ANNABETH:There are two types of couples: those who stay together for their title and those who genuinely love each other. You see, Percy and I are like the second: we are in love.I'll admit, that wasn't easy. And I'll also say "love at first sight" isn't quite true either. When we first met, we weren't hormonal teenagers or anything. We were 12 year olds, pressured to fulfill a destiny (although that was Percy who needed to achieve what the prophecy said, we all know it was mostly me that did the work. But for his sake, let us just applaud and say it was all him).Our relationship isn't quite like any other. I know a lot of people say this, but our explanation is legitimate. And I'll prove it to you, by telling you this story. This won't be about what you already know, I'm sure our relationship has spread like a wildfire in the demigod community, but this will explain what happened after the bloodshed of Mount Olympus.I don't know who will read this, but hopefully someone in the future can find out more about us, The Great Annabeth and Perseus Jackson. I hope you enjoy, it takes a while to put memory to paper, but it's worth it. You'll see.&&&&&& head laid on Percy's shoulder and we were staring up at the night sky. Stars looked like silver against obsidian; a beautiful sight. Zoe, from Artemis' hunting pack, was up as well, twinkling with all of the other night stars that were privileged to be up that night.I cuddled up to Percy's side under our blanket. Heat radiated from three sources: the bottom blanket, top, and Percy's arms. I preferred his warmth, and he knew that, so he held me tight to his chest. Soon, though, the stars became of no interest to me, so I put my back against his chest and looked down upon all of Camp Half Blood.We were on the peak of the strawberry fields, so we could see in every direction. Percy's favorite lake was north from us, the camp was west, the woods were east, and more strawberries and woods were south.I closed my eyes and thought about what Percy said earlier. "I think we should," I said to the grass."Hmm?" Percy mumbled. Earlier that day, he and I were deliberating over our choices now that we were 18. We could stay and continue to train newcomers or move out of the camp to wherever we wanted."I think we should move out. And not to Camp Jupiter, but to a more... normal place," I said. I also added, mentally, that we should raise our children and send them to camp as a summer thing. He didn't have to know that, I knew I wasn't a "wing-it" type, but children was just too planned."Really?" Percy asked, his heartbeat speed up against my back. He slid his hands up my shirt and around my stomach, making my chest beat equally as fast. "That would be awesome!" He muffled through my t-shirt. He kissed my back, which left some tingles in the area. I turned around to face him and was about to lay my head on his chest when his lips caught mine.I know he didn't eat any sea-salt chips, but his lips always tasted like the ocean. Not the strong and gag-worthy salt taste, but the sweet kind. The kind that made you want to kiss those lips for no reason at all besides the pleasure of its feeling on your own lips.I slid my hands up his shirt and felt all of his relaxed muscles quickly start to work. I felt them stiffen and support me up to sit on his lap. I felt them help him sit up. Something about being able to feel his most demanded muscles made me feel like he trusted me more. Or maybe reassured my feelings for him were being returned.I let go of his lips. "Seaweed brain," I whispered. "We should probably wait 'till we get our own place. You know, more privacy."He nodded his head. "I can't wait." We sat up and picked up all of picnic supplies. We walked down the hill and into the camp, just two minutes before our curfew of 12:00 PM. Hand- in- hand, we walked into his cabin like I was supposed to be there.It was pitch black so we wouldn't attract attention, but I could still navigate my way around his room. I took off all of my day clothes, until I was only in my underwear, and got out the pajama's I kept there and slid them on, not caring that he was watching my every move (he couldn't really see my bare chest). I got into his bed and stared at him, this time, as he slid off his shirt.He walked up to the twin sized bed and got under the covers with me. We were completely pushed up against each other, not that I minded, but during the night it usually got pretty hot. That was why I was wearing just a tank top and shorts as pajamas: light weight and easy to put on and take off.It was 2 AM when I woke up, all sweaty and hot from Percy being next to me. I was glad his back was against mine, so that I didn't have his arms wrapped around me, but what was done was done. I was a sweaty mess. Ew!I debated whether to take off the tank top or not. I decided I had to take it off, I could trust Percy not to freak out. I got out of his bed and peeled the tank off of my body and laid it out to dry on an empty towel holder. Now my chest was completely uncovered.When I got back Percy was whispering my name. My cheeks turned red, but then I realized he couldn't see me."Annabeth, where are you?" Percy asked in a hushed tone."I'm here," I slid into the bed, my back against his chest. Much better."Much better," Percy mumbled into my hair as I silently laughed to myself at the similarity. His arms slid around my body, and I silently prayed he wouldn't freak out, but it didn't seem like he noticed. I fell asleep feeling much better and hoping that tomorrow would just go by as an ordinary day. Or as ordinary as moving out of a home you've lived in for practically 18 years.It's kind of surprising how wrong I was, being a child of Athena...
