Percy walked into the coffee shop a few blocks away from his house with his hyper 5 year old sister jumping up and down and talking to him excitedly. She was tugging on his hand and trying to make him go faster. It was his fault really, he had promised to buy her a cookie. Despite the fact that his arm was being pulled out of its socket, he was smiling like a psycho. He couldn't help it. It was impossible not to smile when you were around Estelle.
"Percyyyyy. Faster!" Estelle whined.
Percy chuckled but complied, picking up the pace. He couldn't help but think about what had happened in the past few years. For starters, him and Annabeth decided after tartarus that their relationship felt forced and that it was more of a platonic love so they broke up and remained best friends.
His mother had published her first book which become popular very quickly and was in high demand. She had to attend multiple conferences with Paul so instead of moving out, Percy stayed with her to help take care of Estelle. Not that he minded, of course, he wasn't going to move out anyway. He wanted to stay with his family after all he had been through.
He still spent his summers at camp half blood, which was like a second home to him. The years slipped by, and he managed 5 years without being in the centre of a quest that could decide the fate of the world. He had been on far too many of those for his liking.
He was jolted out of his thoughts when Estelle asked him to help her open the door. He smiled and tugged the door open. Estelle ran off towards the display cases. Percy bit back a grin. He wasn't particularly worried about her. Everyone who worked here knew her as well as most of the regular customers. Besides, she already knew how to beat someone half to death courtesy of Annabeth.
Suddenly he ran into someone. He silently cursed himself for being such a seaweed brain before going to help the girl who had fallen to the floor.
"I'm so sorry" Percy apologized, offering his hand to the girl. The girl took it and Percy pulled her up.
The girl looked to be around 20. She had long auburn hair falling down her back in luscious curls and striking silver eyes. She looked similar to someone he knew. He just couldn't place his finger on it.
"Perseus?" The girl blinked.
"Lady Artemis?" Percy asked as realization struck.
"No need to call me lady" Artemis replied.
"What are you doing here?" Percy questioned, praying that it wasn't anything to do with a quest.
"My father turned me into a mortal" She answered.
Percy was shocked. "What? Why? Also, how come you're not in your twelve year old form?"
"I had just enough time before my father turned me mortal to make myself an older age. I figured it would be easier to go around the mortal world like this. As for why I am mortal I may or may not have killed some humans"
"How many?" Percy said.
"A lot" Artemis admitted.
"Why?" Percy could not think of why she would kill a lot of mortals.
"They almost killed my entire hunt while I was gone for a meeting on Olympus. They ambushed them and it was 30 to 1. Even with my blessing, there was nothing they could do. 27 died. Only 3 are left." Artemis sounded as if she was about to break down crying, which Percy didn't blame her for. "I arrived too late. The damage had been done."
"Is Thalia..." Percy couldn't bring himself to finish the thought.
"She is fine. She was one of the ones who survived, along with Pheobe and Atalanta" Artemis assured.
"Why would Zeus turn you mortal because of that?" Percy asked, confused.
"Because of some stupid rule that we can't kill hundreds of humans without permission from the council" Artemis explained, irritated.
"Oh" was Percy's smart answer.
There was a silence for a moment. Percy could see the tears welling inside Artemis' eyes. It became too much for her. The tears began flowing. Percy looked at her in shock. He hadn't expected her to cry in front of him, a male. He felt the strange need to comfort her. He tentatively wrapped his arms around her in a hug. Artemis quickly returned it, burying her head in his chest and crying her heart out.
"It's ok. It'll all be ok" Percy whispered, trying to reassure her.
"How can it be? I lost my family, I lost almost all of my hunters" Artemis' voice was thick with sadness.
"I know it's hard. And it will be. But it'll get better with time" Percy said, tightening his hold on her.
A few minutes later Artemis pulled away. She quickly wiped her tears away and within seconds she was back to her calm, composed self, no trace of her break down moments ago.
"You know that you don't have to hide your emotions, right?" Percy checked.
"Maybe I don't have to. Doesn't mean I won't. Thank you Perseus" Artemis replied simply.
Percy was about to protest to her earlier comment when Estelle decided to make her appearance.
"Percy!" Estelle yelled, running towards Percy with her arms outstretched. Percy chuckled and picked her up.
"Did you decide what cookie you want?" Percy asked.
"Yea! I want a double chocolate one" Estelle replied happily.
"Didn't you have one yesterday?" Percy tried to remember.
"Pleaseeeeee" Estelle begged, bringing out the puppy eyes.
"Fine" Percy relented.
"And who is this?" Artemis asked.
"This is my little sister, Estelle. Estelle, this is my friend, Arty" Percy said with a mischievous smile. Artemis was ready to kill him when she remembered that there was a child here.
"Hi Estelle" Artemis smiled.
"Hi Arty. You look pretty" Estelle said shyly.
"Why thank you. But you look beautiful" Artemis booped her nose, causing her to giggle uncontrollably.
"Now let's go buy your cookie. Would you like to join us?" Percy asked Artemis.
"Why not?" Artemis shrugged and followed Percy to the counter.
