Percy

I once again awoke to a familiar beeping sound as I came to, only registering a blinding white light when my eyes finally flickered open, causing me to groan lethargically.

I heard a strangled gasp, and then quick footsteps retreating, although in my beleaguered state I didn't recognise who it was, or even where I was.

By the time my eyes had adjusted to the bright environment, the memories of yesterday started to flood my consciousness.

I'm in the hospital. I realised with a defeated sigh.

Just then, a familiar figure in a white doctor's coat walked in.

'Well Praetor, before you ask, the arrow was poisoned. We've been drip-feeding you saltwater and nectar for a couple of hours.' Howard informed me without preamble.

'How's Reyna?' I asked. It was the only thing that really stuck out to me after the events of yesterday.

I frowned. How much time had passed.

'Actually, scratch that, how long has it been since I passed out?' I asked before Howard could respond.

Howard chuckled lightly. 'Slow down there, it's only been a couple of hours. It's actually four in the morning.'

That explains the eyebags. And the dark windows. I thought as I glanced towards a window in the top corner of the office.

'As for Reyna… It's looking like she'll pull through, but she'll be out for the count for the foreseeable future.' He reported gravely.

I grimaced. 'That bad?'

Howard nodded slowly. 'The arrow punctured one of her lungs. Couple that with the fact that she doesn't have your healing, and didn't get any immediate care… Frankly it's a miracle that she survived at all.'

I nodded, the reality of the situation setting in.

'So when can I leave?' I asked eventually.

Howard fixed me with a hard stare.

'Normally, not anytime soon. Even with your healing factor, that was some seriously strong venom they had imbued the arrow with, and it's still going to cripple you for a couple of days.' Howard began.

'But you're letting me out?' I insisted.

Howard sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'We both know I can't exactly stop you.' He said. 'Just do me a favour, use the bath in your house and submerge yourself in the water for at least a couple of hours every day. It'll speed up the recovery.'

I nodded happily, moving to get up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

And promptly collapsed under my own weight.

Howard sighed. 'I did warn you, you'll be very weak for the next couple of days.'

I groaned painfully from where I lay on the ground.

'Fuck you Howard.'

XIXI

Percy

I was out of breath by the time I had made it to my door.

The figure on the other side knocked impatiently again.

'I'm coming!' I shouted.

I ripped the door open to see an impatient Michael checking his watch.

'Percy! You look… Alive.' Michael commented.

'Charming. Anyways, come in.' I stepped aside to allow Michael to come in, after which I took a seat at the dining room table I had, Michael taking a seat opposite of me.

'I'd offer you coffee, but frankly you'd be here for a while.' I commented drily, gesturing to my beleaguered state.

'That's alright, I don't plan on staying long anyways, security's been upped tenfold since the attempt, I'm very busy.' Michael responded.

'What, they make you praetor?'

Michael shook his head. 'Reyna's status hasn't been reported to the senate yet. Neither has yours, for that matter. All we really know is that there was an attempt on both of your lives last night, and that you're both in intensive care. Nobody even knows you'd been discharged from the hospital yet. I only found out around half an hour ago.' He squirmed around nervously.

I frowned in confusion. 'So who's in charge? I've been soaking in a bathtub all night ever since Howard let me out.'

'A coalition government has been formed in yours and Reyna's absences.' Michael revealed.

My eyebrows shot up. 'Oh yeah?'

Michael seemed to get even more uncomfortable. 'Three parties have formed, two are more pro-Legion and one is a more conservative civilian one.'

I chuckled. 'Democracy. What a nightmare.'

Michael rolled his eyes. 'Yeah yeah. Anyways, the two military parties formed the government in coalition, with the civilian party entering opposition.'

'Why are there two different Legion parties?' I asked.

Michael grimaced. 'Well, one's pro Legion, the other is more… Extreme.' He explained, pausing nervously.

'Just tell me, Mike.' I demanded in exasperation.

Michael seemed lost in thought for a moment, before finally responding.

'The other is pro you, more than pro-Legion.' Michael said.

