Disclaimer: i dont own pjo
Thanks chaosinfluff8, you're so nice!
T-T
"Mistress, is there something wrong?"
Anybody else would scoff at the scene as annoying since he always acted like a worried mother even when the smallest thing seemed off, but Artemis felt that it was endearing. The only times Artemis felt that way was when she spent time was Leto.
Nobody dared to show concern towards her as she was the daughter of Zeus lest they look like a fool and get themselves skewered like a kabob. There was nothing for anyone to show concern for, besides the cold glare she gives everyone. That was normal. Someone could ask why Artemis looked so grumpy all the time, but that definitely was a sure-fire way to greet Hades himself.
However, Artemis has become more animated in recent day, not that an ordinary god still couldn't tell the difference between a happy Artemis and a neutral Artemis. They would look the exact same in the eyes of a normal god much less a mortal.
Percy wasn't like other gods though. It seemed that he knew exactly what she needed in that exact moment to the point where she thought that he was the mind reader between them.
The goddess knew that idea was false from the moment she thought of it. If he really was able to read her thoughts, then she would only be reading her own monologue.
Artemis cleared her throat. "Yes, but it's nothing to be concerned about." She could've lied and said no; however Perseus would find out anyways. Because, that was the type of person he was.
He would have a reassuring look that made you want to say everything that was on your mind, and he would be there, patiently listening to everything.
He wouldn't judge and still be there to comfort you, even if you did something completely heinous.
If she didn't have the mental fortitude of being a god, she probably would've told him her entire life story.
Perseus was one of those people that made you feel comfortable without having to talk to them. His existence made her feel comfortable. She didn't know how that was with other people, but that was the way she felt.
The problem that existed in her mind revolved around many different questions. Questions that did not have answers, or maybe she did not want answers to. Because, it questioned her entire being.
It questioned her reality.
Her silver eyes peered at Percy with his gems looking back at her. They tried to hide something, it was nothing that a normal male would try to hide. They reflected how uncomfortable he was feeling.
She guessed. No, she was sure that it was due to the bus.
"You're uncomfortable." Artemis stated as if it was common knowledge.
"It was that obvious?"
"Yeah."
"I was trying my best not to show it, but I swear nothing gets past you," he sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.
Artemis giggled, which strangely didn't surprise Percy. It was one of the few times she expressed herself, but it was nothing surprising. It was more of the fact that she felt comfortable showing this part of her to him that made him feel grateful. Anyone else in his shoes would be shocked until their eyeballs popped out. The image of Artemis wasn't a girly feminine person. She was more of a stone brick wall that they had to climb over. This was not Percy's image of Artemis.
The more he was with his mistress, the more she warmed up to him, and the more he reciprocated her warmth.
And.
The more emotions he wanted to see.
He thought that she was someone who showed little but cared immensely underneath her cold exterior. He would be surprised the range of emotions she displayed the more he spent time with her and thought that his mistress was a little misunderstood.
It wasn't that she didn't want to display her emotions, but it was that other people didn't pay enough attention to see them which makes them believe that she was emotionless.
If one took enough time to, they would be able to see the intricacies of her self.
Seeing her happy made him happy, sprouting a small on his face.
...
Percy usually never reacted like the typical bottom-half thinking males, where sometimes Artemis wondered if he was a man at all. A normal man would be on cloud nine with such a beautiful woman.
Each time she thought of something like that, Artemis reprimanded herself because that was something a narcissist would say. And narcissists were a scary group of people. She never wanted to be involved with one of those. It wouldn't send shivers down her spine, but she would never be caught dead around one.
He was definitely one in a kind. One in a hundred billion, she could say the least. And he was hers (her guardian).
"I could say the same." The goddess sat next to him, it was shoulder-to-shoulder close. The tips of her fingers nervously touched the tips of his fingers.
It was the first time she was being proactive with a male. Artemis
She couldn't see her own face, but she swore that it was definitely red from embarrassment. It felt really hot while she looked into his eyes, and a part of her wanted to bury herself into a hole.
Artemis silently chanted to herself.
Pure heart with pure intentions.
Pure heart with pure intentions.
Pure heart with pure intentions.
...
Percy laced his fingers with his mistress, not thinking that it was romantic in any way. He didn't think that his mistress was interested in men to begin with. Percy was only glad that they were so close now. This friendship dynamic appealed to him much more than a strict master-servant relationship.
Yes, he probably would've been fine even if he was treated like dirt. But, he preferred to have an amiable relationship rather a forced one.
