Chapter 165

"You know something ,Perseus you are a decent man," Artemis said breaking the silence.

"Why thanks you coming from you that means a lot," Percy said sarcastically.

"I am serious Perseus, you impressed me before with your loyalty to your friends, something which is rare."

"No, it's not."

"Why do you think so?"

"Why do you think I was loyal to them?"

"Because they were your friends."

Percy nodded, "yeah, and more than that they were my family, or the closest thing I had to one. And I wasn't they only on there who was loyal to them, they were also loyal to me."

"That may be true Percy, but only you were willing to go to the Underworld to bring them back, do you really think they would do the same for you?"

"Yes, I do."

Artemis smiled, "not a moment's hesitation, good, that is good."

Silence won again as the two simply enjoyed the sight and the weather. The sun was shining, lucky not to harshly to cause a heat stroke but just warm enough to make everyone brozy with sleep. "So what's your deal?" Percy asked breaking the silence again.

"What do you mean?"

"well it's just that in camp everyone goes on and one about how much you hate men and how I was lucky you didn't get me, but...well… we just spent the after together and you didn't really seem all that hateful."

Artemis chuckled, "oh don't be ridiculous. I don't blindly hate every man I see, I would have to certifiably insane if that was the case."

"You hated me when we first meet."

"You were my mission and usually I would be sent to capture very bad men"

"Then why did you turn me into a deer? The first time I mean."

"You pissed me off, so forgive me for losing my temper and transforming you into a deer okay?" Artemis snapped crossing her arms.

"It's I forgive you," Percy shot back angering the goddess.

"Cheeky brat!" Artemis said punching Percy in the shoulder.

"Wow that hurts!" Percy grabbed his shoulder rolling off the bench in pain, "damn that godly strength!"

Artemis chuckled, "oh get up. I expect that man who fought one on one with Hyperion and survived to tell the tale be able to take a few hits now and then."

Percy groand as he got back on his seat, "it still hurts."

"You want me to kiss it and make you feel better?"

Percy nodded rolling his sleeve, "yes please," he said smugly daring her to do it. Artemis narrowed her eyes before turning away causing Percy to grin.

They stayed silent for some time before Percy asked, "so you're not a man hatter, so why the rumors?"

"It was what I did in the past mostly," Artemis said looking at the sun though the leave on the tree branch above them, "during ancient greece woman were treated….poorly."

Percy nodded, "if even half of what I read is true that's an understatement."

Artemis nodded as well, "so you understand what I mean. Back then women were nothing more than property to be used or traded. Married women were treated worse than trash, and if a man cheats on a woman it is her fault for not satisfying him," Artemis's face turned cold as she clenched her arms in anger.

"So you punished those who mistreated women."

Artemis nodded, "correct. I protected those who couldn't protect themselves. Soon it became a legend that if you mistreat a woman I would come to punish those responsible."

"So….sort of like a greek boogeyman that targeted assholes and protected women?"

Artemis's cold features melted away as she laughed out, "haha, yes well I suppose you are right Perseus."

Percy chuckled, "so you aren't much of a man hater than you are the boogy man huh?" Artemis's laugh grew louder, something which made Percy happy to hear, after all it sounded so beautiful even a tone deaf man could appreciate it. "So...you know in ancient greek legends how whenever a mortal assists a god in a task they get a reward right?"

Artemis blinked, before frowning and sighing, "all right what do you want?" 'You men are all the same, always wanting something or the other. Stupid boy'

"I want you to call me Percy," the demigod said surprising the goddess.

"What?"

"I want you to call me Percy, none of that Perseus bull shit."

Artemis was understandable surprised at the request. "Is that all? You know you can ask for a lot more right?"

Percy waved her off, "neah you have nothing I want. Just call me Percy, for love of the gods please call me Percy. Perseus makes me feel so old!"

Artemis smiled, "alright then, Percy." The demigod smiled at the goddess as the two slowly feel silent. The warm wind blew across their face as the sun warmed them both up. Their lunch made them feel sleepy as slowly they both drifted asleep. Percy didn't need sleep but he still could fall asleep and right now that's all he wanted to do.

"Percy?" Percy heard his mom call him startling him awake. Percy looked around and saw Artemis lifting her head off his shoulders rubbing her eyes. One of her hands were interlocked with his and Percy immediately pulled away before she realised what happened. He looked up and saw his mom there carrying Leo with one hand.

"Mom? What are you doing here?" Percy asked as he and Artemis stood up. The Sky was dark now, they must have been asleep for hours.

"Leo wanted to go for a walk so I took him out, and you weren't home yet so I got worried," Sally said as she turned to Artemis with a smile and a bow, "Lady Artemis."

"How did you know it was me?" Artemis asked surprised.

"You have a bow and you are wearing silver," Sally said with a smile.

"Right….so you are Poseidon's lover, Percy's mother," Artemis said nodding, "you have raised a very responsible son madam, he is someone worth being friends with, and that's coming from me so you know I mean it."

Sally chuckled, "well I tried my best but Percy got his heart from his father."

"Bark!" Leo barked drawing all attention to him instead.

"Yo Leo," Percy said as he tried to scratch behind the dog's ear, hopeful he hated him a little less now.

"Bark!" Leo then tried to bite Percy's fingers off, guess it's going to take a little longer.

"Is that your dog?" Artemis asked as she reached out to touch him.

"Yeah but be careful he-" Percy's words died in his mouth as Leo allowed Artemis to pet him, he ever looked like he was bloody smiling. "Guess it's just me he hates."

Sally chuckled, "give it time love I'm sure he will come around."

Percy sighed. Artemis stopped scratching Leo, which gained a moan of sadness from the dog, "alright I have wasted enough time here," she turned to Leo giving the dog a bright smile, "bye Leo!"

"Woof!"

She smiled at Sally, "bye madam," and then turned to Percy who smiled at her, "see you...Percy." She then vanished in a flash of light, Percy and Sally had enough time to close their while Leo simply looked away.

Percy then walked back home with his mom. Sally smiled, "so…..Percy huh?"

"Not. One. Word"

"I don't need words," Sally said as she pulled out her phone with her free hand displaying a picture on screen, "all I need is this."

Percy played as on the phone was a picture of Artemis and him, with the goddess sleeping on Percy's shoulder. They looked so peaceful with their hands interlocked together, if a stranger saw this they would think this was a picture of a couple.

"Get rid of that right now!" Percy yelled trying to grab the phone only for Leo to bit into his arm, "ouch!"

"Oh my little boy is growing up so fast, seducing virgin goddess, next thing I know I'll be a grandmother!"

"Mom!"

"What? She is the goddess of childbirth after all."

They argued for a long time. All through summer actually. In the end Sally didn't delete the photo instead hiding somewhere Percy would never find it…..what? You want me to tell you where? Hell even I don't know where she put the thing!

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