Song Rec: "A Death Marked Dream" by Mandroid Echostar. Now this is one of the few songs in their discography like it and that kinda sucks because it's amazing. Good news though! Their other stuff is pretty great as well. Anyway, this song has always been a more tragic one. In my interpretation, it speaks of the beautiful aspects of love but focuses more so on the end of it. I think the important takeaway is that there's unity in the end. I personally think that one of the reasons I like this song is because I've got this notion that the two in this fictitious story - in regards to the song - that I've created for it have thrown everything they have at the world in a desperate attempt to stay together and to get as much time out of each other as possible, even at the sacrifice of other things that they love. And, while I can't personally recommend doing that, it is understandable. I think that Percy and Artemis are the type that couldn't do that either. They'd let each other go. Maybe one would die in battle or something, but they'd let the other go. It'd hurt, and they'd wish they could do anything to be with the other, but they wouldn't because it'd go against their partner's wishes. Both have very strong senses of duty in my mind, and I think it goes very well with the tragic aspect of this song in the sense that even in death, they wouldn't get everything they wanted. And you could think about it in the sense that one's mortal, bound to die, while the other will persist all while stuck with a lifetime of memories that one day, nobody will understand. So yeah. Great song.

Percy watched as the goddess turned the wheel, shifting lanes so that they could get back on the highway. Honestly, it was too early for them to be on the road. The two had left early in the morning at Diana's request. She'd started getting a little restless at some time around six in the morning and had accidentally woken him up. Still, while he jokingly grumbled about it, he didn't really mind.

Sure, the son of the sea would have preferred to lounge in bed until noon, but he'd ended up waking up anyway so there wasn't much reason to just sit in said bed. Initially, the two had talked for a bit, but after a good fifteen minutes, they'd decided to leave. She'd gotten up before him, showering first before he followed when she was done.

Now, a certain part of him realized that this wasn't exactly a purely platonic thing; they had spent the night asleep practically on top of each other, but that was neither here nor there. If anything, it cemented something in his mind. He was going to have to discuss his feelings with the goddess. That was something he sort of dreaded, but the hopeful part of him pointed out all the times that she'd made small comments or done little things. Really, if anyone else had done such things, he would have thought those to be clear signs. He wasn't so sure with the goddess. Now, that could have been because he was refusing to see them as signs of romantic interest, but who was to say? Well, actually. He was the one saying that.

Still. He was going to have to do something soon. Probably confess his feelings in all honesty. Then again, maybe he should consult someone before he went anywhere with that. Try and figure out if he was just being delusional or not. And so, he started drafting his letter, all while sitting next to the goddess while she drove them down the highway.

"What are you writing?" Diana asked curiously, glancing over at him. He'd sort of turned himself away so that his back was leaning against the door while his body faced the goddess.

"Letter to Chiron," Percy tried to keep it casual as he tapped the nib of his pen against the paper a few times. It left little, black dots on the page but he didn't care. The centaur knew his habits well enough, having taught him, "Need to ask him for advice."

Diana nodded in interest as she refocused on the road, "If I'd known you needed to write a letter, I wouldn't have insisted we leave."

Percy glanced over the edge of his paper, "Don't worry about it. It gives me something to do so I don't mind."

The goddess didn't say anything else, obviously thinking about something. Still, Percy had something to focus on. The hard part was going to be figuring out how to explain it all. Well, best he got started then.

"Hey Chiron," Percy wrote. Almost instantly, he wanted to scrap the entire thing and disregard the idea. And this was precisely why he continued, and he reminded himself of that as he glanced up at the goddess next to him. Fuck. He owed it to her to do something about this whole thing, and so he turned back to his letter.

"I've been having some thoughts. Not in the bad sense. At least I don't think it's in a bad sense? Anyway, I wanted to reach out to someone. I figured if I just started to let the words fall onto the page, I'd somehow realize something or have this great epiphany or something. Really, I just need advice I think. Why am I writing you a letter instead of just calling? Dunno. Sappy sentimental reasons I guess? Doesn't matter anyhow. Oh. Guess I should explain what I'm actually struggling with instead of just rambling."

