"I'm telling you!" Apollo cackled. Percy jokingly rolled his eyes but couldn't stop himself from laughing at the sun god's story. Hermes was in a similar boat.

"Sure sure whatever you say," Hermes chuckled. Apollo swayed a little as he sat in his chair, causing both Percy and Hermes to start laughing again. Contrary to popular belief, the sun god was an awful drinker. He was an eternal lightweight as Leo would have put it.

"I'm serious," he whined, "Ask Artemis."

Hermes's grin seemed to widen in a way Percy was sure he didn't like, "Yeah Perce, just ask Artemis."

"Will do," he said easily, refusing to acknowledge Hermes. He went as far to avoid eye contact with the god.

Apollo's drunken smile grew as well as he nodded in thought, "You'd be a good brother in law."

Both Hermes and Percy sputtered for a moment, both turning to look at their friend. Percy openly gaped for a moment while Hermes questioned the inebriated idiot, "Why would you say that?"
"It's true," Apollo insisted, placing his hand on the table to steady himself, "She could do way worse than Percy."

"Yeah that's true, but, and I cannot stress this enough," Hermes paused before practically yelling, "Why would you be thinking about that?"

"Because," Apollo nodded erratically, "he likes her and I think that's great."

"I'm like, ninety percent sure that I don't," Percy said.

"What do you know?" Apollo shot back.

Percy blinked, "Oh, my bad?"

"Yeah, you're right!" Apollo cackled, "It is your bad."

Percy shook his head in confusion as Hermes chimed in, "Wait so why do you think that Percy likes your sister?"

Apollo grinned, "Oh you know."

"I don't," Hermes deadpanned.

"I just know," Apollo said, raising a hand, "Look look look, the point is. Percy. You're doing better than any of the guys in her past."

"That's not saying anything," Percy said glibly.

"Yeah, congrats on doing better than Orion," Hermes chuckled.

"All I'm hearing," Apollo grinned, "Is that I'm right."

"No, you're just drunk," Percy shot back, "People can be friends and not be into each other."

"Yeah," Apollo agreed, "But that's not the case for you."

"Pretty sure it is," Percy grumbled, "I'm not interested in relationships and even if I was…"

He trailed off, causing both of them to give him a strange look. Apollo raised an eyebrow as he spoke, "What? You're not over your ex?"

Percy glared at him, "No, I'm not."

Hermes smacked the other god, "Pretty sure you knew that."

Percy watched as Apollo missed his glass, almost knocking it off the table, "I think you've had enough."

Hermes agreed but the sun god promptly ignored them, speaking in a sing-song voice, "Arty doesn't know."

"Artemis does know," Percy rolled his eyes, "Can we move on from me hypothetically dating your sister?"

"Wait when did you tell her?" Hermes asked curiously. Percy turned to glare at him before sighing.

"She kinda figured it out on her own."

"She's pretty smart," Apollo smiled.

"Smarter than you to be sure," Hermes laughed. Apollo rolled his eyes but agreed regardless as Hermes continued, "Aside from the dating thing, you guys have gotten pretty close pretty fast."

"It's been a couple months," Apollo countered.

"It's not like we haven't interacted before," Percy replied, "We had a whole year of pretty continuous interaction and I'm on Olympus pretty often."

"You mean when you were just traveling the country and stuff?" Hermes asked.

Percy nodded, "Yeah basically. She's just easy to talk to since we're a bit impersonal. We weren't friends before everything ended."

Apollo disagreed, "Impersonal my ass. She lied for you."

Hermes gave Percy a questioning look, "What?"

Percy glanced at the floor for a moment, "I guess that's a good point. How'd you find out anyway?"

Apollo snorted, "First off, she's my twin sister. Secondly, god of truth and prophecy?"
Percy chuckled, "Good point."

"Again," Hermes asked, "What?"

"I had a rough night," Percy said simply. Hermes got the idea quickly enough, having found him in the aftermath of one such situation, "She smacked me through a tree and then called Apollo."

"Can't say I recall her doing that," Hermes shrugged to which Apollo agreed.

"And," Apollo continued, "She let you beat up the bad guys."

"One of those is pretty different from the other," Hermes shrugged, "But sure."

"It's not like she would have been allowed to even if she wanted to," Percy said easily.

"When has that really ever stopped a god from doing something wrathful?"

Percy thought about it for a moment, "Okay good point."

Hermes looked confused, "No it's not."

