A.N.
Hey.
Been a minute, hasn't it?
By that I mean a literal minute, or maybe not. Not really quite sure when I'm gonna throw this first chapter up, but I do know I'm writing this A.N. just around a day or so after finishing flatline.
Which, if you haven't already, read flatline. I'd appreciate it. Anyway, back to this.
Yeah.
This is it.
No, really, this is it. There's probably a lot of you who've been waiting and others who haven't, and a bunch who are going "Part two? There's a part one?" But I think a lot of you have a particular point on your minds right now.
This quick?
Yeah. This quick. For this chapter at least.
I'll be honest, I knew what the sequel was gonna be about pretty quick after finishing part one. Had the idea pop in my head and got right to work outlining.
This one's gonna be fun, guys. I think you'll really enjoy it.
That being said I will say something. First five chapters? Fluffy slow burn that sets up a bunch if shit. I take my time here to an absurd degree and I plan to do so for this story as a whole, with that applying to both the pacing of the story and my uploading schedule.
The way I wrote part one was... unsustainable, to say the least, and I plan on actually having some free time in my life this time around, so don't expect 10k word chapters every three days again. I'm gonna be closer to my flatline blues upload schedule. One chapter every week or so, give or take.
At any rate, this'll be a fun one. I'm once again doing something new here, something that (to my knowledge) hasn't really been tackled before, and I hope you all enjoy it. It's gonna be a blast to write this one.
That being said, I'm just throwing this one up super early to give you a general vibe of the story I'm telling. Don't expect chapter Two for a hot minute.
Or maybe do. Who knows? I'm full of surprises.
-Bronzeandsteel
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Godless Land: Part II
Chapter 1
Far from Hammer Falls, present day
The woods were a dark place that night. A dark and somber and moody place, with no light from the sky nor sound from the trees. Just an empty, silent, arbourous graveyard, filled with wooden tombstones that stretched far into the sky. The night was heavy, and the rain that poured from the sky only exasperated that fact.
It soaked the trees, letting water drip off the branches as it brought the dead wood to life, bringing movement to the bark and swinging the branches to and fro.
It was a dark forest, but not just because of the night, and that was only furthered when bolt of lightning cut through the sky, and showed the trees for how they really were.
Burned. All of them. Scorched with fire and still smoking, despite the downpour.
The rain soaked the wood, bringing movement to the trees, but it wasn't the only source of life in the forest.
A horse galloped, racing through the trees as its rider held its reigns tight. He was a man from his looks, but that was all that was visible. He had on a concealing outfit. A thick trench coat, black gloves, a knit toque, and a scarf covering his face. All that was visible were his eyes. His vibrant blue eyes.
He raced through the forest, not taking note of the burns that lined the trees, because why bother? He knew why they were there, and he knew what had caused them. All there was to do was get away from that now.
He grit his teeth behind his scarf and held back on his horses reigns, brining the beast to a stop as he arrived at his destination.
A church. A simple lumber structure built up in the middle of nowhere in a forest nearly burned to the ground. It looked ancient, with decrepit wooden siding, a low, drooping roof, and a steeple that looked to be made from a combination of kindling and scrap.
He tied up his steed and approached the building, wasting no time in reaching into his coat and drawing a long, two handed claymore.
The blade was lofty, but simple, with a rounded pommel and solid hilt. It wasn't brash, but it didn't need to be. A sword that big said all it needed to.
The man approached the church and gripped the handle, swinging the door open as he stepped inside. His free hand removed itself from the weapon and fished something from his coat: A flashlight.
He searched through the church, mumbling to himself as he sifted through old bibles and broken lumber.
He eventually made his way to the pulpit, a worn out old slab of lumber that sat at the front of the building. He pushed it over, sifting through the compartment on the back, before he froze.
There it was, sticking right out from the pulpit, right there in front of him. A simple parchment of paper, ancient looking, but marked in a symbol he knew well.
A symbol of a goblet.
He gently picked it up, unfolding it to confirm what he already knew, before he folded it back up and stuffed it into his pocket.
He tucked the flashlight back into his coat right along with it, getting ready to leave the church, before he heard something. Something outside, something loud, something that made him freeze in place and get down close to the ground. He wordlessly slipped the coat off his shoulders, revealing that underneath it was... well, a lot more than a claymore.
He had on a relatively simple outfit. A tight knit sweater and a pair of black cargo pants tucked into black boots. That wasn't what would draw ons eye, though. No, that was the weapons.
He was covered in them. Two knives in sheaths on his belt, a kukri tucked under his left armpit, a long dagger under his right. There was even a revolver strapped to his hip, an ancient looking Webley that he drew with his free hand and cocked back the hammer on as he stayed close to the ground and waited. In complete silence as whatever was outside lumbered around.
It was big. He already knew it would be big, but that didn't change anything about how big it was. He could feel each of its steps shake the ground as loud, guttural, scraping growls came out of it. He listened as the beast circled the church, before it settled in front of the entrance, right by where the man had entered.
There was a silence, a permeating lack of noise that settled over the land, before the man felt it.
The heat.
It was slow at first, a minor build up of warmth, before it increased. He felt his hands sweat and his breath became heavy as the air around him suddenly felt like a sauna, and then...
Light. Lots of it. Leaking through the cracks in the church's walls as the sound of blasting flame filled the air. The horse outside whinnied in fear, which wasn't all too surprising considering what the man knew it was seeing.
The sound died out, fading off into the night before the man heard another sound. The sound of wings unfolding, and flapping, before the man heard the beast outside lift up into the sky.
The flapping sound got quieter and quieter as the beast got further and further away. When it eventually faded entirely, the man rose to his feet and made for the door. He stepped out, back to the forest, and took note of what was new.
Burns. Many more of them, lining not only the trees, but the ground itself, singed into the dirt. The burns carved a path through the forest, making a clear outline into the woods, like a path of flaming destruction. Despite the rain that still poured from the sky and soaked the earth, the remnants of the flames still smoldered on the ground.
The man grimaced behind his scarf as he uncocked his revolver and tucked it back into his holster before throwing his coat back over his shoulders and sheathing his claymore.
He approached his horse, calming the animal before he remounted it. He took a last look at the church, and the surrounding area, before he reached into his coat and fished out a piece of more modern technology.
A satellite phone.
He punched in a number and held the phone up to his ear. It rang for a moment, before a voice answered into his ear, saying something before the man gave a simple few words soaked in a thick cockney accent in return.
