Artemis POV

Immediately, I sank to my knees, the weight of Percy's departure crashing down on me like a tidal wave. The air in the tent felt suffocating, and I found myself staring at the cold ground beneath me. The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of my uncontrollable sobs.

Everything had been so good. The connection between Percy and me had been growing, and I had managed to shatter the fragile trust we'd built. In an instant, the warmth and companionship we'd shared had slipped through my fingers, leaving me in the cold solitude of my own making.

As I knelt there, my tears staining the fabric of the tent, I replayed the moments that led to this heart-wrenching outcome. The mistakes, the lapses in judgement—each one a crack in the foundation of what could have been a beautiful connection. The weight of my decisions pressed down on me, and I couldn't escape the overwhelming sense of regret. Even after he found out what I did, I had so many chances to correct it. I could've just gone to him when Hephaetus said the sword was near them, but no. I'd decided to not mention it, and now look at what was happening.

How had it all gone so wrong, so quickly? Percy, the one I had grown to care for, had walked away, and the bond we had formed lay shattered in the ruins of my misguided choices.

"Artemis?" A voice called out tentatively, breaking through the hushed sobs that filled the air. I didn't look up, my gaze fixed on the cold ground beneath me. The voice spoke again, this time with authority to someone else, "Go get me a glass of cold water." The footsteps receded, and a moment later, a girl sat down beside me. I could feel her concerned eyes on me, but my vision remained blurred with tears. It took a moment for recognition to dawn through my grief—I realised it was Charlotte.

"It's okay," she said gently, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Take your time." Artemis couldn't even respond. She just felt so hollow inside. No one had ever seen her like this in… Well since the last time Percy left.

The new girl returned with a glass of water, handing it to Charlotte. With shaky hands, I took the glass and downed it in one desperate sip. The cold water offered a small reprieve from the emotional storm inside me.

"Are you okay?" the girl asked, and when I looked up, I saw it was Sophie.

Charlotte intervened, asking Sophie to get another glass. As Sophie left, Charlotte continued to offer solace.

"Let it out, Artemis. Whatever happened, we're here for you." I wiped away tears, my emotions still raw.

"I've lost him, Charlotte. Percy. I've lost him." Then, just like before, I went back to sobbing, this time more heavily.

Sophie returned with another glass, and I sipped it more slowly this time. The cool water eased the tightness in my throat. As the tears began to subside, Charlotte gently asked, "What happened, my lady? What happened with Percy? Whatever happened, we're here for you." I took another deep breath, the weight of my emotions still heavy, with Charlotte's support, the tears eventually began to subside. Her presence offered a lifeline in the storm of emotions.

"He trusted me, Charlotte," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the echoes of regret. "I betrayed that trust." Charlotte's grip on my shoulder tightened, offering silent support.

"Artemis, love can be complicated. We make mistakes. Percy cares about you. Give him time." I couldn't hold back the tears.
"I don't even know why I kept it away from him. But I did. And now he left me." Charlotte sighed, a sound filled with empathy.
"Love can be a tricky path to navigate. Sometimes, we think we're doing the right thing, but the outcome is different. It doesn't mean it's the end, my lady." I nodded, my emotions still heavy.

"Artemis," Charlotte began gently, her voice a steady presence in the quiet tent, "tell me the full story. Start from the beginning." I took a deep breath, the weight of my emotions still heavy on my chest. Slowly, I began recounting the events that led to this painful moment. I spoke of Percy's return, the war, and my misguided attempt to protect him by keeping Riptide.

"As the battles raged on, I was too nervous to give Riptide, a piece of him, back. I didn't consider the consequences, the impact it would have on Percy and our growing connection," I admitted, my voice tinged with regret. Charlotte listened attentively, her eyes reflecting understanding. As I shared the details of my actions, I felt a strange mix of relief and vulnerability. Charlotte's presence provided a comforting backdrop to the whole situation.

"Then, he was looking for his sword after the war. I should've just told him where it was, but no, I completely forgot to and now he found it himself with Hephaestus's help, he left me, and now what am I?" The words just kept spilling and tumbling out. "I pushed him away when all I wanted was a future between us."

Charlotte reached out, offering a reassuring touch.
"Artemis, love often makes us act in ways we never anticipated. It's a powerful force, and sometimes, we make mistakes. Percy cares for you deeply. He may need time, but I believe he'll understand."

"And how do you know?" I asked hoarsely. Charlotte gestured to herself.

"Look at me. You did the same thing with me, remember, or at least something similar, and I still made peace with you." I nodded.

"But that was still with Percy's help, remember?"
"I do," she admitted. "But don't worry. There's always some form of hope." I nodded, grateful for Charlotte's empathy. The weight of my actions seemed to lift slightly as I shared my burden with a trusted friend. In the quiet of the tent, the air carried the weight of unspoken understanding.

"And now," Charlotte prompted gently, "what do you plan to do? How can we help you mend what's broken?" I sighed, contemplating the path ahead.
"I must find Percy, explain myself, and hope he can forgive my thoughtless actions. But I fear he won't listen, won't understand." Charlotte's expression remained steady, her support unwavering.

"We will face whatever comes together, Artemis. And if Percy cares for you as much as I believe he does, he'll find a way to forgive and understand."

