I don't own Percy Jackson & the Olympians. I do like to think I own my own imagination though. One more thing; I don't live in New York and haven't even been there, so I can't know what it looks like and how the people are. Sorry if I somehow have insulted any true New Yorkers. Enjoy!
Percy's eyes were widened, his face the color of chalk, his carotid artery throbbing wildly and his mouth open in a silent scream. He didn't move, looking like a statue of someone who saw a basilisk. His entire composure screamed fear and horror.
Athena smirked. She obviously had chosent the right thing to say. Her presence alone had been enough to scare the famous hero of Olympus, but the idea of having to go shopping for underwear with her, his future mother in law, was obviously too much. He had just frozen, too scared to even react.
Athena actually suspected he would get a heart attack any minute. He did look awfully pale. Like a vampire. Or an empousa. Or any other creature that never saw the light, that hid in the dark and avoided the sun. That couldn't be a good sign. He might actually faint or get a heart attack any minute, or so it looked.
Athena admired her work. She really had done it now. She had scared him so much he might actually pie his pants. Just to be sure he hadn't, and only for that reason - not because her treacherous eyes enjoyed looking at him-, Athena focused on his pants. They were still dry. Pity. It would have been hilarious to actually envision that. She smiled at the thought of the famous Percy Jackson peeing his pants, because he had to go shopping with her.
She walked towards them and toched his shoulder lightly, hoping to wake him from his stupor. It didn't work. He remained perfectly frozen, not even blinking. He didn't seem to acknowledge her in any way, remaining perfectly still.
Athena was baffled. She hadn't anticipated he would react like this. She sighed. Remarkable. The boy can fight monsters, titans and all-powerful gods without blinking, but he freezes when I mention I have to purchase some undergarments. Men.
Deciding that the sensitive approach wouldn't work, and wouldn't be as much fun as an different approach, Athena walked forward and slapped Percy. She watched with satisfaction when he blinked and grabbed his reddening cheek. " Ouch! Why on earth did you do that?". He looked offended by her rough treatment. She had slapped him quite hard.
" Because you were seemingly frozen. You didn't react to any stimulation and wasn't even blinking. Oh and because I found it very amusing". Athena had to stop herself from smirking. It wouldn't be appropriate behavior for a wisdom goddess. No matter how funny she thought this was.
Percy rubbed his cheek, looking very insulted. " Great. So you like to hit people. Figures".
Athena bit back a smile. He seemed really offeneded she had hit him. " Actually I prefer to fight my battles with words rather than physical violence, but I am willing to make an exception in your case" she said smugly.
Percy rolled his eyes. " What a surprise".
" Not really, since I despise you and that despicable father of yours".
" It was sarcasm".
" Oh of course. Well anyway, are you prepared to go shopping?" she said, smiling. She really liked tormenting him like this, seeing him uncomfortable and scared.
Percy groaned. " Do I have to?". He sounded like a fuming four-year-old. He even pouted, looking at her with a pleading expression. Too bad it didn't work on her.
Athena chuckled softly. " I am afraid you do Perseus. Remember the terms".
Percy sighed and looked at the door like he was hoping to escape. " I suppose. Never would have expected you like to buy sexy lingerie though".
Athena raised her eyebrows slightly. " Have you wasted any brain capacity, if you even possess that, on contemplating me in undergarments only?".
Percy froze again, blushing furiously. Even the thought seemed to make him embarressed. " Of course not! That would be just wrong, I mean you are Annabeth's mom and all. You just don't seem to be the type to go there. I really can't picture you actually buying anything at that shop" he stammered, redder than ever.
Athena bit back another smile. She had to admit, he was rather amusing. In a vulnerable and quite gullible way. He reminded her somehow of a lost puppy. And Athena loved puppies. They were adorable." Oh really? Are you remarking then that I am not beautiful enough to gain your attention?" she remarked, curious how he would react to such a remark.
