#annabeth when she saw percy for the first time: hello what the fuck

[phykios]

If I Were A Blackbird, part 7 [co-written with @darkmagyk] [read on ao3]

He had barely even made it into the building before Paul called him. “Hello?”

“Hey kiddo,” he said. 

“Hey, Paul. You’re up kinda late.” It was eleven PM here in Mexico, midnight in New York. Paul was an early riser, even by early riser standards, and he was usually asleep by eight or nine. 

“Yes, well,” he hedged. “You know. Um, Percy, can I… can I ask you something?”

“Sure! What’s up?” The halls of the Village were bare and quiet, all the good little boys and girls of the Olympics already asleep in their beds.

Save, apparently, Hazel, who was waiting for him outside his door, who perked up when she saw him. “Percy!” she said, a frown on her face which usually meant something bad was up. “I’ve been waiting for you all night! You’re–”

“–eeing anybody lately?” Paul asked. Percy waved at Hazel, the universal symbol for “sorry, on a phone call,” even as he fumbled with his dorm key.  

“Sorry, what was that? I missed the first part of your question.” 

The lights were out in his room. From the light of the hallway, he could see Jason, curled up in his bed, sound asleep. Ah, right–the sprinting semi-finals were tomorrow. Turning back to Hazel, Percy put his fingers up to his lips, jerking his head at his roommate. 

But Hazel wasn’t deterred. “Did you know?” she whisper-hissed.

“Know what?”

“What was that?” 

Shit, his stepdad. “Sorry, sorry, Hazel is here, and she was asking me a question. Um, what are you saying?” 

“Percy,” said Paul. “Did you know you’re trending on my part of Twitter?”

Percy set down his wallet and keys on the counter. “What for? My race isn’t until next week.”

And then he paused. 

Paul was not an avid Twitter user. But when he did go on Twitter, it was for one of a few specific reasons: a birth, a marriage, a death, big life updates and gossip, that kind of thing. 

But only for a very few specific families. 

“Paul,” he said, calmly. “Why am I trending on your part of Twitter?”

“It’s not just my part,” he replied. “It’s all over.”

“You’re trending?” asked Hazel. 

“Who’s trending?” 

Percy turned. Frank Zhang, Canadian archer, was, for some reason, at his door. “Percy is,” Hazel said to him, her frown never wavering.

“Oh, cool. Nice one.” He paused. “Wait. You haven’t raced yet. Did you test positive or something?”

“Of course not!” It was Hazel, his sweet little Hazel, who sounded scandalized at the idea, like a good cousin and fellow sportsperson should be. “He’d never do that! He doesn’t need to.” 

Paul was still talking in his ear, and Percy was still not absorbing a word about it. “I had a number of my mutuals messaging me–” while Hazel was still very vigorously coming to his defense. 

He was thankful when Jason let out a particularly loud snore, because it caused everyone to pause. Even Paul. His snore was that fucking loud. 

Taking advantage of the silence, Percy pounced. “Back up. Start over. What are we talking about?”

“I just wish you had told me first,” said his stepdad, sounding genuinely crushed. “Though I do understand why if you wanted to keep it quiet–”

“Told you what?” asked Percy, louder than he meant to. Jason just rolled over, blissfully unaware. “Keep what quiet?”

Hazel shoved her phone under his nose. He caught a flash of blonde hair before the full picture came into focus: Annabeth, her eyes wide in panic, Percy, looking like a dumbfounded oaf, the two of them surrounded by a sea of cameras. The picture’s caption blurred before his eyes, ADHD sending the letters floating all across the screen. 

His phone beeped–he was getting a text message. Maybe it was…?

But no. When he pulled his phone away, he saw that the text was from Luke. Dude read the text bubble. You bagged a–

Paul’s voice was faint over the phone. “That your girlfriend was the–”

“Percy,” Hazel was saying, “did you know that girl was a–”

Jason snored again. 

He almost said a small prayer of thanks, because the sound shut everyone up, giving him time to breathe. Time to think. To read the words on Hazel’s phone, and think about Paul’s side of Twitter. 

And remember what had been called out to them as the cameras had blinded them both. 

“A princess,” he said. Annabeth Chase. The architect from New York, with a pretty laugh and a killer smile. Who was gorgeous, funny, smart, and… flexible. 

Annabeth Chase. 

Hazel, bless her, had some sort of dyslexia app on her phone. And so with a couple more breaths he was able to concentrate on the words in the article just a little bit more. 

Her Royal Highness Princess Annabeth, Duchess of Södermanland. 

That’s what the article Hazel shoved at him said. 

He scanned through it. Not really able to process everything, but picking up on the major bits. 

Swedish Princess. At the Olympics. Seen with a man in Mexico. Percy Jackson. 

The Princess of Sweden was seen kissing Percy Jackson. 

“Oh fuck,” Percy said. 

“I’m going to guess that means you didn’t know,” Hazel said at the same time as Paul said, “Did you not see the paparazzi?” 

Percy took another deep breath. And ignored Frank’s “Know what? What happened?” 

Hazel removed her phone from his face, presumably to show Frank. 

“I’m going to put you on speaker,” Percy said to Paul, “And then I’m going to puke.” 

Frank let out a low whistle. Presumably because he’d read the article about Percy’s little misadventure. 

Another snore from Jason. 

If only Percy could be that resistant to the outside world. 

“Who else is there?” Paul asked.

“Hi Paul.” Hazel chimed in. 

“Oh, Hazel, hi.” Paul was really great about not being weird about Percy’s paternal family. Which showed a healthy constitution, if you asked Percy. “Did you see Twitter?” 

“No, I have a google alert for Percy on my phone. TMZ already posted an article.”

“Wow,” Paul said, “That was fast.”  

Percy groaned. It was really really fast. Why would TMZ care? He wasn’t sure he even knew there were princesses of Sweden until about ten minutes ago. 

“Who are you talking to?” Frank whispered to Hazel, but it wasn’t that quiet.

“Who’s that?” Paul asked.

“Oh, um, that’s Frank, he’s an archer for team Canada,” Percy said. Then the man’s presence finally stuck in his brain. “Wait–what are you even doing here? No offense.”

“Oh, I was looking for…” And then he looked at Hazel, and quickly stopped talking. 

Despite himself, Percy huffed a quiet laugh. Frank was like 6’5, with the kind of arm and back muscles you expected from an Olympic archer. Hazel would eat him alive. Or dead. As the case might be. 

They always underestimated her. It was often fun to watch. 

And he would much much much rather think about Hazel’s budding relationship with a Canadian than his own situation. 

“Guys,” Percy said, sitting down on his bed, hard. “It’s late, and I… I don’t even know what to say about all of this.” 

“I’m sorry.” Hazel said, and Frank looked appropriately abashed. 

“Sorry, Perce,” came Paul’s voice over the speaker. “We’ll let you get to sleep. We need some, too.” 

“Thanks,” was all he said. 

“Of course,” Paul said. “I love you.” 

“Thanks, Paul,” Percy said. And he meant it. Paul’s love hadn’t always been a given from Percy’s perspective. But Paul had never hesitated with it. “I love you too. All of you at home.” 

“Hazel,” Paul then said. She perked up at the address. “Please give Percy the biggest hug possible before you leave him.” 

“I will,” she promised. 

And then he hung up with one more good night. 

Hazel was true to her word, and gave him a hug that, according to the clock on the nightstand, lasted two and a half minutes. It probably wasn’t long enough. 

When she was done, Frank looked like maybe he wanted to hug him too. But he held himself back. Which was a shame. They didn’t really know each other, but Frank looked like he gave great hugs. 

They left after that, closing the door behind them. And Percy deliberately left his phone on the bed while he got ready.

Then he curled up into the sheets, and closed his eyes.

The camera flashed in his vision.

Princess. 

Annabeth.

Princess. Annabeth.

Princess Annabeth.

Fuck. 

He reached back to grab his phone. And pulled up Google. 

Princess Annabeth pulled up several news reports that he was sure were about him, but the first link after that was her Wikipedia page. And so that was where he went, cheerfully avoiding any mention of himself. 

Princess Annabeth of Sweden, Duchess of Södermanland (Annabeth Sophia Frederica Ingrid; born 12 June 1993) is the eldest daughter of Prince Frederick of Sweden and his first wife Sophia Pallas. She is currently second in line for the Swedish throne. 

He swallowed. Second in line. That made her really close, right? He considered calling Paul back, just so he could understand, but held off, scrolling through the rest of the page. 

Her picture was one of her dressed in a dark orange suit, in front of a microphone, caught in the middle of some speech. Her hair was pulled back and her mouth set in a placid smile. He recognized her, but she looked so unlike the woman he had known. 

But then he didn’t know her, did he. Four dates? 

He shook his head, and decided he’d learn more. 

Born in Boston, like she said, while her father was getting his PhD at Harvard. Her mother had been a woman he’d met in Boston: Sophia Pallas. Which did sound as Greek as she had said before, though that wasn’t mentioned in the article. And Sophia Pallas’s name wasn’t a clickable link. Her parents had been married before her birth, it said, in a small, private ceremony after a hasty approval from the king and council, before her mother had died from complications. He frowned, a twinge of sadness running through his gut.

Poor Annabeth. But then, could you ever feel that way about a princess? She grew up in Sweden, then her father had remarried, and they’d spent a lot of time in the US while he pursued scholarship. Boston, Virginia, New York and San Francisco. She’d gone to Harvard like her father and uncle, and majored in Architecture and International Relations. Currently, she was working for a private company based in New York. 

It was all so like she’d told him. Except for everything else. Tours around Europe and Asia. Speaking before the EU and UN. Charity appearance after charity appearance after charity appearance.

And then, under the subheading “Succession:” King Randolph’s wife and two daughters, Crown Princess Emma and Princess Aubrey, were all killed in a boating accident in 1992. Since then, His younger brother, Prince Frederick, has been his heir presumptive. If King Randolph were to marry again, and have children, those children would replace his brother in the order of succession. However, over the past twenty-five years, King Randolph has repeatedly stated that he had no interest in doing so, and has acknowledged Frederick as his heir.  

Sweden became the first European country to adopt absolute primogeniture in 1980; therefore Princess Annabeth precedes her half-brothers Prince Robert and Prince Matthew in the line of succession. Should her father become King of Sweden, she will be the heir apparent and Crown Princess. If she ascends to the throne, she will be Sweden’s fifth Queen Regnant.

Well, that answered that question well enough. He’d fucked the future queen of Sweden. Not some minor princess, trading on a title for the old world glamor of it all, but a real life (almost) crown princess. 

Shit. He’d been playing, in the back of his head, with the idea of going to Sweden after the games were over, swept up in her descriptions, and maybe a little bit in the thought of seeing her again. But he wasn’t doing that now. The last thing he needed was to get charged with treason or whatever. 

Getting drawn and quartered didn’t sound like any fun. 

Well damn, he recognized the feeling then. He felt guilty. Guilty for sleeping with a princess, guilty for sleeping with a future queen. 

Which was stupid. She’d never once given any indication she hadn’t wanted it.

He’d slept with plenty of people before, and never felt bad about it. 

So why did he feel this way?

Fuck. He couldn’t just sit here and stew. Paul was probably asleep, and he didn’t want to call Hazel back. She should be asleep, but maybe she was doing something else that he didn’t want to think about. 

So he sent a text. 

You awake?

I am so happy you finally texted me back

Can we talk?Please?I know its late, and shit is weird

His phone rang. Jason did not wake up, so he didn’t feel bad about answering. 

“Hey.” 

“Hey, kid.” Luke said, his smirk clearly and annoyingly evident in his voice. “Anything interesting happen to you lately?”

Percy groaned. “This is all your fault, you know.”

“Me? You were the one seen making out with a princess.”

“You’re the one who introduced us.” 

“Yeah, I saw that her Wikipedia page says she lives in New York. She the girl from the club?” 

Percy sighed. “Yep.”

“Nice.” Luke said, “I need to remember; next time I bring a girl back to my place, I get to tell her all about the time my baby cousin had Princess Annabeth over.”  

“I’m so glad my shame is going to help you score chicks.” He said with all the scathing judgment he could muster, laying in a twin bed in the dark. 

“What shame?” Luke sounded genuinely surprised. “Dude, you bagged a princess. That’s some classic shit. Very Perseus of you.” 

“I don’t think Perseus had to deal with paps. And I think Andromeda probably mentioned the whole princess thing to him beforehand.” 

“You didn’t know she was a princess?”

“Paul’s the royal watcher,” He reminded Luke. As though Luke would forget something he passively held against Paul, “Not me.” 

“Yeah, but she didn’t tell you?”

“She did not.” Percy said, “She even gave me a last name and it wasn’t…” He scrolled up to the wikipedia page to see the house listed under her photo: Ynglingar. “It was in English, nothing to do with… how do you even pronounce this?”

“Ynglinar,” Luke said, like it was easy. Because the bastard was all good at languages, while Percy could barely read English. 

“Well, that doesn’t sound anything like Chase,” Percy said, “which is the name she gave me.” 

“I see.” Luke said. “I mean, is it that big of a deal?”

“That I fucked the future queen of Sweden? More than once?”

“Oh, nice, I didn’t know if they interrupted the second time.” 

“They didn’t.” 

“Nicely done.”

“Luke,” he said, “please. I’m genuinely freaking out here.”

“Okay, okay.” He could almost see it happening in real time, Luke shifting from his douchebag persona to the decently brotherly figure he was underneath. “I’m sorry. How can I help?”

“I feel bad.” Percy said. “I feel bad about this, and I don’t know why.” He hadn’t done anything wrong. What was there to feel bad about?

Luke said after a pause, “Well, if I had to guess, it’s probably because you really liked her. Didn’t you.” 

“Of course.” Percy said, and then, he really thought about it. 

He had liked her–a lot. Not just in a ‘I like you way’ but in the old, middle school, summer camp ‘I like you like you’ way. It wasn’t just her beautiful hair and captivating eyes, or her long legs and small, perfect breasts, but the way she rolled her eyes at him and insulted him in ancient Greek, the feel of her mouth as it smiled against his, the sense memory of her hand as she slipped it into his in some poorly lit Mexican club, sending his heart racing. 

“Oh.” 

“Oh?”

Shit. “I do like her. I mean, I did. Or… maybe I still do…” 

Except there wasn’t really any maybe about it. 

He could hear Luke laughing on the other end. “Well, how do you feel about becoming Lutheran?” 

“Fuck you,” Percy said. 

“I’m just saying, according to Wikipedia, the family is Lutheran, and the heirs have to be, too.” 

“That’s not–are you trying to make me get over her, then?”

“Okay, okay,” Luke said, “How about this. The royal family traced lineage back through recorded history, to the semi-legendary and legendary kings of Sweden,” He offered. “Like… folklore says they’re descended from Norse gods and vikings and stuff.” 

“That’s cool,” Percy said. Though most of what he knew about vikings had to do with the Varangian Guard. He might have studied classics, but he stuck to the languages and the written down bits of mythology. He certainly wasn’t an archaeologist, a medievalist, or an early Christianity expert by any standard. 

Still, any ancient history was good history.

“I still feel bad though, Lutherans and Norse gods or whatever, or not. I just–I feel like shit, and I don’t know why. I didn’t even do anything!” He’d been the perfect gentleman. She’d been a great lay, and an even better girl. It’d been fun and easy, like champagne on a warm summer evening.

So why did his stomach still feel like it was about to drop out of his body entirely?

“I’m sorry, kid.” He said. And normally Percy chafed at the term of endearment. Had been since Luke started using it when Percy was in second grade. But today it was almost welcome, and made him unbearably homesick. “I wish I could help more. Maybe you just need to sleep the night off?”

“Yeah,” Percy said, “maybe.”

“It’s all going to work out, I promise. This isn’t the Regency era or whatever, when Lady Catherine comes and tells you you aren’t good enough for her niece.” 

“It looks like Annabeth’s Aunt was named Nathalie, not Catherine. And she’s dead.” Percy said.

“There's the impertinent literalism I know and love! You’re getting better already.” Luke’s confidence was almost enough for Percy to buy it. “But seriously, Percy. Get some sleep. You’ve been going ninety miles an hour these past few days. You need rest. You know that.” 

“Yeah,” Percy agreed.

“It will all be fine, Perce. I promise.” 

“I sure as shit hope so.” He said, “Thanks.” 

They signed off with their good nights, but Percy didn’t go to sleep. He kept on scrolling. Reading backwards and forwards through wikipedia, memorizing the lines of succession: Frederick, Annabeth, Robert, Matthew, Magnus. And her favorite causes: learning disabilities, artifact repatriation, historic preservations, girl’s education, domestic violence. 

At some point, he fell asleep, phone in his hand. 

But it wasn’t for long enough. In some horrible twist of fate, he was woken up by Jason’s alarm at 6 AM. 

He wanted to scream. And throw a pillow. Or let an earthquake swallow up the room, and Jason’s phone with it. 

But he only sat up, bleary eyed and not feeling any better. 

He silenced his phone, because he knew when it hit 8 AM on the East Coast, he’d start hearing from people he really didn’t want to. And he watched Jason get ready, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, with a kind of unearned, inexplicable hatred. 

“Want to come down to breakfast with me?” Jason asked, “I can wait for you.”

“Yeah,” Percy said, “Sure.” 

He was much slower, and less bouncy getting ready. And he was, as a general rule, a morning person. But he’d had a bit of a stressful night. 

He stumbled after Jason, down through the halls and through the village, ready to make a beeline for the coffee. As they stepped into the cafeteria, he could see the heads turning, and hear the slightly charged murmur. 

He got his breakfast as usual, but it didn’t stop. And Jason had found a table in the middle of the room, so he couldn’t even hide in a corner, or around a beam. 

Jason was already digging in. “Hey, man,” he said, as Percy was sitting down. “Why is everyone looking at you?”

Percy dropped his head on the table with a loud thunk.

***

Annabeth thought she had some idea of what the consequences would be for getting caught making out with a random guy. Helen would yell at her, her dad would be disappointed, Mary would leak a story about her to the press, the tabloids would rake her over the coals, and they would all have a great laugh at her expense for about a month or so before moving on to the next scandal, her ill-fated kiss relegated to an interesting anecdote on a BuzzFeed listicle about royal bad behavior. It probably wouldn’t even rate a mention on her Wikipedia page. 

She was wrong. She was so wrong. 

This was so much worse. 

The Microsoft Teams call consisted of Helen, who was actually in Mexico with her but apparently couldn’t stand being in the same room with her right now, her father, looking politely concerned, King Randolph, not at all paying attention, and a handful of PR and Parliament representatives, all in various states of shock and disapproval, including one older minister who was clearly playing some kind of mobile game. 

Oh, to be a career politician who had achieved the nirvana of not giving a single fuck. 

Annabeth had already had Minecraft opened while Helen introduced everyone on the call–all thirty-five people. She had something to build. 

Helen had started the meeting in an absolute rage, only held in check by sheer professionalism and passive aggression. And Annabeth couldn’t even blame her ADHD for distracting her. Hans was sitting across the table from her, invisible to the camera, but hearing every word. He could catch her up if she missed something important.

“Well, your highness,” Helen finally said, “Would you like to explain yourself?”

“I don’t know what’s to explain: I went out for a walk with a friend of mine. I didn’t know there were photographers waiting for me. They took a picture when we kissed.” She tried to sound nonchalant. “These things happen.”

“Well, they should not,” said Helen, and then directed someone else to speak. 

“We don’t know anything about this man, other than the fact that he likes to cause a spectacle of himself.” 

“Excuse me?”

“It's getting him a great deal of press, and notoriety. He might have called the photographers himself.” 

“He wouldn’t have had a need,” Annabeth argued, “He didn’t know who I was.” 

“A likely story.” 

It wasn’t any such thing, he didn’t even understand why she was supporting Sweden in his race. 

But luckily someone else cut in, a security guy. One of Hans’ bosses, but the ones who did the logistics stuff, not the actual work of having to deal with Annabeth. Normally she didn’t like him for just that reason, but today he spoke in her favor. “We’ve determined that the leak, as it were, traced back to the hotel. Someone staying there called a paparazzi friend, who followed her car. We have no evidence to think Mr. Jackson had anything to do with this.” 

“Yes yes,” Said someone else, “But what do we even know about this man?”

Annabeth felt like she could answer that question: he loved his mom, and the ocean, and ancient Greece. He had a sweet smile and beautiful eyes and a tongue that would not quit. He’d gone to Yale, but nobody was perfect. 

Luckily, that wasn’t a question for her. 

“The man in question,” Cut in Christiana, a PR person that Annabeth had always liked. Mostly because she was born in the 90s, had a rocking pixie cut, and didn’t act like there was a stick up her ass. “Is Perseus Jackson.” 

Annabeth hadn’t known Percy was a nickname. Perseus. Like the hero. Well, he did say he was Greek. 

“According to Mr. Gunderson’s team’s report, he’s the son of Sally Jackson, though the father’s name on the birth certificate is listed as unknown. Birthdate, August 18th, 1993. He’ll be 25 in just a few weeks.” Annabeth hadn’t known that either. And for a second wondered what she should get him for his birthday, before mentally shaking herself. “He’s on the USA Olympic Sailing team, a spot he won after placing first in the US trials. He also won the Hempel World Cup Series at the Princess Sofia regatta last year. He primarily lives in New York City. And his permanent address is in an apartment on the Upper East Side. though the apartment is rented under the name Luke Castellan.” Annabeth had been to that apartment. Had eaten eggs there and been eaten out there. “Mr. Castellan is an investment banker whose family has a long association with Mr. Jackson’s. His mother worked as a home aide to Mr. Castellan’s for many years. It appears the families are still close.” It was interesting that nothing had come up about Percy and Luke being related patrilineally. 

“And Mr. Jackson’s family?” 

“As I said, father is listed as unknown, and so we are still trying to find something. Mrs. Jackson is an author. I do believe her second book, Danaë, was a bestseller in several countries around the world, including the US, UK, and Sweden, in translation. She is currently married to a Mr. Paul Blofis, who is a teacher in New York City. And they have a seven year old daughter, Estelle Jackson Blofis. Maya?”  

“He has a very positive presence on social media and no history of scandals,” chimed in one of Christiana’s assistants on the call. “He’s got over eight hundred thousand,” she paused, glancing at something off screen, “um… make that almost a million followers on Instagram alone. And he frequently uses his platform to talk about poverty and mental health issues.” 

“He’s an influencer?” The scorn in the man’s, who had been introduced, but who Annabeth had no memory of, voice held no question about his profession. 

“He’s an athlete,” Annabeth cut in, “a sailor. That’s why he’s here. He just happens to be popular.” The fact that he made himself popular on purpose… that was irrelevant. “He is, after all, in Mexico for the games.” 

“I do not understand,” And she could see a little of Helen’s mask slipping, “how you managed to meet him here.” 

“I didn’t meet him at the Olympics.” Annabeth said. “I met him right before I left New York. I didn’t even know he would be here until I saw it on his Instagram later. And he didn’t know I would be here until we ran into each other at…” she paused, not wanting to recount that particular event to everyone present, “...at a dinner a week ago.”

Hans smirked at her behind her computer.

“That is a very long time to be running around without approval.” 

Annabeth blanched at Helen’s words. “I was unaware every single one of my friends needed to be approved by you, Ms. Persson. I would like to know your requirements. And also why you get to be the one making those calls.” 

