Apollo was completely unaware that the sky had already turned dark, indicating the beginning of Nyx's reign. He had been so engrossed in Sienna's unfortunate predicament that he hadn't realized how much time had slipped away. It should have been obvious, really, considering they were the only ones left in the store, and Sienna had already tidied up everything.
They sat side by side behind the counter, the snacks untouched and abandoned between them. There was a heavy silence, occasionally broken by Sienna's sniffles, as they both stared off into the distance, lost in their own thoughts. After Sienna finished recounting her story, Apollo attempted to summarize what he had gathered so far.
"Let me make sure I've got this straight... the person who was giving you a hard time is your landlord?" Apollo asked, prompting a slow nod from Sienna. "And he's angry with you because you haven't produced an album to save this place from being shut down?" Another nod.
"Now you understand why I'm in such a pickle. I've been dealing with a terrible case of writer's block, and it's been nearly impossible for me to come up with new songs, especially with my aunt working overnight," Sienna replied with a sigh and a shake of her head.
"I see... so that's why you looked so busy when I bumped into you," Apollo guessed, earning yet another nod from Sienna.
Apollo rubbed his temples, searching for a way to fix this mess. It wasn't as chaotic as his own family drama, but it was still a close second. He had no idea of the struggles Sienna must have faced to ensure the shop wouldn't close. He could tell that this music store meant the world to her, and he dreaded to think of what would happen if she were to lose it.
Finding a solution as quickly as possible was proving to be a challenge, especially without the guidance of his stepsister, Athena. Asking her for help would result in an unbearable scolding, even worse than Artemis's. But maybe there was another way.
"It's getting late, I should probably close up the store now. And..." Sienna paused, searching for the perfect apology for wasting Apollo's time with her problems. Before she could finish her sentence, she felt a pair of arms enveloping her shoulders, providing warmth and comfort. She looked up and saw Apollo smiling gently down at her.
"Hey... I know this isn't easy for you, and I want you to know that I really want to help. I won't take no for an answer this time. I can help you, Sienna, if you'll just give me a chance," Apollo pleaded, and Sienna couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She smiled back at him, nodding in agreement. "Okay, you're right. I do need some help. Maybe we can start by brainstorming some lyrics. The problem is... we need a place to do that since I'll be closing the store."
Apollo pondered for a moment, trying to come up with a suggestion. And that's when the craziest idea popped into his head. But was it worth the risk? Going against everything he and Artemis had endured, particularly their father's wrath? But would Apollo do it all for a mortal he barely knew?
Who was he kidding? The answer was crystal clear.
"Sienna, I think I have the perfect place," he whispered, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Oh? Where is it?"
Apollo hesitated for a few seconds, contemplating whether he should reveal this secret. He let out a small sigh before a mischievous smile graced his lips. "Would it surprise you if I told you I'm actually a Greek god?"
Silence hung in the air, neither of them uttering a single word. As Apollo stood there, waiting for Sienna's reaction, he could already sense the awkwardness growing in the atmosphere.
"What a meal!" Orion exclaimed, savoring the last bite of his dinner.
Artemis nodded in agreement, a warm smile playing on her lips. "I'm so glad we spent the entire night here in the forest," she said, her voice trailing off as she look straight in the distance. A blush spread across her cheeks, adding a touch of rosy color to her fair complexion.
Curiosity sparked in Orion's eyes as he tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at her. "Is something bothering you?" he inquired, genuinely concerned.
Artemis glanced at him, then quickly looked away. "Oh, it's nothing," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Observing her discomfort, Orion patiently waited, knowing there was something on her mind. He knew that sooner or later, she would confide in him.
After what felt like an eternity, Artemis finally mustered the courage to speak. "Orion... have you ever considered the possibility of reincarnation?" she asked hesitantly.
"Reincarnation?" Orion repeated, his confusion evident in his voice.
Artemis turned to face him directly, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and vulnerability. "Yes, I know it's a strange question. But I'm genuinely curious about your thoughts on the matter."
Her question caught him off guard. It wasn't something he had pondered before, but he decided to give it a meaningful and thoughtful consideration before responding.
In truth, Artemis had a different question in mind—one that revolved around their connection and whether he remembered anything about his past life. She grew tired of waiting for the perfect moment and chose to dive into this topic instead.
"Honestly? I find the idea of reincarnation quite far-fetched. There's no concrete evidence to support it," Orion replied, his tone nonchalant. A flicker of disappointment crossed Artemis' face, though she quickly masked it.
Undeterred, she stared at her plate, her brows furrowing as she delved into deep thought. Orion couldn't help but frown, sensing something was amiss. "Did I say something wrong?" he asked cautiously.
Artemis glanced at him, only to see genuine concern etched on his face. She hadn't meant to sound upset with his answer, but now she felt foolish and miserable. She questioned whether he could truly be her best friend, and whether her hopes had been shattered.
But it would be ludicrous to be heartbroken over a mere mortal's response, right? Right...
Artemis's fingertips grazed her flushed cheeks, sensing the prickling of tears welling up. Her mind abruptly snapped back into reality, realizing that she was already on the verge of crying. Hastily, she brushed away the tears, turning to face Orion once again. "Okay, I have to admit, something's not right," Orion stated with a hint of concern in his voice. Artemis remained silent, finding herself incapable of uttering a single word. Her throat felt constricted, as if her words were held captive within.
Afraid of exacerbating the situation, she clamped her mouth shut, hoping that it would bring an end to the conversation. However, to her astonishment, Orion reached out and clasped her trembling hands, tenderly rubbing them in an attempt to soothe her. "Listen, I may not know what's troubling you, but I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what. I won't abandon you," he murmured.
Artemis's heart hammered against her chest, threatening to burst forth at any moment. The intensity of their gaze, brimming with affection and tenderness, overwhelmed her. She couldn't help but wonder, what did all of this mean? What was this unfamiliar sensation coursing through her?
Before long, Artemis found herself unable to contain her tears any longer. As they streamed down her face, Orion enveloped her in his arm, pulling her close against his chest. A cry of relief escaped her lips. "I won't leave you," she heard those words reverberate within her mind, over and over again. It was the very phrase she had longed to hear from Orion, but not like this. Not in this unexpected manner.
Though their dynamic had always been tinged with awkwardness, the current moment seemed ripe for something more to change. They momentarily ceased their embrace, locking eyes with one another. And, gradually, they leaned closer, their hearts fluttering in unison. Artemis's eyelids drooped shut as their faces drew nearer. Eventually, their lips met, sealing their unspoken bond.
