A/N: Sorry it took so long to update guys! Real life interrupted my writing for awhile.

So, I finished reading The Mortal Instruments series, and I must say I enjoyed it immensely (despite being grossed out on more than one occasion). I was a bit worried when I first started, because I heard it was being compared to Twilight. And, if you must know, I hate Twilight with the passion of a thousand burning suns…sorry Twilight fans. Oh, another shameless plug! I wrote a one shot about Jace and Alec! Go take a look if you'd like!

And, because of the series, I'm officially a Magnus/Alec shipper. I ADORE them! I may write a story about them once I finish this one. We'll see what goes.

Ok, back to what's important. Enjoy chapter 12!

Sunburn

Chapter 12

A week after their fight and subsequent make up, Percy and Apollo had quickly settled back to normalcy. Ever since that night Apollo had been hell bent showing Percy exactly how much he loved him. It was obvious to Percy just how guilty the god felt, but he wasn't complaining on the methods Apollo had chosen to make it up to him.

But, despite everything, Percy was beginning to feel a little apprehensive. His mind was at an almost relentless war with itself. Love, guilt and confusion were his constant companions, bubbling up inside him like acid. It was like Apollo could sense this in Percy, and had not pressed the immorality issue for the entire week.

He thought of his mom, and all of his friends. The more he thought of them, the more saddened he felt. The thought of his mother dying made him sick, and the thought of living on forever after her death just seemed like torture. And having to see all his friends…Annabeth, Grover, Rachel, Nico…how could he spend forever without them?

But then he thought of Apollo, and how absolutely wonderful he was. He loved the god completely…unconditionally. And Apollo loved him back with the exact same intensity. When he was with Apollo everything else just disappeared…nothing else mattered. The god meant everything to Percy and his emotions were so strong it almost scared him. Whenever Apollo kissed him or touched him, it felt like a million fireworks were going off at once. He never wanted to lose that feeling…ever.

He was feeling so confused and anxious that it finally made him turn to his friends. One day during free time, Percy pulled Annabeth and Grover (who was taking a break from his travels) aside and explained everything that was happening. Grover had been away for so long, making only short visits to camp, had no idea what was going with Percy and Apollo. The satyr seemed shocked by it, especially since he assumed that Percy and Annabeth would get back together eventually. He didn't have a clue that Percy was into guys.

"Why didn't you tell me, Percy?" Grover asked, looking sullen. "I know I'm not here all the time, but I'd like to know what's going on your life."

"I know…I'm sorry, Grover," Percy apologized, an equally sullen look on his face. "Everything's been like a whirlwind lately."

"Don't be mad at him, Grover," said Annabeth in a comforting tone. "It's obvious he's had a lot to think about."

Grover sat back on Percy's bed (they had retreated to the Poseidon cabin for privacy) and was nervously clicking his hooves together. "But, wow…immortality? That's big…like, huge."

"That's why this has been so hard for me," Percy relented. "I love Apollo, but knowing I'll live on while everyone I care about dies…I don't know what to do."

"Whatever you do, don't rush into this. I know Apollo can be very persuasive, but Grover is right. This is a huge deal and I can only imagine what Zeus is going to do. But you said your dad's ok with this?"

Percy nodded, "He seemed actually happy with the idea of me being immortal. It would probably be nice having a son around that's not a jerk like Triton is half the time."

There was a long paused between the three before Percy spoke again, "And I already feel like I've rushed into it. That night at Montauk I felt sure that immortality was what I wanted…"

"You let your emotions get the better of you," Grover replied.

Annabeth nodded, "He's right, and when you let your emotions get to you like that you can make rash decisions that aren't exactly the best choice."

Percy ran his hands through his hair. Did he simply let his emotions get the better of him? He felt so sure of himself when Apollo had asked him to be with him forever. At first, he had only thought of the benefits: Apollo, love, and eternal youth. It wasn't until later that the negatives started seeping into his mind.

Percy caught Annabeth starring at him for a minute with a faraway look in her eyes. Percy usually had a hard time reading the daughter of Athena's stormy eyes, but the look she was giving him was almost sad…or heartbroken. Suddenly Percy felt stupid and guilty knowing that he hadn't really thought about Annabeth's feelings. They were obviously broken up, but Percy still wondered from time to time whether or not Annabeth still harbored feelings for him. There were a few times, judging by the way she acted, that there was still something there. The look in her eyes at that moment pretty much made that clear.

"You really love him, don't you?" Annabeth asked softly as she tugged at the ends of her blonde hair.

"Yes," Percy replied with absolute certainty.

Annabeth's eyes suddenly looked a little red and glossy, and after a few seconds she was standing up and heading for the door. "I've got to get some things ready for the next activity. We'll…we'll talk later ok?"

And just like that, she was out the door. Grover and Percy exchanged knowing looks as the blonde retreated from the cabin.