She could tell by the flare of the other woman’s nostrils that she knew she had spoken out of turn. But over her computer, Hans gave her a look. 

“We are all concerned, Your Highness,” Helen said, “about your safety.” 

“Well, as per our predetermined agreements,” she said, “I am not accompanied by Hans everywhere in New York. Because it was agreed he would cause a distraction and impact security negatively.” She took a deep breath, “After we met again in Mexico, Hans… Mr. Gunderson did a full background check. Which I believe we heard some of just now.” 

She scanned the faces. Most of them looked bored. A few were frowning at her. Helen looked like she had swallowed a lemon. But Christiana was smiling and her father was suppressing one of his own. 

The security specialist cleared his throat. “I assure you, Your Majesty, and Ms. Persson, we have done a full background check on Mr. Jackson. Even before last night’s event. Unless new information comes to light, this is a matter of public relationships, not safety.” 

Well, score two for Hans’s boss then. She liked anyone who bested Helen. 

She wished she had been able to help with that hiring process. But unfortunately, it had been made for her. Mostly by Mary, Princess Frederick. She often wondered if Helen was under orders from her stepmother to poke at her until she snapped and resorted to violence. 

It was a brilliant plan. 

“So, getting back to Mr. Jackson,” Another PR person, who Annabeth knew on sight, but did not know by name, said, “He seems fairly careful with sponsored content on social media.” 

“And does he have any kind of career beyond social media?”

“He’s a trained classicist,” Annabeth said quickly. Her eyes went to her father and uncle, both of whom perked up immediately. “He graduated from Yale two years ago, but decided to take a break from academia for a few years to pursue his sailing career.” There was a long history of European royalty engaged in Olympic sailing. No one could fault him for that. Except perhaps for her uncle, who seemed to be bored again. 

“Well, that’s not so bad.” Said someone else. She was pretty sure she was a parliamentarian.  Jonsson or Jansson. Annabeth could not remember. “Though, of course the expectation, before marriage, would be that he steps away from his social media career. And possibly his sailing also, though that might be discussed more in depth.” 

That launched a round of several people speaking. 

Annabeth only just barely managed to get her call out of, “I’ve only known him for a few weeks! I am not asking for permission to marry him right now!” It managed to silence most people, but not everyone.

Shame that the straggler had to be the worst one of them all.

“But what color would the children be?” Asked someone else who she didn’t know. Her jaw dropped open–as did her father’s, Helen’s, and several others–and everyone began speaking all at once, again. 

“Please, ladies, gentlemen–please.” Maybe it was the tone of his voice, or the flickering border around his video which caught everyone’s attention, but her father managed to cut through the digital crowd, calling their attention so he could speak. “I think it’s a little… early for that kind of discussion, minister, as Annabeth said,” he managed to get out, frowning even more firmly, and glossing over the word “early” like it was most definitely not the word he wanted to use.

The man in question harrumphed, but muted himself. 

“Now, then.” Prince Frederick was doing his best to look comfortable with the topic, but the shifting of his suit jacket sleeves implied he was playing with his hands beneath the screen, twisting his fingers together. Annabeth could relate. She was doing something similar right now. “I understand that this situation is… less than ideal, shall we say, but I would hope, as the princess’ father, that you would trust my opinion on this matter.” He pulled in a breath, eyes unfocused as he searched for the right words. “My daughter has always been both highly intelligent and perceptive, not only in her diplomatic endeavors, but in her interpersonal relationships as well.” Nice of him to say, but Annabeth privately thought he might have been overselling her a little bit on that last one. “Not only that, we can hardly blame her for the sudden appearance of the press.” 

“Her highness has had to deal with the press all her life,” Helen said, evenly. “She’s gone through multiple trainings–”

“Ms. Persson,” he said, shutting her up quickly. Annabeth bit back a smirk. “My point is, clearly she’s already met with Mr. Jackson on several occasions, and has judged him to be a person worth her time, without our intervention. Shouldn’t that ultimately be what matters?”

“All due respect, your highness,” said one of the ministers, “but we simply do not have enough information at this time to determine what kind of person this Mr. Jackson is.”

“I think,” her dad gently rebutted, “that Annabeth is not only smart enough, but mature enough to decide for herself what kind of person he is. Now, Annabeth.” She sat at attention. “Tell us: this Perseus–”

“Percy,” she said, quietly. “He goes by Percy.”

He smiled a bit, ducking his head. “Percy, then. Is he a nice boy?”

She nodded. “He is.” 

“Then I am fully in favor of Annabeth continuing to see the nice boy if she wishes. Randolph, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Hm?” Her uncle looked up from whatever book he was reading. Annabeth caught a glimpse of ancient Icelandic runes over the camera. “Yes, very good.”

“There we are.” Her father smiled. “Annabeth, dear, now you have the king’s permission.”

Not even Helen could argue with that. 

Annabeth swallowed around the lump in her throat, looking directly into her webcam. “Thank you, your majesty,” she said to the one person on this call, maybe even in the world, who believed in her right now. 

Through the fuzzy Teams call quality, her father smiled. 

“I think that’s settled, then,” he said, with just the barest hint of satisfaction. “As long as Mr. Gunderson and his associates continue to keep us updated if they find any more information they feel is worth reporting, I have no objections to this relationship.”

If there was still a relationship on the table, anyway. Still, her heart felt very full. She wished he was here with her, just so she could give him a hug. 

Verdict delivered, the meeting swiftly concluded. One by one, the virtual participants disappeared, until the only ones left were Annabeth and her father. 

He smiled at her through the screen. “Well, dear,” he said, chuckling a bit. “You certainly like to keep things interesting.”

Looking away, her cheeks faintly flushed with embarrassment, she tried to laugh it off. “I guess. Sorry.”

“No, no, I don’t mean it like that.” When she looked back, he was still smiling gently at her. “You’re having fun in Mexico? Yes?”

Annabeth nodded, sensing the unspoken question. “I am. I promise.” 

It was the oddest thing of all–he didn’t question her on it. He just accepted it at face value. “I’m glad. I meant what I said, you know. Just… just be careful.” With her heart. With the nice boy. With anything else that might cross her path. 

“I will.” 

“I love you very much, dear.” He leaned in closer to the camera, as if he could pull her into a hug halfway around the world. “We’ll talk soon.” 

Then he hung up, leaving Annabeth staring into her own video feed.

“Well,” Hans said, “that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“I think I’d rather go sack a small French villiage.” The old viking princesses really had it made, she thought. They didn’t have to deal with Microsoft Teams, at least. They could have just chopped Helen in half with an ax, and not worry about what HR would say.

“Or take on a horde of draugar?” Hans offered. 

“Exactly.” 

“Well, perhaps, instead of that, next time you’d like to meet with Mr. Jackson, I’ll go pick him up?”

“I don’t know if there is going to be one next time, Hans,” she said, letting all her defeated weariness leak into her voice. 

“Annabeth.” And he so rarely used her first name. “I know you are brave enough to take on a French village, a draugr, or even Helen and the entire Riksdag. I think you can call the one man who you just defended to a room full of people, and offer an explanation.” 

He got up then, and patted her shoulder on the way out of the room. “I’ll keep Helen at bay. If you want to call him.” 

“If I don’t, will you sic her on me?”

“I think not,” he said, “Because right now I’m afraid I’d come back to find an ax in her chest, and that sounds like it would be a terrible mess to clean up. If you need some time, I’ll give you some time.” 

“Thank you,” she said.

“But I still think you should call him.” 

And then he walked out of the room, leaving Annabeth alone with her thoughts. And the empty Teams room.

#SURPRISE #my fic #pjo #percabeth #pjo fic #the rivalry ends here #princess sailor au #darkmagyk #perseannabeth #patatayo #if u wanna be tagged just lmk

[heyimboredtalktome]

i might have a favorite meme template for now

#everyone @ annabeth: you'll be able to go on a quest when this very special demigod shows up #annabeth when she saw percy for the first time: hello what the fuck #percy jackson #nico di angelo #solangelo #will solace #pjo #rick riordan #hoo #trials of apollo #percy jackson and the heroes of olympus #toa #percy jackson and the olympians #incorrect percy quotes #incorrect pjo #incorrect hoo #incorrect quotes #pjo tv series #pjo tv show #pjo verse #percy jackson memes #percy jackon and the olympians #percabeth

[bbyannabeth]

a different kind of fireworks

The universe was playing a joke on Annabeth. A big fucking joke.

They had one hour until the new year and she’d gone out with Piper to a party her friend had been invited to. And now, in the midst of that party, she was face to face with her ex. Well, maybe not face to face, seeing as he was across the room. But they had definitely just locked eyes and she suddenly felt nauseous.

If it was anyone else, even any other ex of hers, she would be fine right now. But it wasn’t just anyone, it was Percy. They’d broken up only three months ago and god, her thoughts in those months consisted of him almost every day. And now he was walking towards her. Annabeth kind of wished she’d stayed home.

“Hey,” he said carefully when he reached her, a tight smile on his face. “I’m a little surprised to see you here. I didn’t- I mean it’s not really your scene.”

For a brief second, Annabeth wasn’t sure her voice was going to work because it seemed as though it was caught in her throat. She straightened her back and squared her shoulders, forcing out a, “Yeah, Piper was invited and I thought it might be a good change of pace.”

Clearly, she was wrong.

Percy nodded. “How have you been?”

Sad. Alone. Miserable. I miss you so fucking much.

“Not bad,” she settled on. “I just got promoted at work.”

He smiled genuinely for the first time. “Oh shit, that’s great,” he said. Annabeth decided not to mention that it was only because she had thrown herself into work to distract her from their breakup.

She returned the smile, a bit softer than his, and nodded. “Thank you, yeah. What about you?”

She didn’t want to know if she was being honest. She didn’t want to know how great he was doing without her, but it would’ve been impolite to not ask.

He grimaced slightly and took a drink of the beer in his hand. “Um,” he said, shrugging lightly. “I’ve been better.”

Oh, Annabeth thought. She hadn’t expected that. She also hadn’t expected the wistful look in his eye.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, hoping she sounded genuine. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed movement and Annabeth saw Piper, waving at her frantically. She nodded once and looked back at Percy. “Piper needs me over there, sorry. It was nice to see you, Perce.”

The nickname came out so easily and she forced herself not to focus on it as he said, “Yeah, of course. You too.”

She gave him a gentle smile and quickly veered off to where Piper was waiting impatiently. “Um, hello?” she said as soon as Annabeth was close. “I leave you alone for two minutes and you’re talking to your ex?”

“Yeah, uh,” Annabeth said, suppressing the urge to look at him again. “We made eye contact and it would’ve been a bit weird to just ignore each other completely, I guess.”

“Mhmm,” her friend hummed. “So… what happened?”

“Nothing. Although I asked how he was and he said he’s been better and he looked kind of sad about it and I don’t know what to do with that information.”

Piper blinked. “Oh,” she said.

Annabeth looked down at her friend, who was now avoiding her eyes. “What?”

“Nothing, I just…” Piper said, frowning. “I didn’t think he was gonna tell you that.”

It took a few seconds before it clicked in Annabeth’s head. “You knew he wasn’t doing well?”

“He told Jason, Jason told me!”

“Okay, so why didn’t you tell me?”

Piper’s shoulder’s slumped. “Beth, you guys broke up. I didn’t want you thinking or worrying about him. More than you probably already were.”

Any anger in Annabeth deflated because she knew Piper was right. “Yeah, okay,” she conceded. “Sorry.”

“Why don’t you talk to him more? Maybe you guys could… I don’t know, start over?” Piper said carefully but Annabeth was already shaking her head.

“I don’t know. I don’t think he’d even want that.”

Annabeth risked a glance at him and he was deep in conversation with a boy she didn’t recognize. His head turned and the second their eyes met, she snapped her gaze away. “I need another drink,” she said.

Piper chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, I can tell.”

Leaving it at that, Annabeth turned towards the kitchen of the house they were in and quickly made her way through the crowd. She quickly refilled her cup with one of the mixed drinks on the counter.

30 minutes until midnight and Annabeth made her way to the bathroom, the only place she could easily avoid Piper and Percy, and anyone else who decided to speak to her. Locking the door behind her, she set her drink on the counter and took a deep breath. It was fine. She was fine. Really, she just needed a second alone to collect herself, and then she could pretend like nothing had ever happened, and then she would be fine.

Except that plan only worked for about 25 more minutes.

After leaving the bathroom, she found Hazel and chatted with her for a while. For a brief moment, she had actually forgotten about Percy and the sad look in his eye. And then Hazel went off to use the bathroom and within seconds, there was a gentle hand on her wrist. She turned and was met with green eyes she was all too familiar with.

“Can I talk to you?”

Annabeth blinked. Every part of her screamed at her to say no, but she could never deny him anything. “Yeah,” she said, nodding. She let him lead her out to the deck, which wasn’t much less crowded but at least she didn’t feel like she was gonna suffocate out here.

Cutting right to the chase, he said, “I think we made a mistake.”

She stared at him and he took that as a sign to continue.

“The day you left, the day I… I told you to leave. We made a mistake.”

Piper’s words from earlier echoed in her head. Maybe you guys could start over. And at the time, Annabeth thought that was impossible. But maybe… it wasn’t.

“I know,” she agreed softly. “I’ve thought that every day since then.”

“You never said anything?” he asked.

Annabeth let out a quiet laugh. “You seemed pretty adamant about your decision when you told me to leave. Didn’t think there was a point in calling after that.”

Percy averted his eyes. “Fair enough,” he muttered. They were silent for a heavy minute before he spoke again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you to leave.”

“I shouldn’t have left,” she said, taking a tiny step closer to him. “I’m sorry too.”

For a moment, he studied her. His mouth opened, ready to speak when someone inside yelled, “One minute!” followed by loud cheers.

Once it was quiet again, he said in a rush, “I want to get back together.”

Annabeth blinked. She hadn’t expected him to put it so bluntly. “Really?”

Nodding, he stepped closer, putting only a foot of space between them. “I miss you so much and I just… I don’t think we should’ve broken up. You were my best friend, Beth.”

She tried to fight it, but a slow smile grew on Annabeth’s face. “I miss you too,” she said. She moved forward again so that their toes touched. “And-”

Cut off by more cheers, Annabeth realized there were thirty seconds to midnight and someone must’ve just announced the time. “And I think so, too. That we should get back together, I mean.”

“Yeah?” he asked. She wasn’t sure, but Annabeth thought she saw relief flood across his features.

“Yeah,” she said, moving her hand up and resting it on his side. She was distantly aware of everyone counting down from ten.

“Oh, thank god,” he breathed, letting out a soft laugh. Annabeth smiled up at him and with only five seconds left, she’d expected him to wait until midnight, but instead, he cupped her cheek and pulled her into a kiss. Returning it eagerly, she slid her hand to the small of his back, pulling him closer. Fireworks went off somewhere, telling her it was midnight, and Annabeth felt as though they were really fitting for the moment.

God, she’d missed this. He fit her perfectly, the same he always had. There was the faint taste of beer and him, something wonderfully familiar. When he pulled back, it was with a quiet, “I love you.” Annabeth all but melted against him.

“I love you, too,” she replied.

#bad ending leave me alone #if ive posted this... no i havent #pjo #percy jackson and the olympians #hoo #heroes of olympus #percabeth #percy jackson #annabeth chase #fic #gray writes

[percabethfiles]

Charlie

Uh... Hello? Anybody still here? I haven't been around in years and years. But I keep my fandoms stored in some corner of my brain waiting for something to tug them out. And of all things this time it was Taylor Swift re-releasing her old songs, because I used to imagine so many percabeth scenes listening to "Fearless". So have this little something that's been sitting unfinished in my archives for years now.

Remember that time Percy saw Sadie Kane and thought “Hey, this is what mine and Annabeth’s daughter would look like”? Yes.

(Also there are small nods to that fic I wrote about Logan, Hidden Heritage, but I've been meaning to re-write it someday because there were SO MANY PLOT HOLES omg)

When they find out it’s a girl it’s a bit too soon to know for sure, or so the doctor tells them. They’ll have to wait for the next appointment to know for certain. “So don’t go buying any tiny dresses yet,” he jokes and they laugh along, but they’ve been together for approximately eighteen years now, they can tell what the other’s thinking with a glance and the ecstatic grin that breaks through their lips lets him know they’re on the same page. Too late. They’re already thinking plush bow and arrows and a Merida costume for her first Halloween.

Percy tries to keep his cool. As the weeks progress, he tries not to get his hopes up, but in his heart he knows already. They hadn’t really had a preference before, they’d been too happy knowing their baby was fully human and had all its limbs (with the number of deities they’d pissed off, you never knew), but a little girl? It feels right after their two boys, it feels like their family will be complete.

(He thinks about a slight blonde girl with streaked hair and a British accent dropping from the sky on a magic camel, remembers thinking “if Annabeth and I had a daughter…” and his chest squeezes tight with happiness so raw he has a little trouble breathing)

When the doctor beams at them next appointment and says “Congratulations, Jackson family, it really is a girl,” he’s not surprised, but no less elated. He doesn’t hear the lame joke about Jackson Five, he’s too busy trying to be a manly man and not burst into tears because he’s going to have a daughter. When Annabeth’s in the other room paying for the appointment, and he’s waiting for the doctor to print the really impressive high tech 3D picture of the ultrasound, the man asks him “So did you go ahead and buy a tiny dress anyway?”

Percy blushes.

The man shakes his head in amusement. “Every time”.

His work colleagues, proud dads of little girls themselves, try to terrorize him with tales of tea parties and future boyfriends, and Percy thinks somewhere in the middle of all that teasing they mean well, but really, he’s mostly annoyed. It’s not like he’s new to parenthood, he’s got two sons already and they seem to be turning out okay, and before, when Logan and Nathan were just a nice dream for the future, there was Estelle, the little sister Percy had never expected, but loved to bits all the same.

And then Charlie is born.

She’s tiny, warm and pink, all curled up in her yellow cable-knit blanket, a tuft of blonde hair peeking out of a tiny, tiny beanie, features scrunched into the most adorable variation of a grumpy face. He’s not new to parenthood, he’s been here twice before, but the rush of affection and protectiveness and awe and raw love is just as genuine. He’s smiling like a dork, can’t seem to stop, walking from side to side, avidly searching her traits. She’s bigger than Nate was when he’d been born, but smaller than Logan. Her hair was light, like Nate’s, would it stay blonde or darken with time? Would her eyes be like his or Annabeth’s? And oh, she had her mother’s nose (they all did).

It never fails to amaze him how such a small, vulnerable being can shake up his whole world until it’s made a space for her. And he’s done this before, he’s no first time sailor this time, he’d thought he had it all under control. But she blinks and looks up at him with half-lidded eyes and a frowny face and—they’re green. Her eyes are the blue-green Logan’s are, Percy’s are.

(He’s got two sons who are his life, and he does love all his children equally, but holding his daughter for the first time, he thinks he understands his friends’ warnings. He doesn’t love her more, it’s just… different. It’s special.)

When he goes back to work, Nick takes one look at him and bursts into laughter. He claps him on the shoulder in commiseration.

“I told you.”

He’s completely wrapped around her finger already.

It’s not too different, he finds out. Especially having been pre-trained by Estelle. He’s got to brush up on his Disney princess knowledge, and hair braiding skills. He hasn’t gotten much better at color coordinating the polka dotted bows and tiny shoes, but Charlie is really forgiving. She is a very happy baby, much happier and easy going than any of the boys had been.

She’s also fucking crazy.

She is smaller and skinnier than her brothers, likes to wear frilly dresses and talk to plush animals and dance around the house in a pink tutu, but she’s wild. She never learned to crawl, just held on to the couch until she was wobbling on two feet, and it seemed like the very next day she was running across the house, the mall, the park, and if he turned his eyes away for one second, she was shooting off in the streets and nearly getting run over.

He’d found her dangling from the kitchen cabinets, trying to reach the cowering cat. She had a phase when she thought she could fly and she would climb furniture and stairs and the window sill and just… Launch herself into the air expecting her flying powers to manifest spontaneously. If they hadn’t been trying to raise them away from the whole mythological world, he would have sat her down and clarified that she had the wrong Olympian Grandparent in mind. She might have had more luck jumping into the ocean.

She had a way to jut out her lower lip, and turn those big green eyes on him that could render his every effort to be a responsible parental presence useless.

Besides, she was so funny. He could never muster enough anger to discipline her, because if he found her on the kitchen table covered in peanut butter, somehow sporting a very sticky Mohawk, and looking entirely unapologetic, well, he just couldn’t stop laughing.

One day he’s coming home from work and he hasn’t even pulled the key from the lock when Charlie calls out ‘you’re back daddy,’ in what sounds vaguely like a new jersey accent. He finds her sitting on the floor of the living room, drowning in one of Annabeth’s bathrobes, pink plastic barbie sunglasses on, holding a pooh bear sippy cup with one hand and a pinky stretched out.

“Charlie, what are you doing?”

“It’s wine Wednesday, daddy.”

“It’s what?”

“Wine Wednesday.”

He had half a mind to check if her sippy cup actually contained wine because they hid their alcohol way up in the cabinets she can’t reach but that girl could climb like a monkey. He knows he should follow that remark up with some kind of questioning of where she’d even heard of ‘wine Wednesdays’ and then explain that kids don’t drink wine or some other kind of responsible parent speech, but a sudden burst of incredulous laughter bubbles up in his throat and he takes refuge in the kitchen, lest he encourages her behavior.

He finds Annabeth there, hand over her mouth, clearly in stitches over their daughter’s performance. He wants to question if she gave her permission to wear her bathrobe but finding his wife nearly doubled over in silent laughter in the kitchen is too much and he finally lets out the guffaw he’d been trying to hold on to.

It’s not the first time Charlie leaves them breathless with laughter, and he’s almost scared of what she’s going to cook up in the future.

Charlie is a hellion.

There isn’t one person safe from her pranks, but she’s so adorable she hardly ever catches hell for it, and she’s learning to use it in her favor – thankfully, just in time for her parents to develop immunity to her puppy eyes. And she’s… difficult, yes, but not always, and not in a terrible way. For all her climbing the roof, organizing illegal cookie sales, getting in fights with her classmates, she’s not a bad kid. She’s got Percy’s penchant for befriending the kids no one wants to go near, and defending her ragtag team of losers. She’s loyal to a fault, and it gets her in trouble often.

She and Nate have epic jealousy fights over everything, including – but not limited to – Logan’s attention, the crayons, the biggest piece of cake and all the videogame characters in the world are not enough, they will always want whatever the other picked. It gives them many, many headaches. Logan, on the other hand, positively spoils her, and whenever Charlie gets in trouble they can be sure to find her hiding behind her big brother while he gives them this solemn look and says “It’s ok, mom and dad, Charlie promises she won’t do it again. We’ve talked.”

When the whole “Logan being attacked by a dracanae in school and thus finding out his Olympian heritage” debacle came to pass, and they started frequenting camp again, there was nowhere in the entire Camp Charlie would rather be than the stables. She’d spend hours there with the Aphrodite kids, brushing the pegasi and talking to them endlessly about all her classmates and her friends, and her dolls, and her new dress, and the new book grandma gave her. It was all really cute until Percy realized the pegasi were talking back, and she fully understood their replies.

And it’s funny, really, because Logan had taken after Percy, to a point where bathing him had been hard as a child because he tended to stay dry in the tub, and Nathan was Annabeth to a T, but Charlie was a perfect mix of them both.