"It's me. I found it, mate."
Hammer Falls, One week later
A clock was ticking.
The sound was simple. A gentle, repetitive click that was snappy and unintrusive and so very, very boring.
It was just about the only noise that rang out through Hammer Falls' police station. A clock ticking. The little gears inside it going tick tick tick over and over as the clock got closer and closer to 5 pm. It was one of those classic clocks, too. Circular, black rim, simple font numbers, and narrow hands. The thing was somehow as boring to look at as it was to listen to.
Now, Hammer Falls did not in any way have a big police station, and frankly it didn't need one either. It was a small town, no one ever argued, and the two police in town didn't even carry guns. This of course meant the refurbished double wide trailer that was the towns police station was perfectly sized for the job. It was also perfectly sized to make the ticking clock inescapable, unless you went outside.
The near blizzard that raged outside made that option laughable.
It was winter in Hammer Falls, and if anyone who'd ever been to Hammer Falls knew anything about winter in Hammer Falls they knew it pulled no punches. Snow poured from the sky, covering all the buildings in town in a thick blanket of powder. Awnings bent from the weight, cars had chains on their tires, and a rather well known green Ford ranger sat outside the police station, just about completely covered in powder.
Now, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially not for a town of Norse descendants.
Most people in town were fine with the winters that came. Hell, you could say they even enjoyed them. The soft crunch underfoot, having an excuse to bring out old knit sweaters, even the seasonal sniffles, all of it was just a reminder of their homeland.
All of that though was outside, and what was inside was a clock, a very, very boring clock that rang out ticks and tocks through the nearly empty police station.
It was the only sound that rang out through the building. Well, that and the sound of a lighter tapping against metal.
Percy was restless. Restless enough that his annoying, repetitive, loud habit has on full display as Moskstraumen rapidly and repeatedly struck against his prosthetic bronze leg.
It was a nicer prosthetic, a Leo prosthetic, with all the bells and whistles the son of Hephaestus could fit into it.
Percy tapped the bronze shin, letting out a soft clink clink clink every time it made contact. He looked... well, just about the same. Same slicked back black hair, same soft stubble and mustache, same pine tree tattoo. Only thing that was really different were his sea green eyes. They had that little spark in them again.
Thanks to her of course.
He was dressed in his regular clothes. Black uniform, leather boots, leather bomber draped over his chair, and, of course, the cowboy hat, because she would not let him get rid of it.
Not that he could complain. The look she gave him when she saw him in it made its old owner almost fade from memory.
Almost.
He was always like this, around leaving time, so naturally Freya was always annoyed around leaving time. This was confirmed when she poked her head into his office.
"Sheriff Jackson." She said, in a tone that just barely hid her frustration.
Percy stopped, looking up from his paperwork to meet the woman's vibrant blue eyes with his sea green ones.
"Yes deputy Redd?" He answered, in a tone that just barely hid his excitement.
"May I please request that you stop the bloody tapping." She said as she grit her teeth in frustration.
He let out a soft smile and placed the lighter on his desk, shifting back in his seat.
"Sorry Frey, just... antsy is all." He said, writing some final notes on his paperwork before he slid it into a file and tossed it into his complete tray. Freya sighed, walking into his office and strolling up to his desk.
"Percy." She said. His eyes snapped up to her.
"Yes?" He replied.
"How long has it been since we stopped Ragnarok?" She asked.
He furrowed his brow as he tapped his hands on his desk.
"Uh, well... a while?" He asked. She shook her head and grabbed his calendar, sliding it over on his desk. He checked the date, which read January 15th, 2023.
"It's been a year and a half almost, Percy." Freya told him. "A year and a half and you're still..." She gestured at him with her hands, "Wired."
Percy sighed, leaning back into his seat.
"Maybe you're right." He said. Freya nodded.
"I think I am." She leaned into his desk, her piercing blue eyes boring into his, "Percy?"
He looked up at her, his leg excitedly and energetically bouncing up and down as he did.
"Yes deputy?"
She let a soft breath out of her nose, "I think you need a vacation."
He rolled his lips over his teeth and glanced over at his desk, and the picture in a frame that sat on it. The picture of him and Zoe in the gondola, arms around each other. The picture she'd insisted he kept at his desk.
Can't have you forgetting about me, Jackson she'd told him. He remembered rolling his eyes at the idea he'd ever forget her.
He picked the picture up off his desk, holding it in front of him as he leaned back into his seat.
"Yknow, Frey..." She glanced up at him, observing his eyes as he cast a tender look at the photo, "I think you're right."
She was silent for a moment, a soft smile spreading over her lips, before he jumped to his feet, setting the picture on the table as he tugged his jacket over his shoulders.
"Or maybe, I'm just antsy for the same reason I'm always antsy." He said, zipping the jacket up over his uniform with smile. "Its time to go home, and home means her, and I'm always excited for her."
She sighed, "Got plans tonight, Percy?"
He shook his head, "No, don't worry. I remembered your party, Frey."
She smiled, letting her eyes flick back up to his, "You've been making quite an effort to come to them nowadays, Percy. May I ask what changed?"
Percy let a breath out of his nose, "Remember that party you had? Right before we went up the mountain?"
She shrugged, "Vaguely. Why do you ask?"
He was silent for a moment, staring at the photo on his desk again as he pulled his hat off and ran a hand through his hair.
"That night? That was the first time me and her ever kissed." He shot Freya a smile, "I like to think good things happen when I go to parties at the Redd household."
Freya sighed through her nose and put her hands on her hips, giving the sheriff a look somewhere between annoyed and unbelievably swooned.
"Don't forget, it's a potluck. So do us all a favor and don't hold back, chef." She mused.
He let a smile pull at his lips, "Not to worry. We've got a plan, me and her..." He leaned in with a sly smile, "... we're making cookies."
Freya rolled her eyes with an exhausted sigh at Percy. He was just... unbelievable. Unbelievable in how unbelievably in love he was, to the point that it just about made her sick.
Just about.
"You're a hopeless romantic, you know that Percy?" She said while forcing back a smile as she rested her hands on her hips.
He smiled, plopping the hat back down on his head.
"Only for her."
Freya smiled at the man, before it fell a bit as she took note of his hat.
"So you're... still okay with that thing? After everything?"