He and Percy went back and forth about it for a few minutes, arguing about various

aspects of that statement before they were snapped out of their conversation by the sound of Apollo falling out of his chair. Wonderful. Really though, they had to stop letting him drink so much so quickly. This was how many of their nights ended, not that they minded. Usually, Apollo was their indicator for when to stop as the sun god would be drunk off his ass by the time they were tipsy. The two friends glanced at each other and laughed. Hermes snapped a quick photo and picked the other god up while Percy went to pay their tab. Percy found the two outside, Apollo being slung unceremoniously over Hermes's shoulder.

"He lasted longer than I thought he would," Hermes commented. Percy agreed.

"I thought he'd be out an hour earlier."

"It's a good thing he can't get hungover."

"For him or for us?"

Hermes snorted, "Good point. He'd whine until we came to help."

Percy laughed as the two made their way back to the sun god's palace. If the god hadn't been drunk they would have just flashed back to his home but after the fiasco that occurred last time, the group had collectively decided it was better to walk. It was for the best though. Hopefully, the cool night air would sober him up a little. This was, unfortunately, wishful thinking. Apollo remained comatose throughout their trip. Percy watched as Hermes tightened his hold. Apollo tended to squirm when he passed out.

Luckily though, they made it to the sun god's palace with relatively few hiccups. Apollo had nearly fallen out of Hermes's hold once or twice, but other than that, it'd been smooth sailing. Despite their conversations ending as they did, Percy had enjoyed the night. It'd been nice to relax and not worry about anything. Of course, he could have done without the whole relationship thing. What was it with everyone and his relationships recently? He shook the thoughts away as they carefully made their way up the stairs. Hermes had him by the shoulders while Percy had the legs. Due to Apollo's antsy nature when drunk accompanied by a long flight of stairs, it was better that way. Better not to drop the god any more than was necessary.

Of course, as luck would have it, the door would be locked. Normally, Apollo left it open on nights like this under the assumption that he'd need help getting home. It was a fair assumption as more often than not, Apollo passed out and had to be carried home. The messenger groaned. Now, they'd have to find Apollo's key since most gods weren't allowed into each other's palaces without explicit permission.

"Door locked?" Percy asked as he watched Hermes shift a little to look around.

"Guess he forgot to leave it open," Hermes grumbled, "He really should just allow us in whenever."

"He does," Artemis spoke from behind him. Hermes yelped in surprise, dropping the sun god unceremoniously. Percy cringed a bit at the dull thud and subsequent groan of pain from the sun god.

"Don't do that," Hermes groaned, turning to look at the now open door, "I didn't hear you at all."

"Guess we found out why the door was locked," Percy said, taking the sun god over his shoulder, "Mind opening the door a bit more?"

Artemis complied, moving herself and Hermes out of the way so that Percy could get through without banging the sun god's head on the frame. Hermes excused himself as Apollo was, once again, dropped unceremoniously only this time onto a couch. He turned the god's head to check to make sure he hadn't actually gotten hurt. He doubted it, but it never hurt to see. He had been dropped on his head after all.

"I assure you he's taken worse falls," Artemis said easily as she came to stand next to Percy, "Eventful night I take it?"

Percy shrugged, "Pretty average."

"Sounds like Apollo," Artemis seemed quite at home, "Care for a drink?"

Percy ran a hand through his hair and nodded, "Couldn't hurt."

"I think that we are both looking at the evidence that it can," Artemis hummed. He grinned. He couldn't argue with that as he flopped back onto the lounge end of the couch. It was sort of his de facto spot in the sun god's palace. The moon goddess returned soon after, holding a drink Percy couldn't make heads or tails of. She handed it to him as she sat down. Percy accepted it and took a tentative sip of the bluish liquid.

"How is it?" Artemis asked, a hint of curiosity coloring her voice.

"Kinda want another," Percy admitted, taking a second draught of the liquid, "I'll probably bother you for another in a bit."

Artemis smirked, "Eager to end up like my brother I take it?"

"I've got a better handle on it," Percy slumped back into his seat and sighed contently, "Sorry we got Apollo drunk. Assuming you needed something?"

Artemis shook her head, taking a sip of her own drink, "I am simply taking your advice."

Percy smiled, "It was good advice."

"A rarity," Artemis was quick to respond.

"Can't say I disagree," he laughed, glancing at the clock. He easily finished off the rest of his drink, "It's late so I'll get out of your hair."

"Stay. We should discuss something," she drummed her fingers on her arm, "Though perhaps not here."

He cocked his head. Wonder what this was going to be about? He shrugged it off, "Sure sure. Where should we go?"

"A simple change of scenery will suffice," Artemis replied easily. She took a second to check on her brother. Once she was satisfied, she flashed to two away.

