Let Them Think That

M- 12

Artemis PoV

After breakfast, we got dressed and went out to explore the ship.

My husband hugged me from behind, kissing my neck. "Mine."

I smiled, kissing his cheek.

He handed me a bottle of water that he'd gone to retrieve, claiming that he wanted to do things the long way because he loved me.

"There's a rock wall," I suggested.

Percy took my hand. "That sounds like fun. Lead the way, my lady."

We made our way to the rock wall and got in line. I leaned against his chest, inhaling his scent.

"What's on your mind?" He asked.

"Do you want kids?" I blurted.

He responded positively.

As we moved closer to the front of the line, a naughty idea crossed my mind. "Percy, why don't we make this a little more interesting?"

My husband cocked an eyebrow.

"A little bet," I continued. "The one with the fastest time chooses what we do tonight."

He nodded, and I wondered if he had forgotten I was the goddess of the hunt.

When it was my turn, I grabbed the harness and fastened it. The attendant checked it, finishing quickly under my husband's glare.

The timer began, and I scaled with ease. The first five feet were extremely simple, the following fifteen being just slightly more challenging, and the final ten being the section where I was required to pay a bit of attention, as half the grips were worn, loose, or just missing altogether.

I hit the buzzer, my time clocking at three minutes and twenty-seven seconds.

I removed my harness and looked around.

The rock wall ended at the restaurant. Percy swung himself over the top and hit the buzzer, clocking in at four minutes and thirty-nine seconds.

He pouted jokingly and walked over.

I kissed his cheek.

We sat down and gave the waiter our orders.

Percy took my hand, holding it from across the table, and I couldn't help but smile at the small gesture of affection.

The food arrived, and we ate peacefully.

"So," he started. "The whole kids thing. When do you want kids?"

"I don't know," I replied. "For gods, it's never really planned. It happens when it does, and families are never normal."

Percy nodded understandingly and stood. "There's a baby hippocampus caught in the ship's propellor blades. I'll be back in an hour."

I nodded, pushing away my empty plate and watching my husband dive over the railing and into the ocean.

It's a good thing the Mist is functioning properly.

Percy disappeared into the water and I returned to the suite.

I drew a bath and stripped, putting a bathrobe on the door and my phone by the tub.

I sighed as the warm water encased my body, a tingling sensation causing me to shiver.

There were several texts from my siblings, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Deciding to let Apollo suffer, I responded to Athena's texts.

Shortly after I told her I was alone, she called me.