You could have heard a pin drop at that moment.

I chuckled softly. 'You're shitting me.'

Michael shrugged. 'It's nothing you don't know about already. There's a lot of people who feel unsafe. They look at your reforms as a way to guarantee the security they've enjoyed. Just now, it's gotten more active. Doesn't help that since Terminus disappeared, people have been carrying weapons freely inside the city. We've managed to keep order with the auxiliaries, using them as a sort of police, but it's only a matter of time.'

I considered Michael's words.

If I play this just right, this could be very useful. I mused thoughtfully.

'At least tell me they picked a good name.'

'They call themselves the Pars Praetoria.'

I snorted. 'Praetor's party? Did they forget there's another one?'

Michael shrugged. 'I don't pretend to know what they were thinking, but I guess they see you as the true Praetor.'

I nodded. 'Who's heading it?'

Michael leaned in conspiratorially. 'See, that's where things start to become a problem. He's a guy called Daniel Vientos, a veteran of the fourth cohort, and later the auxiliary cohort. Thought to be a lifer up until recently, when he mustered out, citing wanting to follow through with a new opportunity that had presented itself to him. I assume a political career.'

I nodded pensively. 'A veteran who decided to take matters into his own hands. I don't see the problem.'

Michael shook his head. 'On the surface it's fine, but as I did more digging, I found a disproportionate amount of veterans and lifers across all cohorts mustering out, all citing the same thing, new opportunities having presented themselves to them.'

I leaned forward in surprise as well, my interest now piqued.

'We're losing lifers?'

'We're past that point. Almost all have already mustered out. Their numbers aren't big enough that they'd be noticeable to the regular rank and file, but it's a notable lack of experience that we need now more than ever.'

'Do we know where they've gone? They can't all have joined the political party, there wouldn't be enough jobs.'

Michael shrugged. 'Still a mystery, but it doesn't bode well. We haven't had an actual democracy in over two thousand years, and frankly, I'm not sure what we can do to keep it under control.'

I groaned. 'Okay. Okay. This is still fixable. First off, I want you to contact Octavian. Tell him that I'm cashing in a favour, that should get you his support. I don't need anything crazy, just keep the landscape stable until I can actually walk again. I'll take the reins from there.' I instructed.

Michael nodded. 'I'll see what I can do.'

I leaned back, letting out a deep breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding in.

'Right. I'll let you go then, I have lots of nothing to get through.'

XIXI

Percy

True to my word, and sticking faithfully to Howard's instructions, I didn't do anything strenuous that might lengthen my recovery, but the news from Michael had given me lots of food for thought.

Reyna had been effectively removed from the equation, according to what Howard and Michael had told me.

This was it. The moment I had been waiting for. Finally, my last opposition had been effectively removed, and I would be able to shape New Rome and the Legion into a force capable of winning the war.

Sure, I had finally found a solution, a sort of uneasy truce with Reyna to work together, but that was always a compromise.

I sighed in contentment as I sank completely into the bath in my bathroom, the water giving me strength, constantly being absorbed as my body looked for any viable source of energy to replenish its depleted reserves, the unknown poison having gotten the better of even my enhanced biology.

On the bright side, if I'm struggling so much with recovery, Reyna could be down even for the entirety of the war. I thought grimly.

It was still relatively early in the evening, only around six, yet there was no noise from the streets in the city, only the sharp noise of metal hitting stone as Legionnaires patrolled the streets, the steel-toed boots against the cobbled roads a stern reminder of the realities of war. It had been so abandoned that I had been allowed to return home without any escort, as there were no available legionnaires to pull off any of the checkpoints to do so.

It was truly haunting, to see the streets completely bare, to not hear any of the customary noises that made the city feel alive.

My room was dark, but familiar, illuminated sufficiently by the moonlight which leaked in through the glass doors which led out to a small balcony. The moonlight also gave me a certain degree of comfort.

On a whim, I approached the glass doors slowly, gently opening the doors, supporting myself on the railing of the balcony as I leaned forward against the railing of the balcony, staring into the night sky, the numerous stars dotting it in complex patterns I didn't know to decipher.

