Apollo is a swiftie

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

Audrey closed her eyes, "Do you know who else I see?"

Apollo hesitated, "Callisto, too"

Audrey nodded, "Thank you."

"Hecate gave me a potion. To out it in your tea. It'll keep you safe from all the nightmares and dreams."

"Do you have it?"

"I do."

Audrey nodded, "Please."

He kissed her forehead again, holding her a bit tighter when she leaned into him. After a while, Apollo made her the tea. She took a hesitant sip

"Not as bad as I thought it would be"

"For all her faults, Hecate makes good tea"

Audrey giggled

"Why do we have this anyway?"

Apollo held her hand, explaining the entirety of it. Audrey squeezed his hand, nodding along as she sipped her tea.

Once the cup was empty, Audrey put it on the bedside table. She leaned against her pillows, holding Apollo's hand.

"Six years," Audrey said. "This all happened in six years?"

Apollo nodded, "Yes."

"Okay," Audrey said.

He stroked her hair while she started to fall asleep, smiling slightly as she fought the tea's effects

"No fair.... " Audrey mumbled

"Very fair. Get some rest, sunshine"

"Will you bring the girls back tomorrow for me?"

Apollo kissed the top of her head, "I will bring them on the weekend."

Audrey nodded, "Okay."

Apollo smiled at her, "Get rest, sunshine."

Audrey closed her eyes, letting herself relax.

The physical therapist showed up the next day, helping Audrey regain some movement in her hips and spine while her legs healed. Apollo held her hand, trying to make it hurt less

Audrey passed out immediately after, exhausted. Apollo stroked her hair and tried to speed up healing more

"Don't," Audrey said after a while. "You'll exhaust yourself."

"Sunshine."

"Please, don't," Audrey said. She smiled at him, "I'll be fine. I promise."

"I want you to be released soon too, my love"

"Don't exhaust yourself"

"... Okay"

She kissed him and he relaxed slightly, leaning into her

Audrey slept almost as soon as she relaxed.

Without Hecate's tea, she was left vulnerable to all those who wished them ill.

The first of those was Zeus.

He was not cruel, not like before. Instead, he made Audrey feel secure showing her a beautiful dream.

Then, he ripped away the safety blanket with a grin.

She woke up to Apollo shaking her. She pushed him away

"You're safe," He whispered, giving her a bit of space

Audrey hyperventilated, heart racing as the monitor beeped loudly. Apollo grabbed her hands

"It was just a dream. I've got you. You're okay"

"Don't-!" Audrey screamed, taking her hands away from him.

She held herself tightly, looking around quickly. She zeroed in on the same corner, her heart rate spiking.

Her nurse rushed in, "I heard shout-"

She saw the panicked look on Audrey's eyes, quickly grabbing the sedation medication. She ordered Apollo to sit on the chair, to give Audrey space.

Audrey fought her when she came with the needle, screaming. The nurse tried to sooth her, but nothing worked as her heart spiked further.

Each touch made Audrey's skin light on fire, scarring her further. She would not let anyone near her. Her heart rate spiking impossibly high as panic and fear gripped her heart.

The nurse ended up having to call others to help hold Audrey down while she got sedated.

Audrey screamed louder and louder, sobbing as they held her down. She begged them to leave her, to not hurt her, to let her be.

All she received were soft reassurances and a needle in her arm.

Audrey sobbed as the medication took hold, forcing her heart beat to lower. Nothing more than a scared animal sedated.

One of the nurses was holding Apollo back, keeping him from intervening. The second he could, he got them away from her

"She needs space. You don't have to sedate her" He snapped

Apollo sat beside her again, seeing her drugged out eyes staring up at him

"I've got you, sunshine. It's just a dream. You're okay"

"She hurt herself," A nurse said, indicating an open stitch on her leg. "And, her heart beat was beyond normal. We had to intervene."

Apollo didn't argue, only looking at Audrey.

She closed her eyes, falling asleep eventually.

When she did, the nurses took her away to make sure no other stitches were opened and that she was okay.

Audrey woke up a few hours later and found Apollo sitting beside her on a chair, looking exhausted. He smiled when she opened her eyes

"Hey"

"Hey.... How long....? "

"6 hours. How are you feeling? "

"Head hurts"

"Here"

He helped her sit up and kissed her forehead, making it hurt a bit less. He gave her a cup of water

"My leg hurts," Audrey complained.

"New stitches," Apollo said. "You opened your old ones."

Audrey pouted, leaning against the pillow, "It's not my fault. It...the dream-"

Apollo caressed her cheek, kissing the top of her head, "Hey, it's okay. I know."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Apollo said. "You saw Zeus again?"

Audrey nodded, looking away.

"That's why we asked Hecate to get you the tea and potions."

Audrey cried harder, "Is he always that cruel? Do you know?"

"Yes, from what you tell me. He is always that cruel."

"God... "

"We're working on it. You have the ability to force him out sometimes, but not always. Can you try that? "

"I... I'll try"

"It's going to be okay. I know it's stressful, but he can't actually hurt you here. He's in prison"

She took his hand

"Lay down with me? "

"I don't want to hurt you"

"You won't. Just... Please? "

"... Okay"

Apollo lay with her, stroking her hair. He accidentally fell asleep

Audrey didn't sleep, her fear of her dreams, of hurting Apollo again gripping her heart.

The exhaustion gripped her heart around sunrise forcing her eyes close.

When she dreamt, she sat alone on a beach.

She sat with her feet in the water, the sand swirling up around her toes. She heard someone approaching from behind and tensed

A young man sat beside her, his dark curly hair a mess around his face. She stared at him, something vaguely unfamiliar and he smiled

"Hello, Audrey"

"You're.... Hyacinthus? "

"I am. Apollo told you about me? "

"Yes... He said I could trust you"

He smiled

"You're safe for now. No one will bother you while you rest"

"Thank you"

Hyacinthus smiled, watching the horizon, "How have you been?"

