Welcome back to Under the Silver Moon

AS ALWAYS I DO NOT OWN PJO or HoO

Chapter 24: Under the Moon's Watch

The quiet of the forest felt like a gentle embrace. The distant crackle of the fire in the Hunters' camp was the only sound breaking the stillness, as the night seemed to stretch on forever. Percy and Artemis sat side by side on a fallen log, their shoulders brushing, though they kept their distance just enough to maintain the appearance of casual camaraderie. The forest around them was dark, save for the pale moonlight filtering through the trees, creating a serene glow that seemed to make time slow.

Percy glanced over at Artemis, her silver cloak shimmering as it caught the light of the stars above. She looked calm, at peace even, a side of her he didn't often see in the chaos of their daily lives. Despite everything—the responsibilities, the constant threats looming over them—here, in this moment, it was just the two of them.

"Is it always this still here?" Percy asked, breaking the silence as he leaned back slightly on the log, gazing up at the sky.

Artemis turned her head to look at him, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "In the forest, it can be," she replied, her voice carrying the weight of someone who had spent countless nights in this peace. "The stars are our witnesses. And the night, for those who know how to listen, is... comforting."

Percy nodded. "I think I'm starting to understand it." He met her gaze and smiled softly. "It's nice."

There was a long pause between them, an unspoken understanding hanging in the air. Then, without a word, Artemis shifted slightly, closing the gap between them, her gaze lingering on his lips for a split second before their faces met in a soft kiss. It was tender, intimate—a moment of quiet connection that spoke volumes in the stillness of the night.

As their kiss deepened slightly, the faint crackling of the fire grew louder, drawing their attention. The sounds of footsteps on the dirt path leading from the camp caught their ears, followed by a voice, loud enough to carry through the stillness of the night.

"Did you hear that? I think it's coming from over here!"

Percy and Artemis quickly broke apart, both of them straightening up in alarm. The voice was unmistakable—one of the Hunters, probably in search of something or someone. Artemis's hand instinctively went to her bow, her expression shifting from warmth to alertness in an instant.

"Stay quiet," Artemis whispered, her voice low and steady. Percy nodded, trying to act casual despite the sudden tension.

But it was too late. The camp was far closer than they realized, and the Hunters had already begun making their way toward them. The sound of footsteps grew louder, then stopped.

"I swear I saw something moving over here..." a voice called out, followed by a soft rustling in the underbrush. A figure appeared through the shadows, silhouetted against the faint moonlight. It was one of Artemis's Hunters, a younger girl named Lynne, with her bow drawn and an expression of suspicion on her face.

Percy and Artemis both froze, trying to remain still, but it was clear the moment Lynne had noticed them. Her eyes flicked back and forth between them, narrowing as she realized what was going on.

"Uh... Artemis?" Lynne said, her voice unsure but tinged with curiosity. "What exactly is going on here?"

Artemis's eyes darted to Percy for a moment before she turned to Lynne with an expression that was calm but not entirely reassuring. "Nothing that concerns you, Lynne," she said firmly.

Lynne looked at them both, her brow furrowed as she processed the situation. Her eyes lingered on their clasped hands, and then, without warning, she called over her shoulder, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"HEY, EVERYONE! COME SEE WHAT'S GOING ON OVER HERE!"

Seconds later, more figures emerged from the trees, all of them Hunters, each one of them now fully aware of what had just been discovered. Some of them looked confused, others more suspicious, but the realization spread quickly. The awkward tension in the air was palpable.

"What is it, Lynne?" one of the Hunters, a tall girl named Aria, called out. She peered through the underbrush, then her eyes widened as she saw the two of them standing there.

"No way..." Aria muttered under her breath, taking a step forward. "Is this—?"

"Is it what?" another voice, that of Lyssa, chimed in, appearing next to Aria. "What's going on here?"

A chorus of whispers and stares flooded the small clearing, and Percy felt his heart race in his chest. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. They'd been caught. He exchanged a look with Artemis, who remained calm despite the rapid spread of awareness among her Hunters.

"You're... together?" Lynne finally asked, her voice a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Artemis didn't flinch at the question, though Percy could sense the weight of her resolve. "Yes," Artemis said, her voice steady. "Percy and I are together."

A hushed silence fell over the group. Some Hunters exchanged uneasy glances, others looked more skeptical, while a few looked as if they were barely suppressing their shock. It was clear that no one had expected this.

"Wait a minute," Lyssa said, narrowing her eyes as if processing the news. "You're dating Percy? The son of Poseidon?"

Artemis nodded calmly. "Yes. Is there a problem with that?"

One of the younger Hunters, a girl named Faye, blurted out, "But the rules! You're—"

"I'm fully aware of the rules," Artemis interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "And they still stand. This relationship is not an obstacle to my duty, nor will it distract from my role in the Hunt."

Another Hunter, an older woman named Calista, folded her arms and stepped forward. "I don't know, Artemis. This changes things. We've always been told to avoid attachments..."

"I haven't broken any rules," Artemis said, meeting Calista's eyes with a steady gaze. "You've all known me long enough to understand that I still honor my oath, regardless of what happens between Percy and I."

The Hunters stood in tense silence, weighing Artemis's words. Percy glanced at Artemis, seeing the determination in her eyes, and something else—a quiet confidence that made him feel strangely protected. Despite their surprise, the Hunters were slowly beginning to process the situation.

Finally, Aria spoke up, her tone neutral. "I guess... if you're both sure about this, we won't interfere. But you'll have to be ready for some questions. Some of us aren't as comfortable with this as others."

Percy nodded, trying his best to keep the mood light. "I get it. Just, uh, no one tell Apollo, okay?"

The Hunters laughed softly, and Artemis gave a slight smile. "I'll take care of it."

As the group slowly dispersed, murmuring among themselves, Percy turned to Artemis, who gave him a soft, reassuring smile.

"I knew it wouldn't be easy," Percy said quietly.

Artemis gave a small shrug. "What's easy in this world?"

Percy smiled back, feeling the weight of the moment slowly lift. They may have been caught, but at least now they didn't have to hide anymore. As the night deepened, they returned to the camp together, hand in hand, knowing they had the strength to face whatever came next—together.

Hope you enjoyed, and the Hunt took that way better than expected, but maybe they are planning something for Percy.

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