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Percy Jackson did not go to Piper McLean’s Friday movie night expecting a life‑altering crisis. He expected Jason falling asleep halfway through like he always did. What he did not expect was Annabeth Chase using him as a pillow and single‑handedly destroying his ability to function as a human being.
The night started normally enough. Piper’s living room was packed with the gang: Leo sprawled across the floor like a starfish, Hazel curled up on the couch with Frank, Jason sitting upright with the posture of someone who didn’t know how to relax, Reyna and Thalia chilling on the loveseat, Nico and Will sitting properly on the floor, and Annabeth Chase—well, Annabeth sat next to Percy.
Of course she did. She always did. They’d been best friends since middle school, and sitting next to each other was as natural as breathing.
Which was why Percy didn’t think twice when she nudged him with her knee and said, “Move over, idiot. You’re hogging the blanket.”
“I’m literally on the edge of the couch,” he protested, but he shifted anyway, giving her more space.
Annabeth smirked. “You’re still hogging it.”
He rolled his eyes and tossed half the blanket over her legs. “Happy?”
“Thanks, Seaweed Brain,” she hummed, satisfied, and settled in. Percy pretended that didn’t make his chest feel warm.
The movie started, a Leo rec that he claimed was amazing but really just had questionable plot choices and a shit ton of action. Percy watched it with half his attention. The other half was busy being aware of Annabeth’s shoulder brushing his, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the way she laughed at every dumb joke.
Halfway through the movie, Annabeth shifted.
“Hey, Perce,” she asked. “Can I sleep on your shoulder?”
Percy froze.
Like, full‑body, Medusa frozen. “Um, yeah, sure.”
Annabeth didn’t seem to notice how frozen he was. She just sighed softly, her breath warm against his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder.
Percy’s brain short‑circuited.
He stared straight ahead at the TV, eyes wide, heart pounding so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it. He tried to act normal, failing rather spectacularly.
Hazel glanced over and smiled knowingly. Piper raised an eyebrow. Jason mouthed something that looked suspiciously like finally. Leo didn’t notice because he was too busy watching the movie.
Percy wanted to sink into the couch and never return.
He didn’t move for the rest of the movie. Not when his arm went numb. Not when Annabeth’s hair tickled his jaw. Not even when she shifted again and her hand brushed his.
He was doomed.
When the credits rolled, Annabeth blinked awake, lifting her head from his shoulder with a sleepy yawn.
“Mm. Sorry,” she murmured, rubbing her eyes. “You’re comfy.”
Percy’s soul left his body.
“No problem,” he croaked, voice cracking like a middle‑schooler. “Anytime. I mean—not anytime. I mean—yeah. Whatever.”
Annabeth gave him a puzzled look, then smiled and nudged him. “You’re weird.”
He laughed weakly. “You have no idea.”
The group started packing up—Leo complaining about the ending, Piper teasing Jason for falling asleep again, Frank trying to carry all the snack bowls at once. Percy stood up too quickly, nearly tripping over the blanket.
Annabeth grabbed his arm to steady him. “Careful.”
Percy’s heart did a somersault.
“Yeah,” he said faintly. “Careful.”
She let go, completely unaware of the emotional catastrophe she’d just caused.
Percy walked home that night in a daze, replaying every second of her head on his shoulder. Every breath. Every tiny shift. Every warm, soft moment.
By the time he collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling like it held the secrets of the universe, he knew one thing with absolute certainty:
He was in trouble.
Big, irreversible, Annabeth‑Chase‑shaped trouble.
And he had no idea what to do about it.
Percy Jackson had one goal for the week:
Act normal around Annabeth Chase.
He failed immediately.
It wasn’t his fault, really. How was he supposed to act normal when every time someone said the word crush, his brain launched into a slideshow of Annabeth asleep on his shoulder? Or when she smiled at him in the hallway and he forgot how to walk? Or when she said “see you later” and he spent the next ten minutes replaying her tone like his deranged English teacher stepdad Mr. Blofis?
