"I'm just so mad!" Percy shouted.
He seemed to think better of his anger, though, and calmed himself down with a deep breath.
"Percy, you're frustrated-"
The dark-haired boy stifled his anger once again, refusing a scream. He scraped his knuckles against the wall, dragging them slowly, like he was building up the strength to punch the wood panels with every ounce of his power.
Annabeth grabbed his wrist roughly in one hand, then his jaw in her other. The ladder jerked, but Annabeth had presumed the gesture ahead of time; she held him tightly this way and glared into sea green eyes.
"Percy. I know. I know. Do you think I'm not angry? Do you think I don't understand? We have been living like this for five years! Five years. Now shut up! I know you feel like you're useless! Gods damn it all, Perseus- LOOK AT ME!"
The boy did so reluctantly, his jaw clenching and unclenching uncomfortably in her grip. She loosened her hand and he took a breath before speaking slowly. "Zeus, Wise Girl….It's not that I'm useless, it's just –"
"Spit it out,"
"Drowning. It's- I mean, not physically. I don't know. I don't live up to my expectations. I'm not some great hero. Gods, I can barely control my own powers! I'm only alive because the gods are afraid of disrespecting my dad! After all we've done, half of them still want me dead!" There was a pause while the girl digested his words.
"That's not true and you know it isn't." Annabeth started. "Percy, please. You deserve so much more. Don't believe the things you tell yourself, they aren't true. You are a great hero. And you'll learn how to exercise your power- give yourself some time."
He stared at her. She blushed.
"I mean- you're still an idiot!"
Percy laughed softly at the comment, moving his gaze to stare at his sneakers.
She lifted her hand to the back of his neck and pressed her lips to his gently. Percy leaned into the kiss, grateful for the warmth. His hands wound around her waist and their foreheads touched.
Percy wasn't at all convinced of Annabeth's point, and the girl knew this well. Still, the couple has a way of lapsing into one another even when they disagree. They didn't bicker like they did when they were twelve. They were in love.
And so they work together, weave a plan out of the information known by not just one but the two as a whole. This is the only way they know how to solve problems; how to overcome obstacles as lovers.
And they will get through this mission.
Together.