Percy spun his pen around a few times, flipping it idly between his fingers before continuing.

"I may or may not be in love with Artemis. Or Diana? Both actually. It's crazy to admit that because she's sitting right next to me in the car driving."

There. He'd written it down. Letter done.

Except, it couldn't really be. He knew that. Even if he so desperately wanted it to be done. Again, the soon to be god pressed on.

"Yeah. So to reiterate. We, as in she and I, have been spending a lot of time together. A lot. If I had to imagine, it'd be fair to say it's like ninety percent of most days as of late. And even then, that ten percent, we're not really that far from each other? Point being!

I'm not sure what to do about that. And you've been around a lot. You've seen and taught so many people and I just wanted to ask if you had any advice for me. Or even maybe just lend me an open ear or whatever it is people say?"

Percy once again stopped writing, drawing little marks all around the edges of the slightly yellow paper, just around the border of his letter as he looked up at the goddess.

"Okay okay okay. So. I figured I'd need to give you more details about this. Maybe that'll help since we're not actually talking face to face. Uh basically, we get along really well. Like really-"

Percy underlined the last word before continuing.

"Well. And we like a lot of the same things and we say things to each other and do things with each other that I don't really think normal friends do."

Percy, realizing how that sounded, hastily attempted to explain.

"Not like in a dirty way or anything but like we make or we flirt, at least I think it's flirting, and we've even been falling asleep together. She doesn't even need to sleep so that's a little odd."

The young man continued to ramble on as he wrote, attempting to explain anything he possibly could. Anything and everything that he thought of was written down. And, before he knew it, the letter was finished. Percy almost automatically started processing it, making sure the destination and recipient details were correct before sealing it with a single golden drachma.

It was only when Percy set it down in his lap that he truly realized he'd already finished. The dashboard told him it'd only been twenty three minutes and some odd seconds, but it had felt like hours from when he'd first started. Still, Percy idly tapped the now sealed envelope against his leg before locking it in the glovebox. In a few minutes, it would be whisked away by magic, courtesy of Hermes, delivered straight to Percy's old mentor in a matter of seconds.

And, only a few minutes after that, the old centaur would have one of the greatest laughs of his entire life, before promptly penning a response to his beloved student. Of course, it wouldn't be delivered until later that night, but Percy would hardly notice.

"Done with your letter then?" Diana asked after hearing the click of the panel shutting.

"Yeah," Percy smiled. He felt a bit lighter for some reason, "I'm sure Hermes will end up delivering it soon."

"It didn't take you long to write," Diana observed idly, glancing over her shoulder. The road was a little less crowded than she thought it'd be.

"Which was sort of surprising," Percy nodded, "Felt like I had a lot to say."

"What about?"

"Life, I guess?"

"I see."

Percy laughed, "You seem like you're thinking about something."

"I am," Diana confirmed.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

The goddess glanced at him before looking back at the road, "Yes and no."

"Story of my life," Percy said easily, shifting a little so that he could stretch his leg before bringing it up to his chest, "Well, if you feel like it, I'm more than happy to talk about it, and if you'd like to talk about something else, I'd be happy to do that too. Just let me know."
Diana nodded but didn't say anything for several minutes. Eventually though, she did start, "Would you make any changes to your life right now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is there anything you really want? Or any big changes that you'd want to happen?"

"In an ideal world? Probably to have a dog. Or a cat. Probably both actually."

"Is that it?" Diana asked, seemingly surprised.

"I think so," Percy looked thoughtful before responding, "Well, I can think of one other thing I think, but if everything goes well, I'll have it resolved within the month."

"And what might that be?"

Percy smiled fondly, "You'll see. Hopefully sooner than later."

"Then I eagerly await," Diana said. It didn't carry the same carefree tone it normally did. Percy decided not to ask since the goddess would probably bring it up if she wanted to. Still, he was curious what she would change. And, he was secretly hoping that it would be their relationship.

"What about you?" Percy asked, "What would you change?"

"I have a few ideas," Diana replied, "I think I want to try some new things."

