A/N: This chapter will be more fluffy than the others, just to let you know. It's also not as smutty (shocking, I know!). Either way I hope you all enjoy this chapter

Sunburn

Chapter 6

Apollo was slightly worried by the look on Percy's face as he gazed at him. For the past few days they had been together, Apollo could not help but notice that Percy seemed a little off. The young demigod seemed distracted, almost bothered by something. Now Percy was lying next to him, looking as though he had to get something off his chest.

"So, are you going to tell me what's the matter with you or not?" said Apollo bluntly, watching Percy's face turn a little red.

Percy looked away, "Nothing's…wrong, exactly. I've…I don't know, Apollo. There are so many thoughts running through my head lately it's hard for me to tune them all out."

Apollo sighed, running his hand along Percy's jaw line, "Well, you know you can tell me. I'm a pretty good listener."

"…I don't know-"

"If you don't tell me I shall be forced to recite haikus and limericks all night long," said Apollo, knowing that is was an effective strategy. "There once was a girl from Sparta-"

Percy laughed, holding up his hands in defeat, "Ok! I give!"

Apollo gathered Percy in his arms again and maneuvered so they were sitting up facing each other. Percy wrapped himself in one of the thin sheets, keeping the cool air from chilling his body. He wasn't quite sure where to begin, and Apollo was looking at him impatiently.

Percy took a deep breath, "What do you really feel for me?"

Apollo looked slightly surprised by the question, "I…I thought you already knew how I felt about you? I thought I've made myself fairly obvious."

"You have…I mean, I know you care about me. You make me feel wonderful. It's just…gods this is stupid. I'm going to sound like a cry baby. These past five months with you have been wonderful, that's all that matters, right?

Apollo took Percy's hand in his, looking at him seriously, "You're not a cry baby, Percy. Now, finish what you were going to say. Oh, and FYI, it will be six months next week."

"Wait, you've been keeping track?"

"Don't change the subject, Jackson," said Apollo, squeezing Percy's hand.

Percy smiled, finding extremely cute that Apollo remembered their 'anniversary', if you could call it that.

Then, without realizing, Percy began blurting out everything he had been feeling the past few days, "I've just been thinking a lot…about us. I've been so happy with you…no one's ever made feel the way you do. But I can't get rid of this nagging feeling that someday soon someone else is going to catch your eye and you're…you're going to leave and I'll just be another one of your past lovers. Plus, you're immortal and somewhere down the line…I'm going die. But then you mentioned that you wished I had taken immortality when the gods offered, and now I'm starting to question why I didn't take it. If I had known you wanted me I might have made a different choice. Gods, I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't even know if you love me so why would I say something stupid like-"

Percy was immediately cut off when Apollo's warm lips pressed onto his. It was the most loving, tender kiss the pair has ever shared with one another; Apollo hoped to convey all of his feelings for the boy in that kiss. Percy moaned softly as Apollo slid Percy onto his lap, their lips never parting. Percy in turn wrapped his arms around the god's neck, bringing their mouths closer together. Apollo's hands were everywhere, touching Percy in a way that made him flush.

When they parted, Percy was left breathless, "W-what-"

"I always thought you knew," said Apollo, stroking the boy's cheek. "I should have been more direct…I should have told you the moment I realized…"

Percy's eyes widened slightly, "Realized what?"

Apollo took Percy's hands in his and looked directly into Percy's dazzling eyes, "I love you, Percy."

Percy thought his heart was going to stop at that very moment. Suddenly a brilliant smile spread across his face, not going unnoticed by Apollo. He was so happy that he thought for sure he could fly around the camp grounds with ease. He pulled the god's lips back to his, kissing Apollo with everything he had. When they parted, it was Apollo who was left breathless.

"I love you too," said Percy.

The couple embraced, basking in their newly admitted love and body heat. Apollo was so happy that he felt like he could transcend godhood. Nothing could compare to the way he felt at that moment, knowing Percy loved him in return and that he finally found someone to say those words to.

