I have the sudden urge to just curse repeatedly.
It didn't really hit her until after the meeting. Artemis knew it had happened and she was sad but the actual, painful grief didn't hit her until then.
Zoë was dead. Her lieutenant was dead. Gone. Never coming back.
Artemis suddenly choked, the tears welling up to fast to contain. She felt one roll down one cheek and then the other as it processed that Zoë was dead. She stumbled, catching herself against one of the trees lining the secluded path. Artemis leant against it for support, her body shaking. Her breath came in shuddering gasps as her throat clogged with salty droplets.
She was there alone for a bit before she took notice that there was someone behind her. Her body stiffened as she felt their aura approaching her, barely a few feet away. "Lady Artemis?"
Her body relaxed slightly. "Percy Jackson," she muttered, turning her head away from his direction. "What do you need?"
"I think it's more what you need," Percy replied. "You're crying."
"Why should you care?" Artemis shot back. "I'm a goddess. I don't deserve your pity."
"You think being a goddess makes you a bad person?"
"That's what everyone thinks," she said. "Who am I to question their judgement?"
"Who are they to judge you?" Percy retorted.
Artemis was silent. "You're smarter than everyone seems to think."
"And you are kinder than everyone seems to think," Percy replied, just as soft as she was.
Artemis sighed, pushing off of the tree and turning to face him. His eyes widened slightly at her tear-streaked face but he didn't react other than that. "This is about Zoë." A fact, not a question.
"Yes," she whispered. "This is-" her words died out and she felt another sob catch in her throat. She tried to rein it in but Percy seemed to notice her struggle. He stepped closer until there was maybe a foot of space between them.
"It's okay to cry." Then she broke. She collapsed into his arms and sobbed into his chest, her fists clutching weakly at the fabric in his shirt. Percy rubbed her back soothingly, pressing his lips into her hair. It was a new feeling, and it was comforting.
Some time passed before her breathing finally steadied. "Are you alright?" Percy mumbled.
Artemis breathed deeply. "I'm fine. But please, don't let go." She never thought she'd be telling that to anyone, much less a male, but after losing her closest friend she needed this. She'd never been embraced like this and really, it was nice.
"I won't let go."
Sucky ending, I know. Also short, I know.
Life is a terrible thing.