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In Apollo's defence, he hadn't seen this coming. As the God of prophecy, it's hard to admit he didn't see anything before it happened but especially something so important. Apollo wanted to beg, to claim it was a mistake and a moment's weakness that led him to disregard Percy's choice. But that would be a lie, or at least it won't be the complete truth.
So, Apollo had assumed that after being mad for a while, Percy would come back to him. It made sense, he didn't like any of the other Gods and eternity gets terribly boring without companionship. Percy would be a God and he would eventually forgive Apollo. After all they had all the time in the world and Apollo really did love him more than he's loved anyone. Percy had to recognise that, right?
Percy left shortly after his ascension without telling anyone and then returned after months only to stay in New York close to his family. He visited camp and his friends regularly while avoiding Apollo like the plague (get it? Apollo did). Percy didn't rage, he didn't cry, only continued to live a mortal life as if nothing happened. He protected the demigods and went to work in a flower shop of all things. He took his sister to school, made cookies with his mother and continued to age. He didn't even visit his father's kingdom unless there was something he couldn't get out of or ignore. He detested Olympus and refused to participate in anything. He didn't even advocate for the demigods anymore, just did everything he could for them and encouraged them to have whatever life they wanted instead of trying to please their parents. He helped them get to the camps, protected them on quests and used the cabin they built in his honor as a place for everyone regardless of parentage.
Apollo tried to be understanding, truly he did. Percy couldn't join his friends and family in the afterlife so he's staying with them as long as he could and he was angry at Apollo so he stayed away. Years passed but Percy showed no signs of coming back to Apollo. In fact Percy behaved as if there was nothing between them, as if his ascension was just another natural occurrence in his life as opposed to a God's desperate attempt to stay with his love. Percy was a powerful demigod so it was no surprise that he made a powerful God but even Apollo didn't see exactly how powerful he would become or rather Apollo didn't care. All he cared about was getting to be with Percy forever but instead he stopped being Percy's anything the moment he broke his trust.
Apollo should have seen this coming. Percy has always been stubborn. After Sally's death, Percy became even more distant from everyone except Paul and Estelle. After Paul's death, Estelle met Percy occasionally as it was hard to explain to her new family why her older brother looked younger than her. All of his friends passed away and he was there for it. He went with them to the underworld and stayed until the last possible moment. Apollo had to hear all this from Hermes after he begged his brother for any information about Percy. It was hard to know that Percy was suffering because of what Apollo did but that he wasn't even allowed to help Percy with his suffering. Apollo had daydreamed that he would always be there for Percy, that he would comfort Percy as he lost his mother, his friends but he wasn't even allowed near them.
After his sister's death, Percy left again. Uncaring of the demigods, of the rest of his duties which thankfully didn't need his immediate presence, he left. He had thought that after he lost all of his friends and family, Apollo would get his chance. Surely, Percy has calmed down and now he would need a friend. Apollo would be that friend. Percy left before Apollo had a chance. Apollo didn't know where until finally Hermes caved and told him but only after he made Apollo swear not to ask Percy if he ever saw him again. ‘If he ever saw Percy again’ Hermes said and Apollo wanted to cry, to wail, to destroy everything in the vicinity but he managed to control himself. Hermes and Percy have always been on good terms and he didn't didn't want to break Percy's trust. Apollo understood, he knew what happened when Percy didn't trust you anymore.
“He's in Tartarus.”
“What? What do you mean he's in Tartarus? How? What happened?”
“Calm down. Nothing happened. You know he's the protector of the Rivers of the Underworld. He's been cleaning the Styx regularly since he ascended. That's where he went the first time, but he didn't want to miss his family and friends so he came back. Now that they're gone, he went back. He said there's a place for him in Tartarus, that he's waiting for someone.”
“Why would he want to live there?”
“He'll come back.”
“Did he tell you that?”
“Yeah, he'll visit.”
“Visit? What do you mean visit?”
“Exactly what it said Apollo. Why are you so surprised? You're the one who pushed him to this.”
“This is not what I wanted.”
“It doesn't matter. You didn't care about what he wanted, why would he care about what you want?”
And isn't that the truth? Apollo could've had a lifetime of Percy's love. But that wasn't enough for him, no he had to go and make Percy immortal without his permission. Apollo couldn't handle another Hyacinthus, another death but Percy chose a different fate. Another Daphne. She'd rather be a tree than be Apollo's and Percy would rather live in Tartarus than be Apollo's.
“You should let him go, Apollo. He has no plans to ever be with you again. He's never once talked about you in all these years. Not once. Not even to vent.”
Oh, and if that wasn't enough to break Apollo's heart into a million pieces. He remembered the Cumaean Sibyl telling him to come back when the grains of sand were over. He remembered swearing not to be selfish after his trials. Percy thought he changed, and chose to love him but Apollo hadn't changed. At least he didn't curse Percy.
Apollo did what he always did when things went completely wrong and he didn't have any idea what to do. He appeared outside his sister's camp. Thalia Grace, his sister's lieutenant, met him and looked at him with as much disgust as she could manage. She hasn't forgiven him for being the cause of Percy's suffering.