"You have no idea how I've longed for this," said Apollo against Percy's earlobe. "It's been so many years since I've…loved someone like this."

Percy pulled away only a few millimeters so he could look into the god's eyes, "What happened, Apollo? You can tell me anything…but if you don't want to I understand."

Apollo smiled at Percy's caring nature, "No, I want to tell you. It's been a long time since I've talked about it."

Percy and Apollo lay next to each other on the bed, Percy's head in Apollo's chest. Once they were comfortable, Apollo told Percy his tale, "His name was Hyacinthus. He was the son of King Amyclas of Sparta. He was the only one I've said 'I love you' to, until you."

Percy remembered that name. Annabeth had told him about Hyacinthus and how he was killed by a jealous wind god. One would think Percy would be jealous, talking of Apollo's ex lover, but he wasn't. If anything, he felt sorry for Apollo. Hyacinthus died thousands of years ago…and Apollo had never felt a connection so strong until now. Percy could only imagine how much Apollo's heart ached.

"…Annabeth told me about him."

"Then you know he was killed…Zephryus, the wind god who killed Hyacinth, was jealous of the boy's love for me. The day he died, Hyacinth and I were taking turns throwing a discus. Zephryus blew mine of course so that it would hit Hyacinth in the head…"

"I'm so sorry, Apollo," said Percy quietly.

Apollo kissed the top of Percy's head, "There's nothing to be sorry about. Besides, that was many, many years ago."

"But you've never…said that you loved someone…until now?" Percy asked. "But you have a lot of kids at camp-". Percy stopped, mentally smacking himself for blurting that thought out. Apollo took no offense to it however.

"I know that sounds bad, considering all of my children. But I did care deeply for their mothers and I love all of my children. It's just sometimes I grew lonely. Like my sister, I never married, but I sought comforts elsewhere. I hope you don't think any less of me."

Percy leaned upwards and kissed Apollo's soft lips, "Of course I don't. But I have to know something…when was the last time you were with a mortal?"

Apollo's eyes averted to the ceiling, looking as though he were in deep thought, "About eight or so months ago, a college freshmen on vacation with her parents."

Percy rolled his eyes but was thankful to hear that Apollo had not been with anyone else while seeing him, "Ok, that's enough information for me. I don't want to know the details."

Apollo took the opportunity to cover Percy's body with his, smiling deviously "Are you a little jealous, maybe?"

"No…I just don't want to hear the details of your sex life with other people," Percy replied, moaning appreciatively when Apollo kissed his neck.

"No worries, Percy," the sun god said as he continued to kiss and nip at Percy's sensitive skin. "These past months I have been dedicated to you and only you."

Percy moaned deeply within his throat when Apollo's lips were finally on his again. For long, unhurried minutes, they shared slow, languid kisses with each other. Percy tangled his hands in Apollo's blonde hair, enjoying the silky strands between his fingers.

When they parted, Apollo stared intimately into Percy's eyes. "I want you to know, when I told you that no one has ever made me the way you do, I meant it. The love I feel for you is…deeper, more meaningful than what I have ever felt before."

As Percy and Apollo kissed once more, the passion that flowed between them was almost tangible. "Say it again," Percy breathed against the god's lips.

"I love you," Apollo replied before deepening their kiss.

They made love once more, but this time it was slow and tender. They rocked against each others' bodies, sighing and moaning into the night air. Percy's body tingled as Apollo thrust into him slowly and deeply. With the pace Apollo had set, it felt like they were going at it for hours. This allowed waves of pleasure to slowly build in their bodies, prolonging their orgasms for as long as possible. Apollo whispered sweet nothings into Percy's ear, letting Percy know exactly how much he loved him. As they climaxed, Apollo right after Percy, the sun god rasped into the demigod's neck, "Mine."

"Yours," Percy sighed, clinging to Apollo's muscled back as his orgasm roared through his body like a tidal wave.

Afterwards, Percy fell asleep wrapped tightly in the god's arms, feeling the happiest he had ever felt.