I felt an unfamiliar feeling hit me as I stood there, reminding me hauntingly of events that had already come to pass.

Déjà vu. I thought absentmindedly to myself.

A bright flash illuminated the balcony as a familiar figure appeared beside me, likewise leaning against the railing of the balcony, only facing me.

'Familiar, isn't it? I thought the same. Though not one of my most pleasant memories, if I am honest.' Artemis spoke up from beside me.

'Well, the memory is keeping me bedridden for the moment.' I returned drily.

Artemis shrugged. 'I said it wasn't a pleasant memory.'

I smiled softly.

'How is the wound?' Artemis asked, stepping forward so she was right in front of me, placing a hand on my chest gingerly, right on the spot where the arrow had hit me.

'Getting better. It was a poisoned arrow, some weird primordial stuff. Even with my healing factor, I wouldn't have survived if you hadn't thrown me into that fountain. You saved my life.'

Artemis smiled when I told her this, but I noticed it didn't extend to her eyes, which were still clouded with worry.

'Something's on your mind.'

Artemis seemed surprised, tensing up before relaxing slightly.

'I guess I was used to you being one of the most powerful demigods I've met… I forgot.' She admitted.

That you were still mortal.

The unspoken end to her sentence hung heaving in the air around us.

Frustration coursed through me at my own limitations.

So close, and yet so far from the finish line. I thought, in my own crude imitation of deadpan humour.

A sharp jolt of pain went up through me leg, causing me to stumble while sucking in air sharply.

Artemis was by me in an instant, the concern written all across her face only serving to further fuel my newfound frustration

'You should rest.'

Though I had wanted to spend more time with Artemis, I wasn't really in a position to argue when I had my arm around her shoulders as I shifted the better part of my weight onto her,

I subtly guided her to my room as we both ambled along painfully slowly, the silence feeling eternal.

We chatted idly, and by the time we had made it to my door, I felt a twinge of regret sharper than I had expected.

Only a single day and I feel like an eternity has passed. I really missed our daily meetings. I thought to myself.

By this time I was so tired and half asleep, I didn't even noticed when Artemis opened the door to my room, guiding me in herself, before gently lowering me down onto my bed.

It was a plan thing, a simple wooden bedframe with equally nondescript white sheets.

By the time I had laid down, I barely registered when Artemis whispered into my ear. 'I'll see you tomorrow.' Kissing me on the cheek, before I succumbed to Morpheus' realm.

XIXI

Percy

I woke up to the first rays of sunshine hitting my eyes, streaming in through the window adjacent to my bed, illuminating the small room.

I brought my left arm to eyeline, checking my watch.

One in the afternoon.

My eyebrows practically shot off their forehead in shock.

Didn't realise I had been up that late. I mused. Time had a tendency of getting away from me when I was lost in my own thoughts.

It was only then when I tried to get up that I felt surprisingly stiff resistance across my chest, anchoring me down to the bed.

I looked down in surprise, noticing a dainty, pale white arm draped across my chest.

A small groan came from beside me, and I looked over in further surprise to see a mess of auburn hair resting beside me, the owner slowly moving.

'Morning.' A croaky voice grumbled.

Snapping out of my shock, I was even further surprised by her lethargic attitude.

'And good morning to you. What, not a morning person?' I remarked drily.

Artemis raised her head, her eyes meeting mine.

'Moon goddess. Hate mornings. Weakest time of day.' She muttered, her head falling back onto the pillow she was using.

My pillow. I realised with a jolt.

An iciness crept into my chest at the implications.

I gently removed Artemis' arm from around me, getting up slowly, finding I was still dressed in the same sweats and plain t-shirt I had been the night before.

I felt remarkably better compared to last night, the long sleep having done wonders for my battered body.

I always sleep better with her. I thought idly.

'Not really morning anymore.' I commented, only getting a noncommittal grunt in return.

Leaving the bed to Artemis, I slowly made my way downstairs to my kitchen, putting on a pot of coffee.

