Disclaimer: The PJO series belongs to R.R.


-Of Battlefields and Smiles-

Why does love always feel like a battlefield
A battlefield, a battlefield?
I guess you better go and get your armor
(Get your armor)

Battlefield by Jordin Sparks

There is blood everywhere and demons and monsters and other nastiness as well. Annabeth is trying to calculate the damage and her brain is working furiously as her eyes dart around her to keep track of everything. The casualties are rising as the reinforcements for Chronos's army keep marching in. It's like he has an endless army of monsters and damnations. There's a good chance he probably does.

She is slashing and dodging as quickly as she can. Annabeth thinks back in just the briefest flashes to the swordsmanship lessons at Camp Half-Blood. She's fighting as best she can and she hopes Chiron would be proud. This is the real world and this is where everything counts for something. Practice is over and a little part of her is sad that it is.

Percy is unstoppable on the battlefield and Annabeth glances at him from the corner of her eye. His movements are smooth and fierce and his sword never seems to pause. He's clearing a path to the center of Chronos's army. She feels proud to be able to fight with him. A fierce sense of loyalty is smoldering in her heart and she watches him move fluidly with his sword like an extension of his own arm.

She runs to catch up and sees something coming toward Percy. His sword is flashing in the sunlight and for a brief moment everything is silent for Annabeth. And then everything comes roaring back and a something is coming up behind Percy.

Annabeth sprints forward and leaps.

Don't know how I lived without you
Cause every time that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile

Smile by Uncle Kracker

She's laughing and her hair is tumbling down her back. Percy is mesmerized. He's never seen anyone like he sees her as she's sitting on the beach watching the sea. She's laughing at nothing. But it somehow makes perfect sense. It's logical.

Percy feels his lips curl up into a smile and he can't help but stand there like a fool and watch her. She's so at ease. The normal look of intensity is replaced by something softer but just as deep. Her eyes are always deep.

"Hey Seaweed Brain! Come over here." Annabeth calls as she pats the sand next to her. She had turned and seen him standing a little ways down the beach. The smile on her lips makes Percy smile even wider.

He's laughing as he walks over to her and sits down in the sand.

"What are you looking at?" He asks.

"You." She says with a grin and slugs him in the shoulder before turning back to the sea.

"I'm so flattered." Percy says with as much sarcasm as he can muster.

Her laugh makes him smile widely and the sound echoes in his head long after they've left the beach.