He understood why the girls acted the way they did, but it didn't make their actions less harsh. Percy definitely thought that there was a better way to go about it when he first arrived. It was needlessly cruel.
If another male was summoned and not him, he would be unsure of how they would be able to perform their duty.
Love was foreign to him.
Maybe, it was due to his master's teachings that distorted his concept of love so heavily.
So much so that the thought of loving someone else never entered his mind. But maybe-
He immediately shook the thought out of the way, physically shaking his head.
Noticing this, it was now Artemis's turn to be concerned. "What's wrong?"
Looking tenderly at Artemis, "Nothing. Nothing at all."
His mistress dispelled any discomfort that he felt without him noticing. He didn't even notice that they've entered the city, despite the amount of honking and people outside yelling. Percy never thought that he would think this when he first arrived, but he couldn't have asked for a better person to serve than Artemis.
T-T
"Mistress!" A yell from outside snapped them out of their little wonderland.
Artemis's head turned towards the door, signifying that it was time for them to go, however she did not take the initiative to let go of his hand. She remained seated for a few seconds longer as if she was going to say, "Just a second!" But, she didn't intend to do anything until she really had to.
"Mistress," he said softly while getting up.
From his voice alone, she knew he harbored the same thoughts as her. He wanted to be the one to take responsibility of ending that moment from them, so she didn't have to blame herself for doing it.
She knew that they had to go soon, otherwise the girls would get suspicious. They wouldn't know exactly, but they could very well guess what happened between the two of them.
Still holding her tightly, Perseus pulled his mistress along without much resistance, not wishing to let go. Good thing that none of the girls waited at the front of the bus because they would seen their mistress holding hands with their guardian.
He walked not too fast but not too slowly, letting both of them to relish the moment for a bit longer.
As they approached the door, she tugged back slightly, letting him know that she didn't want anyone else to see them holding hands. She didn't need to communicate that with words for him to understand.
Artemis slowly let go, not because she wanted to, consciously feeling the warmth of his hand leave inch by inch. Laced fingertips held on for dear life until the very last second.
It seemed to last a lifetime, but none of the girls noticed or questioned about it, much to her surprise.
She stepped out in front of the luxury hotel and led the girls inside with Perseus trailing behind her. Her emotions waned until nothing was left.
A woman, wearing a suit and friendly smile, greeted them, "Welcome back, My Lady. I will guide you to your rooms." She motioned to the open lobby, intending to lead them.
"No need." Artemis waved her hand dismissively, continuing to walk through the lobby.
The woman gave a polite smile. "I understand, My Lady. Take care."
The group entered an elevator large enough to house all of them.
Perseus stood in one of the corners, cheerfully talking to some of the girls. He looked content talking to them.
When they were together, they did not talk much. It was weird for her to say, but it was more physical than conversational. Not physical as in when a man and woman really really like each other, they did more things together like: hunting, cooking, shooting competitions, archery practice, -
Percy noticed her looking at him and flashed a smile at her before returning to his conversation. Artemis didn't know that she was staring at him the entire time and looked away. She was also reminded of another thing, causing her blush a tiny bit.
-holding hands...
T-T
"Alright! You girls are free to go have fun."
After lecturing the girls not to get themselves into trouble like last time, Artemis let them go into the city. They erupted into a loud cheer that would've sent vibrations through the entire building if not for the enchantments made to prevent such a situation from happening. It was also soundproof, otherwise how could the other guests relax if this group of girls made noise every time they came. There would surely be complaints from the gods residing here.
Eviane looked at Percy, "Percy, you should come with us! We'll show you around the city!"
Since the incident with Alexie, Eviane had little to no contact with her, only talking to Alexie whenever it was completely necessary. She found a new, much better friend group that treated her better like an actual person. It was a plus that this group was friendly towards Percy and not one of the few Percy-hater groups still existing.
"I would love to, but I have to standby Mistress." His tone was neutral, so they couldn't tell whether or not he thought that it was a good or bad thing.
"If you ask her, I'm sure she'll-"
Percy flicked her forehead and laughed. "Just go and have fun. I'll see you all later."
The other girls expressed regret but decided to go. He saw them off with a reassuring smile, leaving him alone with Artemis.
"Are you sure that you didn't want to go with them? You can still go if you'd like."
"Well, my duty is to you and you alone. It doesn't matter if I want to go with them or not."
Artemis was silent for a moment before saying, "If someone else heard you say that, they'll misunderstand."
"What's there to misunderstand? I meant each word."
She lightly snort, but it secretly made her happy. "Are you sure you don't want to take a look at the city?"