Sure enough, he swallowed nervously and took a few tentative steps back. " Of course not. I was just saying it would be very od if I was thinking about you in that way".
Athena tilted her head and studied him, the same way a predator would study its prey. " That is very aberrant Persues, because, as you may have noticed, my daughter appearance is almost the same as mine. We share a lot of similarities. And I am convinced, although far from happy, you have thought of her in that way. So in a way, you were also thinking of me in undergarments since my daughter looks a lot like me".
Percy suddenly looked a little nauseous. " Are you saying I have been fantasizing about my girlfriend's mother ? Because that would be just sick" .
Athena shrugged. " In a way, I am. Now, are you ready to leave and purchase some undergarments?".
Percy stared at her like she was crazy. He blinked a few times. " You are going to leave it to that? First, you freak me out by staring at me. Then, Aphrodite appears and tells me I have to spend seven days with you. And to add to that, you tell me I have been fantasizing about you, only yo say a few seconds later we have to leave? What is going on here!". He seemed to be angry and freaked out at the same moment.
" A bet. Between me and the moronic father of yours. Are you finally prepared to leave?". Athena didn't even react to his small outburst.
Percy stared at her and Athena was annoyed by the look of confusion and disbelief on his face. " Stop staring" she snapped. She really didn't like it when people stared at her. She saw it as a sign of disrespect.
He sighed and rubbed his temples. " Fine. Let's do this. Just don't say anything like that ever again". He shuddered.
Athena shrugged. "Fine".
They left camp and halted a taxi to bring them to victoria's secret. Athena was thoroughly annoyed when the driver took one look at her, whistled and gave Percy a quick thumbs up. Percy sighed, but couldn't stop a foolish grin. Athena wasn't amused though.
" I would appreciate it if you didn't behave this childish. And he isn't my partner" she said in a icily tone.
The driver seemed surprised. " He isn't? Oh well it isn't any of my business of course, but what is he then? I'm Tommy, by the way".
Percy smiled weakly. " Nice to meet you. And she is my mo-". Athena punched him. He couldn't say she was his mother in law. She was currently in the form of a twenty-five-year old, so that would be either extremely weird or just impossible. " I'm the daughter of a friend of his mother. He promised his mother he would accompany me when I went to the city, because I'm not familiar with it and he is. Besides, my father doesn't approve of me being alone in the big city. He is a little overprotective" she explained.
Percy looked impressed. She rolled her eyes at him. Like it was hard to come up with a story like that. Still, he probably wouldn't be able to.
The driver nodded. "Well, that is nice. Although I wonder why a teenager would be good protection" he remarked.
Percy narrowed his eyes at the tone of the man. " I know martial arts. I could protect her and I will".
Athena smiled. Like she needed protection. She was a goddess and could destroy humans with a snap of her fingers. Although Percy seemed to have forgotten that. He looked ready to attack the man, who was staring at Athena from his mirror. She didn't like the look in his eyes.
He ignored Percy and smiled at her. " Well anyway, I'm glad you aren't his girlfriend. You could do much better".
Athena shrugged. " Tell me something I don't know".
The driver smirked. " Smart girl ey? Any chance you would enjoy to spend some time with me? We could have a lot of fun together". He said the last part suggestiveley, making quite clear what kind of fun he meant.
Athena almost shivered. She found the very idea repulsive. " I politely refuse your offer. I already have other plans. Besides, I never accept offers from men I barely know".
The driver's smile faltered for a second. " Really? But I'm different hon. You won't feel sorry if you say yes. We could have loads of fun".
Athena was very frustrated by now. Not only was the driver arrogant and his accent provoking, but he kept winking at her, calling her hon and glacing at her legs and breasts. She hated it when men did that.
Percy looked very annoyed too. His eyes were narrowed and he burried his nails into the couch, looking ready to pounce the man. His expression bordered on hate and resentment.
