The sound of the sea mingled with conversations, laughter, and the faint sound of a lyre played by a young satyr in some corner, while trays passed by with juices, fruits, and goblets of nectar disguised to avoid shocking the mortals.
After making his way through the makeshift wedding hall, Ikki headed toward some older guests, a group of satyrs gathered under the shade of a gnarled tree, conversing in a tone far too serious for a wedding. At the center, he easily recognized Grover Underwood, now more grown-up, though still with that air of someone who could get lost in any conversation about ecology or hiking trails. His scruffy beard was fuller, his green eyes still held that anxious and determined glint, and his small horns, half-hidden by curly hair, gleamed in the sunlight.
He had obviously brought one of his best friends back to life and given him the life he deserved by manipulating the narrative.
Beside him stood a woman with dark skin and long, loose, dark-brown curls, wearing a simple moss-green cotton dress adorned with small golden leaf brooches. It was Juniper, Grover's former nymph girlfriend, now officially a Counselor of the Woods and a defender of protected areas in the mortal world. Rumor had it she had intimidated an oil multinational into abandoning three projects with just a threat and a horde of squirrels. A true power couple of ecology.
Ikki approached with his usual calm stride, hands in his pockets and a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"If this council is to decide who's going to stop Apollo from reciting poetry after the ceremony, put me on the list," he said, interrupting the conversation.
Grover turned immediately, his eyes lighting up.
"Ikki!" he exclaimed, as if he hadn't seen him in years rather than last week. "Dude, you made it! I was starting to think you'd run off to some lost Egyptian temple or, I dunno, negotiate with sand nymphs."
"Given the chaos here, I considered it," Ikki replied, greeting Grover with a handshake-hug, the way they always did. "But I couldn't miss this. Besides, someone's gotta make sure you don't faint from excitement when Pan shows up."
The life Grover deserved was having the god he believed in back in action, and Ikki had manipulated the narrative to ensure Pan didn't die as originally expected. Then he just gave his friend some advice on how to find the god, and so on—not that it mattered much, but the satyr always thanked him for it.
"Hey," Grover protested, but his smile gave him away. "I'm a member of the Council of Elders now. I've got composure."
Juniper snorted a laugh and looked at Ikki.
"Lies. He almost cried the other day because a fawn nuzzled his hand."
"It was too cute!" Grover defended himself, his tone indignant but good-natured. "And you didn't see that animal's eyes—it was, like… pure love."
Ikki laughed, crossing his arms.
"I believe it. And I'm happy for you both, really. The world needs more people brave enough to care."
Grover was visibly touched, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Thanks, man. But without you, none of this would've happened. I mean… if you hadn't done what you did, helped me find Pan with your advice, I'd probably still be in the middle of a swamp talking to moss."
"Moss is underrated," Ikki murmured with a playful glint in his eye. "But you would've figured it out anyway."
Juniper squeezed Grover's arm, smiling.
"He's stubborn enough for that."
The group of satyrs around them, keeping a respectful distance from Ikki—not out of fear but out of the kind of reverence reserved for someone who'd spoken to Death and came back with new jokes—also greeted the demigod with subtle nods or smiles.
"Speaking of which," Grover continued, leaning in a bit closer in a conspiratorial tone, "did you see who just arrived? Hades and Persephone."
"I saw. Went over to say hi."
Grover's eyes widened.
"Seriously? And you're still in one piece?"
Ikki shrugged.
"It's a skill."
"A suicidal skill," Juniper muttered, but her smile showed approval.
Before they could continue, a trio of harpies flew by in the distance, carrying trays of sweets and fruits. The breeze brought with it the sound of laughter and string music. Grover took a deep breath, his eyes turning to the empty altar.
"It's… kinda crazy to think Percy's getting married, huh?"
Ikki looked in the same direction, his dark-golden eyes reflecting the clear sky.
"Yeah. But somehow, it feels right. Like the world was waiting for this."
