Chapter 21

'You may stay…', the words ran through Annabeth's head over and over as she held back an excited squeal and jumped her boyfriend, nearly knocking him off the couch. She kissed his cheek and threw her arms around his neck, pulling his toward hers head tightly.

"I can't breathe" Percy mouthed and pointed to his neck. Annabeth let go of him with tears of joy in her eyes. "Thank you so much, uncle. I really, really appreciate it"

"And remember, Percy, we're always here for you. Never hesitate to call if you need anything. Hopefully we'll see each other again soon"

"Thank you" he said and hung up. Annabeth jumped him, knocking him over and kissed him tightly. She was half-laughing-half-crying; her eyes full of tears as she looked at Percy in the eyes before immediately pulling him close again. "You're not leaving me" she muttered in his ear quietly, her voice cracking

"Never" he whispered back and hugged her. Jeff and Christie looked at the two and smiled. Percy sat up as Annabeth let go, still slightly tearing. He wiped her tears away gently with his sleeve before she pecked him lightly.

"I love you, Wise Girl"

"I love you more, Seaweed Brain"

"That went well, didn't it?" Christie asked Percy in a cheerful voice

"Well?" Percy asked and pointed at Annabeth, "I think she might have your answer"

"I was expecting it to be a little longer, considering how stubborn you said he is" Annabeth said, "But I'm just so happy"

Percy gave her a smile, "What do you say we go out to eat? All of us, to celebrate"

"Sounds good. Chris?" Jeff said.

"I'm in"

"Annabeth?" Percy asked with a smile

"Of course I'm coming" she said and smiled back at him.

"Great! Where do you guys want to go?" Jeff asked

"Meat!" Percy said with a grin, "Burgers, steaks, ribs, anything, I'm starving!"

"I'm with Percy" Annabeth agreed

"Me too" Christie said

"Awesome, we'll leave in a few." Jeff said and grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen as Christie opened her laptop. Annabeth followed Percy back to his room. He sat down and pulled a guitar off the wall. He played for a while, Annabeth just listening, until her eyes lit up.

"Can you do me a favor, Percy?"

"Anything"

"Can you record yourself playing so I can use it as my ringtone?"

"Uh..." he said and scratched his head. He didn't like showing off, and never really told anyone he plays guitar. Annabeth, on the other hand, really, really wanted him to. She looked at him with her big, beautiful grey eyes. "Percy?" she said and tilted her head sideways, letting her curls cascade down one of her shoulders.

"Not again…" Percy muttered to himself and looked down at the floor, averting his eyes from her. She just walked up to him and grabbed his face, tilting it up towards her. She took the guitar from him, hung it on the wall, and straddled him. Percy started breathing unevenly as she smiled down at him.

"Do you love me, Percy?" she asked and played with his hair, putting her lips inches away from his. Percy tried responding as best he could, but forgot how to speak, "I…oh…uh…ah…" he stuttered as Annabeth kissed him, letting her tongue explore his mouth.

"You'll do that for me. Won't you?" she asked, not breaking from his eyes. Percy started shivering lightly as he looked at her, stunned. "I love you, Percy" she said and kissed him again, "Please?" All Percy did was nod nervously as she kissed him yet again and stepped away slowly. He looked around in a daze, his eyes out of focus, until he saw Annabeth smiling at him.

"It's not funny, Wise Girl. Now I don't want to do this for you now"

"Do you want me to do it again?"

"No, no! Don't." he said in horror as Annabeth laughed, "No, seriously, please don't"

"Fine, I won't. For now…" she said and smiled.

"What song where you thinking of?" he asked.

"What songs do you know?"

"I know a lot. And even if I don't I can learn it quickly" She scratched her temple, thinking of what song she wanted as Percy played a few riffs, warming up his hands.

"How about…Hotel California?"

"Good choice. Hold this for a second" he said and handed her his guitar.

"Why is this so heavy?" she asked as she examined the guitar. A white body with golden stripes running up and down (A/N: For a visual reference, look up a Schecter Synyster Custom).

"It's carved out of one big piece of wood instead of two, so it's heavy" he said as he looked through his stuff. He pulled out a few cords and an amp. He plugged all the wires to his amp and computer and took the guitar from Annabeth. He opened a few programs and plugged in a pair of headphones to test the sound and handed them to Annabeth.

"Is there any specific part you like?"

"Just the chorus would be great, but don't you need to hear what you're playing?"

"I'll be fine" he said, pressed a few buttons and started playing. Annabeth closed her eyes and swayed slowly to the music, enjoying every bit of it, especially because it was her boyfriend playing. She was still swaying when the music stopped and Percy tapped her shoulder.

"Annabeth?"

"Why'd you stop?" she whined, "I really liked it"

"We don't have time, but I promise I'll play for you later. Give me the phone so I can put the song on". Annabeth handed him her phone and kissed his cheek, "Thanks, Seaweed Brain"

"You're welcome, Wise Girl"

"Percy, are you two ready?" The teens heard Christie yell from the living room.

"Yeah, give us a second!" Percy yelled back and handed Annabeth her phone. "Let's see how it sounds" he said and called her as the ringtone blasted through the speakers. Annabeth answered and motioned for Percy to put the phone to his ear.

"I love you, Percy"

"I love you too, Annabeth." He said and kissed her. They made their way to the doorway where they joined Christie and Jeff.

"Outback or Applebee's?" Jeff asked

"You guys pick"

"Sounds good" Jeff said as the he four made their way out of the apartment. They got in his SUV, Christie took the shotgun seat as Percy sat next to Annabeth in the back, sharing a seatbelt. She leaned her head on his shoulder and laced her arms around his body, "I'm so glad you're staying."

"Me too" he said and ran fingers up and down her hair. He lay his head on the window and closed his eyes until he felt pain from his cheek. "Ow!" he yelped in pain and looked at his girlfriend, "Annabeth Chase, did you just pinch my cheek?" he asked and looked at her. She was playing with and massaging his cheeks lightly, a huge smile on her face.

"I think I did, Percy Jackson"

"Do you mind telling me why?"

"They're really soft. And I just really, really wanted to."

"It hurt, you know" he said and she kissed his cheek.

"Better?"

"Better" he said and laid his head on the window again, falling asleep with Annabeth's touch.