Thalia POV
"Lady Athena, I respect you and all," I said, "but don't you think you went a little too far this time."
"Not at all," she replied, "I simply think everyone is blowing this out of proportion."
Now she's starting to get on my nerves
"Listen, Lady," I said, "I don't care if you're Annabeth's mother or the Goddess of Wisdom; you need to realize that you're doing more harm by keeping those two apart than together. I mean, look at it this way: the whole camp is just itching for those two to get together, especially the older campers. Ask any of them, and they'll tell you that Percy and Annabeth have been skirting around their feelings for over 5 years."
"Mother, I'm sure you remember the conversation you had with Percy a few years back on Olympus?" Malcolm asked, and when Athena nodded, he continued, "Well, let me tell you that he was planning on telling Annabeth on how he felt on her decision on joining the hunters, and boy did he disagree."
"Why didn't he?" I asked, though I had a feeling I already knew the answer
"A little chat with Mother disheartened him," said Malcolm
"Wise council is not popular," said Athena (Which book is this from?)
"But is this being wise," asked Malcolm, "or distrustful?"
He then left the cabin, probably to go to the archery range or something.
"There better be a good reason for you to get in the way of their friendship," I said, and when she opened her mouth to speak, I said, "And don't tell me it's because Percy's dangerous or anything. Annabeth'd be in danger even without Percy. In fact, I think she'd be safer with Percy than without, seeing as how well they work together."
Athena snorted at this
"If you don't believe me, that's your problem," I said, "I've seen them in action. They know each other's movements like their own. I have no doubt that they work best together, whether it be defending from monsters or figuring out plans. I'm want the best for both of them, and that would be together, not apart. Goodbye, Lady Athena."
Percy POV
"Wait, so it was all Athena's fault?" I asked
"For the millionth time, yes," said Annabeth
"Gods, I love you," I said, without meaning to. I widened my eyes, while Annabeth look confused, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Um, uh, um," I stuttered
"Percy," said Annabeth, "I know you love me. You told me once before, remember? Besides, it's not like I don't love you."
I tried to process what she said, but I got confused
"Wait, do you love me or not?" I said, "I'm confused."
"Seaweed brain," muttered Annabeth, rolling her eyes, but she was smiling, so I guess it was okay, "Yes, I love you."
"No doubt?" I asked
"Seaweed Brain, if this ends up like that last question, I swear," she said
"Just checking," I mumbled, before leaning in for a kiss. She leaned in as well, and gods, I felt like I was on Olympus
After we broke apart, we stayed silent for a while
"You felt that, right?" she asked
"Like you were on Olympus?" I asked, and when she nodded, I confirmed, "Yeah, I did. What if your mom blasts me?"
"I don't know," she said, "I'll find a way to bring you back, or die trying."
"As admiral as that may be," I said, "I don't think I'm worth it."
"Of you are," she said
"No, I mean," I said, "I get into trouble in each corner I turn. Who knows how long I have until I run out of corners."
"Everyone's number of corners is limited," replied Annabeth, "doesn't make you any less important. Besides, I need my hero."
I felt better; enough to smile
"And I need my princess," I said
"Princess?" questioned Annabeth
"Why not?" I asked, "I mean, you have the princess curls."
"Well, I'll keep my princess curls," said Annabeth
"Don't you dare change anything about yourself," I said
"Only if you do the same," said Annabeth
We started to lean in for another kiss, but a bright flash interrupted us. We scotched away from each other, and looked down once we saw who it was.
"Annabeth," said Athena
"Please mother," replied Annabeth, looking up with tears in her eyes, "Don't blast him."
Athena looked a little stunned, and guilty.
"Please don't do anything to Annabeth, either Lady Athena," I said
Athena, if possible, looked even more guilty, and a whole lot of sorry.
"Listen, you two," said Athena, "Perseus I presume that she has told you of my talk with her, Malcolm, and Thalia, hmm?"
"Yes, ma'am," I squeaked, deathly scared of where she was going to lead this
"Well," said Athena, "I've been thinking since then."
Isn't she always? Especially considering her children's habits.
"I'm going to ignore that Perseus," said Athena. I blushed, remembering that the gods can listen on our thoughts, "anyways, I've been thinking, and I came to a realization. I may have been a little harsh on the relationship between you two."
"A little harsh?" boomed a voice from behind us, "You refused to accept their relationship until after Percy refused being a god."
"Poseidon," said Athena, trying to contain herself
"Dad"
"Lord Poseidon"
Annabeth and I both bowed at dad
"Haven't I told you two enough that you don't have to bow when you see me?" questioned my dad, looking stern, but his eyes were playful, so you could tell he was just playing.
"Sorry," we replied, acting sorry, though I wasn't sure how well we pulled it off, considering the fact that we were smiling and snickering quietly
"Is there any reason you're here Poseidon?" asked Athena
"Why, I just came down here to see if Annabeth would accept my offer now," said Poseidon
"Offer?" I asked, looking at Annabeth
"You're dad wanted to give me powers similar to yours," she replied
"You never know when you might need them," said Poseidon
"I'm not sure," said Annabeth.
Somehow my brain got a brilliant idea, and I whispered it to Annabeth, causing her to shy away a little, though she had a smile on her face
"Are you sure that's the only place they wouldn't be able to get us?" asked Annabeth
"Only if you say yes," I replied
"Fine," said Annabeth, "Lord Poseidon, I accept your offer."
"Great!" said Poseidon, bringing out a mango lassi (I had them at this Indian restaurant me and my mom went to to celebrate. It's kind of like a smoothie) (And my favorite kind of lassi ), "Drink up!"
Annabeth took the drink and drank it
"Now, what about the ritual?" asked Athena
"What ritual?" me and Annabeth asked, worriedly
"Oh, don't worry," said Poseidon, "I did the ritual on the mango lassi when she refused the first time. I kept it just in case she accepted later on. Besides, I only had the book for the ritual for so long."
"You read a book?" asked Athena
"It was part of the royal library in Atlantis," replied Poseidon, "besides, I'm not keeping that ritual away from the mermen. Mother Rhea knows mermen and mortals would have limited contact with each other."
"True," said Athena, "and know, for my gift to Percy, as an apology."
"Which would be?" I asked, and they all looked at me, "What? I'm kind of in a hurry to get this all behind us."
Annabeth rolled her eyes and smiled, Poseidon laughed heartily, while Athena simply rolled her eyes.
"Anyways," said Athena, pulling out grape juice, "My gift is an increase in wisdom and knowledge. As Poseidon once said, drink up!"
I took the grape juice and drank every last drop.
"Good," said Athena, "now, just for safety, I swear I won't get in the way of your children ever again."
"No worries, Athena," said Poseidon, "My children grew smarter because of that. Now I've got to go. They're serving coconut cream pie for desert on Olympus."
"Boys and their stomachs," grumbled Athena, before the two flashed out
"I could use some coconut cream pie," I said
"Seaweed Brain," said Annabeth before kissing me
Just then, Thalia came running over, waving her spear over her head
"KELP HEAD!" she yelled, "HOW DARE YOU PLACE A PRANK PIE ON THE FRONT OF YOUR CABIN! COCONUT CREAM PIE, NONE THE LESS!"
"Oh shisct," I said, before scrambling into the ocean
"Don't leave me!" yelled Annabeth, scrambling after me, "I don't want to get run over by a pie-faced daughter of Zeus!"
Let's just say that we sealed the end of the day with a kiss in the ocean, before having some coconut cream pie.s
