LAST TIME

I scooted closer to her, gently tugging her shoulder, making her look into my eyes.

"Artemis," I whispered. "I promise I will do all I can to make sure that it doesn't happen. I will do everything in my power to see that my family survives. That I survive."

"And if you don't?" Artemis's eyes turned watery. "Haven't I lost enough?"

"Then perhaps these are the moments to remember me by," I wiped her eyes with my sleeve, giving her a grin. "And you're a goddess. You can always visit me in afterlife, I guess."

Artemis's grip over my hand tightened further, and I winced.

"Don't say that, Percy," her voice cracked. "You won't die. You will save Olympus. And you'll live. Maybe even one day, you will get married— have kids. But you won't die. I won't allow it."

I said nothing, touching my forehead to hers.

"I will try my best not to," I said, feeling Artemis's warm breath over my lips. "But if I do, I will always be grateful to have a friend in you."

There was no response for a moment.

Then, I felt a pair of lips press against mine. Soft fingers curled round the back of my head. The sweet taste of cake drifted onto my taste buds through my lower lip.

I melted into it, losing track of everything else around us.

A moment later, Artemis pulled back, her face flushed and her eyes wide.

"I— I am sorry," she murmured. "I shouldn't have done that."

Her body glowed silver and she melted away into the moonlight, leaving me alone on the terrace.

Ch.44 Tides and Moonlight

Seashells glimmered brightly under the clear, blue tides. A salty gale blew, carrying the sounds of the surf crashing in the distance.

My eyes drifted to the silvery glow of the full moon visible in the water. Stars shone in the night sky, clearer than I had ever seen.

Where the moonlight met the tides, water bubbled and a solitary figure rose. Even in the distance, I could see her clearly.

Her auburn hair waved in the wind, glowing like a silvery red-halo around her head. Her eyes looked like molten silver as they swirled like the silvery waves of her dress.

My feet began carrying me toward her, the sea solid beneath my feet.

Her eyes caught mine and she drifted forward, a smile curling over her cherry red lips.

Our hands met, our fingers curling together.

"Hey," she smiled, her eyes sparkling.

"Artemis," I whispered.

Her lips, soft as rose petals pressed against mine and I pulled her closer. The sweet taste of cherries and apples exploded in my mouth.

As I melted into the kiss, the ocean beneath us split wide open, yawning into a bottomless abyss.

Sinister, gargantuan golden eyes glared up at us from the abyssal depths as we pummeled. Eerie laughter rang through the abyss, and the last thing I saw were the golden tendrils that rose toward us, swallowing us whole.

I flinched awake with a gasp, my heart hammering in my chest. Sweat dripped down my forehead, my breathing echoing through the room. Ripping the covers away, I stumbled out of my cabin into the fresh air of the night.

The crescent moon hung above the big house, casting a silvery glow over the cabins. I felt a sharp twist beneath my ribs.

Artemis had not talked to me since my birthday. She had not returned my calls and she had even been absent from the hunt when I had visited them.

I tore my eyes away from the moon and turned around, jogging toward the beach.

As I neared the edge of the camp, a series of loud screeches drew my attention. Harpies, wearing orange pendants trotted in my direction, their wings flapping threateningly.

"Try it," I said, drawing my Thyella Kavalris.

The harpies fled, flying back into the camp.

I shook my head, and walked onto the beach, feeling the coolness of the sand through the soles of my slippers.

Taking them off, I slipped my feet into the turf. The waves washed over my feet as a rush of energy ran through my body.

With a sigh, I sat down on the sand, my feet still in the waves.

My eyes drifted toward the moon again.

'I wish Artemis were here,' I picked up a tiny sea shell. 'Or at least she would talk to me. Not avoid me.'

"Beautiful, isn't it," a voice behind me said, making me turn. "Beautiful, yet so very complicated"

Aphrodite stood behind me, her eyes sparkling in a rainbow of colors before settling on silver.

Her golden curls blew over her face and her spotless white chiton fluttered in the wind.

"Lady Aphrodite," I got to my feet. "What are you doing here? Any problems?"

"You could say that, Percy," she stepped forward, allowing her feet to dip in the waves. "But it is not me who is in trouble, dear. It is you."

'She knows about Artemis.' I felt dread well up in my chest. 'Alexander? ALEXANDER?'

There was no response. The god in my head still hadn't returned.

"Me?" I coughed. "What trouble am I in?"

"Please, Percy," Aphrodite swept her hair out of her face. "You think I, the goddess of love, wouldn't notice a goddess and the greatest hero falling in love? Plus the kiss on the rooftop under the moonlight on your birthday?"

