Hey, yall who saw this! Sorry for the wait. Awry kinda put these other ones on the backburner. But I havent forgotten them! and I have a few others floating around behind the scenes too. Thanks to yall who reviewed, Im glad you like it! and M.A. - Beastmen arent exclusively H.o.A., but they are hybrid of animal and human. I hope yall enjoy, and let me know what you think!
He watched the flurries of snow drift from the cloudy sky to the dirt below, the nostalgic feeling putting a sorrowful frown on his lips. Winter, more specifically Christmas, was quickly approaching.
The holiday was his mother's favorite, while they were together. A day to be spent making caramels and cakes, with plenty of blueberries and other mixtures that dyed their desserts blue. A day to spend together, away from the man his mother had married in hopes of giving Percy a better life.
The sound of his door creaking open brought him from the bitter nostalgia, his guest peeking out into the wilderness.
A few months had passed since he had first recovered the wolf from the trap, and the added mouth did far more damage to his supplies than he expected. With luck, he could ration it well enough to last.
He watched her, one of his blankets wrapped tightly around her form, limp out until snow crunched beneath her feet. Her ears repeatedly perked and flicked back down as she glanced around. From beneath the blanket, her tail wagged with what he presumed was joy.
Her eyes landed on him seconds later, reflecting the joy he had suspected. It was rather pleasant having a companion around his home, and double that when said companion didn't snarl and hiss when he got within any distance of her. He still couldn't touch her, but slow going was still going somewhere.
His eyes flicked to the bandages tightly wrapped around her injured leg, more than a little pleased that it hadn't become infected in his care. Even without infection, however, damage was the long lasting kind. The metal teeth had bitten into the muscle and torn, crippling her for the months that followed.
A gust of wind brought the feeling of cold deep in his bones, forcing a shudder across his form. He studied his now cold cup of coffee, before setting it on the ground beside his seat. He could always stick it back on the fire.
He looked up again, to find her staring at him, her ears perked and tail whipping back and forth. He stared right back at her, even raising an eyebrow for good measure.
She cast a long glance at her surroundings, before scooting across the snowy ground and under the overhang of his home. It was only when she stood before him that she stopped, looking down at him.
"Waddya want?" He asked, even if she couldn't speak a lick of English. The sentiment didn't seem to get through either, because she just kept standing there. With one last look, he shifted slightly, leaning further into the benches arm to peek around her at the snow.
She must have stood there for no more than a minute, waiting for what he wasn't sure. Then, she fell into him, knocking a puff of air from his lungs. He tensed under her, almost certain he was about to be on the receiving end of claws and fangs.
She did nothing of the sort, happily squirming until everything but her head lay beneath the blanket. Her face tucked against his collarbone, seemingly satisfied with her spot. He stayed tense, watching her from the corner of his eye.
That certainly wasn't what he'd expected.
He didn't dare move, returning to watching the snow fall faster. The chilling wind was countered by the heat pouring off her frame and the blanket wrapped around them. Soft ears tickled his chin, brushing against the stubble.
The snow only intensified, wind growing stronger, until he was certain a blizzard was approaching. He almost didn't want to stay outside, but felt far too comfortable to move at the same time.
He was starting to lose sight to the white maelstrom when something approached his cabin. A wagon, he realized as it drew closer, with an increasingly familiar driver.
Leo Valdez carefully hopped from his perch and grabbed hold of his reins, seemingly identifying him at the same time he was identified.
"Percy Jackson! Well ain't this a stroke o' luck!" He called over the gale, pausing to tie his lead around a post before completely approaching, "how have you been, my friend?"
"Just fine, Valdez. How did you find me?" He called back, keeping a hand close to his hip.
"Luck. With this storm coming in, I was worried how the horses would do in the cold. You do not mind if I spend some time here, right?"
He felt the body in his lap tense, and twist around to get a look at Leo. She was awake then. The options weighed in his mind.
Assuming Leo hadn't seen her yet, she would remain a secret. It would be easier on his supplies, regardless of what Leo had. And considering her current reaction, would avoid risking any lives or limbs.
