Artemis PoV
I gulped. Why had I been so cold toward him?"Because..." I started. "Because I'm the goddess of maidenhood and virginity, and despite mine knowing of your chivalry and actions, I didn't ask for this marriage."
Percy looked at me understandingly. "I can understand that. I had a girlfriend before I was put into the marriage. Slapped me and called me an unfaithful bastard. I found out she'd actually been cheating on me since I went missing during Hera's hero swap to unite the camps."
I nodded, realizing for the first time that he also lost things in his marriage to me.
"So, what made you change your mind?" My husband asked.
"I... don't know. Time, I guess. You were never rude or anything." The words tumbled from my mouth.
I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling his arm wrap around me.
"You aren't afraid I'll do anything wrongful to you, right?" Percy asked.
I shook my head. "Not really. If you were like that, you'd've taken advantage of me that night with the painting."
Percy kissed the spot behind my ear. "You like being kissed there, don't you?"
I blushed, pressing into his chest. Percy held me close, and I allowed his steady heartbeat to lull me to sleep.
Percy PoV
My wife's breathing slowed, and she fell asleep. I followed suit.
When I awoke, I saw that Artemis was snuggled into my side, fast asleep.
I smiled, kissing her forehead. Artemis woke after some time, blushing when she realized I'd been watching her.
She sat up and I changed her bandage. I misplaced my hand, and I fell, but caught myself, so I was hovering above Artemis.
Blood rushed to her cheeks as I rolled over onto my back.
"Percy?" My wife asked softly.
I pressed my cheek to her hand. "Yes?"
"Are you happy to be with me?" She asked.
I was shocked by the question, to be honest. "No," I answered.
"Why?" Artemis asked. "Because," I answered. "You aren't happy."
"How do you know if I'm happy or not?" My wife asked.
"Because you don't smile. Not a fake one, but a real one. I've only ever seen you really smile when you were with your hunters. I've never really made you happy" I explained.
"Oh," Artemis mumbled quietly.
I tried to change the mood of the conversation. "But things've been changing. I do see you smile when you're sleeping. And I swear I see you blush sometimes."
The goddess ran her fingers through my messy hair, her hand coming to a rest on my chest.
"Y'know, Artemis, sometimes I feel like a bad husband," I broke the silence, immediately wishing I hadn't.
"And why is that so?" She asked.
"Well, we've been married for over a decade, and I don't even know simple things, like your favourite colour, or your birthday," I explained.
"If that were the case, then I'd be the most awful wife," Artemis pointed out. "Besides, to immortals, a decade is a very short amount of time. Birthdays and favourite colours are unimportant compared to the scandalous actions, politics, events, etc., that occur."
I pouted. "But I care! I don't even know your favourite ice cream flavour! Ice cream! It's fundamental to all life!" Okay, so maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration.
Then Artemis chuckled, smiling her beautiful smile. Her real smile.
"Well, if it's that important to you, just ask. Besides, I don't know what your favourite things are either," Artemis pointed out.
I nodded. "My favourite colour is blue. My birthday is on August 18th. My favourite ice cream is blue sherbet. A very controversial topic is whether I'm brave or stupid."
Artemis thought for a moment. "My favourite colour is silver. My birthday is on September 29th. My favourite ice cream is mint chocolate. People think I hate all men."
I sat up, her hand falling into my lap. "Do you hate all men?"
"No," she answered. "I just hate disrespectful people, which just so happens to be almost every male on the planet."
I kissed the back of her hand, pressing it to my face. "How about we get some breakfast?"
Artemis nodded and I lifted her off her feet, carrying her to the dining area.
I summoned breakfast.
After we finished, I went to help Artemis up, but she shook her head. "I think I might be able to walk."
Artemis stumbled into me as she stood. I grabbed her arm, propping her against my chest. "Easy, Artemis."
Artemis grabbed my shoulder to stable herself, blushing as she realized how close our faces were.
My hand rested on the small of her back as I helped her to the couch.
Artemis fell back on the couch, and I sat next to her. She rested her head in my lap, and I played with her hair.
Life was so much easier when my wife wasn't being so aggressive.
"Wanna watch a movie?" I asked. Artemis nodded, curling up under a blanket. I grabbed mint chocolate ice cream and two spoons, bringing them back out.
I flicked to a movie and set the ice cream between us.
Thunder and lightning boomed outside, so Zeus was probably drunk again.
Artemis snuggled into my chest, startled by the thunderclap.
I wrapped the blanket around us, kissing the spot behind her ear.
As the credits in the movie rolled, Artemis closed her eyes, resting her head on my chest.
I kissed the top of her head, wrapping her in a warm hug as we drifted off.
We were awoken by an irregular pounding on the door.
I stood, leaning Artemis against me as I opened the door.
Drunken Zeus once again stood at the door, his words slurred with alcohol on his breath. "Iiaaa decree Percy shuudee get to dooe wutuvur sexual thangies he wunnts tohh on Artemis, aaaiinddde he hasse to doh sumethang. Urre ieellse!"
I closed the door and turned to the goddess in my arms, who was staring down at the floor.
I cupped her cheek, pressing my lips to my wife's forehead.
"Do it now," she whispered. "Do it now so I don't have to worry about it."
I scooped Artemis up in my arms and carried her to our room, setting her down on the bed and closing the door.
Artemis looked down at the floor as I sat down next to her.
I placed a finger under her chin up so she was looking up at me.
"Do you have any preference or requests?" I asked.
"Be gentle," Artemis mumbled quietly.
I sat back on the bed, thinking out loud. "I wanted our first time to be special, and I don't wish to disrespect you, so that leaves anything on your or my lower half out of the question."
Artemis nodded and scooted toward the centre of the bed. I crawled over and pushed her down so I was hovering over the goddess.
I kissed her forehead. "Just say so if you want me to stop, okay moon?"
Artemis didn't respond.
I paused for a long moment. Kissing her forehead, I sat up, pulling her into my lap. "Forget what Zeus says."
Artemis rested into my chest, her finger curling into the fabric of my shirt.
"Thank you," she mumbled into my neck. I kissed the top of her head, rubbing her back.
"Anything for you, moon," I kissed the back of her ear.
There was another pounding at the door.
Artemis stood, and I followed suit, putting an arm around my wife.
I opened the door slightly, blocking Artemis from view.
I was immediately hit by the odour of alcohol. Only after that did I see the King of the Gods, who happened to be the source of the stench.
"I decree that Artemis shaull-" He began.
"I don't care!" I cut him off. "I'll not have you dictating the events of my marriage!"
Zeus growled. Next thing I knew, I had been blown across the palace, and there was an aching pain all across my body.
The last thing I saw before passing out was a pair of concern filled silver eyes.