"Any that you need me to add to the list?" Percy joked.

"I suppose I should say that they'd be new for me," Diana explained, "But I won't lie and say they're not with you in mind."

"I'm sure I'll end up finding out somehow sooner or later. We're basically attached at the hip anyway," Percy joked, "You give me a time and place and I'm yours. Or just drag me along like you do."

"Some of our best days have been like that," Diana agreed after a moment.

"I like to think that most of our days tend to be pretty great though," Percy shrugged, "You asked me what I'd change but I think I'm already making those changes. A lot of which are directly thanks to you."

"I suppose you're not wrong."

"Suppose?" Percy laughed as he made little air quotes, "You used to drag me out of bed at ungodly hours just so I'd get out and do something. Trust me when I say you're responsible for a majority of my progress."

"I disagree," Diana finally responded like she usually did, seeming to relax a little, "You cannot get better with anyone's help unless you want to be better. I may have nudged you along, but the rest was you."

"Counter point," Percy grinned, "Nuh-uh."

Diana laughed, "You know what I'm going to say, yeah?"

"That I sound like Apollo," Percy nodded, "But it got you to laugh so I think it was worth it."

"I suppose that reason is passable enough," Diana looked over at him for a second, "You're a strange person."

"That's the second time in twenty-four hours that you've told me that. Did you really expect me to change that quickly?" He joked, "Besides, roughly half of my charm is that I'm weird."

"Only half?"

"Funny," Percy deadpanned, "Guess I walked into that one."

"Take it as a complement," Diana laughed, "You've somehow managed to make something odd into something enjoyable."

"Right," Percy said dryly, "Just what I wanted to hear about myself."

Diana laughed, patting him on the leg as she drove, "If it makes you feel any better, I am strange as well."

"What's the saying? You are the company you keep?" Percy asked, "I guess it would check out that we'd both be bat-shit crazy."

"You might only be speaking for yourself on that one."

"Yeah maybe," Percy shrugged, "Though I can't say I've ever really been the jealous type."

"What?"

"Like in a relationship," Percy answered, "I feel like the normal connotations of calling someone batshit crazy are when you're in a relationship with them you know? Like the super controlling, kinda toxic sort of crazy?"

"Oh I see."

"You don't agree?"

Diana turned to stare at him for a second, causing Percy to realize the issue with his statement, "Oh right. The whole "never dated" thing. Forgot about that."

Diana laughed, "I shouldn't be surprised."

"Not at all," Percy grinned, "But anyway, I never felt like I had crazy jealousy issues or anything. What do you think you'd be like?"

Diana thought for a moment, "I'm not sure. I've been told I can be possessive."

"I remember someone saying something about that," Percy couldn't recall exactly who'd said it, "But I haven't really seen it so I feel like it's not that true."

Diana smiled, knowing better, "I'm sure you will."

"What are you possessive over?"

"What's mine."

"That's no help."

"Not at all."

"Is this where you say I'll find out eventually?"

"Something like that," Diana laughed, "Are you interested in stopping for food?"

"Give it a little bit. It's too early to eat."

"That's a first."

"Yeah well I was under the impression we were going to be taking our time in the morning, but somebody," At this, he nudged her with a smile, "decided they had to get out of the house."

"Got restless. And believe me, I wouldn't have minded staying there longer had I not been."

"I was so warm too," Percy complained jokingly.

"Oh shut up," Diana laughed, "You act like the same thing won't happen again tonight."

"Is this becoming a nightly occurrence then?" Percy asked curiously.

Diana paused for a moment before responding, "Do you want it to be?"

"Yeah I think so," Percy nodded, observing the goddess, "Why do you look like somebody just kicked a puppy?"

"As blunt as ever," Diana rolled her eyes, "And simply because I worry."

"About?"

"You. Me," Diana shrugged, "I didn't want to overstep any boundaries."

"You're not," Percy shook his head, "I'd let you know if you were. And besides, I was the one who was complaining about you getting out of bed."

"Fair enough."

"Besides, why wouldn't I want to?"

"I was under the assumption that this is not exactly something that friends do."

