Just want to say this is a less intense story, the only bad guys are the monsters everyone has to face, could be physical or psychological monsters. Break ups aren't always a bad thing.
Percy rolled diagonally left trying to get behind the Minotaur who had swung too powerfully to be able to turn around fast enough to get its gaurd back up. Just as Percy was about to stand up from his roll, he was blocked by someone with their back turned to him. Ending with them both crashing to the ground from the force of impact. Dazed, Percy looked into the face of a rather irritated girlfriend.
"Percy! Why weren't you paying attention to where you were going?" Annebeth said, her hand pushing up against his chest. Smiling sheepishly Percy pushed himself up and grabbed hold of her hand to pull her with him, they both stood and took a moment to focus back on the Minotaur that had time to turn and face them. Letting out a large roar it charged, it's head low hoping it's sharp horns will pierce its target.
"Annebeth you-" Percy started but Annebeth was already running head on towards the beast. Percy just rolled his eyes and raced after her. As they both approach the monster they acted on instinct, Annebeth began to slide under with the blade of her up to cut along the Minotaurs belly making it slow down, while Percy using the horns as a step as well as leverage to make the beast lose balance, jumped up and swiftly connected Riptide to the back of its neck, severing head from body. Percy landed with his feet a part and a grin plastered on his face. He looked over to Annebeth who was now standing wiping the sweat off her face.
"Nicely done," Percy said as he walked over to her, she smiled in return and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a quick kiss before sheathing her sword. "Could've done without the stumbling around though," she said passively.
"Well if you weren't standing and watching, then maybe it could've been avoided," He answered trying to add humour in his voice.
"I wasn't just watching, I was strategizing," She argued with a hint of frustration. Sensing her rising anger Percy waved his hand up in front of him. "Alright no harm done," Quietly they walked back into camp switching with the next two campers on sentry duty.
"We should go clean up, I'll talk to you at dinner," Annebeth finally said about to walk away. "Wait A second," Percy said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her back towards him, he softly kissed her and gave her hand a squeeze. She looked at him surprised then forced a smile.
"I'll see you later," Percy said gently, she nodded and then jogged off. As he watched her retreating form he frowned, that kiss just didn't feel right.
After putting on some clean clothes, washing his face and hands Percy left his cabin in search of Nico. He eventually found him skipping stones at the edge of the lake, sensing Percy's presence Nico turned around and gave a quick nod in his direction.
"Hey cus'," he said shortly while picking up another stone. "Hey man, how are you?" Percy responded while taking a spot next to him and picking up a few stones himself.
"Peachy, yourself?" He answered tossing a stone. After throwing a stone as far as he could that didn't suit for skipping Percy said with a slight grunt. "Troubled,"
"One of those days?" Nico asked. Percy just signed, for the past few weeks this became a recurring thing. Percy and Annebeth would have a fight but not a fight, then Percy would find Nico and they'd hang out by the lake. It was worrying Percy more and more and he couldn't decide what to do. "You know relationships shouldn't be this difficult right?" Nico pointed out as he faced Percy.
"I know. It's just.. I don't know," Defeated Percy laid down looking at the darkening sky. Nico kicked him in the side gently.
"Oi, get up. We should get to the dining pavilion," He said beginning to walk away. Percy got up and shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked beside Nico. They got to the pavilion and sat down at an empty table waiting for the rest of the campers to arrive. Annebeth sat down across from Percy avoiding eye contact, He just gave her a weak smile. The rest of dinner went by quietly for the two of them as the other campers around them were laughing and talking. Once dinner was over everyone moved to the camp fires but Percy and Annebeth headed a separate way finding somewhere private to talk.
"Annebeth-"
"I think we should break up," Annebeth said quickly while staring at the ground. Before Percy could react she continued.
"We just don't seem to have the chemistry like we used to, everything feels forced like we are trying to turn something into more than it should.." She went quiet not daring to look up at him. "Like we've run our course," Percy said flatly. Annebeth looked him in the eye her eyes watering up. "It's okay, maybe being friends is a better thing to do," He said not breaking eye contact. She only nodded in response her words escaping her. Percy pulled her into a hug resting his chin on her head. They stood in silence until a commotion from the camper's interupted them. Wiping her eyes she pushed away from Percy. "Let's go check it out," She said hurriedly walking with Percy close behind her towards the noise.
When they got closer they began to notice how the campers were giddy and excited by someone coming into camp. Chiron was in front of everyone speaking to said person. Percy and Annebeth pushed to the front of the gathered crowd to stand next to him.
"Percy! Annebeth!" An excited Thalia rushed up and hugged each of them quickly, beaming at them.
"Thals what are you doing here?" Annebeth asked surprised. Percy equally surprised looked beyond Thalia.
"Hello Perseus," His eyes were met with silver. "Lady Artemis," He said with a bow.