saw him yet again. He held something in his hand, but when he spotted Apollo looking at him, he put the thing away.

"Hmph."

Apollo stared at the man as he walked past him. He could only think one thing.

'Was... Was that a knife?'

Apollo stepped into the elevator, trying to think about what he just saw. That couldn't be a knife. Apollo was probably just imagining it. When he had reached third floor, he stepped into the room.

To his surprise, Athena was still asleep. She must be getting all the jet lag off her. Her long hair spread all over the bed, and Apollo stood by the bed. He held the locket in his hand, and put it by her bedside table. The clink of it hitting the table caused her to wake up. She looked up at Apollo, and spoke.

"Ugh... Morning, Apollo..."

Apollo crossed his arms.

"Afternoon. It's 6 PM."

She buried her face into her pillow.

"Really now...? Hang on, what's that?"

Athena took the locket. She inspected it.

"I... I kinda.. Well.." Apollo scratched the back of his head "..I kinda bought it for you..."

Athena stared up at Apollo, shock sprawled across her face.

"Y-you... You bought this?!" She asked.

"Check the inside, tiger."

Athena opened the tiger locket, and immediately smiled the photo she saw. She sprung up from her bed, and wrapped her arms around Apollo's neck.

"Thank you so much, Apollo! I.. I don't know what to say..." She said. Apollo held her close to him, and they hugged each other for a long time. Apollo eventually broke it, and looked out the window.

"Athena, we still gotta see the sunset!"

(O)

They made their way down to the beach to catch the last inch of sun. They sat down in the golden sand, looking at the sunset. Athena leaned her body onto Apollo's, and he stroked her hair, slowly and softly.

"Goodbye, sun..." She mumbled out.

"You're still talking to the sun." Apollo told her.

"Get your hearing checked." She spat back.

As the last inch of sun disappeared, Apollo looked up at the pool. It was empty, much to Apollo's relief. He got up, and grabbed Athenas hand to pull her up.

"Have we been in the pool yet?" Apollo asked. Athena tapped her earring, thinking back to the last 24 hours.

"No, don't think so..."

Apollo flashed a smile.

"Nows the best time!"

The two went back to the room to get changed into their swim wear. Apollo yet again with his red trunks, and Athena with her yellow bikini. It was dark out, but the pool lights had been turned on. The sun and the light surrounding it had vanished. The pool was empty, and not another person was in sight.

It was just the two of them.

Apollo watched as Athena walked in front of him towards the large pool. She dived in with her hands stretched out above her body, with her torso and feet following. She swam above to the surface, and ran her hands through her wet hair. She looked at Apollo.

"C'mon, Justice! Dive in!"

Apollo didn't wait any longer, and he dived in feet first. The water surrounded him, and he looked around under the water. He swam up to the surface, and saw Athena with her arms resting on the ledge of the pool, looking over the beach.

"So... First day review?" Apollo asked as he swam over to her, leaning his arms on the ledge.

"Hmm... I'd say..." Athena thought, tilting her head slightly to the right. She then thought of an answer and looked over at Apollo.

"I'd say it was one of the best days of my life. Especially since you're here." She told Apollo. Apollo felt himself blush, but he smiled.

"Yeah... Any day I spend with you is a good one, Athena."

She smiled at him, before using her feet to launch herself from the ledge. Apollo swam after her, and he saw her go under. Apollo followed, sinking into the pool.

He saw Athena clearly in the pool. She smiled, and swam towards Apollo under the water. Athena put her hands on Apollo's shoulder, staring into his deep, brown eyes. Apollo put one hand on her waist, and another on her back. She swam further towards Apollo, and planted her soft, wet lips on his.

Apollo closed his eyes, returning the kiss instantly. Her lips were the soft, warm and beautiful. She put a hand on the back of his neck, pulling him closer to her.

It was one of the greatest moments of their lives.

Athena eventually broke slowly, and swam to the surface. Apollo swam up, and broke the water, staring back at her.

"So..." Athena awkwardly said. She blushed slightly.

"That was amazing." Apollo said. She smiled at him, and swam over to him for another kiss. She held the back of Apollo's messy hair, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She was absolutely perfect.

They slowly broke yet again, and they both smiled at each other.

"I love you, Apollo." She whispered, confessing to him. He pulled her head towards his neck, and whispered back.

"I love you too, tiger."

(O)

"You reckon there'd still be some shops open?" Athena asked as they stepped into their room.