He nodded, his own smile falling a bit, "Yeah, she insisted I keep it." A small smile drew over his lips, "Cant say I'm 100% okay with it, but I'll admit..." He cocked his head side to side, "...it does complete the Percy look. That and Zoe loves it, so here it remains."
He turned back to Freya, who looked just about ready to puke at his sappiness and cleared his throat.
"We had Hecate go over it for any spells or tricks or general Loki-related tom-fuckery. It's clean." He ran a hand over the brim, dusting off the hat, "Well, I mean, it's not clean. But I can't exactly throw it in the wash, not without a lot of preparation, and special detergent, and-"
Freya took a step forward, placing a hand on Percy's shoulder.
"Sheriff?"
He stopped talking, snapping his jaw shut.
"Yes deputy?"
She breathed out her nose and drew her lips back into a joyless smile.
"Go home to your girlfriend. Please. Before I pull that leg off and crack you over the head with it."
He swallowed, giving Freya a nervous smile and nod, before he stepped out of his office and swung open the front door, stepping out into the cold.
Yeah, cold. That was the right word for it.
Percy shivered as the winter air bit at his skin, pulling his jacket a bit tighter against his frame. You'd think, after six and a half years of dealing with Hammer Falls' frigid, virtually arctic winters, that he'd at least be somewhat used to it, but no. All it ever did was chill him down to the bone.
And remind him of the mountain, for all the wrong reasons.
He shook the thoughts from his head, stepping out into the snow and working on fishing his keys out of his pocket. His fingers struggled with finding the pouch of cotton, and whether that was from the borderline hypothermia he was experiencing or his previously stated excitement, it wasn't making grabbing his keys any easier.
He cursed, digging g his hand into his pocket with a "c'mon you bastard..." As he pulled the key ring out and worked his car key out from the ring. He smiled at his success, before he turned to his truck and the smile dropped at the immediate failure.
His truck was covered in snow. No, not covered, covered wasn't a good enough word. It was enveloped by snow. There had to be at least a foot of the stuff piled over every last inch of his beloved vehicle. He sighed, letting a cloud of air whisp from his lips before he grumbled and began fishing through his pockets, looking for his lighter.
"Car troubles?" A female voice boomed from behind him. He smiled, turning over his shoulder to greet the speaker.
It was Skadi, and she looked... well, like she was the goddess of skiing. Mostly because she was. The giant of a woman had on the traditional Hammer Falls winter outfit, a knit sweater that just was not enough for this kind of cold. Unless you were part Norse God of course. She had on a pair of black Burton snow pant overalls and a thick brown knit toque and was, unsurprisingly, wearing a pair of cross country skiis, with a pair of massive poles in either hand.
She looked like any old cross country skiier. If cross country skiiers were 7'6" and stunningly beautiful.
The woman smiled, her lips pulling into a soft grin as she gestured up to the sky.
"Enjoying the weather?"
"Not really." He replied, "Though I'm sure you're not complaining."
She shook her head, "Nay, Perseus. When the snow falls on our town I finally have the chance to act like the goddess I am..." She lifted one of her skiis, "... and, by Thor's Hammer, do I miss wearing these."
He sighed, still digging through his pockets, "Well, at least you're enjoying yourself..." He grumbled.
She sighed at him, "Not a fan of Ullr's blessing, Percy?"
He furrowed his brow, bring a finger up to his temple and tapping it, "Ullr, Ullr..." He snapped his fingers, raising his hand towards her with a smile, "...God of snow, right?"
She nodded, a tiny, ghost of a smile on her lips, "You've been doing your research, I see."
He shrugged, "Every Friday me and Zoe go through Wikipedia together," He let his smile grow a bit, "And watch the mcu movies with Thor in them."
Skadi sighed, "Those films are ridiculous, Percy." She gave her head a shake, "The idea that an angry green giant could defeat Fenrir?"
He gave her a shrug, "Come on now, I managed, didn't I?"
She gave him a look, and glanced at his leg and suddenly he remembered that he didn't manage.
It want exactly a fun memory, but it was a memory nonetheless. The mountain, the dog, Freya, Thor.
Loki...
They all ran through his mind, a little short film playing in his head of all that had happened all those months ago. He still thought about it, just like he thought about all his adventures, but preventing Ragnarok... maybe it was just because he still lived a hop, skip and hike away from where it had happened, but he still thought about it. More than everything else.
Even if he didn't want to.
He shuffled awkwardly on his prosthetic, still digging into his pocket before he fished it out at last, a smile on his face.
His lighter.
Skadi noticed the lighter and let out a sigh.
"Percy. Please tell me you're not going to do what I think you are."
He shrugged, flicking the lighter and feeling the familiar sword extend into his grip.
"Maybe." He flicked it again and it set itself ablaze, "Or maybe my idea is another better than that."
She shook her head, "You are unbelievable."
He smiled, "I am, and I will not deny it."
He waved the sword over his truck, watching as the snow melted just about the second it got near. He floated it over the entirety of the driver's door, before gently melting the snow off the windows too, making sure not to melt any important bits.
He turned back to Skadi, who's arms were crossed as she watched him work.
"Yknow, when Astrid gave you that sword..." The goddess leaned towards Percy, "...I don't think this was the use she intended it for."
"Well, maybe not..." He replied, collapsing the sword back into a lighter and pocketing it with a grin, "...but when Leo made it a flaming sword I get the feeling this is exactly what he wanted me to use it for."
Skadi sighed, shaking her head as she did so, before she met Percy's eyes.
"Thinking of visiting the shop again? Been a few months since you and Zoe stopped by."
He shrugged, "A bit too cold for our camping trips, nowadays. Well, too cold for me at least, for her?" He let out a slight shiver, "I swear, she could wear a t shirt and be fine."
Skadi smiled a bit, "Aye? I always assumed she got her heat from you, Percy. You did buy the smallest tent available last time..." She leaned in a bit with a grin, "...and only one sleeping bag."
He blushed, deep enough that it made him clear his throat and turn towards his car, only making Skadi's grin grow.
"Yes, well, speaking of her..." He said, checking his watch, "...I'm running late, and if there's one thing Zoe doesn't like, it's Percy running late."
Skadi softly and slowly shook her head, "The two of you..." She said with a smile, "...it's like something out of some romance story."
He let out a smile all his own, "Yeah." He looked out over the town, towards the hill his cabin sat on, "The best story of my whole damn life."