He guesses it makes sense it would be so explosive.

When Charlie is twelve, she gets kicked out of school.

Percy is not overly worried about it himself – the number of schools he’d been kicked out of reached double digits, and this was only her first – but he is worried about how she will feel. Getting the boot from a place that’s housed you for years, where your friends are, where everyone already knows you and having to start over is never pleasant, no matter how used to it you were.

He’d expected the school to have gotten tired of all her pranks and misbehaving, which was fair, he guessed. But when Annabeth comes home from the meeting with the school director, she is seething, and not at their daughter. Charlie is angry too. In fact, it’s the first time he’s ever seen his daughter well and truly pissed off. The two of them are a sight for nightmares, both blondes standing side by side ranting with righteous fury, they look ready to start a revolution. What he gets from her angry snarls and Charlie’s rushed rambling is that Charlie had talked back to a teacher that was picking on the autistic kid and demeaning the thirteen year old who was repeating sixth grade.

She’d called him a brain-washing small minded overgrown bully who, he was quoting, didn’t get enough love from his parents.

And Percy is so proud his eyes even get a little misty.

Because he’s getting old and sentimental and raising kids is very hard. No one knows what they’re doing, not one person, not even the fancy psychologists with those books on raising perfect, well rounded, high-achieving members of society that Annabeth insisted on reading when she was pregnant with Logan. You do your best and you hope for the best, and you don’t know what you get until it’s basically too late to do anything about it. And even if he did have the best mom in the history of the entire world to draw example from, he was also half of an absent Olympian father whose heritage condemned him to dance in and out of battlefields half his life.

He’s always been terrified of being a crap father.

He looks at Charlie cussing out with every mild version of actual cuss words, stalking around the kitchen like a little lioness in a cage, furious at the unfairness of the whole situation, caring less about being expelled and more about who was going to defend her friends from that awful teacher when she’s gone.

His daughter is only twelve, but she’s already so brave, such a force of nature. She won’t stand for injustice, and she won’t take insult lying down. And she’s so kind. She’s growing up, and the person she is slowly turning out to be… is good.

And something in his heart shifts and settles down, smooths over old fears and anxious thoughts.

Percy doesn’t mean to brag, but he thinks he’s not doing half bad as a parent.

#fanfic #pjo #percabeth #percabeth kids #charlie jackson #back at it again with the old unfinished fics #percabeth fanfic

[tessathaitea]

To Think it Started With COVID-19

"Mr. Jackson, I need you to please introduce yourself to the rest of the class," his teacher Mr. Green asked through the computer. He sighed.

He and Annabeth had broken up, not on exactly mutual terms (by now he had moved on and they were both still very close friends). He held no grudge against her, for it was part of figuring out who she was, nor against the certain daughter of Aphrodite she had been crushing on.

Percy proceeded to type in the chat that he could not unmute, unless the class wanted to hear a bunch of pandemonium.

"Mr. Jackson, I assume you don't want to be failing class on the first day, am I correct?" Mr. Green asked (his name should have been Mr. Blue. That would be much better). Percy sighed, and hit the unmute button.

"Um, alright. Hello, I'm Percy Jackson and-" he started before being interrupted.

"GET OVER HERE YOU LITTLE PUNKS! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" a voice Percy later recognised as Clarisse shouted. A bomb-like noise then went off.

"Sorry about that. Okay, so-" another voice then shouted out, interrupting him for the second time in thirty seconds.

"Shut up you load of Minotaur dung!" it said. Another boom sounded. The Stolls must have been pulling another prank and went too far.

"Right, Mr. Jackson, you may refrain from introducing yourself. Now, please mute yourself. All that noise is going to end up giving me a headache," he said. Percy quickly muted himself, and then sighed with relief. At least he didn't ask where Percy was. It would be hard to explain as to why Percy was at a summer camp during the school year. He zoned out the rest of the lecture, making it when Jason snuck up behind him an even bigger scare.

"Hey," Jason said. Percy jumped in surprise, and he couldn't help noticing Jason's bright blue eyes staring right at him, and cursed himself for thinking. Turning his camera off, he turned towards Jason.

"Something you need? I think you know I'm in class right now," he smirked. Jason laughed. He gave Percy a sad smile.

"There's been a new quest issued for you, Nico, Thalia, and me," he said sadly, his smile gone. Percy's heart sunk.

"Right. I'll be there in a minute," Percy said. He told his teacher that there was a family emergency.

"I can wait," Jason said, sitting down on a bed. Percy smiled.

"Ha, no. You need to get your stuff ready. Now, shoo," he said. Jason rolled his eyes, but left the cabin.

After getting his work in advance for the next seven weeks from his teacher, he packed a bag of nectar and ambrosia. There was a soft knock on the door, and Annabeth came in.

"Hey Wise Girl. You get your crush yet?" he asked teasingly. Annabeth turned red, and glared at him.

"Shut up. You getting excited to be going on a quest with a certain blond haired blue-eyed Son of Jupiter?" she said. Percy turned around and pretended to continue packing, so the girl wouldn't see the light blush along his thoroughly tanned cheeks.

"I don't know what you mean Wise Girl," he said, fighting down the blush.

"Of course you do! You're always glancing over at him, and you sometimes even blush around him," she said, rolling her eyes and giggling uncharacteristically. He glared at her, forgetting about the blush on his cheeks. Annabeth's smile widened. As Percy walked out of his cabin, he told her something he would never regret.

"If you don't admit your feelings for Piper by the time I get back, you owe me twenty golden drachma," he called, and then bumped into the same daughter of Aphrodite he was talking about on the way out.

"Wait, what?" Piper asked. Percy winked at both of them.

"Don't start doing the deed in my cabin now, as I don't need more of a mess," he said teasingly. Leaving both girls a blushing mesh, he skipped out the door.

Once he arrived at the Big House, he was met with Thalia interrogating a flustered Jason, which Percy thought was sort of cute.

"You know that he's head-over-heels for you, right? I still don't get why you picked that-" Thalia continued ranting at Jason, until she noticed Percy was there. After Thalia saw him, she started to immediately change the subject.

"Are we all ready to go?" Nico grumbled. Percy suspected he had been pulled out of the infirmary after another round of 'doctors orders' stays. Percy bet that a certain Will Solace was just making excuses to fuss over Nico and spend time with him.

After everyone at least mumbled at yes, they all took hands. Percy later could have sworn Thalia nudged Jason closer to him. He realized with a jolt that Jason was actually holding his hand, and then cursed himself for thinking like a lovesick middle school student. He was jolted out of his thoughts by the sudden darkness of shadow-travel, and the burst of cold air that came after it.

There was a yell, and all of a sudden Nico and Thalia fell over the skyscraper that they had landed on.

"Thalia, concentrate on the winds and not anything else. If all else fails, Nico see if you can shadow-travel back to camp!" Jason yelled. Thalia concentrated, but only managed to stir up a miniature thunderstorm. Nico sighed, and touched Thalia's shoulder, trying to touch her as little as possible as they shadow-traveled out.

Percy sighed with relief, but then realized the situation they were in. They were on top of some sort of skyscraper with two antennae, and one was lit up red and the other lit up green. The city had an amazing skyline, but didn't look like anywhere in New York.

"Any clue to where we are?" Percy asked.

"Nico said we were going to start out in Chicago, but didn't say where. I'm guessing we're on the Sirius tower/ Willis tower," Jason answered. Jason had his legs dangling off the roof, and was staring at the skyline. Percy sat down next to him.

"You know, you guys never actually told me what we were doing on this quest," Percy said.

"We were waiting for you to ask," Jason said. Was it Percy's imagination, or did Jason move closer to him?

"Yeah, well I'm asking now,"

"It was for me to do something," Jason said. Percy had the urge to roll his eyes.

"Do what?" Percy asked. Jason turned towards Percy, his blue eyes sparkling.

"This,"

Jason grabbed Percy's jaw and smashed his lips onto Percy's own. Suddenly, the night's colors became sharper, and Percy's senses cheered. When they finally pulled away, both boys were blushing.

"You wouldn't believe how long I wanted to do that," Jason said, his fingers tracing one of the scars on Percy's face.

"Yeah? How long?" Percy asked.

"Since the day I met you," he said.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Are you sure you don't want me to sleep on the couch?" Jason asked. They were staying at a hotel room, and there had been a mix up in the room so that there was only one bed.

"Jason fucking Grace, I said it's fine. Now go to bed," Percy mumbled from his spot in the bed. He heard Jason sigh, and felt him lay down in the bed. Percy moved so that he was in Jason's arms, and sighed contently. He heard the equivalent from Jason a couple minutes later. For once, Percy didn't have to worry about anything from the mythological world.

TIMESKIPTOAFTERWHENEVERTHEIRSPRINGBREAKENDS:

"Mr. Jackson, could you please state the answer to this question?" his teacher asked. Percy sighed. He would have to spend the rest of the day correcting his other teachers.

"Fine. Also, it's Grace-Jackson now."

“COME BACK HERE! YOU DIDN’T TAKE A COVID-19 TEST!”  shouted someone in the background. Probably Will hounding Nico because he shadow-traveled to Europe on accident again. 

Oh, well. Camp Half-Blood was his family after all, and a great one at that.

#jercy #one-shot

[bikkinibottom]

hello erica!! congrats on 800 you definitely deserve them!! may i request ✌🏾(pjo or atla your choice, lol) + 📚(pjo + percabeth akjsnkfjs) if that works!! ily 💕

@velayudham tagging your new blog too! bet you forgot about these requests lol guess what me too sdlkfjsdkf

✌🏻 what character you remind me of 

hazel! partially because of age but also because you’re super cool and very smart! you just have hazel vibes tbh <3

📚 headcanon or oneshot

for you tharini, i give you cheerleader!annabeth 😌

Percy could not honestly tell you when he had begun to fall for Annabeth Chase. Perhaps he could describe it in some poetic and grandeur way, something along the lines of ‘maybe I always knew, but one day it hit me like a rock skipping across a lake: bit by bit until I eventually sank in deep.’ Yeah, no.

In retrospect, it could have been the first time he saw her in her cheer uniform; golden curls up in a high ponytail, a short skirt, and her cheeks dusted rosy pink. Or maybe it was the time she single-handedly knocked out Matt Sloan for bullying Grover. Now that was a fun day. (For Percy, not Matt.) Or perhaps it was the one time they were at his apartment after school and she said “bless you” to him seconds before he even knew he had to sneeze. That one had scared him. When he asked her about it she simply said, “Your nose twitches a couple of times and you get real quiet.” And that was that.

It didn’t matter, the details of when it happened exactly- all that Percy knew was that he was falling, and falling hard. Percy was often caught off guard by just how fast he was falling. He was utterly screwed. Take, like, right now, for example.

Percy was messing on his phone as he sat in his stepdad’s blue Prius, waiting for his friend to leave her house so they could get to school. 

Movement caught out of his peripheral vision caused the teen to look up and was met with… uh. Annabeth. In a skirt. In her cheerleading uniform. Her legs completely exposed.

Fuck, he thought. Was today Friday?

Percy knew by now that when their school had a home football game the players, the cheerleaders, and the pom dancers all wore their uniforms to school to show school spirit or whatever. He’d just kind of forgotten today was one of those days. 

Damn it, he didn’t have any time to mentally prepare for this. His eyes seemed to unintentionally hone in on his best friend’s legs as she was locking the door behind her.

Her blonde curls were up in a high ponytail, a glittery emerald bow in her hair. As she turned away from the locked door, she walked towards the car and flashed Percy a glowing smile. The weather was overcast today but her smile alone seemed to brighten up the sky.

She approached the passenger door and panic rose inside Percy. God, he was so screwed right now.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck-

“Hey, Percy!” Annabeth called out as she swung the door open. Plopping her bag on the floor, she stretched one leg in before sitting herself down in the passenger seat. Percy cursed her name internally at the sight.

“Annabeth! Hey, hi. How you doin’?” Percy blurted out. He was certain she could hear the unforgiving hammering of his heart.

The blonde gave him a deadpan look. “Okay, Joey Tribbiani. You ready to go?”

Not trusting his voice especially after that word vomit, Percy just nodded. God, he didn’t even like Friends, what the hell? 

The ride to school was just like any other morning. Annabeth touching up her makeup while Led Zepellin quietly played through the radio. Percy made a joke to which Annabeth let out a hearty laugh, head tilted back, golden hair catching the sunlight, and his head went fuzzy at the sound. He really wished his best friend wasn’t so breathtaking—it would’ve saved him the embarrassment of getting honked at for missing the green light because he was too busy staring at her. He asked her if she started studying for their physics test and in response, she let out a snort before telling him no, she had not. 

“We’ll study together, don’t worry,” she assured him. Another evening alone in his bedroom with the girl he liked. Just what he needed. And they carried on.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Percy sitting up straighter to search for a good spot, Annabeth asked him a question he’d been expecting to hear as per usual.

“You coming to the game tonight to support me?” she teased him. They both knew he was always there, the first row in the student section cheering her on with Grover and other friends. 

“For you? Always,” is not what he meant to say. Damn it, Perce. He glanced over at her in a panic, her expression imperceptible but her cheeks a little pinker than usual.

“I’m talking about the nachos they sell at concessions by the way. But yeah I’ll watch you too, I guess,” he covered up. It must’ve worked because she just scoffed but he could hear the smile on her face and the rolling of her eyes without looking over at her. 

Already parked, Percy shut off the engine and they grabbed their bags and walked into the school together side by side. Walking down the halls, Annabeth greeted nearly every other person they walked past while Percy began mentally preparing his class schedule for the day. It was only a few weeks into their junior year but Percy was dreading the workload he’d receive in his classes today for the weekend.

As if reading his mind Annabeth turned her head to him and said, “Hey, give Mrs. Dodds a hard time today in math, will you? I kind of miss the wicked witch of the West this year.” 

Percy let out a sharp laugh at that, shaking his head fondly to himself. He already felt better, the stress in his stomach dissipating. How does she do that? How does she just know?

They stopped when they got to the Athletics Hall and stood in front of the cheerleader’s locker section. He thought it was unfair that they got a whole section of nice big lockers to themselves but then again, he and the rest of the school knew how hard they worked so it made sense.

Percy has grown more comfortable at the lockers since freshman year, and a couple of the girls even greeted him when they approached. 

Annabeth turned to him and squeezed his upper arm. “I gotta do rounds and check to make sure the team is in proper uniform. I’ll see you in third period?” She asked him.

He nodded, once again not trusting his voice as his entire focus was on her hand wrapped around his bicep, the heat of her touch searing into his skin. She smiled at him before squeezing his arm one more time in reassurance and turned to her teammates, greeting them all happily, oblivious to his internal predicament. 

Percy blinked once, then twice, before the urge to pass out on the spot left him. He glanced at some of the cheerleaders giving him knowing smirks and tripped over his feet as he turned around to get to his locker. He ignored the giggling coming from behind him as his cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

Oh, man was he screwed.

(thank you so much @connabeth and @fruectose for beta reading!!)

#ericas800 #lmk what u think!! #tharini tag #my writing #erica writes #cheerleader!annabeth #cheer!annabeth #percabeth #pjo #hoo #toa #percy jackson #annabeth chase #oneshot #percy jackson and the olympians #percabeth fic #fic #fanfic

[byima]

California Dreaming pt 4

I shared this on AO3 half a month ago and I’m just getting around to cross posting for the tumblr folks and you can read the full story here.

Lunch was a boisterous event. They ate at, or commandeered depending on who was asked, an Italian restaurant in the city of Berkeley. Everyone was there; Frank, Hazel, Nico, Grover, Silena, Beckendorf, Travis, Connor, Katie, Rachel, Jason, Piper, and Leo. Remi was there too, and so was Annabeth’s dad and her stepmom and half-brothers, who were in town because of her own commencement which had been the day before, and so was Frank’s grandmother. The restaurant was cozy, it smelt heavenly; 70’s and 80’s music buzzed through the speakers, friendly staff flitted between tables. Their group was two tables strong, too loud, too rowdy and it was one of few times the whole commencement weekend that Annabeth felt overwhelmed but energized by that feeling, rather than drained.

“No Charlie, this is the perfect time! We can rent a van–”

“Yup, just picture it man, tearing down the roads, stopping wherever we want, camping out during the nights–”

Silena grimaced, and Charles laughed at her expression. She and Travis had been trying to convince Charles and Katie to take a west coast road trip: from northern California to Nevada, then Utah, then Arizona and then down to southern California.

“I’ll be down, if we do this without a single hotel stay.” From Charles. Who was next to Paul, who was next to Sally, who was across from Percy.

“Two hotel stays.” From Silena, next to Charles. She was in full negotiation mode.

Estelle, on Sally’s other side, ducked under the table to retrieve the errant crayon she’d been using to color her kid’s menu. Through the aged speakers, Dexys Midnight Runners chorused, ‘Too-ra loo-ra too-ra loo-rye-ayyyyyyy,’ and the space hummed with a spicy-herb/heavy-sauce fragrance and music and laughter and liveliness.

“Nah Silena, if we’re doing this, we’re doing this for real.” From Travis, a few seats to Percy’s right.

Grover, on Percy’s direct right, finally found the image on his mostly unused, worse-for-wear Nokia brick of a phone. He held up the battered screen to Percy’s face. “This is it. See the name on that wrapper? I need to find this place and try their samosas–”

“Explain to me how staying in a hotel would make this ‘not real’ Travis.”

He raised his slice of buttered bread to his mouth. “I’m just talking about getting the most experiential of experiences–”

“And I’m talking about having semi-regular shower access–” Silena leaned towards the Stoll brother sitting across from her to emphasize her point.

“And apparently the locals have nicknamed the San Francisco fog Karl.” A fun fact from Paul.

“Is that so?” Piper encouraged him with a broad grin.

She got an under the table kick from Annabeth for that one.

At the other table, Frank’s grandmother held her new smartphone for Leo to see.

“Don’t do it for me, show me how so I can do it myself.”

“Er, sorry, Grandma Zhang you just- you have to… here-”

“No, I said show me, and now you’ve done something else, Valdez!”

“I know, but I’m trying to show you how to go back without a back button,” Leo ran an agitated hand through his curls.

Travis leaned forward too, matching Silena’s energy, bitten bread slice brandished. “You’re weak. And I’ve outgrown you.”

Charles was laughing again. Hard. Like struggling to breathe belly laughing.

“Why is Beckendorf having a conniption?” Piper’s voice carried from the other end of the table.

Katie answered. “Travis is back to quoting The Incredible’s.”

Connor was losing it, too. “My man Beckendorf has caught every single one of them.”

“Name a better Disney movie–”

“I’ve already named one. Mulan. And– Travis, I’m serious, we’ll watch it tonight and it'll shut you right up-” 

“Katie, Katie, Katie…” Travis shook his head in pity. “You can’t admit defeat, huh? I saw you last night, trying to act like you weren’t hyped during the family fight scenes-”

Silena smacked her hand impatiently on the table. “Travis, can you, for just one moment, stay with me? You were supposed to be on my side.” 

“And I was. I am.” He leveled an accusatory finger at her face. “But you’re a wuss if you can’t survive one road trip without hotel amenities.”

“You’re full of shit, Trav.” Back to Katie, sitting between Grover and Travis.

There was a minor uproar.

“Hey hey hey, watch your mouth young lady there are children present–”

“Don’t forget the children–” 

Connor and Travis. They are the uproar.

“Percy says that word a lot. So, I know it’s a bad word.” Estelle looked at her brother, then Connor, as she sold the former out.

There were a couple “oooo’s” from the friends gathered and Percy shook his head at the betrayal, hand on his chest because, alas, he’s Caesar, and Brutus has two pigtails and missing teeth.

Estelle, loving the reaction of the masses and her moment in the spotlight, added, “So does my mom.”

The entire table erupted in a chorus of “OOOOOOOO’S” and Paul looked at Sally, a little baffled and overwhelmed and amused because how else could he feel in such a setting?

“Sally Jackson, patron saint of motherhood–”

“Despite the utter disappointment that is her first born–”

“You’ve been called out, ma’am, how do you respond?”

Sally covered Estelle’s ears. “Fuck off. All of you.” A thespian response from the “saint” herself. 

The large party collectively lost it, roaring laughter carried through the restaurant, other patrons looked around to spot the source of the ruckus.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Sally Jackson-Blofis–”

“She’s quick, she’s gritty, and she’s straight from New York City–”

“I think that’s us.” Grover’s eyes followed his nose, which picked up on the savory scent of freshly prepared food being brought near to them. A united cheer drew attention, once again, to the celebrating group. 

 “You guys are gonna get us kicked out before we can even take a bite.” Frank made accidental eye contact with a frowning restaurant-goer.

Waitstaff arrived at their tables with black trays laden with the steaming, heavenly smelling bounty.

The young woman who’d taken their orders earlier gestured to the guy accompanying her.

“Alright everyone, this is Gio, he’s gonna take over for me since my shift is ending.” There were some noises of disappointment and she playfully hushed the table of spirited demigods. She set a plate of spaghetti with meatballs in front of Estelle and a baked chicken parmesan dish in front of Sally, gently warning the child that her plate would be hot.

Gio waved hello before he started distributing ordered dish to orderer. “Nani told me we have some graduates here today…”

 -----

“So Italians will actually eat it like… this.” Nico demonstrated to Jason.

“Like this?”

“Yeah…”

“Really?”

“Nah, I’m just fucking with you.”

 Percy nodded at Annabeth’s dish. “How is it?”

“It’s so good. You wanna try?”

Annabeth was already twirling her fork into the pasta, and she speared a piece of shrimp on the end before raising the bite to Percy’s waiting mouth. His eyes rolled back and he made a low noise as he slowly chewed.

Her eyes danced. “I don’t think it was that good.”

He shook his head in disagreement. “Lemme have some of yours. And you can have some of my pizza.”

“I don’t want your pizza.”

“You do. This is what they mean when they talk about the best of both worlds.” Percy tried forking a portion of her food from her full plate to his and she stopped him, doing it herself before he made a mess of both of them with his clumsy portioning.

“And then I give you some of mine…”

Annabeth felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned from watching Percy lower a slice of his pizza (which was actually heavy with cheese and red sauce and phenomenal tasting) to look at her dad who was seated behind her at the table running parallel to theirs.

“How does it feel to be finally done? Both of you, graduated and diploma’d.”

Dr. Chase had been on cloud nine the whole weekend. His daughter had graduated from the best public university in the country. What else would you expect from the academia-loving dad? But the last five years had been pivotal for their relationship, too. When Annabeth looked at her father, really looked at him, she saw the sadness edging his expression. Because he knew, as she closed this chapter of her life, she would begin another, and he would lose her to the east coast. So she’s been gentle with him, and maybe with herself too this weekend.

“I took my last final on Friday, so it doesn’t feel real yet.” 

She lowered her fork and looked to Percy for his response to see him shaking his head.

“Nah. I’ve been checked out for weeks now. Barely held on till the end.”

“He’s lying, dad. Percy’s been emotional all week.”

“I’m sorry to have missed the ceremony at your school.”

Percy had just taken a bite of his pizza and his eyes went wide when he realized Frederick was waiting for a reply from him.

Annabeth responded on his behalf. “Trust me, Dad. His ceremony was just like any other graduation ceremony. Too much sun, a boring speaker, and two seconds to cheer for the person you care about.”