He was doomed. And he was trying very, very hard not to show it.
Unfortunately, Percy had fourth period with Piper, Jason, Hazel, and Frank — a class where the teacher gave up on teaching sometime around 2012 and now just handed out worksheets no one completed.
He slid into his seat, trying to look casual. Piper narrowed her eyes immediately.
“You’re acting weird,” she said.
Percy choked on air. “No I’m not.”
Fuck, that was fast.
Hazel tilted her head. “You’re blushing.”
“I’m not blushing.”
“You’re definitely blushing,” Frank added helpfully.
Percy groaned and dropped his head onto the desk. “Can we not do this today?”
Jason leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “Do what? We’re literally just sitting here.”
“Existing,” Piper said. “Breathing. Do you not want me to exist, Percy?.”
Percy groaned. “Hell no, screw you all.”
Piper smirked. “So if I said the word crush—”
Percy flinched so hard his pencil rolled off the desk.
Piper’s eyes widened. “Oh my gods. You do.”
Hazel gasped, and Frank’s mouth fell open. Jason looked like he’d been waiting for this moment his entire life.
Percy scrambled to recover. “No! I don’t! I mean—maybe? I mean—no! Definitely no!”
Piper leaned forward, predatory. “Who is it?”
“No one!”
“Is it someone we know?”
“No!”
Jason snorted. “We only hang out with the same twelve people, dude.”
Hazel’s eyes sparkled. “Is it… someone in our friend group?”
Percy made a noise that could only be described as a dying walrus.
Piper’s grin turned feral. “It’s Annabeth.”
Percy slammed his forehead back onto the desk. “I hate all of you.”
The table erupted.
Hazel squealed. Frank clapped like Percy had just won an award. Jason fist‑pumped. Piper looked like she’d been handed the keys to Olympus.
“I KNEW IT,” she said triumphantly. “I knew something was up at movie night! You were so stiff I thought you were having a medical emergency.”
Percy groaned into the desk. “Please stop talking.”
“No,” Jason said cheerfully. “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Hazel leaned over, gentle but delighted. “Percy, that’s so sweet. You should tell her.”
“Absolutely not.”
Piper gasped dramatically. “Why not?”
“Because!” Percy sat up, flailing. “Because she’s Annabeth! And I’m—me! And she fell asleep on my shoulder and I haven’t slept since and every time she looks at me I forget how to function and—”
He stopped, realizing too late that he had said all of that out loud.
The table went silent.
Then Piper whispered, “Oh my gods, you’re in deep.”
Percy dropped his face into his hands. “Please let the floor swallow me.”
Jason clapped him on the back. “Buddy, we’ve all been waiting for this. You and Annabeth are basically already dating.”
“We are not!”
“You basically are,” Hazel said.
“You definitely are,” Frank agreed.
Piper leaned in, eyes gleaming. “And now you’re going to ask her out.”
Percy’s head snapped up. “I’m sorry, what?”
“It’s obvious,” Jason said. “Everyone’s been expecting it.”
“Demanding it,” Piper corrected.
“Praying for it,” Hazel added.
“Terrified of what will happen if you don’t,” Frank said quietly.
Percy stared at them, horrified. “I can’t ask her out!”
“Yes you can,” Piper said. “And you will.”
“No I won’t!”
“Yes you will,” Jason echoed.
“No I—”
The classroom door opened.
Annabeth walked in.
Percy’s soul left his body.
She waved at him. “Hey, Percy! Hey, guys!”
Percy made a noise that was not human.
Annabeth blinked. “Are you okay?”
“He’s great,” Piper said brightly.
Hazel raised an eyebrow at Annabeth. “You skipping class to be with us?”
Annabeth snorted. “No, Mr. Brunner wanted me to send some papers over to Mr. D. Though I’d stop by and say hi. I miss you guys, you know?”
