Work Text:
Annabeth hummed along to the Christmas carol filtering through the courtyard as she placed an ornament on the tree's branch. She had just stepped off the step ladder when a deep voice from behind her startled her.
"It's a bit early for Christmas decorations," the man commented, a condescending smirk spreading across his face as he surveyed the three hours of work Annabeth had put into decorating her storefront.
Annabeth scoffed, glaring up at the man who, much to her dismay, was a good foot taller than her. It was hard to be intimidating when the person had to look down at you.
"It's Black Friday. It's officially the Christmas season." She tried to control the bite in her tone, but with the way the man was looking at her, she couldn't help it.
He ran a hand through his dark hair in an unfairly attractive way, infuriating her with that smirk of his. "Last I checked, the Christmas season starts on Christmas day."
Annabeth narrowed her eyes at him, throwing a hand up in exasperation. "Semantics. Who are you, and why are you judging my decorating decisions?"
The man's green eyes sparkled with amusement as he gestured to his shirt. "The uniform didn't give it away?" Deep Sea Escapades was printed in the corner of the shirt, a corny picture of a coral reef resting beneath the name.
Suddenly, the man's uncanny ability to get underneath Annabeth's skin made much more sense. Deep Sea Escapades was a new store that had just opened across from Annabeth's quaint bookstore Forever Between The Pages, drawing away her business for the past two weeks.
"You're from that place?" Annabeth spit out, unable to keep the malice from her voice. The man's eyebrows raised, the corners of his lips turning up further.
"Do you have something against my store?" Annabeth sighed as the true meaning of his words sunk in. He didn't just work there, the man was the owner.
"Yes," she exclaimed, her hands on her hips. "You've been taking my best costumers for the past two weeks. I had to cut one of my bestselling books from the delivery order because I couldn't afford to pay for it anymore!"
The man at least had the decency to look slightly guilty as he ran his hand through his hair again. Annabeth tried not to watch the way the muscles in his arm flexed as he did so, and the way his black shirt stretched across his broad chest.
"I apologize if my business is successful," he snapped, his gaze raking over Annabeth's pale pink blouse, short tan skirt, and beige wedges. She turned her face away to hide her blush.
Rolling her eyes, she glanced across the square at his store. "What do you even sell?" she asked, surprising herself. Since he moved in, she had only overheard talk of his shop but not specifics.
Raising an eyebrow, the man held out his hand. Annabeth glanced at it warily, looking back up at him. "I don't bite," he chuckled. "I decided it's about time to introduce myself if I'm going to show you my store despite your hatred for it."
Annabeth bit her lip, slowly sliding her hand into his and biting back a gasp at the almost-electric feeling she got from the simple touch. "I'm Percy Jackson, owner of Deep Sea Escapades."
Annabeth cleared her throat, unable to look away from their clasped hands. "Annabeth Chase. I own Forever Between The Pages, the local bookstore which used to very successful." The last part she said with a pointed glare, secretly enjoying the way his eyes darkened at her words.
Suddenly realizing they were still holding hands, Annabeth yanked hers back and crossed her arms protectively across her chest. "Now are you going to show me your store, or are we going to stand here all night?"
Percy swept out his arm in an exaggerated gesture. "Let's go." Annabeth rolled her eyes at his sarcastic tone, making her way across the road leading to the other side of the town square.
***
Percy generally considered himself to be a respectful man - his mother wouldn't have raised him any other way. Yet, something about the firecracker blonde currently leading the way across the square, her annoyingly attractive skirt swaying against her legs, brought the malice out of him.
When he had first seen her perched on a ladder out of his store's window, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Although he had seen glimpses of Annabeth throughout the past two weeks, he hadn't truly realized how beautiful she was until that moment.
What he hadn't expected was the spitfire he encountered, nor had he expected how much he would enjoy fighting with her. He also hadn't planned on inviting her to his shop, but the selfish part of him wanted to spend more time with her even if it was under the guise of showing off his store.