“I want to see my sister.”
“I'll see if she wants to see you.”
That's just to make him wait. Artemis never turns him away. It's probably for the best, Apollo didn't actually know what to tell Artemis.
“What is it, brother?” Artemis asked when it was just the two of us in her tent. She should have seen the helplessness in his face because she gave him a pitying look.
“I told you it won't end well. He's not going to come back to you. You have to move on.”
“I don't want to move on, that's why I made him immortal. So I wouldn't have to lose him.”
“You've already lost him.”
“He's in Tartarus.” Apollo realized with growing horror that his sister already knew.
“You knew? You knew and didn't tell me?”
“It wasn't my secret to tell Apollo. He visited Thalia before he left and asked her only to tell me if I promise not to tell you. It's probably the first time he's even acknowledged your existence after you made him immortal and he didn't even say your name.”
“I don't know what to do.”
“There's nothing to do but move on.”
“I can't.”
“You say that every single time.”
“This is different. Percy is different.”
“You're right. He's not dead and still doesn't want to be with you. It is different.”
Artemis wasn't even being cruel, just telling him the truth so he'd understand. Apollo just got up and went outside. There was nothing more to say.
“I should have left you to die when you were mortal.” Thalia said when she saw him and walked away without waiting for a response. Not that he had anything to say.
Apollo wanted to rage, to force himself in Percy's life. He was the Sun, he should not be ignored. He'd shine bright in everyone's life whether they wanted him to or not.
Not in Tartarus, his brain supplied.
Shut up, he told it.
There's no Sun in Tartarus and Apollo won't make it in Tartarus. But Percy is a creature of the depth as much as he's a creature of the land. He doesn't need the Sun. He'll thrive anywhere as proven a hundred times before. He survived Tartarus when he was mortal and hunted. As a God with ties to the underworld, with ways to get out? He'll be unstoppable.
Apollo didn't see Percy again for years. He inspired artists, doctors, had kids, visited them at camp and tried to have the life he did before Percy but he was always feeling a hollow where Percy should have been. When Percy finally made it topside, he didn't visit camp, or Olympus or his father. He went to Alaska. This too Apollo had to learn from the rumour mill on Olympus. If his sister knew, she didn't mention it. Hermes certainly wasn't giving any information for free.
On a seemingly normal day, the council was called for reasons Apollo didn't know and by the rest of the Olympians' faces, they didn't know either. Only Hermes and Poseidon maintained poker faces. Artemis looked as stoic as ever and Apollo knew that it had something to do with Percy.
Apollo was proven right when Percy strode into the throne room in a blood red chiton that looked dried in places and flowing in others. No, it was made of blood. Mortal blood. His shoulder length black hair was adorned with a stygian iron laurel wreath and black pearls. Blood dripped from his hair and clothes staining the floor red. Aphrodite wrinkled her nose in disgust. Percy didn't like wearing traditional clothes. He was a modern human with modern values. Apollo had no doubt this was for a specific reason though what, he didn't know.
“You saw fit to bring a giant from Tartarus with you.” Zeus said in lieu of a greeting.
Everyone except Hermes, Poseidon and Artemis looked surprised and alarmed.Percy didn't like talking about his time in Tartarus which meant Apollo didn't know who or why Percy brought a giant to earth but Percy would never put the mortals in danger even if he wanted to take down Olympus.
“I have.”
“Why?” Hera asked.
“Why not?”
“You were with us during the last giant war, surely you don't want a repeat?” Zeus asked like any answer other than ‘no’ would be reason enough to strip him of his immortality. Joke's on Zeus. Percy would love that.
“Oh, when you closed Olympus and pretended like the giants and Gaea weren't rising? When your wife meddled so much in the demigods' life and the war to the point that it was left to us demigods to deal with a primordial goddess? When I had to prove my worth” and here he gave a withering look to Dionysus “ to have you help even when I was actively trying to prevent your end?” He scoffed, actually scoffed loudly in the face of the King of the Gods.
“Don't remind me.” He spat. “You didn't care then, I don't know why you care now but I'll answer anyway.”
Percy's hair started to move like waves, in a way that reminded Apollo of something but it didn't occur to him until he saw Percy's eyes change colour from sea green to black that frothed at times that he reminded Apollo of the Styx. It changed back as soon as it started and blood started flowing in rivulets from his hair over his shoulders and hands and changed to drops a second later.
“He wasn't here during the last war. He was in Tartarus and fought the primordial himself so we could close the doors of death and get out. He's the reason we lived and you're still here instead of in Tartarus. ‘Foe bear arms to the doors of death.’ That was us. He's Ares’ Bane. A peaceful giant. Condemned by his mother and father for helping mortals. He wants nothing more than peace. To see the stars and maybe farm. Annabeth and I left him there once. I wasn't going to do it again.You should be rewarding him for his sacrifice.”
“We could just leave him alone brother. If he becomes a problem, we can deal with it then.” Poseidon said as if he didn't already know exactly what was happening. Percy likely went to his father for support before the meeting was called.
