The Moon's Lover

4

Artemis PoV

I gulped. Why had I been so cold toward him?

"Because..." I started. "Because I'm the goddess of maidenhood and virginity, and despite mine knowing of your chivalry and actions, I didn't ask for this marriage."

Percy looked at me understandingly. "I can understand that. I had a girlfriend before I was put into the marriage. Slapped me and called me an unfaithful bastard. I found out she'd actually been cheating on me since I went missing during Hera's hero swap to unite the camps."

I nodded, realizing for the first time that he also lost things in his marriage to me.

"So, what made you change your mind?" My husband asked.

"I... don't know. Time, I guess. You were never rude or anything." The words tumbled from my mouth.

I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling his arm wrap around me.

"You aren't afraid I'll do anything wrongful to you, right?" Percy asked.

I shook my head. "Not really. If you were like that, you'd've taken advantage of me that night with the painting."

Percy kissed the spot behind my ear. "You like being kissed there, don't you?"

I blushed, pressing into his chest. Percy held me close, and I allowed his steady heartbeat to lull me to sleep.

Percy PoV

My wife's breathing slowed, and she fell asleep. I followed suit.

When I awoke, I saw that Artemis was snuggled into my side, fast asleep.

I smiled, kissing her forehead. Artemis woke after some time, blushing when she realized I'd been watching her.

She sat up and I changed her bandage. I misplaced my hand, and I fell, but caught myself, so I was hovering above Artemis.

Blood rushed to her cheeks as I rolled over onto my back.

"Percy?" My wife asked softly.

I pressed my cheek to her hand. "Yes?"

"Are you happy to be with me?" She asked.

I was shocked by the question, to be honest. "No," I answered.

"Why?" Artemis asked. "Because," I answered. "You aren't happy."

"How do you know if I'm happy or not?" My wife asked.

"Because you don't smile. Not a fake one, but a real one. I've only ever seen you really smile when you were with your hunters. I've never really made you happy" I explained.

"Oh," Artemis mumbled quietly.

I tried to change the mood of the conversation. "But things've been changing. I do see you smile when you're sleeping. And I swear I see you blush sometimes."

The goddess ran her fingers through my messy hair, her hand coming to a rest on my chest.

"Y'know, Artemis, sometimes I feel like a bad husband," I broke the silence, immediately wishing I hadn't.

"And why is that so?" She asked.

"Well, we've been married for over a decade, and I don't even know simple things, like your favourite colour, or your birthday," I explained.

"If that were the case, then I'd be the most awful wife," Artemis pointed out. "Besides, to immortals, a decade is a very short amount of time. Birthdays and favourite colours are unimportant compared to the scandalous actions, politics, events, etc., that occur."