Audrey shrugged, "It...is strange. All of it."

"I can understand."

"Is it always like this?"

"Most of the time. Sometimes, Zeus comes. Sometimes, Callisto."

"I get a feeling it's been mostly Zeus. This is too peaceful."

Hyacinthus smiled sadly, his eye not lifting from the horizon, "He forced many memories at the same time. But, look, your mind is healing."

Hyacinthus pointed to somewhere in the distance. Audrey looked at where he pointed, but could not find it.

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

One day, Audrey asked.

"Where do you keep going?"

Apollo turned to her, just about to leave, "What?"

"Where do you keep going?"

"Sunshine."

"Just answer me."

"Home. And, I come back."

Audrey nodded, "Okay. What else am I missing?"

Apollo sighed, kissing the top of her head, "Rest sunshine."

Apollo left her afterwards. No more conversation between them. Audrey leaned against the bed, hating to be left in the dark.

That night, she dreamed.

Apollo spoke to her doctor while she slept

"We have 2 daughters. They need to see her"

"I don't think that would be a good idea. She's in a very fragile state right now"

"I want to tell her about them. Let her decide if she wants to see them. Audrey is smart. She already knows something is going on"

".... I'll see what I can do"

Audrey was sitting on the beach in her dreams. She let the water lick at her feet as she idly by.

A woman with flowing hair sat beside her.

"You don't remember this place?"

Audrey raised a brow, "Should I?"

"You should," the woman said.

"I'm sorry," Audrey said.

The woman shook her head, "It is not me who misses you."

"Who does then?"

"Your children. Your husband. Your family"

Audrey laughed softly, "I do not have children."

"Your mind is vulnerable. I know you have two children."

"I do not."

"You do. Your oldest, Delia. And, your youngest, a goddess, Phoebe."

"A goddess?"

"Yes. She'll be stronger with age, though she is plenty talented now."

"Uh huh. Sure"

"I'm telling the truth"

"You're a dream. This is a dream. A very pretty dream, but still a dream"

"Maybe. But you see things"

"I'm human. Apollo is the god"

".... If that is what you remember, then so be it. He will speak to you soon, Audrey, and you must listen. Do not abandon him like I did"

The woman kissed her cheek and Audrey woke up

Apollo was sitting at the foot of her bed, drinking a huge cup of coffee

"Apollo?" Audrey called out. "Love?"

Apollo looked up at her instantly, within a second, he was by her side

"Are you alright?"

"I had a very strange dream."

Something flashed in Apollo's eye, "What happened?"

"Who are Delia and Phoebe?"

".... Audrey.... "

"I.... Apollo, tell me the truth. Please"

He sighed, taking her hand and kissing the back

"You know you were in an accident"

"Yes. A car crash"

"You hit your head extremely hard. A part of that injury, one of the side effects, was memory loss"

".... What don't I remember? "

"We got married. My father is in prison, and we live in Greece now"

"..... Who are Delia and Phoebe? "

"They are our 2 daughters. Delia is our eldest, Phoebe being the baby"

Audrey looked shocked, tearing up. He stroked her cheeks

"Hey... It's okay. Everything is okay"

"No..... How could I not remember having kids? What?"

"Shhhh.... I know you're overwhelmed, sunshine, but everything is okay. Nothing is happening right now, my love. It's okay"

She cried and Apollo pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair

"How old? Do they go to school? Where are they?"

"Delia is nearly six. There's two weeks till her birthday. Phoebe is one. Delia is in first grade. And Phoebe started daycare a while ago. They're both home. And, they miss you so much."

"How long have we been married? I thought...I thought we still hadn't told my dad!"

"We've been married nearly seven years. We found out about Delia after our honeymoon."

Audrey cried, holding onto him.

Apollo reached for his bag, taking out two wedding rings. He placed one on Audrey's hand, kissing the top of her head.

"Oh god- They are so pretty.... " She whispered

"Glad to know you weren't lying when you said that before"

Audrey let out a giggle mixed with a sob as he stroked her hair

"It's going to be okay, my sunshine. You are still everything to me"

"Those poor kids.... "

"They absolutely adore you. I told them what happened... In a way they can understand at their ages"

".... What do they look like? "

Apollo smiled a bit and pulled a picture out of his wallet

Audrey sobbed, her finger lightly tracing their faces.

"Oh, those poor kids."

Apollo kissed the top of her head, "They'll forgive you."

"How long has it been since I've last seen them?"

"A month and a bit."

Audrey looked up at him, "Would it be okay? If you brought them here? I don't...I want to see..to meet them."

"Are you ready for that, sunshine? "

"I... I want to see them"

"Okay. But a warning, Delia has been a bit closed off lately. And Phoebe has been the opposite. She's been clingy and sad"

"Okay. I can handle that"

"Alright.... I'll bring them by tonight"

He kissed her forehead

That night, Audrey sat waiting.

Delia and Phoebe walked into the door first. Pheobe didn't waste a single second, immediately flinging herself at her mother.

Audrey held her tightly, shocked by quickness.

Phoebe held her mother, chanting "Mama! Mama!" as she clung to her chest.

Audrey held her tightly, smiling at Delia. She looked the exact same as Apollo, from her bright blue eyes to the slight dimple in her cheek.

"Hello," Audrey said softly.

"Do you remember me?" Delia asked, not wasting any time.

"Not well," Audrey said, deciding that lying won't get her anywhere good.

Delia walked slowly up to her mother, sitting at her side. Audrey wrapped an arm around her, kissing the top of her head.

