Disclaimer: All characters belong to Rick Riordan, and the storyline is mine.

Chapter 27

Annabeth

Waking up to sunlight the next morning makes me want to curl up into the warmth of my bed. But when I finally open my sticky eyes, I realize what I really wanted to snuggle into. It feels so much like a dream, that I immediately sit up, looking around and finding a bedroom that isn't mine.

I look back at him, admiring how cute he looks when he's sleepy, his lip pouted a little with hair sticking in every direction. His arms are still loosely around my waist, and lightly tugging on me to lay down again. I freak out one more time until I see my dress on just as it was last night. Not that I would ever really doubt him. He would never take advantage of me like that.

I lay back down, facing him and tangling our legs, one hand reaching down for the blanket to cover us with. He stirs slightly but tightens his arms and buries his face into my shoulder. I reach out and touch the hair I've been wanting to lose my fingers in for months. I slide my hand down his strong jawline, feeling the smoothness over the hard bone. I pull away a little and touch his eyelids, and they flutter just a bit before settling again. I save the best for last, letting my fingertips skim his perfectly soft lips. Ones that touched mine last night, and ones that made my heart combust and my hands curl up.

They part under my fingers and plant a soft kiss on them, and the eyes that I was just exploring moments ago open up into the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.

"Good morning," he says, in that hot sleepy-guy voice. His crooked little smile make me lean forward and peck the corner of his lips before pulling back again.

"Morning," I whisper back. His smile is glorious, making me curl into him more.

"Is this real?" I ask before I can control myself.

He stares at me with hooded eyes for a moment before his face slackens and he nods.

"No, it can't be." The words leave my throat in the scratchiest way, and I feel the burning start to develop. The tears collect at the rims of my eyes and I bury my face in his neck. I can't believe I would dream such a cruel thing. Never able to have the only thing that I truly want.

"My beautiful Annabeth. This is real. I'm here, realizing that nothing will ever compare to the happiness of seeing you in my arms, of you being the first thing I see when I wake up. Your lips on mine, your fingers exploring me. This is all I want."

He pulls me in tighter, kissing my neck and stroking my hair. I choke a little and press my body into his, wanting to keep this sensation with me before the dream fades and I wake up alone in my own bed.

Before long, I drift off again, trying to memorize the feeling before my rude awakening.

.::.

A little tickle on my ribs makes me stir, wondering who would want me awake so bad that they would risk their safety. I swat around before I hear a deep laugh that makes me sit up straight. And there he is. Just like he was in my dream. Or was it even a dream?

He's kneeling next to me, his bare chest contoured and so perfect, I want to reach out and touch it. His smile is radiant, his eyes brighter than I have ever seen before. They match the ocean outside, wild and excited and unexpected.

I look down at his chest again, trying to count all of the little muscles. His shoulders are broad, his hips narrow, muscles lining his arms, legs, and stomach. I have never been able to paint, but in this moment, I want to be able to. Something nags in my brain at the thought, but when he pulls my chin up, it's erased.

His lips capture mine, his arms cage my waist into him, and my arms drape on his shoulders, reaching down to feel the strong muscles of his back. I bite my lip and rest my forehead on his. His fingers tap patterns into my ribs, sending goose bumps erupting everywhere.

"It's real," I say, my smile breaking out as I push him down onto the bed and fit my legs on either sides of those hips. He chuckles and rest his hands on my thighs as I look down at him, my hair creating a curtain around us. I just want to stay here. In our little curtain, forever.

I kiss his shoulder, moving up his neck to his jaw, then his chin, and up to the mouth I have been wanting for months.

His hands fit into the small of my back, pressing our chests together, and making me breathless at the same time.

"Oh my gods you're real. And I'm real and this is real..." I trail off and kiss his whole face, not leaving one square inch unkissed.

We laugh and kiss and laugh more until I get the rude awakening I expect.

"Percy?"

We hear the voice a second before the door opens and a very shocked Rachel stands there, frozen.

Percy jerks up, tugging the hemline of my very short dress down, trying to cover me up. "Rachel, get out!"

She stands horrified for another little while before Percy yells again "Rachel, close the door!" and at that, she slams the door and runs down the hall.

I'm already up, off of him, pacing around and looking for my shoes. I find them at the foot of the bed and slip them on.

"Where are you going?"

When I don't answer he storms to me and takes my arm, pulling me to him and wrapping me in a bear hug, not letting my arms move.

"Answer me, please."

I finally manage to push away from him, hearing the growls of frustration from my own mouth.

"I'm leaving. I'm going home, where I should be right now."

He takes my arm again, put I yank it back, turning to him with rage on my face.

"That was my reminder! That was my reminder of how hard it was for you to finally pick me! Do you know how long I waited for you? Do you know how long it was until I felt wanted by you? Rachel is my reminder! I stole a guy from another girl! I don't want this guilt on my already crumbling shoulders!" I turn and storm out, feeling him following me and hearing the loud protests from him. Every door opens along the way, revealing a face I know, and another person I have made myself pathetic in front of.

I pass Rachel, and I'm in tears. "I'm sorry!" I shout, slamming the sliding door behind me and running up the house to the only safe haven I have available at the moment.

A/N: DUHN DUHN DUHHHNNNNNNN! Plot twist! Btw this isn't a permanent thing, this should be resolved soon, so Percabeth is definitely on! Get prepared for the fluffy stuff because it's coming your way my awesome readers! I love you guys and I hope you die of Percabeth fluff (not literally) like I am.

DRUMROLL PLEASE!

SHOUTOUT OF THE WEEK GOES TO:

IchigoXLawliet10 : BEST THING OMG i LOVE WHEN PANDORA TURNS OUT TO BE THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE. Even though I'm more of a Spotify girl personally! :D

and for this person who is such a great constant reviewer:

Sora Loves Rain : I love your reviews, and you post one every chapter and they make me happy because you like my reworked characters.

Keep reviewing! I love them and all of you guys who support me!