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Savior of Olympus sat on a cheap beach chair, staring out over a cliff, watching the sun set. That very sun was probably setting on one of the worst days of his life, and he just needed some peace and quiet before reentering his life.
He cracked a beer from the cooler sitting next to him and took a sip. He relished the malty taste as it flowed over his tongue. He understood why his father told him that sometimes, there just wasn't anything better than a good beer. He almost smiled at the memory.
"Enjoying yourself?" came a sharp, but not unfriendly voice.
"If you expect me to stand and bow, you're sorely disappointed," he replied.
"Most of the other Olympians would have you struck down for that disrespect," she pointed out.
"Eh. Let them come,” Percy shrugged.
Artemis narrowed her eyes at that. While not always the first to bow down before the gods, Percy still knew where he could and couldn't press. Now, he was blatantly disregarding those lines.
"What's wrong, Perseus?" Artemis asked.
Percy remained silent for awhile, before answering.
"I'm an old soldier. My time is long over. My war has long been fought. What am I, if not a relic of the past? These kids, they look at me with respect in their eyes, but none of them have the slightest clue how it feels. I am just serving as a reminder for the glory we demigods once held. And I'm tired, Artemis. So tired. Tired of war, tired of fighting, tired of everything." Percy admitted.
Artemis' eyes betrayed the concern she held for the Savior of Olympus. This cynical and brooding Percy was something of an enigma to her, nonetheless she resolved to help.
"The world will never be the same. But that's the whole purpose of life. You think you're a relic? Look at me. Look at your father. Look at Chiron. Look at anything in this world. We're all just relics of days gone by. We serve empires and people long since gone. We live for traditions that the rest of the world has either forgotten or grown to hate." Artemis began, "But that's also what gives us strength. Because if we don't keep these traditions alive, then who will? And if not now, then when?"
"If not now, then when," Percy repeated softly.
"Look. We live, we lose. Losing is part of life. Take it from a forgotten goddess. I have lost more than all mortals combined, but only because I am older than them."
"But why did they have to be taken from me?" Percy asked desperately. "Why did I have to lose everyone I loved."
"I don't know. I don't know," Artemis said, engulfing the now sobbing demigod in her arms.
The two stayed like that for a while before Percy eventually calmed down again and pulled away, nodding his thanks.
"Come, Perseus. You will have the privilege to do something no mortal man has ever been able to do. You will spend the night in my company." Artemis stated in a tone that refused to hear any argument.
Percy's eyes grew wide, momentarily forgetting who he was talking to. "Milady, I don't feel as if Zeus would be happy…”
"Oh, for gods sake! Not that!" Artemis cried, blushing a deep tomato red. "I simply meant we will go wherever we please together tonight."
Percy nodded, and off they went. They walked through the ancient streets of Athens, over the hills of what was once Sparta, to the top of the original Mount Olympus. Percy even got to meet Diana when they walked through the cobbled streets of Rome.
All the while, the Goddess of the Hunt told Percy tales of the ancient world. She remarked things about kings and emperors across history that most historians would never know, and she did so conversationally. She told him in precise detail the scars Augustus had on his arms, she told him the smell of Leonidas, she laughed with him about bullshit that Herodotus often sprouted.
All in all, it was a very enjoyable evening with her, and Percy would be in her debt after this. They finished with a flourish, at her palace on Olympus. They lounged around, drinking wine and laughing like old friends. Never before had Percy felt as close to a god as he did now, and he hoped Apollo would get up late.
"Percy, I must say, I am thoroughly impressed by you. You've shown incredible strength, yet also breath taking humility. It was not something I would have expected from anyone, not even my own hunters. You truly are first among equals, and I am honored to be able to call you friend," Artemis declared.
"Alas, this evening must come to a close. My brother slowly rises." Artemis stood, and Percy mimicked the motion. They shook hands, but that didn't feel enough.
"Will I see you again?" Percy asked.
Artemis grinned, "You bet."
Percy walked out of her palace, and heard the door click behind him. However, he felt uneasy. He was having a internal conflict inside of him, and just as he reached the elevator, part of him won out.
It wasn't long until he found himself stood by Artemis' door again, ringing her doorbell. Her brow knit in confusion as she opened the door to see the son of Poseidon again.
"Did you forget something?" She asked.
"I sincerely apologize for this, and I give you full permission to smite me afterward," he said, before crashing his lips to hers in a bruising kiss.