Pride
Pride was definitely not an issue. Not here. Not with Annabeth. The issue was fear. He was afraid. Of what would happen if anyone found out. Currently, his mother didn't even know. It was a secret. And if anyone found out, they could spoil the surprise. That was something he did not want to happen. At all. This had to be a total surprise for Annabeth. And when they came back, and Annabeth was wearing a ring, everyone else would be surprised. Yes, that was his plan. But things never went according to plan. Not here. Not with Annabeth. But this time, he was determined to make it work. That was why he asked Athena for help. Athena had planned it to the t, and she had assured him that nothing would go wrong. He trusted her enough to believe her, just this once. So, when the planned night arrived, and he took her to the Washington Monument, and nothing had gone wrong, he was surprised. He dropped onto one knee and Annabeth smiled knowingly.
"What?" he asked her. She shook her head.
"I knew it, Seaweed Brain. I knew you were doing all this for a reason. And before you even ask, the answer is so yes," she said, her eyes glittering. He stood, pulling her into a hug and kissing her firmly on the lips. She pulled back and he slipped the ring onto her finger. She looked at it lovingly. "It's perfect. All of it," she told him earnestly.
"Well, I had a little help. But for pride's sake, I won't tell you who," he smiled at her.
"'For pride's sake?' Ha. I love it. It's adorable," she giggled. "Pride has nothing to do with it. I know who it was," she winked. He just grinned and leaned down for another kiss.