“Dude, Annabeth gets it.” This was from Bobby, who was sitting across from his father. “Why did they have to do two graduations for you?”

“One was for everybody, which was like, over 6,000 people. And then the other was specifically for my department.”

It was a little hard to hear them over the clinking of silverware against ceramic dishes and Rachel and Remi’s loud debate over traditional versus digital art, so Annabeth turned in her chair to face her family.

“Nobody needs to come to our high school graduation if it's gonna be this much of a drag.” Matthew said this with resolve.

“I think you’ll feel differently about things when the time comes.” From her stepmom, Helen.

“This is how graduations and commencements work.” Frederick Chase picked up his fork to resume eating his pesto pasta dish. “You spend years working hard, pushing through to the finish, shouldering through challenges and all of life’s obstacles, and then the day comes–”

“Oooooo… And then the day comes…”

“Dun dun DUUUNN! Dad, you make it sound so dramatic.” Matthew and Bobby snickered.

“It is dramatic.” He waved his fork like a baton. “When you’re graduating, you are the star of the moment, the center of the universe, just temporarily, and all of us will do our best to show up for you in the biggest way we can.” His brown eyes twinkled and Annabeth felt herself blushing at the warmth focused on her. “We all will bear through ceremony after ceremony if that means we get to celebrate your accomplishment.”

Annabeth thought about the hug her dad had wrapped her in yesterday morning, long and tight, and the way that squeeze said a million things other than ‘congratulations.’ And Sally in the car earlier today… 

“Trust me guys, you don’t wanna be the person with no family at your graduation.” Piper turned from her conversation with Connor to give her two-cents.

“You were that person?”

“Yup. Eighth grade promotion. Me and a disgruntled nanny. As if junior high wasn’t bad enough.”

“Gonna have to agree with McLean here,” Rachel chimed in.

“Not to be the girl who complains about having a big family–”

“I’m betting you’re about to be that girl who complains about having a big family–”

“–but there’s nothing like having your aunt screaming on the phone in the middle of your high school graduation, simultaneously cursing out and giving parking directions to your tardy cousin.” Remi offered with a shrug.

Rachel and Remi argued the pros and cons of large heavily involved families, versus small, absentee ones. Frank coaxed his grandmother into trying the “too expensive” Italian cuisine. Travis and Katie were trying to out-embarrass each other with old camp stories. There were a million conversations happening at once.

“Jason, can I get the parmesan?”

“I feel like you have room for one more meatball in your mouth, kiddo-”

“Connor, I’m starting to regret allowing you next to my daughter.”

Sally held a napkin before Estelle’s mouth and the girl reluctantly ejected three soggy meatballs.

“So we pretty much knew Hazel was lactose intolerant at that point-”

“Severely lactose intolerant-”

And a million memories, so many silly, significant snapshots; Annabeth found herself wishing she hadn’t left Percy’s camera under the driver's seat of the rental.

“I’m never doing anything or going anywhere with you that has anything to do with Italy.”

“So we’re doing it?! This road trip is happening?”

“Does anyone need some more water here?”

“Lemme have some of your Bolognese-”

Annabeth startled. She’d been playing with the simple pendant that hung just below her collarbones when she felt Percy’s hand touch the crease of her elbow.

He had red sauce on his chin. And food crumbs on his upper lip. And all he did was lower their joined hands beneath the table and ask.

“What's going on in there?”

She rubbed her thumb into the first knuckle of his middle finger, gray eyes still intently consuming the surrounding scene; then her eyes met his and she saw understanding.

She tried explaining anyway, “I don’t want to forget… I want to- to be in this moment, you know? Or… I just- I wish I could-”

She pressed her lips shut and smiled ruefully, a little embarrassed by her abysmal attempt at the English language. 

“Yeah. Same.” He squeezed her hand. “Yeah.”

 ------

They were outside. In front of the antique looking benches that flanked the restaurant’s double door entryway. Annabeth was going to stay in Berkeley with her family for the rest of the afternoon and Percy would head back to New Rome with his family. For now, they stood together, waiting for Matthew and Bobby who were in the restroom, preventing the Chase’s departure.

Annabeth planted her hands on her lower back and stretched her spine. “You’re very… confident today.”

“Am I?”

“Mmhm.” She leaned closer to him. “It’s like you’re… aware that people are watching. All day, all of these eyes have been on you and you’ve been very okay with it.” Even now, she noticed, in his slacks and dress shoes and his light blue short sleeve button up, he was handsome, cleaned up and groomed and plain-as-day attractive and definitely drawing attention standing as they were, in view of all the passer-byers. Yet he was comfortable. Confident.

He shrugged, because he didn’t know how else to react to her keen observation. She read him so intimately.

She was still reading him, and she could see traces of that self consciousness that had been missing all day creep into his body language.

“Did I kill your mojo?”

If he’d been confident all day, then she’d been radiant all weekend. They’d spent the week, Monday through Friday, stressed, all over the place, sleeping odd hours and meeting up to study or cry (the tears were from Annabeth, Percy was a zombie at that point) just trying to get through finals week so they could actually graduate. And then the weekend had come and family had arrived and there were graduation ceremonies and baccalaureates and dinners with parents and dress shoes and dresses that made Percy want to carry Annabeth off to a beach and fucking frolic in the fucking sand. But he couldn’t, there wasn’t any time to frolic or marvel or drink to the last five years of their lives. So they bounced from ceremony to ceremony. And she’d been absolutely radiant throughout, walking across the stage during her graduation Saturday morning, receiving special honors from her department. Running toward him this Sunday morning, wrapping herself around him and confirming that he had in fact done this, he was in fact finished with school. He’s so grateful for her. In awe of her. He couldn’t imagine doing this without her. It was incredible to do this with her. She pierced his heart like a sweet note of his favorite song and he felt her in his bones. There was so much going on, and it was good, all of it was so good, and here she was, here he was, and he missed her. Annabeth Chase, mojo murderer.

“Yes.” He cupped her face and kissed her quickly, she didn't even have time to react. “No. Now I’m overthinking, like, everything though. Bobby is coming out.” He jerked his chin at something behind her. “I think your fam is ready to leave.”

She glanced back at them with a frown. “That was supposed to be a compliment, Jackson.”

“Your dad is looking at me like he wants to say something.” Percy insistently tugged her arm and turned her around. “Please go with them before he does.”

She pulled her arm free and walked backwards, pointing at him for emphasis as the space between them grows.

“Keep the confidence, okay? I’ll see you at dinner?”

He pointed back at her. "I'll see you at dinner."

#mypjofic #percy jackon and the olympians #percy and annabeth #percabeth #california dreaming #trying to motivate to myself to finish the last part #by looking at the most recent chapter #one more and done

[chaos-and-sparkles]

Percabeth Wedding Headcanons

They considered not getting married as a fuck you to Hera, but decided a better fuck you would be to not let her rule their lives. 

Annabeth wore a white suit with a blue tie and Percy wore a black suit with a grey tie. 

There was a huge fight over who got to be whose bride's/groom's bitches. Eventually Tyson was Percy's best man, with Jason, Frank, Hazel, Nico and Leo in his crew. 

Annabeth's maid of honour was Thalia, with Reyna, Piper, Magnus, Clarisse, Rachel and the Stoll brothers in hers. 

Chiron officiated. Estelle was flower girl. Grover was ring bearer, and he began chewing the cushion halfway through the ceremony, while sobbing the most.

 Coach Hedge held his club up threateningly, but his eyes were suspiciously moist too.

 Calypso was the next big crier, sitting with her arms crossed stubbornly in a white vintage T-shirt and faded jeans, tears seeping out through the corners of her eyes.

Almost all the gods came. 

Aphrodite was jumping up and down and cooing over them, giving Percy looks that made him turn bright red. She looked exactly like Annabeth to him now. 

Apollo was sprawled in a front seat that he was not supposed to be in, and had dragged Will and Meg with him, Will smiling awkwardly while Meg chatted with Artemis about how annoying Apollo was.

 Hermes appeared to Percy in the dressing room ("Do you gods have NO respect for privacy?") because he 'had a message for him.’ A message from him, George and Martha, for once, wishing him good luck. They chatted, and then Percy asked if he'd met Annabeth too, but Hermes stiffened and left. 

Afterwards tho he and Annabeth came face to face during the reception, and it was awkward and silent. It ended with both of them in tears about Luke, but it was healing for them both. Hermes gave her her dagger back, and Annabeth was surprised and asked how he got it back from Tartarus. Hermes said Bob had found it and sent it up, and was on the lookout for her laptop too -

But he didn't get to finish, because Annabeth hugged him hard, and after initial shock he hugged her back.

The tension between Athena and Poseidon was palpable, and they were seated as far apart as possible. 

Poseidon thumped Annabeth on the back so hard she almost toppled into the lake, booming "I should have known! My son and I seem to have yet another thing in common - a love for queens among women." And Percy turned red again. Poseidon gave Percy a huge hug, and went on to meet Sally Jackson. Poseidon took his son marrying a daughter of his rival better than Athena did, though. 

When Annabeth and Athena met, there was some tension. It was difficult for Athena to admit she was harsh and unfair with what she said to Annabeth in HOO, and to apologize, but Percy put his hand on Annabeth's shoulder and stood behind her, even when Athena turned her piercing gaze on him and asked that she talk to Annabeth alone. He only went when Annabeth asked him to. 

Athena told Annabeth she was proud of her, and added that there was a chance she might be as great, and even greater, than Daedalus. Annabeth knew this was her best attempt at showing affection, and appreciated it. 

Athena then accosted Percy, on his way back with drinks, and gave him a once over and humphed. Percy didn't flinch or show any signs of being intimidated, and she raised and eyebrow and finally said, "I will admit, Perseus Jackson, that I did not think you a good choice for my daughter. I still have my doubts... However you have proved yourself more than worthy, and so I gave you permission to marry her. But make no mistake - if you hurt her, I will crack your skull open and extract every brain cell you have left, until you are a drooling, gibbering mess." Percy replied, "If I hurt Annabeth, she'll break every bone in my body before you even get to me. So I don't think you have to worry about that." They parted on fair terms. 

Artemis met Percy and Annabeth together, and they had a short conversation about the merits of being turned into a Jackalope, vs the merits of being married. "Life as a Jackalope is more enjoyable than it would seem. However, you have chosen your bane, and against all odds, I hold hope for you both." she concluded. 

Hestia was tending the flames when Percy and Annabeth went to meet her, both respecting her as the most helpful goddess of legit all time. She smiled and simply said, "Hope is stronger than ever now, Percy Jackson, for you now build a new and loving home - a rarer place than you would expect."

Mr. D insisted on making a speech, and making it out to Perry Jorganesson and Annie Bell.

The only god not present was Zeus. In fact, he'd banned the gods from going when it became clear that everyone wanted to go, but the gods' respect for him after the way he handled the HOO fiasco was in negative numbers so every single one of them sneaked out of Olympus. Even those who normally wouldn’t have gone went to spite him.

Hades and Persephone went as a couple. Hades sniffed and smirked, saying only that he was glad Percy was 'not my son's type, or I'd have to deal with you' (but he low key ships Percabeth). Persephone though, smiled radiantly and was one coo away from fangirl squealing. Before they left, Hades gave them a note from Bob.

"Bob saw two stars already. They were next to him in Tartarus. Bob says hello." Percy and Annebth sobbed for fiat that, holding each other tightly. They made a point of mapping every single constellation that night. They almost cried again when they saw the Huntress above them.

Hephaestus's eyes twinkled, and he said, "I see that trap in Waterland worked after all - even if not in the way I'd intended."

 Ares just grunted that Annabeth had a better weapon (the dragon fang sword) than the last time he saw her, and took his sunglasses off to glare at Percy. "Now there are TWO goddesses who'll kill me if I snuff you out."

The highlight though was Hera waltzing in, smiling smugly like she'd set up the whole thing, and eating a slice of cake, turning a seashell-and-flower arrangement into a cow because it 'looked better, and brought back memories'. She left soon enough, but not before the cow had left a warm gift.  

Grover gave his blessing as Lord of the Wild, Rachel gave hers as the Oracle, and the gods fully expected Percabeth to ask for one of their blessings next, but instead the two turned to Sally Jackson and asked for her blessing as the 'supreme goddess'.

The ceremony was in the pavilion, and the reception was around the canoe lake at twilight. The trees around the canoe lake were hung with fairy lights, and Juniper and the dryads had ensured that the sweetest, most fragrant flowers grew. Seashells decorated the venue. Calypso had brought moonlace that began to glow and smell even more beautiful as night began to fall. The Hecate cabin had enchanted sparkling butterflies to flutter around them both after it got dark. The naiads sang in voices nearly as beautiful as the sirens, although lighter and airier. The pegasi flew in formation.

Bessie the Ophiotaurus as well as the Hippocampi were in attendance.

Percy and Annabeth did their first dance underwater, and kissed before resurfacing. Everyone looked around for the dance floor, but couldn't see a thing, when they realized - the lake was the dance floor. Percy had managed to magic the lake, with favours from the naiads and Poseidon, into a liquid dance floor that rippled different colours with each step.

Their wedding day had been on the last day of camp, with the whole camp invited, so with nightfall came the camp traditions, but even better. 

There was the fireworks display of course, but with Leo's help it was doubly glorious and even began to tell Percabeth's story. Annabeth looked like she'd die when it began showing the Thrill Ride of Love part of the story, because "It doesn't matter if we're married Percy! It's still embarrassing!"

Camp fire was even more cheerful, what with the gods and mortals allowed in for the first time, and of course Piper+Leo and the Stoll brothers played pranks - it was funnier than it would have been because their pranks overlapped and backfired on each other instead.

Instead of wedding bands, Percabeth were married with camp beads - an owl and a trident artistically intertwined in a silver thread carved heart, designed by Rachel. Hazel summoned the silver and some jewels to embellish them - and this time, she knew, somehow, that they weren’t cursed.

Of course the cake and all food and drink was blue, as well as the flowers, the wedding party's outfits, and (on Annabeth's request as a surprise for Percy) the guests’ clothes. Aphrodite went super overboard with that, and even Artemis succumbed to a small blue flower and fang accessory in her hair.

As soon as the dancing and music ended (as soon as they could get the mic away from Apollo), the activity underway was Capture the Flag with Percy and Annabeth leading opposite teams composed of their bridal parties+friends. Coach Hedge and the Hermes, Ares, Aphrodite and part of the Apollo cabins along with a bunch of minor god cabins went on Annabeth's team, and Will, Meg, and the rest in Percy's. The gods sat it out (some had to be physically restrained) as did Grover, the nature spirits, animals and mortals (Rachel had to be dissuaded from entering armed with plastic hairbrushes and improv lighter-and-spray flamethrowers).

Nobody won. Instead of crossing over the boundary line when they met with each other's flags in hand, Percy and Annabeth started making out. Clarisse could be heard grumbling about it later.

Grover and Thalia stayed back long after everyone had left, and the four of them spent time together until four in the morning.

BTW Annabeth proposed to Percy right before he was about to propose to her. They both looked at each other in surprise for a solid minute, and then burst out laughing. It was impossible to tell who said yes, or if any of them did, but they didn't need to. 

They’d both gone to Tyson for the engagement rings. Tyson was confused at first, but promised to keep their secret from each other.

Grover on the other end of the link just stopped mid conversation with the Council of Cloven Elders and Dionysus, and bleated loudly in relief, "FREAKING FINALLY." out of nowhere, and while everyone looked bewildered, Dionysus though just took a sip of diet coke and rolled his eyes, sighing, "Took them long enough."

They proposed to each other on Percy's birthday. Annabeth had baked another blue cupcake ("I'm getting better at it, too!") and they were cuddling/play fighting/sprawling on the sofa late at night in Sally's apartment, talking. They sat with their legs crossed together, devouring the cupcake with their fingers, talking about their plans.

 Annabeth mentioned that she'd designed this new building for New Rome that she was SO excited to build (Reyna had contracted her as New Rome's architect), and asked if Percy wanted to see the design. Percy agreed, and she retrieved a roll of paper. Annabeth began to explain enthusiastically, and, pointing at the center of the design, said, "And this is my favourite part." Percy leaned in further to see what she was pointing at - at the heart of the temple, where the altar should be, was a blue-silver ring with a wave design over the words "will you marry me?"

Annabeth looked almost anxiously at Percy, but he looked blank. Finally, Percy uncapped Riptide, which she hadn't noticed was poised in his hand as if he was going to point or correct something on the sheet, and instead of expanding into a sword, it remained a ball pen - with a simple silver ring etched with the words "Wise Girl" around its tip.

They stared at each other, stumped, before exploding in laughter. 

Sally and Paul came running from the next room, Estelle copying them and giggling in Paul's arms, worried that it was a monster attack. When instead they saw Percy and Annabeth laughing and hugging, each wearing a ring on fingers covered in blue frosting and looking as if they couldn't quite believe it, Sally burst into tears right there and had to explain to her concerned kids, laughing, that these were happy tears because secretly she still couldn't believe that they had all found their happiness and it was something she'd only dared to dream of because it was everything she ever wanted for her son and she was happy to and oh how long had she waited and worked and hoped for a happy ending for all of them but never really expected it and this was too much - 

#percabeth #percy jackson #percyjackson #annabeth chase #annabethchase #percy and annabeth #wedding #percabeth wedding #headcanon #heroes of olympus #pjo #toa #trials of apollo #sally jackson #estelle jackson #grover underwood #rachel elizabeth dare #athena #poseidon #gods of olympus #hazel levesque #frank zhang #thalia grace #reyna avila ramirez allerano #piper mclean #clarisse la rue #percy x annabeth #proposal #gleeson hedge #nico di angelo

[miraclesnail]

A little bit of magic, a little bit of logic (and a whole lot of coincidence)

Summary: It’s not so bad growing up in Camp Jupiter. Sure, there’s little annoyances here and there: like, Octavian always glaring at him, him being stuck in the fifth cohort, his inability to learn Latin that well, his weird preferences for the Greek names over the Roman ones, and the most annoying of all, an itching, indescribable feeling that somebody is waiting for him. Somebody… which is ridiculous because he has nobody outside of Camp Jupiter.Or my self-indulgent AU where Connor grew up on Camp Jupiter while Travis is still on Camp Half Blood.

ao3 link

ffn link

aaaaaaaaaaand chapter 5 is finally done.

Chapter 5: I have to say, I am a pretty great friend.

Written for Writer’s Month Day 22: Summer

Connor climbs onto the ship not so gracefully and rolls over the rail onto the deck, sliding the grappling hook onto his belt. He surveys his surroundings. By the ballistas, Percy and a blonde are beside an unconscious body. In the middle of the deck is Jason, unmoving, — oh gods. Is he dead?! No, wait. His chest is rising. Jason’s okay. Jason’s fine — and another girl, conscious and tending to Jason.  

Nobody notices him yet despite his rather loud landing. If he hurries, he can bring this down without fighting a single — 

“Go! Get us out of here!” Percy yells and the blonde nods, standing up with speed and turning around. She freezes though when she sees him. 

Their eyes meet. 

Her eyes widen. She mouths a name. ( His name). A blast of icy cold wind chills his core (someone) (someone is waiting for him), but he pushes that thought away. 

Camp Jupiter first. Everything else second. Prove your worth and all of your problems will be solved. 

Connor uses the only asset he has, his slightly above-average speed, and takes off for the helm. The blonde follows after him unfortunately. 

He doesn’t want to fight. 

(You can still back out)

But there’s no other choice. There’s no backing out. 

He reaches the helm seconds before the girl will. At first glimpse, it’s obvious everything at the helm is handcrafted. The navigation system is… unorthodox. No traditional steering wheel. Just a variety of game controllers plus a dubstep keyboard and an aviation throttle all linked to several big screens.

The girl is nearly here. Make a decision, Connor. And make it fast. 

He lunges for the aviation throttle, but before he could push forward the girl screams that name again.

Travis. 

Travis… 

That name… that name sounds so familiar, even as it tears a hole in his chest. Travis… Travis… Travis is… Travis is someone important… someone he treasures. But that’s ridiculous. He never met a person named Travis before at all (Liar. Think harder.) 

No. Stop it. Camp Jupiter. You’re going to prove Octavian wrong, remember? Don’t you want to rub it in Octavian’s face? Don’t you want to rub it in all their faces about his success? Then stop listening to the voice and just do it, you loser. 

Connor grits his teeth, grips the throttle, and pushes it forward. The ship angles downward slowly. Not exactly what he wants to do. How does he lower the ship? Ah, whatever. He doesn’t have to bring the ship down. As long as he keeps it in place until the eagles could get here. 

The dubstep keyboard probably controls the ship’s cannons, oars, and mast. He stabs his dagger into the keyboard, flinching from the resulting sparks. The Wii remote he doesn’t have a clue as to what it does, but he jabs it with his dagger too. As for the monitors, he cuts the wires on the back and watches the screens turn black. 

Looks like they made a stop at McDonald’s before coming here. The soda cup sitting on the dashboard is half full and from the transparent lid, he can tell it’s definitely not water. Great! 

He’s about to reach for the cup when the girl pushes him aside with enough force to knock him to his back. 

“Crap. Crap. Crap. You couldn’t have made this simpler could you, Leo?” the blonde curses as she spends a second to stare at the controls in confusion before she finally spotted the throttle. That second cost her. Connor sweeps his foot on the back of her knees, watching her lose balance and hit her head on the dashboard. 

She glares at him and oh man, her glare?  It’s definitely enough to make him want to quiver in fear. But that’s something Octavian loves to poke fun at so he fires up whatever specks of courage he still has left and says, “You shouldn’t have attacked my home.”

“Your home?” Her eyebrows furrow. “Jason wasn’t lying. You’re really not Travis, are you?”

Connor clenches his eyes shut and wills the pain away with minimal success. Why does that name always do this? He doesn’t understand. His head… his whole body… it feels like he’s been shot and dunked in an ice bath. Fuck. He hates this. He hates everything right now.

“I’m not,” he starts to say, but the world spins dangerously. Don’t pass out again. Don’t pass out. Now’s not the time. “My name isn’t Travis. It’s Connor. I’m an only child.”

The girl hums. She probably doesn’t think he noticed her hand itching back up to the controls, but he sees it and he tackles her. Not that it did much. In seconds, he’s pinned on his back in a rear chokehold.

“Are you sure you’re an only child?” the girl grunts into his ears, tightening her hold. “We have someone who looks exactly like you back in my camp.”

“Sure you do,” Connor mutters and tries to roll around, failing spectacularly. But at least the girl is too occupied to reach the controls. If he can keep them this way for a while longer, then—

“Annabeth! We need to go!” Percy yells, running into view. “Terminus is firing up an attack and I don’t think this ship can withstand it.” 

“Kinda busy, Percy,” the girl — Annabeth — yells back, “I’ll hold him down. You get us out of here. Pull the throttle all the way back.” 

Connor sucks in a quick breath, pulls his grappling hook from his belt, stops himself from crying when Annabeth tightens her hold, and aims the hook at what he hopes is the dashboard. Annabeth attempts to snatch his weapon away. Or maybe she was trying to mess up his aim. Either way, the pressure on his throat lets up slightly and he elbows her hard in the side. She hisses in pain, pulling back more and Connor lets the back of his fist rocket back and hit her smack in the face. 

As she curses and clenches her nose, Connor rolls back up to his feet and takes aim again, focusing on the dashboard and pressing the trigger. The hook shoots forward. 

