I do not own PJO or HIMYM

Chapter 2

The following Monday's class went fine. Ted refused to look at Annabeth the whole time he was teaching but he threw his heart and soul into it, even more than usual.

After the lecture, Annabeth turned in her paper with everyone else and made her exist quickly, deciding maybe to ask her questions another day.

When she got home later that day, she sang along to her playlist as she tidied up the apartment she shared with Percy and started supper.

Percy was currently working as a "Park Service Associate" at the New York Aquarium. He loved it but since his schedule there was so weird, he also worked part time at a McDonald's. It helped with masking their half-blood scent, too, if he came home smelling like burger grease and fries.

Percy walked in just as the water was boiling for spaghetti. He threw his jacket on the couch and his keys landed in the 'key bowl', he grinned at Annabeth.

She just smiled back. Getting this apartment had been a really big step for the two twenty year old's. They didn't regret it for a second even though everyone told them they were too young.

"Oh, you are gorgeous." He said finally.

"You don't look so bad yourself." She blushed a little.

He walked over and took her face gently in his hands. He never got tired of being taller than her and made a a point of it whenever he could. He kissed her for a long time and they just stood. Being together and being safe.

When they broke off, Annabeth stood for a second. "Hey, finish supper, would you? I got some school work I need to do."

Percy walked to the kitchen and poured the noodles into the bubbling water and started making some meat sauce. He wrinkled his nose at Annabeth who sat herself at the table and started typing rapidly on her laptop, often glancing back at her notebook and the heavy textbook spread in front of her.

"How was professor Mosbey today?" Percy asked, stirring the meat sauce.

Annabeth looked up, adjusting the glasses on her nose, making Percy smile. "A little awkward. I mean, honestly, I'm so much younger than him, I don't know what he was thinking."

He shrugged. "I dunno... You're really, really smart. Like, annoyingly smart. You're pretty, selfless and brave. You just seem so happy all the time. Learning what you want to learn, getting closer to being an architect every day... I'm proud of what you're doing."

Annabeth was shocked speechless for a few moments. "Percy..." She knew that he loved her, but he had never been that good at showing her with his words. "I love you." She said. "And thank you... It means a lot to me."

"I'm serious though!" Percy was just getting started. "You're incredible! It just makes me wonder... never mind."

"What? Tell me!" Annabeth laughed.

Percy sighed. "I dunno... just, it seems really unlikely that you're with me. Everyone always seems so shocked that you settled for me. A McDonald's employee.""

Annabeth rolled her eyes at that. "I love you, Seaweed Brain."

"But... Why?"

"Want a list or something?"

"That would be helpful... That way I won't mess any of it up." He picked a strand of spaghetti from the pot and tried it, testing to see if it was all the way cooked through.
It was.

"I love your heart." Annabeth watched his back as he poured the pot of spaghetti into the sieve in the sink. "I love that you would give your life for anyone on this earth, even people you don't know or even like. I love that you are loyal and honest. I love that you can cook. I love that you love the colour blue. I love the sound of your voice when you sing in the shower and when you dance in the car... I love-"

She was cut off short by Percy's mouth crashing into hers.

"I love that you can kiss." She mumbled into him, standing up and stumbling back as he pushed her against the counter. "I love you and everything that makes you who you are and that will never change."

The spaghetti was cold when they finally ate.

Chapter twoooooooo. Sorry it was so short. I hope you enjoyed it!