Delia quietly leaned against her, looking at her dad sadly. He gave a small smile

"It's going to be okay, princess"

She nodded

Both kids stayed close to their mother, Audrey quickly adapting to their levels of affection

Phoebe looked up at her after a while, eyes huge.

Audrey laughed uneasily.

"It's normal," Delia said quickly. "She's weird."

Phoebe poked her tongue out at her sister.

Delia rolled her eyes, "Daddy, I'm hungry. We want food."

Phoebe nodded, "Food!"

Apollo laughed, "Okay, I'll go get you food. You girls behave okay?"

"No," Delia said. "We will destroy the hospital."

Phoebe giggled, leaning against her mother's chest.

"I'm guessing this is all normal?" Audrey said lightly.

"Yes," Apollo said. "It is."

Delia smiled at her father and he smiled back, ruffling her hair

"I'll be back. Don't re traumatize anyone until I get back"

He kissed Audrey quickly before going to the cafeteria. He got snacks for everyone, including snacks Audrey had liked when they were dating

Audrey smiled at the kids when Apollo laughed, "So, what do you do for fun?"

"Bully Phoebe," Delia said easily.

Phoebe looked up at the mention of her name, laughing when her mother looked at her.

"I write stories," Delia said after a minute, suddenly shy. "One time, we were in London with Grandpa-"

"Gampa!"Phoebe said.

"And, you let us take your Tinkerbell movie collection and I wrote a story."

"Can you tell me about your story?"

Delia glowed, a grin breaking out on her face as she explained the entire story to her.

Apollo came back towards the end, smiling as he heard the familiar story. Audrey looked up at him

"She's writing fanfiction? "

"Yep. She's been getting better at reading and writing so she could write it down too"

".... Damn maybe she really is my kid"

He laughed

"You should see her attack a plate of chocolate pancakes. No other questions need be asked"

Audrey giggled

Delia glared lightly at her father, "Yoi should know that there is nothing greater than chocolate pancakes."

"That is true, " Audrey agreed. She smiled at Phoebe, kissing the top of her head, "What about you?"

"Mama!" Phoebe squeaked.

"She likes water," Delia said. "We collect sea shells together sometimes and she's really good at drawing. She likes school and has one friend there. She bullies Phobos and Deimos when they come to play, she likes Jack too. And, uncle Hermes."

Audrey smiled at her, "Who are Phobos, Deimos and Jack?"

"Jack is my friend. Deimos and Phobos are our cousins."

"Ares and Dite had twins a few months ago" Apollo explained

"They got back together? "

"Yep"

Apollo gave them their food, picking at his bagel

Audrey reached for her favourite snacks, while Delia devoured whatever she was given.

Phoebe ate a little.

Apollo got up, making her a bottle. Phoebe took it, gladly drinking the milk.

Audrey kissed the top of her head, smiling at her.

Apollo gave a small smile

They hung out until the kids started getting tired and Artemis came to pick them up. They said goodbye to Audrey before leaving

Apollo sat beside her

"How are you feeling? "

"They are sweet"

"They adore you"

"I never thought I'd end up having kids.... "

"Both were accidents... Happy accidents, but still accidents"

Audrey smiled softly, "You said we found out about Delia after our honeymoon."

"We did."

Audrey nodded, "Phoebe is still young though"

"She's going to be two this year."

"I don't...feel different?" Audrey said. "I thought...kids made you feel different. I don't...they're sweet and all."

"It was gradual," Apollo said. "You didn't have them in a day and night."

"The things Delia said. I don't remember them at all."

"And that's okay"

"No, it's not. I.... I believe you. I just... "

"Sunshine, it's a lot. It's perfectly okay to be overwhelmed"

"....I want to go home.... I want to see our house.... "

"You should be here for a while longer. You're still recovering"

"I want to go home."

"You need to stay here."

Audrey lips thinned.

.

The doctor came to check on her after a while. He had a nurse take Audrey to the MRI.

She couldn't walk, her legs still broken and bruised from the accident. A nurse brought over a wheelchair, helping her on it before taking her to the MRI.

They injected ink into her blood, before helping her on the MRI machine.

Apollo stayed outside with the rest of the doctors while Audrey did the test.

As soon as he could, he sat beside her again. She sighed, turning to him

"I don't like hospitals"

"I know, sunshine. Me neither. But you're huts still and are getting more care here than can be provided at home"

"... Screw you and your logic"

He smiled, kissing her forehead. She looked at him

"Also, when did I cut my hair? "

"A few weeks before the accident. You wanted something shorter and different"

"I haven't had hair dye since high school"

"It looks nice on you"

"Really? I wanted go dye it but I thought you wouldn't like it"

"You.... Wanted to dye your hair but didn't because you thought I wouldn't approve? "

"Yep.... "

"How long?"

Audrey shrugged, "A while I guess. Can..can you get me water please?"

Apollo nodded, kissing the top of her head. He left the room.

Audrey leaned against her bed, letting the nurse tend to her. She didn't argue as the nurse put the IV back in her arm.

"You need anything?" the nurse asked.

Audrey shook her head.

The nurse nodded, leaving her alone.

Apollo came back and gave her the water, stroking her hair gently. She leaned into it

"Lay down with me? "

"I don't want to hurt you, sunshine"

"You won't. Just.... Please? "

".... Okay"

Apollo lay against the rail of the bed, giving her as much space to move as he could as she cuddled up to him. She lay her head on his chest while his arm went around her waist. He kissed her forehead

"Get some rest, my sunshine"

Audrey closed her eyes, falling asleep.

She was on the beach again. Where the blond woman with flowing hair was.

Audrey sat there, waiting for her.

When another sat beside her, Audrey turned to him

She gasped, seeing Zeus.

"What are you doing in my dreams?" Audrey asked.

Zeus smiled cruelly, "A fractured mind is most beautiful. I don't often get to see such sights."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your power grows every second. And, still, you suffer from human folly. A single car crash did this to a supposed goddess."

