Apollo found his moods beginning to grow dark over the following days. The comfort he looked for from Phoenix nearly gone; even though Phoenix still made every effort to dote over him while he was awake, which was becoming uncommon. Apollo knew he was being too clingy. Phoenix was his boss, not his father. He was Trucy's father and she should have his priority. Apollo used his constant tiredness as an excuse to hide, because in his mind, he was a burden. When he did wake, it would only be for a few hours at a time. In those few hours he would force himself to eat, get cleaned up and socialize with the others. He knew Phoenix was due to go back to work soon and Trucy would be on summer holidays in a short while. Athena and Simon now spent almost every evening at the office. Apollo suspected it was their way of enticing him to come out of hiding, but to him, it was more intimidating than inviting. Phoenix had tried to talk to him about it, but Apollo fought back, telling the truth. He had no energy and was feeling sick constantly.
Apollo lamented telling Phoenix of his illnesses. The next evening after Trucy had gone to bed and Athena and Simon had left, he cornered Apollo. 'You have a Doctor's appointment tomorrow, whether you like it or not.' Phoenix confronted him when he'd headed back to bed on a particularly tiring night. Apollo glared back, detesting Phoenix. Could he not suffer in silence? Phoenix looked back, firm, but with a soft parent-like, concerned look clearly evident. Apollo began to protest, but Phoenix held steady. 'No, you're going.' He chided Apollo. Apollo creased his nose and walked away, giving up fighting Phoenix, a fight he knew he would lose as he headed to bed.
'Apollo, time to get up.' Shaking his shoulder, Phoenix sat beside Apollo, trying to stir him. 'Let's move it, Apollo.' Apollo pulled the blankets over his head, moaning in protest. Disgust burning in his stomach. He could hear Phoenix's sigh as he tried to awaken him. 'Come on, Apollo. I know you don't want to do this, but its for your own good.' Apollo scrutinized Phoenix, but knew he was right. He should have the sutures removed and as much as he didn't want to, he knew he should have the blood work done to catch any infections early enough to treat them.
Apollo moved lethargically taking his time getting ready, not overly interested in making the appointment. He'd hoped if he procrastinated long enough, he'd miss the cab and wouldn't have to go. After showering and brushing his hair and teeth, he dressed in plain jeans and a pull over. 'Let's go.' Phoenix hounded, nudging him out the door. Apollo refused to speak to Phoenix, he was too wounded. 'I'll protect you.' Phoenix's words recoiled inside Apollo's head. 'Yeah, sure.' Apollo's mind answered back. The cab picked them up, the ride silent. He loathed Phoenix at the moment and he knew the older man knew it.
Apollo sat across the waiting room, glaring at Phoenix who was hiding behind an upside down magazine, dodging the stare from the young man. 'Justice, Apollo.' The receptionist called, cutting the tension as Apollo tore his focus from Phoenix and rose, walking stiffly.
The room was white and cold. Every part of him wanted to get up and leave, but then again, he knew Phoenix would stop him. 'So, Mr. Justice.' The Doctor addressed him, taking her place on the stool before of him. 'Haven't seen you in while, young man.' Apollo scowled back. Of all the Doctors Phoenix could have called, why had fate made it his childhood physician? Apollo kept quiet, but she disregarded it and pressed on. 'Looks like you've had a rough time since I saw you last.' Apollo continued his passing stare, exasperated with the entire situation. 'No shit.' Apollo snapped. 'Now, now young man, no need for foul language.' Apollo creased his nose in revulsion while she studied her clipboard. 'Looks like you're in today to have sutures removed, blood work and to assess your overall health.' Apollo scoffed, almost challenging her, but said nothing as she set the clip board aside and moved towards him.
