Chapter 10: Didn't Expect That

Sorry this took so long, I'm collaborating with @Ihave4cutedoggos on a story, also I am really sorry for that fake chapter I posted. Bad week.

Chapter 10: Didn't Expect That

Percy, Artemis, Sally and Paul all stood there staring at Selena, the two Selena's, in shock. "Selena? Are, um, are you okay, honey?" Sally asked tentatively, and the girl nodded

"Yup! This is my friend, I Don't Know." She introduced, and the other girl giggled madly. "That's not my name, silly! I said I dunno what my name is." She told her, and Selena giggled at her mistake. "Ohhhh, whoops." She giggled, munching down on some more chocolates.

Percy was horrified, and he looked to Artemis. Artemis had a thoughtful look on her face, and her eyes snapped to Percy's. It can't be. He heard her voice in his head, and he somehow knew what she meant by that.

He looked down at his wrist, at the ichor pumping in his veins, and he got an idea. "Sweetie..." He began, and the two girls looked at him simultaneously. It was spooky. "Can... Can daddy try something?" He asked politely, and Selena thought for a moment. She turned to her twin, and the mysterious girl nodded in confirmation. "Okay."

Percy walked over and took her hand, before pulling Riptide out of his pocket. Recognizing the pen, Sally's eyes widened. "Percy! What are you doing?" She asked, coming forward, but Artemis held out an arm to block her. "Don't worry, Sally. He's testing something." She assured the woman, who hesitantly stepped back to be next to her husband.

Percy knelt down and looked her in the eye. "This is gonna hurt a bit, princess. But you're a big girl, you'll be fine. I promise." He told her, and she smiled. "Okay, I trust you." She said, and her identical twin leaned over to see what Percy was doing.

Percy uncapped Riptide, revealing a long celestial bronze xiphos. At the sight of the sword, Selena frowned slightly, but held her ground. Percy brought the sword up to her hand,and staring her in the eye to keep her attention on him, created a slit in her hand. Big enough for blood to come out, but no big that they'd have to get her medical attention.

It was not blood that came out of the girl's hand, however, but a sparkling golden liquid. Ichor, the blood of the gods. The sight of such liquid frightened Selena, and all hell broke loose.

The girl let out a high pitched shriek, and as she saw a faint glow coming from various points in her skin, Artemis rushed to cover Paul and Sally's eyes and push them into the hallway. She shut the door right as Selena combusted, and her twin disappeared while the girl's true form was revealed.

She looked exactly as Selena had before, but now she appeared to be made entirely out of light, a shade of cyan to be exact. Not powerful enough to reach her in their human forms, Percy and Artemis also shifted, becoming beings of light identical to their human forms, only they glowed sea-green and silver.

"Selena, baby, you need to calm down!" Percy said anxiously, his ethereal voice echoing despite the room not being too large. His daughter ignored him and sunk to the ground, pulling her knees up to her chest and burying her head in them.

When the two gods took another step closer, there was another large pulse of power, and Percy and Artemis were thrown back. "She's too strong, Percy! She has no domains, so she's as powerful as an Olympian!" She told him, and Percy looked at the girl in shock.

How could this be? Selena couldn't possibly be a god, how had he never noticed. Her mother was a mortal! Unless...

While the two gods tried to reach the young girl, there was a bright flash, and they stepped back in surprise. A pink glow filled the room, and both gods' eyes widened.

Selena, frightened by it all, backed up into a corner and slid down the wall. She pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her head in them, while the new arrival slowly approached her. When she noticed the glow throwing her legs, Selena looked up.

Aphrodite stood there in her true form, smiling softly down at the small girl. "It's okay, Selena. You're okay, everything is okay." She said, kneeling down to be at the same height as the small girl.

Selena had no idea what was happening, but she had a strong gut feeling that she was willing to believe. "Mom." She whispered, hugging the goddess of love. Aphrodite smiled and hugged back, kissing the top of her head. "Yes, my daughter. I'm here." She said, happy that Selena finally recognized her, after all these years of obliviousness.