"Yeah, defiantly. Might get some dinner too somewhere. Consider it out first date?" Apollo asked. She smiled, kissing him on the cheek.

"Sure."

Apollo stepped into the bathroom, and took a look at himself in the mirror. His hair was messy and wet, and he grabbed some hair gel to put it back to its old, spiky self.

He had just told the girl he loved for over a year that he loved her, and to his surprise, she loved him too. He felt massive joy flow through him still, and he was already liking this holiday. It was midnight now, and he saw a nice place that was open all night on the street when he had been shopping for the locket earlier. He put on a white shirt with a red jacket, and some jeans. He stepped out of the bathroom to see Athena, also in some jeans, with a yellow shirt. She flashed a peace sign at him as he stepped out.

"Ready to go, Apollo!"

Apollo grabbed his wallet, and held out his arm to Athena. She linked her arm with his, and they stepped out of the room. They went down in the elevator and made their way to the restaurant.

(O)

The man saw Apollo and Athena, linked arms, walking down the street towards the nearest town. He knew he needed to strike now. He grabbed his pistol from his table, and slammed the door as he headed out, making his way towards them.

His plan for revenge started now.

(O)

Apollo and Athena walked through the street. Cars drove past, and some stores were still open, still at midnight. It was beautiful.

"So, you ever been on a date before, Apollo?" Athena asked.

"No... This is certainly going to be interesting..." Apollo replied.

"Heh, me neither. We'll be fine!" Athena told him.

"You're always good for a smile, tiger."

Apollo realised after that conversation had finished that his pocket felt lighter than before. He reached into his pocket, and realized he had dropped his wallet. He unlinked arms with Athena to go back and get it. He spotted it almost instantly, and went to pick it up. He shoved it back into his pocket.

Then he heard Athena scream.

Apollo suddenly turned around, and saw a black hooded man holding a pistol to Athenas head.

"Athena!" Apollo cried, sprinting towards the two.

The man looked at Apollo, still not revealing his face.

"Don't come any closer, or her brain will be all over this pavement!" The man threatened, shoving the pistol further into Athenas temple.

"A-Apollo!" Athena cried out. Apollo couldn't move without killing Athena. Apollo then suddenly realized.

This man holding the gun was the same man who shoved him this morning, and had showed up a couple times.

He tried to think of something, anything. He tried to negotiate with the kidnapper.

"Please, let her go! How much do you want?!" He begged him to let her go. The man dragged Athena towards an alleyway, towards a black van. Athena struggled and tried to kick at the man, but the man was too strong and breaking out would mean certain death.

"Take me instead, I'm begging you!" Apollo cried out. The kidnapper ignored him. He opened the back door of the van, and shoved Athena into the van. As soon as his eyes were off Apollo, Apollo ran towards him. The man saw him running, and aimed the gun towards him. Apollo pinned the man's arm against the van as he fired the shot, hitting nothing. The man used his spare arm to elbow Apollo in the face. Apollo felt his nose explode, and he staggered back. He felt the cold metal of the pistol smash against the back of his head. Apollo's vision went black temporarily, and he felt ringing in his ears. Apollo saw Athena sprint out of the van, running towards the man with gun. The man punched Athena in the stomach, causing her to double over. He then raised his left fist in the air, and furiously punched Athena, knocking her out. Apollo wiped his bloody nose, and tried to charge at the man. The man grabbed Apollo's throat. His black hood covered his face, but Apollo could see his dark blue eyes peering at him.

"Come and find her, if you want her back." The man gruffly said, before raising an elbow and knocking the side of Apollo's head, knocking him out.

(O)

Apollo eventually woke up, and stared down the alleyway where it happened. He felt light rain against his hair, removing the gel from it. He softy rubbed his nose, and felt some dry blood under it. He pushed himself off the ground and stared down the alleyway. Apollo could barely make out tire tracks, and followed them. He rounded a corner and saw something on the ground. He ran over to it.

It was the tiger locket, and a note. The note seemed to have been written in black pen.

'Don't even think about getting the cops'

Apollo scrunched up the note, tossing it behind him. Then he noticed.

There was something else at his feet.

Widget.

Apollo knelt down, and picked up Widget with his thumb and index finger. He stared at the black, rounded object. It was so dark it was almost scary. He put his hand on his right knee, and got up. Widget could help him find Athena. He would have to figure it out, but he will find her. He shoved Widget and the locket into his pocket, and made his way down the alley. He muttered something to himself. He pretended that Athena would hear it.

"Hang on, tiger..."