I stared at the black liquid coalesce and bubble, my mind wandering.

I felt a certain sense of reassurance, Artemis standing by me so steadfastly, the level of worry she had shown really touching me.

…That said, didn't she have her hunters?

It worried me deeply, how she kept leaving them to see me.

Not that I'm complaining, but it can't be helping how suspicious everything already looks, especially now that she's here during the day. I thought to myself.

I was really hoping it wouldn't come to this. I recognised with a sigh, knowing what I would have to do.

I picked up the now-ready pot of coffee, pouring myself a steaming mug, sipping slowly as I stewed.

At some point, Artemis padded down the stairs, walking over to the kitchen, where I offered her coffee.

'Thanks.' She muttered gratefully as she took a mug, taking a long drink before exhaling contently.

Artemis always looked perfect, but even that couldn't hide the haunted look in her eyes, a wilt in her personality which correlated with the incident with her lieutenant.

'Artemis.' I spoke softly, but the seriousness in my voice secured Artemis' full attention immediately, her worried expression searching me for whatever was the issue.

'We can't keep doing this.' Even as I said it, I felt conflicted.

I want you around, but it isn't what's best for you. I thought morosely.

Artemis' face was unreadable.

'Why's that?' She asked eventually.

My expression was pained. 'You know why.'

'Humour me.'

I sighed in defeat. 'You're blowing off your huntresses for me. I appreciate it, but I also know that it's not good for your group.'

Artemis' face remained unreadable still, which was progressively putting me on edge.

'Oh yeah?'

The standoffish answer irritated me.

I'm doing this for you godsdammit.

I kept my patience. 'Yes. I did the same. I don't want you to make the same mistake.'

That seemed to melt some of the icy reception from Artemis, her eyes softening.

'I want to be with you. You worried me.' She said.

I grimaced. 'Artemis, you have to think towards the future. I shouldn't take priority.' I explained gently, trying to be as diplomatic as possible.

Artemis' demeanour changed right in front of my eyes, from confusion, to disbelief, to outrage, and then finally to indignation.

'What is that supposed to mean? Of course you do!' Artemis shot back immediately.

I smiled sadly. 'I'm mortal Artemis. You don't have to spare my feelings. This is a fling. I'm not permanent like you. Or your hunters.'

Artemis simply stared at me. 'This has to be a joke. Don't you dare talk about yourself like that..' She shot back with a venom that took me by surprise. 'I'm four thousand six hundred and eighteen years old, and in my life I haven't even so much as kissed someone, and you think this is some sort of fling?' She asked, her voice getting louder with every word.

'It's not like that.' I tried to placate, though her words made me doubt everything I said more and more with every passing second. 'But look how close I was to dying at the garden. Mortals aren't permanent, especially not demigods like me. There's no happy ending for you here.' I explained.

'What would you have me do.' Artemis asked with a low voice.

'Go back. I can take care of myself. I promise,'

Artemis scrutinised me intensely, her eyes seemingly searching my soul.

'Do you mean that, or are you just doing what you think is best for me?'

'Both?'

Artemis looked around, zeroing in on my broom I had been using for spring cleaning a couple days ago propped against the counter near us.

Walking over calmly and snatching it up quickly, she walked back equally calm.

Before whacking me on the head with it.

I rubbed my head with a grimace, my eyes squinting.

She hits hard.

'I'm going to regret asking.' I said defeatedly.

Artemis put down the broom, crossing her hands standoffish.

'You said you'd be fine alone. You'd take care of yourself. And maybe, just maybe, I might be able to knock all of the selflessness out of you!' She shouted the last part, making me wince at the volume.

'Last I heard brooms don't spontaneously come to life to beat their owners to death. And anyways, I thought selflessness was one of my better traits.' I responded tiredly.

Artemis threw up her hands exhasperatedly.

'Maybe for someone that needs your help, it is. Maybe in your perfect roman society, it's seen as a valued trait. But I'm stubborn, and I'm selfish, and I wish you would stop trying to convince me about this. I'm not going anywhere. Hunters be damned.' Artemis shot back.