Percy increased his pace to keep up with her, trying and failing to keep from admiring the way her pink blouse curved around her waist. He reached the door, holding it open for her.
Annabeth smiled slightly before stepping in, her calculating grey eyes roaming over the shelves stocked with various underwater gear and the display cases housing expensive air tanks.
"A scuba supply shop?" she commented, her tone holding an air of surprise. "Not what you expected?" he inquired, moving past her to flip on the lights. "No," Annabeth admitted, running a manicured hand over a case filled with air pressure instruments. "Honestly, I thought it was a fishing store."
Percy chuckled, making his way back behind the counter. "Fishing isn't my thing. Plus, we live on a saltwater coastline. It's easier to dive than fish."
Annabeth hummed her agreement, slowly walking around the store and taking in each item. Percy felt oddly self-conscious watching her take in his shop, wondering what she thought of his life's work.
She stepped up to the counter, looking up at him with curiosity in her expression. "What about this shop makes it so appealing to my loyal customers?"
Percy laughed slightly, unable to look away from the girl in front of him. "I was wondering the same thing. What connection is there between a bookstore and a scuba gear store?"
She laughed, a beautiful sound he wanted to hear for the rest of his life. "How about I show you Forever Between The Pages and we can decide for ourselves?"
Percy grinned, flipping off the lights and making his way out of his shop. There was something special about the bookstore's owner, and he was determined to figure out how a girl he just met could make him feel the way he did.
***
Annabeth handed the bag to one of her regulars, smiling widely as she waved goodbye. Mr. Curtis was a sweet old man who came every Friday to buy a book for his wife who was bedridden. Annabeth's heart melted every time Mr. Curtis talked of her, his face lit up with innocent adoration.
She glanced at her watch, reaching to turn off her "open" sign when she happened to glance across the street. Her gaze caught on Percy, as it often did over the past week. She knew she kept looking because she liked him, more than she cared to admit.
This time, though, she noticed his demeanor was different. Usually, he had on his heart-stopping smile while speaking to a customer, but now he had his head in his hands, his hair a mess.
Frowning to herself, she went to balance the register but instead found herself stepping out from behind the counter and making her way across the street. Something drew her to him, and it wasn't simply attraction.
Annabeth pulled open the door to Deep Sea Escapades, watching as Percy's head rose from his desk. His eyes widened as he realized her presence. In that moment, Annabeth could see the exhaustion and stress laced in his features.
"Annabeth! What are you doing here?" Percy exclaimed, sliding out from behind the counter. Annabeth blushed slightly, realizing she didn't have a real reason for coming other than noticing his obvious distress.
"I...I saw you through my window. You looked stressed. I figured..." she trailed off, biting her lip as she took in Percy's reaction to her words. Something crossed his face, an expression she couldn't place.
"Wow, was I that obvious?" he chuckled drily, running his hand through his hair. Annabeth blushed harder, chiding herself for allowing her emotions to get the best of her. "I mean...yes, but I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Percy caught her gaze, the surprise in his features evident. "If I'm being honest, I'm beyond stressed and overwhelmed. I just received an order from the marina. They want seventy five scuba gear bundles, and there's only one of me. I don't think I'm ever going to get the order completed in time."
Annabeth gasped softly, understanding how he felt. "Wow...that's a huge order. That will do wonders for your business," she ventured, hoping to help him see the silver lining.
Percy smiled softly, looking around at his shop. "That's true. I just haven't had the time or funds to hire employees yet. I don't know if I can do it by myself."
Annabeth grinned, making a quick decision she knew would put her heart on the line. "Well, good thing you're not alone." Percy's head snapped up, hope and apprehension flitting across his face.
"Annabeth, are you sure? This is a lot of work and I know you have your shop." She shook her head, stepping closer to him and trying to ignore how much she enjoyed the scent of his cologne. "I'm closed for the day. If we work together you will finish much quicker than you ever could by yourself."
Percy held her stare, searching her face. "Okay," he replied, a small smile turning up the corners of his mouth. "You'd help me even though I steal your customers?"
