One thing though, just out of curiosity, did anyone miss me? Or have y'all forgot about me because I've earned quite a fan base in the other fandom?

I hope I don't disappoint...

Enjoy~

All I Want For Christmas Is You

No one would ask two people to keep a strained relationship if none of them were willing to try, and no one was destined to be committed to a relationship or to meet one another again after being apart for a year; but, that was how soul mates were defined. When they met each other for the first time, it wasn't a rule for them to get along, but it was an unwritten law that they would mingle together splendidly. Soul mates weren't just lovers, they were connected to their souls. It wasn't only love that brought them together in the first place, and it wasn't only love that brought them back to each other after separating, it was the bond that connected the two souls.

And, that was exactly how the relationship between Percy and Annabeth should be defined.

Annabeth made the first move when they officially met at the police station, and Percy wasn't opposing to any of the advancements that she had made.

It wasn't love at first sight for either of them. At the bar that Christmas, Annabeth kissed him on the lips for the first time simply because she could feel all the stares he was receiving from females, and with the alcohol courage, she was bold enough to make her move that night just to have fun. She wasn't jealous, she just wanted to do something that the others didn't dare at the time. Firing his gun was just a bonus. She only wanted to look cool and get out of her shy girl shell. He wasn't attracted to her when her vile tasted mouth covered his, not the slightest, but when she pulled out his gun and moved her delicate little lips before firing his gun with a wink, that was hot.

He would be stopping her from firing the gun and having her way with him that night, if he wasn't entranced by her moves and shocked by her kiss. He would give it to her that the girl knew how to distract a guy. He would be able to grab the gun and arrest her, but not only did he not have the heart to do so, he couldn't even stop what she was doing when she kissed him as she put the gun back.

Man, she was an extremely good kisser.

Though, that wasn't the first time he saw her, and that played a role in his slow decision making. Her piercing gray eyes and bouncy blonde princess curls had left a vivid image in his mind, despite it not being his intention, but he could still remember the day he peaked around the corner behind the wall in the police station and witnessing her and her boyfriend getting fined. He was genuinely a shipper of the couple, and he felt really remorseful when he heard about their break up. He thought they make the sweetest couple and they would last, contrary to all of his relationships.

He wanted to settle down, he wanted a girlfriend that would be willing to commit to their relationship for more than just a few months, he wished and prayed every Christmas that he would meet the girl in his dream.

But, never had he ever thought, he would be in trouble with his cousin's best friend.

"Get out of your wet dream bubble, Percy."

"What?"

"You're dreaming of a certain blonde under your body aren't you?"

"Do you see a boner, Thals?" He challenged, raising an eyebrow, knowing the topic wouldn't disgust his cousin but would embarrass her in front of her boyfriend.

"Well, no." She muttered with an exaggerated eye roll.

"Don't chicken out on me now, Thalia. You get off on taunting me, what happened to you every time when your boy's around?" It was now his turn to tease, and he was really enjoying the uncomfortable shifting of Thalia's body.

.+.

"I know if I propose, you'd be rejecting me." Percy started nervously when Annabeth picked up the wrapped gift from him under the tree that had her name on it. She turned her attention to him briefly before turning back to the present and staring at it. She didn't say anything, so he took it as his cue to keep going. "So, I got this for us and I thought, whether we're trying long-distance this year or not, I want you to always remember me and whatever we had. I know you might now reciprocate the feelings right now, but Annabeth, I do love you and if you will, I want to settle with you one day."

"I wouldn't mind that, either. Sounds like a good plan for our future." She shrugged, feigning indifference when her heart was swelling with happiness and content and her eyes would be watering any minute if she didn't start talking. She wanted to jump up and hug him and accept the non-existed proposal, but she knew her rational self would be chastising herself and freaking out later when she got her mind cleared enough to think. So, she decided to keep quiet and keep her emotions at bay.

"That's good to know." He smiled, keeping the tone light just like she had done. None of them wanted the heavy shit as none of them knew where their relationship would be heading.

"What's in here?" She asked, cocking her head coquettishly, almost unlike the person he knew, but something in him told him that it was the kind of person she was when she was in high school.

"It's a hair dye." He answered, hoping she would at least accept it if she didn't like it.

"Really?" She asked, but he didn't know how to gauge her reaction. From the sound of her voice, she didn't sound disappointed, but he couldn't see her face. He was only hoping he didn't fuck up royally.