Aphrodite let out a squealing noise. Red rose petals exploded from her hands, drifting down onto the sand and the waves.

"It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!" Aphrodite waved her hands, more rose petals bursting through her fingers.

"Well," I brushed away a petal from my shoulder. "If you know, why are you here?"

"To help you, of course!" Aphrodite beamed. "I have guided so many great couples through tough phases! Helen and Paris went through their phases, didn't they?"

"Yeah, like the Trojan war," I snorted. "See, Lady Aphrodite. No offense to you but I am not well, in love. Artemis and I are great friends, and maybe we just… let our emotions get the better of us that night."

"But you do love her, don't you?" Aphrodite's silver eyes, so similar to Artemis' bored into me. "I knew you had feelings for her when we first met. And those feelings have only developed."

My jaw clenched.

"So?" I asked. "Look, Artemis is great. She really is. But, I have no idea if she even, well, sees me like that. My feelings about her don't make it love."

Aphrodite gave a look that made me want to cringe.

"She kissed you, silly boy!" Petals exploded from Aphrodite's fingers. "Artemis! The goddess of maidens, and someone who always looked down on romantic love, kissed you. On her own."

"Maybe– maybe it was something that just happened," I argued. "She is not even talking to me, Aphrodite. I am half afraid she hates me now."

"And she is there, thinking the same, Percy," Aphrodite glanced toward the moon. "Oh, you two are so cute I could just cry!"

"What do you mean?" I brushed away more rose petals. "Why would I hate her?"

Aphrodite beamed at that. "Why are you afraid she hates you?"

"Because she is a maiden goddess," I pointed out. "Even if—"

"Goddess of maidens," Aphrodite said. "Well, technically, she is both for now. But no oath binds her to being a maiden like her huntresses."

I frowned. "Didn't she swear some oath to Zeus? For her to form the hunt."

"Zeus asked her to lead a force for the protection of Olympus in exchange for not binding her in a marriage like I was," Aphrodite said. "It was also because Hera had a vendetta against the children of Zeus not born from her. Had she pulled a move, Artemis would have been unable to do anything."

"But Hera did no such thing, did she?" I said. "Athena is still a maiden goddess."

"Athena is way too intelligent to get trapped into something she doesn't want," Aphrodite waved me off. "And also, Zeus's favorite even if Artemis is a close second. But that's not the point. You have no reason to think Artemis hates you. Just like she has no reason to think that you hate her."

"What do you want me to do, Aphrodite?" I sighed.

"What do you do when you want something?" She asked. "You chase after it. You don't let it get away! You work for it. You fight for it. Because, if you don't fight for your love… what kind of love is it?"

Her eyes shone with conviction. She believed in every word she had said.

It made my heart ache to even disagree with her.

"And even if that all is true," I sighed. "I might not be alive by this time next year, Aphrodite. I— you know about the prophecy. You know its words."

"That's all the more reason to love, Percy," Aphrodite's eyes sparkled. "What has kept you going till now is love too. Familial love. Love for your friends, your camp, and your godly family. But that is something selfless. You will die for your family with a smile on your face. But romantic love, Percy?"

Aphrodite's eyes swirled in a rainbow of colors.

A flock of doves flew overhead.

"Romantic love is both selfless and selfish," She smiled. "You would die for your family. But you will kill for love. You will live for love. You will do all it takes to return to her arms. And sometimes, that is all it takes, Percy. Remember what I told you when I first met you? Love conquers all. Don't be afraid of love, Percy. Don't be afraid to love."

I said nothing, choosing to stare at the seashells near my feet.

"Go for it, Percy," Aphrodite whispered. "Take my word as the goddess of love."

"What if she doesn't love me back?" I blurted as Aphrodite stepped away. "Or well, she says no? I don't want it to affect our friendship, Aphrodite. We are great friends."

"Oh, dear, she is in the same boat as you," Aphrodite said softly. "She loves you and she too, is afraid of it. You are her rock, Percy. She feels safe in your presence. Now, let her be your rock. That's all I can tell you, Percy. Don't be afraid. Take the leap of faith. Tell her your feelings. Don't let something this beautiful turn ugly."

Her eyes turned back to the horizon as the first rays of sunlight broke through the horizon, painting the sky in a brilliant shade of orange and pink.

"Dawn is a great time to make decisions, Percy," Aphrodite stepped out of the turf, away from the waves. "I will wish you luck with yours."