"Really?" Percy seemed confused by this, "I can't say the same. Maybe that's just because I haven't always had the comfort of privacy or space during my quests but I've never considered it a huge deal."

"Then I'll have to take your word for it," Diana responded, "I've never exactly had a friend close enough to warrant this sort of thing."

"I think it only becomes different when there are feelings involved," Percy said thoughtfully. He didn't explain that there were, in fact, feelings involved, but he'd get there. At some point.

"I see."

The conversation trailed off after that. Percy didn't mind though, as he was more than content to draw in his little notebook while the goddess drove. He'd recognized that the goddess was caught up in her own thoughts and if she wasn't going to address it or bring it up, he wasn't going to push her. No, he'd rather figure out what he was going to do. If, and this was a big if, she reciprocated his feelings, he'd rather confess in a manner that demonstrated that he was serious about all of this.

At the same time, he struggled with the idea of asking her on a date or something of that nature. If she didn't return his feelings, it would potentially strain things with her. Then again, the less insecure (and distinctly more rational) part of him told him that this was the least likely option. There was little to no chance that she'd not return some form of feelings, especially given what they'd just talked about. If she was under the impression that sleeping together wasn't something that "just friends" did, then it was highly likely that she had some sort of feelings for him.

Well, if that was the case, maybe he'd just let himself run with that idea and plan some nice date. She had expressed interest in dates before. Not necessarily with him, but the concept of one. Maybe the moon goddess would enjoy one? He supposed it never hurt to ask. People had always said he was rather forward about things and neither Diana nor Artemis had ever seemed to mind, so maybe there was a good precedent there.

That did bring up the question of what sort of first date he'd plan though. Hmm. Concert maybe? Or perhaps something a little different like a museum or something? Then again, maybe he was overthinking it. If he wasn't sure how things would go over, maybe a little coffee date or something would be good. Or a bookstore? Maybe both. Fuck. It was good to know he hadn't lost that obsessive tendency for planning romantic evenings.

He huffed quietly, causing the goddess to look over at him, but he didn't notice. Alright, maybe he'd just play it by ear this time. Focus less on the overarching details and focus more on the small things. Flowers were a good one. He could ask Calypso or Demter for help with that. Dress was another one. He wasn't entirely sure what the goddess would prefer, but she'd never seemed to mind dressing up. They'd done it a few times now, just for the hell of it so maybe they could do that. Something a little different from what they usually did would be fun and would probably make it stand out too, so he was probably going to go with that. Then again…

"Do you like dressing up?" Percy asked suddenly, surprising the goddess a little.

"What?"

"Like dressing up in fancy clothes and all that," Percy explained, "I feel like you do like it but I also feel like you don't at the same time I can't really explain why."

Diana smiled softly, "I enjoy doing so with you because I don't feel forced to. I do so because I want to, and you're more than happy to oblige me in that regard where my father is not."

"Yeah checks out," Percy said easily, "That's all I was just curious."

"Oh okay," Diana smiled a little wider, and the two went back to being silent. This time though, it seemed a little more comfortable as the Huntress wore a soft smile while she steered them around. They'd been driving for a while at this point, but the road hadn't gotten any busier. That was nice. Back to planning though.

Alright. Ideas, ideas. What could he think of? Uh…

He blanked. Well, shit.

Okay well maybe they could do a driving date or something like that? That could be fun. It didn't fit the usual date format that one would think of, but it did seem rather on brand for them. Pack some food, some blankets, a few pillows and then just drive around until they found something that called their names. Maybe that could be a nice grotto or a field or something?

Okay. Not a bad plan. Could be quite fun actually and it'd fit in well with their usual habits. It was just that he felt that was sort of the opposite of what he wanted for a date. If it was going to stand out at all, perhaps it should be something different? Something not so usual for them? Hard to say.

At the same time, he wasn't sure if that was good. She'd never really been on a date, right? So maybe it was better to start off familiar. Fuck. This was hard.

"Would you prefer to do something new or stick with something that you've done before?" Percy's mouth moved faster than he could think, asking the question that was burning in his mind.