On the other hand, Leo had helped him in what had probably been his toughest time. The boy had provided him with traps and tools that very well could have saved his life, and at least made it easier. That was ignoring the chance whatever supplies he had could help.
"If you got some supplies, or a way to get em. I'm not sure how long mine will need to last." He called back. The man nodded heading right back to the cart, and returning with several bags piled on his shoulder.
"Not only do I got supplies, you got the best cook this side of El Paso." Whatever he meant to say next died on his lips as the girl slowly uncurled from Percy's lap, glaring at the man before she vanished inside.
"Wha-"
"She got caught in one of the traps you gave me a couple months ago," He cut off the question, "I brought her back, and she's stayed with me, at least while she recovers..."
Leo let out a low whistle, disappearing into the white for a moment, and returning with a leather bag, "You are one crazy hombre."
Percy only let out a chuckle in response, scooping his cup from the ground and leading Leo into the house.
As soon as Leo had made it into the house, the rumble of growling followed. She had taken a position on the bed, peeking from beneath the blankets. He nervously shifted at the sound, even with Percy beside him.
"It'll be fine. She was the same with me for a while," Percy assured, giving his back a thump and fully walking into the room, "and I'll make an actual bed for you tomorrow, Lord knows I need another one anyway."
"It does not matter to me. I am just glad you have let me stay." He responded, his eyes never leaving the girl, and her eyes never leaving him,
"I can make supper, if you like."
"That works for me. Let me know if you can't find anything." Leo nodded in response. With that done, Percy slowly settled into his chair, a sigh spilling from his lips.
He hadn't done much today, but the worn out feeling that had been building for months caught up. There was, of course, not much time to rest when he was essentially fighting for survival.
The clangs of pots and pans was oddly soothing, as well as someone who actually understood what he said, no matter how much he appreciated the wolf's company.
Speaking of the Wolf, he needed to give her a name. It must have slipped his mind, considering there was no requirement for it when they were the only two for miles. The more he thought about it, the further his mind drifted. It couldn't be a normal name, certainly not one he would hear on any human.
It took him until Leo had finished his cooking to come to his conclusion. Wolves liked the moon, and he would assume beastmen were no different. So, it would only make sense for him to name her after the Greek moon goddess Artemis. His mother had always told him the myths before bed, and he certainly didn't know any other moon goddesses, so Artemis would do just nicely.
He looked over at the newly dubbed 'Artemis', even more certain of the choice the longer he looked. She gave him a strange look, like she was expecting something, between keeping a sharp watch and shooting glares at Valdez.
The strong aroma of spices tickled his nose as he took his plate, and passed Artemis' to her. It was a stark difference, with his usual lack of spices and such in his home. He gave Leo an appreciative nod just before he dug in.
The plate was piled in meat, beans, and a few other vegetables, each managing to highlight the other. It didn't take him long to finish off his plate, to say the least.
He looked to Artemis and watched her grudgingly pick at her food. The look on her face reminded him of the first time he tried to feed her jerrycakes, although to a lesser degree.
Most of the night from then on was spent in companionable silence, maintaining the flame until they were ready to sleep.
He had almost sat down in his rocking chair, if not for the feeling of Artemis' eyes on him. He turned to meet her stare. She had been staring the whole day, since they came inside. An expectant stare.
Slowly, silently, she slid from the bed and drew close. Her eyes stayed on his expression while her hand slipped around his wrist. It felt like the tables had turned, like she was the one carefully guiding him while avoiding anything he could do.
She was guiding him, as it would turn out, to the bed. His leg bumped into the side just in time to coincide with her shove, knocking him to the bed he hadn't slept in since she got there.
He didn't have time to prepare for her dropping on him like she had earlier that day, though she was gentler than she had been. Just like before, she nestled close, far more heat than he expected pouring off her and her blanket.
She was practically draped over him, with no hope for him escaping. The mattress below him, far softer than the chair he had been in for months, slowly lulled him to sleep.