"Mistress, you already know the answer to that."
Rolling her eyes, she said, "Why did I even ask? Come with me." Artemis snatched his hand before he could even say anything.
"Mistress? Where are we going?"
"You'll see. Also. Stop calling me Mistress."
T-T
"You totally look like a country bumpkin."
"I'll take that as a compliment. There's nothing wrong with being a country bumpkin."
Artemis shook her head and continued to drag him along.
"Mistress-"
"Perseus." She stopped in her tracks.
"Artemis."
"Good." She continued walking.
"Why do you care about what I call you, all of a sudden?"
"Why do I care? Does it matter?"
Percy thought about it for a second. "No. But, it could?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Kind of?"
"Well. That's too bad."
"..."
"Let's go somewhere quiet."
"Feel free to lead the way."
"I'm already doing that, idiot!" Even though she sounded angry, her face was full of smiles.
Artemis pulled him into an alleyway with a scarce number of people.
"I never knew cities were so loud..."
"That's one of the reasons why I don't like coming here, but all the girls seem to love it. In here."
On the side of the building, there was a small entrance protruding out.
Percy wouldn't have noticed if Artemis didn't point it out. It was quite literally a hole in the wall.
She pushed in the wooden door, causing a bell to chime.
An older voice greeted them. "Welcome!"
Inside, there were already a few folks inside quietly chatting as a soft violin played in the background, barely audible, but noticeable. The shopkeeper was pouring a cup of coffee with a warm smile on his face.
The place had rustic feel to it with the soft orange light emitted from the lights that dangled above. It was a small cozy shop that smelled of coffee beans and baked goods. On the counter, there were pedestals of bread, muffins, and cookies; their fresh goodness put on display for anyone to desire.
They took a seat in secluded corner, where the entire corner was like a couch. Percy didn't say anything and admired the atmosphere.
After a few minutes, the shopkeeper arrived to their table. "The usual?" He was looking at Artemis.
"Yes."
"What can I get for you, sir?"
"Uh. Can I get what she's having?"
The old man chuckled a bit. It wasn't an annoying laugh, but it was similar to a grandpa enjoying his grandchildren's antics. "How about this? I'll make you something special. My treat."
"Hmmm. Alright."
"You won't regret it," he closed his notepad without writing anything in it.
Now, it was just the two of them. Percy noticed that they were close like before and felt the urge to hold her hand again. It felt like he was missing something when he wasn't.
He didn't want to make her uncomfortable because earlier Artemis didn't feel keen on showing friendly affection in public. So, he intended to respect her wishes.
Percy only set his hand next to hers. If she didn't want to, then he would be a bit disappointed. But, he wasn't going to hold it against her if she didn't want to.
He was the one who desired to show affection. It was her choice whether or not to accept, Percy only gave her the option.
A few moments passed by, and it didn't seem like Artemis didn't seem to be interested. She didn't move her hand away, so for now this much contact seemed acceptable for her. This was fine because he was merely hoping.
To be honest, it was his first time initiating, and it did feel a bit bad to be rejected. But again, he didn't blame his mistress. It was his own desire. She had no obligation to fulfill it.
One couldn't blame him for trying. Percy took a shot and missed. It happens sometimes.
The shopkeeper came with a platter with two cups of coffee, both emitting their own unique aroma.
"Enjoy."
The coffee that his mistress got was significantly darker than his but produced a rich aroma.
He took a sip of his coffee tasted like easy to drink containing a earthy and vague bitterness with a touch of acidity.
"Ah!"
His mistress calmly sipped her dark coffee, quietly enjoying her drink.
This was the first time he tasted coffee, and he had to say. It was a dam good.
Although, his mistress's drink did peek his curiosity. What did hers taste like?
Perhaps detecting his thoughts, she asked, "Do you want to try?"
He gave a slight nod.
They decided to exchange cups.
Artemis waited to see Perseus's reaction first before she tried his.
She usually stuck to her usual one as it simply tasted the best to her. The other few that she tried were not as good.
Artemis watched as his lips touched the place where she drank from, inducing a faint redness in her face.
That.
That was an indirect kiss.
Perseus didn't seem to notice as he seemed to enjoy the sip that he had. But. That was still an indirect kiss.
All of a sudden, Artemis felt self conscious about her lips.
Were they chapped?
Why did they feel a bit hot now?
She brought his cup up to her mouth with "nervous" hands, also indirectly kissing him, rationalizing that she had to do it to make it fair.
From the counter, the old man watched the couple in their own little world and sighed to himself.
Youth...