(A/N Hi all... I'm so sorry to have left you on that cliff hanger and then not post for so long... I have a feeling you may still be mad at me after this chapter...

Work has been kicking my ass as of recently and I really wanted to complete this piece before posting the rest [because the end is in sight!] but I just haven't had any chances to sit down and get it out. That being said, here is one update that's major purpose is to let you know I'm not sure when I'm gonna be able to update again... I'll try to be better, but it's all subject to irl responsibilities.

Well, sob story over. I hope you enjoy the chapter!)

Percy

"Uh… What are you doing here?"

He couldn't help but heave a sigh at her question even with his eyes trained on the ceiling.

"'Why, hello there!' 'It's so good to see you.' 'I hope I'm not intruding.' Any of these pleasantries ring any bells, oh sister mine?" Apollo cut in in an ever so slightly annoyed voice.

"Right. Hi," she fidgeted in his peripheral.

"How are you, Artemis?" Percy forced himself to prop himself up and ask.

"Me? I'm fine." Both Percy and Apollo scowled at her nervous lie, but she cleared her throat and faced Apollo. "I was just hoping… Really, I don't even know. I just needed my brother for a bit."

"Really?" Apollo asked brightly. "Am I becoming sage? First Percy seeks me out for advice on dealing with rejection and now my baby sister needs me too?!"

The words leapt from Apollo without a care and Percy felt hot enough to combust. Really, in his godly state he might just do that.

"Apollo! Really?!" He wasn't sure if it was horror or ire shown on his face as he stared down the other god.

Apollo just blinked at him slightly confused for a second before Artemis let out a tiny chuckle.

"Truth and prophecy, Percy. Did you really expect him to keep a secret?"

With a sigh and a grumble, Percy flopped down a second time and summoned his suffocating pillow again.

.

Artemis

Watching Percy's antics made her feel warm again. She'd missed her friend. But knowing now that he'd been missing because of a broken heart made her…uncomfortable.

Not angry, though she was sure she'd have a list of discomforts to disclose on any who would dare hurt him. Her annoyance was entirely replaced by…was this guilt? For being so upset with him when he had a real reason to tend to himself? No, guilt tended to feel like bile boiling in her stomach, this was more of a…hollowness?

Shock. Surely that was it. Artemis was simply shocked that Percy had found someone to offer his heart to.

Heat ran up her neck as she realized what that meant. Percy had found someone to give his heart to for eternity. He was loyal and would never make such a decision lightly. Yet, he'd found someone he could spend the rest of time joking with, and laughing with, and fighting with, and supporting.

The hollowness, the shock, turned icy. But only for a moment, because he was here seeking advice on rejection.

Relief. Relief melted the ice that encased her being and why was she relieved. She should be devastated on her friend's behalf.

Recollecting herself, and looking between her brother and her friend still under the pillow, she cleared her throat.

"Can I ask what happened?"

A groan came from the couch and she felt her smile broaden as she remembered Thalia trying to coax her out from under a similar pillow.

"He was about to tell me, when you barged in," Apollo said pointedly before shifting his posture and leaning towards her. "But what did you need me for, Baby Sister?"

"Yeah," Percy piped up, pulling the pillow down. "You seemed awfully flustered when you got here. What's going on with you?"

Curse his redirection! She could feel the ichor racing to her face again and could only hope that she didn't match the near solid gold glow Percy had adorned a few moments ago.

She caught herself twirling her ring again, like she did often when she was stressed. For a fleeting moment she had the desire to throw it across the room, deny everything, and run. But that would just be silly. She had nothing to be embarrassed about.

"I've declared a quest," she said evenly.

Apollo's face grew drawn, no doubt seeking a prophecy. Percy just raised a brow at her and rolled his hand for her to continue.

"Ugh! Well, I- I mean we're going to- That is, it's time-" She stumbled through the beginnings of an explanation a few times, only succeeding in piquing the gods' full attention. "I never told Apollo about my ring!" she finally blurted out loudly.

