Chapter Text
The next morning, Percy got dressed and prepared to talk to Annabeth again. He realized after he got back to his room that he looked like a complete mess yesterday. Percy put a little more effort into how he looked, for the first time in a while.
Why am I so nervous? I'm just going to talk to Annabeth, he chastised himself.
As Percy walked out, he realized that camp was weirdly empty. He scanned the entire camp until he finally spotted everyone collected around the dock.
Percy ran over, recognizing Octavian on a boat. He was holding his next victim, a teddy bear, while in a heated argument with a blonde girl in full body armor.
Wait, Annabeth? Percy picked up his pace to see what's happening.
He only heard a glimpse of their argument.
"You Graecus, get out of our camp!"
"You see, dipshit, I would gladly, but I would like to take my boyfriend back with me. Not to mention the quest we have that requires the two camps to work together."
"You're lying, why would someone take you on a quest? You're just a dumb blonde anyway, I have no idea why Jackson liked you."
That's when Annabeth finally snapped. She almost unsheathed her dagger, but Octavian suddenly shoved Annabeth into the water.
Percy’s instincts took over him. "Annabeth!" he yelled, but it was no use.
Percy dove straight into the water and caught Annabeth, who was slowly sinking down from the heavy battle armor she was wearing. Almost instinctively, Percy formed a large bubble around them and hugged her close to his body. Her breathing was so heavy that she couldn't get any words out.
"It's okay, I got you. You're safe now." Percy whispered, patting her on the back.
Slowly, her breathing calmed. He could feel her heart return to normal against his chest. Percy pulled back. He concentrated for a little and dried the two of them.
Annabeth giggled. “Thanks. You always do that.”
“No problem,” Percy said, dazed, his eyes drifting to her lips.
As soon as Annabeth returned the glance, Percy leaned over and closed the gap between them. Her lips moved against his in the perfect way, making Percy’s thoughts go blank and his mind go dizzy.
Percy pulled back, breathless, and suddenly, it hit him like a tidal wave. Every memory, every smile crashed onto him. His mom, the quests, the battles, the wars…
He gasped in surprise.
"Percy? Are you alright?"
Annabeth shook him lightly but it all felt distant. He was deep in memory lane.
I am never, ever going to make things easy for you, Seaweed Brain. Get used to it.
Percy finally his thoughts clear, and he could finally focus on the best part of all that.
He grinned. "Annabeth."