Chapter Text
“My Lord, I have one request if you will hear it,” the king said tentatively from where he knelt before his own throne. The king had once been handsome, but age has weathered his features. No crows’ feet or smile lines adorned his face, only frown lines that were earned from years of stern gazes and glares. His hair was grey, speckled with streaks of dark brown.
Zeus looked down at the mortal king. His gaze was stern. The king of the gods looked to be in the midst of manhood, his hair thick and dark, facial hair styled cleanly. His figure was well chiseled and a dark bronze, the epitome of Greek strength. “I will humor you, this once, just for your service to me. Speak your piece and I shall consider.” His entire figure spoke of strength, but his eyes were the most unnerving. A piercing, electric blue that seemed to see past flesh and bone. Past sinew and fat. His eyes say into your soul and already knew what the judges in the Underworld would decide on your soul.
The two kings were the only ones in the throne room, no guard or servant in sight. Secrecy was demanded, it was not to be debated. The only ones holding witness to the exchange were the figures of the grand tapestries that hung on the wall. The vases that normally adorned the room with fresh blooms were placed outside, for fear that the godly likenesses on them would allow the divine to listen in vessels.
Zeus tore his eyes away from a tapestry depicting nymphs and naiads frolicking in vast green meadows, dancing under his son’s golden light.
The king lightly cleared his throat. “I am proud that you will have my youngest daughter, she will be honored to be under you. My oldest daughter is to inherit the throne and she has made a request as to who her husband shall be. I humbly request that you bring him to us.”
Zeus laughed sharply. “You expect me, a god, to play matchmaker for your daughter?” He shifted in the mortal’s throne, lounging back. “Who is it that has caught her eye?”
The king glanced up at the king of the gods before throwing them back down towards his lap. “Perseus, the demigod son of Lord Poseidon. She wants him, and him alone. She refuses to meet with any other suitors.”
Zeus’ lip quirked in amusement. “Your daughter has good taste. I would take him for myself if he weren’t such an impertinent brat. The only thing keeping him alive right now is his sword and his lineage.” Electricity sparked across Zeus’ skin, his eyes glowing an unnatural blue. “I shall do it. Not for your sake, but because I find the request amusing. Hopefully, this will teach the whelp some semblance of humility.”
The king of the gods stood, looking over the clear relief in the mortal king’s face. With a flick of his wrist, his master bolt appeared in his hand. “He shall be delivered to you soon but keeping him will be your own duty. I risk my brother’s wrath enough by simply bringing Perseus here.” Without another word or breath, Zeus through the bolt at his own feet.
In a flash of unrestrained divine electricity, the king of the gods was gone, and the mortal king’s throne was scorched.
-_-_-
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Percy said softly to his lover. He ran his fingers through the thick, luscious grass that they lay in together. His eyes did not wander from the clouds in the sky, but he knew what look Apollo would be making at him. He knew the god well, or at least, as well as the god would allow him.
“There’s a lot that you don’t know, my light. Any particular topic?” Apollo’s voice rumbled through his chest. He ran his fingers through his lover’s raven locks, deft fingers working out any knots.
“Something about you, something you’ve never told me before.”
The sun god looked up at his sun that shone above them. The golden rays painted each cloud in the sky perfectly. He always made sure the sky was beautiful when he was with his young lover, it was what he deserved. “Something you don’t know about me?” He hummed softly. “Well, I’m not certain about it yet, but… I think I’m in love with you.”
Percy raised his head up from where it had been resting on Apollo’s chest. He looked down at his divine lover. “You think you’re in love with me?”
The sea met the sun as their eyes locked.
“I know I’m in love with you.” Apollo lightly caressed Percy’s cheek before pulling him in for a slow, languid kiss. “What I don’t know is if my feelings are returned. Please be gentle, my heart is feeling especially mortal right now.”
Percy smiled softly before shifting to straddle Apollo’s hips. He had taken to wearing just a chlamys when the two met. The god was nothing if not possessive. He enjoyed the way the chlamys revealed every single mark he left on Percy’s body. He wanted every claim to be seen. “Is that even a question, my dear Phoebus?” Percy relished in the shudder that passed down the god’s body. “You own my body and heart, against my better considerations.”
