A/N: AU, PercyxZoe. Reviews are appreciated. Thanks in advance. I'm open for any suggestions.
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson
Chapter One
"Honey, was that really necessary?" Percy asked as he placed down his fork, brows crossed in indifference.
"Of course it was, she spilled tea on you," Annabeth rolled her eyes and sighed, "You know it's funny to hear this coming from the very man who played a major role in the conquest."
Percy immediately lost his appetite. He gave her a cold stare.
Annabeth's anger slowly rose. She took a sip of tea, "Oh come on! I didn't marry a coward, I married a handsome and charming commander. The very one who led a group of demigods into the battlefield, now man up!" She raised her voice but quickly calmed down now noticing her mistake.
Percy's muscles were tense and wasn't in the mood to retort. The once warm food now felt cold and stale.
Just as quickly as she threw her little fit, Annabeth got up and went to tend her husband. Her soft voice smooth as silk vibrated through his ears, "Percy, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it; my emotions got the better of me. Please forgive me." She gave him a soft kiss; a tear rolled down her face.
The kiss was stale without the feeling of fluttering butterflies he used to get when they first started dating. It was something Percy missed immensely. Though as bad as it seemed, her kiss had always taken an effect.
The now shallow breaths within Annabeth's arms could now confirm that.
Percy lifted his head and gave them some distance between their touching bodies. He stared into his wife's stormy-grey eyes.
Beauty. That's what he saw. A beautiful storm that could not be broken, a storm full of mysteries. One that he felt lost in as if he can run from his nightmares. Or at least that's what he thought he saw.
"No Annabeth, I'm the one who should be asking for forgiveness. It's my fault I'm such a wimp. I don't deserve you," Percy said sadly.
Annabeth did not nod nor did she shake her head in disagreement. Instead she said nothing.
For a while they stayed still, lost in their own thought.
Little rings of screams softly echoed through the son of Poseidon. Percy's hands slightly clenched and he became aware that he needed to calm down.
Soon enough Percy got up and left the room.
Annabeth took back her seat just in time to hear the door click behind her. Her food was cold.
She wiped her tears away and yawned before finishing her tea with a smirk.
Linebreak
Percy sat next to the chimney. His eyes bore into the crackling fire while he took in the silent melody of the sizzling flames. Warmth quietly seeped in, keeping the boy relaxed as much as possible.
The burning logs made the son of Poseidon look red. Not red-angry like Ares' eyes but a calming red just like if he were to watch the sunset over the horizon.
Nobody did that anymore…
Watching the sun fall down was once symbolic. A symbol that represented serenity and a new chapter of life. One of Apollo's best traits in Percy's opinion. Mortals loved the idea so much that they'd include such scene in many of their romantic stories. Stories where they'd get to live a happy life.
Unfortunately that hasn't been the case for the past few years. Those stories were ripped to shreds. The falling sun turned into a meaning of fear. Even when the morning rays shined over the horizon signifying a new day. Fear for the God of the sun himself, a man they once worshiped in good will.
Percy felt numb. All he wanted was peace for mortals and immortals alike. He sat on his knees in front of the blazing fire that he often found himself going to when in need. And he prayed. Not for the gods but for a real home. A place where he could live with Annabeth in peace. When you could hear the birds sings in the opening morning and the melodic ripples of brushing waves. He was tired of hearing the clash of metals and the bloodthirsty morning bells.
A smashing sound suddenly brought Percy back to reality. He felt the cold breeze flow onto his skin, ushering the warmth out.
The son of Poseidon got up and glanced out the window where he heard the sound.
Out the window Percy spotted his servant, Georgia. He wasn't a big fan of calling her his slave so instead he called her a servant for his sake. It felt unjust and savage, leaving a nasty taste in his mouth. Unfortunately his wife thought otherwise, so that feeling came more than he would have liked to.
Georgia wore tattered clothes, dirty as can ever be, and carried a black eye. No thanks to the incident before… Her back hunched forward in agony as she carried the wood pieces for the chimney; they were running out of fuel. Sweat slowly dripped down her forehead.
For a split second, a light tug salvaged it's way into the son of Poseidon's heart. Though even as light as something can be, a small spark can still have a chance to ignite into something big and beautiful, a fire.
As Percy continued to watch her, he couldn't for the life of him stop witnessing and feeling the pain she must have gone through these past few years as if they were linked into one whole, despite the non acceptance of his wife's acknowledge.
It all triggered a gear in his head.
Percy made his way into the cold winter breeze. He had a jacket on and a scarf that prevented the freezing gushes. He had an extra pair at hand.
For Georgia on the other hand, the cold didn't seem to be doing so well for her. She looked pale and just as ready to die any moment now.
Percy quickly jogged over to her. At first she didn't even realize Percy was outside. She was staring at the ground the whole way. Only when did she see a pair of boots did she glance up.
Georgia immediately flinched and the little logs she carried slipped out of her grasps. Her eyes grew so wide it looked as if she could be a new species of owls. The servant hurriedly scrambled in a panic to recover the fuel.
But before she could injure herself any further, Percy grabbed her arm lightly. He presented the extra attire. The mortal wanted to run but knew better. She slowly reached for the clothing and retracted at the last second out of fear that this may be a trick.
Percy looked at her in assurance and moved the articles of clothing a little forward. For the first time since that night, Georgia looked back into his eyes. Her blue eyes searched his sea-greens; undressing every little true intention he had as if he were a criminal and she were the investigator. A change in role she certainly wished would actually happen.
