Listen, if you told Percy two weeks ago that he'd be left to babysit two gods he'd have walked away. Really he didn't see the harm in inviting Apollo to the beach. Percy already explained that his friends we're mortals, they couldn't even see through the mist. It really shouldn't have been an issue cause Apollo swore up and down he'd be on his best behavior. The whole walk there the Ex Sun God did just that. He was on his best behavior until he saw his, "Little Sis." Then it all went to shit.
"I am not your little sister Apollo! I helped Mom give birth to you!" Artemis yelled out as she shoved Apollo off her. Somehow the blond had managed to hang on for dear life to her knees. His tears were so large Percy was sure his Dad would be getting a few inches added to the ocean. "Arty! Oh Artemis! I thought Dad was gonna keep us from each other forever!" Of course, Artemis wouldn't just lay down and let a male touch her so she did the next best thing.
She kicked him in the balls and watched him fall over dramatically. Percy blanched and made a quick sign with his fingers, warding off all evils. Of course Artemis seen his gesture and came after him shouting about, "Do you need some too Percy? Huh? I'll have you in the dirt quicker then I did Apollo." Just his luck his mortal friends heard what was going on. "Percy? Are you alright? Do we need to call the cops?" Selena shouted out to him, worry evident in her tone. "No! No, I'm okay. I know them don't worry." Needless to say his friends were not convinced that what had just happened was nothing. Jace, Selena, Eren, Nicki and Nicholas had ran over after hearing the commotion. Did Percy feel bad that they were now in the angry Moon Goddesses war path? Maybe just a little.
Coughing awkwardly Percy mumbled to Artemis, "Please don't kill my friends Mi'lady. They wouldn't hurt a fly." Apollo was still crumpled on the ground moaning in pain while clutching his manhood. Percy could only sympathize with him. He'd garnered enough respect from the goddess so that he himself remained intact. You'd think after all those years of being around her he would learn to avoid these things. Apollo really, really lacked common sense apparently. Artemis just sent him and icy glare before kicking Apollo's shin for good measure.
Slightly amused with the antics going on, he hauled Apollo to his feet for the second time that day. "Thanks Perce, at least you love me." So now Percy was stuck with another problem. How does he explain his relation with these violent people to his friends. Percy always spoke out against violence and well, Artemis made it really hard to believe she didn't just assault her brother. With a wary glance at the auburn haired woman Jace said, "Hey man are you sure you're okay? She just beat the crap outta that guy for hugging her." A chorus of yeah's went through the group. Man this was really going to suck. Even though she was a mortal now Percy did not doubt her abilities. She wasn't one of the strongest Olympians for nothing. "Listen! I promise all is well. I know them because I grew up with them." While that technically wasn't a lie it also wasn't the full truth. Percy had grown up with his Mother telling him all sorts of stories about the gods.
Artemis gave him a curious glance but otherwise didn't say anything. Apollo nodded his head enthusiastically. "Yeah man! Perce and I go way back! He's my favorite co-" Percy slapped a hand over Apollo's mouth anxiously. He really didn't need it to get out that they were family. That would cause a lot more issues then necessary if he was forced to describe how they were related. Number one rule in the Greek World? Don't ask about relations. Eren gave him a weird look before saying, "Percy are you sure you're alright you seem nervous."
Letting out an exaggerated sigh he nodded. "Yeah Eren, I'm fine. I swear! I'm stressing over school." Pointing to Apollo and Artemis, Percy made quick work of introducing them. "This is Artemis and her baby brother, Apollo." Apollo let out a cry and clutched his chest, "Percy! I thought I was your favorite? How can you do me like this?" Noticing the look on Artemis's face, Percy was quick to cut in. "You are! I promise man just we've been going over this since we were little. Artemis was born first." Percy really wouldn't know how to cover for the fact that Artemis was going to say she helped Leto give birth to Apollo. Seemingly satisfied with his answers, the group was quick to invite the trio over. "Cmon then! It's beach time!"
Relief flooded through him as he ran off after his friends. He pointedly ignored the yelp that Apollo gave when Artemis punched his shoulder. Amusement lit up Eren's face as she watched the twins. "They're related to each other, aren't they?" Percy snorted and nodded, "Yeah but you never would have guessed it if you didn't know them. I guess you could say they're like the sun and the moon." A loud laugh escaped both their throats, "Oh! I get it! Apollo is the Greek God of the Sun and Artemis, his twin sister, is the Greek God of the Moon." If only Eren realized that these two were the actual gods.