Apollo’s hands found his lover’s hips, his hands perfectly matching the bruises that already laid there. He looked over Percy, taking in his mused hair and kiss swollen lips. They were never able to keep their hands off of each other for very long, but neither could be blamed. His bronze skin shone tantalizingly under his own rays. “And what’s that supposed to mean?” He slid his hands down to Percy’s strong thighs, thumbs lightly caressing the delicate inner skin.
A shiver passed through Percy’s body, his breathing hitching lightly at his lover’s touch. “It means that every single myth has told me that I should run from you, that you’ll be my eventual ruin… but I think that I was already ruined before I met you.” He brushed his hand along Apollo’s strong jaw. “Being with you has simply put my pieces into a new order. I don’t regret a single second.”
“I never thought I would hear something poetic pass your lips,” Apollo said with a smile. He leaned up close and gently grabbed the back of Percy’s neck. “The best things in life often scare us.” He squeezed lightly. “But I’m glad that you’ve come to realize that you’re mine.”
“Phoebus, I knew that I would be yours the second you looked at me,” he whispered against Apollo’s lips before kissing him softly. “Your eyes are very expressive; I knew your intentions before I even knew who you were.”
“Oh really? My sunny disposition didn’t give it away?”
Percy snorted and lightly swatted at his chest. “No, it didn’t. And, in my defense, you weren’t very sunny at that moment. You were in your plaguing mood.”
Apollo chuckled. “Yes, I suppose that would do it.” He never tried to hide his divinity from Percy, but he did tone it down. He knew that Percy could easily face it, but that didn’t mean he could face it without damage. Percy may have been the most divine demigod ever born, but he was still mortal. “If I had my way, your heart and body would be mine. The breath on your lips as you fall asleep would be mine. Your very name would be mine.”
Percy swallowed thickly. “Are you… are you asking me to marry you?”
Apollo looked deeply into his lover’s eyes. “I’m not asking because that has implications of which I know your opinion on, but I am leaving the option open to you.” If Percy were to say yes, he would have to become immortal. Apollo already knew his opinion on it, so he would not open his heart to tragedy by asking a question he already knew the answer of. “But, if there is even the slightest chance you might ask me, please stay here in my arms.”
Apollo waited. Percy never moved.
Shadows began to lengthen as the sun kissed the horizon. Sleep became heavy on Percy’s eyes until he could barely hold them open. “Come, beloved. It’s time to return you to your mother.” Apollo easily stood with his lover in his arms. Percy wasn’t used to feeling small and protected, but Apollo had always been a miracle maker.
Percy tapped his cheek lightly. “I can walk, I need to stretch my legs after laying down for so long.” Apollo set him down, making sure he was steady before letting go. “Come on, my mom will want to see you before you disappear.”
Only Percy could make the sun god so weak. “Alright, sweet one. I’ll wish your mother good night before returning to Olympus.” The smile he received in return was enough to make him feel mortal in that moment.
Their walk back was quiet, uneventful. No monster came within sight. No mortal crossed their path.
They should have known that something was wrong. Their lives were never quiet.
“Baby, Lord Apollo,” Salacia greeted them with a soft smile and a nod. She pulled her son into a tight hug. “Thank you for making sure he got home safe, my Lord.”
“Mom, I’m the son of Poseidon and a hero a hundred times over. I can get home on my own without protection.”
Apollo shot her a charming smile. “It was my pleasure, my dear Salacia.” He lightly kissed her hand. “It was the least I can do, considering how easily he finds trouble. Besides, I don’t want to risk seeing a frown on your pretty face should he get hurt.”
Salacia laughed softly and shook her head, releasing Percy. “You are such a charmer, but you’ll do well to remember that you’re dating my son. I’ve already had one god in life and in my bed, I don’t need another.” She gave the god a wink. It was only after so many shared meals together did Salacia feel comfortable joking with the god. He had made his favor on their family well known.
“But of course,” Apollo released her hand with a gentle squeeze. “This is where I’ll wish you both good night. May Hypnos bless your dreams.” He stepped through their front door and disappeared in a flash, leaving the faint smell of laurel and clove.