Wind brushed them and some specs of snow littered the both of them. Georgia grabbed the clothing. As she was putting them on, Percy went to go pick up the pieces of wood.
They went back in. Percy signaled for her to wait in front of the fire as he went to get her a hot drink.
When he came back with the drink, they both sat down watching the burning fire. Georgia of course decided to scoot away a bit because she did not feel comfortable sitting too close to the son of Poseidon.
Georgia sat there in silence all the way through and watched the dancing flames. Warmth slowly overwhelming her. She shifted her gaze to the guy next to her who stared at the fire. The mortal looked at him in confusion. Something about this man made her mind twist in a tangle and she couldn't exactly grasp onto what it was. He was different, more peaceful and welcoming. Georgia knew for certain that she very much enjoyed being at the presence of Percy compared to Annabeth. He allowed her to do what she'd like without even asking her to do anything.
She was so lost in her own thoughts that she'd forgotten about her black eye. And finally when she had the courage to speak, her body gave up and slowly went into submission to the realm of Morpheus with one thought in mind.
All of this was turning into a problem, especially for what she's been planning with the others these past few months.
Five Months Later
Percy watched Georgia hurriedly come back from her trip that Annabeth had assigned her to do
Her black eye had completely healed by now and she looked a bit worried. Something Percy noticed immediately but didn't probe the girl.
As she approached the son of Poseidon outside the house, she gave him four bags of food.
"Thanks."
Georgia raised her brow and nevertheless started to enter the house. Before she could reach the door, Percy reached out to her and handed some food from the bags she brought. He gave her a smile.
She reluctantly took it and gave a small smile back. It was a sad smile.
Before Percy could say anything else, Georgia quickly entered her little room not wanting to see the man she'd gotten slightly fond of over the past few months.
She couldn't give up now. It was too late to back down. Today was execution day and tomorrow she'll be free. They will all be free.
The mortal took out a vial from her pockets. The light rays made the solution clear as she examined it. The liquid looked just like water.
Her thoughts shifted to Annabeth, that BLONDE WITCH. Georgia's grip tightened around the vial. She was the one who tortured her! Her face grew hotter by the second. The pain! The lost! THE ONE THAT DID IT ALL! She doesn't even deserve Percy!
Percy…
Sweat dripped down her palms. She forced herself to stay angry, crossing both eyebrows as hard as possible and clenching both fists with all her might to no avail. Her body who decided to instead of listen to her own mind, did otherwise. Her fists loosened and she dropped on her knees.
The sound of shoes shuffling outside her room quickly alerted the mortal. She shoved the vial back into her pocket and got up. Her face already back to its regular state leaving no trace of red.
Percy's head popped out from behind the door, "You should start cooking, Annabeth is getting a little angry," he gave her an apologetic look.
Georgia nodded and hid the food Percy gave her before going to the kitchen.
Later that night, Percy sat at the dining table. Across from him was Annabeth.
"This chicken actually tastes pretty good," Annabeth admitted with a mouth full. She swallowed her food and continued to talk, "Slave, go get me some tea," she smirked all the while.
Georgia who stood silently at the end of the room, silently approached and poured her another cup of tea.
Percy watched everything in silence. Something was off about Georgia. She looked a bit shaken up. He noticed her shaky hands as she poured the tea.
"The tea tastes bitter," Annabeth spoke in a tough tone, "What did I tell you about getting my drink wrong! Come here!" Her voice raised.
"Annabeth could you please calm down, it was only a little mistake."
"You shut up! All you do is co-" Annabeth was immediately shut down with a cold punch to the face.
Percy didn't know who was more in shock Annabeth or Georgia herself.
Annabeth because she was hit by her own slave.
Georgia because she didn't even know she was capable of doing so. But one thing she knew for sure was that it felt so good and relieving.
Annabeth tried lifted her head up and before she could say anything, Georgia flew her fist again with an angry cry. She felt the adrenaline rush.
The mortal was going to throw another blow but before anything could happen Percy rushed up and stopped her swing. He held her arm firmly not letting any movement.
"ARE YOU CRAZY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING," he shouted.
Georgia tried to shake her arm out of his hold but couldn't find any luck. She gave up and started to yell back, "THIS BITCH DESERVES IT! YOU'VE SEEN IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES," tears stormed out of her eyes, "EVERYTHING SHE HAS DONE TO ME!"
"THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU COULD JUST DO THAT!" Percy shouted in anger and shoved the girl away. He shuffled towards Annabeth checking if she was alright.
"YES IT DOES!"
Percy ignored the mortal and lifted Annabeth's face up. A huge spot of purple-ish red was visible on her cheekbone. She had a cut near her eye and blood leaked out. His wife's eyes were completely shut.
"Annabeth are you alright?" Percy asked in a panic.
No reply.
Suddenly she started to cough. Each cough grew more violent by the second. With a heavy force she jerked forwards and threw up. A mix of food came out but the red liquid was what caught the man's eye.
Blood.
Percy was not a medical expert but he knew for sure that there was no way two punches to the face could cause someone to throw up blood.
He turned his head to look at Georgia.
Georgia stood at the door. She looked at him with a sad expression and mouthed something out before running away.
Percy could faintly make out what she said and it went like this.
'Don't drink the tea.'
A/N: Special thanks to my beta Yoshi117. If you like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, you should definitely check out his stories. And until next time have a nice day!