With that Aphrodite exploded in a shower of rose petals, leaving me alone on the beach.

ARTEMIS POV

Long, golden flames flickered in the hearth in the center of the tent, casting light on the furs adorning the walls.

I stood at the side, getting ready for the hunt ahead.

My brother, Apollo, had spotted a small monster party not far from where we were. A dozen or so monsters— and none of note.

Dracena, Cyclopes, Hellhounds and the likes were something my hunt faced everyday. In such small numbers, they wouldn't be a problem for my girls.

Heck, some of them could probably annihilate the whole monster group together. Thalia and Zoe certainly could. Maybe even Annabeth if she was given a few moments to plan or Phoebe if she had no choice.

Children of Ares were certainly good at surviving.

But it was all the more necessary to wipe them off with the war looming over. Any monster we killed was one monster less in the Titan King's ranks.

A knock at my tent door brought me out of my musings.

I extended my senses to sense a decently powerful aura at the door.

'Probably Thalia,' I sheathed both my knives, and took my bow, the weapon turning to a ring at my command.

"Coming," I called, quickly tying my hair into a ponytail. Giving my attire a final look, I turned around and opened the door of the tent.

As soon as I saw him, I felt as if steel bands were wrapping around my lungs.

Percy stood at the entrance, his hands shoved into the pockets of the blue hoodie.

I felt my mouth go dry as Percy's lips curled into a slight smile. A moment later, a strong, stormy breeze blew through the camp, and I felt his aura hit in full force.

"P-Percy," I ignored the sharp stab in my chest. "I— um, will see you later. I have a hunt to go on. Sorry, we will catch up later."

I slipped past him, looking around for Thalia or Zoe.

"They left two minutes ago," Percy called from behind as I reached the center of the camp. "It is just you and me. Artemis, we need to talk."

'What's he gonna say?' I felt dread well up. 'Does he hate me? Does he want to no longer be friends?'

I shook myself. 'No, I will just avoid it. Maybe he will forget about it in a few days. We will go back to being normal.'

I turned around, my heart hammering in my chest.

"They, well, they were supposed to go with me," I said. "They shouldn't have left without me. I should get going. We can talk later."

I turned away and sprinted toward the forest as fast as I could.

A breeze blew and I stopped in my tracks, just as Percy appeared in my path, inches away from me.

The tangy sea breeze hit my nostrils, making me squirm.

"Artemis, we need to talk," he said firmly. "Stop avoiding me."

'It is going to happen,' I felt a fist curl around my hammering heart. 'He is going to say he no longer wants to be around me. Or he hates me.'

"I am not avoiding you," I lied. "I am just occupied. Really."

Percy raised an eyebrow, making me look away.

"Artemis," he said. "Do you hate me?"

I felt my head snap toward him.

"Why would I hate you?" I blurted out.

"Well, after what happened on the roof," He muttered. "You went away. And then you stopped talking to me. You didn't return my IMs. You… weren't even here when I visited the hunt."

"It is nothing like that," I shook my head. "I would never hate you."

"Then why— why, Artemis?" Percy's fingers curled around my arms.

'Why did I avoid you?' I felt another sharp pang in my chest. 'Because I don't want to lose you. Not because I did something stupid.'

"Because—" I felt my voice stopping in my throat.

"The truth, Artemis," Percy said. "Friends don't lie to each other."

My heart soared. 'He still wants to be friends.'

"I— I didn't know what to do," I said after a moment. "I am sorry. I— I don't even know what happened, Percy. We were just sitting there and you were saying that you were going to die… I couldn't bear the thought, Percy. I still can't."

Percy squeezed my shoulders. "Thank you, Artemis."

"You won't die, Percy," I said. "You have to win. And be alive after winning."

Percy's hands slipped down my shoulders and he took my hands in his.

"Artemis, I must tell you something," Percy's thumbs rubbed circles around my knuckles.

I felt my heart plunge.

"Artemis," He continued. "I have, well, admired you for as long as I have known you. Giving a family to all these girls, and even taking in Liza. Then… we became friends. I found myself wishing for you to be around more and more. I— I felt assured that with both of us somewhere, we could overcome anything. We took on five titans. We wiped out hordes of monsters. We did so much together."

I nodded, squeezing his hands. We had done all of that. I too knew that with Percy alongside me, I could take on anything.

"Then," Percy took a deep breath. "Well, we kissed."

I felt my heart stop in my chest.

It was here finally.

The word we had been avoiding all this time. The fact that I had been avoiding.

"I— Percy," I squirmed. "I… I didn't mean to. I am sorry."