Percy turned back to his mother. “Good night. Don’t worry if I’m not around when you wake up, I’ll be going out to get us some more firewood.” He kissed her lightly on the forehead.
“Alright, sleep well and stay safe.” She stood on her toes and kissed her son’s cheek before disappearing into her bedroom.
When Percy slipped into the land of dreams, they weren’t blessed by Hypnos. He was faced by every monster that had ever met his blade in battle. No matter what he did or how hard he fought, he could never see their end. He was faced by wave after wave of monsters that only seeked vengeance for their slaying.
No matter how fast he tried to run, he wasn’t able to go anywhere. The ground turned to sand the more he fought. He sunk up to his neck in burning dunes, beasts standing above him with open maws. Apollo stood just out of reach, just a bit too high for him to call for help.
If only his lover came down to him.
He might live if he did.
The teeth of a hellhound closed around his face as he jolted awake. As the fog of sleep cleared from his eyes, the first thing he saw was a pair of electric blue eyes.
As soon as they appeared, they disappeared.
Percy didn’t know whose they were. Didn’t know if they were even real.
The second thing Percy saw once he woke up was the ornate decoration son the ceiling above his bed. Intricate mosaics depicting Olympus with dancing nymphs and godlings, he could even see what was supposed to be Apollo. The hair wasn’t blond enough, smile not bright enough. There was no mischievous glint to his eyes as he lay reclining in a garden, playing his lyre for a trio of dancing dryads.
Percy’s hands fell to his sides, feeling the plush blankets and pillows that were pooled about him. His bed wasn’t so luxurious. His house wasn’t so ornate. Him and his mother were simple people. Their house was small, but finely built. It had been a reward from the royal family for his continued service in protecting their people from the horrors that plagued the land.
He slowly sat up and looked around. The room he was in was far, far too large. It was the epitome of mortal luxury, filled with fine art and delicate fabrics. A faint wind rustled his hair, filtering in from a large balcony. He stood on uncertain legs and walked over, leaning heavily on a pillar. Before him was an expansive town with an ancient ocean on the far side, lapping at the rocky shores.
His soul was calmed to see his father’s waters, untamed and wild as always. But this wasn’t his city. This wasn’t his home.
His home was filled with rolling hills of wild vineyards, ones that he and Apollo would pluck from the vines on afternoon strolls. His home was filled with an ancient air, one that even the most disciplined of militaries couldn’t touch. His home was one where satyrs could walk among the common folk without being given a second glance.
Horror gripped his heart as the realization that he had no idea where he was washed over him.
-_-_-
“It has been done,” Zeus said, appearing before the mortal king who was lounging in his throne. He looked pointedly at the king.
“Thank you, my lord,” the king said as he hurriedly stood, offering Zeus his throne. He knelt on the ground before the throne, the throne that still had scorch marks from the god’s last visit. “I am grateful for your help in this matter.”
“Remember, I didn’t do this for you. I did this for my own amusement, nothing more.” Zeus took a seat in the throne, lounging comfortably. He rested his chin on his hand, looking over the prostrating king. “Bring your daughters here. I wish to see and speak with them.”
The mortal king nodded and rose to his feet. “Of course, my Lord. I shall be right back.” The king walked out of the throne room, sending the guards off to collect his daughters.
The two girls had varying emotions on the matter.
The eldest looked smug, or as smug as she could look while maintaining a carefully crafted face of neutral reverence for the god that she was meeting. She was wearing a chiton made of such fine cloth that it was almost sheer. It draped across her body the way artists could only imagine. Her neck, wrists, and ankles were all adorned with thick pieces of golden jewelry, all finely crafted.
The youngest looked scared. She didn’t try to hide her fear, not in the face of the god that lusted after her, the god that was willing to risk war with his brother for his own sick amusement. Her state of dress revealed her opinions of the matter, her chiton was floor length and made of a thick material that revealed nothing over her body. Her himation was drawn tight, covering every inch of skin possible.
Zeus’ eyes skimmed over the two girls, taking in the elder’s easy grace and beauty. He paid her no mind. He looked over the younger, taking in her fiery red hair, cornflower blue eyes, and delicate freckles.
“And what are your names?”