"I'm not usually a fan of lovey-relationships," Sophie admitted, speaking up for the first time so far, her tone casual yet sincere. "But I have to admit, you and Percy, you're like peas in a pod. You're amazing for each other, and I really hope you two find your way back together." Charlotte grinned, turning to me.
"See, even Sophie agrees. There's something special between you and Percy." A watery smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Charlotte, sensing my fragile state, brushed away a tear from my eye.
"Don't cry, Artemis. Tears aren't meant for your doe eyes." I nodded, grateful for the support.
"Thank you, Charlotte." She got up, gesturing for Sophie to follow. As they reached the exit of the tent, I turned to them, curiosity evident in my eyes.

"Where are you going?"

Charlotte's lips curled into a small smile.
"You fix your relationship, and we'll help from the background. And, well, that starts with a visit to a specific person, or rather a specific couple."

Nico POV

The dim glow of neon lights spilled into the quiet bar as I stepped through the entrance, attempting to muster a smile that never quite reached my eyes. Midnight had cast its inky shroud over the city, and the bar held a subdued atmosphere, a haven for those seeking solace in the shadows.

Approaching the worn wooden counter, I greeted the bartender with a nod.
"How's it going?" The bartender offered a weary smile.
"Same old, same old. What can I get you?"

"Black coffee, please," I replied, my gaze sweeping across the sparsely populated room. As the bartender prepared my drink, we engaged in the familiar dance of small talk. The weather, the news—trivial topics that served as a fleeting distraction from the weight that lingered in the air. The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds, each one a reminder of the solitude that accompanied the late hours.

Finally, as a lull settled between our conversation, I took a deep breath and decided to broach the real reason for my visit.
"Hey, have you seen someone come in recently? Long, messy hair, moody expression. Probably ordering water or some fizzy drink. Basically non-alcoholic stuff." The bartender leaned on the counter, his eyes scanning the room before settling on a lone figure at the far end of the bar.
"Yeah, there's a guy over there. Seventh glass of orange juice tonight."

"Thanks," I murmured, leaving a few coins on the counter before making my way to the solitary figure hunched over his drink.

Percy sat there, his usual vibrant aura dimmed by a heavy sadness that clung to him like a shadow. I took a seat beside him, trying for a friendly smile that I knew wouldn't fool him.

"Hey, Percy. What brings you to a place like this?" I ventured, hoping to elicit some response from him. Percy looked up, his sea-green eyes carrying the weight of the world.
"Nico," he acknowledged with a nod. I ordered a drink for myself, not wanting to pressure him into conversation. The bartender brought my second coffee of the night, and I took a sip, savouring the bitter warmth that contrasted the cool ambiance of the bar.

"So, what's on your mind?" I asked casually, hoping to coax more than one-word responses out of him. Percy sighed, his gaze fixed on the amber liquid in his glass.

"Just life, you know? Everything feels... messed up." I nodded, understanding the sentiment more than he could possibly know.

"Yeah, life has a way of throwing curveballs at us. Want to talk about it?" Percy shrugged, his shoulders heavy with the burden of his thoughts.
"Not much to say. Just... things didn't work out the way I hoped."

I sighed, taking a moment to absorb Percy's heavy words. The weight of his emotions hung in the air, and I couldn't ignore the evident turmoil in his eyes.

"Artemis?" I ventured, my voice cautious. Percy's grip on his glass tightened, and his gaze remained fixed on the orange juice as if seeking solace within its depths.

"Like I said, I don't wanna talk about it," Percy muttered, his tone a mixture of frustration and resignation. Another sigh escaped my lips as I reached for my coffee, the warmth providing a fleeting comfort.
"You don't have to, but I already know what happened. For what it's worth, I'm on your side… But people make mistakes, Percy. Maybe it's time to sit down and have a talk with Artemis. You guys are like peas in a pod. Just give her a chance to explain it all." Percy's eyes narrowed, and he shot me a glare.
"Is that your advice or Thalia's?"

I hesitated for a moment, choosing my words carefully.

"Look," continued before he could interject, "I get it. You warned me about Thalia, told me not to be with her, and I ignored you." Percy hissed through gritted teeth.

"I told you to stay away from her."

"Thalia makes me happy," I admitted, "just like Artemis makes you happy. Maybe it's worth facing the complications and trying to work things out." Percy glared at me, his frustration evident.
"Then go be with her. Leave me alone."

I leaned back, allowing the distance between us to grow. The air in the bar seemed to thicken with tension, and I respected Percy's desire for solitude. Sometimes, wounds needed time to heal, and no amount of words could bridge the gap between two hearts.

"Okay, Percy," I sighed. "You win. I'll leave. But before I do, I want you to think back to when Gone captured Artemis because of you. I want you to think of how sad you were, and how much you blamed yourself. I want you to think about all the trouble we went through to get her back and to win this war. Then, think about how amazing life has been ever since Artemis and you became a thing. How nice does it feel to be loved?"

I slipped Percy a small picture. It wasn't anything big, just a picture of Artemis kissing his cheek.

"Think about it," I sighed softly. "Bill's on me tonight." With that, I walked out of the bar, praying to Aphrodite, Eros, Pothos, Hemeros, Anteros, and every other love god out there for the reunion of Percy and Artemis.

To me, they are peas in a pod.

And without each other, can there really be any happiness for them?

Sorry for the delay but just needed a chapter to fill things in and get ready for what Percy's gonna do next. Hope you enjoyed and if you did, please leave a review!