"I don't understand."

"No, ofcourse, you don't. I assume you remember you are an immortal?"

"That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Zeus asked.

"Yes. Apollo would never make me an immortal."

"Let me remind you of your most painful moment," Zeus said and held her hand.

#trs hermes and Other Things That Ruined My Life: An Autobiography by king-nyx

Do not blame me for who I am. The doctor prescribed me 20 mL of #trs zeus twice a day.

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

One day, Audrey asked.

"Where do you keep going?"

Apollo turned to her, just about to leave, "What?"

"Where do you keep going?"

"Sunshine."

"Just answer me."

"Home. And, I come back."

Audrey nodded, "Okay. What else am I missing?"

Apollo sighed, kissing the top of her head, "Rest sunshine."

Apollo left her afterwards. No more conversation between them. Audrey leaned against the bed, hating to be left in the dark.

That night, she dreamed.

Apollo spoke to her doctor while she slept

"We have 2 daughters. They need to see her"

"I don't think that would be a good idea. She's in a very fragile state right now"

"I want to tell her about them. Let her decide if she wants to see them. Audrey is smart. She already knows something is going on"

".... I'll see what I can do"

Audrey was sitting on the beach in her dreams. She let the water lick at her feet as she idly by.

A woman with flowing hair sat beside her.

"You don't remember this place?"

Audrey raised a brow, "Should I?"

"You should," the woman said.

"I'm sorry," Audrey said.

The woman shook her head, "It is not me who misses you."

"Who does then?"

"Your children. Your husband. Your family"

Audrey laughed softly, "I do not have children."

"Your mind is vulnerable. I know you have two children."

"I do not."

"You do. Your oldest, Delia. And, your youngest, a goddess, Phoebe."

"A goddess?"

"Yes. She'll be stronger with age, though she is plenty talented now."

"Uh huh. Sure"

"I'm telling the truth"

"You're a dream. This is a dream. A very pretty dream, but still a dream"

"Maybe. But you see things"

"I'm human. Apollo is the god"

".... If that is what you remember, then so be it. He will speak to you soon, Audrey, and you must listen. Do not abandon him like I did"

The woman kissed her cheek and Audrey woke up

Apollo was sitting at the foot of her bed, drinking a huge cup of coffee

"Apollo?" Audrey called out. "Love?"

Apollo looked up at her instantly, within a second, he was by her side

"Are you alright?"

"I had a very strange dream."

Something flashed in Apollo's eye, "What happened?"

"Who are Delia and Phoebe?"

".... Audrey.... "

"I.... Apollo, tell me the truth. Please"

He sighed, taking her hand and kissing the back

"You know you were in an accident"

"Yes. A car crash"

"You hit your head extremely hard. A part of that injury, one of the side effects, was memory loss"

".... What don't I remember? "

"We got married. My father is in prison, and we live in Greece now"

"..... Who are Delia and Phoebe? "

"They are our 2 daughters. Delia is our eldest, Phoebe being the baby"

Audrey looked shocked, tearing up. He stroked her cheeks

"Hey... It's okay. Everything is okay"

"No..... How could I not remember having kids? What?"

"Shhhh.... I know you're overwhelmed, sunshine, but everything is okay. Nothing is happening right now, my love. It's okay"

She cried and Apollo pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair

"How old? Do they go to school? Where are they?"

"Delia is nearly six. There's two weeks till her birthday. Phoebe is one. Delia is in first grade. And Phoebe started daycare a while ago. They're both home. And, they miss you so much."

"How long have we been married? I thought...I thought we still hadn't told my dad!"

"We've been married nearly seven years. We found out about Delia after our honeymoon."

Audrey cried, holding onto him.

Apollo reached for his bag, taking out two wedding rings. He placed one on Audrey's hand, kissing the top of her head.

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

Audrey sat close by, ready for anything he needed.

Apollo not once looked at her, his heart seizing up.

When Apollo cried, he wiped harshly at his eyes refusing to look at her.

"Apollo," Audrey said gently. "Do you want me here?"

"Yes," Apollo said, catching her hand instantly. "Please don't leave."

Audrey kissed his hand, "I won't. I'll always be here if you want me."

He dug his nails into his sweatpants, bruising the skin underneath as he tried to force himself to calm down. Audrey stayed close

"Do you want me to talk or stay quiet? "

"I.... Don't know"

"Do you want me to keep asking questions or no? "

".... Keep asking"

"Okay. What are you feeling right now? "

"Chest hurts"

"Still? "

He nodded, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fell down his face. Audrey let them

"Where are you right now? Mentally"

"I... I don't know"

"Okay. How about physically? "

"... The porch"

"Okay, can you tell me what you see?"

"Nothing. You. Phoebe was here."

"Good, that's good. And, what do you hear?"

"Your voice. Mine."

"What are some things you can touch?"

"My sweatpants, my skin. Your hand."

"Can you smell anything?"

"No."

"How about taste?"

"Metallic."

"You know where it's coming from? "

"I.... I bit my lip"

"You're bleeding? "

".... Not anymore"

"Okay. That's good. What are we doing next week? "

"I..... I don't know"

"Okay. Why don't we go to the beach with the kids? "

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"Do you remember what we did today?"

"Yeah, we went to therapy. We talked. You avoided topics again"

"Hey, I actually talked about some things," Audrey said lightly. "Do you want to go to Delos again? See your mom?"

"I do."

"We can do that during the summer."

"Okay."

"Phoebe is doing well in daycare, don't you think?"

Apollo nodded, "She's adjusting really well."

"Yeah. She's getting so big"

They continued their conversation, simple questions and replies being passed back and forth until Apollo was able to look around. He fiddled with his sleeves

"I... "

"Don't say you're sorry"

He didn't reply

Audrey sat beside him, "You don't ever have to apologise to me."