Amazingly enough, Percy notices the hook firing despite the barely noticeable gush of air released. He spins and swings Riptide down on the hook to knock it out of the way. But Connor kinda already knows Percy is that capable. He saw the guy fight. 

The hook fell to the ground, right next to Percy’s shoes.

Did he feel any guilt when he retracts the hook, the hook snagging on the shoe, and watches the son of Poseidon fall flat on his face?

No. Not really. His favorite boba shop was blasted to pieces because of them. This is just penance.

Connor stands and dodges Annabeth’s lunge, tossing the gun on top of her head. He runs to the controls, leaping over Percy’s groaning body, and grabs the soda cup again. If he pours it over the controls, it should fry the mechanics, shouldn’t it? If it doesn’t… two versus one isn’t ideal but all he has to do is hold them here long enough for Terminus to attack then boom. Goodbye ship. Hello Justice. 

“Connor.”

Now isn’t that a familiar voice? Connor bites his cheeks, but he doesn’t let go of the cup. Pour it.

“Connor, wait.”

“... why should I, Jason?” Connor says. Pour it. What are you doing? 

Connor chances the second to glance up at Jason, standing with the help of a brunette and wearing an orange shirt. He’s not a friend. He let his Camp be attacked. He’s an enemy. 

Even still... 

“You’re hurt,” Connor states, watching blood trickle down Jason’s temple. “What happened? Did another brick get to you?”

Jason rolls his eyes as the brunette stares between them. “Yes, it was a brick just like two years ago. Funny, I know. Absolutely hilarious. We can laugh about this later but Connor, I need you to listen to me. Put down the cup.”

Connor raises it instead. “No.”

“Connor,” the brunette begins to say, voice calm. “Put down the cup. Let’s talk this out.”

For some reason, her voice just makes him all the more angrier. 

“No.” He pops the lid. 

“I know you’re angry,” Jason says, tone slightly hurried now, “I know you think if you stop us from leaving, they’ll accept you. But the truth is—”

“Angry is kind of an understatement, Jason,” Connor snaps.

Jason continues like he never talked. “Octavian and his lackeys were never going to accept you. You fought in the titan war. You defended it the same as any of us. That should have been enough. Doing this won’t change their opinion.”

(He’s right, you know.)

His vision swarms, hard blinking no longer working on curbing the nausea away. A hand grasps his shoulder and he knocks it aside. Somehow Jason stumbles to his side. More than anything in the world, Connor hates the concern on Jason’s face. It makes him feel incompetent. Worthless. Weak.   

“I don’t care about being accepted. You attacked us. You need to face justice.” His voice breaks towards the end. 

“It’s to save the world,” Jason states. His hand grips his wrist holding the cup. 

(Let’s leave.)

“The… world? Come on. You’re exaggerating,” he snorts, but he could feel his resolve crumbling.

Jason shakes his head. “No, I’m not. This is to save the world.”

(Let’s go east)

The pounding in his head isn’t making understanding any of this easier. He blinks hard again, rubbing the heel of his hand over his eyes. 

(And then you can finally find him.)

“The titans are rising.” (Leave)

Ah. 

“Me, Piper, Leo, all of us. We are going to stop it.” (Go east)

It’s happening again. 

“So please.” (Someone is waiting for you)

That dream. That woman with two kids in her arms. He can’t see their faces. He could never see their faces. But they’re important. He needs to see them again. He needs to find them. (East.) 

“Connor? Hey? You okay? Are you still there?”

When Jason places a hand on his shoulder again, he doesn't bother knocking it aside. He looks down at the controls, not believing what he’s going to say next. 

“It’s… really to save the world?” (Someone is in this world. Might as well let it be saved as you go east and find your—)

Jason nods and Connor’s chest tightens like a hand is squeezing over it. 

“I really, really hate you,” Connor says, pouring the drink onto the deck and stepping back.

The three fates appear behind Jason, wrinkly, old faces judging him and judging him hard. 

Yeah, yeah. My promise. I didn’t forget. 

“Wipe that smile off your face, Jason.” Connor scowls, bumping his friend’s shoulder as he turns around and walks to the rail. “You destroyed my favorite boba shop. When this is all over, I’m making you buy me as many boba drinks I want forever.”

The stupid grin doesn’t drop from Jason’s face. “5 boba drinks a month. I can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars for your boba addiction. Hey, Connor, where are you going?”

Connor didn’t answer as he stops by the rail. He can see Frank as a dragon distracting Terminus down below. He can see Hazel putting out the fires on the sails. He can see he’s thousands of feet above the ground. Everybody is just a dot. The giant eagles are finally here and racing towards the ship, but they’re probably not going make it. 

“Connor?” Jason asks quizzically.

He steps atop the rail.

“Connor!?”

I can’t believe you gave up so easily . 

“Connor, get dow—”

And jumps down back to Camp Jupiter.

Out of the four seasons, Connor has to say summer is his favorite. It’s warm. It’s bright. It’s full of life. Going out of camp with his friends and visiting the sea lions at Pier 39 is his favorite activity to do ever. 

(And the summer atmosphere reminds him of someone. He likes summer too.)

Someone catches him as he’s falling, her cheerful voice telling him who saved his life. But Connor opens his eyes just a tad to double check, resting his head on the uncomfy armor. 

“Thanks, Gwen,” he mumbles. 

“You’re welcome, you idiot. Octavian was going to let you fall to your death, but I wasn’t about to let that happen.”

“Thanks.” It might have been better if he’d just fallen to his death though.

He listens to the eagles’ flap their wings, but they’re not going to reach the ship. Octavian’s cussing confirms Jason and the others are gone. He still opens his eyes though to see the tail end of the ship disappear into the clouds. The glares he gets from Octavian and the others are enough to make him squirm closer into Gwen’s arms.

“Don’t let them get to you,” she says to him with undeserved support. “They couldn’t even get on board the ship.”

“Gwen,” he murmurs, “I let them go.”

But she just says it's okay, smiling with her saccharine grin. “I kinda figured you will. Jason can make you do anything he wants. Don’t worry though. I’ll protect you from Octavian.”

Connor pouts. “No, he can’t.”

(Yes, he can.)

“Yes, he can,” Gwen says, her smile dropping in concern. “Connor, you should sleep. You look like you need it.”

(She's not wrong.)

Why don’t you just shut up?  

But that annoying voice of his is right. And he hates it when that stupid voice is right. It makes it so much harder to question its validity. 

#fanfiction #archive of our own #connor stoll #jason grace #pjo #hoo #au #ao3 #it's been 5.5 months #i have to say #that's pretty good

[pjoandaftg]

chapter 6

Annabeth woke up the next morning feeling like somebody had hit her in the head with a sledgehammer. Her head was pounding. She groaned and rolled over to check the time and sitting there on her bedside table was a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water. Left there by what must’ve been a guardian angel. And she suspected that that angel’s name was Percy Jackson.

She popped some pills and downed the glass of water before tearing herself out of bed and heading towards the kitchen/living room. There, standing at the stove, was Percy. He must’ve heard her come in because he turned and gave her a small smile.

“So?” he asked. “How’s the life of the party this morning.” Annabeth groaned and fell back onto the couch.

“How bad was I?” she asked miserably.

“Honestly, you’re a fun drunk. It’s like this wild side of you is let loose when you have a gallon of alcohol in you.” Annabeth groaned again.

Percy handed Annabeth a cup of coffee, which she took gratefully before sitting down on the opposite end of the couch. They sat in silence.

This is nice Annabeth thought. Comfortable. And deep down, some part of her should’ve been panicking or a voice at the back of her head telling to ‘get out’ or ‘stop, you can’t let anyone close.’ But that almost permanent feeling wasn’t there, and she couldn’t help but think that she could get used to this.

She looked over at Percy, who was quietly drinking his coffee while looking out the window. Annabeth had known from the moment she saw him that he was handsome, but she hadn’t noticed how beautiful he was. His eyes sparkled like the sun’s reflection on a clear sea. He had sun-freckles along his nose, which was odd considering he grew up in New York City. His hair was a bit too long and he needed a haircut, but she couldn’t help wondering if it felt as soft as it looked. She hadn’t realised Percy was looking back at her, a soft smile playing at his lips.

“Thank you,” Annabeth said. “For taking care of me last night.”

Percy nudged her with his foot. “What are friends for.”

Annabeth let out a small chuckle and looked back at Percy. He looked conflicted, like he wanted to say something. Just when he opened his mouth a loud knocking came from the door. Bot Annabeth and Percy’s heads flew around to look at the door. Percy looked at Annabeth raising an eyebrow as if asking are you expecting anyone? Annabeth shrugged back in answer.

When Percy opened the door, Piper came storming in. She didn’t even glance at Percy before rushing past him. “I slept with him.” She announced.

Annabeth mouth dropped open. She wanted to say something, but she was speechless. She saw Percy in a similar situation out of the corner of her eye. When she finally found her voice, she asked “Who?”

“Jason,” Piper said in a small voice.

“You slept with Jason!” Annabeth exclaimed. “What happened to the ‘I’m going to take it slow’?”

Piper sighed defeated. “I don’t know, it just kind of happened and we were both drunk and when you and Percy left, I just danced with him and one thing led to another and-”

“Dot, dot, dot?” Annabeth asked.

“Exactly.”

“Okay, so let me get this straight. You slept with Jason last night,” Piper nodded. “and you stayed the night?” Piper nodded. “and you really like him?” Piper nodded. “Then what the fuck are you doing here with me and Percy and not with him?”

Piper sighed again, “He had an exam he couldn’t miss, or at least that’s what he told me. Oh my god, what if he didn’t have an exam, what if he just didn’t like me and thought it was a mistake and never wants to see me again. What if-”

Piper was cut off from a close mental breakdown by Percy who said, “This is Jason Grace we’re talking about right?”

Piper looked shocked to see Percy, probably haven forgotten he existed but nodded all the same.

“Then he wasn’t lying, he really does have an exam.”

Piper didn’t look convinced. “How do you know?”

“He’s in the same class as my friend Frank, plus I’ve known Jason for like 3 years. Rival high schools. The exam is like half of their half-term grade, I’m surprised he went out last night, that’s not like Jason. The only time he really goes out is with friends or this one time when he was trying to impress this gir-” Percy stopped talking. “He wasn’t lying.”

Piper now had the biggest smile on her face. She wiped her tears and stood up. “All right, I’m done crying in your living room now.”

Annabeth caught her hand as she began to move away. “You sure your okay?” Piper gave her hand a small squeeze. “I am now, thanks for listening to me rant but I’m done now, and I desperately need a shower. I’ll see you later?”

Annabeth nodded and Piper left. When the door closed Percy looked at Annabeth. “That was-”

“Chaotic?” Annabeth offered.

“Yes, chaotic. That was chaotic.”

“That’s Piper,” Annabeth said fondly. She got up, “I need a shower, you going to be here when I come out?” Annabeth doesn’t know why she asked really, she just did.

Percy smiled, “Where else would I be?” he said cheekily.

Annabeth gave him a playful slap on the shoulder and went towards the bathroom to shower.

----------

The weeks between Halloween and Christmas flew by. Grover came home not long after the party. Percy and Grover both went home for Thanksgiving, while Annabeth spent hers with Piper in her apartment. All in all, it wasn’t that bad of a day.

It also felt that something had changer between Percy and her. They were closer than ever; she’d even go as far as calling him one of her best friends. The two of them would stay up late and watch movies or sometimes just talk about nothing in particular.

One time they had ended up talking about what would happen if there was a zombie apocalypse. The next morning Grover had found the two of them passed out together on the couch.

Annabeth had gotten the call, a week before her finals began. She had been expecting the call and shouldn’t have been upset or surprised with its contents. Her dad was bringing her stepmom and stepbrothers to Hawaii for Christmas this year, so they won’t be home. ‘I hope to see you at New Year,’ her dad said. Not even an invitation. Typical.

That day Percy found her standing in the kitchen, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

“Hey,” he had said softly. “Are you okay?”

And he had asked it so softly that she had just broke down then and there. He had come over and wrapped his arms around her. Gently smoothing her hair and telling her that ‘everything will be alright,’ and that ‘you don’t have to talk about it but I’m here if you want to.’

It had taken Annabeth maybe five minutes to compose herself. She wiped her eyes, thanked Percy and left him in the kitchen, not telling him anything, no matter how much she wanted to because she didn’t want him to look at her with pity. Didn’t want him to think about how much of a burden she must be if her own family didn’t want her.

The call she didn’t expect though came two days before Christmas. Grover had already gone home for the holidays with Juniper, so it was just Percy and her left. Percy was leaving for home tomorrow after his last exam and Annabeth was spending Christmas with Piper in her dad’s log cabin up in Montana. They were also leaving tomorrow and coming back on the 29th so Piper can spend the New Year with Jason, who she was now dating.

She was sitting at the kitchen counter, studying her notes when the call came in. She looked at the number ID. She let herself have a moment of confusion before picking up the phone.

“Mom?” she asked.

Percy who was sitting on the couch, doing his own studying looked over to her in a silent question if he should leave. Annabeth shook her head, so he went back to his books.

“Annabeth, I was wondering if you had any plans for the New Year?”

This shocked Annabeth. She hadn’t heard from her mother in almost two years and here she was asking if she had any New Years plans as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Hello, Annabeth. Are you there?” her mother asked impatiently. 

“Oh um, no I don’t.”

“Great, I’m hosting a ball for many of my clients and acquaintances and I think that this would be a very good opportunity for you to get your name out there. I’ll email you on the address and I assume you will want to bring someone, so I’ll send you the tickets. I’ll also pay for your plane tickets and hotel. I’ve got to go now but I’ll see you at New Year.” And without waiting for a reply, her mother hung up.

She doesn’t know how long she stood there, looking at her phone. It must’ve been longer than she thought because Percy was suddenly opposite her asking if everything was alright.

“Hypothetically,” she said. “What would you do if your mother, who you haven’t heard from in almost two years, just offered to fly you and a friend to a ball, that could be a really good opportunity to better your future career, and pay for everything.” She looked at Percy’s face. 

“Well,” he said slowly. “Hypothetically, it sounds like this mother is trying to make an effort,” Annabeth must’ve made a face at that because Percy then added, “I think that this person should go, if not to make up with their mother then to help their career because you never know when an opportunity like this may arise again.”

Annabeth thought about this for a moment. “Your right,” she said. “I don’t have to actually make up with my mother, I just have to be civil with her for a couple of days and I can make incredible connections if I go.” 

“Thank you,” she said to Percy. He just waved her off and went back to his work.

Annabeth tried to focus on her studies but couldn’t help thinking about all the things that could go bad. She tried to think of who to bring. Piper was with Jason, Thalia was in Europe, Selena was spending her first New Year with Charles, Malcom might be there, she thought, she prayed. But that’s a risk she didn’t want to take.

“Hey,” she asked. “Do you have any plans for New Years?”

Percy looked at her curiously. “Not yet, why?”

“Because I don’t think I can face my mother alone.”

Realizing what she was asking Annabeth quickly scurried over to his side and said. “Look I know you probably can think of millions if better things to do during New Years than spend it at a ball with obnoxious, rich people but you’d really be doing me a solid. And everything is paid for, the plane, the hotel, I’m sure I can even get my mom to buy you a new tux, just please say yes.”

Percy thought about it for a minute. He sighed and smiled at her. “When do we leave?”

Annabeth was so happy she could kiss him. In fact, that is exactly what she did. She placed a quick peck to his cheek. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh my god, you are an angel Percy Jackson.” She said wrapping her arms around him.

Percy just laughed and hugged her back.

#percabeth #percy jackson #Annabeth chase #piper mclean #roommates au #percabeth fic #my writing

[knuffled]

Just Practice - Chapter 3

it’s here! sorry it took so long - i have an explanation sort at the notes at the end on ao3. reblog if you enjoyed the chapter - it really encourages me! comments/asks are especially welcome!

here’s the ao3 link

The sunlight filtered through the fluttering curtains in Annabeth’s bedroom, warming the side of her face and waking her. She sat up in her office chair with a yawn and stretched before rubbing the grime out of her eyes. When she looked down, she noted with some disgust the small puddle of drool on her SAT prep book. It was hard to say how long she’d been asleep, but it looked like it was late in the afternoon. She fumbled for her phone, which was on top of her bedside table, to check the time just as Percy called.

“Hello?” she said.

“Hey, I’m on my way to pick you up right now, so I wanted to give you a heads up,” Percy said.

With unadulterated horror, Annabeth pulled her phone away to look at the time. It was nearly five. Jesus, that meant she’d been asleep for nearly three hours.

“Shit,” she muttered.

“Uh, oh,” Percy said. “That doesn’t sound good. What’s going on?”

Annabeth wedged the phone between her shoulder and her ear and frantically rummaged in her closet for something clean to wear.

“Um, nothing. Nothing! How far out did you say you were again?” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Uh, I’m at the traffic light by the Sonic,” he said. “You sure you’re okay?”

That gave her about ten minutes to shower and get ready — it would be rough but doable. She settled for the first t-shirt her grasping hands could find and an old pair of jeans tucked in the back of the closet.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Everything’s fine. I’ll see you in a bit,” she said quickly.

Percy began to say something, but she hung up before he had the chance and ran to the bathroom, which was thankfully unoccupied. Annabeth rushed through her shower and decided she didn’t have enough time to do anything fancy with her hair, so she settled for leaving her hair down. After grabbing her phone, she took the stairs down three at time and almost bowled into her step-mother, Helen.

“Oh!” she gasped.

Annabeth swerved around her, avoiding eye contact, and muttered, “Sorry.”

“Where are you going in such a rush?” Helen asked.

“I’m hanging out with Percy,” Annabeth said, slipping on her shoes.

“Does that mean you won’t be home for dinner?” Helen asked.

Annabeth shrugged and said, “Probably not.”

Helen sighed and said, “Well, it’s not like you normally eat with this family anyways.”

Annabeth froze, mid-way through tying her shoes, and felt her jaw tighten. For a few seconds, she wrestled with the temptation to say something snarky in response, but she forced herself to take a deep breath and ignore it. Getting into arguments with her step-mom only ever pissed her off.

“Dad, I’m hanging out with Percy!” Annabeth yelled over her shoulder.

She could see the back of his head in the living room, reading a newspaper. He made some distracted noise of acknowledgement but didn’t otherwise turn from his paper. Annabeth swallowed hard and forced open the front door before she ran down the steps leading to her front door and slipped into the passenger’s side seat of Percy’s car.

“Hey,” Percy said.

“Hey,” Annabeth muttered, reaching for her seatbelt.

Annabeth knew that if Percy saw her face, he would immediately begin worrying, so she turned away from him and pressed her forehead against the cold window. Still, she could hear the concern in his voice when he said, “Ready to go?”

All Annabeth could do was nod, prompting Percy to start the engine and pull out of her driveway. She screwed her eyes shut and took another deep, shuddering breath, wrapping her arms around body and curling in the seat towards the window. There was a song she didn’t recognize playing feebly through the car radio, but it was so quiet that the sound of wheels on the road drowned it out. There was something peaceful about the noise in conjunction with the feeling of the cold glass against her forehead, and by the time they pulled onto the highway, Annabeth felt a little less on edge.  

“Do you want to talk about it?” Percy asked quietly.

Annabeth moved her head from the window and said, “No, not really.”

Percy gave her a quick glance before looking back at the road and said, “Well, if you want to, I’m here to listen.”

“I know,” Annabeth said, mustering a smile. “Thanks.”

She turned towards the window again and stared outside. Percy’s hand quietly found hers and gave it a gentle squeeze before letting it go, and Annabeth felt a surge of gratitude and affection for him rush through her. It was the little things like that that made Annabeth love him so much. He somehow always knew how to make her feel better. A Taylor Swift song began playing on the radio, which made her groan out of habit, derailing her train of thought.

“Ever the T-Swift hater,” Percy said, sighing melodramatically.

Annabeth sat up straight and scoffed. “I don’t hate her,” she said.

“That was utterly convincing,” Percy said.

“It’s just I don’t like that—”

“That they play her songs non-stop because it gets on your nerves, I know,” Percy said smugly.

Annabeth turned to glower at him but froze at the sight of him instead. It was the first time that day that she had gotten a proper look at Percy, and she found herself trying not to gape at him.

Percy noticed her staring and rubbed his cheek, frowning. “What? Do I have something on my face?” he asked.

She had not been expecting him to dress up. Maybe it was a bit egregious to say he was dressed up — he was only wearing a button down shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans — but the outfit looked oddly professional on him. Annabeth knew from prior experience that Percy hated wearing button down shirts, even though she’d always said he looked really good in them, and this black and white checkered number he was wearing was no exception. Christ, he’d even rolled up the sleeves, exposing his forearms.

“You’re dressed up!” she said incredulously.

“Gee, thanks for noticing,” Percy said, rolling his eyes, but there was no venom in his voice. “It only took you, what, like fifteen minutes?”

“But you hate button downs,” Annabeth said.

“Well, yeah, usually—”

“Nobody told me we were dressing up,” Annabeth interrupted, feeling her heart sinking.

“We’re going on a date, Annabeth. A date. You’re kind of supposed to dress up for them, you know?” Percy said, laughing.

Annabeth suddenly felt horribly aware of how she was wearing a ratty old t-shirt from middle school and how it had a small hole near her right shoulder. Her jeans weren’t much better — on top of being probably the worst pair she owned, they had also been thrown in the wash so many times they had turned into denim soup.

There was a fond resignation in Percy’s voice when he said, “I had a feeling this sort of thing might happen. If anything, it’s my fault for not letting you know beforehand. Don’t worry though, we’re not going anywhere fancy.”

Annabeth still mumbled an apology and shrank back in her car seat. She wished the ground would swallow her whole. This whole practice dating thing had been her idea, and she was the one fucking everything up. It was honestly unbelievable how she managed to forget such a major thing on her first date. It was made all the worse by the fact that Percy was taking this seriously. Of course, she was glad that he was, but it only served to highlight her own ineptitude.

As if he could read her mind, Percy turned to her and said, “Annabeth, don’t worry about it. Seriously. I just want you to have a good time tonight. That’s all that matters to me, okay?”

“Okay,” Annabeth said quietly. “Now where are we going?”

A small smile crossed Percy’s face. “You’ll see. We’re almost there.”

It took another ten minutes before Percy pulled into a parking lot in front of a large building. When Annabeth stepped outside, she could hear the ocean not far in the distance and the cawing of seagulls over head. The sky was turning dark and gray, and she could see the beginnings of a storm forming on the horizon, out at sea.

Standing in front of the building, Percy opened his arms like a showman and said, “Ta-da, it’s the aquarium!”

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of that,” Annabeth said, smiling.

“C’mon, let’s head inside and get tickets,” Percy said. “Maybe they’ll give me a discount.”

“Oh, yeah, you used to work here right?” Annabeth said, walking alongside Percy.

“Yeah, I volunteered here the summer before junior year. You know, the one you spent at your cousin’s place in Virginia?”

“Man, that summer was so boring,” Annabeth groaned. “At least we weren’t staying with my step-mom’s side of the family.”

Percy winced and said, “That would’ve been bad.”

“It would’ve been fucking train wreck, is what it would’ve been,” Annabeth snorted. “I’d honestly rather get lobotomized than go through that.”

