human.goddess~

There was more Apollo wanted to touch on, to interrogate about. She was excited, but worried, but also happy for her sister. “If she makes you happy thats– okay I’m going to need to know MORE but thats a good start.”  A pause of consideration. “I can’t promise not to make things weird sis, YOU KNOW ME.”

“And she doesn’t exactly know that I..” She cleared her throat. “love her.” It felt weird saying out loud, but that exactly was what she was feeling. “We got drunk and got married without even being together before.” 

“Look at you, the blushing virgin, I knew it.” She teased, though not unkindly. “When it happens I’m gonna just know, have a twin sense or something– I will KNOW.” Apollo declared confidently. “Liz.” She repeated testing the name on her lips. “I’m warning you now sis I’m gonna have to meet this Liz. If she made you turn form your maiden pathways she must be a miracle worker. And, of course, I have to make sure she’s good enough.”

Artemis rolled her eyes, but she did wonder if that was actually something that could happen. She didn’t even know if Liz wanted to do anything. Artemis was beyond inexperienced, she has never even touched herself...okay there was this one time, but she felt like it was wrong. “You can meet her, but don’t make things weird.”

“I’m sorry, you’re WHAT?” Apollo blinked her eyes for a considerable moment before speaking once again. “My MAIDEN sister? The Goddess of anti-marriage? Did you swipe that card? – are you even a VIRGIN anymore?” she was shocked to say the least. “Whats their name?”

Artemis blushed and rolled her eyes. “Oh, gods.. yes stop.” She should have expected a ton of questions. “I’m...still a virgin, but that isn’t your business.” She huffed out. “Her name is Liz.” She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the other blonde. “She is beyond beautiful, smart, sweet, and incredible.”

“Ditto sissy,” Maybe it was childish to call her that, but Apollo was fond of nicknames and Artemis ALWAYS relegated to an avenue of sister, sis, or sissy, sometimes twin. “I’ve missed ya, yano. Seriously missed— we have so much STUFF we have to do, times to catch up on.” 

Artemis nodded along. “Yeah, we have a lot of stuff to talk about.” It was scary how different things could be. She didn’t even know where to start, but she figured with the most important thing. “I’m married.” She blurted out without a thought.  “It was unexpected...but yeah I’m married.”

the warmth in her cheeks only grew. the smile artemis gave her made her shimmy down into the blankets and hide herself just enough to hide that. too late though, artemis already saw it. “i think i have but most play coy these days. i’m going to wait for formal introductions before i jump over my two left feet.” a laugh that sounds like a giggle. it’s been so long since she’s felt this way and truth? she loves it. “i think they have classes. i know someone who uses magic so he’s cheating. i can orb but… where’s the fun in that?” the whitelighter is thankful. if she hadn’t said yes to coming back as one she wouldn’t of met artemis and she knows it. there seems to be no rhyme or reason for people returning so she’s considering this a blessing. there’s no promise she would’ve come back too. “this might seem a little too forward but i feel the same way about you. i’ve never felt like this before, even with bill. i was never… i’m not sure how to explain it.” never in love but loving him. kind of like a best friend rather than a husband. they wanted different things. she wanted to wear dresses and play with guns. he wanted safe and relaxed. in a way, they both used each other. they hid behind each other. liz didn’t want to hide anymore. “if we’re being honest, i haven’t done good stuff in the past either. as a human i… was raised to hate vampires. i killed them with the thought that they were monsters but i’ve come to see that not all are. i won’t judge you for those choices. in fact, maybe you could tell me about them? i’m learning history isn’t as condensed as it’s been written.” and maybe that shows growth. she knows that not everything is as it seems. “you are literally my kind of woman, you know.” a chuckle as she pulls herself out of the blankets she hid in once more. “you don’t have to be lonely anymore. i think that was one of my favorite things about being a human. you can change things… things most species forget they can change. it’s just easier for you.” maybe not at first and it varies from person to person but liz knew change. she knew it could bless anyone who wants it. another giggle. god she felt young again. “i’d like to kiss you again if that’s okay?”

artemis let out a laugh. “well, i’ll be glad to introduce you to them.” as her wife? was that appropriate? she hoped so, but calling liz her wife gave her this fuzzy feeling inside. “don’t feel like you need to hold back or i’ll judge you for sharing anything.” she wouldn’t. she had done bad things. “right now? it might ruin the moment.” she laughed softly. artemis could tell liz anything that she asked for, but she didn’t want to kill what they had going on. the ex goddess blushed softly. “i have you.” she softly replied. she wasn’t lonely anymore. “i would like that a lot.” she smiled brightly.