ANNABETH:I woke up to Percy kneeling by my side of his bed, his cheeks red. I had no clue what was going on."Um... Annabeth?""What?" I asked, becoming increasingly worried as the seconds ticked by."Did we... um... do anything last night?" Percy asked, his cheeks flaming. I blinked. I looked down at my bare chest that was completely showing."Percy! Did you tug down my blanket?" I almost screamed. I tugged it back up, covering my chest from his eyes. My cheeks became flushed with heat."What no! I mean, I was... but... I was going to carry you bridal style... but when I took off... I just... Um... Didn't expect... Um," He stopped.I did something we both didn't expect, I kissed him. "Thanks for not freaking out," I said sarcastically after we broke apart. I squealed (which is and was very unlike me) when he actually picked me up bridal style. Our chests touched making my heart beat twice as fast. I kissed his neck as carried me to the bathroom. He placed me on his bathroom sink and kissed me with such passion, I forgot that breakfast was going to come and go at the pavilion."Uh, Percy," I stopped him. He looked up at me. "Look, I love where this is going, but we shouldn't skip breakfast.""Oh yeah. And then we should tell Chiron about leaving," he nodded. He gave me my toothbrush, which I kept in his room just in case, and I brushed my teeth while he brushed his. He leaned over the sink while I sat on the bathroom counter. Every once and a while our eyes would meet and we would laugh. When we both finished, we spat out our toothpaste and rinsed our mouths together in the sink.I went back into his room and finally put on some clothes. I put on some jeans with big boho chic holes and a small tank. He then came into the room and changed into his usual jeans and camp half blood t-shirt. We left his cabin and walked out into the sunshine. I could faintly make out the shadow of the pavilion, but before we could reach the shade, I heard hooves gallop after us. "Percy! Annabeth!" Chiron called. We both turned around and looked up to him. Thankfully, his looming figure was blocking the sun. "Have you decided?""Yes, we have-" Percy started. "Come immediately to the big house," Chiron said. With that, he turned around and walked back to the big house. Percy and I stared at each other, before jogging after him.We opened the gate and walked up the steps to the old cobblestoned building. Percy held the door open for me and then closed it behind himself. We stepped over some open maps and books and walked over to Chiron's desk. Percy and I pulled out a chair and sat across from him.I wasn't as shocked to see him in a wheel chair in human form as I was to see Dionysus sitting beside him. With a cup of water. As the god of wine, this wasn't something anyone saw very often.Chiron started talking. "Percy, Annabeth. What have you decided as far as housing options?""We're going to live in California," I said. Percy looked at me, surprised, before looking back at Chiron and Dionysus while nodding."I thought so.""Yes, is that all you needed us for?" Percy asked."No, when are you planning on moving out?" Chiron asked."In two days, is that too soon?" I asked.Dionysus spit out his water while Chiron looked up at us. "Do you have approval?""What?" Percy asked before looking at me. I just shrugged."Before any demigod goes to live on his or her own, aforementioned must visit olympus and get parental approval. Surely one of you knew that? Annabeth?" Chiron looked expectantly at me. I looked down at my legs."Are you kidding me?" Percy pushed his chair back. The drachma pond in the corner shook and water started to spill over the sides. "HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO GET ATHENA'S APPROVAL WHEN THE GODDESS FREAKING HATES ME?""Percy," I stood up. I put my arm on his and the water slowly calmed down, as did he. I looked at Chiron and then back at Percy. "Percy, you were going to have to get her to like you sooner or later.""I know, but later is definitely more preferred in this scenario," Percy mumbled.I looked back at Chiron, and a silently stunned and amused Dionysus, before saying, "Can we please speak in private?""Of course," Chiron said, looking in between us. I pulled Percy out the back door and crossed my arms over my chest."What's the big deal? Let's just go and she'll approve!" I tried to convince him."Annabeth! Are