When Percy laughed, Annabeth felt her spirits raise somewhat. They got in line to get their tickets, and Percy even managed to sweet-talk the middle aged lady at the ticket counter, who remembered him, into giving them both a discount. As she applied the discount, Percy turned around and flashed Annabeth a bright, disbelieving grin, and Annabeth couldn’t smiling back. She was distracted by it long enough for Percy to pay for both their tickets before she could complain.

He handed her a ticket as they walked towards the entrance of the museum and laughed giddily. “I can’t believe that worked. Thank god it was Janice at the register today and not Karen. She would have probably charged us double.”

“You didn’t need to pay for my ticket,” Annabeth huffed.

“My mom didn’t raise a son who wouldn’t pay on a first date. Sorry not sorry,” Percy said, shrugging.

Annabeth couldn’t argue with that logic. “Well, I’m buying dinner. No arguing.”

“I suppose I’ll let you have that one,” Percy said, laughing. “Now, what do you want to go see first?”

“Uh, I don’t know,” Annabeth said. “The penguins, I guess?”

“Good choice! Penguins it is!” Percy beamed.

The aquarium was crowded, which made sense given that it was Saturday and that the aquarium was pretty popular. Even though Annabeth had lived in Westwood her entire life, she had never actually been here, much to Percy’s chagrin. He’d always promised to take her, but it had never panned out for whatever reason. It was kind of fitting that they were here for their first date. The thought brought a small smile to her face.

“Okay, here we are,” Percy said, coming to a stop. There were about four penguins waddling around in their enclosure and two more swimming in the water.

Percy pointed one of them out and said, “That’s Benny. He’s the youngest penguin we have here. Oh and that’s Lyla. The one swimming there is Gertrude. Then there’s Nina, Oswald, and I think that’s Coco hiding behind the rocks. The really big one is Horace. Horace is kind of a dick. He always tried to steal from the other penguins during feeding time.”

“How can you tell which one is which?” Annabeth asked, still trying to digest the sudden deluge of information coming her way.

“Well, Benny is the smallest, and Horace is the biggest, so there’s two right there. Nina and Coco always stick near each other, but Nina has a white patch on the nape of her neck. Gertrude loves to swim, Lyla hoards pebbles, and Oswald has a cut on one of his flippers from getting into a fight with Horace,” Percy explained.

“How do you remember all of that?” Annabeth asked.

An easy smile crossed Percy’s lips as he shrugged. “I don’t know. I just kinda do? Maybe because I worked with them a lot. Which way do you want to go next?”

“Uh, left?” Annabeth said.

Percy brightened impossibly further and said, “Ooh, that’s where the sea horses are!”

She couldn’t help smiling at his excitement and followed him as they walked to the next exhibit. Percy pointed out all the animals he’d worked with and shared stories about the particularly memorable ones. He could also spout off a bunch of facts about any of the animals, and the more he talked, the more animated he got. At some point, he started steering Annabeth to the exhibits, his hand on the small of her back, too caught up in what he was saying to notice.

Annabeth lost track of what he was saying about a fourth of the way through the aquarium. It occurred to her that this is what he must have felt like when she went off on rants about architecture. This time, Percy was the one going a hundred miles an hour while she did her best to keep up. It was strange having their roles reversed, but the more animated he got, the more he seemed to glow, so it was kind of worth it.

Eventually, they made their way to a gigantic tank at the heart of the aquarium, which was filled with the most diverse amount of fish Annabeth had seen all day. The tank was so big it was impossible to get a full view through only one window. The windows were supported at the base by concrete that sloped up from the ground to hold the glass in place. Percy laid down on one such slope and Annabeth laid down beside him when he wordlessly patted the spot next to him.

From their new vantage point, they were looking at the tank upside down. Annabeth could only stare as groups of colorful fish swam past, occasionally dispersing when an eel or larger fish showed up. With the windows hanging over their heads, the fish were so close that it almost felt like she was in the tank herself.

She didn’t know how long they laid there, silently staring up at the animals swimming, but eventually she turned to Percy and whispered, “This is so cool. I had no idea you knew so much about all this.”

When he shrugged nonchalantly, Annabeth said, “No, don’t try and play it off. It’s amazing. You could honestly give Wikipedia a run for its money.”

Percy shook with suppressed laughter, but Annabeth nudged him with her elbow until he met her eyes. “Seriously. You’re amazing,” she said, trying her best to make him understand.  

“Thanks,” he whispered.

“I mean I’ve always known you’ve loved the ocean and stuff, but I never realize that you knew this much.”

Percy offered her a small smile and something alien gleamed in his eyes. “There’s lots of things that you don’t know about me.”

The subtext in his words was plain to hear, even if Annabeth couldn’t understand what he was implying. She tried looking into his eyes for clues, but she only saw an invisible challenge in them. Before she could ask him what he meant by that, Percy stood up and the moment was gone.

“We should get going,” he said. “I’m getting hungry.”

“Yeah,” Annabeth said, frowning. “Me too.”

Outside, it was beginning to get dark. The storm had moved significantly closer and now loomed overhead. They found a small diner and ordered cheeseburgers and milkshakes to eat as they walked along the beach. They sort of talked about everything and nothing while they walked and ate. Eventually they made their way to the beach, but it was getting too dark to go in the water, so they settled for sitting on the sand, which had already begun losing warmth now that dusk had arrived.

When Annabeth stole yet another sip from his milkshake, Percy shoved her. “I swear to god, you’ve stolen more than half of my milkshake, you asshole. More than half!” he fumed, but it was undercut by the fact that he was trying hard not to laugh.

“I drink your milkshake! I drink it all up!” Annabeth said, cackling.

Percy groaned and said, “Isn’t that from that one movie we had to watch in history class? Blood something or other?”

“There Will Be Blood,” Annabeth corrected.

“It was a such fucking awful movie,” Percy said. “I almost wanted to call in sick when we were watching it.”

“I don’t know, the part where he went nuts and chased Paul Dano in his bowling alley was pretty entertaining,” Annabeth said.

There was a pause before Percy said, “Okay, agreed, but that doesn’t make up for the other hour and a half of that movie.”

Annabeth hummed in agreement, watching with avid interest as Percy finished what little remained of his milkshake. He made a show of slurping as obnoxiously as he could, so Annabeth pushed him, even though it was making her laugh. Percy made a noise of disapproval and glowered at her as he put aside the empty cup.

“You’re honestly so mean to me, Annabeth Chase,” he said, shaking his head. “Why do I put up with you?”

“Because you love me,” Annabeth teased.

There was a moment where she thought Percy stiffened beside her, but when she looked over at him, he was only rolling his eyes. It happened so quickly that she almost missed it.

Percy quickly cleared his throat and said, “Mom wanted me to tell you she said hi, by the way. And that you should come over sometime because she misses you. Same with Estelle.”

“I’ve been meaning to,” Annabeth said. “It’s just been busy. Between school and college apps and testing and cross country, I barely have time to breathe. Like this morning, for example, I spent like four hours studying for the SAT.”

“That sounds like a lovely way to spent a Saturday morning. Why oh why would you complain?” Percy said, smiling.

“Yeah, okay, Mr. Swimming Scholarship.”

“Nothing’s set in stone yet,” Percy said warily.

Annabeth shrugged and leaned back, resting on her elbows. “It’s only a matter of time. The scouts will be raving about you — if they aren’t already that is. You deserve it though. I know how hard you’ve worked these last few years,” she said.

“Thanks,” Percy said softly. “And you’ll crush the SAT. I know you will.”

“I hope so,” Annabeth said, sighing. “Weird how we are finally seniors now, right? One last year and then it’s off to college.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Percy muttered, hugging his knees to his chest. “High school is hard enough as it is. I don’t even wanna imagine how bad college is going to be.”

“Same,” Annabeth said. “We’ll survive somehow. We always do.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Percy sighed.

“On a more serious note, have you considered working your way up at the aquarium or something? Like in the off chance that the college stuff doesn’t pan out, I mean. You looked really passionate back there,” she said.

Percy started drawing shapes in the sand as his face turned red. “I talked at you literally non-stop. I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Annabeth said. “It was really cool seeing a side of you I’ve never seen before. And I learned a lot.”

“Well, I’m glad you did, but I still felt like one of those guys that just doesn’t shut up on a first date. Felt like I was mansplaining or something,” he said.

“Don’t be silly. I had a lot of fun. I was definitely wowed,” Annabeth said, smiling.

Percy looked up at her shyly. “Really?” he said.

“Really, really,” Annabeth promised. “But next time, I’ll be the one showing you around, Seaweed Brain, so look forward to it.”

An enormous grin slid across Percy’s face, and he seemed to glow even brighter than he had in the aquarium, if such a thing was even possible. A little laugh escaped him before he could help it.

“What’s so funny?” Annabeth asked, frowning.

He shook his head, still laughing a little, and said, “Nothing.”

“That was real convincing.”

“Well, it’s just that I’m told I set the bar pretty high when it comes to dates, you know? You sure you can top that, Chase?” he asked, grinning.

Annabeth breathed a laugh and shoved him. “Don’t get so cocky, Seaweed Brain. This is what I get for paying you a genuine compliment, huh?” she said.

Before Percy could respond, the clouds overhead boomed and suddenly it began to rain. They both stood up and ran back to Percy’s car, just in time to avoid the torrential downpour that followed.

“There’s a towel in the back seat if you need it,” Percy said as he started the car. “I used it for swim team practice on Friday though, so fair warning.”

“I’m okay. I didn’t get too wet,” Annabeth said.

The rest of the car ride was relatively quiet apart from the sound of rain and thunder, but Annabeth’s mood began to drop the closer they drew to home. She stared at the shifting landscape outside the window, trying not to feel like all the magic of the date had been suddenly undercut. It was still raining heavily when they stopped in front of Annabeth’s house, even though the drive had taken over a half hour.

“I really don’t want to go back inside,” she muttered.

“Did something happen?” Percy asked.

Annabeth pressed her head into her car seat headrest and screwed her eyes shut. “Yeah, but I don’t want to get into it right now,” she said.

There was a pause before Percy said, “You can sleep over at my place tonight, if you want. My mom would be totally fine with it.”

“Thanks, but I kind of have to go home tonight, or it’ll just get worse,” Annabeth said. “Thanks though. Not just for that, but for the date and everything. I had a great time.”

“Good, I’m glad,” Percy said, smiling softly.

“I’ll see at you school on Monday then, I guess,” Annabeth said, sighing as she stepped out of the car.

“See you then,” Percy said, nodding.

“Later,” Annabeth said.

She gave Percy one final wave once she reached the front door, and once he pulled out of her driveway, she stepped inside. The sound of the television coming from the master bedroom made her breathe a sigh of relief. She slipped off her shoes and made her way to her room, locking the door behind her once she was inside.

She checked her phone and saw that it was almost midnight. Once she changed into her pajamas and shut the open window, Annabeth slipped into bed and stared at the ceiling. There was a weary fear that she would spend the rest of the night overthinking about the day’s events, unable to sleep, but she fell asleep almost immediately after closing her eyes, grateful for some rest.

#percabeth fic #percabeth #pjo fanfic #percy jackson #annabeth chase #percy/annabeth

[xreaderbooks]

Book Store

(Nico Di Angelo x Reader) Guys please don’t come for me this was written when I was 14 and I haven’t bothered editing it yet so there’s that.

Masterlist

"Chiron please I haven't been outside the border in years" I pleaded

"Ms.(l/n) I would advise you to not ask again for it is being quite the annoyance to me and if you don't stop I will be forced to give you kitchen duty" Chiron bargained. At this point I will never see the outside world again and die. Yes die, I will die of boredom. I’ve been inside the camps borders for 2 years without a quest and my friend Nico has because of his stupid shadow travel (well we aren't necessarily friends more like acquaintances but you know same difference).

"Fine" With that I left off to cabin 3 to complain and mourn over the fact that once again for another year I will be trapped here to my amazing brother who basically gets to leave almost all the time because he's sent on a quest literally every single year but listens to my sobbing story every time the one and only Percy Jackson.There I see a very busy Annabeth chase (his girlfriend) and a bored out of his mind Percy.Taking him out of his misery I begin my sad and depressing story.

"Brother!" I yell flopping onto my bunk

"Yes?" He replies "Chiron denied my request again" "You know (y/n) it really isn't that bad staying inside camp borders and not dying" ‘I haven’t been out since I got here’ I thought but okay.

 "He's kinda right you know" Annabeth added "I used to feel just as trapped as you and then Percy came along-"

"Ah no I ship it and all but I don't want to hear how you guys got together and lived happily ever after I'm having problems with my love life as well" I interrupt. Too many thoughts in my head so before they continue lecturing me I leave my cabin and I would normally go to Leo but he has a project and won't pay attention to a thing I'm saying so why bother. Instead I go to another person who would listen Hazel Levesque who happens to be the guy I likes’ sister. Luckily she was in Camp with Frank today that made it was easier than IM'ing her."Hey Hazel" I say