They were silent for a moment, both standing frozen in their thoughts, before Percy remembered something: he was close to being literally frozen.
He cracked open his trucks door, shooting Skadi one last look.
"When it's not frigid, we'll stop by again. Or maybe even earlier, Zoe always needs arrows."
Skadi smiled, "I'll make sure they're in stock."
With that, she turned away from him, skiing off into the blizzard. He took the opportunity to finally hop into his truck, shutting the door behind him and cranking the heating up. The car warmed immediately, probably as a result of whatever engineering magic Leo had performed on the thing.
Yes he'd let him work on his truck, and no he hadn't regretted it. He shifted into drive and pulled out of town.
He'd head back home, but he needed to make a stop first.
He pulled a bit into town, driving towards the line of shops that made up the main road. He pulled to right around the centre and parked, hopping out and walking into one of the shops that lined the street.
Mr T.'s Electric Supplies.
He walked into the shop, a little bell over the door ringing as he did so. He took note of how the store was... well, fitting. It was certainly a store that belonged to the thunder God, that was for sure. There were rows of shelves, just packed and packed with merchandise. Wiring, soldering supplies, rubber grips, electricians tape. The store was packed to the brim with everything you could need to handle electricity. Well, maybe not everything, but as Percy had learned, only a select few were worthy of carrying Thor's hammer.
Percy didn't really know how to feel about being one of them.
He walked up to the main counter and rung the bell, the sound echoing through the mostly empty storefront.
There was a moment of silence, before a grumbling sound came from the back, drawing a smile to Percy's face.
"Mr T.'s Electric Supplies..." a voice called out as the man stepped into view, "How may I-"
The man stopped in his tracks when he saw Percy, a smile immediately pulling at his lips.
"Perseus Jackson..." The man said, his grin growing, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Just checking in..." Percy answered leaning into the counter, "Seeing how things are going. Y'know, general sheriff stuff."
Thor nodded, crossing his massive arms as he did so. The man looked the same, which in and of itself was unsurprising, considering he was an immortal deity. He still had his navy coveralls, still had the Mr. T patch, still had the long blonde hair and beard with the same mess of braids in both, and, with a glance at the table behind him, still had the hammer.
Despite how badly Freya wanted to keep it.
"Now when you say sheriff activities..." Thor inquired, meeting Percy's with a suppressed intensity, "... does this include looking for the old sheriff?"
Percy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Am I really so predictable?" He asked with a slight grimace.
Thor shook his head with a smile all his own, "A little. You do come in every month and it's almost never for buying wire."
Percy let out a soft chuckle, "Yeah, well... Hammer Falls is a safe town." His eyes flicked up to Thor with a certain intensity that melted the smile off his face, "... and as sheriff? I'd like to keep it that way."
Thor nodded at the man's words, tightening his arms over his chest.
"I haven't heard anything, regarding him or Baldr. I know they aren't dead, that much is certain, but, if I didn't know better Percy..." His eyes rose and met the young man's, "I'd say they aren't even in Alaska, anymore."
Percy frowned, "They didn't head south, right? I don't like the idea of either of them trying to hurt my family to get back at me."
Thor shook his head, "They're not stupid. We Asgardians may be powerful, but not enough so to take on an entire pantheon."
Percy sighed, putting his hands on his hips, "I honestly don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. At least if they went to Greek territory we'd know where they were."
Thor shrugged, "In the thousands of years I've lived, Percy, I've learned not to look gift horses in the mouth. That being said..." The God added, tapping his temple, "...I'll also sure to keep my father's advice in mind."
Percy furrowed his brow at the God, "What advice is that?"
Thor smiled, "Always keep an eye on your problems."
Percy was silent for a moment, before he dropped his head with a groan.
"How long you been saving that one for?" He asked. Thor shrugged.
"Just about two thousand years."
Percy nodded, before letting out a very fake, very forced sounding laugh, making Thor give him raised eyebrow and slight frown. Percy sighed and shrugged.
"Sorry. Figured you'd want a better reaction for a joke two thousand years in the making."
Thor let a breath out of his nose, "It's fine, Percy. What's important isn't my joke." He furrowed his brow as their eyes met again, "I'll keep my eye on it."
Percy nodded, his own brow furrowing, "Any updates on the heralds?"
Thor shook his head, "Besides our good friend Leif, who as you already know is in New York, they've all but disappeared." He let his arms un-cross and leaned into the counter, "But again. Keeping one eye open."
Percy nodded, running a hand over his stubble as he let thoughts settle in his mind. Loki was AWOL, Baldr was equally AWOL, the wolf was dead-ish (Thor was never really clear on that), and just about all of their problems were out of sight.
But that was the problem. They were out of sight, but definitely not out of mind.
Thor let out a breath as he stretched, the ligaments in his torso cracking loud through the building.
"What time is it anyways? Surely it's almost time for Mr T.'s to close up for the day."
Percy checked his watch, a silver Casio, that had been a Christmas present from Zoe, and felt his eyes widen a bit.
"5:25." He replied, "Which means I'm running late."
Thor smiled, "And we both know that's not good."
Percy nodded, "Especially with her."
He turned away, about to leave, but turned back to the Norse God.
"Want me to buy anything?" He asked, "Y'know, I come in here every month, but don't think I've ever even handed you money."
Thor chuckled to himself, "No Percy. I think you know I don't need money, my friend."
Percy sighed, "No. I suppose not."
There was a silence that passed between them, before Percy cleared his throat, not wishing to end on that awkward note.
"Talked to your daughters recently?" He asked, before his face tensed a bit, "...either of them, I mean."
Thor let his own face fall a bit, "Freya and I are on good terms. We always have been. Astrid... allows me to speak with her, and really that's more than I'll ever deserve."
The silence came back, a little heavier this time, before Percy cleared his throat with a soft smile.
"Well... at least you get to see your grandkids. Jack and Ingrid just started playing hockey at the rec centre, y'know."
Thor smiled, "Aye, I do get to spend time with those two. Which, again, is more than I deserve." He let his gaze meet Percy's, "...and I presume you're close with my grandchildren as well?"
Percy shrugged with a smile, "I love those two. Pretty sure I'm their godfather, and even if I weren't, I love them like they're my own kids."
Thor watched Percy as he spoke, observing the way his eyes lit up when he mentioned the children.
"Percy." He said, pulling him from his daze and making the son of Poseidon meet his eyes again.
