Percy was nervous.
Rightfully so of course. Anyone in his position would be, but he knew he shouldn't have anything to fear.
Or at least he hoped not.
She would say yes. Why wouldn't she? They loved each other, and he had made sure to wait until she was done with college to ask.
So he fingered the ring he had bought earlier that week in his hands wondering how he would go about this.
What was the perfect way to ask someone to marry you?
Should he go classical? Taking her out to dinner and putting the ring in her drink would work but it wouldn't be right. Not after everything they had been through together, he couldn't just ask in the most expected way possible.
Surprising her and asking for a public event wouldn't do either.
Annabeth hated attention, and he was worried she would feel pressured into doing something if he asked while there were people around them.
No, it had to be perfect. It had to express their relationship in every moment as it happened. It couldn't be flashy, but it couldn't be nonchalant.
He was broken out of his thoughts when he heard footsteps coming from behind him. Quickly slipping the ring into his pocket, he turned around and was met with grey eyes.
Annabeth.
He automatically smiled; just being around her made everything seem perfect. 'This. This is why I want to marry her. She makes me happy.' He thought as he pulled her into a hug. Annabeth returned the huge and gave him a peck on the lips. They spent the rest of the day together running through camp and sword fighting. The entire time their smiles never left their faces.
No matter how he asked her she would say yes, but he still wanted it to be perfect for her. It was something he could only do once; he didn't want it to go badly.
So he waited for days trying to think of a good way to ask her. He tried to think about the right time to ask her and how he should start the conversation. No matter how many scenarios he went through in his head; however, nothing was right.
Eventually, he realized that him thinking scenarios up in his head wasn't working. He needed help. So he found himself walking through camp to ask Grover on the matter. After all, he must have gone through something like this when he asked Juniper to marry him, right?
He never made it to Grover.
Halfway to the Big House Annabeth caught up with him.
"Hey Seaweed Brain!"
It was so natural for them; he didn't even think about his response back to her. "Wise girl."
They started bickering back and forth, his idea to find Grover forgotten.
"Kelp face."
"Owl face."
"Aren't you original you half-faced fish."
It was at that moment when it clicked. It was perfect. No one was around either which only made it better. The plan was only half formed in his mind when he smiled and said. "You know Annabeth I don't really like your name."
The change of topic threw Annabeth off guard as she tried to register what Percy had said. It was just such an obscure thing to say she wasn't sure how to respond.
"What?" She finally asked wondering what had brought this on. She always had thought her name was rather cool.
"Your name. I don't like it. Particularly your last name. It sucks."
Anger flared in Annabeth, and she wondered why Percy was bringing this up. "What is wrong with my last name?"
Percy shrugged in front of her, and she struggled not to hit him when he said, "It just doesn't suit you. I think you should change it."
"And what exactly do you think I should change it to?" Annabeth asked putting her hands on her hips ready to pick a fight.
Percy tried to hold back a grin as he finished off his plan that had gone surprisingly well. "Jackson. You should change it to Jackson."
He then fished the ring out of his pocket and held it up so she could see what it was. "So what do you say, Wise girl? Will you marry me?"
Annabeth's jaw had dropped. Any anger she had felt and diminished as it had never been there at all. Then she was happy — no elated.
"Your such a Seaweed Brain." Annabeth was able to get out before kissing him on the lips, only breaking apart so he could put the ring on her finger.