"I think it depends on the day," Diana said thoughtfully, "But so long as the company is good, I'm rather impartial."

"Great," Percy nodded and the goddess withheld a small chuckle. Maybe he should have expected the goddess to be rather uncaring about it. She did go with the flow quite often and rarely complained. Okay. Maybe he was just overthinking it. Maybe the idea would just come to him in his dreams or by chance or something? That'd be great. Maybe that was a bit idealistic though. Oh well. Problems for later, as were many things in his life.

"Why don't you like being called by your first name?" Diana was the one to ask the question this time, taking Percy by surprise.

"Uh well," Percy rubbed the back of the head, "It felt weird as a kid because all the other kids would look at me weirdly because it sounded old and sort of strange to them. But the thing is, I don't actually mind it."

"Really?"

"Well," Percy scratched his cheek, "I don't know if that's exactly what I mean. I should say I like it when you call me by my full name. Couldn't tell you why but yeah."

Diana didn't say anything for a moment before giving him an easy smile, "I like your name."

"Thanks," Percy's cheeks reddened just a little, "It's just nice hearing it because I don't actually dislike it. I just got in the habit of hearing myself be called "Percy" and so now everyone calls me that. It feels like we're a little closer because you're calling me by my actual name. Don't know why."

"I don't think the "why" of it matters so much as you liking it does."

"Yeah good point," Percy watched as the goddess drummed her fingers on the steering wheel a little, "Want to stop to eat something really quick?"

Diana nodded after a second, "What did you have in mind?"

"Not picky," Percy shrugged, "Honestly, I'm down to just sit around in the woods and eat snacks or something even."

"Why not a full meal instead. I rather like that idea."

"I didn't want to ask that of you," Percy said, feeling a little bashful, watching as the goddess smiled before pulling off the highway towards one of the backroads, "I can't really explain why on that one either."

"Because it is irrational," Diana laughed, turning so that they were driving down a barely paved road, "There is next to no effort involved in it."

"Yeah well still."

"That's not an argument."

"Nope."

"I do wonder what goes on in that pretty head of yours."

"Not much," Percy laughed, trying to see if he could find a good place to stop , "Care to look?"

"No need," Diana responded with a smile, "You're rather forthcoming about what's on your mind."

"Yeah probably for the best actually," Percy said, suddenly realizing that she'd have a very decent chance of learning of his feelings if she actually did read his mind, "I've been told it makes me seem more trustworthy."

"That and because you seem too sweet to lie."

"Sweet?"

"That is what I said, yes," Diana smiled, "You are a very kind person."

"Eh," Percy made a face, "Depends on the day."

"I'm sure. What do you think of this?" Diana asked, gesturing towards an upcoming patch of wood a little ways in front of them.

"Looks good to me. And there's a little space to park."

"Yes well," Diana smiled, "I'm not entirely sure if that's exactly right, but so long as you're happy with it."

"What?" Percy laughed, "Were you hoping for a parking lot?"

"No, but maybe somewhere just a little farther from the road."

"We're on a dirt path," Percy shrugged, "If someone manages to find and then steal my truck, I guess they're just better than me."

"Right," The son of the sea laughed as the goddess stopped the engine, "What I wouldn't give to share your optimism."

"That's a new one. Typically, I'm the downer here."

"Only sometimes," the moon goddess half-agreed as they exited the car together, "Have you ever considered going back to having short hair?"

Percy shook his head, "Not really."

"Good," Diana said, coming up to him so that she could play with it a little, "I like your hair long."

Percy leaned into it a little, "Yeah me too. I feel like I look less like a child with it being long."

"I think you lost the baby face years ago. You'd look grown regardless, but it does make you look a little princely."

"Princely?" Percy asked, "That's a new one."

"Well you are."

"Right, Princess, whatever you say."

The moon goddess rolled her eyes in amusement as they began walking, "Alright point taken."

"But, thanks for the compliment," Percy smiled, "I'm glad you like the hair."

"It's a different look than your old one for sure."

"Well," Percy chuckled, "Shit happened and boom, long hair. Sometimes though, I have half the mind to just chop it all off."

