Another story that I decided to do. I'm focusing more on one-shots right now, so you can probably expect a flood of them from me.

This was different from what I normally write, but I hope you like it!

WARNING!! CHARACTERS ARE SLIGHTLY OOC! THERE ARE MENTIONS OF ADULT THEMES!!

Disclaimer: I do now own PJO.

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He Doesn't Have to Know

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"I'm not going to be back until tomorrow afternoon. Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself?" Luke asked worriedly as he stood by his taxi. Annabeth felt her gut clench as she realized that she wasn't going to be alone. But of course, he didn't know that, and he didn't need to know. Ever.

"Yes, Luke. I'm going to be fine," She gave the pretense that she was annoyed with his questions. In fact, she was quite touched that he cared so much, and it only made her feel more guilty.

"Okay!" He laughed. "I just worry about you. Look, I'll take you out to dinner tomorrow, how about that?"

She nodded with a smile. "Sure,"

He grinned back. "I'll see you tomorrow. I love you." He gave her a kiss and entered the taxi. She smiled back at him and waved as the car turned around the corner and disappeared. The partially fake smile fell off her face.

"…I love you."

She sighed sadly. "I did love you," She replied to Luke, who was long gone.

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Later that night, Annabeth stared at the clothes lying on her bed. The red, sexy, low-cut dress taunted her and provoked her while the black heals practically demanded her to put them on. Did she really want to pull through with this? Did she want to keep—it made her sick to think about it—cheating on Luke? But the truth was, she didn't have a choice. Yes, she could just stay home—like she was supposed to—and stop this thing once and for all, but she was in love with another man, now.

Percy Jackson. He had pulled her in, and she didn't want out. She was in too deep. Once she started digging her hole, she couldn't stop, and it would only get deeper and deeper.

So then why didn't she just get a divorce? Simple: she didn't want to destroy Luke like that. He adored her, and she knew it. If she took away the one thing that mattered most to him, he would be crushed, and she didn't want to see him like that.

But what if he finds out? A voice in the back of her head nagged.

"He won't," She whispered to herself. "He doesn't have to know."

And with that, she put on the taunting outfit, grabbed her coat, and walked out the door.

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She had decided to walk the five blocks to his house. It gave her time to think about what she was doing, and it didn't arise as much suspicion. When she got to his house, she rang the doorbell and Percy, in all his jeans-and-t-shirt glory, opened the door.

He blinked. "Annabeth?" He asked, shocked.

"Surprise," She said with a small smile.

"But…I thought…you—" He spluttered. He stared down at his shoes and took a deep breath. "I didn't know you could come tonight."

"Like I said," Annabeth pushed past him into his all too familiar apartment. "Surprise," She repeated, looking back at him. She slipped her coat off and threw it on the couch. Percy shut the door and came up to her. He wrapped his arms around Annabeth and pulled her close to him. Even with her high heals, Percy was still a good half a head to a head taller than her.

She sighed happily and hooked her arms around his neck and leaned against his chest. She felt so safe and happy in his arms. She never felt this way when she was around Luke.

"Hmm," He hummed, and she felt the vibration in his chest, which made her smile. "It's definitely a nice surprise," He murmured.

She looked up at him and ran her hands over his slight stubble before leaning up and kissing him. He smiled against her lips and kissed her back.

"Eager, are we?" He teased.

She opened her eyes and glared at him. "Shut up," She said before she continued to kiss him.

"You know I like that dress on you, Wise Girl,"

"Thanks, Seaweed Brain,"

"Seaweed Brain?"

"Your head is so full of kelp all the time,"

"Ha, ha. Anyways, as much as I like that dress, I'd like it better if it was off,"

She backed her head away and stared into his now dark and intense eyes. She smiled.

"I agree,"

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Percy and Annabeth lay in Percy's bed, just enjoying each other's company. She rested her head on his chest while he rubbed her back.

"Can you stay tonight?" He asked softly.

She sighed and closed her eyes. This is when it started to hurt. Whenever he asked her this question—he asked it every time she came over at night—she would always feel this pain in her chest. She wanted to stay, she really did, but it was risky.

"I…I don't know if I can," She whispered back. "He comes back sometime in the afternoon. I'd have to leave early in the morning."

"Please stay," He begged, and she couldn't refuse.

"Okay," She whispered back and leaned up to give him a kiss. They sat in silence for a couple minutes.

"Annabeth," He suddenly said. "Marry me,"

She blinked. "What?"

"Marry me, Annabeth." He repeated.

She sat up and stared at him, not even caring that she only had a blanket to cover herself up with.

"Percy…I…I'm confused,"

"Annabeth, I love you so much. Every night we spend together is amazing, and I can't imagine myself with anybody else. You mean so much to me, you'll never even know. I can't stand the fact that you're still married to this Luke guy, that you're technically with someone else. I just love you so much. Please, Annabeth, marry me,"

Annabeth stared at him with tears running down her face. She suddenly crashed her lips onto his and kissed him with so much passion, it was mind blowing.

"I will marry you," She promised. "But not right now. I…I can't do this to Luke. Not yet, at least. I need to figure this out before I do anything rash,"

He sighed and chuckled weakly. "It's a little late for that, isn't it?"

"Percy, I love you! Don't get me wrong. I just need you to wait."

"I've been waiting for almost two months now."

She swallowed hard. Had it been that long already? "I need you to wait a little longer. Then I promise to marry you. I want to be with you, Percy. You have to know that by now."

He stared into her stormy gray eyes and sighed again. "Okay. I'll wait."

She smiled and gave him another kiss. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He smiled and wiped away the tears.

Annabeth closed her eyes in bliss and laid her head back on Percy's chest.

I promise, Percy, I'll marry you.

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Did you like it? Please let me know and review!

--Akatsuki Child