What's up Readers! How y'all doing? I hope you guys enjoy the chapter! I am already currently planning the next one for you guys! I know that my chapters are on the shorter side so I'm making it a point to add as many chapters as I can without completely dragging it along. I'm not tryna torture y'all with a slow burn that's totally cruel lol. I just wanna say thank you to Sankarea329 who always comments some pretty cool theories and keeping up with the book! As well as HellRaiderS for constantly commenting on the chapters lol. When I know people are reading it makes me want to keep writing the story sooner so without further ado! Enjoy the slight fluff the chapter has to offer!

Percy thumped his finger against the steering wheel of his old truck, the music softly playing from the speakers. Glancing outside the window, the moon was shining brightly down on the world below. Not for the first time, Percy wondered what it would be like to glance down at the world. To watch everything flow from above, to watch the lights in city's slowly give way to the inevitable darkness of the night.

Sucking in a deep breath, the smell of forest assaulted his nose in a pleasant way. Percy was well aware of the fact that it was pretty damn stupid to be attracted to the scent of a man hating goddess. Two things stood in their way, one she hated men and two the word goddess ring a bell?

Artemis had been alive for thousands of years, Percy had been alive for like 19. Percy would die in like 60 years and in 6000 Artemis would still be Artemis. Maybe if Percy accepted immortality there was a chance but no. Living forever was just not something he was comfortable with.

He had goals and friends he wanted to see one day. To just… throw that all away? To throw it away and watch the world around him continue to change while he remained untouched by time? It.. It was wrong. It just wasn't the way he wanted to live, couldn't live.

Percy knew from the moment he was 12 he would die one day and nothing could change that. He had accepted the idea, embraced death more times then he could count. No, one day he would dine with his Uncle and he couldn't be more happy with the fact.

Artemis let out a very ungodly snore and Percy did everything he could to not laugh. He had completely forgotten the Goddess had climbed into his back seat and was currently camped out. She had tossed the bookbags and other makeshift moving material up front without a word and wrapped a blanket around her.

He smiled at the rearview mirror before focusing back on the road. Their goal was Washington, of course Artemis didn't have to know that. She knew they were driving around the States just not too sure where they were headed.

Seeing the Goddess the past two weeks had really shined a new light on her. Percy remembered when he was 14 and had first met her after Annabeth went off the cliff with the Manticore. She had been cool and demanding. She had demanded his complete attention and he couldn't do anything but give it to her.

And then when he had taken the sky from her? How even after a week of holding the sky she did not struggle to push the Titan of Endurance back under his burden. Artemis wasn't one of the strongest Olympians for nothing. It's why Percy has respected her so much. Sure, she definitely had a temper on her but what person in their messed up family didn't? Even Percy had a pretty easy to activate temper.

He shook his head and turned the music up slightly. This wasn't the time to keep thinking about the Goddess asleep in his back seat. She'll probably wake up and choke him out, killing them both in the process. Of course, he must be the new Oracle.

"So, why are you thinking about me?"

Percy would never admit that he screamed and swerved the truck before pulling over and breathing heavily.

"Gods Allmighty! Artemis, please don't ever scare me like that again!"

She watched him with amused eyes, not quite sure what had just happened. The only way she knew he was thinking about her was because he kept subconsciously glancing in the mirror at her. It made her want to blush from the tip of her head down to her toes but she contained herself.

It was weird, to know a man was watching her and yet she didn't feel compelled to end his existence just for… well… existing. At the same time when Percy would take an extra long look at her she would always feel her breath catching and her heart racing. It was incredibly awkward and yet she didn't really mind it that much all at the same time.

Artemis huffed and started to grab the bags and shove them into the back again, she wanted up front. After a minute she finished her climb into the front seat and looked at Percy.

Her silver eyes seemed to glow brighter, the moon bathing her in an ethereal light. Percy flashed her a lopsided grin, his posture relaxed. Artemis was wearing one of his flannels again, her hair in a messy bun.