"Hello (y/n)" Hazel replies "Can I talk to you about a problem i’m having right now?" I ask "Um okay sure" she responds pursing my lips. And then I tell her about how I've been stuck in this camp for years and its been forever since I've had a quest since I'm pretty much the forgotten sister of the Poseidon cabin."Well I'm sure Chiron has his reasons for not letting you go" She said trying to convince me."Yeah I guess well it's time for lunch I'll see you later Hazel" Later that day Percy told me chiron was asking to see me at the big house, I was hoping it was because he considered my request and when I got there my hopes kind of faltered.Standing there was Nico Di  Angelo with the same monotone expression with Hazel."Hey (y/n) you made it" Hazel exclaimed and hugged me "I mean I was kinda hoping that Chiron might've considered my request but apparently not" "Oh actually you see I talked to him and at first he said no but Nico volunteered to take you wherever you want as long as your back before the harpys come out said by chiron" "oh my gods really!" I yelled jumping up and down hugging her I was so excited that I jumped/hugged Nico "oh my gods I am so sorry I-" he cut me off "it's fine" he said gently pulling me of him"we got to go if you want to go to all the places outside camp and make it in time to not die" he said As he took my hand I saw a small  blush on his cheeks and a spark when he held it sinking into the darkness.

~~~

"Holy Hera there are so many books here I think I found my new love"  I exclaimed"out of all the places you had to choose you chose a book store" he deadpanned"Its not just a bookstore its Barnes and nobles, my Elysium"basically the whole time here at barnes and nobles nico was trudging around following me around the place until I decided to get a book called the divergent when we were at the counter to pay my dumbass self forgot to bring my American/ real world money."don't worry I'll pay" Nico offered"no don't you don't have to" I said grabbing his wrist so he wouldn't pull out his wallet."S'okay I want to" and he gave me a look which is the just-do-what-I-say look After he payed he grabbed my hand and we left heading outside to the streets,"You didn't have to pay for the book you know I could've lived without the book, well I couldn't but I actually co-""Listen I payed for the book because I wanted to end of discussion besides maybe I'd like to read it sometime so it would benefit for the both of us""Yeah but you already had to shadow travel here when you didn't have to you could've been doing something else""Trust me when I tell you I had nothing important to attend to" I glanced at him and he stared right back "you know what fine if you want to know why I didn't mind paying for the book or taking you out of camp is because I don't know what I'd do if you would've gotten hurt out of camp or much worse like get killed by a monster I wouldn't be able to live with myself if another person I-""you know what fuck it" he pulled me to him until our lips touched and moved in sync, but just as soon as it started it had to end."I wouldn't be able to live with myself if another person I love died and besides I like seeing your beautiful smile"

#Nico di Angelo #nico di angelo x reader #nicodiangeloimagines #percy jackson #percy jackson imagine #jasongrace #pipermcclean #leovaldez #willsolace #hazellevesque #frankzhang #the heroes of olympus #gaia

[blackjacktheboss]

Hi. I'm a big fan of your headcanons and writing. I saw a post somewhere about how Percy and maybe even Annabeth shouldn't have been part of the seven. If you could choose, who would you have preferred as the main HOO characters?

hello! hmm the thing is I don’t mind who the 7 were I just wish they didn’t each have some immensely rare powers and were blessed by a patron goddess who had been grooming them since birth to be A Hero ya know? like.. I’m tired. 

7 alone is an ambitious number of primary characters especially when you tell your stories from character POVs. I feel like it wasn’t who the 7 were but how the 7 were. So personally I wouldn’t change the roster I’d just change how their stories were told 

Percy and Jason would Not be “bros”, but rather would have like a low key Cold War going on. They’re not sure of each other but don’t wanna rock the boat for the rest of the crew. 

Annabeth talks to Percy more about her quest from her mom and wonders if this was always why her mom helped her. “Has she just been… waiting… for this? For me to be able to do this for her? Would she have helped me when I was 7 if she didn’t think I could do this?” 

Hazel is uncomfortable around the White Kids and gets squirrely when she’s left alone with them. She either has to have the curse or a special connection to Hecate. Can’t be both. Gotta find some other way to tie her in to the story. It was wayyyy too much. OR if she does have both, we have to dive into her history as a black girl from New Orleans. Have Hecate tell her about how her grandmother was a respected woman back in the Motherland. How the magic came off of her in waves, and when she arrived in America in shackles, she promised herself she would keep her traditions alive. Hazel’s mother was never doing “tricks” or scamming tourists, she was manipulating what little of the magic she could because it had never come to her naturally. But Hazel? Oh Hazel is a carbon copy of her grandmother, and Hecate can see the same power in her that she saw all those years ago in her grandmother. 

“If you knew my grandmother, why didn’t you save her? Send her back? Set her free?” “Mortals do terrible things to each other, Hazel, and it is never my place to intervene. Your grandmother had people she took care of, people who needed her. That meant more to her than freedom. Besides, she told me not to worry about her for she had a vision.” “A vision of what?” “A vision that from her roots would come a sapling so strong, so vibrant, so Powerful, that her freedom would not be denied. And that with her, she would carry the spirits of all who came before her and stand tall on a mountaintop. She was talking about you.” 

Frank’s curse would actually be a curse!!! I’ve talked about this before but I would have killed off Frank. It’s fucked up and I hate myself for it, but thems just the facts. My boy’s piece of driftwood would burn a bit every time he used his powers, but he doesn’t tell anyone. In the final battle, he has to use his powers a lot and suddenly Hazel sees smoke coming from inside Leo’s fireproof bag. Somewhere in the battlefield Frank has fallen and his friends run to him. He asks if he’s cleared his family’s name with the Legion. Asks if he succeeded. Says he hopes his mother saw how brave he was. “She always told me to be brave.” And the fire leaves Frank’s eyes as his friends watch his driftwood turn to ash. 

Leo has a come-to-Jesus moment where he brushes the chip off of his shoulder and decides to not be a dick. Of all the dreams he could have had, I wish for him a dream of his mama. Where she tells him it’s not his fault, like the scene in Good Will Hunting!! He deserves that. And then later he has another dream with her again and they have a heart to heart when he’s thinking about hiding his plan from his friends where his mom tells him what she wishes she could have told him in person about friendship and loyalty and love and family. “I’m sorry mijo. I was always supposed to teach you this in person.” “It’s ok Ma, I know you would if you could” and he just has this new lightness to him. He’s still the jokester because coping mechanisms don’t change over night but the edge to them is gone. 

Piper gets to go the Fuck off on her dad for being a POS. I would love if her and Aphrodite had a conversation at some point about the “break one person’s heart” rule and like idk Aphrodite explaining some Truths about love to Piper and us getting to see more of Piper’s journey where she stops hating and starts participating ya feel. 

Jason gets some Real Emotional Play. They grazed the surface when he got stabbed and was like confronted by the angry remnant of his mom or whatever. That was weak as hell. Give him a real heart to heart with Lupa. Let him tell the group about when he first got to Camp Jupiter. Let him make some peace with his origin story.  

sorry this is so short, I haven’t thought about it much. 

#heroes of olympus #the seven #canonverse #demigods

[sassysweetstories]

Rivalry //Shawn Mendes Series

Summary: You are a demigod that’s been brought to Camp-Half Blood in hopes to find yourself and learn more about your powers. In fear of being bullied, much like before, you intend to stay behind closed doors until there in no choice but to come out about who’s child you truly belong to. 

Ship: Shawn Mendes x Fem!Reader

Warnings: angst, fighting, swearing, fluff, blood, etc. 

Notes: none of these gifs are mine. i saw another fic about demigods and i wanted to try and make it a series. the thoughts been festering in my mind forever now. i hope you like it. (also, none of the demigods and gods are really related. because of the parents fucking around, it’s not legitimate in this series. I ALSO RECOMMEND YOU TO LISTEN TO THE PERCY JACKSON SOUNDTRACK WHILE READING THIS. IT’S SO COOL) 

Your P.O.V

Camp-Half Blood. There is was, staring back at me like some haunting horror movie scene. The outer perimeter only being lit by two burning fires alone gave me a strange mix of home despite the ominous setting. I belong here. I tell myself the same thought that I’ve been repeating the whole drive here. I belong here. This is the golden arches for the odd and weird kids, a place to feel accepted. A place where it’s okay to be different. Or, at least that’s what I was told. But I knew if there were teens here, people my age, there would still be judgement. There always is. And the trip here was nothing but ridiculous. This place seems to fall off the edge of the earth and right under the nose of humans. And yet, I feel a pull towards the location. I know in my heart that I belong. 

Despite the nerves that start to fester, I take a deep breath and walk forward. It’s dark and quiet but the second I pass through the veil, I feel a sense of comfort or warmth wash over me. You are safe here. It seems to say to me. Lugging my one suit case farther in, I find myself following the main pathway. That is until my eyes come across a centaur. He’s fucking huge, twice if not three times my height. "Mr. Brunner, I presume.” I say seriously. Everything about me screams business, not pleasure. But he ignores it and gallops up to shake my hand in mutual respect. “Please, call me, Chiron. You’ll be seeing me quite often. Might as well get on a first name basis.” I give him a hardy shake and follow him along the dark pathway, my heart beating with excitement and nerves. 

“Welcome to Camp Half Blood, (Y/n). I realize, as you’ve said before, that you do not want to disclose your parentage to anyone, but here in Camp Half Blood, we categories and home you according to your abilities. That is, until I realized who you belonged to-” He pauses, wary of his next words. “-We don’t get many rare demigods here, so in the interest of your discretion, and for you, and the safety of others, we will not disclose that information until it becomes absolutely necessary.” The second the words leave his mouth, I feel a weight being lifted off me. If anyone knew who I belonged to.. Gods, what a nightmare that would be. Mr. D continues to educate me on what exactly I would be doing here and the longer he spoke, the more excited I became. 

“Tomorrow (Y/n), I will personally show you around the facility, but for now I will take you to your living quarters, which are located not too far from the other kids but a good distance for privacy.” I want to look up at him and thank him but I’m so in awe by everything, I can barely form words. Instead I give him a small nod and unpack, mentally preparing for the next day to arrive. My house, since I’m the only one living in it, is a lot lighter than I thought it would be. It’s an odd mix of colors but nothing like I had anticipated. In one room it is black with shades of bright purple. In the other, it’s a vibrant orange/yellow with blue and green flowers the cover the ceiling which brought an odd contrast. It’s surprisingly warm and cosy despite my first wary impression. Everything about the room alone is far much nicer than I’d ever had. I can’t help but lean against my bed headboard and smile. I was home. 

The next morning I’m up bright and early, too excited to even hide it. I’m practically bouncing off the walls as I slip my shoes on. But the second Chiron shows up, I suppress it a little bit. I don’t wanna come off too strong, after-all. I’m not even outside before the sun is happily shinning down on us. The trees all gleam in delight under such warm and bright weather. I can’t help but smile at the sight. Birds fluttered above my head, singing their normal song. The trees around us sway against the wind and tower over my head like mountains. The longer we walk, the closer we come to the middle of the camp grounds. Kids of all ages and colors run by us in a hustle and bustle, not without giving me a once over, if not stare at me as if I had horns or something. 

For some reason, I’m something entirely new to them. It’s as if they know. Instead I stand up straighter, demanding respect and even scowl at some who dare to give me pointed looks. And instead of making the situation worse, I focus on Chiron’s words. “You will be training like the rest of the students. But before you get to that, you have a schedule with certain classes to obviously learn about your parents and the other gods here.” As we walk by, a boy with bright eyes and dirty blonde hair eyes me up and down like a piece of meat. He nudges his lacks and they look in my direction and have the audacity to howl at me. Instead of causing a scene, I clench my fists in frustration. Deep breaths. In and out. 

Finally pulling my gaze away from them, I can’t help but stand up straighter, as if I was trying to prove something to them. I can tell behind their cocky stares that their curious about me and what I can do. Who do I belong to and what I have to offer. But I hope they never find out. But all I know is that I do, in fact, belong. But if I wanted to show that, I would have to be on the field and in the classroom. My first class is Gods & Goddess and their powers. Before I even came to Camp Half Blood, I had always been fascinated by Greek mythology. 

I use to spend hours after school reading up on all sorts of stories only to find out I was the child of one them. Chiron escorts me to the class, if that’s not awkward enough. But when I enter, more than fifty kids look directly at me. I can practically feel their judgment filled expressions pressing down on me like an anvil. I suck in a breath of air, letting Chiron speak for me. “Professor Ryan, this is your new student, (Y/n) (Y/L/N).” I give him a hardly shake and give him my signature smile. I swear I hear a group of girls in the front sigh and swoon. Aphrodite kids, I’m sure. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Miss (Y/L/N). You can sit right next Mr. Underwood.” I glance up at the large college build lecture hall before my gaze falls on the satyr I saw early. He looks nice, giving me a warm and playful smile. I can’t help but return it because in all honesty, it’s quite contagious. When I take a seat, I pull out my hand for him to take. “(Y/n). Nice to meet you.” He grins and takes it before shaking it lightly. “Grover. Grover Underwood. Likewise!” It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Grover whispers comments at me the entire time, practically shit talking the professor. It takes everything in me to not burst out laughing. Once class is over though, we walk out together and the conversation flows comfortably. 

“Hey (Y/n), I wanna introduce you to my best friend, Percy Jackson.” A boy with ocean blue eyes waltz up to us, showing me an equally warm smile. I take his hand and give him a hardy shake. “Nice to meet you, Percy. Cool name. I’m (Y/n), (Y/n) (Y/L/N).” Percy is just as nice as Grover and they make me feel at home. He’s son of Poseidon apparently. Which took me by surprise. “You’ll meet the rest of the gang later. Until now, you’ll have to settle for us.” Percy says jokingly but I can already sense a slight insecurity. “I like your guys’ company just fine.” But the second the words leave my mouth, I see Percy and Grover ease up. The sight makes me chuckle. It was only the first day and I was already making friends. 

Grover has taken it upon himself to show me every nook and cranny of the camp, saying Chiron was an old fart who didn’t know any of their secrets. Pointing over to a warm pink lit dorm, he gave me a cheeky smile. “Aphrodite’s daughters. Hello ladies!” He gives them a wave and some of them giggle in response. I’d be lying if I said none of them were attractive. The art of beauty and seduction was always something they perfected apparently. Some even wink at me as we walk by. I can’t help but blush as we shuffle across the way. “Aphrodite’s daughters are nothing but wild, especially in the sheets. Stay away from them. Or don’t. I mean, I don’t stay away, haha. Not far from them is Athena, girls and boys are separated but that doesn’t stop us much. You’ll meet Annabeth later. She’s a child of Athena.”

We make our way over to the dueling field and the girl he was talking about, whom I believe is Annabeth, is dueling with three other opponents. I watch in awe as she beats them with ease, not a bead of sweat to cover her gorgeous features. I can’t help but gape as she strides over to us, looking nothing but powerful. “That was amazing.” I spew out before my mind could even think. Before she seemed more cold and wary, but the longer she eyes me, the more at ease she becomes. “Thank you. I’m Annabeth.” I take her hand, still gaping. “I’m (Y/n). That was incredible. Can you teach me how to do that?” She laughs at my genuine awe. “Of course, in due time. We have to meet up with the others.” 

“The others?” I can’t help but ask in curiosity. They all smile as Grover spoke. “Luke and Shawn. Luke tags along with us occasionally but he mainly sticks to the more jock type crowd, ya know? He’s more brutes than he is brains. But don’t tell him I said that. Besides, he only sticks around with us because he fancies Percy.” Percy shakes his head, chuckling lightly as we walk down a different pathway. “He’s my friend. They’re both really great. You’re gonna love Shawn. He’s super chill but can be a bit cocky at times. He’s also got a killer voice. Shawn might seem a bit off but he’s pretty down to earth-” Annabeth practically snorts. “And he’s not a dick like Luke.” I can’t help but laugh at the comments being made towards the young boy. “Is Luke the one with dirty blonde hair? I may have seen him this morning howling at me. What a douche.” They snort at my comment before nodding. 

We head over to the weapons hall and as we enter, I can’t help but gape in awe. Weapons from all shapes and sizes layer each side of the walls, some even attached to the ceiling. Running my hand over some, I can’t help but smirk at the glint of light they all give off. “Beautiful, ain’t she? You’ll start combat soon but before you get your hands dirty, you’re gonna need a weapon, eh?” Grover says to me, motioning for everyone to follow him. We do so and listen to the folk lore behind all of the swords and knives without homes. That was until a bright black shine caught my gaze. Without realizing it, I drifted away from the group to get a better look at it. Black as night, the sword stretches a good few feet with a dark red leather handle and small, thin white swirls etched across the blade. 

I feel a pull towards the blade, like it was meant for me. I’m so enthralled by it’s treacherous beauty I almost don’t hear the manager comment, “Gorgeous, isn’t she. Five carbon steel, practically unbreakable, with a dark red handle that’s both comfortable yet firm enough to grip.” I graze the outside of the handle and smile at the sensation. That was until the manager commented, “I wouldn’t try to pick it up. It’s the heaviest weapon we’ve got and you look pretty nimble.” I could stand men trying to down grade women. Instead of listening to his warning, I take the sword with one hand and lift, expecting it to be heavy for my too “nimble body” but instead it practically floats under my touch. I twirl it around and it feels like I’m holding air. “Are you sure it’s the heaviest? It feels light to me.” 

The look on his face is nothing but priceless. Jaw dropped to the floor, face white he manages to scrape the last bit of testosterone he had and heads to the front. I take the sword with a smile, intending to check out before I came to an abrupt halt. The blonde douche I saw early, Luke, I believe, was speaking to another boy in a hushed manor behind a stack of knives. He had chocolate brown hair and equally as appealing eyes. “I don’t know Luke.. We don’t know anything about her-” He said softly, scanning over the weapons. Luke replied hastily. “She could be a great ally when we have the battle Friday.” The chocolate haired hunk scoffed. “We don’t even know if she can fight yet! Nor do we know of her abilities! What could she possibly offer for the win?!” Luke rolled his eyes and nudged the boys arm jokingly but he didn’t seem to enjoy it. “Don’t worry. With my suave persona, she’ll be confessing everything in no time. We’ll win this fight Friday, Shawn.” 

Were they talking about me? They must be. Quickly and quietly, I slip away from them without making a peep and head to the check-out line. “Looks like you found one!” Percy exclaimed happily, eyeing my weapon of choice. Annabeth nods her head with pride. “That’s a beautiful sword. You’re sure about it though? Once you choose a weapon, it becomes like your mate.” Percy and Grover share a confused glance before shrugging at me. I look down at it with my own sense of pride, happy with my choice before nodding. “Yeah, I’m sure.” Percy’s eyes wander to someone over my shoulder. “SHAWN! LUKE!” He exclaims, smiling at the two. I don’t make eye contact with them yet. Instead I hand over my sword to pay. 

The cashier nearly drops the sword, half dragging it across the floor to scan the price-tag along with the belt attachment. “Do you need help?” I ask, trying not to smile at his struggling state. He puffs and curses under his breath, arms bulging in hopes to lift the weapon I’ve handed to him. “Nope, ugh, I- I’m f-fine-” The interaction has unfortunately caught the groups attention and Grover can’t help but ask, “(Y/n), did you get the biggest one?!” I glance over at him and nod. “Yeah, what can I say, I like big things.” The sentence was meant to be a casual response but all four of the boys turned bright red with embarrassment while Annabeth burst out laughing at their reactions. As I’m about to look back at the cashier, my gaze meets Shawn’s. 

His eyes are bright despite being a chocolate brown. They almost have a flicker of light to them. One I can’t particularly describe. He’s different, I can feel it. I give him a small smile which he returns with a mediocre smirk. “Hun, why don’t I take that before you pull a muscle-” I wrap the holder around my waist and tie it before taking the sword from him. He sighs, almost happy to not have to carry its gargantuan weight any longer. But before I can slip my beautiful weapon into its case, Luke saunters up to me with a cocky grin. “You must be the beautiful, (Y/n). I’m Luke. Would you like me to carry that for you?” Annabeth and I exchange a knowing look. What did this boy expect from me? To just drop my panties cause he decided to be nice? Pff. 

I give him the fakest, most innocent smile I could before sighing sweetly. “Oh my gosh, that is so sweet. Thank you.” I take a step back and toss the blade at him. He lefts out an “Oof!” before falling to the ground, coughing and grunting as he attempts to hold the weight up. I walk around his immobile body and stick my hand out for Shawn to shake. “I’m (Y/n). Nice to meet you.” The moment he takes it, I feel a shock run through my body, itching up and down my spine before it dissipates. What the hell was that? “I’m Shawn. Likewise.” When he lets go of my hand, his is warmer than when we first touched. I wonder if I rubbed off on him? He glances down at me with wonder and curiosity. We duel with our eyes, examining one another before looking away.

I strut over to Luke who is still thrashing on the floor before I lift my sword off him with one hand. He sighs in relief, taking massive breaths of fresh air to accommodate for the ones that have been taken from him. Sheathing my blade, I look back at Annabeth with an innocent smile. “Annabeth, hun. Would you like to go practice dueling?” She laces her arm through mine, waving at the boys as we walk out. “I think we’re gonna be very good friends.” I can’t help but laugh with delight at her statement, feeling the boys eyes follow us the whole way out. I can’t help but look back at Shawn and ponder. Who does he belong to? 

Annabeth and I head out to the battle arena to change and practice fighting. “So-” I say while adjusting my gear. “-who are Luke and Shawn’s parents.” Annabeth tosses me another accessory for combat before replying. “Well, Luke is Hermes kid. You wouldn’t have guessed it but he, like most kids, hate their parents. He despises his dad, which is understandable. And for some odd reason, he gets super defensive and competitive when it comes to battles. Thinks he has to prove something to someone because he thinks his parent isn’t the strongest. It’s all about titles to him.” 

I nod along to her words but ask about the other boy, not caring much about the first. “And Shawn? What about him?” She talks while she ties her boots. “Well I think Luke just hangs out with Shawn because of his parental title-” I sheath my sword, standing up straighter. “What do you mean? Who is his parent?” When she looked back at me, I expect her to tell me the name of a small god but instead it’s someone who rattles me. “He’s the son of Zeus.” I drop my shoe in shock, nearly dropping the rest of my stuff. Annabeth laughs. “Yeah. He usually has that affect on women.” I scoff, shaking my head before resting my hands on my hips. “Pff. No! I was just surprised. Um, that’s pretty rare, isn’t it?” 

She nodded, grabbing her sword before following me out onto the battlefield. “Yeah, it is. Percy and him are the only two sons of the big three. There hasn’t been a third son but I’m hoping it’s a girl. I think Luke is using Shawn and Percy’s friendship to get ahead during the trials and fights. It’s vile.” I nod along to her voice. She was definitely Athena’s kid, brilliant and tactical. “Okay so, what are you gonna teach me so that I’ll be prepared. I want to be as good as you.” Annabeth took a few steps back, stretching her muscles. “That might take some time.” I drew my sword and grinned up at her. “I’m a good learning.” Before I knew it, she ran towards me and our swords crashed together. “Let’s get started.” 

Annabeth is a brutal teacher but she’s nothing like Ares teachers. They’re ruthless and cruel, just like their god father. I half expect them to have sharp teeth. We practice for nearly two days straight I almost don’t notice it’s been that long. With only fruits, vegetables and water to keep us going, we keep fighting. It’s nothing but exhilarating. We’re dueling and running circles around one another so much I barely acknowledge the ever growing crowd that’s decided to make their way towards us, intrigued by our fight and what we have to offer, what I have to offer. I barrel towards her, dodging whatever attacks she intends to throw my way before slamming my sword down on her. When they clash, sparks fly. Our faces a mere few inches apart as we growl at one another before separating again. 

“How long have they been going at it?” I hear Percy ask Grover. To which he responded with. “Two days straight. A few breaks here and there but I’ve never seen someone hold a fight with Annabeth and not fall over. It’s incredible.” Luke and Shawn stand near the other two boys, watching us closely. I almost feel bad for Shawn but I’m then reminded that I don’t really know him. “Getting tired yet?” Annabeth asks me with a shit-eating grin. I stand up straighter with an equally as warming smile before getting into my fighting position. “Not even close.” The sounds of our swords clashing together echoed all throughout the camp. There wasn’t one person who knew we were fighting. She slams her sword down and instead of hitting me, smashes the grass. 

I turn over my shoulder to dodge her attack before making one of my own. When I reach my sword out, hers matches my movements. The tips threatening to cut the others throat. “You’re a fast learner.” She says, smiling up at me. We mutually sheath our weapons and examine the others sweaty state. “Gods, I need a shower.” I say, wiping off the sweat that dripped down all parts of my body. “I think the boys disagree.” Turning over my shoulder to see what she meant, Luke stares at me like I’m a prize, like I’m meat to be won over. Grover and Percy look at me as friends do, with pride. But I can’t quite pin Shawn’s facial expression. His is a mixture of things. Some I can’t read, others I can. It’s pride for a friend but with a hint of attraction, lust. “I think you’ve caught the golden boys eye.” 

I eye him up and down and watch as he does the same for me. I can’t help but take Annabeth’s previous words into consideration. If this battle is as important to Luke as she says it is, than how important is Shawn to him. What does he have to offer? What are his powers? Do they have limits? What if Shawn isn’t as innocent as people believe him to be? What if he’s just as wrapped up about the hierarchy as Luke is? Annabeth and I head over to the showers, very much in need of some soap. But the whole time I can’t help but ponder that all of this seems to dive deeper than I think. 

(I hope you guys liked it! This is just the introduction to the series. I think I’m gonna make it a 2-3 parter series. Comment below! I love suggestions and feedback!)

#fanfics #fan #fanfic #fandom #fanfiction #camp-half blood #percy jackson au #percy jackson #demigods #fighting #angst #anxiety #angry #angsst #persophones daughter #swearing #fluffy #conflict #flirting #fluff #holy shit #ship #shy #shawn mendes #shawn mendes x reader #shawn mendes x fem!reader #shawn being an adorable fuck #grover #annabeth #gods

[peachyblkdemonslayer]

Here’s the commission for @munching-macarons that they wanted to get an look into my Di Angelo Valdez family. I hope that you enjoy and once again thank you for the commission!!!

The morning had started out like any other one. The sun came into the sky and castes bright streaks of light into the house of the Di Angelo Valdez family. Nico eyes made an effort of opening to see what the time was on the clock.

6:30 am

Hmmm its seems he had about about two hours to get everyone ready for school and to get Leo to work. He swinger his legs over the side of the bed and stood up to stretch his back out/ His feet met the cold floor as he slowly walked across the room and out the curtains. A huge flash of light entered causing his husband to jump up out his sleep.

“Gods Nico could you not do that” he blinked a few times to get his eyes to adjust to the sudden change. Nico looked at him with an raised eyebrow and a look of disinterest in his face.

He walked out the room to the hallway of where his six children slept. The first door was of their oldest Maria. She had decided to decorate with gems and bone she had found herself. Out of all his children she was the least difficult to wake up. He grabbed the doorknob and entered the room. She had the fan on so there was a slight breeze in the room.

Posters of her favorite movies and bands hanged on her wall along with pictures of friends and family form over the years. Hr huge head of hair was sticking out in little curls of the black brown tinted hair. Her lashes twitched once in awhile in her sleep.

Nico smiled and turned in the lights in her room. Walking over he sat on her bed and shook her softly.

“Honey its time to get up for school” he whispered. She groaned and slowly raised out of the bed as if she was a zombie of some sort. She looked around her room in a bit of a daze. She got out of her bed and walked to the bathroom to get ready.

One down five to go.

Leaving her room he went to the room across from her’s. Bianca door just had pictures of black puppies and symbols of his father all over it. She choose to paint it a light gray paint to make the items on it pop out more.

He knocked on her door a few times and waited. She didn’t like people just coming into her room without her permission so he just knocked on her door to get her up. After another set of knocks he heard a few bangs back from inside the room.

He smirked and went on to the next ones. The twins were a mixed bag when it came to then waking up. Some days it took a while other days it was a breeze.

“I hope today is an easy one” opening the day he was surprised to see that they were already up and getting their school clothes out for the day. Rey and Persephone saw their papa and smiled saying a shared “Good Morning Papa!” to him.

Smiling he moved onto Alessandra room. She had always been a heavy sleeper since she was a baby. When they first brought her home from the hospital she slept for so long that they were worried that she wasn't breathing properly. As he walked to her door he heard the loud snoring from it.

