(This Way)

Ares POV

I may or may not feel guilty.

I walk into Apollo's room, ready to explain.

"Apollo." I say, biting my lip.

"You want to explain the exact reason why you're leaving." Apollo sighs, turning to face me.

"Yeah."

"I already know most..." Apollo breathes. "Explain?"

"Never tell Zeus I said this. But... I like Korri, but I shouldn't like her the way I do. And I really don't want my best friend to die."

"Well, that's obvious." Apollo says, raising his eyebrows. "But..."

"But what?"

I've already confessed.

"I'm wondering, am I interpreting it how it actually is, or am I not?"

"Um...?"

"I mean, do you love her like her?"

"Ewwwww," I cringe.

"YOU DO!"

I'm not objecting.

"I have a crush on her." I mumble. "There is a difference. Plus, she's my best friend."

A huge smirk goes from ear to ear on Apollo's face. "That explains it." he frowns. "But I never would've thought you'd like a Sol reincarnation."

"HEY!" I snap. "I said it was a theory." I bite my lip so hard I taste blood. "Plus, she's not really Sol, just a reincarnation of her."

He raises his eyebrows. "Alright, however you wish to put it. Though, that also reminds me..."

"Reminds you of what?"

"Nothing." he says, his cocky grin returning.

"Just never tell anyone about this interaction."

"Mmm 'kay." He sighs. "So long as you don't kill yourself, or- well, it won't matter either way."

"Uh, thanks?" I say, as I run back down the stairs.

I go to my room and throw five things in my bag.

I'm not super worried about what would happen if Korri woke up.

Mainly because I'm the one who usually wakes her up- granted, I only partially did it, and only once did I actually try. Whether it's by vision or telepathy, she wakes up by those.

I finish sorting and re-sorting the contents of my bag, and go into Korri's room one last time.

I want to see her face one last time in case I die-

I shouldn't be thinking this way. This isn't a way for a twelve year old to think.

I look at her.

She is smiling.

I wonder if I'll ever see her again.

I slide a note into her closed palm, just in case she does.

"I'm not sorry." I say, as I leave the room, and go to Niflheim.