Acceptance

4

Artemis PoV

I awoke in what I considered to be a very compromising position, wrapped around Perseus with much of myself exposed if he were to look. But he didn't.

My husband was awake, observing the painting of Olympus that hung on the wall behind me. "You're much more beautiful in person."

I felt my cheeks burning. "Thank you."

"Last night, the clothing you picked wasn't for my benefit, was it?" He asked.

"No," I admitted. "I was testing you."

"Did I pass?" The man inquired.

"Yes," I replied, meeting his gaze and seeing his discomfort. "Does your chest hurt? From last night when I, um...."

"Only a little," my husband answered. "I should be fine."

He was lying, and I didn't need my powers to see that.

When he sat up, he winced in pain and tried to hold in a grunt.

"Perseus," I said calmly, sliding into his lap. "I'm going to heal you."

He closed his eyes, leaning back against the headboard when I began to chant.

I was able to sense the pain from the injured and dead cells. After I had located them, I was able to do whatever needed to be done in the various places where he had been bruised.

Once all the damage had been reversed, I looked up at my husband.

He was looking back at me with a face I couldn't read.

The man drew me closer, so I could almost taste his lips.

"Perseus..." I trailed off, leaning in that last tiny bit to kiss him.

It was brief, but I enjoyed it.

"I think we need to establish a few rules for kissing," he stated.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because if we don't, I'll never be doing anything but kissing you," my husband explained, drawing me in for another.

This time, it was longer. My lips parted slightly, and he tasted me, his tongue running over every surface of my mouth.

When he pulled away, I was left breathless. "I don't think I'll need to establish any rules."

Catching a glimpse of the time, I sighed. "Perseus, I have a meeting in twenty minutes. I need to start getting ready."

"Okay," he replied, letting me go. "What would you like for lunch?"

"Um, pasta," I answered, kissing his cheek before slipping out of his arms and into the bathroom.

I stepped into the shower, smiling like an idiot.

Three days, and I was already falling for this man.

I showered, dried off, and slipped on a clean set of clothes before stepping out.

Perseus had somehow cooked breakfast in the time it took me to prepare.

He handed me a plate with an omelette, which had everything in it.

Surprisingly, it tasted good.

Before I left, my husband hugged me, leaving me in a good mood for the meeting.

Time skip

"What does this have to do with Olympian matters?" I asked, deflecting another of Aphrodite's personal questions.