Grover nodded, fiddling with a twig hanging from his belt.
"I just hope nothing explodes before the ceremony."
Ikki gave a lopsided smile.
"Grover… we've survived titans, immortal monsters, and egotistical gods. Anything that tries to mess up this wedding will have to deal with me."
The satyr let out a laugh.
"Then I'm good. Now I'm calm."
"Well… almost calm," Juniper added, casting a meaningful glance toward Hermes, who was trying to convince a waiter to swap orange juice for mead.
Ikki laughed.
"Yeah… leave it to me."
And so the trio stood there for a few more minutes, watching the waves crash on the shore, petals dancing in the breeze, and feeling that, even in a world where the impossible was routine, there were moments that were just… perfect.
And this, without a doubt, was one of them.
After a few minutes, Ikki let out a light laugh, clapping Grover on the shoulder with the old familiarity that only years of friendship forge.
"I'll leave you guys conspiring about poetry and cute fawns. Don't cause too much trouble without me."
"No promises," Grover replied with a wide grin.
Juniper gave a small wave, her gaze soft.
"Take care, Ikki."
He just winked, with that expression of someone who always knew a bit more than he let on, and walked away with his usual calm.
Ikki continued through the guests, receiving greetings from heroes, nymphs, and creatures who, in other contexts, might try to kill him or ask for advice on ancient curses—if he hadn't manipulated the narrative to make everything so utopian. His eyes scanned the scene until they landed on the warm, unmistakable glow of Aphrodite.
She was seated elegantly in one of the reserved areas near the beach, her flowing dress in soft pink and gold shimmering under the sun. Her golden hair fell in perfect waves, her deep blue eyes like the clearest sky, and a smile that could make an entire battalion drop their weapons and compose poetry. Beside her, Silena Beauregard, radiant and alive as she always should have been, chatted animatedly with a nymph about floral decorations, the ribbons of her pink dress dancing in the breeze. He had obviously brought her back to life—after everything she'd done to earn his forgiveness, it was more than enough.
Aphrodite saw him before he could say anything, of course. She turned, her smile widening, and stood with that absurdly natural grace.
"You finally showed up, Ikki! I was almost thinking you wouldn't come…" she said, already approaching and offering her cheek.
Ikki leaned in, kissing her cheek with his usual warmth.
"Me, miss this? Not even if Hecate decided to seal off every path in the world," he replied with a lopsided smile.
"I'd have found a way," Aphrodite shot back, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You know I don't let my favorites miss parties."
Silena turned at that moment, her face lighting up when she saw him.
"Hey, stranger!"
Ikki flashed a wider smile, pulling her into a tight hug. One of those real ones, where time pauses for a moment, and the scent of salt, flowers, and his friend's laughter blend together.
"You look stunning, Sil," he said, letting her go and holding her by the shoulders to take a look.
"I know," she replied with a playful wink. "Aphrodite wouldn't let me show up looking anything less."
"Not even under torture," the goddess added, tossing her hair to the side.
Ikki laughed, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"It's good to see you, Sil. Really."
"You always disappear after the chaos," Silena accused lightly.
"I'm discreet," he replied. "I leave the spotlight to the dramatic ones."
"Like Apollo," Aphrodite finished, rolling her eyes.
The three of them laughed.
"Where've you been since the last Olympian meeting?" Aphrodite asked, leaning against a palm tree decorated with golden ribbons.
"Here and there. Egypt, Atlantis, a few interesting stops," he said, deliberately vague. "Came back because, well… Percy getting married? That's a historic event."
"And no prophecy of doom. Almost a miracle," Silena remarked.
"Don't jinx it," Aphrodite murmured. "You know how Hermes is."
They continued chatting for a bit, talking about disastrous demigod weddings, rumors of Hera trying to stir trouble at the ceremony, and an alleged plan by Apollo to improvise a last-minute serenade.
After a few minutes, Artemis and Diana arrived, and Aphrodite gave Ikki a light nudge.
