Chapter Text
The last thing Apollo expected when he arrived at the family meeting was books.
Five books, to be specific, laid on top of one another, beside Aunt Hestia's hearth.
Apollo furrowed his brows, hopping into his throne with a confused glance at his siblings. They had all gotten here earlier than him, they must know what was going on.
Nothing, simply silence.
Apollo hated having to speak up, especially with the room this quiet, but he was too curious to stay silent.
"Um, Father, may I ask what the books are for?"
His voice rang quietly off the walls of Olympus. His tone was more soft these days, choosing to lower it so the little ones at camp don't get too scared.
Zeus turned to him with a casual smile that did not suit him.
"Ah, don't worry, Apollo, we will explain everything once the other guests have arrived."
Other guests?
Apollo thought, looking around at every throne.
They were all filled, even Hephaestus had shown up, tinkering with an object Apollo thought Leo would be excited for.
Though he did notice that Hera's throne was closer to Zeus's, instead of leaning more towards Aunt Demeter's, and Aunt Demeter herself seemed a bit more chipper.
It wasn't long before the doors of the throne room were open, and the king and queen of the underworld stepped in.
Apollo tried his hardest not to gape, knowing that those two being here was a very, very special occasion.
What in the underworld was in these books?
They were silent, simply bowing reluctantly to Zeus, and taking the thrones now shimmering to life beside Hera and Demeter.
Persephone sat next to her mother, while Hades sat next to Hera, giving her a quick nod as a hello.
It might have been Apollo's imagination, but he saw a tiny smile on his step-mother's face.
It quickly melted once Zeus started speaking again.
Real.
Apollo thought, glancing away from the royals of Olympus before they could start staring at him.
"Now that everyone is here, I will explain the details of our gathering. The Fates have brought these books to us."
Apollo blinked, wondering if he actually heard that correctly.
Dionysus seemed in the same boat as him, snorting with a diet coke hovering over his lips.
Zeus ignored the wide eyed looks, continuing his speech.
"And, they have asked for us to read these books, stating they are here for information."
Information about what, exactly?
Apollo thought.
"Information about what, father?"
Artemis asked aloud, tilting her head slightly. Despite being a god, she still looked tiny in that throne of hers, it made Apollo smile, if only for a second.
"They did not tell us, only demanding that we read, and do not judge the one we read about."
Hera was the one to chime in this time, staring straight at Artemis, unlike their father, who took pride in thinking they weren't worth his gaze.
Artemis nodded, turning to Apollo with a worried press of her lips. Apollo only flashed her a grin, leading to a furrow of her brows.
She was worried for him. He hated it.
Don't. Don't worry about me. I'm not worth it.
He thought, though didn't dare channel it to his twin, he knew that would get him thrown straight into her arms.
"Now that that's been introduced, let us begin the reading, who would like to start?"
Silence across the court room, for once.
Eventually, Athena raised her hand.
"I will, father."
Zeus nodded, as Aunt Hestia appeared through the flames, stepping out of the hearth as if she had just casually rolled out of bed.
She picked up one of the books, handing it gently to her niece, who had joined her near the hearth.
Hestia gave a warm smile, Athena returned it, for just a second.
Once everyone had gotten settled in, Athena began.
"Perseus- excuse me, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The lightning thief."
Groans echoed throughout the corridors.
"Oh, great, we have to read about this brat!"
Ares grumbled, running a hand over his face dramatically.
Zeus looked surprised, and slightly annoyed, but Poseidon had the largest reaction out of all.
His eyes were wide, his grip on the trident next to him could bend steel.
"Hm, so it seems the Fates want our reaction to Percy's version of events."
Persephone murmured, a hand up to her mouth in slight shock. Demeter smiled warmly at her daughter.
Apollo was tense, his hands gripping his arm rests tightly.
Oh, us, no. Please, this kid has been through enough!
He thought, resisting the urge to slam his head into his throne.
"Well, get on with it! I don't want to be here all day because of this sea urchin."
Ares growled, making a shooing motion with his hands.
Apollo breathed, in and out, trying his best to calm himself. At least on the outside.
He hated this, he hated having his friend's thoughts read aloud. But this was the Fates orders.
And he knows better than to attempt fate.
The breathing technique apparently worked, no one commented on it.
It seemed like Uncle P had the same idea, as his face melted into a hardened glare, at either the books or Athena. Or both.
Athena cleared her throat, making sure no one would interrupt her before she continued.
"Chapter one, I accidently vaporized my pre-algebra teacher. . ."