"Yeah?" He replied.
Thor smiled, "Ever think about having your own children?"
A memory immediately shone in Percy's mind. A memory of a vision, up on the mountain, of a little black haired, green eyed girl playing with a hellhound puppy in his living room. A memory that he found himself having more and more as time went on.
"All the time..." He said softly before snapping his jaw shut and giving Thor an icy stare, "But don't tell Zoe. I'm already lucky enough to have her, I don't need to scare her off with baby talk, alright?"
Thor let his smile grow a bit, "Wouldn't think of it."
Percy dusted his hands off on his pants and caught sight of his watch again, checking the time again and feeling his chest tighten a bit when he remembered.
He was late. Very late.
His eyes met Thor's and a silent conversation passed between the two, with Percy immediately slipping out the door and hopping back into his truck, all while the thunder God chuckled to himself over the young man's problems.
He couldn't help the smile that formed when he thought about his fortunes, too.
The drive back home was the same as it had ever been, a few minutes over the bridge and a few more minutes up the winding road to his cabin. It was the same as it had always been for the last six or so years. Yet in the last year and a bit, he found it to be excruciatingly long.
Mainly because it ate into Zoe time.
He grimaced to himself as he gave his head a soft shake. God, was he really this much of a sap? He had really been doing some introspective thinking lately, partially because Piper had gotten him on a philosophy kick recently and partially because... well, he was the sheriff of Hammer Falls, which might just be one of the most useless jobs on the planet, and with that inescapable boredom and between the paperwork he worked through, he had plenty of time to think.
Think about himself.
He realized something about himself as he spent time thinking. He was very, extremely in love with Zoe. Like past just the hey, we should date level. No, this was more the I can't sleep properly if you're not next to me level. Was it a little unhealthy? Sure. Did he care? No. Did he want this to end? Absolutely not. Did she want it to end? He was pretty sure even suggesting that would earn him a punch in the gut.
A deserved one, too.
He couldn't help but think about these things as he pulled over to the side of the road and turned off his truck, staring as the snow continued to pour down onto the trees.
Just like it had when she'd died on Othrys all those years ago.
The memory wasn't as bad as it used to be. There was a time, early on when he'd first gotten here, that it ate away at him every time he saw her. Long before they'd ever shared their feelings it wore away at his soul, making the emotions he'd felt towards her all the more painful as he'd struggled to suppress them. The thought of the girl he loved dying, the thought of it happening again, the thought of him never getting to tell her how he felt about her...
It wasn't fun.
Then again, that was then, and this was now, and those thoughts weren't much more than an annoying reminder that if he'd stopped being such a wuss they could've been together a lot sooner. What was it she'd said in the gondola? You've been holding out on me, Jackson. She was right, he absolutely had been, and he still was to be honest.
That's why the ring he'd bought months ago was sitting in a case in his glove compartment and wasn't on her finger right now.
He groaned as he remembered it. The ring. The engagement ring. It was stupid, so very stupid, and somehow it was stupid in both ways at the same time.
On one hand, who the hell did he think he was? They'd been dating for, what, a year and some change at the most? A year and a bit after 4000 years of being a hunter and he thought he had any right to ask what might be the greatest girl on the face of the planet to marry him? What, did he think he was Apollo or something? He was overstepping, and badly too. He should be thankful for what he had, not clawing at every opportunity to get something better.
On the other hand, she had moved in after a week. Sure, they'd just saved the world, so they were both in a good mood, but one week. One month later his living room was painted a new colour. Another week and they'd finally gotten around to having a shower together like they finally admitted they both wanted. One week after that he'd gotten a second set of keys for his house so she could stop picking their lock. One week later and he'd made a second set of keys for his truck. Another month and she'd sold her cabin, completely moving into his place. Another week and the showers together became a daily thing.
So it wasn't like they were used to taking things slow to begin with.
And sure, it was early, but as far as he was concerned he had five years of being an oblivious, nervous, timid dumbass to make up for, and maybe asking her if she wanted to be Zoe Jackson might do him some favors.
There was another reason he didn't ask her. One he didn't like to think about, and never spoke about, but that was still there. Always in his mind, whether he liked it or not... but that wasn't here nor there, not right now, at least.
He reached over, cracking open the glove compartment and digging through it until he found the box. He popped it open and looked at the ring.
It was a simple thing, a band of silver with a respectably sized black gemstone right on the top. He'd remembered seeing it in the shop after work one day, his immediate thoughts being it matches her eyes. Not, is she ready to get married? Or can you even afford this right now? No, the first thing that popped into his head was it matches her eyes and I need to buy it for her.
He also remembered the jeweler giving him an obscene discount, and saying he considered it paying it forward for the leg he'd lost.
He remembered walking out of the shop, box in hand, and just staring at the ring as he stood in the rain. His immediate thoughts being a combination of this is the greatest idea you've ever had, and you are the biggest idiot who's ever lived. She'd been close by, checking out some new stock in Skadi's store, and he'd honestly considered storming in there and asking her right then and there. Then he'd stopped, and actually thought about it.
He'd pocketed the ring, put his hands on his knees, and caught himself from passing out from shock. Shock that he'd done that, shock that he'd even had it in him, and shock that now the marriage option was literally in his hands.
Now here he was, staring at it again, his eyes running paths over the simple band of silver and the black gemstone that sat embedded in the ring. He took the ring out of the box and held it in his hand, watching the way the light glinted off the band and the gem. He closed his eyes and pictured it. The two of them, up on the mountain on one of their camping trips/hiking trips/... well, if he was being honest one-sleeping-bag-activities trips (not that either ever complained). He'd lead her up to the top of a trail, tell her to close her eyes, pull out the ring, drop to one knee, and ask her to open them.
Then she'd call him and idiot and march back down the mountain.
Or there'd be tears in her eyes as she whispered out yes and let him slip the ring over her finger.
He stuck the ring back in and shut the box, groaning as he let his forehead smack into the steering wheel. Why was this so hard? No, it wasn't actually. The real question was why had he made it so hard for himself? He could've just asked her out years earlier, let them start this wonderful thing when they should've, but no. He had to be a gentleman to a fault, just like he always was, and now he was paying for it.
He could stand to pay for it, though, at least for a little while longer. All that really mattered to him was getting life as close to Forseti's vision as possible. Married, grown up, and hopefully with a reason to renovate Percy's old office. Specifically into a new bedroom.
