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Apollo was wandering the house to try and find wherever it is Atlas could have disappeared to. He wanted to make sure he was okay. He couldn't find him anywhere. Apollo would never admit it, but he was starting to worry. Atlas was his friend, roommate, and most importantly, his brother. If anything happened to him he'd be heart broken.
An all too familiar sound could be heard from the bathroom as he passed it. Crying. It had to be Atlas. He was the only other person home at the moment. Apollo slowly opened up the creaky door to prove his suspensions to be correct. On the floor sat Atlas, who's whole body was shaking as he sobbed. Apollo carefully kneeled down next to him, trying his best not to startle him.
"Atlas? What's wrong?" Apollo whispered in the most caring voice he could. The sight of Atlas in such a weakened state was upsetting. Apollo was never the most emotionally understanding of the family. That role goes to their brother Artemis, but he wasn't home to help. So, Apollo would try his best. For his brother's sake.
Atlas jumped at the sound of his brother's voice and quickly grabbed onto his jacket. He was looking for some kind of stability. His weak body couldn't do anything. He couldn't stand, he could barely move, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't speak. Instead of his voice, all that came out was hiccups and sobs.
"Hey hey.. just try to steady your breathing for now." Apollo pulled Atlas into a hug, something he would usually never do, but right now was an exception. Artemis always gave hugs to try and cheer up others, perhaps this is what his brother needed. "It's okay. You're safe." He gently stroked his brother's hair as another attempt to help.
Atlas sobbed into Apollo's chest, desperately holding onto the hug. It was like he was scared to lose him. It was a pitiful display of emotion, but it hurt Apollo to see his brother like that. He was usually so strong, and seeing him break down like this was new. Atlas slowly calmed his breathing, his sobs slow to a dull cry.
"Can you tell me what happened?" asked Apollo, with his calm voice. Atlas slowly sat up, still holding onto Apollo's jacket.
"I was..." his voice was hoarse as he choked back tears. He sighed and tried his best to steady himself. "I was in my room when I thought I heard gunshots. I couldn't find you two. I thought something bad happened again!" his sobs returned as he once again leaned into Apollo's chest. Fireworks, he had heard the neighbors fireworks. Why hadn't Apollo gone to check on him sooner? Maybe because he was experiencing the same feeling at first?
"Atlas, look at me." He sat his brother up, butting his hand against his cheek in a comforting manner. "I am fine. I am not hurt. Artemis isn't even here."
"But what if you were hurt!"
"I'm not. That's what is important right now. I am here, right in front of you." Apollo's voice returned to its usual stern tone. Atlas was being emotional, of course he wasn't thinking logically. He pulled his brother into another hug. The two would stay like this for as long as Atlas needed. The brotherly hug was calming, and they were happy.