Apollo leaned against her. Audrey smiled at him, running a hand through his hair.

He stayed silent, letting her touch him as he slowly calmed down

"Did you take your meds? " She asked

".... No"

"Can we go do that? "

"They won't help"

"Apollo, they do help. How long have you been skipping them? "

".... 4 days"

"Apollo! "

He flinched back from her tone

Audrey quickly corrected herself, "Darling, they help. Why wouldn't you take them? You were doing well."

Apollo shook their head, "They don't help."

"They do. I know it might feel like they don't, but they do."

"Audrey.... Nothing feels real"

"Right now? "

He nodded. Audrey stroked his cheek

"You're freezing. Let's go inside. We'll get you your meds and then we can talk"

"They don't help"

"Are they hurting you? "

".... What? "

"Are they doing any damage? "

".... No? "

"Then it costs you nothing to take them. You need to iron at least. You're anemic, that much you know"

"That was ages ago," Apollo said.

"Please," Audrey said. "Just take them."

"I don't want to."

"For me?"

Apollo sighed, "If I get up, I'll fall."

"Are you dizzy?"

"Yeah."

"That's ok. We'll go slow, ok? "

He nodded and slowly stood up. He leaned against the wall as the room spun

Audrey got him to the couch and grabbed his meds, watching him take them

"I can't believe you haven't been taking them."

"I can't believe you're making me take them."

"They help."

"Rarely."

"You're better on them than not."

"Am I? Am I really? "

"Yes. You may not notice, but you absolutely are"

"Aren't they supposed to help me? "

"Yes. But your brain is telling you that they aren't working. It's lying"

"Ah, great. I can't even trust my own brain."

"You can trust me," Audrey said jokingly.

"Can I?"

"Yes, you can. I'll always be here."

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Apollo, nothing will get better if you shut me out. What is going on inside that head of yours? "

He sighed

"..... Just thinking about how everyone leaves eventually once they realize I'm not the person they want me to be"

"I want you to be you. I don't care about anything else. And I'm not leaving"

"If you really wanted me to be me, you wouldn't force these pills down my throat."

"That's dramatic," Audrey said, watching him carefully. "I'm doing it because they help you and I love you too much to watch you self destruct."

"I'm not self destructing."

"You're close to it."

Apollo sighed, "Fine. I am. Happy?"

"Apollo, I want the best for you."

"Do you?"

"Yes, now where is this coming from?"

"Exhaustion."

"We can go rest. You're still tired."

Apollo shook his head, "No."

"Then what do want?"

"To be left alone."

"You want me to go? "

"Yes"

"Okay. Is this because you're mad at me or because you're just mad in general? "

".... I don't know"

"Okay. I'll leave you, but you're taking your meds"

"Whatever"

"I love you"

".... I love you too"

Audrey gave him space, laying back down while he sat on the couch

Audrey ended up falling asleep, forced into one nightmare or another

It wasn't her usual dreams, not while she drank Hecate's tea. But, it was a nightmare.

Audrey woke up knowing exactly where she was. Audrey got up going downstairs.

Apollo was in his office. Audrey smiled, going in.

"Had a nightmare," she explained. "I'll go clear my head. Is that okay?"

Apollo nodded, "Ofcourse."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm okay,"Apollo said.

Audrey kissed his cheek, "I'll be back before sunrise, okay?"

"Okay."

Audrey walked out the door and Apollo watched her go, feeling a sudden stab of panic. He took a deep breath and tried to go back to his coffee

After a while, he couldn't ignore the pounding of his heart. His vision blurred as he saw flashes of headlights

Apollo's eyes flew open.

He picked up his phone, calling Audrey's phone. It rang for a while, but she didn't answer.

Apollo kept calling, waiting for answer. No one did.

.

Audrey was driving around aimlessly, not really caring where she was going.

She ended up on a highway, a lorry driving behind her. Audrey groaned, trying get away from it.

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

Audrey sat close by, ready for anything he needed.

Apollo not once looked at her, his heart seizing up.

When Apollo cried, he wiped harshly at his eyes refusing to look at her.

"Apollo," Audrey said gently. "Do you want me here?"

"Yes," Apollo said, catching her hand instantly. "Please don't leave."

Audrey kissed his hand, "I won't. I'll always be here if you want me."

He dug his nails into his sweatpants, bruising the skin underneath as he tried to force himself to calm down. Audrey stayed close

"Do you want me to talk or stay quiet? "

"I.... Don't know"

"Do you want me to keep asking questions or no? "

".... Keep asking"

"Okay. What are you feeling right now? "

"Chest hurts"

"Still? "

He nodded, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fell down his face. Audrey let them

"Where are you right now? Mentally"

"I... I don't know"

"Okay. How about physically? "

"... The porch"

"Okay, can you tell me what you see?"

"Nothing. You. Phoebe was here."

"Good, that's good. And, what do you hear?"

"Your voice. Mine."

"What are some things you can touch?"

"My sweatpants, my skin. Your hand."

"Can you smell anything?"

"No."

"How about taste?"

"Metallic."

"You know where it's coming from? "

"I.... I bit my lip"

"You're bleeding? "

".... Not anymore"

"Okay. That's good. What are we doing next week? "

"I..... I don't know"

"Okay. Why don't we go to the beach with the kids? "

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"Do you remember what we did today?"

"Yeah, we went to therapy. We talked. You avoided topics again"

"Hey, I actually talked about some things," Audrey said lightly. "Do you want to go to Delos again? See your mom?"

"I do."

"We can do that during the summer."

"Okay."

"Phoebe is doing well in daycare, don't you think?"

Apollo nodded, "She's adjusting really well."