As those words were spoken, Percy and Artemis gasped. Now in her mother's embrace, the chaos surrounding Selena's aura began to die down, and it became okay to approach her.

Selena looked up at Aphrodite, and the love goddess touched her cheek softly. Simultaneously, skin began to cover their celestial forms until their entire bodies were returned to normal. Knowing it was okay, Percy and Artemis shifted back to their mortal forms.

Aphrodite looked at the two gods, and was disappointed by what she saw. Artemis had an upset look on her face, like she felt like crying yet there were no tears in her eyes. Percy's face was very much different.

He had a look of betrayal in his eyes, hidden behind a glare that would pierce anyone's soul. The god was shaking, and Aphrodite looked at him with worry. "Percy-" She tried, reaching out a hand to him, but he backed up a step. "Don't!" He snapped, and she flinched with a hurt expression.

As Percy backed up he took many deep breaths, trying to collect his thoughts. When he looked at Selena, he saw it. Sure, she looked mostly like him, but he could see a lot of Aphrodite in her. The shape of her eyes and nose were like that of the love goddess, and her natural body shape was likely similar to what Aphrodite would have looked like had she ever been a child.

"Percy..." Artemis said, and he looked at his fiance. She stared at him worriedly, and put a hand on his shoulder. He looked at it and smiled softly, but the second his eyes traversed back to Aphrodite he couldn't handle it anymore. Amid protests from Aphrodite and Artemis, he turned and ran out of the room, nearly knocking over his mother and step-father on the way out.

She had lied to him. 3 years. She had been there for all 3 years of Selena's life, but she never even tried to step in and become a mother. She never even told him she was the mother of his child. She just dumped the girl on his doorstep and never mentioned it again.

He thought Aphrodite had changed after the Titan war, he thought she was at least trying to become more active in her children's lives. They were friends, if she was the mother of his child, that should mean she'd be even more inclined to be a good mother. I guess some people never change. He thought to himself as he dashed out of the apartment.

Not knowing where else to go, he stomped up the stairs as fast as he could, needing to get some fresh air and his own space. Step after step, he tried to rid himself of the thoughts that Aphrodite was Selena's birth mother, it was all so hard to process.

He rammed through the door at the top of the stairs, which swung open and immediately slammed shut behind him. With the wind of such an altitude flowing through his hair, Percy took a deep breath.

The god didn't stay long to stand there and bask in the breeze, instead choosing to sit down on the ledge of the building, many floors off the ground. The Manhattan streets were just as he remembered, bustling with cars and pedestrians trying to get to wherever they needed to be.

He had not come up here for a long while, not since Selena had arrived at his doorstep. It was a good place for him to think and clear his head, as he'd definitely needed to do when he discovered he had a daughter. It was calming, being so high above the earth yet still remaining on solid ground.

"Percy." He heard a voice behind him, and turned his head. Artemis stood there, having seemingly followed him up the stairs. She had a hand on her arm nervously, as if expecting him to snap at her or something. "Yeah?" He asked calmly, noticeably making the goddess' nerves dissipate.

She walked over to him. "Are you alright?" She asked, and he gestured for her to sit. Artemis did so, dangling her legs over the very high drop. Percy sighed, looking back out over the city. "Yeah, just... angry, bitter, I don't really know." He confessed.

They sat in silence for a moment, tyen Artemis turned her head to him. "Do you wanna talk about it?" She offered, resulting in a shrug from Percy. "I'm angry at her. That damned goddess. She knew all this time she was Selena's mother, she'd visited countless times, she knew Selena needed a mother, but she didn't even try." Percy ranted.

Artemis was about to chime in with her own opinion, but Percy cut her off. "And not only that, but she finally decides to show herself not just after Selena finally has a mother, but the second she becomes 'worth something'. I mean, that's the other thing. How did I not know Selena was a... a goddess? It just... I don't get it." He said in slight distress.