After some protest, she checked him over; taking his temperature, blood pressure, listening to his heart and lungs, checking his ears, eyes, throat, weighing him, all much to his displeasure. He flat out refused to let her look over any part of his body covered by clothing when she'd tried to persuade him otherwise. 'You're a bit dehydrated and a little underweight but overall not as bad as I suspected.' She made notes before she moved her hand towards his eye and looked at the line of sutures that had become embedded when the wound healed. 'Hmm, those will be stubborn.' She mused, considering the wound. 'We'll try removing those without anesthetic, it's not going to be fun though.' She hummed, washing her hands and putting on fresh gloves. She lifted a small package off the shelf and opened it, picking up tweezers and a small scalpel.
Apollo lay back reluctantly as she picked at the tiny threads above his eye. He cringed in pain when she dug for the first one. Apollo finally had enough, flinching and pulling away. 'Guess that's not going to work.' She mused, placing the tools aside. 'No? Really!' Apollo snipped back, but she ignored him, grabbing a phial and syringe from a locked cabinet. Apollo winced. He despised needles. He watched her, becoming queasy when she filled the syringe with the clear liquid. He pulled away when she'd moved closer, but had no escape. She cleaned the area around his eye before picking up the needle. 'Alright, deep breath.' She tried to distract him and he closed his eyes tight, his entire body tensing. He tried to shut himself out of the situation while he felt the pinch and sting of the injection. 'All done.' She chipped as Apollo opened his eyes, relaxing slightly. 'I'll give that a minute to take effect.' She smiled, disposing of the syringe.
Apollo lay still while the freezing set in, trying to get his nausea to pass. Half his face had gone numb when the drug travelled down the right side of his jaw, into his neck. Several minutes had passed when she'd returned and picked up the tools again, cleaned them and set about digging in his face. Apollo tried to shut it out. He was not enjoying any part of this, the freezing not seeming to do much for him as he tried to ignore the discomfort. 'All done, not so bad, was it.' She chimed while Apollo sat up, nearly his entre face now frozen. He caught his face in the mirror above the sink. 'At least I don't look that bad.' He thought.
A few minutes later, he was led to another room with a nurse to collect his blood. Apollo knew it was coming, but he still became sick. Not only did needles remind him of a part of his past he'd tried hard to forget, but the thought of finding out what might be lurking in his system was more than enough to make stomach turn. He reached for the waste basket beside the table he was on and barely got it close enough as he vomited. 'Now, now, it's not that bad.' The nurse smiled, getting the tray ready. Apollo scowled back. 'This will be the worst of it. Nearly done, nearly done.' He muttered to himself when the nurse took his hand and tied a band around his upper arm. She pulled his arm out again after he'd pulled it away, checking for a good vein. Apollo's stomach refused to settle. He watched as she cleaned his arm and palpated the vein again. He found himself becoming light headed when she brought the needle to his skin and slid it in. Apollo whined, his head throbbing before he'd blacked out.
Apollo woke, his head spinning. Someone was holding him, his body wrapped in a soft, warm blanket. 'Shh, it's ok.' Phoenix hushed him. The nurse sat beside Phoenix, watching carefully before checking a line in his hand. The haze passed, but Apollo's head and stomach still refused to agree with him. He was shaky and could barely hold the cup the nurse passed him. Apollo was desperately thirsty and hungry. Fasting for blood work had always made his condition worse.
After drinking the sweet liquid and resting for nearly half an hour in Phoenix's arms, his body taking in the much needed fluids from the line in his hand; his stomach now settling and headache subsiding as he was led back into the examination room. He sat, waiting. They'd already got what they needed, what else did they want? 'Well, Mr. Justice.' The Doctor addressed him, walking back in and closing the door. 'Just one more thing we need to really talk about.' Apollo raised an eyebrow at her, not really sure what she was speaking about. 'How long have you been off your medication?' The pit of Apollo's stomach dropped. He hadn't taken his prescription in years, hating everything about it. He'd been on it for so long, but stopped taking it when he started his articling. The pills had made it hard for him to find interest in much of anything. They dulled him, keeping his moods even and static. 'A few years.' He shot back, not interested in opening old wounds.