“Like father like daughter i guess” he rolled his eyes slowly opening her door. The first thing he saw was a mess of his daughter room.  Clothes on the floor, candy wrappers and bags of chips everywhere. Nico had a grimace on his face from the mess of her room.

She is going to clean up this room when she gets home today.

Walking over to her bed he pulled the cover from her and lifted her head up. She opened one eye and slowly opened the other. The eye crust from her heavy sleep like it was every morning. She sat up and patted her hair as if she was confused as to why she had it. She was always a bit….brain dead when it came to the morning.  She had put in two braids in her head the night before she undid them to get her curls out in their neat and soft looking style.

“Hurry up Aless breakfast is almost done you better get up before its gone.” he warned her as she got wide eyed at the thought. His husband was a mean cook when it came to cooking, one of the many things he loved about the man.

The youngest of the bunch Beatrice was just getting up and looking around her drawers for her school day now. He smiled at her for doing her own thing, He opened the door for he when she done and walked down to the kitchen where he smelled the scent of bacon and eggs in the air and baked goods.

He saw the other kids sitting around the table as Leo started to set the plates around the table. Putting a basket of cornetto and crostata in the center along with some butter and a couple of jams.

All the girls went to a very prestige private school all funded by their Grandpa Hades and Grandma Persephone. Wearing their black vests, clean yellow button up shirts, black pants or skirts and black dress shoes. On the left side of their vest was the pin of their school, a black rose that was in bloom.

“Papa i got myself dressed today!” he heard the excited voice for his youngest. He turned to see her wearing a outfit similar to her sisters but instead of the yellow shirt she had on a blue one. He smiled and gave a light chuckle ot that and went to bring her to the table.

“Ok guys food is ready dig in” Leo walked to the table and the girls did just that. Hands grabbed at the baskets and jams on the side. Forks scraped on plates as eggs left them into the mouths of everyone at the table.

“So Dad how's business been going so far?” Alessandra asked. Leo had just stuffed a whole cornetto in his mouth with a look of surprise in his face. Chewing the bread, swallowed and let out a sigh of pure pleasure at that. He looked her and went on to explain.

“Well so far this month we have had about twenty customers nothing out of the usual from  the bunch. Everything has been pretty good with it kid thanks for asking” he leaned over and ruffled her head as she whined and waved her arms all around her to get him to stop. He chuckled at her reaction and checked his wristwatch. They had time still.

“Hey Rey how you two been holding up with your math?”

“Hmmm we're doing good but Seph is better at fractions then I am but i like doing long division better honestly. But our teacher is super nice so i'll get the hang of it soon Dad don't worry” Rey replied.

“I like being in art better then Mat we got to learn about a lot of female artists in Italy in class so far. And we get to play with the pretty colors in black and paint too. But we have to wear aprons over it so we don't get dirty.” she said it at such a rapid speed that if Nico had not been used to Leo talking like that he would have missed it.

Nico nodded and clapped his hands to get their attention.

“Okay guys it's time to do and i'll say this like i say it every other day no using your powers during school we already had a close call with Beatrice this pass week. We will be practicing them when you get off of school today.” He go and pushed in his chair as he walked around the table to pick up all the plates, Leo getting the girls book bags for them to go.

“Ok i’ll see you later love you” hearing a wave of byes and love you too he started to clean the kitchen and planning out the surprise he had for the girls this weekend.

The sun beat down on the grass of the front lawn as Nico sat on the pouch in a chair looking out at the clear fall day. He was drinking some green tea Reyna had brought from her and Drew trip a few months ago. They all been planning to visit them for a year now.

Ever since Nico and Leo had moved to Italy they didn't have the time or the funds to go and visit the other in the states. And from what’s been happening over their with their president its not been good.   

He was the most worried about Hazel in this problem. But she strong and will pull through it no matter what happens, she had always had been strong.

“He heard the phone ringing in the house and got up to answer. The person who was on the other side wasn't someone he accepted.

“Hey Nico! How you been man” out came the loud voice of none other than Percy Jackson. Nico pulled back at the sudden noise on the other side of the phone. Gods he was so loud, he was so used to it being quiet around these times that he was shocked at the sudden noise.

“Hello Jackson how have you been these past few years” he asked in the flat tone. He heard a awkward nervous laugh over the phone. He gave a airy laugh at that, he loved giving him a reason to be scared around him.

“Gods loosen up Jackson it was a joke how’s Annabeth and the kids been.” he went to the front pouch again and leaned back in his chair and pick up his cup of tea.

“It's been good Annabeth loving being a lawyer and the girls are doing great in school at the moment. So what is this about visiting you guys in italy this weekend” Nico sighed as he rubbed his forehead and rolled his eyes. He always did want to get to the point.

“Well i asked father to shadow travel everyone who wanted to visit us this weekend since it's easier and a lot cheaper to get here that way. And i wanted to surprise the girls since they haven’t seen you guys in forever. And Loe could use some other company besides me and his clients.”

“Well me and Annabeth have been waiting to see you guys again Hazel has been excited about since we been talking with her on the phone the past couple of months.” Nico gave a smile at that. His sister is the greatest thing that happened to him.  

“Well Jackson be prepared this weekend you in for a lot of fun” he slipped his cool tea and looked at the bright sun in the sky with a sigh of content. Percy laughed on the side as if he hard the funniest thing in his life.

“Ok Scar see you later man” a light click of the pone was heard and he looked thinking about what the girls reaction would be to seeing all their uncles, aunts and cousins this weekend.

Maria gave a loud yawn as she walked with her sisters home. She got a shit ton of homework from school which was fucking fantastic for her. Like she didn't have enough.

“Maria can we hurry i want to play with my powers” whined the twins and Beatrice as they skipped behind each other and picking up flowers along the way. Bianca had long ago put her ear plugs on the walk home to drown out  her siblings. Maria didn’t even blame her for that.

“Calm down little hell hound we got plenty of time it’s Friday we got the whole weekend. I know how to shadow travel so i can teach you that myself. Papa and Dad might teach you fire control and raising the dead or summoning the hell hounds and ghost and stuff like that”  she explained to the younger siblings.

“Ohhh i get it ok that makes sense” Beatrice said as she picks at the flower petals out the flowers she picked up on the way. She blew off the petals into the light wind that was blowing around them. The soft yellow petals flowing in the wind and landing a ways away from the girls

Maria gave a smile and sniffled the scents of baking bread and freshly cut flowers around them. Thats what she loved about her Papa home country, it just so beautiful  and peaceful at times. 

They do come across some people that don't really care for them, i mean they were the daughters of a trans man and are half Hispanic so that has been the source of some problems but overall they enjoyed the people and their culture. 

As they got closer to home she noticed that there was someone talking to their Papa. It was a woman who was black and had a very dark brown hair. She was wearing a dark green layered skirt with a pale green shirt was nice against her skin. She had a kid next to her wearing a pair of jeans with sneakers and a red shirt. He was very tall with a short haircut. They were in a deep conversation with Papa that had her more puzzled.

“Papa” Beatrice yelled as she runs ahead of them group of girls to him. That had gotten the group’s of the people attention they all turn. And thats when they all let out a scream of pure joy.

“AUNTIE HAZEL, MASON” they jumped into the arms of the two. The laughs of joy from the two was a very pleasant to the ears. She couldn't believe it! None of them had seen their aunt Hazel and cousin Mason for like three years.

“Ok kids you got a few others that would love to see you as well” She pulled away from the two and went to open the door of their house. There she saw all her aunts, uncles, and cousins that were scattered among the living room in multiple positions and talking among themselves unaware that Maria was in the door.    

“Hey guys!” shouting with her arms over her head Alessandra jumped onto the couch where Piper and Jason were sitting with their kids.

The others rushed in and jumped onto everyone with kisses on cheeks and really hard hugs to the people they haven’t seen in years.

This was going to be a fun weekend for them she thought to herself.      

#Leo Valdez #Nico di Angelo #Beatrice Lara Di Angelo Valdez #Maria Esperzana Di Angelo #Reyna Di Angelo Valdez #Persephone Violet Di Angelo Valdez #Alessandra Claire Di Angelo Valdez #Bicana Joya Di Angelo #Ocs #writing

[i-write-shakespeare-not-disney]

Warm Me Up Pt 18

From now on I’m just going to link the first chapter for those who want to start the story and the chapter before the update for those who want to refresh their memory. Also, the end of every chapter should have a link to the next. :)

Also, I was listening to Little Things by One Direction and Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol on repeat for this one. I think I’ll mention the songs that inspire each chapter at the beginning :)

Click Here for Ch. 1

Click Here for Ch. 17

It was the first time he’d be celebrating Valentine’s Day. It was the first time he wasn’t dreading it completely. It was the first time he didn’t have plans to simply horde food in his room and watch Netflix from the moment he got home until the day was over.

It was the first time he was in a relationship and wouldn’t feel so lonely. If anything he felt excited when the red and pink decorations started going up in the stores.

Though it made him a little nervous that the fourteenth was two days away and Nico hadn’t mentioned any special date or event. Will had learned by now that Nico was someone who had to be asked direct questions in order for him to have an answer.  

So while they ate at the dining hall for lunch, Will nudged him for his attention. “Hey, are we… doing anything for Valentine’s Day?”

The fork slipped from Nico’s hand and clattered to his plate as his eyes widened and his face went blank. “Oh fuck, that’s a thing,” he breathed. “Shit.” Will raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. “I… I’m used to ignoring Valentine’s Day, it honestly completely slipped my mind that it’s a thing couples do. Oh man, please don’t be mad.”

Will laughed and shook his head as he put the fork back in Nico’s hands. “Relax,” he said. “I was just asking. I thought it’d be fun to do something like other couples do.”

“Of course. Anything. What do you want to do?” Will shrugged and kept eating. “Well, we can go all out- tuxes, fancy dinner, candles, and stuff. Or we can keep it small- a picnic, pj’s, movies.” He took his hand and held it, a small smile on his face. “Anything you want.”

Will smiled and ran his hand through his mess of hair. “Sounds like a plan,” he said. “It’s the first time I’d celebrate it, you know with a boyfriend, not just… a group of distant friends or something.” He chuckled and felt his cheeks redden as he spoke because Nico was getting that look on his face.

It happened from time to time. Whether they were in the middle of studying, talking until they fell asleep, watching a movie, or simply hanging out with friends, he would get a look on his face that Will wasn’t sure what to make of.

His eyes would remain on Will, but they’d glaze over, and become distant. He would start smiling, a slow, peaceful smile, and his cheeks would tinge pink. It was a subtle change, neutral enough so no one noticed or commented on it, but Will saw it. Will noticed it and he didn’t know why, but it gave him a warm feeling.

So instead, Will only smiled back at him and busied himself with his food. “I can’t believe you forgot about Valentine’s Day,” he said nonchalantly.

Nico threw a fry at him and laughed.

---

When the big day came, Nico was battling a nervous stomachache. Will would be out of class in a few minutes and the day would be theirs.

He fixed his tie and gulped. “Dude, you’re fine,” Leo insisted. “Look you guys have this whole evening planned out. It’s the first Valentine date for both of you, it’s okay to be a little nervous. But it’ll be okay.”

Nico grimaced and looked at himself in the mirror. “I mean… I’m not really a suit and tie person,” he mumbled. “And my hair. I mean I look ridiculous.” Leo chuckled and patted his shoulder reassuringly. Before he could say anything else, his phone rang. It was Will. “Hey, Will, you’re out of class?”

“Uh, yeah,” he answered. “Listen, darling, I know we planned to start this date early and all, but the hospital called. They need me there for a few hours.”

“What, why?”

He sighed and groaned. “Some nurse called in sick so they called me in. They’re having the interns split her shift. I’m really sorry, baby, I-”

“No, don’t- don’t apologize. It’s okay. Just call me when you’re ready, and I can go pick you up.”

“Yeah, okay. I will. I’ll see you later.”

They hung up and Nico turned to Leo. “Help me look decent and not ridiculous, I’m begging you!” Leo stared at him with wide eyes and cleared his throat before nodding.

Before long, Jason, Piper, Annabeth, and Percy were in his dorm trying to assure Nico he didn’t look stupid. “You look great, Nico, really. You’re just freaking out because you’re not in your usual torn jeans, t-shirt, and leather jacket,” Piper assured.

“It’s going to mean a lot that you bothered trying,” Percy said, sitting on the sink counter. “He knows you, Nico. He’ll know how much this means.”

“It just feels like an overkill,” he muttered. “The hair, the tux, the cologne. The date even.”

“What’s planned for the date?” Annabeth asked, sitting between Percy’s legs.

Nico felt his face flush and he shook his head. The others looked at each other and smirked, which only worsened his embarrassment. “Look, it’s the first time either of us has a date for this stupid holiday. I just… I want it to be the perfect date.” Piper and Annabeth shared a badly suppressed smile. “Ugh, whatever.” His phone started ringing and he answered it immediately. “Hello?”

“Hey. I’ll be off in an hour okay?” Will said, his voice calm and soothing for Nico’s nerves. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay,” he breathed. He hung up and took a deep breath. “I have an hour. I can’t calm down. I need a drink.”

“No!” they all said at once. “He hates when you drink,” Leo said.

“That’s not the best thing to do before a date, Nico,” Jason added. “Even if it’s just to calm your nerves. He won’t be happy about it.”

Nico waved them away and rolled his eyes. “I know, I’m not an idiot.” He sighed and leaned over the sink, clenching the counter. “I’ll be fine. I can do it. Thank you guys for… all of this. I won’t take away your time anymore.” He smiled gratefully and they started leaving. Leo first, after giving him a reassuring pat on the back. Then Jason and Piper, wishing him luck. Then Annabeth and Percy.

But Percy hesitated and whispered something in Annabeth’s ear before backtracking to him. “May I?” he asked. Nico looked at him questioningly and Percy ruffled his hair. He shook it out from its tame combing and arranged it into its usual mess of waves and outward tufts. Then he calmed it down slightly by giving it a specific direction to swoop in. “There you go. You look more like yourself. And it still looks nice with your suit.” He smiled at him and put his hands on his shoulders.

Nico sighed and looked at him gratefully. “Thanks, Perce. I hope your Valentine’s date goes well.” He smiled a lopsided smile and squeezed his shoulders.

“Yours too. Remember- breathe.” Nico nodded and Percy left the dorm. Nico took a deep breath and looked at himself in the mirror. Percy was right. He looked more like himself.

---

The ER was crowded with more people than Will could help. As he raced toward the next person, one of the nurses stopped him. “Will,” she said with a smile. “Calm down. You’re working harder than everyone else here.” He hesitated and looked at the room filled with people with solemn faces.

He shook his head. “I have to help. That’s what I’m here for.” He nodded politely and walked over to the infirmary, trying to assure everyone that as soon as a doctor was available they’d be seen. He tried to help with what he could for the moment, whether it was providing water or simply offering a temporary relief for children and elders.

As he dashed back to help the doctors with patients that were inside, the nurse that had suggested he apply for an internship grabbed his arm and pulled him aside. “Yo, Dr. Solace,” he chuckled. “Your shift’s almost over. Shouldn’t you be changing into your date clothes?”

Will froze and looked at his watch. “Shit. Shit! I didn’t even realize- Dr. Ni-”

“Will, breathe,” Malcolm interrupted. “Okay, why don’t you go ahead and take a few minutes to pull yourself out of your hospital-mindset so you can be a little more focused when your boyfriend comes to get you?” He pulled Nico into the break room and sat him down. “Look, you’ve been one of the best interns here, okay? You can take a break. Relax and then go on the date and be a teenager. Yeah?”

“Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Malcolm.” He smiled and Malcolm left. Will loved being at the hospital. He loved being able to help. He just wished he could help better. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he went to the bathroom to change out of his scrubs.

He had fifteen minutes to spare and he began nervously folding and unfolding a napkin while he sat in the break room. Malcolm came back in and smiled at the sight of him. “You look nervous.”

“I am,” he whispered. “It’s the first time I go out on Valentine’s day and I don’t really know what to expect. I don’t know if I’m overdressed, underdressed, or what really makes it different from other dates. I mean, Nico’s always gotten me these… incredible, thoughtful, expensive gifts. And… what would mine be? If I could, I’d get him a new guitar, I know he loves playing, but I can’t get him something that great.”

“Hey, Will?” He hummed as he bit his nail. “Relax. It’s going to go great. He’d appreciate anything from you.” He chuckled and sat beside him. “Trust me, I could tell by the way he was around you when you guys came in. That guy… he practically worships the ground you walk on, dude.” Will laughed and shook his head, feeling his cheeks blush obnoxiously. “Look, I don’t really see Nico as the materialistic type. I doubt he expects to get expensive things. I doubt he’d want it. Don’t freak out too much over it. Just spend time with him, laugh, smile, joke, cuddle. That’s really what it’s about. Being with someone, having someone.” Will’s phone buzzed and he bit his lip as he read the text:

I’m here whenever you’re ready.

He bit his lip and took a shuddering breath. “Hey,” Malcolm said, nudging him. “It’ll be fine.” He started smirking and raised an eyebrow. “I mean… is this like a big night? You know like is it going to be… you two’s… you know?”

Will frowned then let his jaw fall open as he realized what he meant. “What? No! No, no, no! I mean… I don’t think so…. I don’t think so…. Oh my God, what if it-”

“Okay, no, Will, wait,” Malcolm interrupted, laughing lightheartedly. “Stop. Don’t overthink it. Go. Have fun.”

Will nodded and stood up. “Okay. I…. Thanks. Thank you.” Malcolm waved and chuckled as he ducked out the door, his scrubs draped over his arm.

Meanwhile, Nico was trying not to mess with his tie too much. He fiddled with the radio dial as he searched for a good song. He glanced at the hospital doors and did a double take.

Will was walking out wearing dark jeans and white button up with a royal blue sweater vest. Immediately he shrugged off his blazer and stuffed it in the back so he was wearing his silver shirt, black tie and slacks. He bit his lip as Will walked across the lot.

As he opened the door and got in, he smiled at Nico, his cheeks flushed from the chilly air outside. “Hey,” he breathed. Nico could’ve sworn his heart stopped beating. He lost his ability to breathe, to think. With a smile and a simple “hey,” Will had turned his brain to mush.

“Hi,” he smiled back. He leaned forward and cupped his face. “Wow,” he chuckled and kissed him gently, hoping he wasn’t shaking too much. He bit his lip as he bumped their noses together. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he answered. “You look fancy,” he smiled. Nico chuckled nervously. “I take it I’m not the only one that’s nervous?”

“No!” he answered giddy with the nerves. “God it’s worse than when we first started dating.”

Nico started driving, both of them expecting absolute perfection. An expectation which was quickly put to rest.

Nico had hoped to take him to a restaurant they both loved for a full 3- course meal and then take him to an ice-skating rink where they had a light show at midnight. Then, after the show, they would have gone out to a park and watched the sky. Well Will would have. Nico would’ve been content watching him.

He’d Googled and asked his friends and watched clips and read excerpts about all of the perfect Valentine’s Day stories to be a able to come up with something he thought Will would like doing.

But when they got to the restaurant, they didn’t have Nico’s name for the reservation. They had someone named Nicole.

Will pulled him aside before he could start snapping at the hostess. “Look, we have two options. Get you into a dress and pass you off for Nicole, or,” he said chuckling at Nico’s expression. “we can just wait for a regular table.” Nico grumbled, but sat beside him to wait. “Neeks, relax,” he said, massaging his shoulders gently. “It’s okay.”

He sighed and nodded, allowing himself to relax. He took Will’s hands and held them in his own. “How was the hospital today?”

“Busy. Like every other day.” Nico raised an eyebrow. Was he tired? “But I’ve been doing good. One of the doctors said I stood out. Worked harder than even the nurses.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Nico said with a smile. He had him sit next to him and traced the hem of his sweater vest. “You look nice. I’m used to your plaid button ups,” he whispered.

“Yeah, well. You’re not in your usual choice of torn jeans and faded shirts.” Nico laughed awkwardly and tugged at his tie anxiously. He hated dressing up. “You look handsome, darling.” Nico bit his lip and smiled.

They sat in the waiting area for half an hour. Two other couples had been seated without reservation, and Nico was losing his patience. “Hey, pal,” he snapped. “What’s the deal? We’ve been waiting for half an hour.”

“And if you want to eat here, you and your… partner will keep waiting until we have a table for you.”

Nico narrowed his eyes, uneasy and offended at the tone inflicted on the word “partner.” He grit his teeth and glared at the man.

Before he could say anything, Will had taken his arm and pulled him away. “Come on, Neeks. We can go to one of those dine-in movie theaters. It’d be better than this place anyway.”

“No, Will, that asshole-”

“Isn’t worth it, Neeks. Not tonight.” His eyes were so calm. Like a still ocean, serene and bright. “Come on,” he prodded, pulling him toward the door.

Nico glanced back at the manager standing beside the host and smirked. He pulled Will back and brought him into a kiss that he usually didn’t give him in public. At least not after their first few weeks of dating. He heard chuckles around him, a few gasps of course. And as he kissed Will, he lifted his hand, in a fist with his middle finger standing. He pulled away from Will who was bright red and fighting back a smile.

Nico looked over at the manager, making sure he’d gotten the message and finally put his hand down. He took Will’s hand and left the restaurant. “You are seriously something else,” he chuckled. “Okay, so there’s a Movie Tavern over by the freeway. We can eat there. Didn’t the psycho movie come out last week?”

Nico raised an eyebrow as he drove. “You want to watch a movie about a psycho on Valentine’s Day?”

Will crossed his arms. “Do you want to watch that shitty hetero porn movie that should have never even been a published book?” Nico burst into laughter. He had a point.

About ten minutes later they were at the movie theater and Nico went up to purchase the tickets while Will busied himself by looking at the movie posters. “Hi, can I get two adult tickets for the six forty showing of Split?”

“Yeah, no problem. That’ll be 26.72.” Nico cringed at the price. Why was a single ticket so ridiculously expensive? He slid over his card and glanced at Will who was still looking at posters. “Uh sir?” Nico returned his gaze to the worker behind the glass. “The card isn’t going through,” she said.

“What? How could it not, I know I have money on it.”

She shrugged and swiped it again. The digital letters flashed, bright and teasing on the machined; DENIED. “Do you have another card? Maybe cash?” Nico grumbled but pulled out another card. She swiped it and the letters flashed again. “That one doesn’t work either.”

“Yes, I see that,” he snapped. The girl’s eyes widened and her eyebrows went up. Nico sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m just tense. One second.”

She nodded and Nico stepped aside, pulling out his phone. He dialed his father and waited for him to pick up. When he finally did, Nico immediately snapped. “Why aren’t my cards working?”

“Hello, Nico.” Nico remained silent. “I had to close the accounts. The bank was giving me too many issues, and I’m switching to another.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?” he snarled.

“Well, each time I called you ignored the call,” his father answered stoically. “What do you need money for anyway?”

Nico nearly threw his phone. Instead, he settled for shouting. “Food! Textbooks! Clothes! Dates? I need money for anything when I’m on my own out here, you know?”

“Watch your tone,” he answered tiredly. “I’ll transfer the money, just wait a few days.” Nico grit his teeth and pinched his nose. The night was not going as planned at all. “Okay?”

“Yeah. Fine. I have to go.”

He hung up and before he could take a breath, a voice from behind him said, “I can pay for it, darling. It’s okay.” Nico turned and started to protest, but Will stopped him with a kiss. “Hey. It’s my date too, remember? I don’t mind.” Nico frowned and sighed, frustrated beyond belief. “Nico,” he said softly. “Come on. It’s okay.”

He grumbled and followed him back to the ticket booth where he paid for the tickets. Nico narrowed his eyes at the machine as though it had personally insulted him. “Enjoy the movie!”

Will took his hand and walked with him to their showing. They took a seat near the back and Nico immediately put up the armrest so he could lean against Will. It felt silly to be so dressed up just to sit in the dark with a movie. The waiter came by to ask for their order. “I’m not hungry,” he said as Will skimmed the menu.

Will gave him an expectant look, but Nico shrugged. “Can we get two of the stuffed burgers? And a side of fries and two cokes, please.” Nico pinched him, but Will just wrapped his arms around him tightly. “Shut up,” he chuckled. “You know you’ll eat that whole burger.”

Nico frowned and looked up at him, his chin resting against his shoulder. “I’m sorry today hasn’t gone as planned,” he whispered.

He shook his head and pulled away to take his hands. “Remember the day we went looking for a park because we didn’t know where one was? Or the sudden venture to ride a motorcycle?” Nico nodded. “All of our best moments have been unexpected. Unprecedented. Unplanned.” He leaned in and kissed him lightly. Just like that, all of Nico’s stress was gone. “I’m with you. I get to kiss you and hold you, and that’s all I could ever ask for on a day like this.”

“You sappy little romantic,” he muttered before kissing him again.

***

When the movie was over, Nico drove them back to the university. He would make it up to him. He would shower him with as many romantic dates as he’d like, buy him anything he would want. He just wanted Will to be happy. Because Will deserved that.

Will promised to meet him back at his dorm after changing into something more comfortable and Nico scrolled through Netflix as he waited. He was finally out of that horrible suit and felt so much more like himself. A few minutes later Will knocked and Nico let him in. He put on a crime show and wrapped his arms around Will.

“You look tired,” he noted.

“Just a little,” he admitted with a smile. “But it’s not because of you.”

“Hospital?” He nodded. Nico hummed and nudged him toward the bed. “Lay down. I can massage you and you can fall asleep.”

Will furrowed his eyebrows and smirked. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not going to let me sleep?”

Nico rolled his eyes and grabbed the hem of his shirt. “I’ll be good. I promise.” Will raised an eyebrow and Nico pulled his shirt away. “Go.” Will did, laying so he could see the TV screen. Nico clambered onto him and smiled to himself as he began massaging him.

He was covered in beautiful freckles. It was like a map of the universe and it fascinate Nico. His shoulder blades and muscles were prominent. He even had dimples at the bottom of his spine, just above the waistline of his sweats. Nico bit his lip and looked at the television. Behave, he told himself.

He continued to massage him and smiled as Will’s body relaxed. His head lolled slightly and Nico saw that he was asleep. He chuckled softly and lowered the television volume. His hands wandered Will’s back curiously, gently. He ran his fingers through his hair and back down wanting nothing more than to protect him and hold him and care for him.

Will always cared for Nico when he slipped into a depressive episode. And Nico could care for him in these little ways. Letting him sleep, helping him destress, reminding him he was a student, not a doctor, and that he didn’t have to pressure himself like one.

He slid off of him and turned off the light before trying to settle into the small space beside Will. Suddenly, an arm was around him, pulling him in as Will shifted onto his side, making room for Nico. “Thank you for the best Valentine’s Day I have ever experienced.”

Nico bit his lip and smiled. “Thank you for giving me a reason to remember it,” he whispered.

Will opened his eyes slightly, and even in the darkness, Nico could lose himself in their color. He smiled lazily, purely, perfectly.

As he looked at him, Nico felt his breaths become irregular. He felt his stomach twist into knots and his heart went into overdrive. The words formed on the tip of his tongue again. He wanted to say it. He wanted to tell him.

I love you, Will. I love you.

But his mouth wouldn’t open. His tongue wouldn’t move. His voice had stopped working.

It was too terrifying. He was afraid of saying it and scaring him away. Afraid to say it and make him feel obligated to stay with him even if he wouldn’t want to one day. Afraid to say it and for Will not to say it back. Afraid to say it and for the words to be repeated to him. He was afraid of the vulnerability that would entail, of the power it would give Will over his emotions. He was so afraid of everything those three simple words would entail when put together into such a complicated, heavy phrase.

Instead, he shifted himself forward to kiss him, waking him again. “Will?” I love you.

He hummed.

“You are the most incredible person I’ve ever met,” he murmured, his lips skimming his jaw and his neck. I love you. “You are the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me.” I love you. His kissed his collar bone, grazing his teeth over it. “You mean so much to me.” I love you.

Warm hands slid to the sides of his neck, urging him gently to look him in the eyes. “You can’t even begin to fathom how much I care about you,” he breathed, his voice husky with the need to sleep. “You can’t imagine how much I need you in my life.” He looked at him with determined, affectionate blue eyes. “Happy Valentine’s Day, darling.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Nico said in a voice barely loud enough to be a whisper. He didn’t trust his voice.

Will pulled him into a kiss and Nico’s thoughts turned to mush. All but three little words.

Click Here for Ch. 19

#i don't do valentines day #i was asking everyone for input #shit #did someone say angst? #no? well youre getting it anyway #solangelo #will solace #nico di angelo #will and nico #nico and will #breathe me #please send feedback! #feedback #please #reblogs help #i read tags too #haha