Anywas as always I DO NOT OWN PJO OR HoO
Enjoy
Chapter 33: The Quiet Strength
The night was peaceful, yet the air felt heavy. Percy sat by the fire, his hands wrapped around a mug of warm tea, trying to shake the unease from his bones. He had learned long ago to adapt to the unpredictability of the world around him, but Artemis—she was different. She had always been the calm in the storm, the constant in his ever-shifting reality. But even she couldn't escape the weight of what had happened on Olympus. The gods' eyes were always on them, and their judgment was relentless.
Artemis stood off to the side, watching over the Hunters who were finishing their evening tasks. Her silver cloak fluttered in the breeze, and her expression remained unreadable, as it often was in front of others. To most, she appeared untouchable, distant, always carrying herself with the quiet authority of a goddess. But Percy knew her better than that. He knew that beneath that serene, unshakable façade was a woman who carried burdens that no one else could understand.
He could see the tension in her shoulders, the tightness in the set of her jaw. She wasn't invincible, no matter how much she might try to convince herself, and Percy knew it.
He set his mug down and walked over to her, his boots crunching on the soft forest floor. "Hey," he said quietly, not wanting to disturb the peace of the camp.
Artemis didn't look at him at first. Her eyes were focused on the horizon, as though lost in thought. But after a long pause, she glanced at him, her silver eyes softening.
"What's on your mind?" she asked, her voice quiet but knowing. She could always tell when something was bothering him.
Percy hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to put his thoughts into words. "I keep thinking about the future," he admitted, his voice heavier than he'd intended. "About what's going to happen, and whether we're really ready for it. I mean, Olympus… the gods… they don't just let things go. You've been dealing with them for centuries, but me? I'm still trying to figure out how to fight this battle without getting crushed in the process."
Artemis studied him for a long moment, her eyes thoughtful. "You're not the only one," she said softly, surprising him. "I've spent my entire existence in the shadows, fighting against the expectations that come with being who I am. But this… us… it's different. And I don't know if I'm ready for what's coming either."
Percy's heart tightened at her words. He had known she'd been carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders, but hearing her admit it out loud made it more real. More personal. He stepped closer to her, his voice gentle.
"You don't have to carry it alone," he said, his hand brushing hers. "You never did. You've always had people who care about you—people who want to fight with you, not against you."
Artemis looked at him then, really looked at him. Her eyes, usually so guarded, softened, as though she was allowing herself a moment of vulnerability. She pulled her hand back, tucking it into the folds of her cloak, but the shift in her expression didn't go unnoticed.
"Sometimes it feels like I do," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I've always had to keep my distance, to keep everyone at arm's length. It's easier that way—keeps me from getting hurt." She hesitated, the words lingering in the air between them. "But I chose this, Percy. I chose you. And I can't help but wonder if I've made the right choice."
Percy's chest tightened at her words, and he took a step forward, closing the space between them. "You've made the right choice," he said firmly. "You're not alone anymore. I'm here, Artemis. I've never been more sure of anything."
Her gaze flickered, conflicted. "I know. I see that. But… it's hard to shake the fear. The fear that we'll lose everything because of this. Because of me. Because of you."
"You won't lose everything," Percy said with absolute certainty. "We won't. I'm not going anywhere. And I'm not asking you to be someone else, Artemis. I'm not asking you to be the perfect goddess everyone expects you to be. I just want you to be you. The one I know—the one I trust. And if that means facing Olympus and everything they throw at us, then so be it."
For a long moment, Artemis didn't speak. She just looked at him, the silence stretching between them like an unspoken promise. She looked away briefly, as though considering his words, and then finally, her lips curved up into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"I think you're the one who's always been the one who's fearless," she said softly. "I'm not sure I have your level of courage."
Percy chuckled softly, relieved that she was at least starting to relax. "You're not giving yourself enough credit. You're the goddess of the Hunt, Artemis. You're one of the strongest people I know. It's just… you've always had to carry it all by yourself."
Her smile widened slightly, and she turned to face him fully. "And you've always been someone who doesn't let people stand alone."
"Someone has to keep you in check," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Artemis raised an eyebrow, her smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You think you can keep me in check?"
Percy grinned, feeling the weight of their conversation lift just a little. "I think I can manage."
They shared a quiet laugh, a sound that felt more natural, more real, than any moment they'd shared before. The kind of laugh that could only happen between two people who had shared their fears, their insecurities, and their hopes for the future. It felt like a fleeting moment of peace amidst the chaos of their world.
For the first time in what felt like ages, Percy felt like he was standing on solid ground. He knew that the gods would never stop pushing them, never stop testing them. But with Artemis by his side, he felt like he could face anything that came their way.
"I don't know what the future holds," Artemis said after a long pause, her voice quiet. "But I do know one thing, Percy. I'm not running from it anymore. Not with you."
Percy smiled at her, his heart full of something he hadn't fully recognized until now—hope. It wasn't just about fighting the gods, or facing down impossible odds. It was about what they had together—what they could create despite the forces working against them.
And as they stood there, side by side, in the quiet of the forest, Percy knew that whatever happened next, they would face it together. They weren't just fighting for their love. They were fighting for their right to exist on their own terms, to carve out their own path in a world that had always tried to dictate their fate.
Thank you, for reading I know that I have not posted in awhile and for that I am truly deeply sorry I will try to be better at posting from now on.