Character A and Character B broke up but see each other at a Christmas party.

The second that Annabeth walks into the party, she knows exactly how this night is going to be because Percy Jackson is there, staring back at her.

It's the first time she's looked at him in what feels like eternity. The wound is forced back open as though she's never healed. Maybe she hasn't. She thought she did, but when she's looking into the eyes of her ex, she can't think straight.

All she can think about is how last Christmas, exactly one year ago, she was warm in his arms, and now she's not. Now she's surrounded by the overbearing cold, heart slowly morphing into ice, and there's nothing she can do to stop it. At one point in time Percy could melt her with just one smile. Now all she sees is stone.

"What is he doing here?" Annabeth demands.

"I didn't know he was coming," Piper says. "I'm sorry."

"You didn't know?"

"I didn't invite him, Annabeth. I swear."

Her heart pounds because there is no escaping this. She is stuck in this moment, frozen in time. The spell only breaks when Percy pulls his eyes away from her, choosing to look down in his lap. There's something different in him. Something she's sure she caused that day she told him she couldn't take it anymore. It had seemed like the right thing to do at the time, to release this beautiful boy who would do anything for her when she wasn't willing to do the same.

She's starting to think it was a mistake. That the lost the one person who loved her more than anything, and it was her fault. The Percy that loved Christmas, that used to tug a Santa hat onto her head and kiss her, abandoning the sugar cookies on the counter, that when she was looking at the shining lights, he was looking at her.

"Come on," Piper says. "It's only one night."

"One night," she whispers, knowing well it's not going to be a good one night.

Still, despite herself, she makes her way to the group of friends on the seats. The one seat available is the one next to him. She doesn't want to take it, but she does. It feels like it's going to be awkward, like the tension is going to persist, but then Piper's laughing with Jason and Leo, and the attention is off of the two lovers who never were.

Annabeth's staring off into space, trying desperately to keep the flush in her neck down, when Percy speaks.

"I can move," he offers quietly. She turns her head to him, and he can't look her in the eyes. "I don't mind."

"There's nowhere to move."

"I can switch with someone."

She swallows. "You're fine."

As the night goes on, they don't exchange another word. The group keeps smiling, movie after movie playing in the background. At some point, they make their way outside, save for Percy and Annabeth. Percy doesn't move, and something compels her to stay where she is, so she does.

They're quickly forgotten. They never were the closest with the group of friends they're with now. Maybe that's why they had been so well with one another.

She can feel Percy shifting beside her. It's one of his tells that he wants to speak but doesn't know what to say or how to say it or if he should. But she wants to hear his voice, so she says the first thing that comes to mind.

"I like your sweater."

Percy finally does look at her, and she's relieved to see that he does not appear too shaken by her. He even has a hint of a smile on his face because he's always been the person to keep the mood up, and it comforts her to know that he's not fully gone.

"Thanks," he says, looking down at it. She's pretty sure it's supposed to be an ugly Christmas sweater. On anyone else, it would've been, but it looks cute on him, the painted reindeer with a light-up nose flashing. "It was ten dollars at Walmart."

"The epitome of elegance."

He laughs. "Right?"

And the tension has broken.

"I should get an ugly sweater," Annabeth says.

"Excuse me? Did you just call my sweater ugly?"

"No, of course not. I love it."

"And it only shocks me, like, three times in an hour."

Annabeth can't help the giggle that bubbles out of her throat because he had a light-up sweater last year too, and it would give him random shocks that he would demand to be followed by a kiss to make him feel better. "What a deal."

"I'll get you one so we can match."

"Oh, please do. I'm dying to twin electric-shocking-sweaters."

Percy winks. "New Years then."

It's amazing how much it feels like she's talking to her best friend again.

"You're lucky I—" She stops herself before she can finish the sentence, but she's sure they both knew what she was about to say. She can't correct herself because it's true. She never did stop loving him. She doesn't know why they ended, really. She was just scared because of how wrapped around his finger she was, and how in love with her he was.

Percy's smile doesn't falter. "It's alright."

Here he was again, excusing her actions. She broke his heart, but he loves her anyways. It's written on his face.

"Still, I'm sorry."

Percy turns to face her entirely, and he leans his body against the back of the couch. He tilts his head, looks at her lovingly. "Don't apologize for how you feel. I still love you too, even if it's not what you want to hear."

It's exactly what she wants to hear, because it gives her hope. Maybe they're not as far gone as she thought.

"Why?"

"You're still the person I fell in love with," he says, like it's obvious. "We changed, but you didn't. Just because you didn't want to be together doesn't mean you're not you anymore. You still love the same things and talk the same way. You're the Annabeth I fell in love with."

"Percy."

"I'm not trying to do anything. I'm just saying I love you, and... I'm here for you if you need anything."

"Why would you do that?"

"You were my best friend. Why would that have changed?"

"I broke up with you."

"You needed to take care of yourself first. And I want you to always put yourself first."

He is too good for her. And he loves her anyways. He embraces her flaws and makes her feel beautiful. He loves her unconditionally, and she doesn't know why she ever left him. She was scared he'd break her heart, but he wouldn't break her heart. She knows that now, when it's far too late.

"I'm so sorry," she says. She feels like crying but she doesn't, because she has no right to cry over something she caused.

"I understand," he reassures gently.

She wants nothing more than to drop into his arms. She desperately needs to feel the warmth of his skin. Annabeth is so close to wavering, so close to leaning against him.

Percy must be able to read her, because he always has been. "Come here," he says, and she lets herself listen. She is wrapped in his arms, feeling at home for the first time since they ended. It's a nice feeling.

"I miss you," she whispers.

"I'm right here."

He doesnt kiss her, but she can tell he wants to. It's the twitch in his fingers that lets her know he wants to move her so he has access to her lips. He's stopping himself, but she doesn't want him to.

They'll be okay.

Above all, they love each other.

That's what matters.

Percy nudges her neck with his nose. "You okay?"

"Just... weird."

"Then let's not make it weird."

"How?"

Percy gives her a sweet smile. "I'm here if you want me. I always will be."

Her heart stutters. This is her one and only chance. Everything's aligned, and this is their miracle. They've spent one year apart, and she never wants to do that again.

"I do," she tells him.

Percy's hands bring her gently closer to him, and when he kisses her, it feels like nothing's changed. It's short, but it feels like coming home.

Things won't be perfect. Not yet. But they love each other, and she's learned, and anything is possible in christmas.

Maybe the fates have brought them back together, or maybe they were simply never supposed to split. It doesn't matter.

They are the embodiment of Christmas. They are the magic in the air, the brightest lights, the moments sitting by the Christmas tree. They are moon and stars on Christmas night.

They are together, and they will be alright.