"Yeah. She's getting so big"

They continued their conversation, simple questions and replies being passed back and forth until Apollo was able to look around. He fiddled with his sleeves

"I... "

"Don't say you're sorry"

He didn't reply

Audrey sat beside him, "You don't ever have to apologise to me."

Apollo leaned against her. Audrey smiled at him, running a hand through his hair.

He stayed silent, letting her touch him as he slowly calmed down

"Did you take your meds? " She asked

".... No"

"Can we go do that? "

"They won't help"

"Apollo, they do help. How long have you been skipping them? "

".... 4 days"

"Apollo! "

He flinched back from her tone

Audrey quickly corrected herself, "Darling, they help. Why wouldn't you take them? You were doing well."

Apollo shook their head, "They don't help."

"They do. I know it might feel like they don't, but they do."

"Audrey.... Nothing feels real"

"Right now? "

He nodded. Audrey stroked his cheek

"You're freezing. Let's go inside. We'll get you your meds and then we can talk"

"They don't help"

"Are they hurting you? "

".... What? "

"Are they doing any damage? "

".... No? "

"Then it costs you nothing to take them. You need to iron at least. You're anemic, that much you know"

"That was ages ago," Apollo said.

"Please," Audrey said. "Just take them."

"I don't want to."

"For me?"

Apollo sighed, "If I get up, I'll fall."

"Are you dizzy?"

"Yeah."

"That's ok. We'll go slow, ok? "

He nodded and slowly stood up. He leaned against the wall as the room spun

Audrey got him to the couch and grabbed his meds, watching him take them

"I can't believe you haven't been taking them."

"I can't believe you're making me take them."

"They help."

"Rarely."

"You're better on them than not."

"Am I? Am I really? "

"Yes. You may not notice, but you absolutely are"

"Aren't they supposed to help me? "

"Yes. But your brain is telling you that they aren't working. It's lying"

"Ah, great. I can't even trust my own brain."

"You can trust me," Audrey said jokingly.

"Can I?"

"Yes, you can. I'll always be here."

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Apollo, nothing will get better if you shut me out. What is going on inside that head of yours? "

He sighed

"..... Just thinking about how everyone leaves eventually once they realize I'm not the person they want me to be"

"I want you to be you. I don't care about anything else. And I'm not leaving"

"If you really wanted me to be me, you wouldn't force these pills down my throat."

"That's dramatic," Audrey said, watching him carefully. "I'm doing it because they help you and I love you too much to watch you self destruct."

"I'm not self destructing."

"You're close to it."

Apollo sighed, "Fine. I am. Happy?"

"Apollo, I want the best for you."

"Do you?"

"Yes, now where is this coming from?"

"Exhaustion."

"We can go rest. You're still tired."

Apollo shook his head, "No."

"Then what do want?"

"To be left alone."

"You want me to go? "

"Yes"

"Okay. Is this because you're mad at me or because you're just mad in general? "

".... I don't know"

"Okay. I'll leave you, but you're taking your meds"

"Whatever"

"I love you"

".... I love you too"

Audrey gave him space, laying back down while he sat on the couch

Audrey ended up falling asleep, forced into one nightmare or another

It wasn't her usual dreams, not while she drank Hecate's tea. But, it was a nightmare.

Audrey woke up knowing exactly where she was. Audrey got up going downstairs.

Apollo was in his office. Audrey smiled, going in.

"Had a nightmare," she explained. "I'll go clear my head. Is that okay?"

Apollo nodded, "Ofcourse."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm okay,"Apollo said.

Audrey kissed his cheek, "I'll be back before sunrise, okay?"

"Okay."

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

Audrey sat close by, ready for anything he needed.

Apollo not once looked at her, his heart seizing up.

When Apollo cried, he wiped harshly at his eyes refusing to look at her.

"Apollo," Audrey said gently. "Do you want me here?"

"Yes," Apollo said, catching her hand instantly. "Please don't leave."

Audrey kissed his hand, "I won't. I'll always be here if you want me."

He dug his nails into his sweatpants, bruising the skin underneath as he tried to force himself to calm down. Audrey stayed close

"Do you want me to talk or stay quiet? "

"I.... Don't know"

"Do you want me to keep asking questions or no? "

".... Keep asking"

"Okay. What are you feeling right now? "

"Chest hurts"

"Still? "

He nodded, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fell down his face. Audrey let them

"Where are you right now? Mentally"

"I... I don't know"

"Okay. How about physically? "

"... The porch"

"Okay, can you tell me what you see?"

"Nothing. You. Phoebe was here."

"Good, that's good. And, what do you hear?"

"Your voice. Mine."

"What are some things you can touch?"

"My sweatpants, my skin. Your hand."

"Can you smell anything?"

"No."

"How about taste?"

"Metallic."

"You know where it's coming from? "

"I.... I bit my lip"

"You're bleeding? "

".... Not anymore"

"Okay. That's good. What are we doing next week? "

"I..... I don't know"

"Okay. Why don't we go to the beach with the kids? "

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"Do you remember what we did today?"

"Yeah, we went to therapy. We talked. You avoided topics again"

"Hey, I actually talked about some things," Audrey said lightly. "Do you want to go to Delos again? See your mom?"

"I do."

"We can do that during the summer."

"Okay."

"Phoebe is doing well in daycare, don't you think?"

Apollo nodded, "She's adjusting really well."

"Yeah. She's getting so big"

They continued their conversation, simple questions and replies being passed back and forth until Apollo was able to look around. He fiddled with his sleeves

"I... "

"Don't say you're sorry"

He didn't reply

Audrey sat beside him, "You don't ever have to apologise to me."

Apollo leaned against her. Audrey smiled at him, running a hand through his hair.