"Go on, before those two think you're avoiding them."
Ikki raised an eyebrow, a lopsided smile on his face.
"I don't avoid. I retreat with style."
"Sure," Silena said, teasingly.
He bid them farewell with a kiss on each of their cheeks and moved on again, to the sound of the party, the sea, and the conversations echoing around him, heading toward his girlfriend.
As he walked toward his two girlfriends, he recalled how the whole process had unfolded over the past five years of forming a throuple.
... ...
It all started that day, after a memorable night when Artemis and he had gone camping in Brazil's Amazon. He woke up with that uneasy feeling of being watched.
Someone was there.
He opened his eyes, and a silhouette formed in front of him.
At first glance, it looked like Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, with her auburn hair and silver eyes reminiscent of a full moon. But something was different. Her posture was stiffer, like a general ready to command, not the wild huntress he knew. And her hair… reddish-brown, not auburn.
Before Ikki could open his mouth, she moved. Quick as lightning, she pinned him to the ground with military precision, straddling him and gripping his wrists firmly.
Ikki didn't resist. Not because he couldn't—he could've turned the tables in a heartbeat, effortlessly. But because there was no reason to. He already knew who she was, even before she spoke.
"Before you ask, I'm not Artemis. I'm Diana," she said, her voice sharp as a blade.
Ikki blinked, processing the information.
"Come again?" He didn't need explanations. He knew all about the Roman gods and their Greek counterparts—not because anyone told him, but because he just knew. Nothing surprised him anymore. Nothing challenged him. It was the curse of knowing everything, of being above it all, of no longer feeling the chill of discovery down his spine.
Still, he let Diana continue, curious to see where this would lead.
"Diana. The Roman version of Artemis," he said with a bored sigh. "Got it."
"Not a version. I am Diana," she corrected, narrowing her eyes. "We're different, but the same. You'll understand."
Ikki arched an eyebrow. "Gonna be hard not to when you're pinning me to the ground."
She didn't laugh.
Her silvery-yellow eyes studied him with cold intensity, as if he were a puzzle she wanted to solve. "You caught my attention, Ikki. Ever since Artemis met you, I've been watching you. And now, I'm here."
"Curiosity, huh?" he said with a touch of sarcasm. "Breaking the rules just to meet me? Didn't expect that from a Roman goddess."
Diana released his wrists but didn't move away, still straddling him. "I don't break rules lightly. I bend them when necessary."
Ikki chuckled. "Bending, breaking… same thing. I'll keep that in mind next time I'm accused of cheating."
Diana didn't react to the sarcasm. Her gaze remained fixed, analytical, as if deciding whether he was prey or a trophy. Then, suddenly, she leaned closer. Too close.
"What are you doing?" Ikki asked, not breaking eye contact. He wasn't worried. Nothing could threaten him. But her proximity was… interesting.
"Testing a theory," she replied, her voice calm but with a hint of challenge.
"What kind of theory?"
Her lips curled into a half-smile, like a hunter sizing up her target.
"Artemis loves you. I saw everything through her eyes. But watching isn't the same as feeling. I want to understand why."
Before Ikki could respond, Diana kissed him. It was quick, direct, like an arrow hitting its mark. His brain, which usually processed everything in milliseconds, seemed to pause. Not out of shock, but because, well, it was confusing. Technically, she was Artemis. But also not. He should've felt something—guilt, maybe?—but all he felt was mild curiosity.
It was hard to feel more than that when the entire universe seemed predictable, a puzzle already solved.
Diana pulled back, a satisfied smirk on her face.
"I liked it…" she murmured, as if she'd just tasted an expensive wine.
Ikki opened his mouth, but no words came out. What do you say? He'd just been kissed by the Roman counterpart of his girlfriend, who was and wasn't the same person.
"You… seriously?" was all he managed.
"Why? It's not like it's the first time you've been kissed," Diana shot back, raising an eyebrow.
