“Thank you.I don’t know what we’ve done to deserve you guys helping us.”
“Don’t give it a second thought.We’re good.”
Thanks.Here’s your bill,” Mary said as she handed him the receipt.In the past, Mary would have tried to talk him into not paying anything, seeing as how they were helping her and her dad out.Apollo had insisted on still paying, saying they had a business to run.
Apollo pulled out his wallet and handed Mary the money, along with the usual monthly tip.She was a single mother who had moved back home with her father after her boyfriend left.Mary could use the extra money to care for her daughter, whom Apollo had yet to meet.
“Thanks, Apollo.Have a great day.See you later.”
“Say hello to your dad for me.”
“I will.”She smiled and quickly made her way around her tables, refilling coffee.The young mother worked hard.
By the time he walked back out front of the restaurant, Hendrix and Griffin were parked at the curb waiting for him.The truck was loaded with boxes and bags covering their usual supplies and the new fixings for the barbecue they’d decided to hold, and Apollo found himself almost looking forward to something for once.It had been a long time since they’d let themselves relax and enjoy all their hard work.
Why had it taken so long?
Apollo’s thoughts drifted to their visitor back at the compound.He still didn’t understand what it was specifically that made him feel calmer and more relaxed around the man, but he’d honestly rolled with it and enjoyed the feeling for as long as he was lucky enough to have it.
He’d already received a text from his sister letting him know that Rocko was up and around, appearing to be completely healed.Apollo spoke with Renee before leaving the compound, confirming that she’d ended Rocko’s treatments and that he was indeed back to one hundred percent.For days, Apollo refused to leave Rocko’s side in case his condition deteriorated; after all, he was Apollo’s responsibility.Now that he was healed, Apollo wasn’t sure what reason he’d use to remain near the man, especially since revealing the effect he and Rocko had on each other.Hell, he’d look like a clingy asshole at best and a creepy bastard at worst.
It didn’t take long for them to arrive home, even though they drove in a different direction every time to confuse anyone lying in wait for them and make their location more obvious if someone followed them.Even doubling back on occasion, to be sure.
When they pulled in, Apollo couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the compound teeming with life.Their new barn was full of animals, and his team was working around the yard as the sun shone and trees swayed in the wind.Everything he’d worked for was finally taking shape.Once they were completely sustainable and secure, they’d begin their mission to help as many survivors as possible find safety and peace somewhere in this screwed-up world.
As Hendrix pulled the truck to a stop, Griffin began laughing.
“What?”Apollo asked.Laughter from his second-in-command wasn’t a regular occurrence.Though it’d happened twice now in as many days.
“Look,” Griffin said.
Apollo followed Griffin’s line of sight to see Rocko and Ellen trudging out of the bush, covered in leaves and dripping with mud, carrying chickens under each arm.However, it wasn’t their state that caught Apollo’s attention; it was the huge smiles on both of their faces.They looked victorious and were laughing with unbidden happiness, and as he watched, their joy spread to the others as they neared the barn.
Renee, Blade, Jagger, Ace, and Damon were all laughing along with them, and if he wasn’t mistaken, Xavier smiled only briefly, but it was a smile.Shit.Miracles never ceased around that man.
Apollo opened the passenger door and stepped out to the sound of their laughter floating through the clearing, and to him, the sun shone even brighter.
“The man’s contagious,” Hendrix said as he walked by, carrying a box of supplies.“Too bad he’s not sticking around.”
“Don’t get any ideas, lover boy,” Griffin chuckled.“The boss has dibs on the detective.”
The funny thing was that Apollo didn’t feel the need to argue the fact.Rocko grinned at him from beneath a muddy face.“Rocko, one; chickens, zero,” he proclaimed in satisfaction.“Now all I need is a shower.And a change of clothes.And then later tonight – a good night’s sleep.”
Apollo stood.He had to think fast.“You sure you’re recovered enough?You can have my bed for another night to make sure.”
“Thanks, but I’m all good.Not a pain or ache to be found.Renee did an amazing job patching me back up.I owe her.”
“Thank you.”Renee smiled as she lifted her coffee mug in salute.“But let’s remember you’re the one who saved me first.”
“Semantics,” Rocko chuckled.“I saved you; you saved me.We’re even.”
“I’ll walk you to your trailer,” Apollo announced, and no one argued, even though he caught a few sly grins going around, but he didn’t give a shit.Their lives were short and full of dangers, so why the hell not pursue what he wanted?
Over the years, avoiding attachments had become an art.Who the hell in their right mind would want to bring another person into Apollo’s nightmare?Not him.Any interaction was merely to scratch a particular itch when the need arose.It was dangerous leaving yourself open to romantic complications— a lesson he’d learned the hard way.
Dark chocolate eyes still haunted Apollo’s dreams decades later.He’d been stupid, young and stupid.A deadly combination.The minute Apollo saw Joseph, hormones took over, stripping him of what little logic his teenage mind had.Joseph had been a worker at his facility.Cleaning the floors and delivering meals.Not a guard but a mutant like him, one deemed not dangerous for the general population of scientists.Instead of being locked away, Joseph was forced to do menial work around the facility.
It began simply, a word or a stolen glance.Apollo found himself anxiously waiting for his food to be slid through the slot on his locked door or, when he’d hear the familiar squeak of the mop bucket making its way down the hallway, to catch a glimpse through that small slot.The times Joseph would smile made the days of pain slip away for even a little while.He’d been infatuated, and his young, horror-ridden mind latched on to the one bright light in his sea of darkness.
