Work Text:
Annabeth was pacing.
“I - don’t- Percy what if…” Her face was creased with worry, anxiety clear in every step she took. “What if she doesn’t show up?” We both ringed at the ridiculous statement.
“Annabeth, it's going to be alright. Breathe.”
Annabeth was in her wedding dress, a beautiful flowy dress with gray, and pink accents. A wide halter neckline forming a deep V, showing off the long necklace on her collarbones. A gift from Piper - currently the person in question.
“Annabeth, you know that she’ll show up. Is that even a question?” She grimaced, pulling her hand up to bite at her nails.
I grabbed her hands pulling them down, “Don’t you bite those nails, or Piper’s mom is going to throw a fit.” She laughed at the mention, before taking a deep breath.
“Okay.” Her voice is small, the inner battle of convincing herself clear on her face. “Everything’s fine.”
“Everything's fine, totally fine- what’s the schedule again, what time is it oh gods are we already late. When does the venue open? Is everyone seated- can I see??” Her questions fly out of her mouth as she patters over to the door.
“NOPE.” I barricade myself in front of the door. “You aren’t going out there, not yet . Your cue hasn’t gone off Annabeth. YOU’RE the one that planned this, you are NOT going out there.” She tries to dodge around me.
“I just need to check.”
“Wise Girl, you told me to make sure you kept a schedule, you remember this as well as I do.” She pouted, before the pretend worry faded into real anxiety.
“Do you…” Her voice broke, “I just- I want everything to be perfect and I can’t control it.” She whined petulantly.
“I know Wise Girl, it’s gonna be okay.” I envelop her in a hug, careful not to smudge any of the meticulous makeup that Aphrodite spent a whole hour on, saying something about the experience and how it shapes the marriage or some bull like that.
She takes a deep breath and huffs out a laugh, “Gods, I didn’t think I would be so emotional.” I smile gently at her.
“Of course you’re emotional, you're marrying the love~of~your~life.” Pulling out the last couple words to remind her of the times she spent ranting about how she was the only one for her. “I seem to recall someone, what was it two nights ago, going on and on about how a certain someone was all you could think of and you couldn’t wait until you got married.” A blush takes over her face, and soon after she has a faraway look on her face like she’s imagining Piper in her mind.
I swat her arm, “None of that! None of that dreamy business that I’ve had to deal with for the past couple years.” She swats me back.
“Oh? Like you’re so different Mr. I love looking at Jason Grace. He really is the perfect person but he’ll never look at me that way and-” I cover her mouth, sounds of protest leaving mine.
“You agreed not to talk about it! We hadn’t slept in days Annie! DAYS!” She giggles. A smile breaks over my face, now go put on your shoes it’s almost time.
She throws a finger at me over her shoulder as she heads to the closet. I laugh and open my phone to make sure everything's going to schedule. What I get is a barrage of unopened text messages.
I open the group-chat: OPERATION PIPABETH WEDDING
Leo: Piper is ready and slightly having a break-down Jason some back up
Leo: Liek Nwo
Jason: Shit, give me a minute I’m dealing with the cake situation.
Grover: WHAT CAKE SITUATION
Nico: Will and I are on our way with the reception shoes that SOMEONE DIDN’T BRING
Grover: Im literally dealing with the reception situation I can’t come-
Frank: Jason me and Hazel got it go to Piper.
Hazel: GUYS, I FOUND CAPSLOCK
Leo: Adorable hazel really but ew hvea problems that need solutions.
Grover: WHAT IS THE CAKE SITUATION.
Jason: …
Will: POV Grover having a mental breakdown
Grover: NOT HELPING
I scan over the text hurriedly before replying.
Percy: Just finished helping Annabeth get ready, she just had her own little sad moment :(
Percy: I can help with whatever situation needs to be dealt with as soon as she’s out on her cue.
Grover: YOU CAN’T DEAL WITH IT YOU GO OUT WITH HER
Percy: oh.