'Why did you stop taking them?' She pressed. 'They made it impossible for me to work. Impossible to feel anything or to take interest in my life.' He answered flatly. 'Well, given current circumstances, I think it's best if we put you back on them.' She stated, scribbling down something on a notepad. 'I also think it's best to put you on some antibiotics and antivirals for the time being, just to be on the safe side until your results come back.' She handed him two slips of paper. One for his antibiotics and antivirals and one for the thing he hoped he'd never have to see again. He read the words, resentment filling his system as the line was removed from his hand. He had no interest in being back on the antidepressants.
Apollo rose and marched out furiously, not only despising Phoenix for forcing him into the appointment and not just because he hated going to see a doctor, but because he despised himself. He threw the papers wordlessly at Phoenix, marching out the door and around the building before dropping to the curb behind the clinic. He buried his face in his hands as tears rolled down his fingers, forced to remember years of suffering and abuse that he'd worked hard to put behind him when Phoenix caught up to him and dropped beside him. 'Fuck off.' Apollo snapped. 'Apollo...' Phoenix tried to interject. 'No, Phoenix, you crossed the line.' Apollo moaned. 'Fine, I needed the stitches removed. Yes, I needed the blood work, even if I didn't want to do it. But this!' He snatched the prescriptions from Phoenix, grabbing the one for the antidepressants and shoving it in Phoenix's face. 'This is my problem. Not yours!' Apollo shouted, shoving the paper into Phoenix's pocket. 'Maybe you should fucking take them.' Apollo snapped, getting up and storming off.
'Apollo!' Phoenix yelled, racing after him. 'Apollo! I'm sorry! I was just trying to help!' 'Leave me alone.' Apollo cried, quickening his pace, rage filling his system, his emotions overwhelming him, tears streaming down his face. 'Apollo!' Phoenix shouted, now sounding quite far behind him. Apollo pressed on, not sure where he was going, but he needed to put as much distance as possible between the two of them. After several sharp turns and losing Phoenix, he could still hear him calling his name.
Apollo finally gave up on the rocks by the waterfront. He sobbed, torn. He was angry with Phoenix, deceived by his so called innocent doctor's appointment; but, a minute voice in his head brought him back. 'He's just trying to help you.' Apollo sighed. 'I know, but the wounds are too fresh, Clay.' Apollo stopped. Clay? Of all the voices in his head, Clay's had been the one he longed for. He'd spent every night since Clay's death, desperate to hear his voice to no avail. Apollo sat, unsure. He missed Clay and hearing his voice bought joy and sadness. He'd longed to hear him, but knowing it was a memory, and not real was disheartening.
'There you are!' Phoenix panted, dropping beside Apollo. He hesitated and reached out. Apollo looked up as Phoenix was about to touch him and pulled away. 'I'm sorry.' Apollo sobbed. 'I'm sorry I snapped at you.' Apollo couldn't hold back, tears now flowing freely. 'I'm sorry. It's... Just... Seeing that prescription brought back memories I didn't need right now. I over reacted and it's not your fault.' Apollo looked defeated. Phoenix shifted guiltily. He hadn't known, Phoenix had hoped he was doing the right thing for Apollo when he'd made the appointment and expressed his concerns for his health.
'No, Apollo. Don't apologize.' He sighed. 'You're right. It wasn't my place to push you.' Apollo looked up. He was still wounded, but he couldn't find it in himself to stay angry with Phoenix. He didn't know the truth, he didn't know why he hated the idea of pills again. 'I'm the one who should be sorry.' Phoenix apologized, sounding on the verge of tears himself. He held his arms up to Apollo. Apollo obliged and leaned into Phoenix, finding it easy to forgive as the older man drew him close.
Phoenix called for a cab while he watched Apollo stroll down the shore line. Apollo carried himself low. Phoenix couldn't help but be remorseful for the young man. Apollo still seemed to struggle with every waking moment and for Phoenix, it was hard to watch someone he cared about, knowing there was little he could do.