Percy scratched at the light stubble he had growing on his face. With each passing day it grew and he looked more and more like his Father. His mom, Sally, always commented on it. She was very proud of the man Percy had become. She was even prouder still when she realized Percy had actually got into college. It warmed his heart at how excited she had been. A gentle smile lit his features as he thought about how she had shouted before hugging him, jumping up and down. Annabeth had smiled at him and hugged him tightly as well. Enough. Don't think about her. Annabeth and Percy had grown apart shortly after that.
At first it was just small things, Percy wanted to go to the beach and Annabeth said she was studying and she didn't have time for it. Percy wanted to take her to the movies but her siblings wanted to hang out. Don't get him wrong, Percy was beyond happy to hear that she wanted to hangout with her siblings but after that excuse was used for then fifth time it lost all its meaning. When Annabeth would ask him to do things, it was usually stuff he didn't find joy in. He would do it without asking because he missed her but eventually he couldn't anymore. It didn't take long after that for them to start fighting about it. Once the fights started they drove away from each other more.
To Percy, Annabeth was still incredibly beautiful but he just couldn't find attraction in her anymore. He wasn't the only one though. Eventually they sat down and had a talk. Here was now, single and slightly miserable. For the last seven years of his life he did everything with Annabeth. Hell, he fell into hell for her. He was scared shitless to be honest. Was was he supposed to do now? Everything he did, she had always accompanied him. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Percy watched as his friends wrestled in the water. Had he been zoned out for that long? With a quick glance around him he noticed Artemis sat besides him. She herself was looking at the group but he figured for a different reason. Feeling slightly brave Percy dared to talk to the goddess, "How are you feeling Mi'lady?" Artemis shook her head at him, "Call me Artemis, Perseus. There's no reason for you to call me anything different. I am no different then you. Just a normal demigod." A grim smile appeared on her face as she spoke. Pity filled his gut as he looked to the woman besides him.
Artemis had just been trying to help when the other gods wouldn't. Was it really her fault that all of this happened? No, It wasn't. Neither of them should have been punished. Once again a slightly bitter feeling filled Percy's gut as he thought about Zeus. A flash of thunder warned him to watch what he said. "If I may, what exactly was your punishment?" Artemis bit her bottom lip before looking down at her feet. "I've been turned mortal, obviously, but I'm also forbidden from seeing my hunters. Father says that I'm too have no contact with any of them. If I do then I'll be punished longer. Thalia leads in my absence." Percy could see and hear the pain in her voice. He saw the glossy look in her eyes and realized with a start just how upset she really was. This really hurt her. "Ugh! Stupid mortal emotions. I can't get over the need to cry whenever I think of the hunters." Percy ran his fingers through the sand next to him. He thought about what she had just said. To be fair, Percy was never actually sure if the gods felt things differently. Of course earlier he had but when he watched Artemis and Apollo interact he didn't think so. Thinking about it though, She had never tried to attack Percy for just being a bystander.
"Sometimes, being mortal sucks. I'll admit it. Thinking about how tomorrow I might not wake up but the world will just keep moving. The world stops for nothing, Artemis." He watched Jace pick up Selene and spin her around. The smile on her face was so ecstatic that Percy felt his own face contort into its own smile. "Us mortals feel things differently. You gods have years to feel something. Mortals don't have that option. It's why we feel things so passionately. Yknow, you might not be a goddess right now but that doesn't change the fact that you love the girls in the hunt. They're you're closest friends. You really on their strength and loyalty just as much as I do to the seven." He hummed slightly, thinking of what else to say. "We don't have the time to mourn for years. It hurts for the rest of our lives, of course, but we cope and move on. That's what is happening right now. Your emotions are making you experience it passionately so that it doesn't start and issue later."
Percy turned to give Artemis a grin but found that she was already looking at him. Her face was unreadable but her eyes spoke of gratitude. Percy was happy that he could have been even slightly helpful to the prideful woman. "Cmon then, let's go join everyone in the water. It's a hot day and I'd like to cool off." Artemis gave him a scowl before grumbling out, "Why do i have to join you? I'm fine up here." With a heavy roll of his eyes Percy mused, " Because mortals are social creatures. They need each other. " She didn't get a reply because Percy had already picked her up and was currently running towards the water. Gods have mercy on his soul for the hell he had just brought out if Apollo's horrified expression was anything to go by. It wasn't like she could smite him down, right? ...Right? Maybe he had mad a mistake.
Alright! Second chapter out! I hope y'all enjoy it. Totally waiting to speak to someone about the job I'm applying for. Busted out the laptop while I'm on hold and whipped out this chapter. Feel free to comment questions are concerns regarding the story. I'm more then happy to reply.