A/N: Please never read Unbreak You again. Well, okay, you can if you want. But I hate how lame I made it, so I'm sort of redoing the post-kiss scene more in character, with Annabeth less of a prissy princess. Because I am mad at myself that I tried to force her character into the theme of the song, and because Annabeth is not a weepy, insecure lame-o like I wrote her in Unbreak You.

Also, I love my readers so much. Each time I get a review or a favorite or an alert email, I get so happy about it. Thank you SO MUCH for reading – I know I say it every chapter, and it must get annoying, but I appreciate it more than I can accurately convey in words. I'm not even kidding, I write with a smile on my face. Thank you so much.

Anyway, read, review, enjoy! And dear Artemis I hope this is more in character or I will be forced to insult Zeus during a thunderstorm as punishment.

We were kissing, and I couldn't breathe.

Which might have had something to do with the fact that we were underwater.

In half a second, though, before I could even make a motion to Percy that I was having issues, a bubble formed around the two of our heads.

Percy, the lucky kid, was completely dry.

My hair was sopping wet and my jeans were about twelve shades darker than they'd been when I'd put them on that morning. Stupid water.

"Ooh," I said, "Son of Poseidon getting fancy with the air bubbles?"

Percy nodded, "Yes indeed. Now," he said, leaning towards me, "Where were we?"

Now, a person would not think of this, but kissing underwater is not the easiest thing in the world.

It was when I was upside down and accidentally kicking some fish that I mentioned, "Perhaps it would be better if our bodies were in the bubble? This whole floating thing is much more difficult for me than it is for you."
"You know I hadn't thought of that."

Using those super special "I'm the waterboy!" powers of his, Percy grew the bubble so we both were able to find our footing.

He wrapped one arm around my waist and pushed my wet hair out of the way with his other hand. He looked at his hand. "Oh, wow," he said, "Sorry about that."

Immediately, I had the strangest sensation that I was dry.

"Dude," I said, "This is insa –"

Unfortunately, Percy shut me up before I could finish.

Usually, when he did something like that, I would punch him. But the means by which he chose to shut me up were so nice that, really, it would be inappropriate to complain.

Percy pulled me to him, his lips covering mine, and this was nowhere near the same kind of kiss as earlier on the dock, and extremely far from the kiss at the forges.

As I moved my lips against his and hugged him tight, I made the executive decision that, yes, this was definitely was different, and definitely was better. Sadly, I'd always been the one doing the kissing – when Percy started it, it was a whole different ball game.

By the time we came up, Clarisse, Travis and Chris were the last three people waiting for us. I hadn't realized how long we'd been under.

"Wow," said Travis, "Way to go, Jackson."

"Put a sock in it, Travvie," said Percy, nonchalantly sending a jet of water into Travis' face, making him lose his balance and land in the seaweed-y part of the lake.

"I AM COVERED IN SEAWEED," yelled Travis, flailing like a fish on dry land.

"Aw," I said laughing, "He's in your brain!"

"Oh, come on!" said Percy, poking me in the side, "You're not done with that whole nickname thing?"

"Remember when I said I'd never make things easy for you?"

"Well, yes, but –"

"I will be mocking you for a very long time," I said, planting a little kiss on his nose, "You better get used to it."

"You guys," said Clarisse, shaking her head, "Are almost as bad as us."

Clarisse and Chris had gotten far more lovey dovey than any daughter of Ares should be allowed. But the two of them embraced it – I think their mindset was that, after all the hate and war, we needed a little saccharine sweet in our lives.

I, on the other hand, already decided that I would never do that. Mainly because annoying Percy is far too much fun. I threw my hand around his shoulders.

"It took him long enough," I said, unable to control my smile.

Percy looked over at me sheepishly, "Sorry," he said with a shrug, "I've got seaweed for a brain. You said it yourself."

"Disgusting," said Clarisse with a smile, "Absolutely repulsive."

"Yeah," I said, poking Percy in the side, "It's his fault."

Clarisse and Chris walked away, and left Percy and I on the dock.

"So," I said, sitting back down, "What took you so long to realize that you were absolutely, madly enamored with me?"

Percy looked out into the water and leaned against one of the posts, looking near godly.

It was strange to think that he had chosen mortal life instead of immortality, and even stranger to think that he might have chosen it because of me. It sounded conceited as I thought it, but he had pretty much insinuated it before I kissed him.

"I think I've always known," said Percy, "But it's more like why did it take me so long to stop being clueless."

I hit him on the leg. "You'll always be clueless."
"Oh," he said, sitting down next to me, "Nice. Real nice. Treat your boyfriend that way."

"That's how you're going to do it?"

Percy turned to me, "Do what?"

"Ask me to be your girlfriend."

"Oh," he said, brushing his hair back, "I thought that was implied, you know," he laughed, "After spending half an hour underwater kissing."

I thought about that for a second. "Wow, half an hour."

"Yeah."

"People probably thought I drowned."

"People probably thought you were ripping my head off."

I scooted next to him and put my head on his shoulder. "Still not out of the question."

"What? Why not?"

"You haven't officially asked me to be your girlfriend yet! I can't just hang out here kissing some guy if I don't even know if he's actually into me!"

He looked at me incredulously. "Oh, you can't be serious. Of course I'm into you! Do I seriously have to ask?"

"Well you have to do something."

Percy stood up. "Fine then," he said, and he walked away.

What.

The.

Halibut.

I glared at him as he walked away. "Seriously?" I shouted, "This is so not okay! I knew you always ran away from everything, you idiot! I knew it! You're a coward, Percy Jackson! I wish you – oh my."

Percy had drawn in the air, in gigantic letters, "Annabeth will you be my girlfriend?" in sea water.

"Is that good enough for you?" Percy called from the waterfront with a smile on his face and laughter in his voice. He walked up to the side of the dock and helped me hop down. I was still too stunned to speak.

"Did you really think I was just walking away?" he asked, pulling me into his arms.

I shook my head. "No. Not really. I was just worried."

"So that's a yes."

I shrugged, "Okay, fine, I was nervous you were. But you didn't, and that's what matters." I stood there in his arms for a few moments, looking at the words.

"So, what's your answer?"
"To what?" I said, still staring at the letters.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

"I think you already know, Percy," I said, leaning up to give him a kiss. He put his hand on my forehead.

"Oh, no," he said, laughing, "No way, you make me say it, I make you say it."

"Yes, Seaweed Brain," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck again, "Of course I'll be your girlfriend."

We both missed dinner that night, but neither of us noticed or cared.

We were too busy making up for all the time lost by Percy being absolutely clueless.

A/N2: Just reread Unbreak You. Oh gods, that's embarrassing. Pretend that never happened. Good heavens I hope this one is better…