(A/N Hey again! Odd paced chapter this time around. Overview of about a month or two ? And a scene I've been dying to write!

Pretty sure we're gonna get into some shenanigans soon and then make our way towards the ending... So I'd guess less than 10 chapters left and I know less than 15.

I hope you enjoy!)

Percy

Time passed and Percy widened his circle. It was a slow but necessary process.

Along with his usual confidants, he started visiting Mr. D. First to thank him for offering help to Grace, and then for his own counseling. He could feel his mortal ties slipping away far too quickly and wanted to know how the god of mental health had handled exactly this situation. Well, god of mental health he may be, but god of helpfulness he was not. Percy still saw him regularly, but he never expected too much from him.

He also became closer to Hermes. They'd had a positive but strange relationship before, and now Percy questioned how Hermes had handled all the unclaimed kids in his care before the war. Hermes showed several ways to connect with kids without breaking the Ancient Laws and usually without making contact at all. It wasn't necessarily useful for Percy's situation with Grace, but he filed the information away for

Athena and Hephaestus inserted themselves in his circle. He had no quarrel with either, and should not have been surprised when they took an interest in their granddaughter's wellbeing. Both of them being invested was what allowed Percy to take care of her. Neither could claim her without insulting the other, so she remained an unclaimed child. That didn't matter as much among the Romans, but Vulcan was unwilling to hand her over to the Grecian, Athena.

As unhelpful as his new regulars were, he was glad things were going well taking care of the child. She was just as rounded and knowledgeable as her mother, so that helped a lot. He refused to ask Artemis for help. She would just say to transfer Grace over to her care and all would be well. Grace had chosen to keep her mortality for the time being, so she would not be joining the Hunt.

Yet.

That 'yet' bothered him, because he could never decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Immortality had already given him such pain, he didn't want to wish it on another.

.

Estelle

The Lady of the Hunt was many things and Estelle respected her greatly…but she honestly expected more subtlety from her. The other huntresses had noticed too, and Estelle was so grateful for their support. She'd feared their jealousy and disdain, but they harbored none. Guilt still weighed her, but it was an illogical pain. She could not help her circumstance.

So, she regularly babysat Griff and Chase. Grace was often there to help too. Percy was so awkward when he would drop off Grace. He was so obviously trying to give her the space she desired. It was painful to keep him at bay, and she wondered if she actually needed to.

Especially when she kept seeing him.

Another set of her 'assignments' was to investigate Piper McLean. Which was kinda absurd. Apparently Piper could be pretty mischievous in her youth, but she was a straight shooter now. She called it like she saw it and rarely used a filter. Artemis was convinced she wanted something from the goddess and Estelle was to see if she could figure out what. And the best time to investigate without raising (much) suspicion was during Piper's semi-frequent meetings with Percy.

Not subtle, Lady Artemis. Not subtle.

.

Artemis

Their minds were ever so slightly entwined. Awareness dancing around awareness. Neither willing to break that which held them apart, but both keenly focused on the household. It was just his presence. The warm sea air. Idly, she wondered what her presence was to him.

Sighing, leaning back, and closing her eyes, she decided Estelle was fine and her spying was unnecessary. Pushing to his thoughts she told him as much too.

"Just because she's fine, doesn't mean I stop worrying."

Artemis smiled, eyes still closed with her face pointed heavenward. He sounded like a kicked puppy. They'd danced around each other as such several times since their…argument, but this was the first time they were together again. She was glad he came. She…missed him. She was surprised how fond she was of his humor, stream of questions, and lightheartedness.

"I thought Thalia was very eloquent in explaining what good your worrying does." He grunted and she could feel him drop down beside her. "Unless you're spying for other reasons?" She prompted.

"And you?"

"Hmm. My offer to Grace still stands, and I am attempting to bait Estelle into making a request of me." She admitted these things freely, as both girls were already aware of both circumstances. She refused to feel embarrassed for being called out on them. Finally, she opened her eyes to lock gazes with him, waiting for him to share his excuses.

Looking down at his lap and fiddling with his fingers he sighed.

"I need to make sure Grace is properly socialized. She's used to being around people and I don't wanna make her some awkward sheltered child because I don't remember 'how to people.'" Artemis snorted and raised an eyebrow. "I'm being honest!" He raised his hands in defense. "The fact she's with my sister just makes it… It's hard to ignore."

She nodded and surprised herself by taking his hand. She looked back to the sky to avoid seeing his reaction, unsure what she wanted it to be.

"You didn't ask what I'm baiting Estelle into."

"No…" From the corner of her eye she could see him rub the back of his neck with his other hand. "I figure it's not my business."

She smiled again and laid back, watching the stars for a moment before closing her eyes. It was nice to relax with a close friend. To offer continued support as he worked through his mourning. To know he would do the same for her.

"What does my presence feel like to you?"

"Huh?"

"When I'm nearby or our consciousnesses are close."

"Oh. Well, it's like I can feel birdsong, even though there is no sound. And the smell-uh, there's a name for it…when there's been a dry spell then it rains… Petrichor! Yeah, you smell like petrichor."

"I smell like wet dirt?" She peeked an eye open to raise an eyebrow and offer a half smirk.

He barely missed a beat.

"Yup. Wet dirt and screeching birds. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure the birdsong is actually just seagulls and the smell is more akin to-"

She elbowed him in the ribs and they both dissolved into laughter. Eventually, he reclaimed her hand and laid down beside her. She squeezed once and pushed comfort and calm into him.

"You smell of sea air and provide a warmth," she said after a while. He never asked her about himself, the parts of him that others could see and he could not. It bothered her that he wasn't interested in finding out. He was spectacular and should know that. And he'd changed. He should know that too.

"Artemis?"

"Hmm?" she turned slightly to better see him and answer his question.

"I- um.." he scratched his neck again and sat up. "What should I do with Riptide?" he asked, not meeting her gaze.

"What do you mean?"

"Well… I like swordfighting, but I don't really need it anymore. How should I…? Who should I…? I dunno." His hand stayed in his hair as his eyes stayed on his lap and gold tinged his cheeks. She wondered what he'd actually wanted to ask.

"You need an object of power. Frankly I don't know how you made it this long without one. I had thought it would be your tablet, your list, but it's pretty obvious you don't have one."

"But this was Zoë's. I couldn't-"

"It is yours, Perseus. Even Zoë gave it to you when you tried to return it to her. Claim it."

He side-eyed her self consciously and uncapped the sword. She smiled, watching him light up in his true form, claiming his item of power.

At the center of his light sat a wolf, staring the world down in a dare. Equestrians of water came forth from it, trampling a scorched rumbling land. The water's touch would calm the quaking earth. It wasn't the sound of waves or hooves that accompanied the water, but rain.

And too quickly the light was gone, and Percy was himself once more. She smiled fondly and a little sadly. She was proud to see his true form, grateful for his trust, but something was missing. Moss used to coat the quenched land when the water receded. Relief was still apparent, but the life was gone. She wanted to help him; to tell him, but held her tongue until he felt the need to ask.

Forcing her eyes down to Riptide she saw the manifestation of Percy's raw power and shivered. A warm weight settled in her chest. No matter how powerful he was, he was just and safe. She offered him a bright smile, because this felt right.