He stayed silent, letting her touch him as he slowly calmed down

"Did you take your meds? " She asked

".... No"

"Can we go do that? "

"They won't help"

"Apollo, they do help. How long have you been skipping them? "

".... 4 days"

"Apollo! "

He flinched back from her tone

Audrey quickly corrected herself, "Darling, they help. Why wouldn't you take them? You were doing well."

Apollo shook their head, "They don't help."

"They do. I know it might feel like they don't, but they do."

"Audrey.... Nothing feels real"

"Right now? "

He nodded. Audrey stroked his cheek

"You're freezing. Let's go inside. We'll get you your meds and then we can talk"

"They don't help"

"Are they hurting you? "

".... What? "

"Are they doing any damage? "

".... No? "

"Then it costs you nothing to take them. You need to iron at least. You're anemic, that much you know"

"That was ages ago," Apollo said.

"Please," Audrey said. "Just take them."

"I don't want to."

"For me?"

Apollo sighed, "If I get up, I'll fall."

"Are you dizzy?"

"Yeah."

"That's ok. We'll go slow, ok? "

He nodded and slowly stood up. He leaned against the wall as the room spun

Audrey got him to the couch and grabbed his meds, watching him take them

"I can't believe you haven't been taking them."

"I can't believe you're making me take them."

"They help."

"Rarely."

"You're better on them than not."

"Am I? Am I really? "

"Yes. You may not notice, but you absolutely are"

"Aren't they supposed to help me? "

"Yes. But your brain is telling you that they aren't working. It's lying"

"Ah, great. I can't even trust my own brain."

"You can trust me," Audrey said jokingly.

"Can I?"

"Yes, you can. I'll always be here."

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Apollo, nothing will get better if you shut me out. What is going on inside that head of yours? "

He sighed

"..... Just thinking about how everyone leaves eventually once they realize I'm not the person they want me to be"

"I want you to be you. I don't care about anything else. And I'm not leaving"

"If you really wanted me to be me, you wouldn't force these pills down my throat."

"That's dramatic," Audrey said, watching him carefully. "I'm doing it because they help you and I love you too much to watch you self destruct."

"I'm not self destructing."

"You're close to it."

Apollo sighed, "Fine. I am. Happy?"

"Apollo, I want the best for you."

"Do you?"

"Yes, now where is this coming from?"

"Exhaustion."

"We can go rest. You're still tired."

Apollo shook his head, "No."

"Then what do want?"

"To be left alone."

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

Audrey sat close by, ready for anything he needed.

Apollo not once looked at her, his heart seizing up.

When Apollo cried, he wiped harshly at his eyes refusing to look at her.

"Apollo," Audrey said gently. "Do you want me here?"

"Yes," Apollo said, catching her hand instantly. "Please don't leave."

Audrey kissed his hand, "I won't. I'll always be here if you want me."

He dug his nails into his sweatpants, bruising the skin underneath as he tried to force himself to calm down. Audrey stayed close

"Do you want me to talk or stay quiet? "

"I.... Don't know"

"Do you want me to keep asking questions or no? "

".... Keep asking"

"Okay. What are you feeling right now? "

"Chest hurts"

"Still? "

He nodded, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fell down his face. Audrey let them

"Where are you right now? Mentally"

"I... I don't know"

"Okay. How about physically? "

"... The porch"

"Okay, can you tell me what you see?"

"Nothing. You. Phoebe was here."

"Good, that's good. And, what do you hear?"

"Your voice. Mine."

"What are some things you can touch?"

"My sweatpants, my skin. Your hand."

"Can you smell anything?"

"No."

"How about taste?"

"Metallic."

"You know where it's coming from? "

"I.... I bit my lip"

"You're bleeding? "

".... Not anymore"

"Okay. That's good. What are we doing next week? "

"I..... I don't know"

"Okay. Why don't we go to the beach with the kids? "

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"Do you remember what we did today?"

"Yeah, we went to therapy. We talked. You avoided topics again"

"Hey, I actually talked about some things," Audrey said lightly. "Do you want to go to Delos again? See your mom?"

"I do."

"We can do that during the summer."

"Okay."

"Phoebe is doing well in daycare, don't you think?"

Apollo nodded, "She's adjusting really well."

"Yeah. She's getting so big"

They continued their conversation, simple questions and replies being passed back and forth until Apollo was able to look around. He fiddled with his sleeves

"I... "

"Don't say you're sorry"

He didn't reply

Audrey sat beside him, "You don't ever have to apologise to me."

Apollo leaned against her. Audrey smiled at him, running a hand through his hair.

He stayed silent, letting her touch him as he slowly calmed down

"Did you take your meds? " She asked

".... No"

"Can we go do that? "

"They won't help"

"Apollo, they do help. How long have you been skipping them? "

".... 4 days"

"Apollo! "

He flinched back from her tone

Audrey quickly corrected herself, "Darling, they help. Why wouldn't you take them? You were doing well."

Apollo shook their head, "They don't help."

"They do. I know it might feel like they don't, but they do."

"Audrey.... Nothing feels real"

"Right now? "

He nodded. Audrey stroked his cheek

"You're freezing. Let's go inside. We'll get you your meds and then we can talk"

"They don't help"

"Are they hurting you? "

".... What? "

"Are they doing any damage? "

".... No? "

"Then it costs you nothing to take them. You need to iron at least. You're anemic, that much you know"

"That was ages ago," Apollo said.

"Please," Audrey said. "Just take them."

"I don't want to."

"For me?"

Apollo sighed, "If I get up, I'll fall."

"Are you dizzy?"

"Yeah."

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

Audrey sat close by, ready for anything he needed.

Apollo not once looked at her, his heart seizing up.

When Apollo cried, he wiped harshly at his eyes refusing to look at her.

"Apollo," Audrey said gently. "Do you want me here?"

"Yes," Apollo said, catching her hand instantly. "Please don't leave."