Annabeth laughed softly, making her way behind his counter. "I guess there is some goodness in my heart." Percy grinned, stepping up next to her, his eyes lingering her on lips for a second too long. "Let's get to work."
Percy turned around to grab a piece of paper behind him, and Annabeth took that time to collect herself. She was in too deep to back out now, and if she was being honest, she didn't want to.
She may be gambling her emotions, but something deep inside told her Percy was worth the risk.
***
Percy handed Annabeth the last wet suit, watching as she carefully packed it into the box and closed the lid with a triumphant smile. "We did it," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with accomplishment.
Percy laughed, running a hand across his forehead. It had taken them three hours to pack up all of the items in the order, but they had done it - together.
Throughout those three hours, Percy and Annabeth had talked nonstop. Percy had never felt such an instant connection to someone before, had never been able to open up so quickly and know they would listen and understand.
If he was being honest with himself, he was falling for the owner of the bookstore, hard. Unfortunately, he didn't know if she felt the same way. He hoped to God she did.
"I don't think I could ever thank you enough," Percy began, turning to face Annabeth who had hopped up on the counter behind him. She blushed slightly, the color complimenting her features.
"Don't mention it," she replied, her eyes widening as he stepped closer. "Annabeth, you helped me despite us being rivals. I think there's another reason you came over here."
Annabeth looked away, her hands smoothing her skirt over and over. Percy hooked a finger underneath her chin, gently turning her face towards his. Annabeth bit her lip, and Percy had a hard time looking away.
"I think there might have been another reason," she whispered, finally looking him in the eye. Percy stepped closer until he was against the counter, his hands hovering near her waist. "I'm going to kiss you," he murmured, enjoying the way her eyes lit up at his words. "If you don't want me to, I will back away now."
Annabeth shook her head, lacing her arms around his neck. "I think you should stop talking and kiss me, Jackson." Percy grinned before pulling her against his chest, crushing his mouth against hers. She sighed, a soft whimper escaping her that only made him kiss her harder. She wrapped her legs around him, allowing Percy to pick her up off of the counter and set her on the floor.
He ran his hands up and down her sides, his fingers brushing against the hem of her blouse and the soft skin underneath. After a few blissful minutes, Percy pulled back, resting his forehead against hers as they struggled to catch their breath. "Wow," Annabeth whispered, her eyes sparkling.
Percy used his thumb to wipe away a smudge of her lipstick in the corner of her mouth, knowing he was likely wearing most of it. Annabeth smoothed down her hair, glancing around the empty shop with a giggle.
"I have to say, I've never imagined I would kiss a guy in the middle of a scuba gear shop," she said, lacing her fingers with Percy's. He chuckled, pulling her into his side. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied, gently kissing the side of her head.
Her floral perfume overtook his senses as he held her for a moment, trying to comprehend that she was his. He had never been so lucky.
"Even though we don't hate each other anymore, don't think we aren't still rivals," Annabeth teased. "May the best shop win," Percy replied, watching that familiar spark light in Annabeth's eye that he loved so much before pulling her into another kiss.
***
"It's a bit early for Christmas decorations," a deep voice from behind Annabeth exclaimed. Annabeth scoffed, spinning around to face the man. "It's Black Friday. It's officially the Christmas season."
Annabeth stepped closer to the man as she spoke, her eyes trained on his cocky smile. "Last I checked, the Christmas season starts on Christmas day." She crossed her arms across her chest, the rings on her finger glinting in the multicolored Christmas lights behind her.
"We've talked about this," Annabeth replied, chest-to-chest with the dark-haired man in front of her. "I'll decorate my shop when I feel like it, Mr. Jackson."
The man grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against his chest. "It's still too early, Mrs. Jackson." She rolled her eyes, pulling her husband into a kiss. "It's never too early," she whispered against his lips, giggling when he lifted her off of her feet.
"You're right," he replied, lacing their fingers together, the cold metal of his wedding band sinking into her skin. "It's never too early to celebrate."