They sat silently for a while, just examining one another. If there was anything Percy had learned about Artemis it's that she'll speak when ready. So he sat, silent listening to the music gently flow through the speakers.

Artemis stared at the man in front of her, the man she liked. It was almost hard to believe that a short two weeks could have changed her perspective on the man so rapidly. Well her feelings, not her perspective. She had known for a while that he was a good man. Still, what had changed?

Was it how respectful he was? How he made sure that he didn't push her boundaries? How he was so gods awfully Percy that it was just something she couldn't help but admire? Truthfully she had been beyond shocked when she realized what she was feeling but looking at it now, she think she knew.

He pushed her to do things, to talk about things. He was showing her how to deal with these big emotions, good and bad. He didn't care about all her past wrongdoings, didn't care that she had once been a reckless goddess. Instead he comforted her and provided her with safety. He didn't even bat an eye when she got snippy with him. Instead he just sat there with this stupid grin on his face, like her yelling was a good thing.

He confused her in so many ways and yet a part of her wouldn't change it for the world. Wouldn't change getting to know the world with him. He didn't even ask if she was truly sure she wanted to come with him, just took her word for it and they set off.

Truthfully, Artemis was incredibly grateful to have made the decision to accompany him. Looking out the window and watching the city give way to barren land had been amazing. She didn't realize how much she had missed the open space. Of course parts of the city were convenient but still, she missed the open air. It only had one downside and that was how much she missed her hunt.

Percy immediately picked up on her hurt and started to grill her with questions, asking what was wrong.

"I just miss my hunt, Percy." Artemis whispered softly, turning her knees to the door and looking out at the stars.

Uh oh. Percy knew that the legs facing the door was girl code for leave me alone but he couldn't help but still try and help her out.

"I'm sure they miss you just as much Artemis, they're your girls. You provided them with a safe place. You mean the world to all of those girls. They miss you just as much as you miss them. You'll be back to them before you know it, if there's one thing I know about being mortal is that time just slips through your fingers." Percy was giving her that lopsided grin that helped her spirits.

She turned to look at him, her own smile growing. His eyes had a playful and almost teasing glint to them. She narrowed her eyes at him and he just winked before shifting the truck back into drive and turning down the dirt road that was conveniently located right next to them.

"Where are we going, Perseus?"

"To find a place to stop for the night, I'm tired and I don't trust your driving."

"You realize I was there when cars were made, right? "

Percy was silent for a second before huffing, "Well I'm sorry but I don't trust the woman who hasn't changed her chariot to a car like everyone else."

Artemis blushed bright red. Truthfully she was shit at driving but nobody else needed to know that. She had tried to get better but she just couldn't get it. It escaped her.

"You're a dick." She huffed and crossed her arms trying to pretend she was upset about it.

"Oh cmon, Arty! I heard from Thalia that you are ass at driving and I don't feel like waking up in Our Uncle's domain!" He cried out in exaggeration.

She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her, shaking her head. "Fine but you're teaching me how to drive before we get to Camp."

She quickly opened the dashboard and grabbed the journal she had left in there, scribbling down learn how to drive under the other objectives. She hadn't realized that Percy was looking down over her shoulders until it was too late. She felt horror enter her heart as he started to laugh. A really ugly, snorting laugh but for those reasons it's what made him cute.

Her heart skipped a beat as he wiped at his eyes and flashed another grin at her, "So… Go on a date with me huh?"

She blushed bright red and groaned, shaking her head. "It was Apollo! He was writing everything down."

"Uhuh, you sure it's not my devilish good looks that are making you fall in love with me?"

She reached over and punched him in the arm, causing Percy to yelp loudly.

"Shut up, Ariel."

Percy's eyes widened before a grin spread across his face, "Sure thing Darla."

Artemis narrowed her eyes at him, "Who?"

"The kid with those weird braces from Finding Nemo who shakes fish to death. You're Darla because you are torturing me, a fish."

He quickly dug in his pocket looking to show Artemis a picture of said character. He lifted his phone up and Artemis gasped. The girl had those stupid circle braces, red hair and greenish eyes. She lunged forward and grabbed Percy by the neck, shaking him.