"Do you like it?" He asked tentatively, slapping himself internally for asking a question that he wasn't even sure he waned to hear the answer of.

"Of course I liked it, I would've loved anything you have for me." She looked at him, looking the most sincere and staring at him as if he had committed a crime for making such assumption. "I'm just trying to guess your intention."

"My intention?"

"Yeah, why a hair dye? I didn't quite connect the dots, if you've already offered a subtle explanation earlier…"

"Oh, I, uh, thought we could each dye a strip of our hair to match… since, you know we hardly see each other over the year, and who knows if we're going to meet next year. The only quality time we spend together is during Christmas, so I want it to be a memory." He explained in a small voice, sounding less than confident.

"What are the color?" She asked, looking genuinely interested in his idea, and that was starting to relax him.

"Gray and turquoise."

"Two colors?" She widened her eyes and shook the still wrapped gift in her hand, as if she could tell just how many bottles was in there. "We can dip dye our hair, you know? Make the tip of it a color, and the two can either be mixed or there could be a some sort of gradient." She suggested, sounding all enthusiastic.

"I actually didn't think about it that much, because I didn't know how you're going to receive it and I don't know much about hair dying." He nodded in agreement.

"But, before I open it and dye our hair, you need to get the present I have for you, because you might change your mind about something." She said with an adorable toothy grin.

"Your facial expression is the only thing that's keeping my anxiety at bay right now, Annabeth." He chuckled, shaking his head before standing up and heading to the tree to pick up the manilla folder with his name on it written in the neatest handwriting in his eyes that only Annabeth could accomplish. "What's this?"

"Divorce papers." She snorted at the bewildered expression on his face that was initially curiosity.

"Who were you married to?"

"Some prick." She shrugged, continuing to play along and toy with him.

"Were you with someone?" He asked, turning serious with each answer he was getting from him. Initially, he was certain that she was just kidding with him when she said 'divorce paper', but he didn't see any change in her demeanor and that made him question everything.

"Give me a time frame." She wasn't in a relationship with anyone in the past year, not only because of her busy school projects but also because she didn't want anyone but him.

"No, seriously though, tell me what's in it?"

"Then what's the point of a present if you already knew the item inside?" She retorted.

"As long as it's not what I think it is." He remarked, as if the conversation he just had with her didn't bother him at all.

"Whatever you're thinking, I'll bet my life that it's not in the folder." She slumped back against the foot of the couch with an exhale of breath, her eyes were still glued to him and watching his movements carefully. Not only did she enjoyed their banter or perhaps, her little improvised skit with him, but she was also thoroughly entertained by the way he was struggling to open the folder without ripping anything apart, because in all seriousness, she actually needed that folder back for a bit before gifting it to him entirely.

"It's just a stack of documents." He complained.

"Very observant, Percy, observant indeed." She nodded with a straight face. "However, I believe those manila folders are meant to hold documents." She added, biting the inside of her cheeks to prevent herself from laughing at his cluelessness. She sometimes wondered, if it was his stupidity, his innocence and cluelessness or clumsiness that made her fell in love with him, or was it his good looks and caring manner that made her unable to look at another guy without comparing them to him.

"Am I supposed to read through all those shits?" He questioned, shooting her a fearful look as he scan through the pages.

"Your choice, it's up to you." She shrugged, but what she really wanted to say to him was, why can't you spot the key?

"Oh!" He suddenly shouted in realization as if he had figured out rocket science.

"What have you discover, Christopher Columbus?" She inquired with a trace of sarcasm in her voice.

"You're transferring to a school in Florida." He stated as he scanned through the pages, spotting logos of the university and squinting at the small words that formed a congratulation. "I still don't get what that means?" He stacked the papers together and turned his full attention to her.

"Sheesh, Percy, I don't know if it's your idiocy or your IQ that's seriously concerning, or whatever, but how can you be so fucking dense." She rolled her eyes and bumped the back of her head repeatedly on the couch behind her, glaring at him exasperatedly. That got his attention, not only was the tone unheard of by him, but the fact that she was swearing was saying something else. "Can't you have a little more faith in me for once?" She could almost feel grievance tears welding up in her eyes, but she closed her eyes to get rid of them, not wanting to feel anything but rage. "Do you think for a person who hates long-distance relationship and loves you with everything will still be leaving you after coming back for the third time just to see you? I applied for transfer so I can be in Florida state. At least that will make us in the same state, and we can see each other more often. For some weird ass reason, I love you, and I want to spend more time with you, I want it to be a surprise and a gift to show that I am going to commit to this relationship, because I know you are invested in it. But, how am I supposed to tell you anything when you can't even understand the simple idea behind this gesture?"

