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The streets of Manhattan stretched endlessly beneath the golden glow of the sunset.
Percy walked beside Artemis, hand brushing hers now and then, feeling the warmth that had become as familiar to him as the steady pulse of his own heartbeat. The goddess beside him, usually so composed and commanding in the Hunt, was tense as she walked, shoulders slightly stiff, eyes darting from shop windows to the faces hurrying past. Percy suppressed a laugh at the way she scanned every pedestrian, as if each one might be hiding some danger.
He glanced at her and smirked teasingly, leaning closer as they navigated through the crowd, “You’re nervous.”
“Just a little,” she huffed softly, though the small crease between her brows contradicted her words, “It’s important and I just wish to make a proper impression.”
Percy chuckled, his eyes were sparkling mischievously, “You’re a goddess, yet meeting my family makes you tense?”
“The family of the man that I love,” she corrected him, sharp and dignified, though the faintest corner of her mouth quirked with amusement, “I find this to be a deliberate matter,” she spoke serenely as they walked, and entwined their fingers, “It’s a test, the scrutiny of a mother, and I do not want to disappoint.”
She felt his arm squeeze hers gently, she looked at him to see that he was already watching her with a smile, his dark locks dancing through the wind. She felt her cheeks blush. Percy leaned down to peck her lips lightly, and she sighed to the kiss, her thunderous heartbeat slowed down, once he pulled away she was smiling as well.
“It will be alright,” he whispered to her, his mesmerising sea green eyes never left her silver ones for a moment, “My mom knows what you mean to me,” his other hand stroke her cheek gently, she found herself leaning into his touch, “She has been brimming with curiosity ever since I started telling her about you.”
Her silver eyes flickered with surprise at his words, “She asks about me?”
“All the time,” he said with a teasing grin, and pressed his forehead against hers, “She was delighted when she heard you would be coming to meet them.”
Her lips curved into a small smile, and she allowed a sigh to escape her lips, and for a moment, the tension in her posture eased,“Then I shall conduct myself in a manner worthy of her curiosity.”
Bright signs flickered along the avenue, cars honked in the distance, and the smell of roasted nuts from a nearby cart mingled with the scent of baking bread from a corner coffee shop. Artemis breathed, her senses alert to everything, as though she were measuring the pulse of this world she visited only occasionally. Even as she felt her usual exhilaration from being in motion, a subtle flutter of anticipation settled in her chest.
Soon, Percy reached the building where his family lived, a modest apartment that somehow radiated familiarity and home despite the bustling city around it, he held the door open for Artemis, bowing his head slightly in a playful mimicry of old fashioned courtesy, “After you, my lady.”
The goddess allowed herself a graceful smile, stepping inside with careful composure, her eyes swept over the lobby, noting the muted colors, the small plants in the corners, the soft hum of life that seemed ordinary yet comforting in its constancy, his fingers brushed hers again, grounding her as they walked the stairs to the third floor. Artemis adjusted the folds of her cloak and smoothed the edge of her tunic, keeping her composure, yet inside, she felt a small thrill of anticipation, eager to meet the family of the man she loved.
He knocked gently, and almost immediately, the door swung open, soft lighting, the faint aroma of dinner, and laughter that made her heart lift, standing at the doorway was Sally, her smile bright and open, arms slightly extended as if to welcome not just her son, but the goddess accompanying him, and slightly behind her stood Paul, who seemed as equally thrilled as his wife.
“Percy, you’re here,” she said and wrapped her arms tightly around her son, they stayed like that for a moment, once they parted and her gaze landed on the goddess beside him, her eyes softened as she spoke, “Lady Artemis,” her voice carried a soft warmth as she pulled the goddess into her embrace as well, “It’s so lovely to finally meet you.”
“Thank you for welcoming me to your home,” she said softly, the words were formal yet kind, and inclined her head with practiced elegance, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and rest of the family.”
Paul raised a hand in greeting and stepping forward, his posture carried the confidence of someone that had learned to navigate extraordinary situations without blinking as a teacher, “The pleasure’s ours, Lady Artemis,” his tone was calm and respectful as he spoke, Artemis shook his hand, “Percy has told us all about you.”
