Here is chapter seven people Hope you like it.

As always I do not own PJO or HoO

Chapter 7: The Unspoken Promise

The days that followed the battle with the Hydra felt like a blur of quiet, shared moments. There was no need for words between them anymore—at least, not as many. Every glance, every movement, spoke volumes. And though neither of them would admit it aloud, it was clear that something had changed. The connection between Percy and Artemis had deepened in ways that neither fully understood, nor were they ready to confront.

Artemis had always been a creature of the moon and the wild, of hunting and solitude. Percy, on the other hand, had never really known how to be alone. His entire life had been built around connections, friendships, and bonds, whether with his family, his friends, or the gods. But Artemis was different—she had lived for millennia, her existence shaped by an independence he couldn't fully grasp. Still, he had seen a side of her that others never would.

And in return, he found that he was beginning to understand the part of himself that existed in the shadows, in the quiet moments beside her. There were times when their hands brushed ever so lightly, or their eyes met in fleeting moments of shared understanding. But it was always just that—fleeting. Neither of them dared to push it further, unsure of the consequences that might follow.

The forest was beginning to show the signs of early autumn—leaves turning shades of amber and gold, the air crisp with the scent of pine and earth. Percy found himself spending more and more time in Artemis's company, whether it was during training or while patrolling the borders of Camp Half-Blood.

One evening, they found themselves by the campfire again. The others were still awake, talking in small groups around the fire. But as usual, Percy and Artemis had quietly drifted away, finding a secluded spot near the edge of the camp. There was something comforting about the quiet darkness here—the cool air, the soft rustle of the leaves, the occasional hoot of an owl in the distance.

Percy sat on a large rock, his legs crossed in front of him, while Artemis stood nearby, her eyes scanning the sky above. She was always watching, always aware of the world around her, as if the forest itself was a part of her.

After a long silence, Artemis spoke. "I've been thinking," she said, her voice soft but deliberate, as though she had carefully chosen her words. "About what you said—about not being alone anymore."

Percy turned his head toward her, the warmth of the fire flickering on his face. His heart beat a little faster, knowing the weight her words carried.

"I meant it," Percy said quietly. "I'm not going anywhere. Not unless you want me to."

Artemis hesitated, and for a moment, Percy wasn't sure if she was going to say anything else. He wasn't sure what he expected her to say—perhaps that it was better to keep their distance, or that she couldn't afford the distraction. But then, she spoke again.

"Do you understand what that means?" she asked, her voice almost sounding… fragile. "You're not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?"

Percy stood and walked over to her, the words suddenly heavy in his chest. He had always been impulsive, jumping headfirst into situations without thinking about the consequences. But this was different. This wasn't just about the two of them fighting monsters or surviving quests. This was about something that felt deeper—something he wasn't sure he knew how to define.

He looked at her, his heart thudding in his chest. "No, I'm not saying it to make you feel better," he said, his voice steady. "I'm saying it because it's true. You're… important to me, Artemis. More than I can explain."

Artemis's silver eyes flickered in the firelight, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, for the briefest of seconds, she seemed to soften. It was almost imperceptible—a fleeting change in her demeanor—but Percy caught it.

"I don't need you to explain," Artemis said softly. "I just need you to understand what you're offering. My life... my existence... has always been one of solitude. I chose it. I needed it. But you..." She paused, her gaze meeting his. "You have a way of making me think that maybe it doesn't have to be that way forever."

Percy's chest tightened. He wanted to say something—to reassure her that he understood. But what words could he possibly offer that could do justice to what she had just shared? All he could do was take a step closer to her, a silent promise hanging in the air between them.

"I get it," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But you don't have to do this alone. You don't have to be alone. Not if you don't want to be."

Artemis's breath hitched slightly, her gaze softening as if she was weighing his words, testing them like the tip of an arrow. She didn't speak immediately, but Percy could see something in her eyes—a vulnerability that surprised him.

For centuries, Artemis had lived as the goddess of the hunt, of independence, of the moonlit solitude. But now, here, with Percy standing before her, she was beginning to realize that maybe, just maybe, she could allow herself to want something more. Wanting something didn't make her weak—it made her human, or close to it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Artemis took a deep breath and gave a small nod.

"I'm not afraid of what we could become," she said, her voice softer now, as though she was finally allowing herself to acknowledge what had been growing between them. "I'm afraid of losing it."

Percy reached out, his fingers brushing against hers, the touch gentle and tentative, like a question asked without words. Her fingers responded, curling around his ever so slightly.

"You won't lose me," Percy said, the words leaving his mouth without hesitation. "I'm not going anywhere."

The moment hung between them, fragile and delicate, like the first breath of dawn breaking over the horizon. The world felt impossibly still, as though even the trees themselves were holding their breath, waiting for what would come next.

And in that moment, for the first time, Artemis allowed herself to believe in the possibility of something more—something beyond the hunt, beyond the isolation. It wasn't that she had given up who she was, or the life she had chosen for herself. But for once, she allowed herself to entertain the idea that there could be room for both—the moonlight and the warmth of the sun. The wildness of the hunt and the tenderness of the heart.

Without saying another word, Percy gently tugged her a little closer, just enough that their shoulders brushed together. Artemis didn't pull away.

The stars above them twinkled brightly, as if in approval. And for the first time, Artemis didn't feel the weight of her immortality so heavily. For the first time, she allowed herself to feel something else, something new—hope.

The fire crackled quietly in the background, the soft sounds of the night wrapping around them. As the moments stretched on, neither of them spoke again, but neither needed to. The promise between them had been made, unspoken but understood, and that was enough.

The forest had always been Artemis's home. But tonight, it felt like it was theirs, together.

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Till Next time