That night, Percy dreamed he was standing by the Eiffel Tower in France. He had never been there in real life, but even in his dream, the tower was a sight to behold. The sun was just setting over the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow throughout the city. He was too busy looking around that the soft voice that sounded behind him nearly had him jumping out of his skin.

"Hello, Percy," said sweet, familiar voice.

Percy turned and was met by the lovely vision of the goddess Aphrodite. She looked beautiful as always; her hair was honey colored this time, flowing down her shoulders in long, shiny waves. Percy couldn't tell what color her eyes were because they didn't seem to want to stay one color. She was wearing a long, flowing, lavender dress that was clung nicely to her figure. Her skin gave off an almost ethereal glow as she stood before Percy. Despite her loveliness, Percy couldn't help but think that Apollo was much more beautiful (though he wouldn't dare say that out loud).

"Uh…" was all Percy could say.

Aphrodite laughed softly, sounding more like music than a laugh, "You're always so adorable, Percy. Such the gentleman. Come, walk with me."

Aphrodite reached for Percy's arm and laced her own arm around it. Percy offhandedly hoped that Ares could not seem them now. He didn't think the god of war would be too pleased seeing Percy walk arm in arm with his lover.

"I love Paris, it's such a romantic city," said Aphrodite dreamily as they walked. "That is why all of my children can speak French, you know. It is the language of love."

They continued to walk, Aphrodite talking on and on about Paris for awhile. Percy was enjoying himself, but began to grow leery of the goddess. Why had she come to him in a dream; surely not for a stroll around Paris. The gods always had ulterior motives, and that was starting to scare Percy a little bit.

"Um, I'm not trying to be disrespectful," said Percy, slowing recovering his ability to speak. "But…why are we here?"

Aphrodite shook her head and laughed at herself, "I'm sorry, Percy. It seems I've lost myself in this beautiful city again. I came to you because of your love for my dear Apollo."

Percy gulped. Hard. If Aphrodite knew of his relationship with Apollo, it was a good chance that the other gods knew as well. Then he wondered if Aphrodite was jealous…he tried to remember his mythology lessons with Annabeth and Chiron. Were Apollo and Aphrodite lovers at one point? His mind was racing to fast he couldn't catch up. Damn ADHD.

Aphrodite must have sensed Percy's confusion, and continued in a calming voice, "There's nothing to fret over. None of the other Olympians know, except for myself. I make it my business to know things of this nature."

"Did…did you have something to do with it?" Percy asked at the sudden realization.

Aphrodite smiled brightly, "No, this time I had nothing to do with it. The love you share with Apollo is genuine…I haven't seen such a love in a long time. It's so sad that there isn't more love like this in the world."

Aphrodite continued to lead Percy through the city. They were now passing little shops that were getting ready to close for the evening. They stopped by the edge of the river (the Seine, Percy thought it was called) and sat down on one of the benches. Aphrodite absently fluffed at her hair, making sure if was perfect, despite the fact that it already was.

The goddess of love took Percy's hand in hers, "I just want you know that I support you and Apollo. And, well, if things get nasty on Olympus because of it I'll stand for your cause. You and Apollo are just so adorable together; I would hate to see you torn apart."

Percy didn't know if she meant 'torn' literally or figuratively, "Thank you. It means a lot."

"Again, such a gentleman," said the goddess, stroking Percy's cheek affectionately. "It's a shame you couldn't fall for one of my children. Now, I believe there is a certain god waiting for you to wake up. We shouldn't keep him waiting."

The dream slowly dissolved and Percy awoke still wrapped in Apollo's arms. The morning light was filtering through one of the windows. The light caught Apollo at the perfect angle; Percy swore the god's skin was glowing. His eyes were so bright and his hair looked like it were made of pure gold. When Apollo smiled down at him, Percy thought that he had never seen something so beautiful before. He would never forget this image of Apollo for as long as he lived.

A/N: Sorry for the lack of smut in this chapter (I promise to make it up to you next chapter). Please review!