Hyacinthus died tragically. Apollo mourned with deep sorrow, and to remember his cherished loved one, he grew a hyacinth in his lovers place. The hyacinth is reminder that your loved ones would want you to be happy, when they themselves cannot make you.
Make you? His loved ones did not crudely make him happy, they were happiness to Apollo. All his positive emotions were drawn from his loved ones, his loved one.
They moulded that thing called love, gave it in a way that Apollo could consume. They taught him. Hyacinthus, his star, his world, his salvation, taught him that.
You had to cherish what you have. Yes, this was Hyacinthus' love. Constantly giving, feeding, laughing while his body was torn apart by 'love'. In a way, it made Apollo love Hyacinthus more.
Hyacinthus was pure, and deserved to be treasured. The problem was that Hyacinthus was a slave, while Apollo was the kingdoms prince. And both were men.
Apollo picked up the book again.
The story prattles on and on about the flower, the ways people grew it, and slowly, Hyacinth and Apollo were words forgotten.
Fuck.
The man reading, though not anymore, contorts his features. The man whose name was Apollo, who lived in Greece, who loved someone called Hyacinthus.
The man who had feminine features, a fiery personality, and a lot of attitude.
Immediately, Apollo went to uncle. To kill a man named Zephyrus. Apparently, (in the version he read), Zephyrus loved Hyacinthus.
Apollo was showing off that day to Hyacinthus with his discus talent, and Zephyrus, who was a stupid shit decided to kill Hyacinthus.
Because Zephyrus himself was incompetent. How could someone not make the loveliest man love him?
That in itself- Zephyrus was incompetent.
Apollo runs down the halls of the palace. His robe gets caught- "Hyacinthus!"
"A-Apollo?" A beautiful smile adorns Hyacinthus' face. Hyacinthus' smooth tanned skin stretches into a smile reserved for Apollo. Ethereal.
That only solidified his resolve.
Apollo grabs Hyacinthus' arm, and together, they run along the corridors. A faint whiff of blood catches Apollo's nose, and he turns left. Uncle!
"Uncle. Pardon me for intruding, but I have something I would kill for." Apollo blurts.
His uncle, Zeus, a philanderous man who couldn't keep it in his pants. It was amazing he even remembered Apollo. Zeus was also the only man who had the power to kill Zephyrus.
However, this time, blood was seen. Apollo knew well enough that it was not Zeus'.
"Speak, insolent child. Don't waste my time further." And uncle has the audacity to pinch his forehead.
"I want Zephyrus to die."
"..."
"I want Zephyrus to die." Apollo repeats louder, in case his father didn't hear. He knew Zeus heard the first time though.
"Is this because of Hyacinthus?"
The man next to Apollo flinches.
"Hah! Of course." Zeus' voice booms. "Have a child called Apollo, have a slave called Hyacinthus come, and who would expect what happens next?!"
"..."
"I adore you, my son, for all your talents. However. You deserved to be punished." Zeus frowns. "You are asking to kill your cousin. For a slave."
Zeus waves his hand. "Dismissed."
"Wait! What if I.... change my name!"
"Changing names do not deter fate. Most tragedies occur because we try to deter it."
"I will not be entering the archery competition."
"..."
"Call me Lumi, short for Luminary."
Apollo, no, Lumi, grabs Hyacinthus and runs. This was his backup plan.
In the background, he can hear Zeus laugh. "Feminine features and a woman's name. Now a slave husband. How low can you go?"
Anything for Hyacinthus.
Perhaps even killing someone.