As he rested his head in both palms, Artemis didn't really know what to say. She had never been one for actual advice, nor for talks like this. Plus, it's not like she had any experience in parenting, save for the week she'd been Selena's future step mom.

"Percy, I don't know what to say to you. To be honest, I'm just as shocked as you are. Though look on the bright side, you'll never have to worry about losing her, she doesn't have to go to school anymore, and you can have your daughter for all eternity. Not just that, but she's a daughter of Aphrodite, she's gonna turn out pretty." She tried.

Percy scoffed. "Perhaps even a whore too." He commented, which made Artemis' jaw drop. "Wha- Percy! Did you hear what you just said?! I know you're upset but there's no reason to call anyone, especially not your three year old daughter, a whore." The goddess scolded as Percy realised what he'd said.

He rubbed his face tiredly with both hands. "Shit, Artemis, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I can't believe I just said that. Gods, this woman's driving me crazy." He sighed. Artemis raised an eyebrow. "You mean Aphrodite?" She clarified.

Percy nodded. "Ever since I became a god she's been trying her best to get with me. For three years we were friends, and maybe even more. I still haven't quite figured out whatever the Hades my feelings are. All these years she tried to get with me, and she never even thought to mention that she gave me my pride and joy? I don't know if she's cruel or just dumb." He said.

Artemis laughed. "Knowing Aphrodite, both." She said, earning from him a chuckle.

They sat in silence for a while, enjoying each other's company before Percy turned his head to her. She was still wearing his hoodie, which was adorably oversized for her. The goddess' hands didn't even reach out of the sleeves, she looked like a child. "You look cute in that." He complimented.

As intended, the silver goddess blushed, and nervously moved a strand of auburn hair out of her eyes. "Th-thanks." She smiled awkwardly, and he smiled back. The two stared back out at the skyline, and this time it was Artemis who took the initiative to speak.

"So, we had our first kiss." She noted like it was nothing, like this wasn't one of the biggest events of her life and it hadn't happened during a pillow fight which they lost to a toddler. Percy nodded, turning back to her. "Couple goals. Like I said, you were really good. Are you sure you've never kissed anyone? Not even a girl?" He inquired with a cheeky grin.

Artemis blushed, but shook her head. "I've never had any interest in a man, despite what mortals seem to think. For a while, I thought perhaps I liked Zoe, but both of us quickly realised we didn't quite fit together. No big deal though, we were still best friends all the way up until she died." She told him.

Percy nodded. "And what about us?" He asked, making her turn to him in confusion. "Hm?" She hummed questioningly. "What about us? Do you think we fit together?" He asked.

Artemis thought for a moment. "To be honest, I don't know. The fact that this is all arranged and we're being forced into a marriage just makes it so much difficult. I really like you, Percy, but that just makes it feel like Stockholm Syndrome. I'm gonna marry you whether I want to or not, like a trophy. Whenever I feel things for you there's something in me that says it's not real, I'm just trying to get used to it. Then there's the rest of me that screams, yes we fit together." She said, conflicted.

Percy was about to say something until Artemis continued. "But, whether I do love you right now or not, I don't doubt it's gonna arise sometime in the future. You are my idea of a perfect man after all, the only man I'd ever consider loving. It's just a matter of whether I can love after an entire life of abstinence." She said.

Percy nodded, staring deep into her silver eyes. Artemis met his as well, and they just looked at each other for a while, not wanting to turn away. "Can I kiss you again? It felt really good the first time." He asked. Artemis was slightly shocked for a moment, but quickly nodding her head and giving permission. She had liked the feel of his lips on hers. Whether it was the act of kissing or just with him in general that made her giddy, she didn't know.

Percy leaned forward and held her cheek, before planting his lips on hers delicately. Artemis closed her eyes and kissed back, putting a hand on the back of his neck. The two smiled, glad to be in such an intimate position again, or at least insanely intimate by Artemis' standards.

