Chapter Text
"My prince." The nymphs bowed when Apollo came in. "I want to be alone," said Apollo and pretended to be looking for a book. The nymphs bowed again and then left one after the other. Apollo immediately let go of the books and went to the window. Outside, the training of his siblings took place and he secretly planned to learn. That's how he always learned. As Omega, he was forbidden to learn to fight, but he had found his ways to teach himself and watch the others.
He imitated the movements and his powers reacted. He had them all pretty well under control for the fact that he had to do it completely alone. It knocked and Apollo made his magic disappear. He quickly reached for a book. "Come in." "What are you doing here?" asked an irritating voice. "Hello stepmother." "Reading is not important for a young Omega, Apollo. Soon you will be married and your future alpha doesn't care how well you can read." "I'm not going to get married," Apollo said, turning a page in his book. "No omega can get around it, Apollo. Now come with me, your chambermaids are waiting for you. You have to be prepared for the celebration."
"The celebration is in hours!" "And you have to look good." Apollo sighed. "I don't want to be on the presentation plate." "I don't care. Now come along and think for the next few hours about how you are a good representation for this family."
Apollo was busy when he was finished. He looked good, but not for himself, but for alphas who would stare at him. He was an artist. He dreamed of true love and not of an arrangement that his father liked.
"You see that you dance with at least three suitors, Apollo," said his father. "But father." "It's about time you take your duties to this family seriously." "Father-." "No contradiction. Go now." Apollo bent and then turned to the most confused evening of his life.
He danced with two dumb alphas who talked all the time about how great they were before he decided he needed a break. So he quickly disappeared from the dance floor before the next dance and ran to the side to have a drink. Of course, his luck was not with him. He ran directly into a person. "Sorry, I'm so clumsy," said Apollo. "It was my fault, my prince," said a deep voice. Apollo looked up and he didn't know the man. He was older than Apollo, handsome and alpha. Was he never at the court otherwise?
"Is everything okay?" asked the alpha. "Yes, I... You are unknown to me," said Apollo. "Oh, how unfriendly of me. If I may introduce myself. Helios. Titan of the Sun." Oh no. Someone important. Of course, Apollo had to run into a titan. "I have to apologize again, Mylord," said Apollo and bowed. "It was my fault, Prince. You seem to be... on the way to something." "Actually, I just wanted to have a drink." "Then let me get at least one glass for you as an apology. It was really my mistake," Helios said.
Apollo could no longer stop the Titan, he was already gone and got a glass of nectar. "Here you are." "Thank you, although I could have done it myself." "I don't doubt that, my prince." Strange answers for a man in Helios' position, but not unwelcome. "Why have I never seen a man with your name, Mylord?" "I prefer to stay among my people. This colorful hustle and bustle is not quite my world. Although it can be quite entertaining from time to time," he said. "It is said that you would reside above Olympus in a palace of pure sunlight." "That's not entirely true. Maybe you can watch it one day," said Helios.
"It's said to be beautiful," said Apollo. "You seem to know a lot about my palace." "I...um...I was told something once. But that much is not known." The truth was that Apollo had read a book about the different palaces and Helios’ had particularly fascinated him. It was the mystery that Apollo liked so much. "Ah, now that you know so much about me, I want to know something about you. If you're ready to tell me something, of course." "I'm afraid there's nothing special about me, Mylord," said Apollo. "Oh, but if you don't know much about me, then you are almost a ghost, my prince. You are an absolute mystery." Apollo laughed: "Everyone knows who I am." "Everyone knows who Prince Apollo is, that's true. But who is the god behind it?" asked Helios.
"I'm nothing special, Mylord. Simply an omega that is to get married soon," said Apollo. "With all due respect, my prince, I think you underestimate yourself." Apollo had rarely talked to Alphas outside his family, but no one talks to him like Helios. So open and suspicious. Nothing superficial, but actual interest. Or at least it seemed so. "You are the first to say something like that to me," said Apollo. "Oh yes? And who is right?" An interesting question, however he got no chance to answer. "Apollo, I want to introduce you to someone," said Ares. "Brother." "Lord Ares," said Helios. Ares was actually also a prince, but through his seat in the Olympic Council, he was addressed as Lord. For the Olympians, this was a sign of power. Of course, no Omega sat in the Olympic Council.
"Helios, nice to see you, it was a long time ago. May I kidnap my brother?" "Of course. It was a pleasure for me, Prince," said Helios and bowed. "It was for me," Apollo replied.
He took Ares‘ arm and went with him. "Helios is a fish that is too big. The man is a loner who knows far too much about all of us. He is either damn brilliant or simply simple-minded because he only stops by here every three years." "I've never heard you say so many qualified words at once, Ares," said Apollo. "Thank you for the disrespect. But honestly Apollo? Marry someone you can foresee. For your sake." "And you want to introduce me to one of them?" "Just like that."
Apollo won nothing but a headache from the dance with Ares' friend. However, his three dances were checked off and he apologized to his room. There he took his hairstyle apart and changed his clothes. Normally, he didn't remember the people he had spent time with at these events, but Helios didn't get out of his head. And that bothered him. So he ignored it.
