Annabeth just played dumb.
It wasn't hard for her, nobody expected her to know. She was probably the last person they'd expect to figure it out, if they even knew themselves, besides maybe Percy. That idiot was as clueless as seaweed. It was one of the main reasons why they didn't get together until five years after they met.
Well, maybe that wasn't true. Annabeth always knew he was hopeless, and while she found it endearing, how could she expect him to know when she actively pushed down her own feelings?
But that was in the past. They were in the now. They were together, and they were happy.
So Annabeth pretended to be in the dark. She pretended not to notice. She faked not caring.
Percy was hers, and no matter how bad she felt, she loved him too much to ever give him to anyone else.
Percy thought that he was the one protecting her from other prying eyes, but that wasn't true. Rachel, Calypso, and so many more; they all had their eyes on Percy, and Annabeth had to watch as he struggled with his feelings. Feelings that she wanted him to save only for her.
But why is she complaining now? That wasn't important. She clung to Percy's arm, and he flashed her his handsome smile, showing off a few chipped teeth, before turning back to the crackling campfire, its cheerful colors echoing the mood of the campers. They listened to the crowd sing, and huddled close in the cold.
But she couldn't help her wandering mind. Had Percy really given up everything, even immortality, to be with a daughter of Athena? A girl who relied on her brain and had no actual powers?
He wouldn't want her to say that, she knew. And she knew with certainty that he loved her. But doubt was a determined thing. It could seep into even the most strongest of minds.
She scanned the crowd, and found herself sighing with relief when she saw Nico wasn't there. He rarely ever was, these days. It almost annoyed her how much Percy noticed.
She knew that it shouldn't. It was a selfish, stupid, bitchy thing to be on edge about. Percy had a right to be worried for Nico and want to look out for him. Annabeth didn't want to be that girlfriend; the creepy, possessive one. If Percy ever knew what she was feeling, if he ever caught on to this twisting jealousy Annabeth tried to hide, he'd just laugh.
But that was because he didn't know. Not anything. And Annabeth doubted he ever would.
And while, in some cruel part of her brain, that made her happy, she couldn't help the guilt that washed over her.
Because she knew the truth.
She knew why Nico didn't ever stay long at Camp Half Blood.
She knew why Nico glared at the sight of them together.
She knew, because ever time he stared at them, his anger wasn't directed toward Percy, despite what the clueless son of Posiden might believe.
No, his fiery, cold eyes were always locked on Annabeth.