Chapter Text
Percy has a lump in his trousers.
20 years old, and he still can't dress properly. We're at a nice restaurant with nice food and upper class people, and he looks like a dishevelled mess. I appreciate the effort, but he could do better.
I laugh at something he says. He might not dress the best, but he can make me laugh; I think that's an excuse.
I have spaghetti for dinner; so does he. We sit and talk for what seems like ages. I keep staring at that lump in his pocket. Every once in a while, his hand drifts down to it, perhaps checking it's still there. That means there's something inside it. I wonder what.
I’m too tired to think right now, so I decide not to. I decide to enjoy my time with Percy; it’s rare he arranges a date for us - especially in the mortal world. I appreciate the effort, and remind myself to stay focused. But my ankle is throbbing; it always starts hurting when I’m nervous or anxious. I don’t know why I am, but I feel like something big is about to happen but I’m not prepared. I can’t even think of what’s going to happen.
My eyes return to Percy; my Seaweed Brain. His, however, do not meet mine amidst the chaos of the restaurant. Instead, they’re flitting around. I turn around, trying to follow where he’s looking, but I can’t see anything of interest. I shrug lightly and turn back around.
“Percy? Hey, Seaweed Brain?” I wave my hand in front of his face, but he seems zoned out.
Suddenly, he pushes out his chair, slaps his hands on the table, and stands up. He abruptly straightens and- salutes?- then winks at me. I roll my eyes.
”What is it, Percy?” I ask, suspicious. He just gives me a charming smile and says, “Gotta run to the loo. Be back soon darling!” Then he runs off.
I raise an eyebrow, now alone with the wine glasses and empty plates. A waiter comes over and sweeps up the empty dishes without a word. I tap my fingers against the table impatiently, waiting for Percy to come back.
The restaurant goes silent. I look around, confused. Everyone’s stopped talking, and they're all staring in my direction. Why? I hope I haven’t done anything wrong.
A song starts playing from the loudspeakers above me. I didn’t even know this restaurant had speakers.
You’re insecure
Don’t know what for
The toilet door creaks open and Percy steps out, a twinkle in his eyes. His hair is ruffled and wet, like he tried to slick it back. I smile thinking about it. He walks out the bathroom and saunters towards me. For a moment, it’s just me, Percy and the music.
Turning heads when you walk through the door
He approaches, footsteps pounding in the almost-silent room.
Don’t need makeup
To cover up
Everyone watches as Percy walks towards me purposefully. He gives me that charming smile I know so well as he reaches into his pocket, his hand straying there for just a second.
Being the way that you are is enough
He pulls something out of his pocket.
Everyone else in the room can see, yeah
It’s a box. A ring box.
Everyone else but you
I gasp, tears springing to my eyes as I bring my hands to my face.
Baby, you light up my world like nobody else
Percy gets down on one knee. On one knee. Oh my gods, he’s proposing to me.
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
“Annabeth Chase, Wise Girl. You are the love of my life.” He says, opening the ring box; the ring is a beautiful grey and blue diamond, the perfect blend of us.
But when you smile at the ground it ain’t hard to tell
“I love you, Annabeth.”
You don’t know, oh-oh
You don’t know you’re beautiful
“And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Marry me, Annabeth Chase.” The ring gleams inside the box.
If only you saw what I could see
"Please, marry me and I'll take care of you forever. I'll beg on my hands and knees if I have to."
You’d understand why I want you so desperately
There’s a beat of silence; everyone is waiting to hear what I’ll say. I realise, in this moment, that not just my future is up to me. Percy’s, too. My throat goes dry. And then, I think of what my past has been - I can’t believe I hesitated, after everything we’ve been through together. After Percy fell into hell for me.
“Yes, of course I’d marry you. Yes, a thousand times yes!” I scream, tears now falling.
Right now I’m looking at you and I can’t believe
Everything stops. The sound of my pounding heartbeat drowns the sounds of clapping from the audience. Percy wraps his arms around me. I hope he'll never let go.
You don't know, oh-oh
You don't know you're beautiful, oh, oh-oh
I'm engaged to the love of my life and I couldn't be happier. Percy breaks the hug and takes my hand.
"Annabeth Chase, I promise to love and cherish you all my life." He kisses my knuckles, one by one.
"I love you too, Seaweed Brain." I say. The music continues on.
That's what makes you beautiful!