Percy nearly died on the spot. “Uhm, yeah,” he stuttered. “I— I mean we, uh, miss you too.”
Annabeth smiled brightly and left the classroom.
Percy collapsed onto his desk.
Piper whispered, “You’re asking her out.”
Percy whispered back, “I’m never speaking again.”
Jason grinned. “This is going to be fun.”
Hazel beamed. “I’m so happy for you.”
Frank patted Percy’s shoulder sympathetically. “Good luck.”
Percy groaned into the desk.
He was in trouble.
And his friends were going to make it so much worse.
“Okay,” Piper said, planting her hands on her hips, as Percy, Piper, Jason, Frank, and Hazel were huddled together. “We need a plan.”
“No we don’t,” Percy said, attempting to back away. Jason blocked him like a human wall.
Hazel and Frank flanked him on either side.
It was an ambush.
Piper grinned. “Welcome to Operation: Ask Annabeth Out.”
Percy groaned. “I hate this operation. Also, that is cringy as shit.”
“You hate it because it’s effective,” Jason said.
“It’s not effective,” Percy argued. “It hasn’t even started!”
“Exactly,” Hazel said sweetly. “And once it does, you’ll be dating Annabeth in no time.”
Percy turned red. “Can we not say things like that out loud?”
Frank patted his shoulder. “We’re rooting for you, man.”
Percy wanted to crawl into a locker and never come out. Though it would be nice if he shared it with Annabeth - don’t go there, dirty brain.
Piper clapped her hands. “Okay! Step one: confidence.”
“I don’t have that.”
“Step two,” she continued, ignoring him, “is finding the right moment.”
Jason nodded. “You need a private, casual setting. Not too romantic, not too awkward.”
“Like walking her to class,” Hazel suggested.
“Or meeting her at her locker,” Frank added.
The bell rang.
Percy’s stomach twisted. “She’d be at at her locker right now.”
Piper’s eyes lit up like she’d just been handed a divine quest. “Perfect. Let’s go.”
“No—no, no, no—”
But it was too late. They were already herding him out the classroom and down the hallway like a flock of very determined sheepdogs.
Percy dug his heels in. “Guys, this is a terrible idea.”
“Incorrect,” Jason said.
“Disastrous,” Percy insisted.
“Romantic,” Hazel replied.
“Just try it, man.” Frank said, trying to be kind. Percy liked Frank.
Piper beamed. “Life‑changing. Forever. Oooh, I can't wait to be a bridesmaid!”
Percy whimpered.
They rounded the corner — and there she was.
Annabeth Chase, leaning against her locker, flipping through a notebook, hair pulled into a messy bun, looking like she’d stepped out of a YA novel specifically designed to ruin Percy’s life.
Piper shoved him forward. “Go.”
Percy stumbled, caught himself, and immediately forgot how to breathe.
Annabeth looked up. “Hey, Percy!”
He made a noise that sounded like a malfunctioning car horn.
Behind him, Piper slapped her forehead.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “You okay?”
Percy nodded too fast. “Yep! Totally! Great! Amazing! Fantastic!”
Annabeth blinked. “Uh… cool?”
Percy’s brain screamed. Say something normal. Anything normal.
“So,” he blurted, “do you like… binders?”
Annabeth stared. “Binders.”
“Yeah,” Percy said weakly. “They’re… rectangular.”
Behind him, Jason choked on his own laughter.
Annabeth laughed — that warm, bright laugh that made Percy’s heart do somersaults. “You’re such an idiot, seaweed brain.”
He melted.
She closed her locker. “I’m heading to chem. Walk with me?”
Percy’s heart stopped. “Walk. Yes. I can walk. I do that. Sometimes.”
Annabeth smiled and started down the hall. Percy followed, trying not to trip over his own feet.
Behind them, the friend group huddled like sports commentators.