The cab ran late, Phoenix hadn't minded, the fresh air was doing them both some good. As they got in, Phoenix gave the address of the pharmacy. Apollo stopped him. 'I need to go to the bank first, I have no money to pay for this.' Apollo countered, taking the prescription sheets from Phoenix. Phoenix contemplated whether to buy them for Apollo, but funds were running short. Between renting the van to move Apollo, taking time off work and now supporting three people, the budget was getting tight.
Apollo was quick with the bank, returning in minutes to the cab, envelope in hand before giving the address of the pharmacy. Apollo asked Phoenix if he wouldn't mind him going in himself, if that was alright. Phoenix hesitated, hoping Apollo wasn't using it as an opportunity to run away. Phoenix nodded as Apollo got out of the car. Apollo was quicker than expected. 'It'll be ready in an hour. I'll come back later.' He noted, getting in and directing the cab home.
Apollo refused to let Phoenix pay for the cab fare. 'You've already done so much to help me, let me pay for something for once.' He protested, shoving Phoenix's hand back, handing the cabbie the cash. It was five o'clock. Athena would be leaving soon, presumably to meet Simon. Trucy should be getting home soon too.
Apollo walked in and sat at his desk. He looked at the mess he'd left. He'd never been overly tidy, but it usually wasn't this bad. Athena looked like she'd left for the day. Apollo sat in silence, looking at the receipt in his hand before shoving it in a drawer. He didn't want to look at it. It was a painful reminder of a past he'd tried hard to forget. Apollo sighed as Trucy walked in. 'Polly!' She cried, dropping her things and running over to him, squeezing him tight, happy to see him awake for once. Apollo winced, things were still tender, but he hugged her back, just as hard. 'Welcome home Trucy.' Letting her go and looking at the clock on the wall, it was nearly five thirty.
'Daddy!' Trucy roared, running to Phoenix, jumping into his arms and squeezing him tight. 'Did you have a good day, sweetie?' He asked. 'Sure did!' Trucy replied. Apollo looked at the pair and smiled. Trucy loved Phoenix and he could tell he loved her. 'Hey, sorry to kill the mood, but I'm starving!' Apollo coughed. 'My prescription should be ready soon too. Let's grab something while we're out. My treat.' Apollo smiled. Phoenix looked at him, happy to see Apollo finally in a better mood. 'If you insist.'
Apollo decided he wanted to walk, he needed to move. He'd been stiff the last week and needed to stretch. Trucy ran ahead of them, nearly running into oncoming traffic. 'You need to put a leash on that one.' Apollo chuckled, this time with genuine emotion. Phoenix snorted. 'She'd probably snap it!' Apollo laughed, finally able to shake the dark cloud hovering over him.
Phoenix and Trucy walked around the pharmacy while Apollo waited for his prescription. Trucy was looking at feminine products, Phoenix looking like he wanted to dissolve into the floor. He laughed to himself, seeing how uncomfortable Phoenix was. Trucy was now seventeen, a young woman and Phoenix seemed to be struggling with the idea as Trucy seized a few items and wandered off.
'Here you are Mr. Justice.' The Pharmacist interrupted his train of thought, handing him a small bag with his prescription inside. Apollo took the bag reluctantly before strolling around, looking for Phoenix and Trucy. He found Trucy, Phoenix in tow, looking at cosmetics. 'This is such a pretty colour, Daddy!' Apollo laughed as he grabbed the first thing he saw, a bright red lipstick, handing it to Trucy. 'I like this one!' Apollo chipped in, showing Trucy. 'Not you too!' Phoenix groaned as Apollo smirked.
