DownPour

Goof Off

Artemis flashed into Camp Half-Blood, directly by Zeus's Fist. This had become the norm for her, visiting every evening after the camp had finished their dinner. Her huntresses knew exactly why she was visiting, so she had no worry about that. This was almost a way for her to relax.

As always, Percy was waiting for her. A smile appeared on his face when he saw her, jumping up from the rock he'd been sitting on. "Artemis!" He strode toward her, gripping one of her hands and pulling her away from Zeus's Fist. "Come on! I've got something I want to show you."

"Alright, alright! I'm coming!" Artemis reassured, speeding up to run beside him, their hands swinging between them. He led her deep into the woods until they stopped in front of a large hole in the ground. Artemis recognised the hole immediately. "Why are we at a Myrmeke nest?"

"I figured out that the Myrmekes have abandoned it!" Percy said gleefully. "It's amazing! There's so much to explore!" He tugged her to the edge of the hole, where both immortals slid into. The ground was only a few metres below so the fall wasn't too bad. Artemis looked around at the many tunnels leading off in different directions. She chose one and pulled Percy toward it.

They started off walking through the tunnels, choosing paths as they went, but it eventually turned into sprinting through the tunnels. Whoever was leading chose the path that was taken. Dead ends occasionally appeared and multiple times Artemis accidentally swung Percy into a wall but that just added to the fun.

They eventually ended up back at the start, both of them panting. Artemis flashed them to outside the hill, shaking her head a bit to clear it. Percy gave her a grin and she smiled back. "That was quite enjoyable. It's amazing how much Myrmekes can do, isn't it?"

"Yes!" Percy agreed. "I wouldn't be surprised if that ran under the entire camp. I wonder where the Myrmekes went."

"It is of no consequence that they are gone, so I would say not to worry," Artemis responded.

"You're right," Percy said. "So, what should we do?"

Artemis pushed herself up against Percy's front. "I can think of a few things."

Percy smirked and lazily pushed her back against a tree. "Can you now?" He murmured in her ear, one hand reaching up to twirl a strand of her hair. "I'd like to know what these things are."

"You would know," she answered, the corner of her lip twitching up. Percy's smirk widened, eyes glinting. He cupped her chin in his hand, pulling her face more up towards his and messily pressing his lips to hers. Her eyes fluttered closed, sighing against his lips before lightly pushing back. One hand gripped his bicep and the other settled around his neck, not pulling him closer but putting enough pressure for him to know exactly what she wanted. He pushed harder against her, her having to use more and more force to keep up with him. The hand in her hair moved to the back of her head, him forcing her further against him instead of coaxing her into doing it herself.

They broke apart, foreheads pressed together and half-lidded eyes gazing at each other. "I never thought I'd be doing this," Artemis muttered. "I don't know why I never did though. This is wonderful."

"Isn't it?" Percy chuckled, pecking her lips before moving back. "I should probably return to my cabin."

"You probably should," someone said from the side. Both turned to see Jason, Piper, Leo and Annabeth all watching. "The campfire would be over now."

"Why are you here?" Percy snapped. "Did you follow me?"

"We noticed you'd been leaving before the campfire," Annabeth said. "We wondered where you were going. It seems we've found out."

"And you've received an answer," Artemis replied. "What shall you do with this information?"

"Percy, we only broke up a month ago," Annabeth said, ignoring the goddess. "You've already gotten with another girl?"

"I broke up with you because I realised I loved another," Percy answered. "I refuse to lie about my love to you, Annabeth. I broke up with you because your time as my love was over."

"Yeah, but, no offence Lady Artemis, how'd you get a maiden goddess to be your lover?" Jason questioned.

Artemis sighed. "I'd noticed Percy's interest in myself and my hunt so I addressed him about it one evening. He revealed his feelings toward me and I decided that he was respectable enough to give him a chance. I've found that decision to have been a positive one."

"Sorry for our intrusion, Lady Artemis," Piper said respectfully. "We should probably go. You too, Percy."

Percy nodded. He gave Artemis one final kiss before she flashed out and he turned back to his friends. "I'm sorry you had to find out like that," he said quietly. "I didn't know how people would take it. I should've told you, but with Artemis being who she is, I wasn't sure if it would change anything."

"Percy, you're our friend," Annabeth said. "Even if I do still feel a bit bitter about our break up, that doesn't mean I hate you. I'm happy that you stopped our relationship when you knew you didn't love me. This is better than anything else that could've happened."

Percy smiled brightly. "Thank you, Annabeth. You're my best friend as well. I'm glad you've forgiven me."

Annabeth returned the smile. "I'm glad that I have too."