The elder fell to her knees before the king. “I am known as Eugeneia, my Lord. I am greatly honored to meet you.”
The younger slowly went down to her knees, mirroring her sister. “I am… I am Phoebe, my Lord. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Stand, Phoebe. Lower your himation. I want a better look at you.” His eyes appraised her as she did as told. She bit her lip to hold back her sobs of fear, shakes wracking her body. “Ah, yes. Look at you, a true, wild beauty.” He stood and took hold of her chin, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. “You will do well as my bed warmer.”
Phoebe’s face burned in embarrassment. She lightly cleared her throat. “L-Lord Zeus, when will I be expected to…”
“To join my company?” the god asked with a raised eyebrow. “Sadly, not for a few months. I will come to collect you after the summer solstice has passed.” He released her chin and took a step back. “I expect you to be ready then. I look forward to seeing you again, my dear.”
The king of the gods disappeared in a flash, the strong scent of ozone filling the room. Eugeneia rose to her feet once the god was gone, a large smile splitting her face. “My dear sister, we are both moving up in life.”
Phoebe turned to her sister. “Moving up in life? You are already inheriting the throne. You’re getting your dream husband. What am I getting? I am getting a death sentence.” She wrapped her himation around herself once again. “Once my Lord is bored with me, I will be sent away with a child in my belly or cast out to die.”
“You should be proud of the fact that the king of the gods is interested in you, you honor our whole family.”
“Do I? Or did I just offer you the chance to get the impossible. Perseus would never be yours unless my Lord said it would be so. Perseus didn’t give you a single glance when he came to our aid all those years ago,” Phoebe spat out. Her anger was fierce and burning, much like her hair. “Instead of giving me sympathy for the inevitable, you took advantage of my position.”
“What else am I to do?” Eugeneia asked lightly. She adjusted her bangles. “I need a strong husband to rule by my side. If not, then the kingdom is doomed.”
“Father offered you suitors! They all would have been honored to rule by your side and would have done well as king. Instead, you had a hero ripped out of his home and doomed, just as I am.”
“He is not doomed; he will be honored to be my king. He will get my hand and my land. He will want for nothing.” Eugeneia shoved Phoebe as she made her way out of the throne room. “You will do well to remember that I am to inherit this kingdom. Should our Lord cast you out once he’s done with you, you will need my mercy to continue living here.”
Once Eugeneia was out of the room, Phoebe fell to her knees and wept for her life.
-_-_-
Anthoula was on her knees, not for the first time in her life and certainly not for the last. This was the first time she was called before this king. She had played as advisor to many monarchs, those that resided at the tops of mountains and on the smallest of islands. Her sisters had always told her to be careful with where she travelled.
Her mother might have been a goddess of crossroads, but that meant nothing when a ruler called for you to be brought forth. Even she could not escape an official summons, not without fear of being persecuted for disobedience.
“You called for me, my king?”
The king looked down at her, taking in her loosely fitting peplos, the sheer veil that covered her hair, and the thick kohl that was painted about her eyes. “Yes, I require your magic.”
“What kind of magic, if I may ask?” Anthoula was used to being asked the impossible. She was not her sister Circe. She was skilled with magic, but she could turn no man into a boar and back.
“A binding spell of some sort. I am currently in possession of a demigod that is too powerful for my guards to handle. I need you to make him… more manageable.”
It was a more reasonable request than she had expected. It would be fairly easy to do depending on who the demigod’s parent was. It wasn’t a spell she liked to perform, for it violated the most intimate connection a child had with their divine parent. “Who is the demigod’s parent? What is their lineage?”
“The earthshaker. I am unsure if there is another source of divinity in his bloodline.”
Anthoula froze. A minor god would be no big deal at all. It would be easy. A child of Hermes, Aphrodite, Hephaestus could be manageable. Their powers were relatively easy to predict, easy to manage. But a child of Poseidon? There was no telling what strengths that child would hold, not with the number of destructive domains he held. Her uncertainty must have shown on her face.
“Can you do it or not?”
“Binding this demigod’s powers would be very difficult and take a great deal of time… but it can be done.” Anthoula adjusted her veil. “I will need privacy and quiet as I work. I will also need a few things; none should be too difficult for you or your staff to find.”