"That's not the point!" Ikki ran a hand over his face, exasperated. "You're the Roman version of my girlfriend."
"Yes."
"But you're not my girlfriend."
"Depends on your point of view."
Ikki groaned.
"This is a problem."
Diana tilted her head, as if he were a fascinating experiment. "If it were really a problem, you would've stopped me."
He opened his mouth but closed it again. She was right. He could've stopped her with a thought, but he didn't. Because, deep down, he knew Diana was Artemis—or at least, a part of her. And that was enough not to want to stop her. Not that he'd admit it out loud.
"You hesitate too much," Diana said, breaking the silence. "Why?"
"Because it's complicated," he replied with a sigh. "You're her, but you're not. Not exactly."
"But I am Artemis," Diana said calmly. "The same goddess, just seen through a different lens. The Romans shaped me differently, but we're one and the same."
Ikki crossed his arms. It made sense, in a mythological way. But it still felt… weird.
"If it's that simple, why did you need to take over to kiss me?"
Diana gave an enigmatic smile.
"Because I wanted to feel it for myself. Artemis is reserved. I'm direct. When I want something, I go for it."
"Noted," Ikki said dryly.
Diana studied him for another moment.
"And if it were the other way around? If I found another man and wanted to… experiment? Artemis couldn't stop me. How would you react?"
Ikki answered without hesitation, his voice firm: "That's not gonna happen."
Diana raised an eyebrow. "It's not?"
"I wouldn't let it," he said, his tone sharp as a blade. "Ever."
She smiled, clearly intrigued.
"Interesting."
"There's nothing interesting about it," Ikki shot back.
Diana laughed softly, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and approval. "You're lucky, Ikki. Because I'm in love with you too."
He blinked. "…What?"
"I saw everything," she said calmly. "Every moment you spent with Artemis. And while I watched, I realized I feel the same."
Ikki fell silent, processing. Not that he needed to—he already knew this, somehow. But hearing it from her was… different. Before he could respond, Diana wavered, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone.
Artemis was back. Her auburn hair flared under the light, and her posture shifted, more fluid, wilder.
"I leave for two minutes, and you're already kissing another woman?" she said, crossing her arms, her silver eyes flashing.
"Hey, technically it wasn't 'another woman,'" Ikki raised his hands defensively. "It was you. Sort of."
"Sort of?" Artemis narrowed her eyes. "Seriously? That's your defense?"
Ikki sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, it was confusing for me too, okay? One second I was sleeping, the next, Diana was pinning me to the ground like I was a deer in her sights. I didn't even have time to process!"
Artemis stared at him, her gaze critical with a hint of jealousy that he found both adorable and slightly terrifying.
"So? I'm waiting for the verdict. Forgiven, or should I start hunting you? Are you jealous of yourself?" he ventured, with a half-smile.
Artemis rolled her eyes.
"It's not jealousy. It's annoying. Of all the people Diana could've chosen, it had to be you. And at the same time, I'm relieved it's you, because any other option…" She grimaced. "Wouldn't fly."
Ikki laughed. "I'll admit, I'm irresistible."
She smacked his head. "Don't get cocky."
He rubbed his head, chuckling softly.
"So, does this change anything between us?"
Artemis sighed.
"No. I'm me. Diana's Diana. But we both agree on one thing: you're ours."
Before Ikki could respond, Diana reappeared beside Artemis, like a shadow taking form. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and something softer, almost mischievous. Without a word, she knelt and began crawling toward him, her movement so hypnotic that Ikki felt a slight shiver—not of fear, but of pure curiosity.
Artemis, ignoring her counterpart for a moment, cupped Ikki's face and kissed him firmly. The touch was warm, intense, and he felt his body respond. But before he could lose himself in the moment, Diana was there, at his side, with a provocative smile.
"That's not fair," Diana murmured, her voice softer than Artemis's. "If she can, so can I."