Interestingly, their new location seemed to be a cabin of sorts, though "cabin" wasn't really doing it justice. Given the sheer size, Percy assumed this was the form that the huntress's palace was often in. It was sparsely lit, largely relying on lamps and candlelight as well as a large fireplace to keep the area bright enough to see. It made everything seem a bit warmer and while he noticed several light fixtures on the wall, he didn't think they were necessary. Perhaps they would be used during the day?

"So," Percy started, looking around tentatively. While there were many spaces to sit or rest, it would have been disrespectful to simply sit down, "What's up?"

"Relax, Perseus," Artemis gestured for him to sit as she did the same, "You have treated me with much kindness in your own home, it is only fair that I do the same. Treat this as you would your own."

Percy rubbed his arm, "I feel like it's not the same."

"Do not make me repeat myself," Artemis said airily as she summoned two more of the blue beverages and set them down in front of her.

"As you wish, M'Lady," Percy couldn't help but grin as the goddess motioned for him to sit, "Are you trying to get me drunk?"

"I do hope this is not all it takes," Artemis sipped on her own, "I have no interest in drinking alone."

"Then I am honored to be your partner," Percy mock bowed as well as he could from his seat.

"I'm sure," her voice was light, "Was your night enjoyable?"

Percy hummed, "For the most part. Dragging Apollo home is always the best part."

"I imagine that is how most of your nights out end."

"Pretty much but at least it gets him to shut up," Percy leaned forward a bit, "So, did something happen?"

The moon goddess swirled the blue liquid around in the glass, "I am sure you have no interest in hearing this, but the roman council has agreed that adding a new olympian is a good idea."

Percy nodded slowly, "And I'm still one of the primary candidates."

Artemis sighed, "Yes, but that is not the only thing I wished to speak to you about."

"What's up?"

Artemis looked pained for a moment, as if trying to choose her words very carefully, "Diana wishes to meet with you."

Percy sat up a bit at this, "That's not what I expected you to say."

"And what did you expect?"

The son of the sea cocked his head and responded with a laugh, "Not that. Any reason why?"

"She would not say hence why I imagined a warning would be necessary."

Percy nodded slowly, "Could be worse. It's just roman you and you're pretty cool."

Artemis shook her head, "I do wish I shared your optimism."

"What's the worst that could happen?" Percy's voice was sarcastic.

"To you?" Artemis asked rhetorically, "Nothing. It is myself that I am concerned about."

Percy blinked, "Oh why?"

"Diana is far more forward than I am. She is not one to mince words," Artemis said simply.

Percy shrugged, "That doesn't sound too bad."

"For you, perhaps."

"What? Do you have some deep rooted secret you're scared that she's going to blab about?" Artemis stared at him for a moment, causing him to laugh. He continued after a moment, "I stand corrected. It can't be that bad, can it?"

"Regardless, she will be in control starting when we go to Camp Jupiter. It saves me a headache and my aspect gets to stretch her legs so to speak. From there, she requested the rest of the week and I have agreed," Artemis paused for a moment, summoning another glass into her hand, "I do have a favor to ask."

"Yeah, whatever you need."

"It would be wise not to say that in the future," Artemis said serenely before dropping her gaze to him once more, "I wish for you to keep an eye on my Roman aspect."

Percy blinked, "Why?"

"I trust you to distract her from doing anything out of line," Artemis leveled with him, "You seem to handle my brother well enough."

"I'm sure I can do that," Percy said after a moment, "You're saying it like she's a little kid."

"She is close enough," Artemis frowned, "I am trusting you with this."

He ran a hand through his hair and smiled, "Well, I always was the bait. I'm sure it won't be too different."

"I am not so sure."

"It'll be fine," Percy paused, "But on the off chance, do you have any tips?"

She smiled good naturedly, "Thank you Perseus."

"I meant it earlier, all you have to do is ask," Percy yawned, leaning into the backrest, "I should probably go."

Artemis waved him off as her glass topped itself off once more, "You are not intruding."

"You sure?"
She shook her head, "I do not mind your company. If you wish to leave though, that is a matter of its own."

He let his head hang to one side, allowing him to look at the goddess next to him, "I'm too comfortable to get up."

Percy noted that she seemed as regal as ever as she regarded him, even despite her relaxed posture and comfortable attitude. Perhaps it was the way she held herself? Her silver eyes had always held a wolfish nature to them and she was certainly striking, but he couldn't help but feel that there was more to it than that. Even the way she spoke tended to be rather formal, unless to a friend. He'd picked up on that early on. He brushed those thoughts away as she began to speak once more.