“He’s hopeless,” Piper said. “He’s so hopeless it’s impressive.”
“He’s trying his best,” Jason defended, smiling.
Frank asked, “Should we… help?”
“Absolutely not. This is hilarious.”
“Ten bucks says he chickens out,” Jason said, smirking.
Hazel sighed. “You guys are terrible.”
But she still pulled out a 10.
Meanwhile, Percy was walking next to Annabeth, sweating through his shirt, trying to think of a single sentence that didn’t sound like a confession or a stroke.
“So,” Annabeth said casually, “what were you and the others talking about earlier?”
Percy’s soul left his body. Again.
“Nothing!” he squeaked. “Just… stuff. Normal stuff. Totally normal.”
Annabeth gave him a suspicious look. “Right…”
Percy swallowed. “Yep.”
They reached her classroom. She turned to him, smiling. “See you at lunch?”
Percy nodded, dazed. “Lunch. Food. Yes.”
She laughed again and disappeared inside.
Percy stood there for a full five seconds before collapsing against the wall.
The friend group caught up to him.
Piper sighed dramatically. “That was painful.”
Jason shook his head. “I’ve seen toddlers handle crushes better.”
Hazel patted Percy’s arm. “It’s okay. You’ll get there.”
Frank nodded. “Eventually.”
Percy groaned. “I can’t do this.”
Piper smirked. “Oh, you’re doing it. We’re just getting started.”
Percy stared at them in horror.
Operation: Ask Annabeth Out had officially begun.
The next day, Percy spotted Annabeth at her locker before first period, hair in a messy ponytail, tapping her pencil against her notebook as she read something intensely. It was the perfect moment.
He inhaled. Exhaled. Walked toward her.
Behind him, Piper, Jason, Hazel, and Frank peeked around a corner like a pack of feral raccoons.
Percy ignored them. He could do this. He could be normal.
“Hey, Annabeth,” he said, leaning casually against the locker next to hers.
The locker door swung open and smacked him in the face.
Annabeth gasped. “Oh gods—Percy! Are you okay?”
Percy blinked, dazed. “Yep. Totally. Happens all the time.”
“It… shouldn’t,” she said gently.
He laughed too loudly. “So, uh, I was wondering if you wanted to—”
A textbook slid out of her locker and landed on his foot.
Percy yelped.
Annabeth winced. “Sorry! I’m so sorry!”
“It’s fine,” Percy wheezed. “I didn’t need that toe.”
She crouched to pick up the book. Percy crouched too. They bumped heads.
“Ow—sorry—sorry—”
They both stood up too fast and bumped shoulders.
Percy’s brain short‑circuited.
Annabeth smiled, amused. “You’re acting more like an idiot today.”
“I’m always an idiot,” Percy said, voice cracking.
She laughed and headed to class.
Percy slumped against the lockers.
Piper emerged from behind the corner. “That was painful.”
Jason nodded. “I give it a 3 out of 10.”
“I give it a 7. He tried,” Hazel disagreed, frowning.
Frank patted Percy’s back. “You’ll get ’em next time.”
By lunch, Percy had convinced himself Attempt #1 didn’t count.
He sat across from Annabeth at their usual table. She was eating a salad. He was eating a sandwich he couldn’t taste.
Just ask her, he told himself. It’s not that hard. People do it every day. Humans have been doing it for centuries. You can do this.
“Hey, Annabeth,” he said.
She looked up, smiling. “Yeah?”
Percy forgot every word he’d ever known.
“Do you… uh… want to… hang out?”
She raised an eyebrow. “We hang out all the time.”
“No, I mean—like—just us.”
Annabeth blinked. “We hang out just us all the time too.”
Percy panicked. “Right! Yes! That’s what I meant! We should… continue doing that!”
Annabeth laughed. “Okay, seaweed brain.”
She went back to her salad.
Percy stared at his sandwich, defeated.
Across the cafeteria, Piper slammed her forehead onto the table.