Audrey kissed his hand, "I won't. I'll always be here if you want me."

He dug his nails into his sweatpants, bruising the skin underneath as he tried to force himself to calm down. Audrey stayed close

"Do you want me to talk or stay quiet? "

"I.... Don't know"

"Do you want me to keep asking questions or no? "

".... Keep asking"

"Okay. What are you feeling right now? "

"Chest hurts"

"Still? "

He nodded, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fell down his face. Audrey let them

"Where are you right now? Mentally"

"I... I don't know"

"Okay. How about physically? "

"... The porch"

"Okay, can you tell me what you see?"

"Nothing. You. Phoebe was here."

"Good, that's good. And, what do you hear?"

"Your voice. Mine."

"What are some things you can touch?"

"My sweatpants, my skin. Your hand."

"Can you smell anything?"

"No."

"How about taste?"

"Metallic."

"You know where it's coming from? "

"I.... I bit my lip"

"You're bleeding? "

".... Not anymore"

"Okay. That's good. What are we doing next week? "

"I..... I don't know"

"Okay. Why don't we go to the beach with the kids? "

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"Do you remember what we did today?"

"Yeah, we went to therapy. We talked. You avoided topics again"

"Hey, I actually talked about some things," Audrey said lightly. "Do you want to go to Delos again? See your mom?"

"I do."

"We can do that during the summer."

"Okay."

"Phoebe is doing well in daycare, don't you think?"

Apollo nodded, "She's adjusting really well."

"Yeah. She's getting so big"

They continued their conversation, simple questions and replies being passed back and forth until Apollo was able to look around. He fiddled with his sleeves

"I... "

"Don't say you're sorry"

He didn't reply

Audrey sat beside him, "You don't ever have to apologise to me."

Apollo leaned against her. Audrey smiled at him, running a hand through his hair.

He stayed silent, letting her touch him as he slowly calmed down

"Did you take your meds? " She asked

".... No"

"Can we go do that? "

"They won't help"

"Apollo, they do help. How long have you been skipping them? "

".... 4 days"

"Apollo! "

He flinched back from her tone

Audrey quickly corrected herself, "Darling, they help. Why wouldn't you take them? You were doing well."

Apollo shook their head, "They don't help."

"They do. I know it might feel like they don't, but they do."

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

Audrey sat close by, ready for anything he needed.

Apollo not once looked at her, his heart seizing up.

When Apollo cried, he wiped harshly at his eyes refusing to look at her.

"Apollo," Audrey said gently. "Do you want me here?"

"Yes," Apollo said, catching her hand instantly. "Please don't leave."

Audrey kissed his hand, "I won't. I'll always be here if you want me."

He dug his nails into his sweatpants, bruising the skin underneath as he tried to force himself to calm down. Audrey stayed close

"Do you want me to talk or stay quiet? "

"I.... Don't know"

"Do you want me to keep asking questions or no? "

".... Keep asking"

"Okay. What are you feeling right now? "

"Chest hurts"

"Still? "

He nodded, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fell down his face. Audrey let them

"Where are you right now? Mentally"

"I... I don't know"

"Okay. How about physically? "

"... The porch"

"Okay, can you tell me what you see?"

"Nothing. You. Phoebe was here."

"Good, that's good. And, what do you hear?"

"Your voice. Mine."

"What are some things you can touch?"

"My sweatpants, my skin. Your hand."

"Can you smell anything?"

"No."

"How about taste?"

"Metallic."

"You know where it's coming from? "

"I.... I bit my lip"

"You're bleeding? "

".... Not anymore"

"Okay. That's good. What are we doing next week? "

"I..... I don't know"

"Okay. Why don't we go to the beach with the kids? "

Apollo nodded, "Okay."

"Do you remember what we did today?"

"Yeah, we went to therapy. We talked. You avoided topics again"

"Hey, I actually talked about some things," Audrey said lightly. "Do you want to go to Delos again? See your mom?"

"I do."

"We can do that during the summer."

"Okay."

"Phoebe is doing well in daycare, don't you think?"

Apollo nodded, "She's adjusting really well."

"Yeah. She's getting so big"

They continued their conversation, simple questions and replies being passed back and forth until Apollo was able to look around. He fiddled with his sleeves

"I... "

"Don't say you're sorry"

He didn't reply

Audrey sat beside him, "You don't ever have to apologise to me."

Apollo leaned against her. Audrey smiled at him, running a hand through his hair.

Do you think covid existed in the Season? Do you think that for 2020-2021 Zeus couldn't host two Seasons. He had to wait until 2022 when restrictions finally lifted?

I'm gonna assume that covid didn't exist for my own sanity

Audrey sat close by, ready for anything he needed.

Apollo not once looked at her, his heart seizing up.

When Apollo cried, he wiped harshly at his eyes refusing to look at her.

"Apollo," Audrey said gently. "Do you want me here?"

"Yes," Apollo said, catching her hand instantly. "Please don't leave."

Audrey kissed his hand, "I won't. I'll always be here if you want me."

He dug his nails into his sweatpants, bruising the skin underneath as he tried to force himself to calm down. Audrey stayed close

"Do you want me to talk or stay quiet? "

"I.... Don't know"

"Do you want me to keep asking questions or no? "

".... Keep asking"

"Okay. What are you feeling right now? "

"Chest hurts"

"Still? "

He nodded, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fell down his face. Audrey let them

"Where are you right now? Mentally"

"I... I don't know"

"Okay. How about physically? "

"... The porch"

"Okay, can you tell me what you see?"

"Nothing. You. Phoebe was here."

"Good, that's good. And, what do you hear?"

"Your voice. Mine."

"What are some things you can touch?"

"My sweatpants, my skin. Your hand."

"Can you smell anything?"

"No."

"How about taste?"