Chapter 28: Wedding Blessings and Proposal
3RD PERSON POV
After that first date, life settled into quite the fine little routine for the Guardian and his lover. They were tasked with hunting the remnants of Tartarus' forces after Percy had defeated him and they recruited heavily along the way to replace their losses. Hera and Hestia along with Apollo helped to point out any girls that were in need of recruitment along the way. Percy was still merciless with the men he rescued them from, but as soon as he softened for the girls and acted fatherly to them, it melted Artemis' heart and she secretly wondered what it'd be like to have her own.
Estelle had already called Artemis her big sister, but after Percy and Artemis actually spelt their feelings out for one another, it was taken to an entirely new degree. Whenever the Hunt had some semblance of down time, Estelle was always with Artemis telling her embarrassing memories she had of Percy mostly. Artemis taught her how to braid her hair (albeit the most normal thing she did) as well as how to track animals and skin them after hunting. She was much quieter through the forest than her brother was when he was her age.
Thalia had grown even closer to Percy and Artemis and reluctantly watched the little ones when Percy and Artemis would have date nights. That was the biggest change to the Hunt: so long as the girls would remain loyal to one man and he to her, they could stay in the Hunt and it certainly didn't stop Artemis and Percy from intimidating the daylights out of said men in question. The option was there, but not many of the girls took it; the damage done to them being near irreparable.
Speaking of the dates that Percy and Artemis go on, they weren't overly extravagant. That was never what either of them liked. Typically, the two lovers would go hunting with Percy tracking while Artemis would take the shots. Percy would use Hestia's abilities and cook for the two of them in a picnic style in the forest or on the beach or in the forest near the beach. They talked about their pasts and their futures, the Hunt, the sheer craziness that they were dating.
They would also spar whenever they could as they found nothing more thrilling than facing their partner - both in life and on the battlefield - in combat. Percy would use his abilities to summon an ice arm for those occasions or when the hunting monsters got particularly messy. He got his katana replaced, thanks to Hestia and recovered his ax after the fight. He was offered Tartarus' sword but he insisted they melt it down into something else; he didn't need any more weapons..
~Timeskip: 1.5 Years after Tartarus~
PERCY POV
'I can't believe I'm actually doing this right now. This has got to be the dumbest thing I've ever done!' I berated myself internally as I paced the Throne Room floor waiting for the King of the Gods to show up.
"Relax, Cousin. You're going to be fine. I gave you my blessing," Apollo said to me and I stopped pacing to look at him. "You're right. You're right. I got this," I said before the panic settled back in and I resumed pacing.
A loud clap of thunder resounded in the room and I swallowed thickly. "Yes, Nephew. Why have you asked me to meet you?" Zeus asked and I turned to look at Apollo for reassurance but the bastard flashed out when his dad got there! "Useless coward," I grumbled and Zeus cleared his throat.
"Well… I uhh… I have a question for you, Lord Zeus," I said and he motioned for me to go on. I took a deep breath. "I… would like to ask for Artemis' hand in marriage, My Lord," I said shakily, but as strongly as I could manage. Zeus was quiet for a long time before he spoke up again. "And you believe she would accept this offer?" he asked and I hesitated.
"I am not entirely sure, Uncle. All I know is it would avoid a lot of trouble from you if I asked you beforehand and the choice is truly entirely hers… but I love her with everything I am and regardless, I will continue to do so until my end," I told him truthfully and he was silent again.
Then he began chuckling loudly. I snapped my head up at him and my eyes widened. "Uncle?" I asked and the laughing subsided. "I never imagined this day would come, Nephew. And once more, I never imagined that I would be so strangely okay with it," he told me and I gaped at him. "R-Really?" I asked and he nodded and smiled. "She is strong willed, so I do not know if she will want this… but I do approve if that is her choice," he said and I finally smiled and shook his hand.
"However, this does not mean anything about breaking her oath, Nephew."
I audibly gulped and nodded vigorously.
~Timeskip: 2 Months Later~
ARTEMIS POV
I was with the Hunt in the Midwest during some downtime, but I was far too lost in my thoughts. 'Percy and I have been dating for a year and eight months now. I never imagined I could be this… happy. He's sweet, brave, loyal, but he's not overly… romantic? He knows that neither of us need the mushy Aphrodite kind of love and it just makes me love him more,' I mused before Thalia found me.