Jason groaned. “He had it. He HAD IT.”
Hazel sighed. “He’s trying.”
“He’s suffering,” Frank said, looking rather sad for Percy.
Percy walked Annabeth home after school, which should have been perfect. The sun was setting, the air was warm, and Annabeth was in a good mood, rambling about her architecture project.
Percy nodded along, trying to time his moment.
When she paused to take a breath, he jumped in.
“So, Annabeth, I was thinking—”
Her phone buzzed.
She checked it. “Oh! Thalia needs me to help her with something. Sorry, Percy—can we talk later?”
“Sure,” he said weakly.
She jogged off.
Percy stood there, staring at the sidewalk like it had personally betrayed him.
Then he heard rustling.
He turned.
Piper, Jason, Hazel, and Frank emerged from behind a tree.
A tree.
Percy gaped. “Were you spying on me?!”
“We were supervising,” Piper said, shrugging.
Jason crossed his arms. “You choked again.”
“It was a good attempt, though,” Hazel offered.
Frank nodded. “Better than the locker one.”
Percy threw his hands up in the air. “I can’t do this!”
Piper stepped forward, gripping his shoulders. “Percy. Listen to me. You like Annabeth. Annabeth likes you. You are going to ask her out.”
Percy shook his head. “No I’m not.”
“Yes you are,” Jason said.
“No I’m—”
Hazel cut in gently. “Percy, sweetie, you’re going to explode if you don’t.”
Percy sighed, looking rather defeated. “I can’t, Haze. I almost get it, but..” he shook his head.
“Almost only in horseshoes and hand grenades,” Frank said wisely.
“Is that from the Art of War?” Hazel asked innocently.
Percy snorted. At least his friends cheered him up a little.
Annabeth Chase was not oblivious.
She wasn’t Piper, who could read emotions like Lester could read sheet music. She wasn’t Hazel, who sensed feelings like weather patterns. She wasn’t even Reyna, who could detect lies with terrifying accuracy.
But Annabeth was observant.
And Percy Jackson was acting weird.
Not the normal Percy weird — the “forgot his homework,” “tripped over air,” “accidentally set something on fire in chemistry” weird.
No, this was new.
This was… suspiciously weird.
On Monday, Percy nearly walked into a locker when she said hi to him.
On Tuesday, he dropped his water bottle when she touched his arm.
On Wednesday, he turned bright red when she sat next to him at lunch.
By Thursday, Annabeth was convinced something was wrong.
She just didn’t know what.
(Looking back on it, it was rather dumb of her to say she wasn’t oblivious).
Annabeth usually walked home with Percy on Thursdays. It was their thing — a quiet, comfortable routine.
Today, Percy looked like he was preparing for battle.
He kept opening his mouth like he wanted to say something, then shutting it again. His hands were fidgeting. His face was red. His steps were uneven.
Annabeth finally stopped walking. “Percy.”
He froze.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Percy swallowed. “Yep.”
“You’re acting strange.”
“No I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
“You definitely are.”
Percy made a strangled noise.
Annabeth crossed her arms. “If something’s wrong, you can tell me.”
Percy’s eyes widened in panic. “I—uh—I—”
His phone buzzed.
He looked like he’d been saved by divine intervention.
Percy sagged in relief. “My mom wants me! Okay! Cool! Great! Bye!”
He jogged off.
Annabeth stared at his back, confused.
She frowned.
Something was going on.
And she was going to figure out what.
By the time she got home, Annabeth had a list:
- Percy was avoiding eye contact.
- Percy was blushing.
- Percy was stuttering.
- Percy was sweating.
- Percy was acting like she was a live grenade.
- Percy was definitely hiding something.
And Annabeth Chase did not tolerate mysteries in her friend group.
She grabbed her phone.
If anyone knew what was going on, it was Piper.
Annabeth: We need to talk.
Annabeth: Now.
She hit send.