Percy looked shocked, and Apollo just looked confused.

"Your ring?" her brother asked slowly.

With an exasperated grunt, she pushed Percy to one side of the couch so she could collapse dramatically. Groaning and stealing the pillow straight from her friend's hands, she pulled her knees up to hug the pillow and wrapped her arms around her legs. Slowly, determinedly, she recounted Aphrodite's 'gift' to her some 40 years ago. Had it really been so long?

"Aphrodite promised my choice would not make him suffer," she recalled fondly, nearing the end of the short tale. "I can only imagine what kind of love he's found. I want to be happy for him and give him a small blessing or boon." She couldn't explain how her ring felt so heavy. How something so close to curiosity burned in her. How she felt pulled taut, as if she were the string itself and was actually a trembling cord rather than a winding yarn.

Shrugging, she examined the ring on her hand, as she rested her hands on her knees at her chin. She could feel their eyes burning on her, but for whatever reason she could not dare look at either.

.

Percy.

He couldn't help but gape at her as the wheels of his mind turned and the webs of his memory spun into place.

Aphrodite promised my choice would not make him suffer.

Those were Artemis' words. But that was not Aphrodite's intent. He could see it, feel it, the fractured oath from Aphrodite. He'd left it unaddressed as of yet both because she could still follow through, and because she and Artemis had meant different things. No names were attached. Only a vague 'him.' Percy hadn't a clue who it was, only that 'he' was still around. Some time ago, he'd wondered about this oath, why Artemis was concerned about a man she'd never met.

But now…

He had just spent the evening congratulating his best friend on her engagement and he walked into his home to find a goddess draped across his couch.

The memories from before he died weren't as sharp as his godly ones were, but he recalled the encounter clearly.

"How many times have I tried? And you! You just…refuse! I'm just trying to keep a promise. I understand platonic love, it's still love of course. But I wanted you to find what you were destined for."

Percy scrambled off the couch as if it were on fire. Both twins' eyes followed him in confusion.

"Perseus, are you alright?" Artemis asked.

He gave a sharp nod, before stammering out, "Her- her vow," in a strangled voice.

Artemis stood to take a step towards him and he instinctively took a step back, shooting a panicked glance at Apollo.

This was wrong. He had to be wrong. Gods, what if he wasn't wrong?!

.

Apollo

Today was a bit of a mystery. First, he was honored and giddy, because Percy came to him for comfort and advice. That in of itself should mark the day golden. Nevermind the fact that Percy was nursing a broken heart and Apollo wanted to fix that personally. Percy had even been about to reveal the identity of the damsel when his sister had shown up, also seeking his comfort as she pushed the boundaries of her eternal comfort.

But now, he had to contend with Artemis having a soulmate and Percy, the bravest soul he knew, being panicky and leaving with barely a word about some vow.

If only he could turn back time and divide to seek out Artemis instead of her coming to him. Then, whatever Percy had been about to disclose about the mystery woman would be known instead of him exclaiming about Artemis coming…

His sister turned to question him about Percy's behavior as he ran through that memory again.

Percy hadn't been about to tell him the woman's name, of that he was certain, but when he'd said Artemis' name something was off. No, something was right. It was truthful.

"Ugh," sighing in disgust he sank to the ottoman that sat across from the couch and glared at his sister.

"What?" she asked sharply, still trying to recover from Percy's unexpected fleeing.

He'd been doing so well, with Percy. He was confident he'd be able to ease Percy through whatever heartache he was feeling and then maybe in a century or so he'd work up the courage necessary to-

No. He couldn't do that now. Not when his brat little sister was the one who'd inadvertently broken Percy's heart. She didn't even know because he respected her too much to impose on her! And she was flaunting her soulmate in his face.

Running a hand down his face, he tuned out Artemis' questioning and admonished himself for his brief anger towards her. She couldn't have known either his own feelings or Percy's or how she had crushed them both.

With a long breath, he wondered what truth he could offer his sister while keeping his dignity and Percy's trust intact.