Annabeth.
That was the one thought on Percy's mind when he made his way through the crowd.
Annabeth.
She had been his one constant, unmoving thing in his life- through the quests, battles, wars.
Annabeth.
How long had it been since he had seen her? Eight, almost nine months. He swallowed.
Annabeth.
Gods, he missed her. He missed how her hair smelled like citrus, how her eyes reflected the sky when she was happy and rainclouds when she was angry.
Annabeth.
He had been waiting for so long to see the only thing that he remembered from his past….please, please let her be here. Percy didn't just want to see her….he needed to see her. He needed her. He needed her more than anything.
Annabeth.
The Greek boat came sailing towards them, and Percy's heart flipped as he saw a flash of gold from the top deck. He began pushing people aside faster, trying to get to where the landing space was. "Excuse me. Pardon me. Praetor coming through." There were grumbles of discontent from some of the citizens, but Percy didn't care. He was nearly there.
Annabeth.
The flash of gold came crawling down the rope ladder, and Percy caught his breath. It was her. Finally, It was her, coming down into the Roman Forum.
Annabeth.
She came running up to him, her blonde hair flying in the wind. She looked so beautiful right now-but Percy knew that in a second he could be brutally attacked by this innocent face. But for now, she…she was kissing him.
Annabeth Chase was kissing him.
They broke away after a while, and Percy was still smiling. He could hear her breath, short and sharp like she had run over here- actually she did, so it fit. Her eyes were wide and hopeful, and her hair still smelled the same. Percy smiled.
He began to reach for her hand-and found himself judo-flipped onto his back. Somehow, he was still smiling as the harsh California sun beat down on his face.
Annabeth.
"Don't ever do that to me again, Seaweed Brain." She helped him up- and she was smiling too.
"Nice to see you, too." he murmured. "And don't worry. I'll never leave you again."
Annabeth.
Everything's going to turn out just fine.