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Hello and welcome back to Under the Silver Moon

Im going to skip the A/N this time because I feel like none of you read them,

AS ALWAYS I DO NOT OWN PJO or HoO

Chapter 23: Whispers Beneath the Moon

The forest was alive with the hum of crickets and the distant hoot of an owl. Percy sat near the edge of the Hunters' camp, watching the moonlight filter through the dense canopy above. The battle with the wolves earlier that day had left him sore and drained, but something in the way the Hunters had looked at him afterward lingered. Respect. Cautious, perhaps, but respect nonetheless.

He turned Riptide over in his hands, the blade catching faint glimmers of light as it reflected the moon's glow. Despite the stillness around him, his thoughts churned like a stormy sea.

"You're brooding again."

Percy turned to see Artemis approaching, her silver cloak catching the light as she moved. She carried a calm presence, one that made the chaos of the day seem like a distant memory.

"I'm just thinking," Percy replied, his tone light but tinged with exhaustion. "Trying to figure out where I fit in all this."

Artemis tilted her head as she sat beside him, her gaze lifting toward the stars. "Fitting in isn't always necessary. Sometimes, it's about forging your own place."

Percy chuckled softly, shaking his head. "That's easy for you to say. You're a goddess. People don't exactly question your place."

Her lips twitched in a faint smile. "You'd be surprised. Even gods are not immune to scrutiny. And believe me, questions are far easier to face than doubts."

Her words hit home in a way Percy wasn't expecting. He thought back to the uneasy glances of the Hunters, the way even the forest itself seemed to press against him, as though he were an unwelcome visitor.

"You seem... different here," he said after a moment.

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"

"I don't know. Less... distant, I guess. You're still intimidating, don't get me wrong. But here, you're... you."

Her expression softened, and she turned to meet his gaze. "The Hunt is my sanctuary. It's where I don't have to be a goddess on a pedestal, expected to uphold perfection. Here, I can simply exist."

Percy nodded, understanding more than he expected. "I get that. Back at camp, everyone looks to me like I have all the answers. Half the time, I'm just winging it."

Artemis let out a quiet laugh, the sound light and genuine. "Perhaps that's why you've managed to survive this long. There's a certain wisdom in improvisation."

They fell into another comfortable silence, their breaths misting slightly in the cool night air. Percy toyed with a stray twig, twisting it between his fingers before breaking the quiet.

"Do you think the gods will ever really trust me here?" he asked, his voice softer now.

Artemis was quiet for a moment, her eyes thoughtful. "Trust among the gods is rare. Even my own Hunters have their doubts about you, and they've pledged themselves to my service for centuries. Trust isn't given freely. It's built, over time and through trials."

Percy sighed, tossing the twig into the fire. "Great. More trials. Just what I needed."

Artemis smirked. "You've faced worse."

"Yeah, but at least then, I didn't have to impress an entire army of immortal archers."

Her laughter was soft, but it carried warmth. "True. But they'll come around. You've already made an impression."

Percy hesitated, then looked at her. "And you? Do you trust me?"

Artemis didn't answer immediately. Her gaze lingered on the moon, the faint glow reflecting in her silver eyes. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet but resolute.

"I wouldn't have let you stay if I didn't."

The weight of her words settled over Percy, filling him with an unfamiliar warmth. He smiled, leaning back on his hands as he looked up at the sky.

"Thanks, Artemis," he said softly.

She didn't reply immediately. Instead, she reached over and picked up a small, silver arrowhead from the ground—a forgotten token from one of the Hunters. She turned it over in her fingers, the motion deliberate, almost meditative.

"You remind me of Orion," she said suddenly, her tone faraway.

Percy blinked, caught off guard. "Orion? The guy in the stars? The one you—uh..."

"Put there?" she finished, smirking slightly. "Yes. He was reckless, arrogant, and infuriating. But he was also kind, brave, and loyal." She set the arrowhead down gently. "And I cared for him, despite his flaws."

Percy didn't know what to say. He could hear the layers in her words, the echoes of pain and fondness intertwined.

"I'm guessing he wasn't exactly the Hunters' favorite person either," Percy said, offering a small, tentative grin.

Artemis let out a soft laugh. "No, he wasn't. But they came to respect him, as I suspect they will you—given time."

The distant sound of laughter from the camp reached them, breaking the heavy moment. Percy glanced toward the firelight, where the Hunters were sharing stories and polishing weapons.

"Do you ever feel... trapped by it all?" Percy asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "The expectations, the responsibilities?"

Artemis's gaze softened, and she nodded. "Often. But I've learned to find freedom in the small things. A quiet night, the loyalty of my Hunters, the moonlight on the trees."

Percy smiled faintly. "Sounds nice."

"It is," she said, and her voice carried a note of finality, as though she were sharing something sacred.

They sat in silence for a while longer, the stars shifting overhead. Percy felt a strange sense of belonging in the moment, even if he wasn't sure how long it would last.

"Come," Artemis said finally, rising gracefully to her feet. "The night is young, and I suspect you're not ready to call it yet."

Percy stood, stretching his arms with a grin. "Not even close."

As they walked back toward the camp, Percy couldn't help but glance at Artemis every so often, his heart fluttering in his chest. They'd faced so much together already, and yet, it felt like this was just the beginning.

When they reached the campfire, Artemis hesitated for just a moment before leaning in, brushing her lips lightly against his in a soft kiss. Percy's heart skipped a beat, the cool air of the forest swirling around them as they pulled apart.

Artemis looked at him, her silver eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity. "For luck," she whispered.

Percy smiled, his chest warm from the unexpected gesture. He leaned in again, this time more sure of himself, and kissed her again, deeper this time, as if the world could wait. The sound of laughter around them faded, leaving only the two of them in the quiet embrace of the night.

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Till Next Time.