A/N: Okay, I really shouldn't be writing anything new…but I can't resist to build upon some awesome Percy Jackson Head-Canons I found.
The small group of nine-year-olds was waiting beside the stage, conversing in small whispers as they got ready to present their separate projects. The little blonde girl with grey eyes was particularly excited, hoping to impress her hard-to-please father with her findings on why ancient architecture lasted longer than modern-day works. Her teacher, Mr. Sneadiman, had been very impressed, giving her enough extra-credit points to ensure all 100s that year. And now, the end of the school year, was the moment to show her dad that she was more like her mother than even he though.
"Annabeth Chase, and her presentation on Ancient Buildings vs. Modern Day buildings!" Mr. Sneadiman announced. A few bored parents clapped politely, but there were two hands in the audience hitting each other more enthusiastically than others. Daddy!
Annabeth stepped onto the stage and walked to the podium, tucking a curly strand of hair behind her ear. Slowly, in the rehearsed voice of a scholar, she began to read her research report to the audience. While she did so, she scanned it with her eyes…looking for a familiar face.
As she neared the end of her printed page, Annabeth felt her little nine-year-old heart sink. Her dad wasn't there…but was that someone else she knew? She glanced over at an older man sitting in a wheelchair, applauding for her with a wide grin on his face.
Chiron. He could've been at Camp Half-Blood then, playing cards with Mr. D. He could've been running with the satyrs or teaching archery to the campers. But instead he had chosen to watch her give a feeble speech.
Mr. Sneadiman ushered Annabeth off the stage, and she ran up to Chiron. "Why'd you come?" she whispered.
"Because I love you, of course," Chiron answered. And Annabeth didn't care that her dad hadn't come that time. Because her other dad had.