"TAKE THAT BACK, FUCKER!"

He gasped for air between fits of laughter, "ARTY! YOU'RE PROVING MY POINT!"

Artemis immediately let him go, once again bright red and started to bang her head on the dashboard. She let out a loud groan as the man beside her started to laugh harder.

"Fine, fine. I'll call you Bambi."

"Better. If you ever call me Darla again I will turn you into a girl, forcefully."

Percy hummed softly in thought before whatever song on the radio was playing changed into something else. His grin brightened as he suddenly turned the radio up louder and pulled the truck over, hopping out as quick as possible. He was running to Artemis's side and pulled her out.

He smiled down at her as he set his hands on her upper back, swaying slightly. Artemis reached her hands up and placed them on his shoulders.

'And I don't want the world to see me, cause I don't think that they'd understand. When everything is made to be broken, I just want you to know who I am.'

Artemis leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder, her cheek pressed against him. She breathed in his ocean scent and stared up at the sky. The moon was barely visible but the stars shone even more brightly because of it. Pollution didn't cloud the sky and the night still had that warmth to it that was common in California. She let her hands fall so that they wrapped around his waist and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

They continued to sway as the song played in the background and Artemis couldn't help the swell in her heart at their closeness. The way Percy held her gently and yet at the same time tightly. Artemis was a goddess and she had never felt truly safe but sitting here, in the middle of nowhere with nobody but the stars to watch their exchange she felt truly safe.

Maybe there was a chance that they could have this, that they could be something. Even if one day Percy was going to grow old and pass, she still wanted something. Her heart raced at the thought but she immediately let that thought go. She wouldn't tie Percy down like that. To something that would keep going, she couldn't give Percy the things he deserves. The things he wanted.

Her heart lept in her chest as she thought about the family that she knew Percy wanted. The commitment, the time put into the relationship, the effort. The things he wanted she couldn't provide and he wouldn't give up the things he wanted. She wouldn't let him, either. If it ever got to that point, she wouldn't let the man be selfless anymore. No she just needed to pass this punishment of mortality and she could forget about the crush. She could forget about the warmth of his arms or the way he smiled at her.

'When everything feels like the movies, yeah you bleed just to know you're alive.'

The music slowly came to an end and her heart continued to thump in her chest as Percy didn't let her go. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, trying to figure something out. She wouldn't complain though, she wanted to be held in the man's arms. Wanted to feel the safety he provided and yet she couldn't help but wonder what was racing through his mind.

When Percy had heard the song, he knew he needed to cross off one of the things in her book. Of course some of the goals had made him feel crazy but other parts he was happy to provide for her. Percy couldn't and wouldn't fall for the goddess. He couldn't because one day she would be immortal again, she would leave him. Artemis had goals and her girls to attend too. It would be selfish to ask her to stay mortal just as it would be selfish to ask him to become immortal.

In another life, maybe they could be together but in this one there were too many things standing in their way. When her hands shifted to his hips he couldn't help the way his heart raced. The way he got nervous and felt like one wrong move would scare her off but he wrapped her in his arms and she let out a small sigh of contentment. He didn't think she even realized she had sighed. It was cute.

Her silver eyes stared at the sky, her auburn hair tickled his arms. She was lost in thought just as he was but there was a deep longing in her eyes. Percy had a crush on the goddess but she liked him. He hadn't yet developed past the awkward attractiveness of the goddess and he was rapidly trying to think about why his feelings had developed so soon. So quickly.

He couldn't necessarily pinpoint where he stopped finding just her looks beautiful. He couldn't help but compare Artemis to Annabeth. The two women at the base level seemed to be the same cut of cloth but looking closer there were major differences. One being Annabeth didn't hate men's guts while Artemis couldn't stand to put so much time in inanimate things.

