Imagine a world where everything was okay from the start. Meaning Luke was there and he didn't betray the others. But, Percy and Annabeth are together somehow. Luke and Percy are close friends they even refer to each other as brothers. This is a one-shot in, um, two chapters because I did not expect it to be so long.
Percy strolled to the Hermes cabin and saw Luke arranging his stuff.
"Cleaning?"
"The house is a mess Percy. Have you seen the surface buildup? There's mould growing on mould." He said and threw some books in a black paper bag.
"It's never bothered you before." He said and looked at the floor, surprised it was actually spotless. Luke picked up a rag and started rubbing some brown substance off the wall.
"I actually came to get your advice on something. I think I'm ready to use the L word with Annabeth." He said smiling nervously.
Luke stopped rubbing and turned to me, "That's a pretty bold move. What makes you think she's a lesbian?"
"Not that L word. I want to tell her I love her."
Luke sighed, "Look, if you need to say 'I love you', call your mom." He said and continued rubbing. Percy put on a sad face. Then Luke sighed again and said, "Alright, just sit back and relax. You don't have to ruin everything by making serious and…mushy."
Percy exhaled, "You're wrong. I need to make a move. Standing still is the worst thing I can do."
Luke stopped rubbing and turned to him, seriously, "You are defying the master? Be careful Percy, you remember what happened to Anakin."
"I'm ready."
"You've only been dating for three weeks now."
"I just want my big bro to be happy for me."
"Well, I'm worried. Does that count?" he said and trudged to the kitchen with the really dirty rag.
~O~
There's nothing more romantic than a Mexican restaurant, right? That's what Percy thought. Annabeth arrived looking exquisite in a yellow skirt, white tank top and a black jumper. They took their seats and the Mexican choir guys played their trumpets and banjos. Or bass guitars? Percy didn't care. He was having a bad time making it to the L topic.
"Annabeth, I love…" she looked at him expectantly, "…chimichangas."
Annabeth raised an eyebrow. I continued, "Have you ever noticed almost every dish is made from the same three ingredients: meat, cheese and tortillas."
Annabeth smiled awkwardly, "I know, right? It's in burritos, tacos, even enchiladas. Obviously, Grover would never let us forget that."
I chuckled, Plan A went pretty badly… "Did you do something with your hair?"
She patted it defensively, "No, why?"
"Well, I really love…" you, "it."
"Thanks." Annabeth decided to drive the conversation. "Anyway, so last week Chiron allowed me to tour some of the architectural landmarks along the West Coast…" I wasn't listening that much.
When she looked at me she was laughing, and I played along, "That's crazy," I said laughing too.
She continued, "And I was even given a chance to meet…"
Argh, it's either now or never…
"I love you."
I said it loudly. Of course, since karma was not on my side, the Mexican choir guys had stopped playing at the exact time, so everyone heard it loud and clear.
Everyone turned to look at us. Annabeth bit her lower lip and narrowed her eyes. It looked like she was wondering what to say. I just hoped that she wouldn't say what she had actually said.
"Thank you."
Now the Mexican choir guys saw it fit to continue.
Annabeth sipped on her drink nervously.
~O~
He found Luke scrubbing the underside of a bench (with a toothbrush) outside the cabin. Percy sat on the bench.
"So my dinner with Annabeth was a disaster."
Luke got up and sat on the bench. "I'm not gonna say I told you so. But you completely screwed up by not taking my advice, didn't you?"
Percy sighed, "You were right. It was horrible. I said it, and she thanked me. I mean, you say 'You're welcome' to something like that? And we just sat there, for the next hour, eating dinner. In completely awkward silence."
Luke struggled for words. "Well, at least she's polite. Maybe it'll just blow over and she won't even notice." He said and knelt down to finish his job.
"Maybe I just need s break from girls for a while…"
Luke beamed, "Good. There's this pub that Travis and Connor set up outside camp. Although the Athena cabin took control because of some scandal…but it's totally safe and they don't sell beer, just normal drinks. If you can trust me,"
Percy put on a serious face, "I will never doubt you again."
"Then it's off to," he stood up and turned to me dramatically pointing the toothbrush at me, "the Sleeping Hogs."
Connor passed by and Luke called him, "Here's your toothbrush."