Something flashed on Percy's face.

"So, you didn't want it to happen?" Percy whispered.

My heart clenched.

"No," I said. "I mean, yes. Maybe. I don't know, Percy. It… it felt right. I don't know why I did it. What I did. It just… felt right."

Percy paused, looking unsure.

His eyes darted to the heavens before he looked back at me.

We stood there in silence, at the edge of the clearing, holding hands.

"Artemis," He said finally. "I don't want this to affect our friendship. You are my closest friend."

I nodded eagerly.

"That being said, I want to tell you something," Percy continued, his grip tightening. "I always admired you, Artemis. Always liked you. But, the kiss made me realize that— that I see you as more than a friend."

My heart skipped a beat.

Percy's eyes shone a brilliant sea green, swirling like flames of the hearth.

"You— you do?" I croaked.

"I do," words tumbled out of Percy's mouth. "I don't know if you even see me like that. I don't expect you to. And, I just really want to go back to being friends, Artemis. I don't want to lose this."

"Neither do I," I agreed.

'But what if I want to be more too?' A fire welled up in my chest. 'More than friends.'

My heart hammered against my ribs.

I knew I had feelings for him too. Feelings more than friendship. Feelings that I had recognized since the incident at Saint Helens.

The incident in which I had almost lost Percy.

But I had suppressed those feelings then. I had swallowed them and trudged on, continuing to be friends with Percy, acting like all was normal.

Now, here I was, confronting those feelings.

"I…" My voice refused to come out.

What if I said the wrong thing?

What if I hesitated at the wrong moment?

The image of me pulling back and running away at Saint Helens flew in front of my eyes.

I had been running away from this for too long.

'No more,' I decided.

"Artemis," Percy said before I could. "Do you regret kissing me?"

"No," I breathed. "No, I do not."

His grip on my hands tightened. His eyes shone brighter as a small smile appeared on his face.

My gaze dropped down to his lips and I curled my fingers around his.

"I regret not doing it sooner," I whispered softly.

Percy's eyes lit up and he stepped closer, leaning forward.

The surroundings seemed to melt away. The only thing I could see were his eyes that shone brilliantly. All I could hear was my own heart thumping against my chest.

My eyes dropped close, as I felt his breath on my lips.

His lips met mine, his arm curling around my back, pulling me closer.

I melted into his embrace, my fingers curling into his hair.

Time seemed to stand still, as we held onto each other. Whatever was going to come would come. But we were in it together now.

AND… DONE! I hope you all liked the chapter!

So… Percy and Artemis! The romance thus begins!

A huge thanks to Nanu and Mughil for betaing this chapter!

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Arata7kasuga: Yep, I skipped the scene. Even little detail need not be shown if it adds nothing, eh?

Death Fury: Excellent question. Luke could definitely drown, had he been by himself. But not Kronos. He would just blast the water away with a divine burst of energy.

Exodus12345: I am still rather unsure about the styx thing myself. I mean, Percy's already very powerful. Invulnerability just might be way too much. I probably won't be doing it, tbh.

Lamont: Revealing everything to Paul… is a tricky thing. I might do the scene but honestly? It is just not appealing to me. And I am unsure where I'd even put it.

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Thank you all for your reviews.

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I have also created a discord server with the help of my two very good friends. I really hope to see you all there and have fun with you all. There, you can communicate with me, ask me questions regarding my fics, look at the character images, get sneak peeks, give your own theories, and even... wait, why should I tell you everything here? Come over and check it all out yourself!

Discord Server Invite Link: discord . gg / 4qfP3fxdQ4 [Remove the spaces please]

I would love it if you guys came to my server and interacted with me there. If you have some of your own theory or wish to see something in this fic as the journey progresses, you can tell it to me on the discord server!

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As of this moment, I have six main stories. They are:

1. The Rise of the Last Potter: My Novel length Harry Potter fic which is already 400k+ words long and it is a work in progress. Updated Regularly.

2. The Legend of the Son of Poseidon: A Novel Length Percy Jackson fic which is already 400k+ words long and it is a work in progress. Updated Regularly

3. Loved Ones Skipping Stones and Ice-cream: A fluffy Haphne one-shot. It is completed obviously.

4. SECRETS: Another romantic one-shot I published recently. Complete as well.

5. Agent Potter: The Wizard of W.A.N.D. - My spy!Harry fanfic which I implore you all to read!

6. Guardian of the Soul: Infinity Saga – My newest fic. An HP–MCU crossover. Novel length, in progress.

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HPfanfictioner66