Percy: That isn’t for theory minutes thuohg
Percy: What happened with the cake?
Jason: They went to the wrong venue, they’re currently an hour away and that’s without setting up. My phone’s calling capability died on that quest last month.
Leo: This seems like an avoidable issue honestly.
Grover: OH SO NOW YOU RESPOND LOVER BOY
Percy: Grover. Take three deep breaths, calm down
Percy: Ok DM me the number and I’ll call it.
Hazel: IT IS OKAY. ME AND FRANK ARE CALLING THEM.
Percy: Hazel, love, turn off the capslock.
Hazel: I FORGOT WHICH BUTTON IT WAS, ILL TEXT OFF FRANKS PHONE
Jason: Leo open the door. I'm outside.
I sighed, running my hand over my face. Everything's fine, it’s gonna be fine. Pasting on a smile when I hear Annabeth coming out of the closet. “Which were the heels for the wedding again? “ I point to the shimmery gray laced boots.
“Those and Piper will have the matching set. Breathe you got it.” Another volley of texts came from my phone, and Annabeth sent a panicked look to it. Quickly throwing it on the bed I grab her shoulders and stare her down.
“You’ve got this.” She nods determinedly, “Easier than holding the sky.” I smile wryly and gently tug on her gray strand.
“Now the real question is Go Fish? Or Pinochle?” She wrinkles her nose in pretend thought. Tapping her finger to her lips.
“Hmm, I don’t know, let's go with…” I make wide eyes at her trying to gauge whether she’s serious. She bursts out laughter hopping onto the bed and reaching for the card deck, “Go Fish obviously what are we Mr. D.” Her laughter- contagious really - sends relief down my spine. As I join her on the bed to play Go Fish.
While she’s setting up I absentmindedly glance at my phone messages, the top one being ‘everything's FINE GUYS STOP FREAKING ME OUT’. Who I could only assume was from Grover. He’s been the main planner of the wedding, a vow we took after Grover tried out his first wedding dress.
After a couple rounds of Go Fish the alarm went off on my phone and the stress immediately returned to Annabeth’s face. She breathed out, “I got this.” I smile and extend my arm to her, checking her once over to make sure that nothing got ruffled in the process of our game.
We walk down to the line up, Grover joining us half way.
“Ready?” I turn to her before opening the doors. She nods, giving me a small smile. “Go get ‘em Wise Girl.” The words reminiscent of the day they got together she turns to the door's excitement growing on her face.
~~~
The reception was dragged on late into the night. The reception had gone off without a hitch (pun intended) , the cake arriving before either of them knew the problem. Annabeth and Piper had danced to their hearts content, and recently settled for giggling in the corner together eating their wedding cake.
The music ran slower as less guests were actively dancing and more were just swaying to the music. Some romantic slow-song permeating through the air.
I take a deep breath relaxing in my seat. I hadn’t gotten time to dance myself, as myself and the rest of our group were frantically trying to pull everything together. I was content to watch others dance, and besides I didn’t have a partner. There’s someone you want to dance with.
I startle when a shadow comes over me, and I squint looking up at a red-faced Jason. “Uhm, Percy.” I cock my head to the side, waiting for the rest of the sentence.
When nothing came I replied, “Yes Jason?” He stuttered searching for the words.
“Would you- I mean- uh, do- would you like to dance?” My eyes widened, the lemonade I was drinking suddenly choking my airway.
Coughing, and waving away his concern, At least you have a reason for your red face I stuttered my own reply back, “I- uh, With me? You- dance…” We both flushed looking away.
Gathering all my remaining courage I took his hand and stood up, “I would love to dance with you Jason Grace.” He beams, pulling me onto the dance floor.
My feet scrambled trying to keep in rhythm with his, embarrassed I came closer to whisper in his eye, “Sorry, I don’t really know how to dance very well.” The red creeping down my neck at the admission.
He pulled back his eyes on mine, “That’s okay just take my hand- we’ll figure the rest out as we go.”