Without waiting for a response, she leaned in and kissed him, a lighter, almost teasing touch. Ikki didn't resist—there was no reason to. He knew they were the same, in a way that transcended mortal logic. And somehow, it felt… right.
He pulled back from Diana's kiss, raising his hands.
"Okay, hold on. Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Artemis rolled her eyes.
"You worry too much." Diana smiled. "If we wanted to stop, we would've."
Ikki looked from one to the other.
"Alright," he said, his voice steadier. "Then let's figure out how to make this work."
Diana smiled, radiant. Artemis rolled her eyes, but Ikki caught the faint blush on her cheeks. He took a deep breath, feeling the comforting weight of Artemis still on him, Diana's presence at his side. It was a divine mess, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a slight warmth in his chest. It wasn't excitement, not exactly—he was beyond that. But it was… enough.
"So, we're together?" he asked, looking from one to the other.
"Looks like it," Diana said with a smile.
"Technically, yes," Artemis grumbled.
Ikki laughed. "Alright. Any rules? Like, 'Mondays with Diana, Tuesdays with Artemis'?"
Diana laughed, while Artemis looked like she wanted to shoot an arrow at him.
"No rules," Diana said. "We'll figure it out as we go."
Artemis sighed. "If it goes wrong, we'll talk."
And that, dear readers, is how it happened—how Ikki ended up with a throuple, two girlfriends who loved him, as he knew it would happen due to the burden of knowing everything.
... ...
Pushing those thoughts aside, Ikki continued on his way.
Artemis was there, in a quieter area near the dunes, where the party spread out into smaller groups. The goddess of the hunt, in her twenty-year-old form, was everything the ancient poems described and more. Her silver hair cascaded in waves down to her mid-back, shimmering like moonlight on calm waters. Her pale skin contrasted with gray eyes that held the exact shade of the sky before a storm. She wore a pearlescent white dress, light, falling to her knees and leaving her arms free.
Beside her stood Diana, her Roman aspect, almost identical but with a slightly sterner air, like someone always calculating the distance between dangers and escape routes. Her hair was tied in a thick braid resting over her shoulder, and her dress had golden details that seemed to capture the light of the setting sun. Both had that ethereal glow only ancient gods carried, as if the entire world were a secondary backdrop next to them.
Ikki approached unhurriedly.
Artemis saw him first, and the subtle smile that appeared was enough to outshine the stars. Diana, right behind her, raised an eyebrow but relaxed as he got closer.
"Took you long enough," Artemis said, her voice soft but laced with the affectionate teasing that only years of closeness allow.
"Aphrodite kidnapped me. You know how she is with her 'favorites,'" he replied, his mouth curling into a lopsided smile.
Before another word could be said, he stepped closer and kissed Artemis on the lips, firm but with that ancient respect they'd learned to balance. Without hesitation, he did the same with Diana, whom few dared even look at without permission.
Both smiled.
Ikki took both their hands, intertwining his fingers with theirs as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Now I'm where I'm supposed to be," he said, looking at them both.
Artemis rolled her eyes but didn't let go of his hand. "And here I thought I'd have to drag you over."
Diana, with a half-smile, added, "I considered shooting an arrow through your foot, but I figured that'd ruin the ceremony."
Ikki laughed. "Wouldn't be the first time. But I'll admit… the view's better from here."
They stepped away from the rest of the party, hands still intertwined, breathing in the scent of the sea and the warm glow of early morning.
"The wedding's beautiful," Diana remarked, watching the other gods arrive and prepare for the ceremony.
"At least until Apollo decides to take the stage," Artemis added, and Ikki let out a hearty laugh.
"I heard he rehearsed a poem about Percy being 'the second-best thing born from water since Aphrodite.' That's gonna end badly."
Diana sighed, but there was amusement in her eyes. "We'll shoot an arrow at him if things get too complicated…"
Ikki looked at the two of them, feeling that strange, comforting sense of belonging.