Percy put Estelle down. She put her hands on the railing and tried to jump up so she could see what was on the counter, earning an amused look from both percy and artemis.
The woman at the counter smiled at them. "Hi, what can I get you today?"
"One double chocolate cookie, one latte and..." Percy trailed off and turned towards Artemis. "What do you want?"
"I've never actually tried a mortal drink" Artemis confessed.
"Well, do you want something cold or hot?" Percy asked.
"Cold" Artemis replied after a moment of thinking.
"One iced latte please" Percy turned back to the counter and finished the order.
"Is that all?" The woman questioned.
"Yes" Percy confirmed.
"That will be 15 dollars" once Percy handed over the amount of money he led the girls to a table and told them that he'd get their order.
Estelle sat across from Artemis, looking at her with curious eyes.
"When did you meet my brother?"
"When he was 13" Artemis answered.
"Wow. Do you go to the camp he goes to as well?" Estelle asked.
"No, but I know about it" Artemis had to hold in a laugh.
Estelle was playing with her bracelet as they talked.
"Did you make that bracelet?" Artemis said.
"Yes! My brother helped me. I picked blue because it's my brother's favorite color!" Estelle explained, showing her bracelet off proudly.
"Well it looks very beautiful on you" Artemis complimented.
"Thank you" Estelle said shyly.
Percy walked up to them with a tray in his hand. Estelle looked at him expectantly.
Percy rolled his eyes. "Patience Estelle"
"But Percyyyy" Estelle whined, trying to grab the cookie off the tray.
"Can you at least wait for me to sit down?" Percy asked, amused.
Percy slid into the seat next to estelle and set the tray down. Immediately, the cookie was snatched and bitten into. Percy just sighed dramatically.
"Your drink, my lady" Percy said, gesturing to the drink closest to her. She was about to reprimand him for being formal when she realized he was joking.
Artemis tentatively grabbed the drink. She took a small drink and her eyes widened. It tasted better than she expected it to. She took another huge sip and sighed in pleasure.
Percy was smirking at her reaction. "You liked it, I take it?"
"How is this so good?!" Artemis exclaimed.
percy laughed at her reaction, which caused her to pout. "Stop laughing at me!"
If anything, it made him laugh more. He couldn't help but notice how cute she looked. He shook his head from those thoughts.
"So how were things up on Olympus?" Percy tried to make some small talk.
"Absolutely terrible. I had to spend an hour listening to Apollo's haiku's. Do you know how torturous that is?" Artemis demanded.
"Who is Apollo?" Estelle asked.
"He is my annoying twin brother" Artemis answered.
"Is he as annoying as Percy?" Estelle was grinning widely.
"Hey!" Percy exclaimed, placing a hand over his heart in mock betrayal.
Artemis held a hand up to a giggling Estelle, who returned the high five.
"Why does everyone gang up against me?" Percy complained, causing Estelle to fall into a fresh fit of giggles.
A few minutes and fits of laughter later Estelle finished her cookie. She tugged on Percy's shirt. "Can we go to the park? Please?"
"Fine. But only for a little while" Percy relented, before turning to Artemis. "Do you mind drinking while we walk?"
"No, of course not"
And so the trio left the shop. Estelle ran ahead but Percy made sure to always keep her in his line of sight. Srtemis walked side by side with him, which shocked him to say the least.
"How come you aren't with the rest of your hunters?" Percy asked cautiously. He didn't want to upset her by making her think of her hunters.
"Zeus banned me from seeing them. I don't know where they are now" Artemis replied with a blank face but Percy could see the crushing sadness in her eyes.
"Wherever they are, I'm sure they are ok" Percy attempted to assure her.
"Yea, probably" Artemis agreed, but Percy could see that she didn't really believe it.
"Hey, you'll be back with them soon, right? Zeus can't stay mad forever" Percy reasoned.
"Have you met him?" Artemis demanded.
"Unfortunately" Percy sighed. There was a rumble of thunder.
"Oh, shut up!" Artemis yelled at the sky.
"Why is she yelling?" Estelle asked, having slowed down so Percy could catch up.
"Because her father is really irritating" Percy explained with a grin.
"Understatement" Artemis grumbled.
Percy burst into laughter as another round of thunder came. "I don't think your father is very happy right now."
"Who cares what he thinks?" Artemis glared at the sky.
"I'm pretty sure he does" Percy commented.
"Whose side are you on?" Artemis questioned.
"Yours" Percy replied quickly, hoping not to get on the bad side of the man hating goddess, even if she wasn't so godly at the moment.
"Good" Artemis said stonily.
"Can you two hurry up?" Estelle complained. She had been walking in step with percy, which was not as fast as she had wanted.
"Race you!" Percy yelled, suddenly tearing down the pavement.
"No fair!" Estelle whined as she ran after him, unable to catch up as she was shorter.
"Come on" Artemis said. She picked Estelle up and raced after Percy. Estelle gave her the directions and they managed to reach before Percy.
"How did you-" Percy cut himself off when he realised that Artemis would be faster than him, even if she wasn't godly.
"I wanna go on the swing" Estelle said, jogging over to an unoccupied swing. Percy went after her, picking her up and helping her sit.