Artemis was wild, free while Annabeth was tied down, single-minded. Annabeth always had one goal and that was to make something that she would be remembered by for years to come while Artemis didn't go out of her way to be in the light. Artemis was more caring in her own way. All it took was one look at her hunters and you would know just how closely she cared for them. The way the goddess had helped him through his work by reading to him (even if she had beaten him over the head with the book a couple times) was proof enough.

Annabeth was looking to the future while Artemis was trying to live in the moment. Personality wise, Artemis was a better fit. He realized that the same traits Artemis shared with Annabeth probably helped his feelings develop for her. Well, he definitely had a type. Aggressive women who are secretly caring through their violence whose names start with A.

Focusing back in on the moment he realized that the song had changed and Artemis had yet to push her off him. She was smiling to herself, humming along to the song gently.

'If you start over, can I redo mine too? Anything you become, lemme run beside you. Go a little bit further. So what if I managed to mess up a sequence and I had to come back as one of your hairpins.'

He pulled away and twirled her in a circle, his smile growing. She laughed loudly as she danced back into his space and spun around him. They were grinning brightly as they danced around the barren desert. The song kept playing in the background and Percy couldn't help but sing along with it.

"Every night you shoulda died for a better view of the moon! Back of your belt, held on tight as I fell with you!" He had spun himself around, letting her arm go as he did a full circle before picking her up and continuing the spin.

Her laughter echoed loudly as she sang the next verse, "I could see us being young lovers in a fable, that could be us, it could. Over and over, becoming and become!"

The last lines of the song played as he set her down, his hands cupping her cheeks. They were both grinning at each other, their breaths harsh. Adrenaline filled their veins from the rapid shot dancing and twirling.

Artemis had never really danced with anyone else so this moment was definitely counting as the goal.

Percy cleared his throat and stepped away, rubbing the back of his neck while he blushed brightly.

"Sorry, I just got excited. I like this song a lot." He let out a gentle laugh and she couldn't help but shake her head with a smile.

"It's okay, idiot. I enjoyed the dance, thank you."

"Of course!" He let out a slight hum as he walked over to the truck and turned it off. "So, I'm too tired to build the tent tonight so how about you sleep in the back seat and I'll sleep in the bed of the truck. Sounds like a plan?"

Artemis hummed softly and nodded, "Sure. We can do that."

That night they both went to sleep with their hearts light but their minds telling themselves not to get too attached.

When sleep had finally grabbed Percy in its clutches, he had the worst nightmare possible. Sitting in front of him was the goddess of love herself. The worst part wasn't even that it was Aphrodite. It was the way that her once blonde hair was now darker, almost red. Her stormy gray eyes had turned to the bright silverish-yellowish color of the moon.

Aphrodite was giving him a very sadistic grin and he realized that he was totally screwed.

"So Percy, do you want to explain to me why I find myself taking the form of a virgin goddess?"

He gulped aggressively. How does one explain that they have a crush on the goddess? Technically he didn't have to feel ashamed because Artemis herself shared his attractions but that wasn't necessarily saying much. It was incredibly embarrassing to know that it was more than the goddess herself knew he liked her.

"I'm teasing you Percy, please breathe. You're going to die here soon."

He suddenly gasped for air, awkwardly coughing. He stared at the chair in front of Aphrodite and cautiously sat in it.

"How can I help, Lady Aphrodite?"

"I just wanted to talk, that's all."

She was staring him down like a predator, her eyes hard to read. She continued to stare at him before Percy couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Did you plant these feelings in us, Aphrodite? Are you the reason that I suddenly started to have a crush on her?"

"Yes."

Rage filled his bones and he stood up, glaring harshly at the goddess. In all fairness she seemed unphased by his outburst, just watching him with amusement.

"You do not seem to realize that I can't plant love, I can only grow it. My son is the one that makes others fall in love, not me. Even so It wouldn't work with you guys. You are simply too strong and while Artemis is now mortal she is still a god. No, I only nurtured the feelings you two already had."

Percy clenched his fist in a tight ball, aggravation taking over his features. He couldn't help but be annoyed that she had played with his feelings like that.

"Why?"

