[Third Person Pov]
“Yeah, I’m in desperate need of a bath…” Artemis muttered, hugging her arm tightly across her chest with a deeply dissatisfied frown creasing her brow. She shifted uncomfortably, as if the very memory of the day’s grime still clung to her.
Lucian blinked at her, genuinely confused. “I already cleaned us with magic though?” He tilted his head, studying her expression like she’d suddenly grown a second head.
Artemis shot him a look of pure disgust, her nose wrinkling. “You’re a guy. You wouldn’t understand. Sure, the magic might have scrubbed away the dirt and blood, but unless I personally clean myself—scrub every inch with my own hands—I’m not going to feel clean. Not even a little.”
Lucian exhaled slowly, rolling his eyes as he fought the urge to laugh. ‘So High maintenance,’ he thought. ‘She really is something else.’ “Okay, so does that magical tent of yours have a personal shower or whatever?”
“It doesn’t,” Artemis sighed, shaking her head in clear disappointment. Her shoulders slumped slightly. “We never needed one. For everything we’ve always lacked, nature and the wild have provided. Rivers, lakes, rain… they’ve always been enough.”
“Right…” Lucian drawled, his voice tinged with amusement. “I hope you know you sound like a total hippie right now.”
“Your face is a hippie,” Artemis shot back instantly, scoffing with indignant flair as she crossed her arms tighter over her chest.
Lucian stared at her, bewildered, before a short laugh escaped him. “What does that even mean?!”
“I don’t know!” she grumbled, cheeks flushing with mild embarrassment. “But you’re irritating me.” She mumbled the next part under her breath, barely audible. “I still feel like that monster blood is clinging to my skin… no matter what the magic did.”
Lucian shook his head, a quiet chuckle rumbling in his chest. There was something strangely endearing about it all—watching a major tomboy like Artemis reveal this unexpectedly girly, almost fussy side of herself. It made her feel more real. More human, despite everything.
With a fluid shimmer of magic, Lucian transformed once more into the massive dire wolf, the form he had grown most comfortable with. His thick, dark fur rippled under the fading light as he lowered himself slightly. “Get on,” he said, his voice a deep, resonant growl. “I’ll find something suitable for you, you high-maintenance goddess.”
This time, Artemis didn’t have as much qualm to getting onto Lucian's back as she did before. She swung herself up onto his broad back with practiced ease, gripping his fur. “Sorry that wanting to actually be clean—and not walk around feeling like a walking slaughterhouse—is something you consider high maintenance, you dirty wet dog.”
Lucian responded with a low, playful growl and a huff that sent a puff of warm breath into the cool air. Then he took off, powerful muscles surging beneath her as they raced through the wilderness. Artemis couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound light and genuine as she clung tighter to his thick coat, the wind whipping through her hair.
They traveled a great distance, the landscape blurring past them in shades of deepening green and shadow. The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple until dusk began to settle around them once more.
“Over there,” Artemis suddenly called out, pointing toward the left with urgency.
Lucian veered smoothly in that direction, slowing his pace as they approached. The sound of rushing water grew steadily louder until it became almost deafening. They emerged into a breathtaking clearing dominated by a giant river, fed by a massive waterfall that thundered down from a rocky cliff in a roaring cascade of white foam and mist. The air was cool and damp, filled with the fresh, invigorating scent of water and stone.
Artemis hopped down gracefully from his back. Lucian shifted back into his human form with a ripple of magic, stretching his arms high above his head with a satisfied groan as his muscles loosened.
“You first,” Artemis said, nodding toward the river while watching him expectantly.
Lucian’s head snapped toward her so fast it was almost comical. “Excuse me?! I’m not the one who’s been complaining about needing a bath. And need I remind you—it’s winter. That water is going to be freezing.”
Artemis looked at him with a raised eyebrow, her expression shifting into something playfully challenging. A small smirk tugged at her lips. “Are you really that bothered by taking a bath? Don’t tell me you can’t handle a bit of cold water. And here you are calling me high maintenance.”
“Of course I’m not bothered,” Lucian retorted, stepping closer and staring her down with equal challenge, though clear suspicion lingered in his eyes. “But why do I have to go first? Why can’t you just go first?!”
“Because I don’t trust you,” Artemis scoffed, crossing her arms firmly over her chest. “Who knows what weird stuff you might do with the water after I finish bathing in it.”
Lucian stared at her, mouth slightly agape, as if she had completely lost her mind. “What?!”
“You’re still a guy at the end of the day,” she continued, glancing away with a slight huff while hugging her arms a little tighter. “So I’ll feel more comfortable once you’ve already gone in.”
Lucian blinked several times, trying to process her words. “You’re fucking with me, right?” A disbelieving laugh escaped him as he ran a hand through his hair. “This has to be a joke.”
The tension between them crackled with familiar banter, the roaring waterfall providing a dramatic backdrop to their playful standoff as the last light of day faded into twilight.
