Title: Grape Seeds
Rating: T
Genres: Supernatural, Romance, Angst
Summary: He blinked slowly as the blood dripped from her severed neck: but in another world, this was not to be.
Author's Notes: Alternate Universe. This story will alternate between first and third person and is and set before Ganymede's capture. Enjoy!

—

—

[Prologue]

"Iris. You really are...quite interesting." I said, smirking as she stopped her silly prancing at last.

The girl turned to look at me, a soft blush rising upon her pretty features. Her mortal face could never match up to Artemis, of course, but I could readily admit that she was attractive enough in her own respects.

"I have taken quite a liking to you." I continued. "Much more so than before..."

Her mouth formed into a surprised little 'o,' a reflection of youth so innocent I felt this sudden need to protect her. To protect it. From whom?

From Zeus.

From Hades.

From Poseidon.

From everyone.

But, what am I thinking? There's no way that any of those three would even think of taking her away from me, right? She is mine, after all. A sacrifice sent specifically to please me. Granted, I highly doubt they'd even want her since Poseidon is too into himself and Hades is practically asexual and Zeus—

—no. Zeus would take her. Zeus wouldn't care. Him and Hades are stronger than me, but Zeus is "king," if I had to categorize. The earth may revolve around the sun, but in the end the sun still resides in the sky...

...I could never escape him even if I tried.

"Lord Apollo?"

Once again Iris interrupts me from my musings. Her voice is so annoying. Maybe not as much as it once was—I've grown to bear it, after all—but annoying nonetheless. She sounds like a twittering little bird that won't shut up: melodious at times, I'd admit, but in essence out of place and unneeded...

"Yes?" I asked irritably, chin resting lazily on the palm of my hand.

She stuttered.

"A-ah. I was just wondering...will you be here tomorrow?

"Aren't I here everyday?" I drawled.

Her face broke out into a huge, sparkling smile. Impressive. Humans usually had such ugly teeth, but Iris's was straight and white...

"The farmers say that the drought has gone. And it's all thanks to you." she said warmly, as if it really were my doing.

"Really?" I asked, just to humor her.

"Yes!" she beamed. "There is an abundant harvest now! So if you come back tomorrow—"

"—you already know I'm coming back, Iris."

"Oh!"

I smirked. Could the girl get any redder? She looked so silly. Her cheeks were about the color of my hair now.

"Of course, Lord Apollo. When...when you come back tomorrow, I'll bring lots of grapes and apples back from the marketplace! Just for you."

"Or we can share." I said, trying to best to look disinterested. "I can't have myself getting as fat as you."

I hoped that Iris knew I was only joking. Kind of. She was a little chubby compared to my dear sister Artemis—baby fat, perhaps?—but in human standards she was boorishly average.

Thankfully, the girl didn't even seem to notice. Not that she usually did.

"I'd love that!" she chirped. "We can eat it at the shore together!"

"Don't get carried away." I murmured, but in my heart I knew that I'd love it too.

—

—

A/N: Please, tell me what you think of it so far! :)