Percy gaped at her open-mouthed, his jaw-dropped and closed but nothing came out. For a long while, he was just frozen, sitting next to her trying to think of something as he watched the tears flow down her cheek. It was the first time that he had ever seen her cry and it was by far the best thing that had happened to him, he was too overwhelmed to know how to react to it. He wasn't expecting anything out of the flings they had over Christmas each year, but he didn't deny the fact that his feelings for her only increased each year. He wasn't expecting anything from her, or at least, he was just expecting something as ordinary as a normal gift would be, but the sacrifice was never what he had imagined and it wasn't what he had asked for. He didn't know how to react to it. He didn't want her to feel forced.

"Are you just going to sit there and stare at me all night? Because, I told you I would've loved anything you give me, and I mean it. I'm sorry if I lashed out, but I am really frustrated when you cannot understand a single clue of my gesture." She took a deep breath to calm herself and collect herself from the breakdown that she had. It felt good after letting the tears out. On the other hand, she didn't know how one happy night turned sour, but if he was happy about her gift, then she could almost guarantee a contended night with him. If he didn't like it, she thought she would still be able to finish school in Florida and leave for somewhere else, but she was really hoping she wouldn't be getting her heart broken. "Just so you know," she started to talk again, seeing that he wasn't about to react or respond to her anytime soon, "I still need that accretion letter to finalize my transfer, but after everything's settled, it's all yours."

With that said, she stood up, wiped her teary, downed her drink, a shot and a glass of water, she grabbed a bottle of wine and headed upstairs. She could only hope that Percy would still be wanting her to go to their house for the Christmas dinner the next day.

That night, was by far, her worst Christmas Eve. She only gave him the present a day early because she just couldn't wait and couldn't contain her excitement. He gave her the present that time for the same reason, as he wanted them to show up with the matching dye.

.+.

"Annabeth, I know that my reaction was not what you're expecting and quite frankly, it's not something that I'd take well if the roles were reversed. I can only say that I am just overwhelmed by emotions that I don't know what to do with it. I can't form sentences and I can't make myself to move, because I am having an internal struggle. A debate on whether you did this on your own free will or you sacrificed it for me, because I don't want you to give up your future because of me, I don't want you to think that I've forced you into something, because I would never do that." He started to ramble the next day when they were sitting on the back yard of Thalia's house under the winter sun.

Annabeth sat there staring into space, she never once regarded him, not even sparing him a glance. When he started his speech, she listened word for word, but she didn't answer, nor did she plan on acknowledging him. She was trying to think of a way to turn everything around smoothly, but right that moment, she couldn't think of a way to address the issues at hand.

"I am really sorry, Annabeth, and I do hope you will forgive me one day. But, just so you know, I plan on spending every chance I get to make it up to you and to show you just how much I appreciate the gesture and the sacrifice you made for us." He said quietly, concluding his speech. "I'll love anything from you, I just didn't understand the meaning of the gesture at the time."

"Just so you know, Percy." Annabeth said, she was not looking at him on purpose, wanting to get what she wanted to say out of her mouth before her eyes started to flood. "I would've said yes to your marriage proposal if you really did propose, but I'd wait for a while to officially change my last name." She admitted softly. When he didn't reply, she finally turned her head to look at him in the eyes for the first time since he came out to join her. When she saw his face, she smiled, and it wasn't goofy, it was teary and with happy tears.

"So, can I bring my fiancée to meet my parents today?" He asked cautiously.

"Fiancée?" She questioned, shocked at how fast he comprehended this message.

"Girlfriend, fiancée, lover. Whatever you prefer, baby." He grinned, already back to his goofy playful self.

"I prefer Beth." She grinned back.

.+.

The Jacksons went full out this year. Not only were their small cozy dining space decorated all Christmassy, but according to Thalia and Percy, never once had the Jacksons include a mistletoe in their house.

"It must've been a special request because of you, Chase." Thalia joked, nudging Annabeth on the side when they both gawked at the mistletoe hanging down from the big Christmas tree.

