{Percy POV}

"That's a really pink palace," I said while staring at Aphrodite's residence. It was the color of Pepto-Bismol. If you stared too long you would get nauseous.

I made my way to the door, nearly barfing up my guts, and knocked on the door. It took what seemed like hours for her to answer the door.

I heard a faint click-clack of heels and a sweet melody of a voice call through the door. "Who is it?"

"Percy Jackson, from camp Half-Blood. I got the vial."

She squealed ans swung the door open revealing herself. I'll admit Aphrodite is beautiful but she's nothing compared to my Annabeth.

"Come in." She giggled.

I stayed put. "I really don't have time, Lady Aphrodite." If the inside was as pink as the outside I don't think I would make it.

"I said come inside." Her whole persona changed when she said that. From rainbows and unicorns to Hades and demons.

I held my hands up, "Ok. I'm coming in."

She lead me through her living room and into her bedroom.

I stopped short. "Do you want me to come in your room?"

"Yes, so we can talk." She was in her rainbows and unicorn phase.

"About?"

"You and Annabeth."

"Oh." I stepped over the threshold.

She invited me to sit down beside her on her bed.

"Are you eighteen?"

"Yes." I answered.

She beamed at me.

"So... the two of you still going strong?"

"Of course." She's the goddess of love, she should know the answer to that.

She smile fell a bit.

"Did you do it yet?"

"Do what?" I played dumb.

"You know what I'm talking about!" She pointed an accusing finger at me.

"No, I don't know what you're talking about!"

"I'll mouth it out for you."

"Please don't." Her mouth was already silently moving.

When she stopped I still pretended like I didn't know what she was talking about.

She rolled her eyes and said, "Have you told her that you loved her?"

"No." I tried to but I always punk out.

She smiled, "You're afraid aren't you?"

I nodded. "Anything could happen. She might not want to return it. She might think I'm moving to fast."

"I know how you feel."

"You had the same problem?" There was no way.

"No. I just always wanted to say that."

Aphrodite began talking again but I wasn't paying attention. I started to think about my relationship with Annabeth. There were many nights where I had dreams about us getting married, having kids, and growing old together. She is the only reason why I didn't take the offer to become a god.

"Hello? Aphrodite to Percy. Are you alive?" She was waving her hand in front of my face. "Did you not hear a work I just said?"

"I didn't. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, it wasn't all that important anyways." It was silent for a few minutes.

"I should head back to camp."

"Ok." She escorted me outside.

Just as I was about to get in my car I remembered the vial. "Lady Aphrodite, I almost forgot to give you the vial." I walked back to her porch.

"Oh, thank you." She didn't look to happy to see it.

The drive back to the elevator seemed long and cold. All I could think about was Annabeth. I had this weird feeling in my stomach, like something was wrong but I suppressed it. I'm sure that it was because of Aphrodite's Pepto-Bismol palace.