"Thinking about a Kelp-Head, Milady?" she asked and I immediately blushed something awful to her amusement. "Geez, Milady. You two have been together for almost two years and you both always blush like that," she teased me and I rolled my eyes while my blush lingered. "Speaking of which: do you think you two are going to tie the knot?" she asked and I nearly did a spit take on air.
"W-What?! U-Us? M-Mar-Married?!" I squeaked. "I-I don't know a-about that," I told her and she laughed uproariously. "Artemis, do you love him?" she asked and I instantly said, "Yes." "Do you want to be with him forever?"
"Y-Yes," I answered quietly. "Mhm. If he were to ask you right now, what would you say?" Thalia finished and luckily Estelle came to save me.
"Sissy!" she called and I smiled and scooped her up [AN: She's nearly 10 now but who cares]. "Hey Estelle. How are you today?" I asked her and she gave me a bright smile. "I'm good! When are you and Percy going to get married and have kids? I wanna be an Auntie!" she exclaimed and I nearly dropped her then and there before Thalia howled with laughter.
3RD PERSON POV
Coincidentally, as Artemis was pondering the implications of her lieutenant and her soon to be sister-in-law, Percy was paying several visits to old friends.
PERCY POV
"Nico, I need a favor?" I asked and Nico sighed deeply. "What are we going to do now that is most likely going to get us killed?" he asked and I laughed a little before blushing. "Actually… I…" I started and his impatience grew. "Any day now, Perce," he placated.
"I'm going to ask Artemis to marry me and I want you to be my best man!" I sped through in a rush. Nico blinked at me once. Twice. "WHAT?!" he yelled and I flinched before he crushed me in a hug. "DUDE! CONGRATS! It's about gods damn time!" he celebrated and I was confused. "You two have been together for realistically like three years just not officially. I'm happy for you man and yes of course I will," he told me and we hugged again.
APHRODITE POV
I heard a knock at my temple and knew exactly who it was so I rushed to the door and squealed in excitement as I pulled it open.
"Oh thank gods. I don't have to explain to you then," he said and I hugged him harder and nodded. "I will handle EVERYTHING," I told him and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Here's the design I have for the your husband could manage it, I would be forever in both of your debts," he said and I hugged him again and sent him on his way.
This is going to be THE wedding of the millenia!
APOLLO POV
"So let me get this straight: Father said yes, Nico is your best man, Aphrodite is planning everything and Hephaestus the ring… and you want me to be a groomsman?" I asked and Percy shuffled uneasily but nodded.
"You know you could have just sent a prayer to me," I told him and he chuckled nervously. "Well, I wanted your help for something else too," he said and I understood. "Perce. I love you man, but I am NOT giving you bedroom pointers for my sister," I told him, knowing full well that was not at all what he meant.
His reaction was priceless; beat red and stammering. "NO! Dude! I wanted you to take me to meet your Mom so I can invite her secretly and ask for her blessing as well," he said and I smiled so broadly I might've blinded him. "Done," I said and we disappeared.
PERCY POV
Apollo flashed us to Delos to meet with Lady Leto and I was extremely nervous. "Mom!" Apollo yelled and ran to his mother and I smiled. "Hey there my little SunSpot!" she replied and made me snicker. "And who might this be?" she asked and I stiffened.
"Perseus Jackson. It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Leto," I said and bowed, making Apollo snicker this time. "Hero of Olympus and my rescuer, yes?" she asked and I rose and nodded nervously. "And what might I owe for the pleasure?" she asked and I gulped and shuffled my feet.
"I-I have been dating your daughter for almost two years now a-and… I would like to both ask for your blessing to do so, if she accepts, and to invite you to the ceremony as a surprise to her," I choked out through the nerves. Her eyes went wide briefly before narrowing again, accompanied by a smirk.
"Really? My daughter, the Maiden Goddess, is dating the Hero of Olympus and he wants to marry her?" she asked teasingly, though I could not distinguish that at the time. "Yes milady. I love your daughter with everything I am and I want to continue to walk by her side for as long as I live," I said after a deep breath and met Leto's gaze.
To my surprise she smiled at me and pulled me into a hug. "Well, I'm glad I can see my daughter finally forget about that silly oath and give me some grandkids," she said and laughed and I nearly fainted in both shock and relief. "While I aim to marry her, Lady Leto, I cannot ask her to give up her oath to me… even if I may want kids, I will not pressure her to do that. Not for me," I told her softly and she hugged me tighter.