you listening to yourself?" Percy looked at me, his eyes wide. "Do you know your mother? She HATES me!""Okay! Well if you love me, you'll find a way to change that!" I screamed back. Percy looked at me with his mouth open."I do Annabeth... And I've tried. I just-" Percy started to whisper."Don't just, don't," I said while holding my hand up. "Let me know when you decide I'm worth it." I walked out, disappointed that once Percy had found an obstacle, he immediately began to have second thoughts. What kind of a boyfriend was he? I found myself asking.By now we had skipped breakfast, so I walked around the house instead of through it, embarrassed to admit that Percy was acting like a child and not coming through with his decision. My cheeks were red, and tears kept threatening to spill, so it's obvious that Piper found me and immediately began pelting me with questions.Her eyes squinted with worry as she tugged on her fish-tail braid. "Annabeth... Are you okay?""Yeah, I'm fine," I said, wiping at my eyes. "Hey, aren't you supposed to be at Camp Jupiter with Jason?" I asked, changing the subject.She blushed. "Oh, we just decided to visit you guys." She looked down and then back up at me. We stopped walking as Jason, Percy, and Leo came into view. Percy must have met them on the way back from the Big House.Percy immediately walked up to me and wrapped me in a hug. I'll admit, I liked his arms around me, but I was still angry that he wouldn't man up and meet my mom. I mean, I get she's tough, but she isn't that powerful."Look, I'm sorry Annabeth," Percy said. "I'll go meet your mom and do whatever it takes to make you and I happy." Percy tried finding my eyes, but I chose to avoid them. Instead, I looked over to Piper and Jason. They were both looking at the grass and then back at each other, their cheeks getting redder. Leo and I both noticed. We shared a look before I got out of Percy's embrace and Leo started walking towards them."Oooh, look who had a fun night!" Leo said, a weird grin plastered on his face. Jason and Piper turned even redder, but didn't say anything. I walked up to Piper and smiled. She smiled back. "Ugh, girls..." Leo rolled his eyes. We giggled (still very unlike me) and linked arms before turning around and walking to her cabin.I noticed the boys in the window reflection of the Aphrodite cabin staring at our backs, but I didn't notice Percy quietly slipping into his Cabin, a drachma
"No-" Athena said with a finality to her voice no one could muster as well has her. "Come on! Please, just give him a chance-" the god across from her whined. "No, Poseidon. I do not tolerate your son. And don't you dare say it's because of you! I have my own reasons for not liking Perseus." Athena glared at the ocean god, sitting across from him in her throne. They were sitting in Olympus, in the giant main room. Different types of granite lined the walls and shadows from the stone pillars showed on the granite floor. To the mortal eye, 12 enormous thrones lined the wall, each between two of their own pillars. To the gods, normal sized chairs were divided among the room. Nobody else was there, they all claimed to have "errands to run". Athena knew, however, they simply did not want to listen to another argument between the two. "Athena, they are in love! No matter what you say, they will still find a way to be together. I give my approval, I don't understand why you cannot either," Poseidon tried to convince her. They had just gotten an iris message from Chiron describing how Percy and Annabeth wanted to move out together. Poseidon had received a message himself, one from Percy, asking the god to try to convince Athena to open up and give the demigods a chance to be together. Poor Poseidon was running out of ideas. Frankly, he didn't have any to begin with. "Just, listen, please.""What?" Athena sharply asked. "When I think of your son, I think of trouble. I understand that Annabeth can take care of herself, but when she sees that disgusting little-""Hey! That's my son you're talking about!" Poseidon interjected, his cheeks red with anger. He pointed an accusing finger at her before she continued. "She instantly melts. He ruins her chances and she becomes... well, stupider," Athena admitted. "Calling my son stupid now, are we?" Poseidon screamed at her. His voice boomed all over the room, echoing from one side to