Yeah, the vision of Mrs Jackson may not have left his head, nor would it ever, but the vision of his daughter... well, there was a reason it always played in his head, over and over just about every week, if not every day.
It's because it was something he wanted. Bad. Just as bad as he wanted to to marry Zoe. Bad enough that he'd honestly already started clearing out his home office, moving the files and files of paperwork to the station. It was always fun when Zoe would ask him why and he'd have to stop himself from saying well where's our daughter supposed to sleep?
He let out a sigh, pushing the ring back into the glove compartment and his thoughts back into his brain and starting his truck back up, continuing his drive home. He'd figure this out later, whether that meant end of the week later or next year later, he didn't know, but later.
Despite how, deep down, he knew he had it figured out now.
Percy's home was still Percy's home, but that didn't mean it wasn't different.
It was still the same quaint, low, wide, lumber cabin that he'd moved into all those years ago. It still had the wide wrap around porch, still had the double garage he never used, still had the sparse, at the moment snow covered front lawn.
And it still had the doormat, thank the gods she'd let him keep the doormat.
He parked his truck in the driveway, hopping out and taking note of the silver Honda civic that sat in the driveway.
Despite her best efforts to convince him otherwise, Percy knew his girlfriend and he knew her well, and he could tell that she wasn't a big fan of the Ford ranger. She'd driven it, and was pretty good at driving it after some practice, but Percy knew it wasn't her speed. That's why he'd gone ahead and surprised her with the car a few months earlier.
Now, on one hand, he could practically hear his wallet say ouch when he'd gotten it for her, but on the other hand... well, smiles from Zoe were always priceless.
He smiled, dusting the snow off the car before starting his short trek up to the front door. He got to the door, dusted his boots off on his doormat before he pulled out his keys. He found the door key, stuck it in the lock, and turned it.
Only to have the door fling open, showing a very angry looking girl on the other side.
He still felt his heart race every time he saw her.
Hard not to, to be fair. She looked... just stunningly beautiful. Her soft caramel skin, her perfect features, her thick hair that she'd gotten used to leaving down on her shoulders.The way those volcanic black eyes watched his every move, however stupid or clumsy they were, always made sure that when the met, it made his palms sweat. She looked like a million bucks, just like she always did, and that was only helped by the fact that she had on a pair of his sweatpants and his sweater. The grey one, of course. Her favorite. She looked... just absolutely beautiful.
She also looked pissed.
Her arms were drawn across her chest as a slight frown laid across her face. She let her eyes draw back into a soft glare as he pulled his hat off and reached in, tossing it on the hat rack by the door.
"Honey." He said, meeting her gaze, "I'm home."
Her lips twitched up, threatening a smile he knew she was trying damn hard to suppress. All that did was make him beam a smile right back at her.
"You..." She said, poking him in the chest, "Are late."
He shrugged with a smile.
"Thor and I had a talk."
Her gaze softened as her palm flattened against his chest, "What about?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, "Y'know, the usual Percy/Thor topics."
She let her brow furrow a bit, "Any updates on our two old friends?"
He shook his head, before letting a soft smile spread over his lips, "No, and right now that's not important. What's important is we need to get ready." He shot her a smirk, "Unless you plan on going to her house like that."
She let her glare return, her eyes drawing back into a steely look that made him reconsider his words.
"Percy?" She said, her tone stone cold.
"Yes." He said, in a soft tone that did not belong in the hero of Olympus and the (partial) hero of Asgard's mouth.
Her lip twitched, "Get in the house."
He swallowed, walking into the cabin and shutting the door behind him, shifting his jacket off and putting it on the hanger as he did.
"I'm sorry I was late," He said in a quiet tone, "I know you don't-"
He stopped talking when she kissed him.
It was... well, what could he say? What really was there to say except that his heart pounded and his skin burned and every ounce of him wanted to be as close to her as possible. He put his hands on her waist, drawing her close as she threw hers over his shoulders. Her hands traced their way up to his cheeks, her nails softly digging into his skin as she drew him closer, deepening the kiss. They stood there for a moment, melting into each other's grasps before Zoe broke away, taking a deep breath before she pressed her head into his chest.
"I missed you." She said, all the fury gone from her voice.
He smiled, planting a kiss on her hair.
"I had some idea." He whispered into her scalp.
"Oh, shut up you idiot." She whispered into his chest as her arms found their way around him, "Just shut up and hold me with those arms of yours."
He smiled, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, "These arms of mine?"
She looked up at him, "Yes, those arms of yours. Those arms I've been missing all day."
He'd be lying if he said her words didn't light a little firework in his heart. He did as he was told, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and taking a deep breath through his nose, enjoying that he was back around that signature Zoe smell.
He loved that Zoe smell.
They broke away and he shot her a smile before her turned to the kitchen, walking in with her close in tow. He stepped into his kitchen and took a good look at the room.
It was... chaotic.
It didn't really surprise him to be honest. Zoe was a lot of things, a lot of amazing, heart meltingly perfect things, but a cook? That she was not. There were a smattering of mixing bowls, spatulas, cookie sheets, and ingredients strewn about his counter. Most of everything was clean and it really seemed like she hadn't even started.
He shot his girlfriend a sly smirk, "Didn't feel like taking a crack at cookies?"
She lightly punched his shoulder and shot him a glare, "What did we agree on when this started, Jackson?"
He wrapped an arm around her shoulder with a smile, "To love each other unconditionally?"
She felt her face heat up at his touch and, a little subconsciously, leaned into him.
"No. Well, yes but..." She sighed, poking a finger into his chest she glared up at him, "We agreed that you'd do the cooking."
He smiled, taking his hand off her shoulder and loudly cracked his knuckled in front of him.
"I suppose so. How about you get ready, and I'll make the cookies."
She smiled at him, giving his hand a squeeze before she went off to their bedroom.
Their bedroom. Just thinking that made him smile as he got to work on the cooking.
A lot of things made him smile, things he couldn't help but think about as he got to work. Their morning routine where they'd brush their teeth together at the sink before slipping into a morning shower. The way she'd watch him intently as he cooked them breakfast, never making the slightest attempt to hide that she was staring.
Hell, even the way she'd always give his hand a tight squeeze and his cheek a kiss before she saw him off for the day. He'd always smile and kiss her forehead, then she'd glare at him and tell him you missed, and they'd share a proper kiss before he left.
