Artemis PoV

I awoke late in the morning with no recollection of the night after dancing with Perseus, who was now in bed with me. I sat up quickly, startling him awake.

He yawned, covering his mouth as he did so. "Good morning, Artemis. Did you sleep well?"

I nodded. "Perseus, what happened last night after we danced?"

"After we danced?" The man repeated, rubbing the back of his head. "You fell asleep, so I carried you to bed, and you wanted me to stay."

"I wanted you to stay?" I clarified.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "I asked, and you said yes. Is this uh...is this too fast for you?"

"Actually, no," I replied. "I thought it would be, but it feels comfortable. I've known you for less than a day, but I feel..."

"Confused, happy, concerned, intrigued, and more confused?" He supplied. "Emotions are confusing, especially in such a strange circumstance like ours."

"I'm glad it was you," I finished. "Not some other bachelor."

He nodded. "So, I'm going to have lunch with my mother today. Would you be okay with me introducing you as my girlfriend? I know we're married and all, but I think she really liked me being with Annabeth."

"Your mother doesn't know you had to choose?" I asked.

"She doesn't," Perseus clarified.

"I wouldn't mind at all," I answered. "But you're going to meet Apollo after that. I know you're friends, but he's very protective."

He nodded. "Um, not to be rude or anything, but why haven't you had any sort of tantrum about being forced to marry? I've only picked up on you being irritated at your father for it."

I laughed. "Oh, I had much more than a tantrum. The concept was passed in the Olympian council, but somehow the majority of my peers voted in favour. I spent months trying to change their minds, and I almost hunted several species of animals to extinction out of anger. After I had resigned myself to the fate of being stuck with one of my long time rivals, I replenished the animals, of course, but they may be a bit more aggressive now."

My husband nodded, surprisingly calm, and left me to do my business.

I took a quick shower, dried off, and threw on clean clothing before I went out to meet him.

Hearing voices, I paused, remaining unseen.

Through the reflection of a decoration, I saw that Perseus was speaking with a blonde girl via Iris Message.

"I just heard about what was happening on Olympus," the girl said. "I'll be there as soon as possible, and we'll get married, okay?"

"No," he replied. "It happened last night. Besides, you left me for some architecture job, and you didn't understand my reasons for staying in Manhattan. What makes you think I'd want to marry you?"

"Because..." the girl faltered. "You're Percy, I'm Annabeth. We're Percabeth! Everyone thinks we should be together! Your mom likes us dating!"

"I'm sorry, Annabeth," he said sincerely. "I don't love you anymore. I'm married now, and just talking to you without telling her feels like cheating. You could've just texted, you know. The whole Iris Message was a bit overkill."

"What does she have that I don't?" Annabeth asked. "I'm the most brilliant daughter of Athena in over a century."

"I don't feel for you romantically anymore," my husband stated. "The girl I'm married to now...she's incredible. I've only known her for a day, and I think I'm starting to fall in love with her. Please don't call me again."

He swiped through the message and I waited a minute before stepping out so he could see me.

Seeing how distraught the man was, I walked over and hugged him.

"Hey," my husband mumbled. "What's this for?"

"I like your hugs," I answered. "And you seemed sad."

"Annabeth Iris Messaged," Perseus explained as though I didn't already know. "She wanted to come back to Olympus and marry me because she heard about what was happening. I told her it had already happened and asked her not to call again."

I smiled lightly. "I heard."

"And you..." he trailed off. "You heard the last part?"

"Yes, Perseus," I replied. "I heard the last part, and I seem to share your feelings."

He leaned over and pressed his lips to my cheek briefly. "Are you ready to meet my mother?"

"Yes," I responded, taking his hand.

We appeared at the front door to a large, expensive-looking apartment.

"Wow," I said. "You must've had it nice as a kid."

"Um, not really," Perseus rebutted. "I got my mom a place with a lower mortality rate as a little bit of the thanking I owe her after all she's done for me."

He knocked on the door, and it swung open a few seconds later.

There was a tall woman with greying hair. She seemed strong, but I could tell that her age was starting to catch up with her. "Percy!" She exclaimed, embracing him.

"Hey, mom," he greeted, hugging her back.

"I want you to meet my girlfriend, Artemis."

"Oh!" She exclaimed again, giving me the sense that her mental capabilities had begun to deteriorate. "She's very pretty."

I smiled. "Thank you, Ms Jackson."

We walked into the massive apartment and sat down, beginning a very long discussion.

Percy PoV

"She seemed very nice," Artemis remarked as we appeared back at her palace.

"She is," I replied. "My mother means the world to me, but after Paul's death, she's just not all there anymore."

My wife hugged me, and I pulled her close, burying my face in her hair.

"It's alright," she said softly. "When she passes, she'll end up in Elysium, and you'll be able to visit."

"Is meeting Apollo later and cuddling now an option?" I asked.

She kissed my cheek, pulling me toward the bedroom. "You can always postpone things for cuddles."

I laid down in the bed, pulling the covers up to my chin, which was over Artemis's head.

She curled into my chest, beginning to talk. "I know my hunters didn't seem all that friendly last night, but they like you."

"Really?" I questioned.

"Really," my wife reiterated. "Thalia knows you, and she's said that you're a decent man, even at your worst."

"Say we blow off Apollo," I suggested. "What would you want to do?"

She scooted up and kissed my cheek. "Probably just stay here. It's comfortable. And safe."

I smiled, trying to burn the memory of her lips on my cheek into my brain.

Artemis took my left hand into both of hers. "I'm glad I was wed to you instead of anyone else."

"Me too," I murmured, kissing her hands.

I could've sworn I saw her blush, but it faded quickly.

"Would you be upset if I kissed you?" I asked, resting my head next to hers.

"I don't believe so," she replied, looking me in the eye.

As I leaned over, what had to be the doorbell rang.

My wife sighed, pulling away. "I'll go see who that is. Could you stay here?"

I nodded, watching her hips sway as she walked and catching the look she gave me just before she closed the door.

The look wasn't upset or anything of the sort. It was almost one of longing. Of need.

Of course, this excited me, but it did so a bit much.

I flicked my erection, wincing in pain, and repeated the process until my member had become flaccid again.

I sighed, relieved that she hadn't seen it. Artemis returned shortly after, sitting next to my head and moving it into her lap.

"Aphrodite wanted to seduce you."

"I much rather be with you than her," I mumbled, hugging her leg.