Annabeth

"Really?" Percy sat across from Annabeth on the carpeted floor. "Any animal and you would be an owl?"

Annabeth shrugged. "Or a penguin."

Percy laughed. "How come?"

"They're cute." Annabeth shuffled a deck of cards.

"Owls aren't cute," Percy declared. "They're terrifying.

Annabeth laughed. "Really? Big strong man scared of an owl?"

Percy nodded. "The way they turn their heads all the way around is fucking creepy. Plus their eyes are huge and like, stare into your soul. And the claws on them- creepy shit."

"Pretty sure those are called talons."

Percy shrugged. "Talons, claws, same thing."

Annabeth dealt out the cards. "What about you?"

"Easy. A dragon."

"Dragons aren't real."

"You didn't specify it had to be a real animal," Percy grinned at her.

She laughed again. "Okay. Well why a dragon?"

"Why not? They're cool! And they breath fire."

"Well if you were a dragon, you wouldn't be afraid of an owl." Annabeth tossed a card between them, signaling the start of a slapjack game.

Percy shrugged and added a single card to the pile. "Maybe."

Annabeth flipped over a card. "If you were a dragon you could fly too. Definitely would be worth it."

"Hah!" Percy flipped a card over, a jack, and slapped the middle pile. "God, I am killing it today."

Annabeth poked his shoulder playfully. "Don't get cocky, I can still win."

They began flipping cards over again, hands hovering close to the pile as it grew.

"An octopus," Percy said finally. "If I had to choose a real animal."

"Really?" Annabeth glanced up just as he brought his hand down in the deck once again.

"God damn it!" Annabeth groaned. "That's not fair!"

Percy smiled at her, mischievously. "All's fair in love and war. And this- this is war."

The game continued and Annabeth's deck of cards grew smaller.

Finally, she played her last two cards. She slapped the deck, but not fast enough.

"Woo!" Percy threw his hands up in the air, triumphantly. "I win again! You know what that means!"

Annabeth sighed and rolled her eyes, she had already lost her shorts to the game. "Do I have to?"

"Hey, I don't make the rules," Percy displayed his hands in a gesture that said 'It's s out of my control'.

She lifted the shirt over her head and threw it at him. "You just made up that rule, liar."

He laughed, gathering up the cards. "No no no no, I didn't make it up. I just implemented the rule."

"Next game- we do chess," she said taking the cards he dealt. "I'll crush you."

Percy frowned, tossing a card into the middle, beginning the game. "Well, that's not very nice."

"Oh, I think you can take it," she slapped the deck. "Fuck yeah!"

Determined to win, her hand hovered near the growing pile. Slap!

Again and again she took the additional cards and her own deck grew. Percy dropped the last of his cards in the middle and she tossed over several of hers until- slap!

With that she won the game and laughed. "I win!"

Percy stood and sighed, unbuttoning his pants. "Turn about is fair play, I guess."

He set them on a nearby chair and took his seat on the floor again.

"So we go until one of us ends up naked?" Annabeth clarified, gathering up the deck of cards again.

Percy grinned at her. "That's the idea."

"Hmm," Annabeth pursed her lips. "Okay you shuffle this time."

He took the cards from her. "You're very trusting."

Annabeth laughed. "What do you mean? I have, literally, the worst trust issues."

"Well," he began to shuffle. "You certainly don't seem worried that I'll stack the deck here."

"Now, why would you do that?" Annabeth adjusted her sitting position.

"When I win two more times, I actually win a third time because then I get to see you naked. And that's the best part."

Annabeth smiled at his unabashed honesty. She enjoyed his company; his often nonsensical games and silly jokes always brought about a lighter atmosphere. Perhaps the gravity and often somber ness of his job forced him to compensate.

Annabeth bit her lip. "You know there's easier ways to get me undressed?"

"Hmm," Percy began dealing out the cards. "But are they this fun? I'm having a blast."

"Well, it is rather fun."

They played again, battling back and forth for the most cards. As she found herself loosing more and more cards, Annabeth scooted closer to him, planning a distraction.

As her last card was placed, she lurched forward, kissing him. He dropped his set of cards and wrapped his arms around her.

In that moment she found her pride slipping. Annabeth's mind raced and her heart pounded. Something told her to let go and allow him to sweep her away.

Percy broke off the kiss. "You're just trying to distract me!"

Annabeth sighed. "Well, I only thought it would work a few seconds. Worth a shot."

He laughed and let her go. "Can't distract me from slapjack. I am the king of cards!"

And again he slapped at the deck, winning the round. "The bra's mine!" He said triumphantly.

She winked at him. "Alright, but you have to take it off, I can't quite reach that far back."

"How dare you tantalize me! You know I have to self control. We still have one more game to go!" He put up a finger indicating 1 more round of strip slapjack.

"Oh!" Annabeth pretended to struggle with the clasp on her bra. "But I really can't reach it!"

"I have seen you take it off before! Your seduction attempts will fail on me today!"

Annabeth bit her lip and gently ran her finger across her own chest, dragging the black fabric down slightly and revealing her skin. He watched her hungrily.

"Ah fuck, no they won't," he groaned, attacking her with his own kisses.

"I thought we had another game to play."

"You win," he said sounding defeated. "I will absolutely rip that thing off."