another. "And how do you have proof, may I ask?""Well, let's see," Athena smugly smiled. "When my daughter worked on her Olympus architecture, she did phenomenally. When that Percy Jackson came, she became distracted, ultimately ruining some of her plans.""It was only once!" Poseidon pointed out. Percy and Annabeth were caught making out in Aphrodite's shrine. It was bound to happen, as she did request a bed and a special scent that attracted men to the women in the room. "Still, did that not happen?" Poseidon faltered, thinking of something to say back. He decided to just change the subject. "Think of something. Use that big brain of yours," at that Athena rolled her eyes, "to find some way for Percy to prove that he is the man for your daughter." Athena pondered over Poseidon's proposition. She crossed and uncrossed her feet, her ancient Athenian toga wrapping itself around her legs. She tugged on her dark hair, a new habit, until she finally came up with an idea. She only realized she was smirking when the sea god pointed it out. "Fine," she smiled. Poseidon looked at her, confused at her answer. He blinked once, and in mere seconds, he flashed out of the room. Athena sat for a while, thinking about her lovely Annabeth and that retched son of Poseidon. Finally, she finished thinking of her plan and left the room. She summoned her owls and told them to deliver a message to the camp. Dear Chiron of The Demigod Camp (Camp Half Blood), I am coming tomorrow to visit my dear Annabeth Chase and Perseus Jackson. Please do not be startled by my appearance and forewarn the others. I have come to a conclusion and may or may not give my blessing / approval to the couple. See you tomorrow, at 8:00 PM, Athena. She nodded her head and slipped the paper into an envelope. She swirled her hand in the air, a red owl stamp appearing on the paper, and pushed it into an owl's beak. The snowy white owl nodded its head before taking off into the air. Be prepared, Son of Poseidon. &&&&&& campers were sitting around the fire on tree logs, singing songs with the Apollo cabin. The fire glowed a dark blue, meaning a majority of the demigods were relaxed, but at the base of the campfire, tendrils of black, stress, fought for dominance. Annabeth and Percy were avoiding each others eyes, worrying about Chiron and the letter. Athena was to come any minute now, the sooner the better, so Percy could get her approval over with. She had to say yes, he wasn't going to take no for an answer. For once, Annabeth wasn't singing along, so most guessed that the black was coming from her. Little did they know that Percy's smile and cheery attitude was fake, and that the dark color was spawning from him as well. The fire turned a deep shade of red, fear, for a split second when he felt a cold hand slip onto his shoulder. He turned around to find a hooded figure, with young hands, push past his log and step to the middle of the circle.She stood there in front of the fire, tilting her head to look around at the campers. Some noticed, and they pointed her out to their friends. Soon, the laughter, singing, and talking ceased as the mysterious women unhooded herself. Once she did, she spun around and the fire died down to a small baby flame. "Mom?" Different children of Athena whispered to each other as Annabeth asked the women. "Yes, my dear," Athena nodded her head, her medium length hair bobbing up and then down. "I have come to declare my approval for moving out with this Perseus Jackson." Percy's heart rate sped up and he jumped to Annabeth, holding her hands in his. Whispers and confused campers were seen and heard all around the circle. "Moving?" one camper asked. "You have to get approval?" another questioned. "Wait, I didn't know they were that serious."Percy and Annabeth stood together in front of her in each others embrace, but something still bothered Percy, as the goddess wisdom never gave in so easily. "Uh hem." Athena grabbed the attention once again. "I have not finished." Percy's sudden hope died down. Of course there was a catch. He looked over to Annabeth who looked back at him. She smiled lightly, which scared Percy even more. He looked back at Athena, who was rolling her eyes at the couple. She'd probably request that he die so he can marry her daughter. He wasn't falling for that one again. "Under one condition will I give my approval."
