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Percy Jackson had always been a flirt. Annabeth knew this. But lately, she'd noticed how his teasing took on a different edge with Jason Grace. The way he'd sling an arm around the son of Jupiter just to feel him stiffen ("Relax, Superman"), or how his eyes tracked Jason's biceps when he polished that stupid ivory gladius.
It was Annabeth who first put words to it three nights before the summer solstice, sitting cross-legged on their dock at Camp Half-Blood while Percy absently braided her hair (badly).
"You look at him the way you used to look at me," she said softly. The realization tasted like ambrosia left out too long, sweet but burning slightly going down.
Percy's fingers froze mid-braid behind her right ear.
Silence.
Not even the lake dared ripple as Annabeth turned slowly to face him. His sea-green eyes were wide, not guilty, but *terrified
"Beth, I—" His voice cracked like thin ice.
She caught his shaking hands before he could pull away. "It's okay," she lied smoothly because this wasn't about her uncertainty yet. This was about his courage.
One Week Later
The smell of charred blue cookies filled Cabin 3 as Percy finally whispered against her temple: "...Sometimes." Just one word, but it cost him everything to say it. Annabeth felt his heartbeat thundering where their palms pressed together on the hammock.
Two Months Later
Annabeth surprised herself by crying after Percy hugged Jason goodnight, just a second longer than one would, following a rare mortal-world double date (prom had left Jason flustered in his baby blue tux). Not because she minded...but because watching Percy beam freely for once made her realize how much he'd been holding back all these years.
"You're thinking too hard, Wise Girl." Percy nudged her shoulder as they walked back to camp, his smile softer now, less performative.
Annabeth laced their fingers together. "Just figuring out how many more seashell necklaces I need to make," she deadpanned. "Turns out sharing your stupid heart means double the anniversary gifts."
Percy threw back his head and laughed, loud enough to startle a nearby naiad before kissing her with saltwater gratitude on his lips. Because Annabeth Chase didn't just love him; she saw him, tide pools and all.