Pertemis: Chasing Time

Chpater 19: A Date.

Percy's POV

I was planning with Artemis in the Bug House. She looked a bit down today. I doubted she had heard what I said. Finally, I decided to ask.

"Hey Artemis" I turned to her. "Are you ok?"

"Fine, Percy. I'm fine." She responded with a scowl. That's weird.

Her pen dropped on the floor and she kicked it away in frustration. No, this is not ok.

"Arty, tell me. What happened?" I asked the second time.

"I'm fine"

I moved to face her. "You can tell me. It's nothing I cannot do for you. Something is bothering you? Or you're not feeling well?"

"I told you. I'M FINE!!!" She flared at me and ran off.

My face must've looked funny. Did I do something wrong?

I left the big house a moment later. One the way, I kept thinking what did I do to get her mad. I mean, just asking 'are you ok?' doesn't cause it...right?

I swear I would never cheat on her. Not after the incident in Camp Jupiter. Or she jealous with someone. Sure I always make distance from girls in this camp. But sometimes I still have to make some conversations with them. I'm a leader after all. I have to admit that the girls were trying to flirt with me. Especially the Aphrodite's cabin. Except Piper.

Speaking of Piper. I pumped into her at the mess hall. She waved her hand and ran up to me. She's not with Jason today. That's strange.

"Hey Percy." She greeted.

"Uh, Hi" I said back. Though not really enthusiastic.

Piper looked closer to me with a frown. "What's wrong? Something happened between you and Artemis?"

Ok that was totally shocked me. I heard Piper was smart. But I didn't expect she could be this smart. I wondered was she even a daughter of Aphrodite. Just looking at my face's expression and she already found out the problem.

"Yeah" I sighed. "I don't know what did I do wrong this time. Since the Camp Jupiter incident. I always make a distance from the other girls. She can't be jealous by that. This morning when we were planning for battle in the Big House. She just suddenly flared up with me and ran off."

Piper chuckled. "Oh Percy." She shook her head. "Tell me. Have you two to got any date yet?"

"Well to be honest." I scratched my head. "Many things has happened in the past. We didn't actually have any proper date. Then I lost my memory for 8 months and after that...you know."

Piper crossed her arms. "Well the problem is Artemis just feeling bored. Thus the frustration comes. You two need to have more romantic time. The solution for this, you have to ask her out for a date."

I blinked my eyes. "How do you know about this? You are not Artemis, are you?"

Piper just giggled and laid a hand on my shoulder. "Percy, I'm a girl. Of course I know what they feel and think. Even Artemis was called a man hater goddess. She still hates men and loves fighting. Sometimes, her female intuitions still come. You have to understand Perce. Artemis's outside is strong, but inside she's really soft. She still loves romance and being loved. In the past you guys have fought together and being separated many times. Your love is really strong. But sometimes you need to add more romance in it. That's why she's feeling pissed today."

I nodded my head. "Yeah you're right." I agreed. "After the breakup, she must've hurt a lot. A single word sorry just doesn't make her feel better. Lately because of the war with Gaia. I haven't talked to her much, even if I had, I would've just brought out the battle plan. She must've been really stressed lately."

"So you know what to do" Piper smirked. "Hope you have a happy date."

"Thanks Piper. You actually helped me a lot." I said.

She patted my shoulder "Call me when you need help." and walked off.

I made my way to cabin 8, her cabin. I haven't really understood her. Everyone says our relationship is the strongest. But I can't even know what she feels. What a bad boyfriend I am. But the war is coming. Many weights were laying on my shoulders. why did the Fates choose me to become important like this? It just causes me more trouble.

I walked passed the lake and saw Leo, Guildirt and the Stolls were trying to prank on someone. I don't know how long can this view last. An idea suddenly popped up to my mind. I don't know how long can we have another date. When the war comes, and if we can't make it through...At least I have to ask her this. We have been through a lot together. Now is just time for me to say that.

So I turned my direction to the Hephaestus's cabin instead of Artemis's cabin. After came out from the forge and done something for our date, with some help from Piper of course. I immediately ran up to Cabin 8.

I knocked on the door and waited impatiently. A moment later, Artemis opened it with an annoyed face.

"What do you want Perce?" She asked.

"I came to check on you."

"I told you I'm fine." She growled and turned back, crossing we arms.