Artemis placed a gentle hand on his arm, her fingers lingering for a moment. “Just please, alright? It’s the only way I’d feel comfortable with this arrangement. I promise I’ll keep watch the whole time. No one will sneak up on you.”
Lucian stared at her for a long moment, his expression a mix of disbelief and reluctant amusement. Finally, he dragged a hand down his face with an exaggerated groan. “I blame my mother for this. How dare she raise me to be chivalrous? This is entirely her fault.”
Artemis bit back a smirk, satisfied.
…
Deep within the veiled realm of the Three Fates, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their favorite nightly ritual: movie night.
“Are you girls ready for a good showing tonight?!” Clotho exclaimed, bursting into the room with giant, overflowing bags of colorful candies clutched in her arms.
“Woohoo!!” Lachesis and Atropos cheered in unison, hoisting large bowls of buttery popcorn and oversized drinks high into the air like trophies.
The three sisters scrambled onto their massive, plush couch in a flurry of blankets and laughter. They threw soft throws over their laps and shoulders, nestling in comfortably. On the low coffee table before them sat a shimmering crystal ball, its surface swirling with faint silver light.
Clotho leaned forward with a mischievous grin and tapped the orb. It flared to life, projecting a massive, crystal-clear image onto the wide wall in front of them like a grand theater screen.
The sisters settled in deeper, sharing snacks and sipping their drinks as the live feed began. The image sharpened on Lucian—completely bare—standing beneath the thundering waterfall.
“Ohhh, this is going to be good,” Lachesis whispered with a wicked cackle, tossing a handful of popcorn into her mouth.
---
Lucian stood directly under the pounding cascade, eyes closed as the freezing water hammered down on his shoulders and back. To his surprise, he didn’t mind the cold nearly as much as he’d expected. The icy shock felt invigorating, almost cleansing, awakening every nerve in his body.
“I must be more cold-blooded than I thought,” he chuckled to himself. He slicked his wet hair back with both hands, fingers combing through the dark strands as rivulets of water traced down his face and chest.
Meanwhile, Artemis had climbed a sturdy tree on the riverbank, positioning herself on a thick branch to keep watch. At first, her gaze dutifully scanned the distant treeline and surrounding forest. But before long, her eyes kept drifting back—accidentally at first—toward Lucian.
Soon, she couldn’t look away.
From her elevated vantage, she had a clear, unobstructed view of his powerful physique. Moonlight and the spray of the waterfall shimmered across his skin, highlighting every defined line of muscle. She didn’t even realize she was staring, lost in a haze of thoughts as her gaze traced the broad set of his shoulders, the hard contours of his chest and arms, and the way the water slid teasingly down his body. Droplets clung to his dark eyelashes and full lips, catching the light like tiny diamonds. When he slowly opened his crimson eyes and looked directly toward her, her breath hitched sharply in her throat.
Without thinking, she leaned forward, crawling a little closer along the branch for a better view.
“Take a picture! It would last longer, you pervert!” Lucian suddenly shouted, his face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and teasing triumph as he caught her intense stare.
Artemis snapped out of her daze in a panic. “W-wait—!”
The branch beneath her, strained by her shifting weight, gave a loud crack and snapped. She plummeted with a startled yelp, crashing into the river below in a giant, undignified splash.
“Bahahahahaha!!” Lucian burst into loud, unrestrained laughter, doubling over as the spectacle unfolded before him. When Artemis resurfaced, looking like a thoroughly drenched cat—her hair plastered to her face and shoulders—he pointed at her and howled even harder. “HAHAHA!! You look ridiculous!”
Artemis pushed wet strands of hair out of her eyes, her tongue running along her teeth in irritation. Her expression darkened with playful vengeance. She raised her hand, calling upon her divine authority over the moon. A massive wave surged across the river and slammed directly into Lucian with tremendous force, knocking him off his feet and leaving him sputtering and disheveled.
It was Artemis’ turn to laugh triumphantly. “Hahaha!” She pointed at him, her voice ringing with delight. “How do you like it?!”
Lucian regained his footing in the churning water, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He shifted his stance, channeling his mastery of vibrations through the river itself. A powerful wave of his own rose and crashed back at her.
“Lucian!” Artemis protested through ringing laughter, though she made no real effort to dodge.
“What? Don’t blame me—you started it!” he shot back, laughing just as hard.
What began as mild retaliation quickly devolved into a full-blown water fight. The two of them splashed and hurled waves at each other, their laughter echoing over the roar of the waterfall. Water sprayed in glittering arcs under the moonlight as they chased one another through the shallows, the earlier tension melting away into pure, joyful chaos. For a moment, the freezing river felt warm with their shared energy, the night alive with their playful shouts and breathless laughter.
“Ugh, I better get out, you brat,” Artemis scoffed, rinsing the last of the river from her hair as she waded toward the shallows.
“What’s the point?” Lucian replied, the water lapping up to his neck. “You’re already inside. You might as well stay and do what you need to do.”
Artemis paused, the playful energy between them shifting into something heavier. She shook her head slowly. “Lucian, I will not lie to you. It’s clear there’s a line we keep tiptoeing around. But anymore of this… it would just be taking it too far.”
