Chapter Text
Michael Yew was impulsive. Everybody knew this, so when Lee was in a coma, everybody dreaded him being head counselor. Not that he blamed them.
He wasn’t as patient, or reasonable as Lee so when he was appointed as head counselor, all because he was oldest second to Lee, all of Tartarus went loose.
First meeting and he had already angered Clarisse, head counselor of the Ares cabin. Though, his anger was justifiable, but so was hers, and now she is saying that the Ares cabin won’t participate with the war against the Titan of time!
Michael knew he fucked up but not wanting participate in a war that could either save or kill them was a fucked up move on Clarisse’s part!
However, that won’t stop him from laying awake on his bed, dreading when they must rise for war.
War. He’s used that word so many times now but it still left him baffled.
He was only sixteen.
Tears of frustration began to fill his eyes, blurring his vision. He tries to wipe them but the tears wouldn’t stop.
He couldn’t do this. His siblings needed a strong and reliable leader. Not his mess of a self!
Michael would notice how incredibly tired he grew, probably from the stress and crying, and as his eyes grew heavy, he fell asleep.
But the rest would be short lived as he found himself laying not on his bed but something else. Or someone.
“Hello my son.”
Michael’s shot open as he found himself resting his head on his dads lap.
“Dad!” Michael yells in surprise, sitting up.
Apollo smiles, though, it didn’t reach his eyes, “How have you been my son?” he asks.
Michael frowns, turning his head away.
“Not good I presume?”
Michael scoffs, “What do you think?” he snaps, clutching his pants.
“Michael-“
“No!” Standing up, he glares at his dad, “It’s not fair! It’s not fair that we have to fight the literal Titan of time as well as a hoard of monsters! It’s not fair that our parents, literal gods, can’t give us some sort of help! It’s not fair! Not of this is fair!”
Apollo frowned as he stood up, towering the much shorter male.
The height difference wasn’t anything new for Michael as he was shorter than most of the campers but this was different and what he had done began to settle in. He had just yelled at a god.
Fear began to settle and as Apollo knelt in front him, he feared the worst, but was met with a surprise.
Apollo pulled him in a hug, not too loose where he could slip out or too tight where it felt like his bones would break, but just right. And the warmth.
Since his dad was the god of the sun he ran hot but not uncomfortably so.
Tears began to well up in his eyes again, his emotions getting better of him, he began to cry.
Apollo ran in his hand through Michael’s dark curls, hushing him as he hugged him closer.
“I’m sorry.” he starts, pressing his face against Michael’s head, “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you or your siblings. I’m sorry you were placed in this position.”
“I can’t do this.” Michael says, voiced muffled by Apollo’s chest, “I’m not fit as cabin leader. I’m not, Lee.”
“Of course you’re not, Lee.” Releasing his hold, he takes Michael face in his hand and had him look at him before adding, “You’re Michael, Michael Yew, my son as well as a brilliant archer.”
More tears fell from his eyes, “I’m not a leader.
“Change can be hard, but I know you can do this. You want to know why?” “Why?”
Placing a kiss to his temple, Apollo says, “Because you’re my son. You may be impulsive and act before you think but you’re also kind. You care for your siblings with all your heart so I know you’ll make the right decision when the time is right.”
Sniffling, Michael asks, “You think so?”
“I know so.” Apollo says, wiping his sons face and started peppering his face with kisses.
“Dad!” Michael shrieks, smiling wide.
“There he is! My son, my beautiful son.” Apollo says softly.
Michael’s eyes began to feel heavy as Apollo ran his hand through his hair, soft sleep finally overtaking him.
Planting a soft kiss on top of his head, Apollo softly says, “You’ll do wonderfully. Trust me.”