"I know that, hero. That is why you have my blessing. Word of your heroics and character has traveled to me even after I decided to stay in my children's home. I am glad it is you," she told me and I smiled before Apollo took me back to Olympus.
~Timeskip: 2 Months Later (2 Year Anniversary)~
ARTEMIS POV
It was mine and Percy's two year anniversary and something just seemed terribly off. There was an energy in the air that I couldn't describe, but it was affecting the entire Hunt, even Percy. The girls were all antsy and excited and Percy was a strange combination of jumpy and excited as well; it was truly bizarre.
"Percy, are we still on for our date tonight?" I asked him and he jumped again. 'What is with him?' I mused as he turned around. "Of course, Arty!" he said a little too quickly and I narrowed my eyes at him. "You have no idea what we're doing tonight yet, do you?" I asked to confirm my suspicions. "N-No! I do! I just… I'm nervous you may not like it is all," he told me and my gaze softened.
"Relax, Percy. I've given you two years of my immortal life and I intend to give you more. I'm sure I'll love it, so relax," I told him with a smile and the tension left his body. He bent down and gave me a kiss on the lips; not a quick peck, but not one of our... more intense sessions either. I felt his arm snake around my waist and he planted another kiss on my forehead. "I love you, Artemis," he told me and I looked up and smiled at him. "I love you too, Perseus."
It was later that evening and Thalia was watching the Hunt for us while we had our date. I had Apollo on standby if need be just to be careful. "Whoa Milady, you look amazing," Thalia told me and I gave a small twirl. I was wearing a strapless silver dress that flowed down to the ground and my hair was done in an intricate braid while two strands framed my face.
"Thank you, Sister. Percy's incredibly nervous and I don't know why. I've literally seen him at his worst," I told Thalia and she chuckled. "Just a Kelp-Head I guess," she said and I shrugged before telling her to be careful and flashing out to where Percy and I had our first date. I arrived in the clearing to see my boyfriend dressed in a three piece suit (navy blue with a silver tie) and a table set for two with candles overlooking the ocean.
PERCY POV
'I can't believe I'm doing this tonight. I can't believe she hasn't caught on to me yet either. Gods is she even going to say yes?' I thought when I felt her flash into the clearing. I turned around slowly and my heart nearly stopped beating. She was wearing a strapless silver gown that flowed so elegantly down to the floor and kissed the ground in front of her before I ever got the chance to.
Her hair was braided so complicated that I got lost just looking at it and the smile that lit up her face when she saw the set up was enough to start my heart again. I went to greet her before she got to the table. "You look… wow, my love," I said and she blushed at the compliments. "And you look rather dashing as well," she replied with a wink and my heart fluttered. I hadn't fully grown accustomed to Artemis' flirty side when we were alone and I don't think I ever would. Not that I was complaining.
I led her to the table and sat her down after pulling out her chair and opening a bottle of wine for the two of us. I made all the food by hand (without Hestia's powers) and it took nearly all day. We had a Greek salad (I figured it would be funny) for the appetizer and I made venison that I had hunted into a pasta dish with a vodka sauce. I was relieved to see Artemis' face light up when she took a bite.
For dessert, I baked a pie and kept some ice cream in the magic cooler I had asked Hestia for. The entire evening, I was terribly nervous and fidgeting with the ring in my jacket pocket and I knew Artemis caught on. I was trying to formulate what I was going to say when she asked and she still caught me off guard.
"Percy, what's wrong? You've been uneasy all day and the Hunt has been acting weird as well," she said and I gulped. "N-Nothing! I just… just feel a bit under the weather," I tried to lie my ass off to no avail. "Perseus Achilles Jackson. Tell me right now," she threatened and I gulped. "It's really nothing, Artemis. You don't need to worry about me so much, even with my arm I promise I'm fine," I said and immediately regretted it.
I knew that was a sore spot in our relationship early on because she babied me a bit too much and we disagreed on it at first but we had virtually gotten over it. He gaze was downcast after I said that and she rose from the table and walked to the cliff to stare out at the ocean while I berated myself for being so stupid. I worked up the courage and took a deep breath.