Apollo, knowing that something was off with Percy, decided to give the boy a few days to clear his head. They had been together practically every night for nearly a month, and he figured Percy needed his space. Apollo felt a little nervous about Percy's recent mood change. He was still the same Percy, but the god knew that deep down something was bothering the demigod. He knew that his lover was still grappling with the idea of immortality, and Apollo couldn't help but think that Percy was beginning to change his mind.

After leaving Percy to his thoughts those two days, Apollo appeared in front of Percy. The boy was sitting up in bed, hugging his knees to his chest. He was shirtless and wearing a pair of old looking pajama bottoms. Looking into those sea green eyes made Apollo acutely aware of how much he missed being with Percy. Percy smiled up at him and his heart nearly melted. The god went over and sat next to Percy in his bed, gathering the boy up in his arms. It was Percy who brought their lips together, kissing Apollo softly and sweetly.

"I missed you," Percy admitted softly, resting his head on Apollo's shoulder.

Apollo smiled, breathing in the scent of Percy's hair, "And I missed you, Percy."

"Where were you the past two days? I waited up for you both nights and you never showed up."

Percy's tone wasn't angry, but Apollo could sense the sadness in it. He ran his fingers through the soft locks of Percy's hair and pressed up against him, just wanting to feel the demigod. Percy's body heat radiated off of him like soothing waves.

"I'm sorry, but…I thought you needed some time to yourself," Apollo said, and just as Percy tried to cut him off, he placed a finger on the boy's lips. "Percy, I know something bothering you. I can see it in your eyes."

Percy looked down and away from Apollo's gaze. He wasn't quite sure what to tell his lover…because he was afraid that if he let out his true feelings it would just upset him. The last thing he wanted to do was upset Apollo.

Apollo caressed the right side of Percy's face, "Don't worry…you can tell me anything."

"You're right, there is something bothering me. But, please don't be upset with what I'm about to say. It's just…I've been thinking about immorality…a lot, actually. It's not that I don't want to be with you; I love you so much and being with you is amazing. I just don't know how I'll deal with seeing my friends and family die. And I know I'll get close to other people...and I'll have to see them die too. It'll keep happening over and over again. How do you handle it?"

Apollo placed his hand on Percy back, rubbing small circles into his skin, "I won't lie to you…it's difficult. I've had many friends die, and it was painful. But I learned to take comfort in the people I have around me…even if my family is a bit…interesting at times. But we stand by one another when we have to. That's what's important."

Percy thought of the rest of the Olympians gods for a moment. Many of them were still not terribly fond of Percy, which unsettled him. Apollo had spent thousands of years with them; of course he got along with most of them. But, Percy could not help but think that, no matter what, the gods wouldn't accept him. How could he spend eternity with people who did not respect him, even after everything he had done for them? Percy's stomach began to coil in on itself, and he suddenly felt like he was going to be sick.

"I don't have to ask Zeus now if you don't want me to," said Apollo before he pressed his lips to Percy's forehead. "We can wait as long as you'd like."

"I…I really don't think it matters how long we wait or don't wait. Either way…I'll see them all die."

Apollo took hold of Percy's hands, looking into the demigod's eyes trying to read them. Apollo suddenly felt a wave of guilt building inside himself. He felt as though he had sprung this on Percy too quickly and didn't give the boy enough time to think it through. Percy was only 17 years old after all…how could Apollo expect him to make such a huge decision like this when he was so young?

"Percy…I'm sorry."

The demigod's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "What for? You didn't do anything wrong."

Apollo cupped Percy's face in his hands, "I'm sorry for rushing you. I sprung this on you way too fast. It's such a huge decision…and I feel like you need more time to think about it. If you truly want this, I want you to be completely, one hundred perfect sure. I would hate myself if you went through with this and ended up regretting it."

Percy leaned forward, kissing the god softly on the lips. His entire body tingled just from the soft contact. His mind was spinning again as his brain conjured thought after bewildering thought. He loved Apollo with all his heart and he desperately wanted to be with. But the thought of leaving all of his friends behind…never growing old while they all withered away, made it feel like ice was running through his veins.

"I'm sorry…I don't want to seem like I'm backpedaling," Percy said softly.

Apollo looked at Percy for a moment, running his hand down Percy's face, "I know this is a big decision. But, I want you know that I'll wait for you…no matter how long it takes."

"You would really wait for me?"

"Percy, I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're the love of my life. I would wait a thousand years for you if that's what it took…because you mean more to me than anything in this world. That's not going to change."

They sat on the bed a little while longer, talking about the same issue until fatigue began to set in. Apollo onto Percy as they lowered onto the bed, settling against each other as they always did. Percy loved the fact that Apollo held him as though he was the most precious thing in the world.

"What if I can't do this? " was Percy's final thought before he fell asleep.

A/N: I know this is shorter than the previous chapters but bear with me. Like I said, real life has been a bitch and it's been a pain just getting this chapter finished. The next chapter will be longer though, promise!

As for the next few chapters: there might be some type of closure situation with Annabeth, and I'll write something nice and sexy for Percy's 18th birthday. Sound good?

Please review!