She’d heard rumors of course, it flew around the circuit. Apparently, one of their own was a HUMAN now. Apollo didn’t necessarily believe it, frankly. Didn’t WANT to believe it. Because it would, quite honestly, suck. It’d mean she had to protect them, be gentle, and more often then not she wasn’t about that life.

Then Apollo FROZE because she would recognize that stare, those eyes, in anywhere and anyone. It was an undeniable connection that would never, could never, be undermined. Soon enough she was spreading her arms around the other girl in as tight of a hug as she could muster. “Hey sis,” she exclaimed, bright smile upon her face as she held her twin close. 

“I’ve missed you.” Artemis squeezed her sister before she finally pulled away. “I’m so happy you’re here.” She beamed. Artemis was just going through so much that she almost didn’t know how to deal with. So having Apollo here, made things so much better. 

“see.” liz laughed with embarrassment. “i ramble and i don’t know why.” as an officer and a sheriff she thought she could handle anything. she knew about vampires. heck she had hunted them. why was she so embarrassed now? “that’s right. you have a big family. they’re all around now, aren’t they?” liz wondered if artemis had found them or they, her. it’s hard to find someone when you’re a human whereas if you were a goddess you could… but that doesn’t matter to liz. it doesn’t matter if artemis is a human, goddess, or what because liz has seen her heart and she admires that. “yes and no. i miss the firsts you get as a human and the… when you wake up in the morning and feel the sunshine through the windows first thing in the morning. i can’t cook and i don’t know how caroline survived living with me for so long. it was usually takeout until she took over. i love my life as a human but i don’t have to miss it. my daughter and her friends, they’re all here. i never thought i’d leave mystic falls when i was younger but since i’ve been gone i haven’t really ever considered  going back more than just to visit you know? i like my life now because… because twenty years ago i wouldn’t have met you, artemis. i was an old woman, dying. i lived but now i’m living. besides, home isn’t a place or a town, it’s the people you love.” and there’s the widest smile on her lips because what she’s saying is true. “what about you? i want to know it all, and not what i’ve read online or in the books. and if you’d like, i can help you have more things. like first dates? maybe we could go on one… we’re already married.” laughter.

“no need to explain why.” because she loved it. she loved every inch of it. artemis didn’t want to stop hearing her voice. “some of them.” there were too many gods to count, but a lot of them found their way here. “i wouldn’t be surprised if you already met a few.” she smiled. she wanted to introduce people to liz, and also meeting liz’s family as well. “i guess we will both have to learn to cook.” artemis laughed. she, too, didn’t really know how to cook. she was trying to learn from living by herself, but it was kind of hard. her heart fluttered. “i guess turning mortal and coming back from the dead really is a blessing.” she softly said. “because...i don’t want to not have you in my life ever again.” she bit her lip. “you’ve read about me?” she couldn’t help but smile before she frowned a bit. “um, you probably didn’t see some...good stuff.” as a goddess, artemis was ruthless when it came to her punishments. “but i love hunting. i spent most of my days in the woods. i would have nymphs with me...but it got lonely at times.” she confessed. her eyes lit up. “i would love to.” she would take any minute with liz. “i would say my first kiss...but it seems like that was covered last night.” she let out a small laugh as a deep blush crept her cheeks.

Artemis was just leaving work. She honestly didn’t know what to do with her time. Liz was busy, and Artemis didn’t want to stay at home alone, so she decided to just take a walk. As she was doing so, she felt a presence. Even without her powers, she could feel Apollo near by. It was a pull. There was no way Apollo was here, but it was possible.

Her heart fluttered as she made her way towards the sensation. As she was walking, she was looking around. Trying to catch a glimpse. That was until she locked eyes with the other. Those eyes so bright, something she could never forget. “Lo.” Artemis felt like her voice was so weak. Her feet moved faster towards the other. She didn’t even need a confirmation that it was them. She wrapped her arms around the other.

Sid didn’t care why. She knew all her family had done countless horrible deeds in the past, herself included. All she felt at the sight of Artemis in danger was a cold, raw, fury. 

“It’ll spare you from the miserable existence you will endure if you hurt her.” Sid practically roared. “If she remains unharmed you’ll be able to walk away. However, if this changes? Your life will become a never-ending cycle of misery and ache. You will rue the moment you decided your revenge was more important than a god’s threat.”

It was like Actaeon was thinking of his choices. Artemis’ heart still beating fast. She was horrible when was a goddess to him, but she didn’t regret it. Her eyes locked with Sidney’s. She wanted to say something. If this was going to be the last time she was going to see anyone, she wanted to say it. I love you. Artemis mouthed. How far she came when she first rose from the dead. 

The knife pressed against her neck and she closed her eyes in fear before she felt the weapon move way and her body being shoved forward. The mortal stumbled as she tried to get her footing. Without thought, she moved to Sidney.