I stopped the door when she attended you close it. I slowly walked up to her and hugged her from behind.

"Hey" I whispered.

"What" She responded in annoy and trying to shrug me off. I held on her tight though.

"Well" I started. "It's been a long time and we haven't actually got a date. I wonder if you can go out with me tonight. Just me and you. I'm really stressed lately from the war. Will you go out with me for a date Artemis?"

She turned back to me in excitement. "Really?" She asked.

I nodded with a smile. "Aww Percy. I love you." She leaned up and kissed me. That just lit me up after all the hard work.

"Get ready." I told her. "I'll pick you up at 5 pm. We will have a date just like a normal mortal couple."

She gave me another kiss and walked inside, grinning madly. I sighed. Here we go with the suit.

Artemis's POV.

Oh my gods. Percy asked me out for a date. Am I actually dreaming. I've been waiting for this day for so long. He's finally said it. I've been stressing from the war lately. I know it's important and since Percy is the leader. He had to work really hard. I felt bad for scowling at him this morning. It wasn't his fault though. I didn't know what come into me.

Anyway, I was running around trying to find something good to wear. Where would he take me? I was so nervous that I stripped all over everything. The only fancy thing I have is a silver dress. I wore that dress once in the celebration of Percy become a God. That was the first time I wear a dress. It was for him. I hugged the dress close and smiled. That was time when I started having my feelings toward him. Didn't expect we could've become like this. I mean, 'I'.

After the shower. I put on the dress and the golden necklace and earrings. Don't ask me why I have these. It's from Aphrodite. She put it in my closet all the time. Even with the make up. I've gotten used to it. So I just left it there. Now I really need that. I applied on make up and did some girl's job. Even when I loved fighting and hunting. Sometimes, I still trying to do some thing girly. Not overcome like Aphrodite.

I heard a knock on the door and smiled. I checked myself a bit before opening it.

Standing at the door wasn't Percy I see everyday. I mean his face looked the same just ten time better. He was wearing a tux. He said he never like wearing tux. He did it for me.

"Hi" I said, brushing a bit a bit of hair behind by ear.

"Uh-dud"

I chucked at Percy. He looked like he was about to fall right on the spot. His face was totally shocked.

"Ready?" I asked.

He shook it head. "Uh...yeah."

He interlocked with my hand and started walking to the beach.

Things were getting up. Lucky for me, the Hunters weren't there. The boys in camp dropped the mouth. Some of the Ares dropped their weapons. Girls giggled. It felt so embarrassing when everyone just started looking at you.

Leo stood far away and whistled. "Have a nice date Percy" He called.

I smiled at Leo. At least he knows what to say. But the next line.

"Remember to use protection" Leo yelled.

That got into me. That boy really really need a lesson. I was about to shoot an arrow straight to his forehead. But Percy stopped me.

"Shut up Leo" Percy yelled. "Or your fire won't burn for long."

Leo just laughed manically along with Guildirt. Percy gulped, knowing how piss I was and hurriedly dragged me away.

We arrived at the beach with nothing except sand and water.

"Percy..." I started but he put a finger on my lips.

"Follow me." He said.

We were walking close to the water but he stopped and turned to me. "Can you breath under the water.?"

"Ye-yeah. But only three hours." I said.

He nodded and dragged in the water. Ok I was freaked but I trusted Perce so I didn't ask about that.

Surprisingly, my clothes weren't wet. I actually felt sorry for it. But now it fine.

We swam deeper and deeper into the water. I was holding Percy's hand and kept smiling at him all the time.

Finally, we arrived at some kind of an under water restaurant.

"Welcome to the Atlantic restaurant." Percy said.

It was magnificent. The restaurant didn't have roof since it was underwater. Different light came out from the restaurant with every kind of fish. Even mermaids.

We landed on the sand under the sea and started walking. A fish swam up to us.

"Welcome to Atlantic restaurant. Can I have your name Mr and Mrs..."

Before I could say anything. Percy did it for me. "Jackson." He nodded.

"Oh, my prince. My apologies for didn't recognise you earlier." The fish bowed.

"Oh come on, no need to be like that." Percy said. "Stand up please."

"Your table will be right this way sir." The fish told us and guided us to the table.

Our table was on a high place. You could see the entire city of Atlantis from there.