“Make me a list and it will be ready by tonight,” the king said. “A guard will take you to the room you’ll be staying in.”
“How long will my… services be needed?”
“Until the summer solstice at least, maybe longer.”
Anthoula’s eyes widened. She was usually one to stay on the road, wandering from town to town depending on who needed her services. She never liked staying in once place for too long, people talked, and she didn’t like the attention being a witch brought. “As you wish, your majesty. I assume that I will be compensated for my time?”
The king nodded, waving his hand. “Yes, yes. Your room and board here will be free, and you will also be given a hefty bag of gold once your task is done.”
Anthoula nodded and straightened her shoulders. “I would like to go to my room then, I have much I need to prep before I begin.” The king called forward a guard, a rather young gentleman that was just on the cusp on manhood. “Thank you, your majesty.” She bowed her head to the king and left with the guard.
As she began to prepare in her room, all she could do was pray to her mother that she would not come to regret what was to pass.
-_-_-
All was silent as Apollo approached Perseus’ and Salacia’s home. If it were anyone else, he would have simply flashed into their house without regard for their feelings. But as always, he had a soft spot for their small family. Salacia had requested that he flash outside of the house and knock like “a normal, civilized man.” He had surprised her one too many times, and almost flashed in on her nude. Despite how much he told her that her beauty needed to be appreciated, she still requested that her modesty be respected.
Which, fine. He was defiling her son on the regular, he could at least give her the decency of a warning.
“Perseus,” Apollo called out lightly as he stepped inside the small home. “I come bearing gifts!” He set down a clay pot filled with fresh fruits, flowers, and a few small trinkets. He knew his lover didn’t like ostentatious gifts, so the god stuck to small things that Percy couldn’t deny. “Salacia, I also brought a few things for you, my dear.”
Apollo walked further into the quiet home, looking around for any sign of the two. It wasn’t their normal day to go to the market, so the god wasn’t sure why they would both be gone, especially at this time of day. A frown etched deeper and deeper into his face the longer he went without answer. He stepped into Percy’s room and was hit by the fading scent of a fresh sea breeze.
Had he arrived hours earlier, he might have smelt the ozone that tainted the room.
“Perseus, you know I don’t like to be kept waiting.” Apollo made his way out of the house and looked around the area. The two didn’t live in a densely populated area, they resided on the edge of town, away from the noise and bustle.
And hour passed.
And another.
And another.
“You,” Apollo said sharply, approaching a mortal man. His eyes were dripping with molten gold and divinity, his hair flickering about his head like dying flames. “Where are Perseus and Salacia.”
The man’s eyes widened in fear as he took in the sight of the angry god before him. “I-I’m sorry my lord, but I haven’t seen them. Young Perseus was supposed to help me with gathering firewood this morning, but he never arrived. I assumed he slept in and decided to leave without him.” The man turned his eyes to the ground for fear of Apollo striking him where he stood. “I haven’t seen Salacia either, she normally hangs out laundry to dry under the midday sun, but she hasn’t appeared.”
Apollo’s nostrils flared irritation. “I asked you where they are, not where they aren’t.” The god grabbed the mortal’s neck, tightening until the man’s face began to fill with color. “Now tell me something useful for I lose all patience.”
“I-I’m sorry my lord, I don’t know anything. I’m sorry.”
“Wrong answer,” the sun god said with a voice that was impossibly cold. He tightened his grip, the skin on the mortal’s neck smoking and charring while he was strangled.
The god dropped the corpse to the ground, looking at it in disgust before wiping his hand off. He pulled a drachma out and tossed it onto the man’s chest. “For your toll.” Apollo didn’t do it for the man, he did it for Percy.
The god slowly walked away from the body before flashing up to his palace. “I’ve given my words to you, my dear Perseus—” Apollo grabbed his bow and quiver, each shining a painfully golden brilliance. “I’d do it again. I promised you safety and I refuse to rest until you are back in my bed.”
The god flashed himself into his chariot that was making its way across the sky. He didn’t hide his divinity as he tracked his way across the sky. Every mortal, nymph, and god knew that the sun was furious.
He wouldn’t rest until he found his lost lover, and gods have mercy on whoever got in his way.