NEVER even in a life and death situation, do i recommend carrying a man twice your size. None of the women on the island helped me carry Apollo back to Izzy, and it was probably the most difficult task I had to do so far. When we reached Izzy I also had the great task of mounting him on her by myself as well.

In their defence however, none of the women tried to stop me either (most likely because Aphrodite wouldn't let them) but still that was nice.

I had to tell Izzy what to do verbally because my hands were busy trying to stop Apollo from flying off the pegasus.

Even poisoned he was finding ways to be in my arms. I laughed at the thought. When I looked at his face I saw how peacefully he was when sleeping. Even unconscious Apollo radiated with warmth that made me want to be near him forever. Snap out of it! I had to tell myself a few times, when I found myself dozing off and nearly falling off of Izzy.

With Apollo riding Izzy as well, getting back to camp took twice the time. When I did arrive it was nearly dinner time and the campers could be seen filling the pavilion.

Izzy landed in front of the big house and I don't think I had ever been so happy to see Chiron in my life.

"He's been poisoned," I muttered sleepily. I realized at that moment that I hadn't slept in nearly four days. Even so there was no time to rest now. Apollo still needed my help.

With Chiron's help I took Apollo to the camps infirmary where multiple of Apollo's children were eager to help care for him.

As I watched Apollo sleep on the cot, it was like seeing him for the first time. Every feeling of anger and contempt I ever had for him were gone. Nothing left in their place but admiration... and love...

I stayed there as long as I could. It was probably one-thirty in the morning when Butch came and dragged me to bed. Before I went with him, I leaned over and kisses Apollo on the head, "Goodnight, I love you," I meant the words with all my heart.

The second I felt the sun coming through the windows, I leapt out of bed and ran to the infirmary. I had to tell Apollo i loved him and nothing else mattered. It only took a few seconds for reality to catch up with me, when i reached the pavilion i realized that everyone was watching me.

I shrugged off the feeling of embarrassment and kept running however. The second I arrived at the infirmary I slammed open the door and walked in.

It took me a second to realize but the entire place was empty besides me... and a shirtless Apollo who I had walked in on in the middle of changing.

"Hi," he smiled letting the shirt in his hands drop the floor. "is this becoming a habit of yours"

"What?" I didn't understand his comment.

"The outfit, oversized shirt and leggings interesting choice." he laughed.

He was exactly right. That was all I was wearing... A thin oversized shirt (one of Butch's that he left at camp). It was so long on me that it i could have worn it back at Lakefield Constructive Academy as a dress and no one would bat an eye. And tight leggings that cut off at my knees.

I couldn't talk, I couldn't move. All I did was look at him and pray he didn't notice how hard it was for me not to blush.

"Your cute when your nervous,"

Even though Apollo was still smiling, he wasn't flirting, not even in the slightest. I only noticed because in his right mind he would never have given me the shirt.

I approached him, "What about yourself. It can't be comfortable for you without a shirt." in fact it wasn't comfortable for me either.

He stood up and smirked, "What do I make you uncomfortable?"

There he was, my Apollo.

"Ya," I squeaked.

He seemed to cringe at the words rather than enjoy them. He looked down at his feet seemingly ashamed, "Thanks for saving me," he said earnestly but I could tell he wasn't done talking.

He sat down on his cot and looked up at me. Whatever he was thinking was killing him inside. "I... I.... I realized something," He looked up at me and I could see the pain as he spoke,

"I did to..." I muttered but he cut me off.

"Its not loving for me to stop you from joining my sister's hunt just because I want you for myself," every word sounded like someone had staved him through the heart. "There is some time left before her deadline. You have my blessing to join her." A tear streaked his face, I never knew gods could cry until now.

I could feel my breathing get heavy... had he really just said those words? Had he really let me go? It all seemed like a dream. A month ago I would have left him and joined the hunt at that second, but now.... I loved him. I wanted to be with him. I would give up hunting in a second if it meant I could be with him.

I looked at him and saw the pain in his eyes. In his mind he had just lost me for a second time. Something he once told me was the most difficult thing he was ever forced to do, and now he wasn't even forced, he was willing. He was willingly putting my desire before his own... had I ever heard of a god do that? I don't think so.

"Thank you," the words seemed to crush him like I had just affirmed that I was leaving him.

His head was in his hands and I walked over to him. "Look up," I told him and he did so. "Now stand up you idiot," I smiled.

When he did I reached my arms around his neck , "I realized something too," I kissed him gently so that he wouldn't be too off guard.

"I thought..." he looked at me skeptically.

I smiled, "I did say thank you, but I didn't accept the offer."

He smiled at me, "What does that mean exactly?" he flirted.

"It means I'm yours," I looked at him with as much longing as he did me, "Forever. I love you"

"The lead?"

I pulled out the shard from a small pocket in the leggings, "No longer in my heart."

"Finally," he murmured before kissing me. We both loved each other, we both wanted each other. The man in my arms was my love and I couldn't be happier.

The moment ended suddenly when Haidar walked into the room. When I saw who interpret us I was terrified she would be angry at me, but she only smiled, "You going to be my new mom?" she asked happily.

That idea kinda grossed me out, but I could tell that she didn't mean for me to take it like that. She was happy for me and more than that she was happy about the situation.

"That depends," Apollo smiled. He got down on one knee, "Will you be my wife, not just and mortal one but my wife on Olympus?"

"That depends," i smiled, "How special am I compared to your mortal lovers."

"I have loved you for thousands of years," he kissed my hand and a ring appeared on my finger. My eyes watered... the stone was lead. "No one else can compare."

"You're already assuming I am gonna say yes," I teased.

He stood up and wrapped his arms around me, "You did say you are mine forever."

"True," I smiled and pecked his cheek, extremely aware that Haidar was next to us.

"I think, i'll leave yall alone," she said and headed towards the door.

"You don't have to," Apollo smiled at her. "I've got to get to work anyway, and you girls, you have a wedding to plan."

"An olympian wedding," my stomach churned at the thought.

"I think I could convince my sister to help if you wanted?" he asked, but he already knew my answer.

"That would be amazing," I kissed him again before he left.

"Roses or tulips?" Haidar asked the second he was out the door.

"Laurels," I smiled at her.