Chapter Text
Three weeks later—January 4th:
Thanks to the magical borders, the air at camp felt more like early fall than midwinter. Annabeth could stand on the beach in jeans and a long-sleeve t-shirt, letting the edges of the surf wash against her bare feet, and not shiver. She took a deep breath in, then slowly let it out. The night was peaceful. Long Island Sound was calm beneath a sky crowded with stars. The crescent moon hung low in the eastern sky, glowing gold as it rose. For the moment, Annabeth felt completely relaxed.
Winter break had been great. Quite a few of the old campers had come back, so they’d had some epic games of Capture the Flag. Not to mention really fun campfires with the usual ridiculous sing-a-longs. Plus she and Percy had managed to steal some private moments here and there, which had made the break even better. She’d flown out to California for Christmas and spent a couple days with her dad and family out there. It had been surprisingly nice. Best yet, she hadn’t had a single nightmare the entire three weeks. It had been a very long time since she’d felt this rested and refreshed.
But now, break was over. In the morning, they would be heading back to New York City. School started on Monday. Her final semester of high school. Annabeth wrapped her arms around herself as a smile tugged at her lips. It was hard to believe. Just a few more months until graduation. Then, heading to California for college. They were so close.
Her eyes wandered across the water, but the Sound was as smooth as glass. She and Percy had come down to the beach to take one last walk before heading back to the city tomorrow, but about halfway along the shore, a pair of hippocampi had come galloping out of the water. Annabeth couldn’t understand what they were saying, of course, but apparently they’d asked Percy for help. Something about a tuna net. He’d looked at her apologetically. “Uh, I should probably take care of this.”
“It’s fine,” she reassured him with a smile. “Just come back to me, okay?”
“Always.” He kissed her cheek, then disappeared beneath the waves with the hippocampi.
That was about half an hour ago. Annabeth hoped everything was okay. There wasn’t anything she could do if it wasn’t, which was a little frustrating. She hated being sidelined. But, as Percy had pointed out to her before, she couldn’t breathe underwater. So here she was, waiting on the beach. But the night was quiet, and she felt confident that Percy was fine. Somehow, she suspected she’d know, or at least have a sense, if something was really wrong. For now, she tried to stay relaxed. Her gaze drifted back up to the stars. Annabeth picked out a few of the constellations she knew, then stopped and allowed herself to just enjoy the overall view. After a moment, very softly, she said, “Bob says hello.”
A few minutes later, a ripple ran through the water. Percy’s dark hair broke the surface, followed by the rest of him. As he strode out of the sea, Annabeth’s heart performed a pretty impressive tumbling routine. But gods, he looked so happy and confident, and the easy smile he gave her lit up his entire face as he said, “You’re still here.”
“Of course,” she replied. “I’m not going anywhere, Seaweed Brain. Get used to it.”
“I can live with that.” He wrapped his arms loosely around her, then kissed her, slowly but deeply. There was no rush, after all. For once, they had time.
Eventually, Annabeth asked him, “So did you help the hippocampi?”
“Yeah. A baby hippocampus got caught in a tuna net, so I cut it free. Saved a seal, too, that had gotten stuck with it.” He shook his head. “These fishermen don’t even try to help. It’s not cool.”
“Good thing you were around.” Annabeth kissed him again. After being in the ocean, his lips were extra salty.
“Guess so.” A whinny rolled across the water, and Percy cocked his head, listening. His lips quirked up. He moved to stand behind Annabeth, then pointed at the water. “Watch.”
She watched. Suddenly, a glistening shape broke the surface, leaping into the air. A second shape followed the first, both twirling as they rose, then splashing back down into the sea. A third smaller shape bounced out of the water, arcing elegantly before diving back down.
Annabeth’s breath caught. “The hippocampi?”
“Yep.” Percy put his arms around her. “Just saying thanks.”
She leaned back against his chest and together they watched the hippocampi joyfully leaping and diving in and out of the water, their rainbow tails twinkling in the faint moonlight. Finally, with a grateful whinny, the two bigger hippocampi executed an incredible flip, while the little one bobbed in the water, shaking its mane. Then all three turned and swam off back toward the deep sea, the ripples from their wakes sending tiny waves against the shore.
“Not a bad end to break, huh?” Percy asked.
