Work Text:
Percy Jackson didn't know it was tradition for people to kiss when the clock struck twelve on New Year's Eve. He was in the second grade when he found out about the tradition. His teacher was going over different holiday traditions before winter break-Christmas, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year's, excreta. When she got to the more western traditions surrounding New Year's she mentioned how people kiss right at midnight. Some kids made disgusted faces while other thought it was romantic but the majority of the room became a broken record of "My parents do that". However, Percy wasn't disgusted or dreamy eyed. He was confused. Sally never kissed Gabe unless she had to, that wasn't the issue. His mother not partaking in the tradition didn't bother him, it was that fact he didn't understand the reason.
He asked Sally that night before bed and she smiled down at him warmly while responding.
"It's just a good way to start the year, honey!"
"Can't be that good, you and Gabe never do it." Percy said casually.
"Guess it depends who you're with, baby. Maybe someday you'll have more interest." Sally said through giggles.
"No!" Percy all but shouted. Sally laughed harder.
"We'll see." She ruffled his golden curls before kissing him "good night" on the forehead.
That interest never came. Even when Percy finally got a New Year's date at Rachel Elizabeth Dare's house. The countdown ended and she looked at him expectantly but nothing pulled him to kiss her. It just wasn't the right time....the right person.
-
Annabeth Chase never understood why people kissed at midnight on New Year's Eve. The kids in Aphrodite's cabin raved about it, obsessed over it, called it a "right of passage". Annabeth didn't get it. She could explain Quantum mechanics and Navier-Stokes equations until her voice dried up but the moment someone tried to explain why the New Year's kiss was so important she'd look at them like they were crazy. It was hard to believe in luck when you've known the existence of the Fates and Greek Gods since the age of seven.
The daughter of Athena approached the tradition like she approached battles, considering every variable. In her mind, this tradition only worked if you kissed the right person, otherwise how could it be considered lucky. As, the years passed Annabeth watched as couples around her kissed on the shores of Long Island Sound and rolled her eyes. It was silly tradition and she didn't think she'd ever be one to partake in.
-
Midnight hit on New Year's Eve. Noise makers sounded around the rustic wall of Montuak. Paul wrapped his arm around Sally as he pulled he into a soft kiss. She giggled into it, her hand on her baby bump. Percy watched with a smile before he got an idea.
He grabbed Annabeth chestnut hand and dragged her outside. The cold winds whipped as they ran across equally cold sand before Percy threw them into the lake. The water was freezing but in the air bubble Percy made around them he managed to warm the water to a comfortable temperature. Annabeth raised her black brows at him. Percy chuckled before pulling her into a soft, long kiss. It lingered on their lips as they pulled apart. Brown iris started into blue with a wide-eyed expression.
Oh... they though semimonthly. This is why people kiss at midnight.
It wasn't never about luck it was about with that special someone. With that happy feeling in you stomach. It was about starting the year off showing the person you live most in the world that you care and making them smile- after all the wars, all the exams, all the quests. It was never about luck...it was about love.
They never missed another New Year's kiss.