Just before Artemis responded, a small giggle came from the other room, and a tiny figure toddled into the hallway, wobbling slightly but determined, her dark locks bouncing with every step.
Estelle.
Artemis blinked, then smiled at the little girl, crouching slightly to meet her gaze, she asked softly, her voice gentle, careful not to overwhelm, “And who might this be?”
Sally chuckled as her daughter walked towards the goddess with tiny steps, she spoke with a grin, “That’s our little Estelle, she’s been asking about you for a long while now.”
Estelle reached a tiny hand toward Artemis, then giggled when the goddess mirrored the gesture, offering a delicate touch of her finger to the palm of the child, Artemis said, her tone soft, melodic, “Hello, little one.”
Estelle squealed with delight and immediately wrapped her tiny arms around waist of the goddess, clinging tightly, Artemis was petrified for a moment, slightly stiff, but then allowed the hug, a small laugh escaping her lips.
“She likes you,” he whispered, his eyes twinkled with amusement at the sight of his little sister hugging his lover, “I think that’s a good sign.”
Artemis blinked, slightly flustered, but the warmth of the moment spread through her, “She’s affectionate.”
The warmth of the apartment deepened as Sally ushered them fully inside, the soft glow of the overhead lights blending with the golden hues of early evening that filtered through the windows.
“Dinner is almost ready,” Sally said warmly, her voice carrying that gentle, grounding calm that always made everything feel safe and settled, “Come inside.”
The apartment felt alive with comfort, light spilled across the walls, the soft glow of lamps blending with the golden hue from the kitchen. The scent of food wrapped around them in layers of familiarity and homely, carrying traces of comforting aroma of home cooked food wrapped around them like a familiar blanket. Artemis stepped inside with quiet composure, a goddess moving through a mortal home not as a divine figure, but as a guest, as family.
Percy gently guided her gently toward the table while holding her hand, grounding her with a touch that had become instinctive between them.
The table had been prepared with care.
Plates were neatly arranged, glasses set in place, steam rising lazily from covered dishes, Sally moved with practiced ease, Paul beside her, both of them radiating that calm confidence of people who had learned to live with the divine and extraordinary as part of their daily reality.
Before Artemis could even fully take her seat, Estelle climbed onto her lap with determined little movements, small arms wrapping around her waist with complete certainty, the action was so natural that it stunned everyone into silence for a heartbeat.
Artemis did not know what to do for a brief second, silver eyes widening slightly as she looked down at the child settled against her, Estelle simply adjusted her position, made herself comfortable, then looked back at Artemis with open curiosity and a bright, fearless gaze, then she tilted her head and spoke with serious innocence, her voice small, cutting through the gentle hum of the room as she spoke, “Mommy said you’re a goddess.”
Artemis blinked, surprised for a fraction of a second, then smiled down at her, “She did?”
Estelle nodded solemnly, her eyes shone bright with childish curiosity, “Are you really a goddess?”
The room became still.
Artemis blinked once, then slowly nodded,“Yes,” she said softly, her expression gentle and calm, “That’s correct, little one.”
Estelle looked at her fascination, her eyes widened, she leaned closer, studying her face with intense focus, then reached out and touched her hair, fingers brushing the auburn curls with reverence, as if stating a great discovery, she murmured, “Shiny,”
A soft laugh slipped from Artemis before she could stop it, quiet and surprised, filled with warmth, and as Sally and Paul began bringing the dishes to the table, Estelle remained on lap of the goddess, her small hands now gently playing with her auburn curls, twirling strands between her fingers with delicate care, she hummed softly to herself, completely content, repeating in a quiet whisper that her hair was shiny and beautiful.
“Estelle, sweetheart, be polite,” Sally said gently, setting a dish on the table, “Let Lady Artemis sit properly.”
Estelle tightened her hold, pressing closer to the goddess, her small face scrunching with determination, she certainly did not have any intention of moving.