"You, Perseus Jackson, must complete a series of challenges to prove you are worthy of marrying my daughter, Annabeth Chase." Athena stared daggers at Percy. He stepped forward to her, one hand on Annabeth's waist. "You may choose one companion to accompany you on the quest." Percy looked around, getting a few whispers from his friends. Multiple of them whispered out to him, asking if they could go with. Percy looked around some more, weighing his options, before he realized this must be a test itself. Nice try Athena, I'm not that dumb, he thought. "I choose..." He looked around for a dramatic effect. "Annabeth." At that, Annabeth smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Always us, Seaweed Brain and Wise girl," he murmured into her hair."Are you positive?" Athena raised her eyebrow. "There's no one in the world I would rather choose," Percy smiled as the Aphrodite girls issued a series of "Aww's". Athena smugly smiled. "Good choice. Well then, Perseus. Until we meet again," and with that, she nodded her head. "Wait!" Percy called after her. She looked him into the eye. "When do they begin? What do I need to bring?""Oh, the quest has already started." Everyone took that as a cue to turn around until she flashed out. When they looked back, all that remained evidence was a puny fire. Percy couldn't help but feel nervous. What frightened him more is that she hadn't answered the last question. Annabeth grabbed his hand as the rest of the camp left to their cabins. She walked in between the clearing of the trees and dragged him to the beach. She fell on the sand, him following in pursuit. She put her head on his shoulder. "Percy, you don't have to do this, you know-""What? I have to. I want to move out with you and live a life away from the camp and away from the monsters.""Seaweed brain, they're never going to go away. You know that." She sighed. "I have to go back to my cabin and answer a ton of questions." She kissed Percy, which resulted in him pushing her onto her back and laying on top of her. "Percy!" She whispered. "Hey, I'm doing this quest things for us. You at least owe me this moment," he smirked. They kissed for 5 minutes before Annabeth finally pushed him off. "We have to go back to our cabins, but I promise Seaweed Brain, we will continue this later." Annabeth winked while Percy blushed. He helped her up before staring out into the ocean. Dark waves lapped over the shore, and Percy felt their energy radiating off of them in their own type of waves. He turned back to a waiting Annabeth. He grabbed her hand and walked her to her cabin. "Goodnight Percy," she whispered to him. His hand above her head against the door, he said goodnight and kissed her. She grinned before going into her cabin. Percy walked to his cabin, before he decided against it. He went back to the beach and walked down the pier. He slipped off his shirt and dived into the warm water. The water closed in on him and he opened him mouth. Just like air, he thought. He swam a little farther until the water became 6 feet deep. He sat on the sand, thinking about the upcoming quest. Fish swam around him as he thought of strategies. A few even swam into him and he held them, stroking their scales. Others bristly swam away at the sight of him. He sat there a little longer before deciding to get out. He pushed up into the surface and bobbed out of the water. He swam to the shore and dried himself off, simply by thinking of it. He walked to the pier and slipped his shirt back on. His head snapped to the camp when he heard a hiss. The Nymph Watchers. He silently cursed himself before slipping into the trees. He hid behind one until he heard her pass. He counted to three before running at breakneck speed to the other side of camp. He slipped into his cabin before quietly slamming the door behind him. He walked to the window and opened the blinds. They were dispersed all around camp, like they should be. Okay, good, he thought. He turned back around in his pitch black room, and of course, the only thing he saw was the red lights on his alarm clock signaling what time it was. 2:00 AM. Oh God! What if Athena starts the quest! Percy didn't even bother to change, he slipped into the bed, wearing his t-shirt and shorts.&&&&&& , on the other side of the camp, Chiron was Iris Messaged by Athena. She was telling him about the quest. "What? You'll mean they'll miss some of the next camp days completely?" Chiron asked, confused. "They still would be gone if they left the camp!" Athena exclaimed. "I don't have much time, the quest starts in 3 hours!""Alright," Chiron said. "I'll do what you asked. But I have one question.""What?" she sharply asked. "If they get hurt in the quest, will that happen to their actual state here?" Chiron asked. "Yes, it will. Now remember what I told you." Athena really needed to go and finish thinking of ideas. "To your own daughter?" He asked. "Don't make me sound like a monster. If they want to fall in love, this is the price they will pay."Chiron shook his head as Athena disappeared. He was still shocked that a goddess had Iris Messaged him. The irony, she was using the Goddess Iris to communicate. Didn't sound like Athena to need someone else. Chiron stood up and walked over to the other side of the Big House. He walked into Dionysus' suite and shook him awake. He woke with a grumble and a few unpleasant words, but agreed to help Annabelle (as he still did not know their names) and Perry. The two walked outside, excused by the Watching Nymphs, and made their way to Athena cabin. Dionysus used his vines to wrap around Annabeth's back, as she was on a sleeping gas, and levitated her to Percy's cabin. They pushed her inside and she laid next to Percy. They closed the door, obstructing the couple from their view, and made a vine wall around the cabin, so no one could see inside and no one could look out. The fort was a foot deep and thick with vines sticking out. Just like Athena had wanted it. "Goodnight," Chiron whispered, before joining Dionysus at the Big House.