Athena was very surprised when she saw that. I comprehend this man is greatly provoking, but why would Percy react so strongly. She would ponder on this later , she decided, when the man had stopped staring at her breasts.
She raised her eyebrows slightly. " Tommy. I appreciate the offer, but I am certainly not interested" she said. She tried to be polite, but aloof at the same time. She wanted to make sure he understood she wasn't interested.
Tommy narrowed his eyes, clutching his wheel slightly. " But why wouldn't you be interested?".
" I don't believe it is required to give a reason. I am not interested, the end".
" Aha. So I'm not good enough for you, is it that?" he hissed, his mood rapidly changing. He looked really angry by now, giving her a nasty look.
Before Athena could respond to his accusation, Percy spoke for her. " You aren't. She is a hundred times better than you. Leave her alone" he spoke, trembling with rage.
Athena stared at him, baffled. She despised the idea she didn't know something, but she had to admit she was clueless this time. " Perseus! Hold your temper" she snapped.
Tommy chuckled. " Yes Percy, listen to that hot girlfriend of yours. Maybe you will actually get a chance at doing her if you obey her".
Percy smiled when Athena froze and her annoyed expression changed to one of rage. The man clearly had crossed a line. " Oh, now you are in trouble" Percy said, grinning. He was an expert at pissing the gods of and knew how stupid that was. Especially Athena was dangerous. Even he wouldn't try to annoy her on purpose, while he didn't have that much trouble with annoying the god of war himself. The taxi driver was dead. Or worse.
Athena gave the man 'the' look. The special look she preserved for situations like this. Situations where she was deeply offended. When the driver saw the look in her eyes, which was more ominous than any other look or situation, he stopped talking abruptly.
Athena didn't smile or anything, she just narrowed her eyes- which were now a stormy grey- and spoke in a soft, ominous voice, " First of all, doing her isn't a correct phrase. You call it slang and I despise people who make use of vocubulary like that. Secondly, I would never allow him to do anything even holding the slightest resemblance to that. Thirdly, you are a feckless, abhorrent pig and I demand you stop attempting to flirt with me or you will be very sorry. Is this understood?".
The man nodded. He was very pale now and looked at her like he was frightened she would kill him.
The rest of the drive, he was very silent. He kept glancing at Athena, now warily but also angry. He clearly didn't like it that Athena had spoken like that to him. Even if he deserved it.
Athena looked at Percy, who was grinning. He had been a lot happier since the man stopped talking,but didn't seem to realize the man might be dangerous.
That man is very persistent. He won't just surrender. I will have to be alert Athena thought to herself. She would have to be ready for a surprise attack from the man.
The man stopped in front of a large building. Victoria's secret. He turned and grinned at her, still ignoring Percy. " There you are beauty. That will be thirty euros ( A/N I totally make this up, I have no idea what a taxi in New York costs)".
Athena gave him the money, avoiding to actually touch his hand somehow, and got out of the taxi before Tommy even had the chance to open the door for her.
Percy got out too and they started to walk away when Tommy grabbed Athena's wrist. " He Beautiful, don't- FUCK!". He didn't have time to finish his sentence. Athena reached behind her and, without actually looking at what she was doing, broke his wrist. Tommy immediately let her go.
Tommy clutched his hand and bend forward a little, crying. "You bitch. You will pay for that, little slut. " he hissed, looking at Athena like he wanted to kill her. He reached for her again, but Percy suddenly appeared and broke his nose in one fluid motion. And watched with satisfaction when the man cried out in pain before he fainted.
Percy grabbed Athena's hand and pulled her along. " Let's get out of here. We don't want the police to find us near that man" he said, glancing at some people who were looking at them. They were drawing a lot of attention to themselves this way.
Athena rolled her eyes. " It was completely futile to break his nose Perseus. And quite moronic, since it has only succeeded in drawing attention to us".
Percy snorted. " And breaking his wrist hasn't?".
Athena narrowed her eyes, annoyed he was critizing her actions. " That was simple self-defense. And I didn't inquire you to aid me. I had everything under control".