I sighed in defeat, not sure what to say.

'I love you, Perseus.'

I squeezed my eyes shut, my resolve weakening.

'I- I'm mortal, Artemis.'

'So you don't?'

The question hung heavy in the air.

I groaned in frustration.

Damn it, damn it all to Tartarus.

'Of course I do! What kind of a question is that? I don't really get why you'd ever need to hear this because quite frankly, it doesn't get more obvious than me, but I love you, Artemis.' I ranted, the last, most important line coming out sombre.

I took in a deep, shuddery breath, running a hand through my hair absentmindedly, surprised at the level of emotion I didn't even know I had.

'But that doesn't change that you have your responsibilities, and I have mine, and we can't afford to continue carelessly like this.'

Silence seemed to stretch on forever.

Strange how that seemed to happen to me more and more often.

Artemis simply stared at me, eyes wide, whether at the confession, the tone, hell, fucking life, I didn't know.

Her voice was so quiet I could barely hear her.

'Perseus, just… please. I can't be around my hunters.' The admittance seemed to shake Artemis, as her voice caught, and I realised with a jolt that she was sobbing. 'It's bad enough that Thalia can't make eye-contact with me anymore, the rest know something's up, too. I can't relax around them, can't do anything.' She took a deep breath, gearing up for something big.

'I want to be with you, not them. Ever again.'

The admission seemed to rock Artemis to the core, her sobbing only getting worse as they wracked her body, and I rushed forward instinctively, pulling her into me as I attempted to comfort her.

'It's okay. We'll figure it out.' I murmured.

We'll figure it out.

AN:

Well. I don't know how that was to read, but that was damn near some of the most emotional stuff I've written in a while. Probably since the fecking chapter when they first got together.

This is going to be the last chapter I write in Ireland.

No anecdote for this, honestly I don't want to leave, but there's not much I can do about it.

Happy days.

So yeah, between moving countries, switching schools, losing a month of my summer hols, and switching curriculums, This'll probably be the last chapter in a couple of weeks, at least.

So yeah, wish me luck, I'm going to need it.

Anyways, reviews.

7dju: Sorry about that, hope this chapter didn't take too long.

PetrogradAN: You request and I deliver. I promised to chapters maximum, and voilà, all talked out.

Of course, this doesn't mean the problems end, but at least now there's now more insecurity between them, if nothing else.

It's a very bittersweet ending, in my opinion, but I feel it about fits the tone where we're at in the story. (Who am I kidding it's been like this for a while, but oh well.)

I'm actually really surprised that you miss the earlier chapters. In my opinion they're some of the weakest in practically every way imaginable, It's really refreshing to see your perspective on how the two have evolved as a team, I never really thought of it that way. Sorta a one step forward three steps back type thing.

As for the politics, not really much I can do about that. But I do promise more pertemis in the future. I know it's been lacking these last chapters since Artemis confessed to Percy.

So yeah, hope you enjoy the chapter.

.upg: Cheers bud.

PaladinKaladin: I never thought I'd see the day someone would call my fic a hidden gem. Though in this case I'm happy to report that I'm pleasantly surprised.

I'm so happy you thought the same about the believability. Obviously it's all a bit subjective, (I mean, it's pertemis), but I like to think some of the reactions, especially from more veteran characters, are more in-character than in some fanfics I've read in the past.

I totally agree with your thing about my Percy being OC. I mean, I guess it could be argued that Percy would be very different if raised by Romans, but still, for all intents and purposes, not a lot of canon Percy's personality is easily recognisable.

But I actually like it better this way. It's a more adult take on war, which is severely lacking in Rick's original works, for obvious reasons.

I always like to visualise Reyna and Percy arguing as two siblings fighting over the same toy, always helps me write their dialogue lol.

Anyways, here's the update, just five hours after you reviewed. Some premium service right there. (I could use with a tip).

Anyways, that's about it. It'll be a while, but I promise I'll be back with an update as soon as I can.

Slán, Murph.