"Really." Annabeth scanned around the room, half buying Thalia's explanation. Actually, Annabeth couldn't care less about the decoration, she didn't care about how elegant everything looked and how delicate the dining hall had become, because that wasn't her focus at all. Her focus was on Percy and him only. Christmas was their time and it was the only time for them to get cozy with each other, and it only happened once in a year.

"Can I have my date back?" Percy poked his head in between the two girls and gave Annabeth a kiss on the cheek before giving Thalia a pointed look as if threatening her to let go of his girl.

Thalia rolled her eyes and stepped away, walking into the open arms of Luke. Percy smirked and his arm reclaimed its position around her waist.

Dinner went uneventfully.

People chatted and shared happy memories.

Percy sat next to Annabeth the entire time, not taking his eyes off her for longer than a minute each time.

Sitting around the dinner table with Percy's family, Annabeth didn't feel weird or left out, but she was happy, she was able to forget about the troubles and the things that were bothering her, all she could think about was the man sitting next to her and the people around her that were conversing to one another cheerfully.

When the dog that lived in the house appeared by Annabeth's side, handing her a gift discretely, she turned to Percy who hinted with his eyes urging her to open them. She knew it was from him the instant the gift got into her hands, she knew the dog wouldn't drop it in her lap if it weren't per Percy's demand. Smiling she opened the gift quietly, making sure that she didn't attract any attention. Then when she saw the gift and briefly scanned the note attached to it, she smiled, looking up into Percy's questioning stare. Leaning to her side, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his ear closer to her mouth as she whispered a 'thank you' in his ear.

"I was hoping to score a kiss from you." Percy whispered in her ear when she leaned over to hug him as a thank you.

"Really? Hmm? In front of your parents and family?" She asked teasingly.

"Yes." Percy replied without hesitation nor did he miss a beat.

Annabeth chuckled to herself and pecked him on the place where his ear and his cheek connected, "there."

Percy turned to her stunned and then exclaimed. "What the heck are you doing?" Getting all the attention from the table, which was exactly what he anticipated.

"Merry Christmas, Percy." Annabeth replied wickedly. Percy smiled warmly and gazed at her lovingly, knowing that it was the desired effect he wanted. He knew she would say that and he wanted his family to see just how sweet she is, so he pulled of this skank.

"Merry Christmas to you, too, Beth." He replied, leaning forward to plant a kiss on her lips.

The table crooned and his parents started to drool over their loving relationship.

"Are you trying to guilt trip me to something, Percy?" Annabeth narrowed her eyes at him playfully, but he shrugged in respond, playing her game.

He was sure that his mother had noticed the not-so-subtle exchange, but she wasn't bringing it up to the table, and he was thankful for it, because that gift wasn't meant for anyone else to look at.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Sally asked once the three of them were along in the kitchen with the others around the Christmas tree, anxious to open their gifts.

"Dye my hair." Percy replied instantly with the goofiest grin on his face, making him look adorable yet idiotic at the same time.

"Sweet." Sally commented, the look in her eyes told him that she had already guessed the scheme that he had. It wasn't a surprise that his mother knew him so well, since a lot of he had shared a lot of his stories and experiences with her. They were more like friends. "How about the afternoon?"

"I was thinking about going boxing again, and you know, doing what we did last year." Percy suggested. He actually hadn't been thinking about anything apart from bringing her to his house to meet his parents, but now that his mom had asked, he suddenly got the idea of re-living all the experiences that they had been through in the years they knew each other.

"Are you thinking about the party? Or do I have to go find you in your office, again?" Annabeth immediately caught up on his thread of thought and asked mischievously.

"Whatever you two have planned, they sound interesting. I'll leave you two to it, but come out soon, or else they're going to come in and get you." Sally warned with a wink and left the kitchen with the drinks and snacks in hand.

"I guess you're smarter than I give you credit for." Percy sighed feigning defeat, but he couldn't fight off the smile that was threatening to break free. "You know, for a person who classifies herself as an introvert, a nerd, a bookworm, an anti-social shy beauty, I'm still surprised at your bold moves in the police department that morning. I thought you'd be hangover."

"I was." Annabeth recalled. "I was hangover, but not as serious as the other people. Since, you know, I can still remember firing your gun and all that shit."

"How about you show me how to make the bad boys good for a weekend?" Percy challenged, remembering the lip sync she did in front of him that night before firing his gun. She really stunned him that night, and it was the first time he found himself slow and helpless in the situation.