" Fine. Next time, I won't help".
" Why were you so peeved and frustrated anyway?".
" He was being rude. And you shouldn't talk like that to women".
" So you actually know what vocubulary to use when you are talking to women?".
" Yes. My mother taught me manners".
Athena smiled. " I wasn't completely aware you had any manners. You don't always behave like you have them" she teased. Somehow, she felt different around Percy. Playful. At ease.
Percy smiled at her. " I do actually. I just don't want to be polite if any of my friends of family gets hurt. And the gods have hurt them a lot".
" Ah your foible. Extreme loyalty".
" I still don't think it is a flaw. Being loyal is something positive, right?".
" It depends on the circumstances. When you can afford youself to be loyal, when only your life is at stake, it is something positive. But when the fate of the entire world depends on you, you cannot afford yourself to be loyal".
Percy didn't say anything, but his expression said enough. He still didn't agree with her. He probably never would.
Athena sighed. " I am not saying this, because I don't approve of you, your father and the relationship between you and my daughter, but because it is the truth Perseus. It simply isn't wise to remain loyal to your friends when you have to rescue the world".
Percy shrugged. " I suppose. But I could never choose the world over my friends. Why would I want to save the world when my friends wouldn't be alive anymore? I wouldn't want to live without them" he responded.
Athena was touched. It was admirable that someone cared so deeply for his friends. Still, it wasn't wise. And wisdom, logic, was more important in cases like this. In most cases actually." Admirable as that may be, it also makes you very ominous. A threat to the safety of gods and mankind. Would you really be willing to make the world perish in order to save your friends?".
" Perhaps. I would try to save them both".
" That won't be always possible. There will be a time you have to choose".
" Hmm. We are there". Athena noticed Percy actually sounded relieved they had arrived. He obviously didn't want to talk about his flaw.
They walked inside together and Athena smiled when she noticed how uncomfortable Percy was. He immediately started blushing at the sight of all the lingerie and his entire body was tense. He kept glancing at the door, like it was his only hope.
He started walking towards the door, but Athena grabbed his hand. " Where are you going Perseus? Have you forgotten what you have affirmed me?".
Percy swallowed nervously and kept looking at the door. " Do you really want me to help you with this? I mean, I could just wait outside and-".
Athena laughed. " I won't allow that to take place Perseus. We are urged to spend the next seven days with each other, so you will stay here and aid me". Without another word, she dragged him with her.
Percy winced, getting redder every second. Athena was secretely having the time of her life now she had him trapped like this. His eyes seemed to bulge when they reached the lingerie. He licked his lips, blushing even more, and tried to back away.
Athena hold him in a death grip, making sure he couldn't just walk away. She would try to embarress him as much and as long as possible.
Percy was still staring at all the underwear when an employee walked towards them with a smile firmly on her face. Her fake smile was replaced by a genuine one when she noticed Percy.
Even Athena had to admit he looked funny. His eyes were widened, his mouth was hanging open, his tongue a little out of his mouth and his expression was divided between extreme discomfort and fascination.
" Madam, sir. How can I help you?" the employee said, still smiling at the sight of the stupified Percy.
Athena smiled at her. " I would like to purchase some lingerie, but I don't think I will need your help. Although it might be helpful if you knew a way to make him-" she gestured at Percy. " move again".
The employee chuckled. She was slender and tall, with red hair and bright, green eyes. She seemed to be about twentytwo and was wearing high heels with her uniform, which was a short skirt, panty and black top with jackuet. ( A/N no idea if they have to wear uniforms. I am making that up)Her nametag said Holly, a name that fit her. " Of course. Is it your boyfriend's first time, mis?" she said, smiling. Apparently, more boys reacted like that. She didn't seem really surprised, only amused.
Athena was a little offended when she realized the girl had assumed Percy was her boyfriend. Especially since she looked older than him. Why do people keep contemplating that obtuse son of Poseidon is my boyfriend? I would never choose to spend time with an idiot like him.