“Yes, all in favour of leaving them alone?” Hermes said as if this isn't a big deal and he had better things to do.
Hermes, Poseidon and Artemis had their hands up and to everyone’s surprise so did Dionysus. He normally stayed neutral. Then Athena, perhaps because of Annabeth's mention, perhaps she knew the giant meant no harm. Apollo wanted to be petty but found that he couldn't. He still wanted to help Percy and he did learn from his trials. So he put his hand up. Then Demeter, although that's probably because Percy mentioned farming. Hephaestus tentatively put his hand up and the vote was called.
“Fine.” Zeus said begrudgingly.
Percy didn't wait for anything to be said, just gave a nod to Zeus and walked out with blood flowing after him. After he left, to see the pristine floor red with mortal blood, Apollo still didn't understand the point of it until he saw all the gods except Ares looking at it with barely concealed revulsion. He just wanted to fuck with them. Apollo wanted to laugh but just left in a golden light. At least Percy was here now, he could go see him.
He didn't find Percy on Olympus but that wasn't a surprise. Percy was never fond of all the Gods in one place no matter how beautiful Olympus was. Percy wasn't at camp, and he couldn't find his presence in New York. He found Percy in a farm in New England, building a house big enough for a giant with said giant. There was already a farmhouse there but Apollo guessed that was for Percy as the giant couldn't get in without destroying it.
Watching Percy was always one of Apollo's guilty pleasures except for when they were dating, then he did not feel even slightly guilty. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, as opposed to his blood robes. Definitely did that to fuck with them. Percy could've snapped his hands and made a house but he got the feeling that they both needed to do it manually for some reason. After that Percy left for somewhere and came back with dozens of different plants. The giant took infinite care when dealing with the plants that Apollo understood why Percy fought for him. He is a peaceful giant. Percy then actually did snap his fingers to make a big stable and another barn looking building. Then he gave a taxi cab whistle which was the only signal before a giant hellhound jumped from its shadows and onto Percy to give him a spit bath. Mrs O'Leary. The stables are for the pegasi, Apollo supposed.
Does that mean Percy is staying? Finally, Apollo will get to talk to him, to make him understand. Apollo decided to give Percy a few days to get adjusted before going to him. When Percy came back after ascension which Apollo now knew was from Tartarus, Apollo went to him only to be ignored no matter what he said or did. Percy wouldn't look at him, wouldn't respond in any way. He went about his day as if Apollo wasn't there, asking, begging to be understood. In the end Apollo had told Percy to call for him if he needed anything, that he'll be there after Percy calmed down. No matter how many years passed, Percy never called, never stopped ignoring Apollo whenever he went to him. Apollo had decided to give Percy space until his family and friends were gone because that's when Percy would need a friend. Now, even that didn't go as he planned but no matter, Apollo would persevere. Percy would feel lonely at some point, and Apollo would be there for everything Percy wants or needs. This is why Apollo made Percy immortal. He was not a patient God, but for Percy, he would be. If he was mortal, Percy would already be dead. Now he was on earth living and as beautiful as ever.
Apollo has waited years to be in Percy's presence again. Artemis kept looking at him with pity when Apollo looked hopeful at Percy's presence. She sighed,resigned and left him to his devices but Artemis was wrong. Now that Percy was living on Earth again, Apollo has a chance and Percy will forgive him. He has to, Apollo thought. They have time. Apollo just has to show him that he'll be there for whatever Percy needs and that it's not all bad. It is with these thoughts that Apollo makes his way to Percy's farmhouse which is very nice, he must admit and couldn't be blamed for being surprised at what he finds. Percy lounging on a comfortable looking couch with arguably one of the most beautiful men, or God in this case. A God with a perfect face and black wings. A God that looks far too much like Eros for Apollo's comfort. Thanatos, Death himself.
“What are you doing?” Apollo blurted.
Percy turned to look at him, the first time he's actually looked at him since his ascension. He looked unimpressed at Apollo's outburst. As if he's simply waiting for Apollo to leave.
“You're with him? Since when?” The farmhouse was getting uncomfortably hot from his anger and he had to resist the urge to blast both of them from the face of the earth. But they're Gods and doesn't really care from their unimpressed gazes that haven't changed since he came there.
Percy's expression didn't even change to annoyed, as if he wasn't even worth that much of his energy. He looked thoroughly uncaring.
“Since I ascended. Who else would I love but Death? I want to be as close to Death as I possibly could.” He said in the most boring tone he could manage and turned his face so that he was no longer facing Apollo. The first thing he's said to Apollo since he ascended and it's that he loves someone else, that he loves Death, something that Apollo took from him. There was nothing to do but leave as they continued their lazy lounge as if he didn't exist at all. Apollo might as well have stopped existing for all the pain he felt.
The poet in him wanted to love the idea of an immortal loving death but the pain was far too much for him to care about anything else. Percy was gone, and it was all his fault. Neither of them would get what they wanted and it was all his fault. How ironic that Death took Percy from him after all because of what he did to prevent the very thing.