Lots of things made him smile, including the fact that she'd finally found a job.
Zoe Nightshade, park ranger. A job so unbelievably fitting it was almost perfect. He could still remember the day it happened, them walking past the town hall and spotting the flyer on the job board.
He'd remembered watching her eyes light up when she read the description. Outdoors, hard work, must be okay with rain. He also remembered her pulling it off the wall and marching into the man office with him close in tow, storming into the park rangers section and slapping the paper down on the desk.
A few days later and boom, she had her coat and her belt and was up on the mountain.
The hours were nice, and the fact that she was allowed to be armed (with her bow of course) was a nice bonus. As far as she'd described it to Percy most of her job was tracking migrations and leading hikes, but still, she was out there, out in the wild with a bow in her hand.
He could tell she liked that. Well, that and keeping an eye on the mountain, just in case something Norse and terrible decided to come down.
Percy was pulled from his thoughts when the oven dinged. He smiled, hefting the two trays of uncooked chocolate chip cookies and sliding them into the oven. He shut it, set the timer, and turned around.
Only to be met immediately by Zoe, dressed in a pair of jeans and a slim black knit sweater.
He let out a little surprised shout, stepping back into the counter as she suppressed a laugh. He gave her a mock frown.
"Oh, give me a break. We don't all have hunter ears, y'know."
She smiled, pressing a bit closer to him, "Well, no, I suppose not." She laid a gentle hand on his chest and pushed up nice and close, just like she loved to do.
"Planning on going in uniform?" She asked, looking up at him while her eyes shimmered. He caught himself getting lost in them and cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Ah, well uh... no, I wasn't." He stammered out.
She smiled a bit harder, "Then maybe you should go check the bedroom. I laid a little something out for you."
He let out a nervous laugh, "Is it... decent?"
She let very suggestive smile pull at her lips. He felt her hand tighten on his shirt as she pulled him close and whispered right in his ear.
"It's decent... enough. Until tonight, that is."
He felt his body freeze up, just like it always did when she pulled the perfect words out of nowhere and whispered them into his ear. He sighed, wrapping arms around her shoulders as he pulled her close.
"Why are you so good at that?" He asked her. She let out a soft smile.
"Just comes naturally I guess..." Her eyes flicked up to his, "...but only when I'm with you."
He held her for a moment, feeling the soft drum of her heart beat against his chest before he softly slipped from her grasp and walked over to the bedroom.
"Keep an eye on the timer." He called back to her.
"I will." She replied.
He smiled as he slipped into his room, letting out a deep breath. His room was, like a lot of his house, the same but different. For one thing his old bed was gone, ditched for a proper king size which, honestly, had mostly been a waste of money. With how tightly those two pressed together every night they could've fit on his couch and had room to spare.
There were other things that were different about the room though, namely a second nightstand that sat on her side of the bed with a few trinkets on it. A lamp, the necklace he'd bought her (when she took it off for the night), her old hunters circlet, and her cellphone.
He smiled to himself at the memory of watching her learn to use it, and the myriad of curses that had poured from her mouth during that process.
He brought himself back to the present as he kicked off his boots, his pants following closely as he got to work on his shirt and took note of the outfit on the bed.
It was less an outfit, and more a pair of black jeans and a very, very familiar piece of clothing. He sighed as he picked it up off the bed and held it up in front of him.
The turtleneck. They grey, slim, slightly too tight turtleneck. The one he'd worn before they'd briefed with Artemis, right before their quest up the mountain began.
It made him smile, and he got the feeling she knew it would.
He pulled off his shirt and undershirt, letting himself enjoy the feeling of having no top on for a moment and taking another moment to wander into his bathroom and take a look at himself.
There were still scars. Lots of them. Still more than he was comfortable with and, despite all the work Apollo did with his home care apothecary blends, still more than he should've had.
He ran his thumb over one of them, the big one. The one that still ran its way up his midsection and had a matching wound on his back. That was the one he really hated.
It just... ruined things for him. He'd finally made peace with dad and had gotten comfortable with the sea again, and yet he still wasn't comfortable with the idea of being shirtless at the beach. It had been especially embarrassing when he and Zoe had made a trip to one of the lakes during a particularly warm week the last summer and he'd worn a Hawaiian shirt the whole time.
She'd finally managed to get him out of it when the sun went down and she'd whispered "Hot springs. Just the two of us" in his ear, but still. He shouldn't have been so worried about it.
He stared at his reflection and his eyes wandered over to his tattoo. It was... a complicated thing, that art. He'd gotten it years ago, back when he'd first shown up and had needed something to distract himself from himself. It wasn't too complicated, a simple smattering of pine trees that ran up his forearm, over some scars he'd gotten in the pit that he didn't want giving anyone any bad impressions.
He looked at the art, and started picturing more of it. Maybe some on his chest, over a couple marks. Maybe one on his back, right over the exit wound. Maybe he could just cover his body in the same ones Thor had and finally be rid of the insecurities.
Maybe. Or maybe he could stop being such a baby about it. Zoe didn't mind, and most days that was enough for him.
Then again, when he had his shirt off around Zoe it wasn't usually too long until the rest of his (and her) clothes followed, and it was pretty hard fo focus on anything but her when that happened.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard a throat clear from the doorway. He turned and, speak of the devil, there she was.
She had a Tupperware container filled with cookies in her hands and was making absolutely no attempt to hide how hard she was staring.
"Checking yourself out?" She asked him, her eyes tracing lines over his body.
He smiled, "Maybe I am..." He held up an arm and flexed his bicep, "...haven't been looking too bad lately, have I?"
She didn't answer. She just set the cookies down on the counter and crossed the room to him, letting her hands trace their way over his chest as she craned her neck to meet his eyes.
"You always look good, Percy." She said, her fingers softly and slowly drumming on his chest as she spoke, "... and it only gets better the less clothes you have on."
He took a shaky breath, trying to grit away the smile that was forming. He knew what she was doing, and she knew too, and despite how much he'd enjoy just giving in and letting her take the reigns, they had a dinner to get to.
"How about we go to this dinner first..." He said, slipping the shirt over his body, "Then you can see me at my absolute best."
She narrowed her eyes and poked a finger into his chest.
"I'll get you back for that, Jackson."
He just smiled at her.
"Likewise. Now let's get to the truck."
The drive to Freya's was quiet. A little too quiet.