"You better not," Diana tugged on his arm, "absolutely not."

"I'm not going to," he laughed, "The two most important women in my life have already expressed that they'd kill me if I did."

"Who? Me and your mom?"

"Pretty much," Percy nodded.

"You must not know many people then if I'm among the most important."

"Are you kidding?" Percy laughed, "You might be one of the first people I choose to spend time with."

"I suppose not many others could handle you."

"We're both handfuls I think," the son of the sea agreed, "I guess that's why we work."

"Something like that."

The two walked for a little longer, idly strolling through the woods to find somewhere to sit. It was a bit on the cooler side due to a slight breeze, but it was more than comfortable. Ideally, they'd be able to find something a little more open, but neither minded the way little flecks of sunlight seemed to fall all around them.

"Oh!" Percy chirped, suddenly bending down, "cute spider."

Diana crouched down next to him to observe said arachnid, "Do you like spiders?"

"I like most things," Percy shrugged, "plus they eat mosquitoes and I hate those things."

"Oh okay," Diana stifled a laugh behind her hand, "I suppose that is as good a reason as any."

"Right?" Percy moved his hand slowly against the leaves in the hope that the small creature would climb on him. It seemed to shuffle for a moment before practically stepping into his palm, "Want to hold it?"

"Sure," Diana watched as he let it skitter around his hands, "you look like you're having fun."

Percy smiled, "I've been told I like picking up things I probably shouldn't."

"And why shouldn't you?"

"Scares people, I guess?" He shrugged, "I love catching snakes too, not that I get the chance to do it much. I used to want one as a kid but obviously couldn't."

"What sort did you have in mind," Diana asked as Percy gently moved his hand over to hers.

"Oh I wasn't ever picky. A snake was a snake and that was good enough for me," Percy explained, "here. I'm sure the little guy will be more comfortable with you than me."

"True, but he is relaxed enough."

"Can you talk to spiders too?"

Diana laughed softly as they watched it settle in her palm, "Yes, and no. See, they're not very smart."

"Yeah I get that," Percy grinned, "most fish aren't the brightest either really."

"No I can't say they are," Diana agreed.

"How do you feel about dolphins?" Percy asked suddenly.

"They're intelligent."

"And a little scary. I'd take a shark over a dolphin any day," Percy shook his head, "criminals those things."

"I'm not sure your father's lieutenant would like to hear that," Diana smiled.

"Probably not," Percy agreed, "but if any sea creature was going to evade taxes, it'd be a dolphin."

"Whatever you say, Perseus," Diana laughed before crouching back down to say the little arachnid back under some leaves, "would you like to continue our little walk?"

Percy laughed, turning back towards the path, "is that your way of telling me to shut up?"

The goddess giggled, moving so that they were walking together, "Of course not."

"Sure," Percy grinned, "message received."

"Oh be quiet," she laughed, smacking his arm lightly before grabbing his hand, "I'd much rather just tell you to shut up and have you do it than try to trick you into doing it."

"Guess that's fair," he laughed, "You're probably the only person who can boss me around."

"It means you know your place."

Percy laughed, "Sure, sure. Are you complaining?"

"Not in the slightest."

Hello! Been a minute. Whoops. Insert usual explanation about life and stuff. Got a new tattoo though! Tree of Gondor right on my ribs. Looks pretty cool too and I'll be going in for another relatively soon. Anyway, let me know what you guys think of the chapter. I really enjoyed writing this one, at least past the very beginning. In good news though, I've almost finished the next chapter and will hopefully be getting closer to the usual upload schedule. Might make it twice a month for a little bit before going back to the weekly chapters so I can build up a few buffer chapters so I don't go back to the random update schedule I have since it annoys me. Hopefully, I'll also manage to carve out some more time to actually respond to everyone and all that. Thank you all by the way! You guys have been super supportive and generally awesome so thank you so much. And thank you to those of you have reviewed even though I haven't been responding recently. I read them and I have a lot of thoughts about them and love trying to respond but I've been pretty busy lately, so I just wanted to say that I'm super grateful! Anyway, let me know what you think and till next time!