"Wow" I admired.

Percy smirked. "This is your first time?"

"Yeah" I said without looking at him. "I've never been under the ocean before."

I turned back at him and smiled.

"Mr and Mrs Jackson. Can I have your order please." A fish asked.

We called out our food and he swam off.

"Hey" Percy leaned over the table to me.

"Um?" I stared at him.

"Did you hear what the fish called us."

"Uh-I" I really didn't know.

"Mr and Mrs..." Percy smirked.

I blushed a deep shape off red. I mean I liked being called Mrs Jackson. Come on, we have been through so much. If anyone I could spend the rest off my life with, which is eternity. That would be him.

The night went passed quickly. It was sad though. I wanted to stay with him a bit longer.

After came out from the restaurant, Percy suddenly took my hand and flashed us to some where else.

We jumped outside a portal and I looked at him in shock.

"When did you able to teleport" I asked.

"Well, it's my new power." He said. "I can create the mist to open a portal. Though, it just only make a close distance. But since I was standing under the water. I just got strong and could teleport further."

I looked away from him. We was standing on the cliff. Behind was a forest and the moon was shining on the distance. The glorious stars glimmering the sky. The sound of the waves hit against the rocks and the breeze of the sea. It was so beautiful.

Percy took my hand and lead me to the edge of the cliff. He sat down and pulled on on his laps.

"Remember the cliff?" He asked and planted a kiss in my cheek.

"Yeah. The party. The cliff on Olympus." I smiled. It was such a beautiful memory.

"We were about to kiss back there." He said.

I chuckled at him. "You attempted to. Not me."

"Oh yeah. So who's the one that came to find me. Then decided to lean in."

"You actually leaned in first." I argued.

"No I didn't"

"Yes you did" I said.

As saying that, our head moved closer and closer. Until our nose touched. We stared into each other's eyes. This is just like the time in the infirmary. The beautiful memory just kept happening again. I wondered did Percy do it.

Our lips moved closer and closer until they connected. This time, no more Aphrodite and Hermes to interrupt us. I pressed against him more as he moved back a bit. He hugged me closer and same as me. The moon was shining on my back.

After awhile, we pulled a way and grinned. Still our forehead touched.

"I love you" I whispered.

"Me too"

I perked him one more time and sat back on his laps. My head was laying on his chest and staring at the moon.

"I wish we could be like this forever. Just carefree. No more fighting or anything. Just the two of us, sitting like this." I sighed.

Percy played with my hair. "I know" he said "But Guildirt once told me. If you want to obtain something, you've to sacrifice something. This is why I'm working so hard. To save our future and too have a life like this."

I turned back at him and touch his forehead with mine. "Thank you" I whispered. "For fighting for our future."

We closed our eyes and enjoy the other company.

"Artemis. I've something to tell you."Percy suddenly said.

I moved beside him then asked. "What is it?"

"Well..." He said but his face suddenly turned nervous.

"Crap" he muttered.

"Percy what's wrong?"

"I lost it." He said standing up.

"What did you lose?" I stood up beside him

"Fine, fine something that's shining on the ground. It's just a side of a diamond." He said.

I hurriedly crawled on the ground trying to find this. Ok what did he lose anyway. Diamond for what.

"Arty" Percy suddenly called from behind.

I turned back. "Did you find...."

I was speechless. There was my Seaweed Brain. On one knee with a small box opened on his hands. A beautiful half celestial bronze and silver ring was shining on it. Attached with two diamonds one silver and blue. I gasped.

Thousand of glimmering diamond just lit up around us. I swear I didn't see them when I got here. Percy planed for this all.

"Artemis." Percy started. "I-uh-I...."

"Percy..." I breathed.

He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Artemis" he said. "we have been through a lot together. Even to the doors of death. I believe in our love and you. My heart is just for you. I don't know if we can make it out in this war like the last. But I have to ask you this. Artemis, will you marry me?"

I put my hands over my mouth. Tears were flowing down my cheeks. He said it. He finally said it. I didn't know what to say. I lunged at him and hugged him.

"Yes" I sobbed while nodding. "The answer is always yes"

He hugged me close. I don't care how strong the enemies are. At least now I have him now. i don't ask for anything more. Because now I'm going to become his wife. That's just enough.