“That was amazing,” Annabeth admitted. “They must have really appreciated your help.”
“Apparently. But it was no big deal. I mean, I don’t mind helping them out.”
“That’s because you’re a really good guy.”
“If you say so.” Percy pressed his lips to her temple. “I also met a great white on my way back.” He said it so casually, like that was as normal as seeing a pigeon in the park.
“Oh yeah?” Annabeth ran her fingers along his forearm, still wrapped around her waist. “Any issues there?”
“Nah, she was friendly. Told me there was a great beach with seals a little farther up the coast, if I was hungry. I said thanks, but I’d already had dinner.”
“I can’t tell if you’re joking.”
“I’m actually not. I couldn’t make that up.”
“You live an interesting life, Seaweed Brain.”
“I know. I keep hoping it’ll get boring, but so far, no luck.”
“We’ll just have to keep trying our best.”
“Whatever you say.” His breath brushed her cheek, giving Annabeth the good kind of goosebumps.
The waves lapped around their feet. The water was chilly, but, enveloped in Percy’s arms, Annabeth was warm.
“You ready to go back tomorrow?” Percy asked.
“I think so. I mean, this has been a great break, but I’m ready to head out.” She rested her head against his shoulder. “How about you?”
“Not looking forward to the homework, but I’ll survive.” He dipped his head to kiss her neck. “Last semester of high school.”
“It is.”
“I can honestly say I never really thought I’d get to this point.”
Annabeth laughed quietly. “I know. I actually never thought I’d live this long.” Her smile faded as the faces of lost friends played through her mind. “A lot of demigods don’t make it this far.”
Percy’s arms tightened around her. “Maybe we are lucky.”
“Maybe so.”
A breeze floated through, bringing a hint of winter chill that cut through the otherwise comfortable night. The fresh, yet briny, scent of the ocean permeated the air. They’d been standing in one spot long enough that the steady, soft rush of the waves had covered Annabeth’s feet in a layer of damp sand. But she didn’t mind. Being near the water made her feel calm. Especially when, like now, she was by the water with Percy.
The stars were absolutely brilliant. As she watched, a falling star twirled through the sky, then blinked out. Like a wink. Annabeth smiled. She recalled the visions Asteria had shown her, most of which she’d shared with Percy (though she’d kept a few to herself; he would appreciate the surprise one day). And she remembered the final vision, of the two of them on the beach.
She turned in his arms so they were face to face, then told him, “We are absolutely going to kick this semester’s butt. We’re going to graduate. Then we get to go to college. Together. And it’s going to be awesome.”
There was nothing new exactly about the way Percy was looking at her or the way he smiled as she spoke, but still his expression sent shivers from her spine all the way out to her fingertips and toes. “Is that your plan, Wise Girl?”
“Yeah, it is. Although I think it actually started out as your plan, Seaweed Brain. And I’m impressed.”
“I have my moments.”
“You certainly do.” Annabeth had to smile when she remembered their one-month anniversary and Paris. Now they were closing in on a year and a half together, with hopes for many more anniversaries. She thought again of the visions of the future Asteria had revealed. Annabeth was grateful for the glimpse, but she wasn’t going to sit around and wait for the future to be handed to her. I make my own future, she’d told herself months ago, after battling the god Serapis. And that was still true.
There on the beach, beneath the stars, Annabeth kissed Percy. Because she could. Because she wanted to. Because she loved him and the plans they were making. When he kissed her back, she imagined it was probably for many of the same reasons. And that gave her fresh hope for their dreams of the future. They would build something permanent. Together.
When Percy pulled away, he murmured, “Love you, Annabeth.”
“Love you, too, Percy.” She didn’t step away immediately, but stayed there sheltered in the safe harbor of his embrace. Percy seemed equally content to let the moment last. Finally, though, Annabeth said, “We should probably go back. It would be really embarrassing to get eaten by the harpies after everything else we’ve survived.”
Percy laughed. “We might seriously get laughed out of the Underworld if that happened.” He kissed her once more, light and quick, then asked, “Can I walk you back to your cabin?”
“Absolutely.” As they walked along the shore, Annabeth took Percy’s hand, lacing their fingers together. He grinned. Hand in hand, they headed back to camp, ready to face the end of high school and whatever challenges the future presented.