She was amazing, even her faults made her gorgeous. He loved the way one side of her mouth came up a little higher when she smiled, or how she had a slight limp as she walked because one leg was longer from their time at Crusty's. She was perfect. He couldn't understand why she chose him; she could have had a mortal, or a less powerful demigod and live a normal life.
And gods did he want to give it to her. More than anything, he himself wanted to be normal, to raise a family, get married, grow old... And he knew she wanted it too. But all he could give her was his love and his heart. He felt as if he was letting her down, like she had to choose between him and a life they both wanted. As much as it hurt he felt selfish, what he was doing was wrong, holding her from her dream because he wanted her... All of her.
How could he do this? How dare he do this? Hurting someone for his own ego-maniacal reasons. All he knew was he had to tell her.
"Annabeth?"
"Hey Perce!" She looked up smiling widely at him, making his heart twist and squeeze.
"Annabeth, we need to talk.." Gods it hurt, the way her eyebrows crowded together, the look in her eyes as she tried to hide her worry. He just wanted to kiss her forehead, take away her problems but he needed to tell her.
He motioned towards a chair, sat in the corner or her Annabeths office, and after a quick nod from Annabeth he sat down. She twirled her chair around so she was facing Percy.
"I can't Annabeth." He said, dread and regret colouring his voice. Annabeths voice came out shaky and trembling, "Percy, what can't you do?"
"I'm sorry I just.. Can't do it."
"Percy! What can't you do?!" She all but screamed. What was he saying, why, why would he say something like this?
It was then that Percy got down on his knees, bringing his face to Annabeths lap. It was then she felt the tears leak through the worn out denim. A sad smile pulled at her lips as she ran her hands through his unruly hair.
"Percy, Babe, what are you saying?" She said, more calm but still shaky. Percy shook his head as his body quavered with sobs. Once he finally looked up, the look in his eyes broke Annabeths heart.
"I love you. I love so fucking gods damn much. Your my life Annabeth, my world. I don't think I would be able to live without you. But I can't give you what you want Babe.. I just can't give it to you." He looked so disappointed in himself like he was a huge disgrace.
"Percy?" She asked patiently, "what do I want?"
"I can't give you a normal life, I can't give you children and not have their lives be at risk just being in the same room as me. I can't promise you we'll get married, or that we'll raise a family together. I can't promise you we'll live that long, that I'll live that long. Annabeth, I'm a son of Poseidon. It's practically a guarantee of a life full of danger and a sudden death. You deserve better Annabeth, a rich mortal who can afford a huge office, and who can fund your architectural corporation. Someone who you can mostly safely raise children with you. Someone who will live old with you. I love you, but I can't give it, any of it, to you."
By the time he was done, tears poured down Annabeths face as laughs escaped her throat. She held eye contact with Percy as she continued to run her hands through his hair.
"Seaweed Brain, " a sweet smile, contagious as it was, helped Percy smile as he reached up to cup Annabeths face. She put her Han on top of his as she slowly closed her eyes.
Maybe she wouldn't get a family, and she would have to struggle to afford her company. Maybe they wouldn't grow old. But that was okay with her.
Because maybe she didn't get the whole package, but she got the once in a lifetime deal.