Piper responded in 0.2 seconds.
Piper: oh no
Piper: oh no oh no oh no
Annabeth narrowed her eyes.
She didn’t know what was happening yet.
But she was about to.
Annabeth: It’s about Percy.
Annabeth: Why is he acting so strangely?
Piper: u mean u cant tell?????
Piper: dumb fuck
Piper: oblivious idiot i dunno why percy calls u wise girl
Piper: then again he is almost as bad as u
Annabeth: TELL ME
Piper: dam girl why so harsh
Piper: he’s got a crush on you
Annabeth: He has a crush on me? Really?
Annabeth proceed edto check over her mental notes again, and felt very foolish.
Annabeth: Wait that makes sense. Thanks!
Piper: what r u gonna do??
Piper: annie??
Annabeth smiled.
Percy Jackson was having a normal day.
Or, well, as normal as a day could be when he’d spent the last week avoiding eye contact with his best friend, forgetting how to speak around her, and nearly dying of embarrassment three separate times.
He was at his locker at the end of the school day, pretending to look for a textbook he definitely didn’t bring, when he heard footsteps approaching.
He didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Besides, everyone else had left, though there were still people roaming the halls.
“Percy,” Annabeth said.
His heart stopped.
He turned. “H‑hey.”
Annabeth stood there with her arms crossed, her expression somewhere between annoyed, confused, and… nervous? Annabeth Chase didn’t get nervous. Ever. Which meant Percy was in trouble.
“We need to talk,” she said.
Percy’s soul left his body. It really needs to stop doing that. “Okay,” he croaked.
Annabeth looked at him. They
Really looked at him.
Percy felt like he was going to pass out.
“Percy,” she said slowly, “you’ve been acting weird.”
He opened his mouth to deny it.
She held up a hand. “Don’t. Please.”
He shut his mouth.
Annabeth took a breath — steady, controlled, but her fingers were fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “I asked Piper what was going on.”
Percy’s heart plummeted into his shoes.
“Oh gods,” he whispered. “Piper told you.”
“She did,” Annabeth said. “Eventually.”
Percy covered his face with both hands.
Annabeth took another breath, and when she spoke, her voice was softer..
“I like you, Percy.”
His hands dropped.
Annabeth continued before he could speak.
“I’ve liked you for a long time. Longer than I realized, honestly. You’re… you’re my best friend. You’re the person I trust most. You’re the one who makes everything feel easier, even when it’s not.”
Percy stared at her, stunned.
“You make me laugh,” she said. “You make me feel safe. You make me feel like I can be myself without having to be perfect all the time. And I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to ruin what we have.”
Her voice wavered — just barely.
“But then you started acting weird. And avoiding me. And stuttering. And sweating. And I thought maybe I’d done something wrong. And that scared me more than anything.”
Percy’s chest tightened. “Annabeth, you didn’t—”
She shook her head. “Let me finish.”
He shut up.
Annabeth stepped closer, close enough that Percy could see the tiny freckles on her nose.
“When Piper told me you liked me… everything made sense. All the weirdness. All the awkwardness. All the times you looked like you were about to pass out when I said hi.”
Percy groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”
Annabeth smiled — soft, warm, devastating. “I’m reminding you because it was kind of adorable.”
Percy blinked. “Adorable?”
“Yes, seaweed brain. Adorable.”
He felt his face go hot.
Annabeth took one more step, now inches away. “So. Since you clearly weren’t going to ask me out anytime this century…”
Percy swallowed hard.
“…I’m asking you.”
He forgot how to breathe.
“Percy Jackson,” she said, voice steady, “will you go out with me?”
Percy’s brain blue‑screened.
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “Percy. It’s a yes or no question.”
“Yes,” he blurted. “YES. Absolutely yes. Definitely yes. Like—yes.”
Annabeth laughed, bright and relieved, and Percy felt something in his chest finally click into place. Something about the two of them just felt right.