Lucian was quiet for a moment, considering her words. “If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll wrap my eyes with a black cloth and keep my back turned toward you. We’re short on time, aren’t we? We can’t spend too long out here gallivanting.”
A strip of dark cloth materialized in his hands. He tied it securely over his eyes and turned his back to her fully. “There. That way you feel more comfortable.”
Artemis bit her lip, weighing his offer. He was right—they were wasting precious time, time that could be better spent searching for Zoe. Every second counted.
“…Okay,” she relented at last, wading deeper into the river. “But I’ll keep my back turned toward you as well. You better not peek, or I swear I’ll turn you into a deer and hunt you down myself.”
She turned away, her heart beating faster than she cared to admit. Reaching for the straps on her shoulders, she slowly peeled away her soaked clothing beneath the concealing water. The river embraced her bare skin, cool and soothing.
The two remained in the river, subconsciously drifting closer as they moved. Their bodies stayed low, the water rising until it nearly covered their mouths. The thunderous roar of the waterfall masked nearly every sound, creating a strange, intimate world of isolation. Blind to one another, guided only by instinct, they drifted through the current.
Their backs brushed together by coincidence.
Both froze.
“Sorry…” they mumbled at the exact same time, voices bashful and soft.
Artemis turned slightly, catching sight of the black cloth still firmly over Lucian’s eyes. A small, helpless laugh bubbled out of her. “Hehehe… Honestly, Lucian, what are we even doing?”
“Taking a bath,” he answered with an awkward grin, “like you wanted.”
“Right… like I wanted,” Artemis whispered, her voice nearly swallowed by the waterfall’s roar.
She slowly approached him, unable to stop herself. A deep sigh escaped her lips. “Just what is going on here, Lucian? Do you have any idea why this is happening? Why I’m feeling this way? I’m sure you’re feeling it too—don’t lie to me.”
“I might have my suspicions,” he replied wearily, his voice low.
Artemis stood up a little straighter. The water now reached her stomach. Lucian followed her lead, the river stopping at his waistline. Moonlight danced across the rippling surface between them.
“Can I be honest with you, Lucian…?” she asked softly, vulnerability threading through her words.
“I don’t see why not,” he murmured as the distance between them continued to shrink.
“Right now… I am terrified,” Artemis admitted, biting her bottom lip. “More terrified than I’ve ever been in my life.”
“Can I ask why?”
She hesitated, then slowly raised her hand and placed it deliberately over his chest, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. “I’ve always prided myself on my self-control. It’s never been something I struggled with… until you.” Her fingers trailed upward to his shoulder. “When I’m around you, I’m not as calm or composed as I should be. My rationality flies out the window, and I start making terrible decisions.”
“I really don’t like it,” she whispered, her hand moving toward the cloth covering his eyes. “But if I’m being honest… I don’t hate it, either.”
Lucian felt her fingers brush the fabric and quickly reached up, gently grabbing her wrist. “What are you doing?”
“Making another terrible decision,” Artemis answered, still biting her lip. She carefully slid the cloth down his face, revealing those striking crimson eyes. “I don’t mind as much as you think… if you look.”
Lucian blinked a few times, his gaze settling on her. His body reacted visibly to the sight before him.
Artemis glanced down and felt heat flood her cheeks. “I guess you’re more of a man than I initially thought.”
“Yeah…” Lucian muttered, his own face turning red.
Artemis let out a soft, nervous giggle, drawing even closer until their bodies nearly touched. She could feel the evidence of his desire pressing gently against her stomach. Her blush deepened, but neither of them looked away. Their eyes remained locked, intense and unwavering.
She took his hands and placed them on her waist. Lucian’s fingers moved almost of their own accord, tracing the natural, athletic curves of her body. His rough, calloused palms slid downward, gliding over the firm swell of her hips and the smooth, perky curve of her backside. Artemis closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation, her breathing growing heavy and labored.
When she opened them again, Lucian’s crimson gaze was fixed solely on her. Their foreheads touched gently. Then their noses brushed—
…
“ARTEMIS!” Hestia’s voice cut through the air, practically shouting her name.
Artemis jolted awake, yanked violently from her vivid reverie. She blinked rapidly, realizing she had been staring blankly into the flickering hearth before her. “What?” she asked, turning toward her aunt in confusion.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Hestia asked, genuine concern etched across her features. “I’ve been calling your name for some time now, but you haven’t been listening at all.”
“Sorry… I was lost in my own head,” Artemis murmured, still trying to shake off the lingering heat in her cheeks and the phantom sensation of Lucian’s hands on her skin. “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean, what’s wrong?” Hestia replied, her worry deepening. “The competition is already over. The other three participants for the quest have already been decided.”
A/N: Is it a bit rushed and force...maybe, sorry about that but it had to be done.
Ps. When I was nearly done with the chapter I realized hold up isn't this just Luke and Calypso, but I was too lazy to start it all over especially when I got so far into the chapter but then I realized It could become a great parallel between the two of them.