"Hold tight, ok?" Percy warned.
Estelle nodded. "Ok"
Percy started pushing her, making sure she didn't go too fast. Artemis stood to the side, admiring the fact that he did it with utmost care. He really did love his sister and Artemis could see it. She had never met a man quite like him.
"Faster Percy!" Estelle laughed in pure joy.
Percy complied, pushing her even faster. Estelle was giggling and had a big smile on her face. A few minutes later Percy slowed it.
"Why did you stop it?" Estelle asked.
"Because it's Arty's turn" Percy said. It took a second for it to register in Artemis' mind.
"I don't think so" Artemis immediately backed up.
Percy just walked up to her and picked her up bridal style.
"Percy!" Artemis shrieked. "Put me down!"
"No" Percy replied simply, carrying her over to the now vacated swing. He put her down gently.
"Ready?" Percy asked.
"No!" Artemis all but screamed.
Percy just ignored her and pushed the swing. Pretty soon, the swing was fast and Artemis' was simultaneously threatening to castrate Percy and laughing in pleasure at the feeling of the wind running through her hair as she went higher. For some reason, Percy loved the sound of laughter. It was so pure, so free.
"Having fun?" Percy questioned with a smile. For some reason, it made him feel warm inside seeing Artemis so happy.
"Maybe" Artemis replied cheekily.
Percy slowed the swing so she could get off. When she did, she stumbled. Percy quickly moved to catch her. Artemis was dimly aware of the arm encircling her waist as she gazed into Percy's eyes. The two stayed in that position for a minute, just looking at the other.
"Percy, can we go home?" Estelle asked, bringing them back to earth.
"Ok Estelle" Percy was fighting to keep his blush of his cheeks, yet was failing miserably.
"I guess this is goodbye" Artemis said, failing to hide her furious blush as well.
"Why don't you stay with us while you're mortal? I can't imagine that you have anywhere to stay" Percy suggested to Artemis.
"Sure, why not?" Artemis replied, smiling.
"Yay!" Estelle cheered. She carefully grasped Percy's hand with one of her's and Artemis' with the other.
"Let's go" Estelle said.
As they walked Estelle chattered on and on about anything and everything she could think of. Percy and Artemis exchanged light banter. Their blushes were still there, both of them trying their best to hide them. 10 minutes later they were at the apartment. Percy fiddled with his keys for a second before he opened the door.
"It's not much, but it's home" Percy stated.
Percy held the door for Artemis as she walked in. It was a small apartment but it had a feeling of warmth. It was the same feeling Artemis had whenever the hunters teased each other while they ate dinner around the camp fire. The feeling when they had their childish cartwheel competitions, or when no one really knew who's clothing was whose because they shared them so much. It was the feeling she got when the younger hunters accidentally called her mom or sister and when they would spend the afternoon taking such silly photos that they would fall over laughing. It was the feeling of love and home.
"It's amazing" Artemis grinned and she locked eyes with Percy.
Just then the door opened and in walked Sally Jackson.
"Mom!" both Percy and Estelle yelled and ran to her. Sally laughed and hugged them both.
"And how are both of my children?" Sally asked with a glimmer in her eyes.
"We're fine" Percy replied, rolling his eyes, but Artemis could see that he was happy to see his mother.
"Percy took me to the park today! We went to the coffee shop and..." Estelle then proceeded to tell Sally about her day. "...and we met Percy's friend, Arty!"
Sally looked at Percy quizzically.
"Mom, this is Artemis. Artemis, this is my mom" Percy introduced. Sally looked as if she had just noticed her.
"Hi Artemis" Sally smiled. Then she seemed to realize something. She turned to Percy with a raised eyebrow. "Would this happen to be one of our friends from upstairs?"
Artemis burst out laughing. "Yea, I am"
"Only you, Perseus, would be able to make a man hating goddess not kill you and actually visit you" Sally rolled her eyes.
"What do you mean?" Estelle asked.
"Just that she's pretty like a goddess and that she hasn't really had good experiences with men so she hates them" Percy quickly said.
"Oh, ok" Estelle replied.
"Anyway mom, is it ok if Artemis stays over for a few days?" Percy questioned.
"Doesn't she have the hunt to go back to?" Sally answered. Artemis' eyes pooled with tears at the mention of her hunt.
"Long story short, Zeus turned her mortal for a while" Percy quickly explained.
"Ok, then." Sally relented. She was used to weird things like that happening so she didn't question them. "Just show her where the guest room is and let her get changed into her nightgown"
Shocked, Artemis realized that it was around 7 o'clock.
"Do you have any clothes?" Percy asked.
"No" Artemis said.
"You can borrow one of my nightgowns for today and Percy can take you shopping tomorrow" Sally offered.
"Thank you" Artemis smiled gratefully.
"I'm off to prepare dinner. Paul should be back soon" and with that she left the room, presumably to the kitchen. Estelle left as well, announcing that she was going to go play with her toys.
That left Percy and Artemis. "Come on, let me show you around" Percy said with his signature grin. Artemis smiled back and the two left the room as well.