"Artemis," I said and she didn't turn around. "Artemis, please look at me," I pleaded and summoned an apple behind my back to prepare. She slowly turned around and stared at my feet, but finally lifted her gaze to look at my eyes. "Catch," I said and tossed her the apple at a moderate speed. Of course she caught it and I was impressed as I always was, but more happy than anything.
"I'll never stop being amazed at your reaction time," I said with a smile as I walked over to her. As I wrapped my arm around her, I felt her smile softly into my chest at the praise and my actions. We enjoyed the silence for a moment before she spoke again. "You know, in Ancient Greece, the tossing of an apple was considered a marriage proposal," she said and I steeled myself. 'Here goes nothing.'
"I know… that was more for you since you're… old school," I teased as I pulled away. Her eyes found mine and she went to scold me for calling her old when I dropped to my knee and she looked at me confused.
"It has been well over a decade since we met, Artemis and the Fates had to have been the only ones to see us end here… I held the sky for you and you took me when I was a broken man and gave me a reason to fight again. You healed me from my own self-pity and self-doubt… you healed me from Tartarus… I know I may have only been a flicker in your entire existence, but you have given me a reason for mine… I love you with everything I am and everything I will ever be. You're my partner on the battlefield and in the Hunt… Will you be my partner in life? Will you marry me, Phoebe Artemis?"
ARTEMIS POV
Percy tossed me an apple and I caught it. I hardly heard the praise he was giving me when I thought back to the ancient days and how the tossing of an apple meant a proposal. I smiled into his chest and before I told him, I thought, 'Marriage to Percy?... well, he might not know that this was technically a proposal… but he better hurry because the answer is already yes.'
He told me he knew and then made fun of my age and before I could unload on him, he was on a knee. The confusion must have shown on my face, because he began pouring his heart out to me. Then I realized he really was proposing. Technically, twice, but I didn't care. I couldn't stop the tears gathering in my eyes as he told me how he really felt.
"Will you be my partner in life? Will you marry me, Phoebe Artemis?" he asked and my mind went over a million things. "Percy… I love you… but… I…" I turned away and I heard his heart shatter. "I know you want to have kids… I-I'm not sure that I-" I tried to tell him but I was whirled around and pulled into the most passionate kiss we had had yet.
His soft lips collided with mine and the two pairs clung desperately to each other while I heard a small grunt escape his mouth at the sensation. Of course it wasn't long before a soft moan escaped my own as we continued to hunger for each other's lips. After Hades knew how much time, we rested our foreheads on each other's and caught our breath.
"I know. I can never ask you to break your oath for me. I love you and I want you as my partner. If we get to the point where we have kids, great. If not… as long as you're with me and I'm with you," he told me and the tears welled in my eyes again. I kissed him again with even more passion than before and we separated once more.
"So… is that a yes?" he asked hopefully and I smiled at him and kissed his nose. "Absolutely, Perseus Achilles Jackson. I would love to marry you," I told him and I couldn't believe how big we both smiled. He slipped the ring on my finger and I gasped, finally getting a close look at it.
The band was startling silver and looked like two strands were braided. 'Like the two of us intertwined,' I mused as the inspection continued. The diamond on the top was the cleanest I had ever seen and thankfully not too big either. Flanking the diamond on each side were a smaller pearl that looked suspiciously like the moon, and an emerald that reminded me of my fiance's eyes. 'Fiance. I love how that sounds,' I mused and snuggled into Percy while we watched the ocean.
We enjoyed the silence for the most part and chatted about the ring and a few spare wedding details, but we were both too caught up in the moment to care all that much.
PERCY POV
Eventually, Artemis fell asleep in my arms. 'My fiance fell asleep in my arms. I love the sound of that,' I thought with a wide grin as I carried her bridal style and fire traveled back to the Hunt. I nodded to the two on guard duty and went into Artemis' tent to set her in bed. Once I did, she gripped me tighter and wouldn't let me leave.
"Arty, you have to let go so you can sleep," I whispered softly and she sleepily opened half an eyelid. "Stay," she whined and I nearly cried. It was so adorable. "Alright… Mrs. Jackson," I whispered cheekily as I hopped in the bed. She just smiled and snuggled closer into me before I too drifted off to sleep.
AN: Next is the wedding and their times! Probably only one more chapter with the kids after that! Until next time!