Trucy paid for her things as they waited. 'Were do you want to eat, Polly!' Trucy asked, bouncing up and down. 'I don't know. You pick.' Apollo told her. Phoenix already knew the answer, it came no surprise when she shouted 'Eldoons!' 'Sounds good to me!' Apollo laughed as they both took off down the street. Phoenix smiled. 'Kids.' He thought to himself. 'It's nice to see Apollo in such a good mood again.' He smirked, watching the two, running and playing in the street. He couldn't help thinking to himself. The thoughts troubled Phoenix. Sure, legally Trucy was his, but Apollo... Phoenix paused. He knew Apollo had no family and he'd been alone most of his life. He tried to shake his guilt, his thoughts conflicted with the situation he was now presented.
'Come on Daddy! You're falling behind!' Trucy cried, running back and pushing Phoenix, disrupting his contemplations, urging him to go faster. 'Come on Mr. Wright!' Apollo chirped, joining Trucy, tugging Phoenix's sleeve. Phoenix smiled. 'Alright you two. I'm coming.' Phoenix quickened his pace. He couldn't shake the image of Apollo, years younger, as his own. In a way, taking him in was almost the same as adopting him.
Apollo and Trucy had already settled into a spot when Trucy caught sight of a familiar black and white head wandering by. 'Simon!' Trucy called out as Simon spun, confused by the sound of his name. Spotting Trucy, he strode over. 'It's not polite to yell, Miss Wright.' He chided her. 'You're no fun.' Trucy poked back. Simon smiled, a rare occurrence, at her. 'Where's Tina?' Trucy interrogated, looking around. 'In there.' Simon pointed, towards a clearly women oriented shop, as he took a seat beside Phoenix.
'You should join us, Mr. Blackquill.' Apollo pressed. 'We're just about to order dinner.'
Athena strode out of out of the shop, arms full. 'Simon, where are you?!' She called, looking around for him. 'There you are!' She cried, running towards him, nearly tripping in the process. 'Hey guys!' She chimed, sitting almost on top of Simon. 'Tina!' Trucy cried, running over to hug her. 'Hi Honey!' Athena smiled, hugging Trucy. Simon roll his eyes before clearing his throat, breaking the two apart. 'Mr. Justice has invited us to diner.' 'Really! I'm starving!' Athena squealed. 'I guess that settles it. We shall join you.'
The food, as usual was good and far too salty. Apollo somehow succeeded in eating two large bowls. He sat back and puffed out his stomach. 'I'm stuffed.' 'Me too.' Phoenix added, leaning back as Apollo had. 'My pants are far too tight.' Phoenix complained as Trucy poked his stomach, adding 'Good thing we walked.' They all laughed while Apollo took care of the bill. 'Thank you Apollo, you didn't have to do that.' Simon offered, collecting Athena's things. 'No problem, you helped me move, consider this a partial repayment.' Apollo grinned, tightly hugging Athena.
The walk home in the cool evening was enjoyable. Trucy and Apollo ran down the street, playing the entire way. Phoenix watched as Trucy ran ahead and hid. Apollo pretended not to see her and called out for her when she'd jumped out from behind a tree behind him and wrapped her arms around him. Apollo pretended to struggle to get away, but Phoenix could tell he wasn't trying too hard. Trucy's energy always seemed to lift moods and was working wonders for Apollo, considering how distressed he'd been all week and how irate he'd been mere hours ago.
Arriving home, Phoenix shooed Trucy off to bed. 'But Daddy!' came her usual protest. 'Nope, it's ten o'clock, you have school tomorrow, Missy.' Trucy pouted, but spun off to get changed and ready for bed. Apollo sunk into the couch and pulled the bag out of his pocket. He drew the bottles out, looking at the containers in his hand. Phoenix looked at him. 'You don't have to take them if you don't want to.' Phoenix interrupted, sitting beside Apollo, who was staring at the bottles in his hand. 'I don't know.' Apollo sighed. 'Maybe she's right. Maybe they will help.' He exhaled, taking the caps off and fishing out his doses. 'Bottoms up.' He flat lined, dry swallowing the pills and moving off to get himself ready for bed.