He reached around her back and unfastened the troublesome undergarment. She felt the familiar tingling sensation, as her body anticipated his own.

Her heart pounded, she knew what she needed to say. It was, she had come to the conclusion, love that she felt for him. She had struggled to admit it to herself, knowing that he would be going away soon.

"Percy," she said, pulling away from his kiss.

He looked into her eyes. "You okay?"

Annabeth nodded. "I—" a cell phone rang. "Is that yours or mine?"

Percy looked around, spotting a glowing cellphone on the desk. He pointed to it. "Think it's yours."

Annabeth stood and walked to the desk. It was a blocked number, she frowned, picked it up and answered.

"Hello?"

"Annabeth?" The voice was familiar. "Where are you?"

Her heart sank as she realized who the caller was.

Of course, she thought, He would waltz back in just as things are going well.

Annabeth peeked over at Percy. He sat against the bed, shuffling the deck of cards.

"I think you might have the wrong number," she blurted out.

"No, I don't think so-"

Annabeth hung up the phone. Her heart pounded and she took a deep breath before turning back to Percy.

He grinned at her and held up the cards. "Ready for one last game?"

She smiled and nodded. Percy handed her a stack of cards as she sat down.

Her face must have been slightly flushed because he asked, "You okay?"

Annabeth grinned at him, shaking of her apprehension. "Yeah."

Bianca

Sitting across the street, watching the restaurants entrance, Bianca feels like a spy. She watches the people entering and exiting, expecting to see Annabeth any minute.

"God," Jason moans, his head falling back against the headrest. "You know this is why you and I never worked out."

"What?" She doesn't turn to face him.

"You always gotta be in everyone's business."

This time she glances over her shoulder. "Well excuse me for caring."

"If you really cared you would leave her alone and wouldn't drag me with you to spy on them. If she's moving on with her life this is a good thing."

Bianca crosses her arms. "She's moving on but she's moving to quickly. It's self destructive. That's what it is."

Jason sighs and closes his eyes. "Alright."

"And shouldn't you care too? Or when you kissed her were you just cold hearted?"

He rubs his eyes. "I'm not going over that again with you. I'm seeing someone else."

She snorts. "Seeing your therapist doesn't count. Even if you do bring her flowers."

"She liked the flowers!"

"She won't go out with you."

Jason flushes. "You're gonna feel stupid when she does."

"Ooh shut up!" Bianca jerks her attention back out the window. "I think that's them!"

"And what do you mean cold hearted?"

"I mean it was a dick move- and it's not them," Bianca turns back toward him. "I get the unplanned- in the moment- type kissing but you full on smooched on her at the worst— where are you going?"

He had opened his door and steps out onto the sidewalk. "I'm not staying around for a lecture again. Have fun watching by yourself."

Jason shuts the door and walks away, sticking his hands inside his coat pockets for warmth.

Bianca watches as he walks away then shrugs and turns back to the restaurant doors. A couple approaches the entrance and Bianca zeros in on the woman: A blonde, about 5foot 4, wearing a light brown jacket and scarf. She knows it's them, recognizing Annabeth instantly. The man to her left was tall and bearded, a pair of glasses resting on his face. He wore a black coat and gray knit beanie hat. Oddly, Bianca feels as though she's seen him before.

Of course she had seen him before, but only from behind, peeking out of a closet.

The pair walk into the restaurant.

Bianca opens the door and jumps out. She crosses the street, passes through the glass doors of the restaurant and enters the warm glow.

She looks around, adjusting to the settings.

"Can I help you?" A young woman asks, holding a stack of menus.

Bianca shakes her head. "No, I'm just looking for someone."

She spots them, toward the back of the room, sitting across from each other. Bianca makes her way towards them.

He's pointing to his eyes, a finger just under his glasses rim.

"—genius." He says to Annabeth as she approaches. "These are fucking brilliant."

"Annabeth!" She puts a big smile on and leans against the table. "I had no idea you were going to be here!"

Annabeth, startled, looks at Bianca.

"What? Why are you here? Did you-?" Clearly frustrated she falters, opting to take a deep breath and cross her arms than argue.

"Well, I to come meet your friend," Bianca says turning to Annabeth's date.

Up close, she could see his dark brown eyes through the glasses, and the odd sense of familiarity grows uncomfortable.

"You are?" She asks sticking out a hand in greeting.

His eyes flick to Annabeth before standing and shaking Bianca's hand. "John."

"Uh-huh. And how long have you been sleeping with my sister?"

Annabeth stands up, her face flushed. "Can I talk to you outside. Now."

Bianca shrugs and allows Annabeth to lead her outside the restaurant.

"What the hell are you doing?! You promised you would leave it alone!" Annabeth nearly shouts as they step outdoors.

"I know but—"

Annabeth cuts her off. "No! If I'm dating someone or not it is my business and I decide when to let people know. Including you!"

Bianca sighs. "Look, I'm worried about you. I can't imagine you're in a place to be dating anyone so soon after—"

"After Percy?"

"Yeah. I just don't want to to be hurt anymore!"

"Pain is part of life and I'll deal with it. But thank you for your concern. Now please leave me and my date alone."

Bianca raises her hands, surrendering. "For tonight. But you can't hide shit from me. If he's going to be a part of your life, I think I get to know."