"Thanks for coming," he said quietly.
Artemis squeezed his hand, and Diana nodded.
"You're an idiot if you think we'd let you attend a party like this alone," Artemis said.
"Or with Aphrodite," Diana added.
The wind blew stronger, lifting their hair, and the scent of salt, flowers, and moonlight seemed to envelop the trio.
Ikki was about to toss out another teasing remark when a warm, familiar voice sounded behind him.
"I knew I'd find you dodging the party's responsibilities."
Ikki turned with a ready smile, only to find himself face-to-face with Sophia, his mother, always impeccable.
"Hey, Mom…"
"Girls…" Sophia greeted after shooting a glance at her son, her voice full of affection as she hugged each of them like they were her own daughters.
Artemis accepted with a subtle smile, and Diana, who rarely allowed such closeness, didn't hesitate—a gesture that, coming from her, was practically a public declaration of love.
"You look stunning, Sophia," Artemis said.
"Of course I do. The occasion calls for it," she winked. "Percy and Rachel's wedding is turning out amazing. Have you seen the flower arch the dryads set up? Perfect. It's got your vibe, you two."
Ikki let out a laugh, imagining Artemis and Diana organizing weddings. Artemis would probably pick a dense forest setting with wild animals as guests, while Diana would insist on a formation of archers at the altar, ready to take down any fool who messed up the etiquette.
"Speaking of which," Sophia continued, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "when's your wedding gonna be, huh?"
Silence.
Ikki choked on the air. Artemis raised her eyebrows. Diana pursed her lips but didn't deny anything.
"Mom…" Ikki started, his tone half-desperate, half-amused. "We're still figuring out the venue."
"Twenty years on your shoulders, Ikki," Sophia said, crossing her arms. "You think I don't know that stalling? And before you come up with excuses about monsters or divine apocalypses or work, you've got plenty of time when you're lying on the couch at home."
"I agree with your mother…" came a voice. It was Zeus, approaching calmly. The king of the gods needed no introduction. Tall, with dark hair and a beard streaked with white like storm clouds, electric eyes, and a dark blue cloak over a modern Greek tunic. There was something about him that made it hard to breathe too close, but Ikki, being who he was, just flashed a smile.
"Old man," he greeted.
Zeus laughed heartily, crossed the space between them, and gave Ikki a firm pat on the shoulder that would've knocked any other demigod flat. Ikki just stepped to the side, laughing along.
"I missed you, kid…" Zeus said, and there was truth in his heavy voice and the glint in his eyes. "It's been months since you showed up."
"You know how it is, Dad. Always some creature trying to destroy the world."
"You should come by more often. Your mother worries." Zeus shot a quick glance at Sophia, who pretended to look away but was smiling.
And, of course, the god of thunder couldn't resist.
"And as I was saying before, about this wedding of yours… I also think it's about time."
Artemis and Diana exchanged glances. Neither of them denied it.
Ikki took a deep breath, feigning dramatic exhaustion.
"You guys are insufferable, you know that?"
"Family love, son," Zeus said with pride.
"You just want to throw a feast in your own honor," Ikki shot back.
Zeus feigned an offended expression. "Slander. I'd throw a feast in your honor."
Sophia burst out laughing, and even Diana let a smile slip.
Ikki looked at Artemis and Diana, and in that simple moment amid the divine chaos, he saw in their eyes that none of them really cared about protocol, dates, or ceremonies. It was just another excuse to be together, laughing like a slightly insane family that defies fate.
He sighed.
"Alright… we'll talk about it."
Artemis crossed her arms with a dangerous smile.
"You'd better."
"I'll hold you to it," Diana added.
And Zeus gave Ikki another pat on the shoulder. They all started talking, and soon Thalia and Jason joined to chat with the King of Olympus. It wasn't long before all the guests arrived, and Ikki saw several friends and talked with them alongside Artemis and Diana.
It didn't take long for the ceremony preparations to begin.