"I'm glad you are at home," Artemis's voice was light.

"Hard not to be," Percy grinned, "I've kinda always wanted a mountain cabin."

"What for?"

Percy shrugged, "Just to disappear to for a while. It'd have to be on a lake for sure, even if it's just a little one."

Artemis smiled, "I should have expected a son of the sea to want to be near a body of water."

"What about you?" Percy shifted so he could face her a little more, "Any dream home?"

Artemis gestured around, "What you see now is a reflection of my desires. It shifts as my interests change but I find myself coming back to this often."

Percy nodded slowly, thinking about the ramifications of that, "that's pretty cool. I used to want all sorts of crazy things like a water bed or an arcade."

"What changed?"

"Ah well I almost got killed on a water bed so my opinions changed pretty quickly on that one, but I don't really want a full arcade anymore. Now I'd just settle for a machine or two. I guess it was just one of those things I grew out of."

Artemis tapped her fingers on the cushion of the couch, "But other things have taken their place?"

Percy grinned, "For sure. I've been completing a lot of things I had on my bucket list recently."

"Such as?"

"Well, I got a tattoo and learned how to play an instrument, but it made me realize a few things," Percy grinned, pulling up his sleeve slightly so that it sat around his forearm. Artemis gazed at it for a moment, "For one, I really want a motorcycle."

Artemis knit her brows, "That is not what I would expect."

"I know!" Percy laughed, "I just thought about it one night and I couldn't stop."

"That is strange," Artemis paused as if in thought, "What kind?"

Percy leaned towards her a little as he got excited, "Well first, it doesn't have to be fast. I really just want a certain look but it's not like I'm going to complain about it being fast."

He continued, detailing the key components of the look he wanted. Ideally, as he'd said, it'd have a flat seat, probably brown leather though he said he could easily settle for black. He wanted to have a little X over the headlight like the old racing cars used to do and he was emphatic about it being dark blue with blacked out hardware. He'd admitted to her that he would have probably thrown on small, bar mirrors if any at all. She'd had a light smile as he rambled about it. It wasn't often that he was so open with what he wanted, despite being a relatively transparent person. He'd taken it a step farther, allowing her to see into his mind so that she could truly see what he envisioned. She had to admit that it rather suited him.

Initially, she'd been surprised at her inability to see what he was thinking, at least until he placed her hands on his temples. From there, she'd seen with shocking clarity, likely due to Percy allowing her free reign. Interestingly, as soon as she'd pulled away, she once again had no luck probing into his mind. Even despite his immortal nature, she should have been able to see at least a glimpse of emotion or a broken thought. While momentarily shocking, she wasn't all that surprised as she thought about it a little more. The man had made it through Tartarus and survived. It was no real surprise that he would have strong mental barriers in place.

"What about you?" Percy's voice snapped her out of her reverie. She stared at him in confusion for a moment, causing him to laugh, "I was just asking if you could drive since Apollo turned the sun chariot into a car or a bus that one time."

"It is slightly different from my chariot, but yes," Artemis smiled, fighting a flush back by sipping from her drink, "My brother and I have always competed in races against each other."

"Who won?"

"Is it really a question?"

"So Apollo then?"

Artemis smacked him, but he laughed it off even as he nursed his arm, "He has won a few times but they are few and far between."

"Well, you are older so it makes sense," Percy chuckled, "You seem like the competitive type."

"On occasion, yes," Artemis admitted, causing Percy to smile.

"Remind me not to challenge you to anything then."

"I see no issue with it," Artemis grinned, "What is competition between two friends?"

"Well, I've got a literal eternity now for you to rub it in my face," Percy said easily, "You're never going to let me live it down."

"A right well won," Artemis said, "But it is a two way street as you'd say."

"If I win," Percy grinned.

"Afraid?"
He laughed, "Never. I'm just at a disadvantage right now so I need to pick my battles."

"What do you think you could win at?"

He tilted his head a little, "That's a good question. What do you think you could lose at?"

Artemis smiled, "That is something for you to find out, is it not?"

"Would it be unfair to ask you how good you are at holding your breath?"

So thoughts? Feel good chapter for sure, just setting up the next few chapters of the story. Next six(ish) chapters actually. Regardless of that, I'm eager to hear what you guys think of those next few since it'll partially determine how the rest of the story goes. It's not a major difference, really just in one character, but some people might not like it. I don't see many stories address this aspect so I figured I'd take a stab at it. Anyway, happy reading.