After listening to how many alphas had expressed their interest in him at breakfast, he went for a walk. He had the feeling that the sun was brighter than usual that day. It lay warm on his skin. He couldn't get rid of the feeling that he was being watched. "I feel watched by pure chance?" he asked loudly. At first he thought he was stupid, as if he were talking to himself. But then a ball of light appeared in front of him. Apollo stretched out his hand and when he touched the ball, the ball turned into a golden rose. Apollo smiled: "How charming." The sun seemed to get brighter for a moment.
"Apollo, where are you with your head?" "Sorry," said Apollo. He had stopped in the middle of the embroidery and thought. "You shouldn't dream so much. Alphas don't want dreamers." "If I understood this correctly this morning, I have a lot of suitors," Apollo said without looking up. "For now, Apollo," Hera warned. "You should learn to behave properly." "So quiet and stupid?" asked Apollo. "Don't exaggerate like that." Apollo laughed: "I'm exaggerating?" "Be quiet boy and keep working."
Two days later, a wagonrace took place to which the whole royal family went. So also Apollo. He was once again dressed up way too much. His hair was draped in perfect waves on his shoulders. He sat next to his siblings in the box and leaned over the edge of the wall. "Who are you betting on?" Hermes asked. "On Athena," said Apollo. His sister was smart, she would win. "Good guess," said Hermes. Behind them, the box filled up. Apollo turned around and saw Helios. "Excuse me," he murmured to his brother and stood up.
"Helios, I thought you weren't available for such events." "From time to time. And when I'm in such fantastic company," Helios said. "Charming." "You got my little gift?" "I think you know that, Helios," said Apollo. "Do I know that?" "Don't you see everything?" Apollo had investigated. It seemed as if Helios could see everything under the sun. "Mhm, someone has informed themselves," Helios murmured. "Who was your source this time?" "You'd like to know that, Titan," said Apollo. "Mysterious as ever. But I'm still getting behind your secrets." "Is this a threat?" asked Apollo. "I would never dare to threaten you, my prince. It was just...a promise." Helios saw behind Apollo: "It was a pleasure for me." He bowed and then left. Apollo turned around.
Artemis stood there. "What do you want from him?" "It's interesting to talk to him," said Apollo. "Interesting? What is he telling you?" "He doesn't treat me like an object," Apollo said. "That's refreshing." He went back to his place. Artemis followed him and sat down on his other side. "Such men are dangerous." "Such men, sister?" "Man of whom no one knows anything," Artemis said quietly. "This man has been better to me than many others before him." "This is a scam, Apollo. He is trying to win your trust. Every alpha wants to be closer to father and he-." "He hasn't given me any reason to think like that so far," Apollo said. Artemis sighed: "Allways pay attention to everyone who comes close to you, Apollo."
At that moment the race started and Artemis stopped talking.
Athena won. The afterparty afterwards cheerful and associated with a lot of alcohol. Apollo stood with his siblings, at the moment with Ares when Helios came back.
"My Prince, Lord Ares." "Helios, you finally seem to like to find social interaction," said Ares. "Well, I don't like everything. But I still have... Mysteries that I have to clarify." Apollo hid his smile behind his cup. "It seems that you keep coming back near my little brother, Helios." "Such nonsense, Ares. I'm sure Lord Helios came over here because of you," said Apollo. Helios laughed: "Maybe a bit of both. I have to admit, the prince did something to me. Not something romantic, but rather on an intellectual level." "Mhm, don't say something like that too loud, it could get Apollo into trouble."
Helios raised his eyebrows: "To what extent?" "Omegas are not supposed to be intellectual, I'm sure you know that," said Apollo. Helios laughed: "You gods are funny. I think your thoughts are a lot more qualified than that of most alphas here. But be it as it may. How did you like the race?" "The result was to be expected," Ares grumbled. " Jealous?" asked Helios. "Not your business." "I just mean, Athena is your smarter version, isn't she?" "You're going on thin ice, Titan." "Ares? How about you go to your friends. They've been waiting all the time. I'll be fine," said Apollo.
Ares was grumbling when he left. "He's so simple," said Helios. Apollo laughed: "As much as most here." The next moment he realized what he had said. "Sorry." "Never apologize for the truth, Apollo. I feel like I'm slowly getting to know your true character. And I like it much more than the mask." "You are the first to say that." "Maybe I'm just the smartest," said Helios. Apollo laughed: "Surely." "Are you mocking me, my prince? I'm hurt," said Helios played indignantly. His amber eyes glittered with joy. "I wouldn't dare, your lordship." "Touché." "For someone who doesn't like to socialize, you are a good conversation partner, Helios." "I don't like to socialize with everyone on Olympus. You are a rare exception." Helios looked past Apollo.
"Many jealous glances. They're trying to get your attention, my prince." "They all want me as a possession, not as a partner as it should be," Apollo murmured. "You are worth more than that, my prince." "If you say that, it must be true. As much as I would like to continue talking, my father won't be amused if I don't talk to any prospect," said Apollo. "As always, it was a pleasure for me, my prince. The sun always has an eye on you." "Creepy," Apollo said with a laugh. "Not in a scary way, of course," said Helios. He bowed and Apollo bent. "Stop by Olympus more often, Lord Helios." "Promise, my prince."
Whenever Apollo was in the garden in the next few weeks, he felt the sunlight get a little warmer. It was comforting. More than it should be. Apollo was not stupid, Helios was a dangerous game, his siblings were right. But he had no idea what Helios wanted. Maybe that was also the danger.