When they started to lose the Aether in their lungs, the two had to separate, but not without resting their foreheads on each other's in affection. "You know, you're really getting the hang of this whole relationship thing. You're a good mother, a good kisser, and we've yet to have any fights I think." He said. Artemis laughed at the last one while they parted.

Percy stood up abruptly and held out a hand for her. "Come on, we better go down and see them. I just realised I never even talked to Selena after she got so scared like that. I wanna make sure she's okay." He told her. Artemis nodded, grasping onto his hand and heaving herself up onto both feet.

The two made it no short journey, running down the stairs until they reached his parents' apartement, which they promptly entered. The four they had left behind were no longer in Percy's old room. They were all sat at the dining table, and Selena sat on Sally's lap slowly crunching away at the last of her chocolates.

When she heard the door open and shit, Selena jumped out of her grandmother' lap. "Daddy!" She cried, launching herself at the man in question. Percy caught his daughter in his embrace, spinning her around a few times. "Oh, princess, I'm so sorry for running away like that." He apologized, resting the girl on his hip.

She kissed his cheek, making everyone 'aww' at her cuteness. "It's okay, daddy. Mommy said you were mad at her, so I don't mind." She said. Percy looked at Aphrodite, who smiled awkwardly back. He had never seen the goddess of love so flustered before.

The tiny goddess suddenly plunged from Percy's arms to the ground, where she ran over to the table. "Look what mommy got me!" She exclaimed, holding up a brand new brown teddy bear. "She said it was a present because she was sorry." She said, bringing it over for Percy and Artemis to inspect.

Percy held the bear in his arms, smiling slightly. It wasn't store bought, surprisingly. It appeared to be hand-made, with rough patchwork and a pegasus on the stomach. Percy's symbol of power akin to Poseidon's trident or Artemis' bow.

He looked over to the love goddess. "Did you make this?" He asked, receiving a nod in return. "After the girls night out Arty and I had, I decided I'd finally reveal myself as Selena's mother. I made that as an apology gift for missing the first few years of her life. She seems to like it." She said, nodding to Selena who was frantically clutching at the teddy that was just out of her reach.

Percy laughed and handed it back to her, patting his daughter on the head, who went to sit by her grandparents again. Sally looked over to him. "Percy, we've been talking with Lady Aphrodite and, well, I think you should give her a chance. Let her be there for Selena, forgive and forget. Artemis is doing wonderful, but you can't keep a mother from her child." She advised, much to Aphrodite's agreement.

Percy looked to Artemis for sound wisdom, who simply nodded without saying anything. He turned back to Aphrodite and sighed. "Okay, fine. I'll give you this chance to be a good mother. But please, please don't run out on her. Please do your part in raising her." He begged.

Aphrodite smiled and stood, before walking over and hugging her former lover. "Of course, Percy. I'll never leave her again." She promised. Percy nearly shed a tear, but settled for hugging her back tightly.

Selena suddenly piped up from her spot by Sally. "Wait, if I have two mommies, what do I call them?" She asked in confusion, still trying to wrap her head around the whole double mothers thing.

Aphrodite and Artemis looked at each other, so Artemis took the dive. "Well, you can call Aphrodite mommy and call me mama, is that better?" She asked. Selena's eyes averted for a moment, as if she was considering this heavily. Percy chuckled as he watched her. It was like she wss debating in her own head over such a life-changing decision.

Thankfully, Selena came to a decision. "Yup. You look like a mama anyway." She said, eating the last of her chocolates.

Oh my lord that took wayy too long. So I'm back from hiatus. I'll finish pff the next Dark Lord chapter after this because I didn't realise how long that chapter was gonna be until afyer I started promising updates in the next day. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, hope it was sorth the wait. Go check out my new mini story/oneshot that I've finished. It's a Percy Jackson Battle Royale Pertemis story.

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