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“eggs?” percy said referring to the notepad in annabeth’s hand, looking over to her as he drove back home.
she paused, looking up at him with her silver eyes.
“sorry, i got distracted. yeah, i got eggs yesterday.” she clicked the pen shut, putting it in the cup holder.
he drove out the grocery store parking lot, looking over at the note pad. he could barely make out the half greek-half english but he definitely recognized the format of a poem.
“what are you even writing?” he laughed, smiling over at her.
she tucked a grey curl behind her ear, looking down at the notepad. “just a poem.” she looked over at him, sea green eyes looking right back at her. “it’s not done but it’s just simple.”
“seems more than simple.” he said, looking at the “big” words she used. words like apeiron, ethereal, and his favorite— meraki. “what a mind.” he said, laughing.
“you say this every time.” she tilted her head to look over at him, blonde and grey curls flowing in the direction of her head.
“the more i say it, the more i mean it, wise girl.” he said, placing a hand on her thigh, using his free hand to steer.
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when they finally got home, she unpacked the groceries, taking their rottweiler, sylvia, for a walk.
when she came back, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled her and syvlia’s noses. when she walked in, percy clearly didn’t seem to notice her, humming in the kitchen. smiling, and walking over, resting her head on his shoulder, making him jump before looking down at her and smiling. “back so quickly?”
“a little birdy told me you were cooking dinner.” she said slickly.
“that ‘birdy’ would be correct. steak, mashed potatoes, and wine.” he pointed to the bottle of red wine, waiting to be popped open, condensation on it from getting out the fridge.
“is this why we had to go to the grocery store?” she giggled. “not complaining, of course.”
“just go sit.” he said, playfully feigning annoyance but his calm, dimpled cheeks denied that completely.
after 3 glasses of wine later, cleaned empty plates, and syvlia begging for more scraps, percy stood up, walking to her side of the table, taking her hand in his. “you know, ive had this song stuck in my head.”
“oh yeah?” she took his hand, standing up from the oak wood seats. “what song?” she pursed her peachy lips, looking up at him.
he pulled his phone out, turning the volume on max, played “she’s always a woman” by billy joel, and spun her around, her blonde curls gently hitting against his chest.
“makes me think of the love of my life.” he held her close to her.
“me?” she placed a soft, gentle kiss against his lips.
“of course.”
they spun like teenagers dancing in the rain or like mid 20 year olds searching for love in a empty bar. only this… this had something more. the built up love, suffering, and forgiveness shaped the circles they danced in. the dimly lit kitchen, the dog swirling her tail around as she grazed their legs.
once the song ended, he looked down at her, inhaling the soft scent of lemon shampoo. he paused before picking her up, bridal style.
“what are you doing?” she laughed as the song looped.
“just showing how much i love you.” he said, tracing gentle circles on her spine as he carried her towards their bedroom door.