Let Them Think That

4

Percy PoV

Artemis was avoiding me.

She hadn't been responding to her texts, and she's been blocking my Iris Messages.

I finally worked up the guts to go to her palace.

Yes, I did knock, in case you were wondering, but there was no response.

I entered her palace and heard quiet sobbing from her bed chambers.

Quickly, I moved toward the sound and knocked on the door.

When there was silence, I entered.

I took in a breath, feeling something in my chest ache at the sight of my goddess crying.

I kneeled down so I was level with Artemis, who was sitting on her bed.

"Artemis, what's the matter? Who made you cry?" I asked.

She averted her eyes. "You." I blinked. "I.....I don't understand, Artemis."

"I heard you," she whispered. "I was going to tell you how I felt, but then I heard you talking to Annabeth, and I thought you would get back together with her."

"That is no reason for a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman like yourself to be crying, told her. "Especially when it's not true."

She looked up at me. "But...what were you talking to her about then?"

"I was whining. When you told Apollo that we were holding hands because someone might be watching, I thought you meant it, and you didn't have feelings for me," I explained.

I stood, extending a hand for her to take.

Artemis did, pulling herself up close to me.

Very close.

Our noses were brushing, and I couldn't resist the urge to kiss her.

My goddess raised her arms to my shoulders, loosely placing them around my neck.

With more confidence, I took her slim waist and pulled her close, kissing with passion.

Artemis grabbed my face, deepening the kiss.

I groaned softly, sitting down on the bed with her in my lap.

After quite a bit of time, my goddess pulled away, resting her forehead against mine.

"That was long overdue."

"I agree," I whispered.

"Well I don't," Apollo butted in. "What happened to 'just friends'?"

"Friends, means, um," I tried to think of an acronym. "Friends means Fanciful, Romantic, Ideal, Erotic, Neat Dudes."

Artemis tried and failed to stifle her laughter.

The sun god sneered. "My threat stands."

Artemis PoV

My gaze returned to Percy. "Well, he's gone."

The green-eyed god gently brought his hand to my face, cupping my cheek before he brought his lips to mine.

My eyes fluttered closed, and I was lost in the feeling of his kiss. How he tasted, how he smelled, how he felt.

It was all incredible.

Percy stood, and I made a sound of surprise.

My boyfriend chuckled, holding me tightly against him. "I gotcha, don't worry."