Artemis looked down at her, silver eyes softening, and then lifted her gaze toward Sally with a gentle smile, “It is alright,” she said calmly, then looked back down to the little toddler on her lap, “I do not mind.”
Sally hesitated for a moment, then smiled, nodding, “Alright, then.”
Estelle beamed, triumphant, settling more comfortably against Artemis with a bright and innocent smile.
Dinner began with quiet conversation and easy laughter, Paul took his seat, glancing between Percy and Artemis with a thoughtful expression before speaking, “So,” he said casually, with a fork and a knife in his hands, “How’s life with the Hunt treating you, Percy? Behaving yourself? Not causing trouble for Lady Artemis and her hunters, I hope.”
Percy opened his mouth to answer, but Artemis spoke first.
“He is a menace,” she said with perfect seriousness, her tone dignified and composed, “Constantly disruptive. Reckless. Entirely incorrigible.”
Percy stared at her in mock offence and raised a brow, “That’s harsh.”
She continued, eyes glinting with amusement, “He distracts the Hunt with laughter, undermines discipline with charm, and encourages informal behavior.”
Paul raised an eyebrow and Sally covered her smile with her hand.
Percy leaned back in his chair, placing a hand on his chest dramatically, “This is slander.”
“And,” Artemis added calmly, though a smile was threatening to form on her lips, “He’s entirely incapable of remaining serious in moments that require composure.”
Percy laughed, and finally surrendered, it wasn’t a battle he could win, even if he wanted, “That one’s true.”
Her lips finally curved into a smile, her composed expression breaking into quiet laughter, Percy and his family joined her, their shared laughter filling the room, natural and easy, the kind that came only from deep familiarity and affection, Estelle giggled too, not fully understanding, simply responding to the warmth in the room.
Dinner passed in a rhythm of conversation, soft stories, and shared glances.
Artemis listened more than she spoke, observing the dynamics of the mortal family with gentle curiosity. She watched Sally and her expressions, the way her eyes softened whenever she looked at Percy, the way Paul shifted his posture into quiet protectiveness without force. This was not a palace, not a temple, not a realm of divine politics. It was something far scarce, a place shaped by love.
She was glad that she was here.
When the meal ended, they moved toward the living room, Estelle remained attached to Artemis, refusing to walk on her own, clinging to her with unwavering determination. Artemis carried her easily, the child resting her head against the shoulder of the goddess, little fingers still tangled in her auburn locks.
Sally smiled at the sight of her daughter and the goddess, “I think you’ve made a lifelong friend.”
The living room glowed with soft light, the furniture was modest and comfortable, shaped by time and presence, Artemis sat on the couch with Estelle still nestled against her, Percy sat right beside her, their knees brushed against each other and their fingers were entwined.
After a while, Sally glanced at the clock and sighed softly, “Alright, sweetheart,” she said gently, looking at her daughter, “It’s time for bed.”
Estelle whined quietly, clinging tighter to Artemis, her small face turned serious as she looked at the goddess, eyes wide with sudden worry, she asked, her voice small, “Will I see you again?”
Artemis looked down at her, silver eyes soft, “Yes,” she said calmly, and smiled assuringly to the little girl, “You will.”
Estelle studied her face for a long moment, as if measuring truth itself, then she nodded once, satisfied, she said simply, “Okay.”
Only then did she loosen her grip and allow Sally to take her into her arms.
Sally carried her toward the bedroom while Paul followed, their voices fading into soft, gentle murmurs as they prepared her for sleep.
The living room became quiet.
Percy and Artemis remained on the couch, the space suddenly still and peaceful, filled with a soft sense of intimacy, the sounds of the city filtered faintly through the windows, distant and gentle.
Percy turned toward her with a sincere smile, “That went really well.”
Artemis smiled back, she leaned in and kissed him, slow and tender, her hand resting against his chest, when she pulled back, her silver eyes met his sea green gaze, she spoke softly, “It did.”
They sat there together in silence, wrapped in the quiet comfort of the moment, the kind that did not need any words.
Their presence beside each other felt natural, complete, steady as the tide beneath the moon.