"Why? Well you two would take way too long to fall for each other naturally of course. You don't have long before you're forced apart again so of course I want to speed it along. I want our dear Arty to know what love is like so maybe she'll get rid of that stupid vow and that'll leave me with two more goddesses to break!"

Aphrodite seemed quite chipper with herself, he had to admit.

"Plus, there's a couple outcomes in this situation that are all around beneficial for someone. One being Artemis somehow convinces you to become a god and we have a strong ally for the rest of time. Two Artemis learns that she likes the feeling of love and marries. Three and the most unlikely, Artemis decides to stay mortal and she still falls in love."

Percy's heart leapt in his chest at that thought. Is that really an option?

Aphrodite let out a loud laugh, "Oh so you like that idea? Is that not kind of selfish, Perseus? You will be taking her away from her hunters, her family. Her twin brother and her father. What about dear old Athena? They are close. To have the relationship you want, you will be breaking her relationships with others."

Disgust seemed to fill his veins at that thought, the thought of tearing Artemis away from her friends. Her family. No, he couldn't do that. He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't pull Artemis away from the life she had lived.

Before he could respond he felt himself starting to wake up. Aphrodite gave him another one of her evil grins, "Artemis wants your attention, Selfish boy. You better give it to her."

He let out a loud gasp as he sat up rapidly, nearling headbutting Artemis.

"What the hell Percy! What got into you?"

He felt sick to his stomach as he thought about what Aphrodite had said. Selfish boy, he was proving he was no better than the other men. In that moment Percy realized that he would do everything to help Artemis experience mortality without letting his own emotions get in the way.

After packing the truck back up they were on the road. They had made a brief stop three miles in to get gas and freshen up a bit. Percy had grabbed a pack of Redbulls and some granola bars. They munched on those as they drove for the next seven hours only stopping half way through to grab some McDonald's before continuing on.

The sun was slowly lowering into the sky by the time they arrived at their first destination. A big sign read, "Olympic National Forest." The irony of the name did not escape Percy. Artemis was watching the area with interest.

"You alright?" Percy asked gently.

"Yeah, the girls and I just camp here often. It be funny if they were camped right here and I was so close but so far."

Artemis missed the satisfied grin that spread across Percy's face. She did not know just how close she was to the truth.

THRONE ROOM ON OLYMPUS

The gods had been watching Percy and Artemis throughout the journey. They just seemed to be driving at first, no clear destination in mind. Until Zeus realized that they were rapidly approaching the hunt's current location.

Zeus had been keeping track of Thalia as she led the hunters around the States, making sure that his demigod daughter was handling the hunt okay. It had become a natural thing to check what his twin's were doing and before it had just been mostly school but right now he didn't like the influence Percy was having on his daughter.

It was like having a teenage daughter who was hanging out with the bad boy of the town. It was pissing the man off but he had faith his daughter wouldn't do anything she was told not to. She just didn't know that she was going to be disrespecting his wish, yes that was it.

Poseidon watched closely between Artemis and his son. The way they joked and laughed, Artemis was so comfortable with the boy that she had her window down and her feet on the dash. The wind made her hair fly around in the wind and she had some cheap aviator glasses that she had got at the gas station. The both of them were in deep and Poseidon shook his head. If it made them happy, so be it.

Zeus growled and waved away the iris message, going back to the important things a council meeting was supposed to me like ignoring how close Artemis was to disobeying his one rule he had set for her.

Chapter thirteen done attttt 10:38pm. Chapter 14 will probably be out tomorrow, I'm in a writing mood. I was actually planning to add the hunters into this chapter but I just felt like it would be too crammed for that so yknow. Can't be having that. The two songs I used in this chapter are Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls and Don't wanna be without ya by Penny and Sparrow. Elliott if you actually did read this chapter don't comment weird shit, you're like the only person outside of Cam that actually knows I am even writing a story LMFAO. To the rest of my avid readers, thank you for following this journey with me. I hope that I don't disappoint. As always comment any questions comments or concerns and i will always make time to respond to them. Until next time, Lev out.