Holly reached forward and snapped her fingers in front of Percy's face. He blinked and turned to look at her. The confused look he gave Holly,Athena decided, was quite appealing. She immediately scolded when she had thought that, promising herself she would pay a certain love goddess a visit when she was done tormenting Percy.
Percy shook his head. " E-eh hi?" he said, making it sound like a question.
Holly smiled and giggled. " Aren't you adorable? Your girlfriend would like to buy some things. Just help her, will you?".
She winked at Athena. " That will do. Have fun, you love birds. Just call me when you need anything".
Before Athena could point out he would never be her boyfriend, Holly walked away with swaying hips. Athena frowned, but didn't say anything. It would only get complicated if I attempted to explain her he isn't my boyfriend. I could say he is my little brother, but what reason would anyone have to bring their brother along when they wanted to purchase lingerie?
She focused on Percy, who was still glancing at the underwear and sighed. " Perseus. Stop staring at undergarments already, will you? It is quite peeving. Now, are you able to aid me or do you need some extra time to stare at lingerie?".
Percy managed to tear his eyes away from the lingerie and smiled sheepishly. " Sorry. I got a little carried away I suppose. Why do girls even wear this stuff? It doesn't look really comfortable". He looked a little shocked when he realized he had said the last thing out loud.
Athena shrugged. " They undergo it to either please men or feel better about themselves. It is a simple psylogical trick really. If you wear something you believe is beautiful, you will feel better and more confident".
Percy frowned. " Then why do you wear it?" he blurted out.
Athena sighed. That boy really dared to ask anything, didn't he? Most people wouldn't even think about asking that question, but he just did it. " Well, I obviously don't feel the need to please any man, so which do you think it is"? she said sarcastically.
" Oh yeah. Can I go now?" he asked again.
Athena sighed. This was really getting old. She walked towards the lingerie, searching for something black. She mostly wore black. She didn't like anything too bright or too much. Black was simple and stylish. Not that anyone, except herself, would ever get the chance to appreciate the way she looked while wearing black lingerie.
She ignored Percy, who was still staring at her with an expression of hope, and took some sets. She choose a lacy, silver bra with matching throng, a cotton black bra and throng and a strapless bra and throng.
She turned towards Percy, who had slowly started to walk back to the exit and grabbed his arm. " Stay here, you. Follow me".
Percy groaned, but obeyed and followed her while she walked towards the dressing rooms.
Percy suddenly stopped. " Why are we going towards the dressing rooms? You don't want me to actually comment on how it looks on you, do you?" he asked, horrified.
Athena , unknown to Percy, rolled her eyes. Like she would actually allow him to. " Of course not! Why on earth would I allow you to envision me like that? You really are a perverted weirdo. I just want you to guard the dressing room while I occupy it".
Percy started to ask why, but sighed and just nodded instead. He followed her towards the only empty dressing room.
Athena turned towards him. " Don't even think about going in there while I am changing. Tartarus will be nothing compared to the punishment if you are actually obtuse enough to enter that dressing room".
Percy, suddenly pale, nodded. " Sure. I will just stand here and- please, can I go?" he asked with a pleading look in his eyes.
Athena shook her head. " No, you can't. Just guard the dressing room. And don't come in!".
Athena had just put on the lacy black bra and thong when something ran inside and bumbed into her. Athena lost her balance and staggered backwards, until she was standing with her back against the wall.
The thing stumbled and Athena somehow ended with her back against the wall, only wearing underwear- sexy underwear- and Percy jackson pressed against her.
He looked at her, wide-eyed and his mouth open. Athena narrowed her eyes. She was so going to kill him.
Oh cliffhanger! Please Pm me or anything if you have any ideas, I would appreciate that. I still don't know how to break up Percabeth, for instance. Although if Athena throws Percy out of the dressing room, it might be a start ( hint).