"Find me a bad boy first." She retorted. "Cuz, the last time I checked, you, the police officer," she took a step closer to him, placing her palms flat on his chest and leaning up to him, "is far from being a bad boy." She whispered seductively.

He threw his head back, taking a deep breath, trying to prevent himself from being seduced, but the girl in front of him was just too irresistible.

"I didn't know I'd bringing out this side of you, Beth. You do fit the description that you initially gave me, and from the glimpse of images that I caught of you and Luke, I never thought you'd fire my gun, kiss me during my duty hour, and now, seducing me."

"Did I succeed though?"

"You are successful, darling." He leaned down and kissed her on the lips, passionately. "Very successful, indeed." He said against her lips.

"Do I get to go to your office tomorrow and disturb you?" She asked, returning to the topic they were on before the seduction.

"I'm not on duty for the rest of this week. It's my turn to take the leave for Christmas." He replied, pushing a stray of blonde curls behind her ear.

"Oh." She pouted disappointedly.

"But, we can go to a club." He suggested, not wanting her to be upset.

"What's the fun when I can't even fire your gun like the first time?" She whined coquettishly, which was very unlike her.

"Then, how about we go shooting?" He raised an eyebrow, knowing this suggestion wouldn't get turned down.

"Actually?"

"I'm serious. We can go shooting after we went boxing."

"And I swear, I will beat you at that."

"If your arms aren't noodles after boxing, then sure, I'd like to see that happening." He smirked at her childish bet.

.+.

"Hey, I never get the chance to ask you," Percy nudged her lightly on the side, making her turn her head. He smiled at the loving look in her eyes, and he knew there was no way for him to ever leave her. "What do you want for Christmas?"

"Next year?"

"No, this year." He smiled at her perplexed expression, knowing exactly what she was thinking of, he picked up his phone and squinted at the bright screen in the dark, under the sky full of constellations. "It's not past midnight, so it's still Christmas, technically." Smirking smugly, he knew he had caught her off guard with the mind reading.

"Why do you ask?"

"Just tell me."

"Okay, I want you."

"But you have me."

"I want you all to my own."

"I'm your boyfriend now, and I'm not going anywhere… unless you want me to."

"I want your ring on my finger."

"Gimme the box." Percy requested, sticking out his palm after taking a moment to ponder Annabeth's most recent request.

Taking the box from her, he gave her a secretive smile. Opening it, he found out that the necklace was gone, but the ring that was originally attached to it was still in place. He smiled, knowing that Annabeth had purposefully left the ring inside the box just as he thought she would. Looking up through his eye-lashes, he saw her turning away, pretending to observe her new necklace when she had spent the better part of the time looking at him.

"What my girl wants, what my girl shall have." He declared before taking the ring from the box.

When Annabeth looked up from her necklace, he gave her a shy smile, the kind that was only reserved for her.

"Now, I guess we are every bit out of ordinary." He chuckled, taking both of her hands in his. "If it isn't for your more than obvious hint, I don't know when I will do this. The proposal is obviously not a surprise to you, but make no mistake, I've been wanting to propose to you for a long time. I'm just really glad that you are also looking to this day. So, the day is here."

Percy got off their bed and took her hands with him. She sat up, dangling her bare legs on the side of the bed.

Without taking his eyes off her, he sank down to one knee.

Even though, Annabeth asked for the proposal, she never thought when the real deed was here and looking at her boyfriend on one-knee in front of her, so much emotion would arise in her. She gasped unexpectedly; it wasn't because of his actions but because of the emotions that it stirred up in her when she saw him at that moment.

"Spend the rest of your life with me?" He asked, presenting the ring from his palm.

The proposal was everything out of ordinary, even the procedure, the process as well as Percy and Annabeth's behavior. Yet, it suited the couple.

"Put it on my finger, and I'm yours for life." She replied. Her voice small yet firm, confirming her feelings for him as well as answering to his proposal.

Percy did as he was told and stood up, taking her ring hand up with him and bringing to his lips. His lips gently touched the gem without breaking eye-contact with her. The love in his eyes could melt anything in her, and right now, she just wanted him to claim her.

Then leaning forward, he wrapped his other hand around the back of her neck and pressed his lips on hers, pushing her down until her back hit the mattress.

"You have no idea how much I love you."

"I hope it's just as much as I love you."

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Merry Christmas~

-SapphireTrafficker-