Artemis PoV
I returned from my hunt with a few strange items, which I gave to Athena to determine the usage of.Returning to my palace, I found Perseus in the kitchen preparing some meal he wouldn't tell me the name of.
After showering and clothing, I walked out to the living room to find Athena, Demeter, and Perseus jump out from behind the couch.
"Happy birthday!" They yelled collectively.
I was hugged by the three, and Demeter winked at me when it was Perseus's turn.
She produced a silver cake that we dug into before the board games.
Once again, my self proclaimed wing-woman winked at me as she pulled out a twister set.
"Left foot on green," Athena called. Everyone placed a foot on green.
"Right hand on blue," she continued. Everyone placed their right hand on blue.
"Right foot on red," my sister instructed.
This was the one that got Demeter, who knocked over Athena, who knocked Perseus off balance.
Perseus landed on top of me, and time seemed to stop.
It must have only been a second, but it felt much longer than that.
When he got off me and helped me up, Demeter and Athena had left.
Percy PoV
I fell on top of Artemis. And she let me help her up.
And she was still holding my hand.
For some reason, I was making a big deal about this.
Though it was nothing in comparison to what I felt when Artemis hugged me, leaning against me and closing her eyes. "I'm glad you're alright."
I thanked her, my arms around her.
The doorbell rang, and to my annoyance, she insisted she see who it was.
I could sense her irritation almost immediately. Cupping my hands over my mouth to create an effect, I began talking. "Babe, who is it?"
"Suitors," she replied.
"You don't have a boyfriend," one of the gods acknowledged.
"And what does that make me?" I asked, standing behind my mistress and putting my arms around her waist.
"He's fake," another god concluded.
"Let me check," I rebutted, kissing her cheek. "Am I fake?"
Artemis blushed a little. "I hope not."
After more banter, I gave up with the boyfriend act and slugged one of them. "Leave her alone."
They left, and my mistress closed the door, touching her cheek where I had kissed it. "Good acting."
"Yeah," I agreed. "Acting."
"Perseus," she addressed. "If you were released from your duties or your status was lifted to the point of being able to live on your own, would you still be my friend?"
"Of course," I replied, hugging her. "Just one condition."
Artemis arched a brow.
"Call me Percy instead of Perseus," I requested.
"That could be arranged," she replied. My mistress pulled away, pulling out some communications device similar to the smartphones mortals used.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Nothing," she replied. "Just Demeter reminding me of the meeting we have tomorrow."
"You're an awful liar," I blurted.
Artemis looked up at me. "Girl stuff."
"Oh," I replied. "Sorry."
" No," she said, attitude changing. "It's fine. Just, um, she was wondering if I was going to bring a date to the ball being hosted in
mine and Apollo's honour tonight."
"Why would you be expected to bring a date?" I asked curiously.
"Because my maiden vow was lifted after my hunters were disbanded, and my father has promised my hand in marriage to the god of another pantheon if I haven't found someone by the end of the year," my mistress explained.
"Well, do you need to marry that person or just be with them?" I asked.
"The latter," Artemis answered, seeing where I was going. "Could you?"
"No problem. I'd be glad to help a friend," I replied.
She dragged me over to her bedroom and opened the door of her walk-in closet.
A few minutes later, she stepped out in a dress. "What do you think?"
"You look beautiful," I said.
"Where's the but?" She asked.
"It doesn't go with your eyes," I answered. This process went on for about two hours before Artemis found a dress she thought was perfect.
She motioned me into the closet and pressed a few buttons on the side panel.
The clothes moved back, and suit pieces
took their place. "I'll leave you to it."
Within a few minutes, I had a matching suit picked out.
My mistress smiled lightly. "How do you know so much about fashion?"
"Poseidon's lunch table is next to Aphrodite's at camp Half-Blood," I
explained.
Artemis fixed my tie. "Thank you...for everything."
"My pleasure. By the way, I got a present for you." I summoned a thin, flat box. "I know you're not much for jewellery, but I figured you'd be able to use it at some point."
Gently, she removed the necklace from the box. "It's wonderful. Thank you."
I clipped it in place and was pleasantly surprised when she kissed my cheek.
There was a look in her eye that told me it was more than a platonic gesture.
We stood in front of the full-body mirror, hands intertwined. "Ready?"
"Ready," she replied, flashing us to the party.
Artemis PoV
Almost immediately, we were the centre of attention. That first ring of people was the female Olympians.
The ones closest behind them were several of my aggressive suitors, and then there were the other people, curious as to who I had brought as my date.
Percy held my hand, pressing his lips to the back of it.
It sent a strange shiver through my body.
"Are you an item?" Aphrodite asked.
"What?" My pseudo boyfriend asked. "No. We're people."
She sighed. "Are you together. As in are you dating?"
He nodded.
As the conversation went on, I noticed a small, green sprout floating in the air. It looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place it.
Percy squeezed my hand. "Do you want a drink?"
"Sure," l replied, turning my attention to the assortment of questions provided by my family.
"One at a time," I said. Demeter smirked at me.
"Have you slept with him yet?" Aphrodite asked.
"No," I replied. "I have no intention of lowering myself to your standard."
A commotion by the refreshments table caught everyone's attention.
Percy grabbed one of my particularly violent suitors-one I was sure to include on the ban list-and held them in a headlock until they passed out.
My friend returned with the drinks in hand. "Sorry about that. Here's your cocktail."
"What did he do?" I asked, sipping from the glass.
"He called you a whore," Percy supplied.
Standing on my toes, I kissed his cheek. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know," he replied. "I was just teaching him to be polite."
I knocked back my drink and set it on a passing tray.
My protector caught my hand when I tried to grab another. "Easy there, tiger. Don't want to be blackout drunk before seven."
Smiling, I snatched another drink. "I'll be fine. I've got you to watch over me."
As I drank, suitors that should not have been there came to harass Percy.
"We'll make you a deal," the skinny one began. "We fight. You win, you keep Artemis. You lose, we get Artemis."
"No," he replied. "I'm at less than a tenth of what my power should be, and as far as I'm aware you knuckleheads shouldn't even be here."
Demeter snapped her fingers, and they were gone.
I set my glass down on a passing tray.
Aphrodite squealed, pointing up.
The green sprout that had been floating around grew into a mistletoe.
My boyfriend (I think) pulled me close by the waist and kissed me.