She reached out and took his hand.
He stared at their intertwined fingers like they were a miracle.
Annabeth squeezed his hand gently. “Good. Because I’ve been waiting a long time.”
Percy grinned, dazed. “Me too.”
They stood there under the oak tree, hands tangled, hearts pounding, both of them smiling like idiots.
And for the first time in weeks, Percy felt like he could breathe again.
Percy Jackson had never been this nervous in his life.
This was a date.
With Annabeth Chase.
His best friend.
His crush.
His girlfriend.
(He still wasn’t used to that word. It made his stomach flip, his heart beat wildly with happiness every time.)
They’d agreed to meet at the little boardwalk café near the water — neutral territory, casual, safe. Percy got there just in time.
“Hey, seaweed brain.”
He turned.
Annabeth stood there in jeans and a light sweater, hair tied up in a ponytail, smiling like she knew exactly how flustered he was.
Percy forgot how to breathe.
“H‑hey,” he said, voice cracking.
Annabeth laughed softly. “Relax. It’s just me.”
“That’s the problem,” Percy muttered.
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get milkshakes.”
They sat at a small table overlooking the water. Percy ordered a blue raspberry milkshake. Annabeth ordered vanilla. Percy tried not to stare at her too much. He failed.
“So,” Annabeth said, stirring her milkshake, “how does it feel? Being on a date with me?”
Percy choked on air. “Good! Great! Amazing! I mean—normal. Totally normal.”
Annabeth smirked. “You’re adorable.”
Percy turned red. “Please don’t say things like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ll die.”
Annabeth laughed — that warm, bright laugh that made Percy feel like he was glowing from the inside out.
They talked about school, about their friends, about Jason’s inability to understand sarcasm and Leo’s inability to understand personal space. It felt easy. Natural. Like every other time they’d hung out — except now Percy was hyperaware of how close her hand was to his on the table.
At one point, Annabeth reached for her straw and accidentally brushed his fingers.
Percy nearly launched himself into the ocean.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “You okay?”
“Yep,” Percy squeaked.
She smiled like she knew exactly what she was doing.
After milkshakes, they walked along the boardwalk. The sun was setting, painting the sky orange and pink. The breeze was cool. The waves were soft.
Annabeth walked close enough that their arms brushed.
Percy’s heart was doing gymnastics.
“So,” Annabeth said casually, “I’ve been thinking.”
“That’s dangerous,” Percy said automatically.
She elbowed him. “Rude.”
He grinned. “Sorry. What were you thinking?”
Annabeth hesitated — just for a moment — then said, “I’m really glad you like me.”
Percy’s breath caught. “Yeah?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I’ve liked you for a long time, Percy. Longer than I wanted to admit.”
Percy swallowed. “Me too.”
They stopped walking.
Annabeth turned to him, eyes soft, expression open in a way Percy didn’t see often — vulnerable, hopeful, a little shy.
“You make me happy,” she said quietly. “You always have.”
Percy felt something warm bloom in his chest. “You make me happy too.”
Annabeth smiled — small, real, beautiful.
And then she reached down and took his hand.
Percy stared at their intertwined fingers like they were a miracle.
Annabeth squeezed gently. “See? Not so scary.”
Percy laughed under his breath. “Terrifying.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re such an idiot, Seaweed Brain,” she said fondly.
“Oh, I know,” Percy replied, smiling. “Only as long as I’m your idiot, Wise Girl.”
Annabeth’s cheeks flushed — just a little — and she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
She pulled back, smirking. “You are.”
Percy’s soul left his body. This time, he wondered if the hole it left could be filled, solely from this amazingly perfect girlfriend of his. Then he pushed the thought away. Better to hang out with said amazingly perfect girlfriend.
They kept walking, hand in hand, the world soft and warm around them.
And for the first time, Percy realized something:
He wasn’t doomed.
He was lucky. So, so lucky.