They were running late, they both knew it and knew that the later they'd be, the more teasing they'd get from Freya, so they wasted absolutely zero time hopping in Percy's truck and peeling off towards the deputy's house. It was a drive that they made often, the two of them, whether it was for the double date dinners Freya had more and more often with the two or just to spend time with Percy's godchildren, they weren't strangers to the trip.
It was never this quiet though, and Zoe's ears couldn't help but notice.
She kept her eye on her boyfriend, watching as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and bounced his knee on the car seat and just had a general restlessness about him.
"Something on your mind?" She asked, snapping him back to reality. He took a deep breath, and shot her a side eye.
"Maybe." He replied, before a soft smile spread over his lips, "Would you believe me if I said it was you?"
She smiled and turned forward, "I can pretend... for you."
He smiled all his own, slowly drumming his fingers on the wheel, before letting it fall a little as he watched the snow come down.
"Zoe?" He asked, she turned to him.
"Percy?" She replied.
He was silent for a moment, before he let out a deep breath.
"Are you bored?"
She was silent for a moment, before she slid her hand over his knee.
"No. I hope you don't mean with you."
He shook his head with a smile, "No, I know we keep each other busy."
She smiled, "Very busy."
He nodded, before his smile fell a bit.
"No but, I mean in general. Are you bored with, just..." He waved his hand in the air, "...all of this? Just living a regular life, you and me."
She was quiet for a moment before her eyes drew back into a squint, "I hope you're not nostalgic for losing your leg, Jackson."
He shrugged, "Well, not for that, at least."
She was quiet for a moment as she sat in her seat, before she turned to him with a sigh.
"Yeah. I am. I shouldn't be, I know that, but..." She crossed her arms over her chest, "... I am."
She let a smile spread over her lips as her eyes flicked up to his face, "Being with you, though? Kinda makes up for it."
He smiled, "Kinda?"
She shrugged and smiled, "At least a little bit."
He let out a deep breath, "I think... we need to go on vacation."
She pursed her lips, holding back a smile, "Think we got time for that? We're pretty busy nowadays
He shrugged with his own smile, "I'm sure we'll keep just as busy wherever we go."
She sighed, leaning back in her seat.
"Wanna give Nico a call? See if he can shadow travel us somewhere?" She rubbed her chin, "I wonder what California's like this time of year."
Percy shook his head, "No, no shadow traveling, no magical, mythical stuff. I want it to be... I dunno, as mortal as possible. A boat ride, or a train ride..." He took a deep breath exhaling slowly, "Or, y'know, a plane ride."
She let a small smile play at her lips, "Zeus already promised not to blast you out of the sky, Percy."
"I know." He replied, "But still, the sky? Foreign territory for me."
Zoe smiled, "You're starting to sound like Thalia."
He shrugged, "Maybe I am."
They were silent for a moment before Percy spoke up again.
"Speaking of Nico, we got the pictures from his and Will's wedding last week." He nervously drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, "They uh... they look real happy in them."
Zoe nodded, "I recall him smiling a lot more than when we were on the mountain."
Percy nodded, and the silence returned. He cleared his throat, letting it fill the truck with sound.
"And uh, Jason. Jason said he's been thinking of proposing to Piper. That'll be fun, if we end up going to the wedding."
And you catch the bouquet, he added in his mind.
Zoe smiled, "You seem to have a topic on your mind Jackson."
"Who, me?" He asked, tapping a finger on his head, "This things always empty, you know that Miss Nightshade."
She nodded, her smile remaining as she stared out the windshield.
There was a moment Percy debated asking her to open the glove compartment. Where he debated telling her to pull that box out and open it up and asking her... well, if she liked it. Not if she wanted to marry him, or if she'd make him the happiest man on the planet or something. No, the first thing he'd probably say is It matches your eyes, right?
Then she'd tell him to pull over so she could suck the air out of his lungs, then tear his clothes off, then probably miss Freya's party, and work the next day, and dinner the next night.
Or she'd make him pull over so she could call the hunters up and tell them to take her away from her idiot of a boyfriend who thought he deserved to marry her.
He held back the urge to smack his head on the steering wheel again as he pulled up to their destination. The Redd house, which after a long day of work on one leg by the sheriff and Erik was painted proper, dark red now.
Percy let out a breath as he arrived at the home and parked in the driveway, taking note of the dozens of cars parked on the street and in the driveway. This was a big party, one that probably most of the town was invited to. A bit of a double edged sword for Percy (and no, he wasn't talking about Moskstraumen... probably), because that meant there were people there.
Possibly people he wanted to see, possibly people he didn't. He listened as Zoe sighed and turned to his girlfriend with a smile on his face.
"I know." He said. She scowled.
"I swear, Percy. If a single girl hits on you..."
He took a deep breath and whispered, "Maybe we should just go home."
She whipped her head to face him, a smile pulling over it.
"Can we? Please? We'll just plan a dinner with Freya some other time."
He shook his head and she sighed.
"No, we promised. Plus we owe it to them, remember?" He reached over and held her hand, "First kiss happened right on that porch." She blushed the second his hand touched hers.
"We were still inside, if I remember correctly." She mumbled back, a smile on her face yet again.
They were silent for a moment, both entangled in the memories of their past. Good memories, memories they both shared and both loved.
Percy let a deep breath out through his nose as he leaned back in his seat.
"Would you feel better if we made out before we went in."
He barely got the words out before she took of her seatbelt and leapt into his lap, a smile on her face as her hands wrapped behind his head.
"Thought you'd never ask, dumbass."
He smiled, tilting his hat back and leaning in to give her a kiss. She did the same and their lips almost met. Almost.
Until three loud knocks rang out on the window.
Percy and Zoe both turned to the window, and both paled when they saw who it was. Percy sighed, pressing his finger down on the window button and lowering pane of glass. He leaned on the door, Zoe still in his lap, and gave as courteous a smile as he could to the woman standing outside the door.
The silver eyed, auburn haired, silver parka and black poncho wearing woman. The woman who was flanked by a group of young girls dressed the same as her. The woman who, despite at least a year and a half to get used to this, still could not wrap her head around how the Zoe she used to know was now the Zoe she was. Not that she could complain when she saw the smile that her old friend always had.
Percy cleared his throat, tilting his hat back a bit as he widened his smile a bit, trying his best to melt the glare that the goddess was shooting at him.
"Howdy Artemis."