PERCY: Knowing Athena, it shouldn't have been a surprise that the test started that night. We were transported into a dark realm that smelled like burning charcoal and hurt my eyes with a dark, bloody red. The ground was a dusty and brown, and every so often, dust would rise of the ground. The realm was silent, an elaborate plot to confuse us, as Annabeth would say. She looked at me and sadly smiled. "Just like Tartarus." I could tell she was scared and was trying to lighten the mood. I was scared too, just too much of a coward to admit it. "It's okay, Wisegirl. We can get through it." I nodded my head at her and she nodded hers back. I knew the element of surprise always worked when it came to attackers, so I decided to pretend that I was unfocused. "By the way, Annabeth, those pajamas look so hot on you." She was wearing a tank with a Camp Half Blood t-shirt and small, loose shorts. She blushed and nodded again, instantly knowing that I was just trying to change the subject and appear distracted. I felt inside my pocket for Riptide, and with a sinking realization, the sword had disappeared. The smirk wiped off my face. "Um... Annabeth?" I asked, becoming increasingly worried by the second. "Yeah?" With one look at my face, she became worried too. "I don't have riptide..." I admitted. She stared at me for 10 seconds before running up to me. She stuck her hands into my front pockets and back of the shorts I was wearing. She continued to frantically searched before making a small whimpering noise. "How is that possible? It follows you around and appears in your pocket!" She freaked out. "It's okay. Do you have your dagger?" Of course she wouldn't have it, if I didn't have it, then she wouldn't-"Yes, I have it.""What?" I asked. "Oh come on!" I slapped my hand on my head."Percy, I think this part is teamwork. We have to work together with one weapon."I nodded my head, looking down. "Okay, we need a game plan." "Alright," she started. "I was thinking it would come out from behind those cliffs over there." She pointed to a cluster of rocks standing about 200 feet from us. They towered over us, 100 feet in the air with sharp, jagged points. I nodded my head and looked around for some more ways the monster could attack us. Or it could just appear out of no where and start to attack us, like it did. I jumped out of the way as it clawed the air, literally where my face had just been. The monster landed on the ground near us, dust rising into the air. I stood in place as Annabeth kept her spot. We were on either side of the animal, and when it reappeared, it hesitated for a moment before going after Annabeth. I sprinted after the rogue hellhound and jumped on its back. "Percy!" Annabeth shouted. "Remember, they're easily fooled! It'll get confused if we disappear!" I held on as the hound tried to pounce on Annabeth. I tightened my hold as I thought about what she just said. She didn't have her cap to turn invisible. "I don't understand! What do you mean?" I screamed back. "Percy! It's figurative! Help me on his back!" I couldn't see her anymore, so I just held my hand out to the air, clinging on the furry animal to balance myself. I felt her fingers slip in between mine and I wrapped my hand around hers, momentarily letting go of the monster to help her up all the way. She sat behind me and I half-expected her hands on my waist. I guess I only get that reaction in my dreams. The hound stopped, confused at its clawing in mid-air. It went on all fours again and started to growl. At that moment, Annabeth handed me her dagger and I grabbed it from her hands. I placed the dagger on the left side of its neck. I sliced through the skin until he disappeared.Thank god I didn't see its face. He probably would remind me too much of Mrs. O'leary.The monster disappeared in a poof. Annabeth and I landed on the ground, coughing as more dust made its way into our lungs. "Well that wasn't so bad," I said. I turned around to face Annabeth and kept a watch behind her just in case another monster came. "Trust me, Perseus. It's about to get worse." Athena's voice rang throughout the cave before Annabeth could answer. My head started to feel murky and my eyes drooped. I felt dizzy as my back started to hit the ground. The red rocks melted into a room and I could faintly make out a couch and fireplace. The last thing I noticed was Annabeth's absence. I took one final blink before completely blacking out.
Previously in chapter 5: "Trust me, Perseus. It's about to get worse." Athena's voice rang throughout the cave before Annabeth could answer. My head started to feel murky and my eyes drooped. I felt dizzy as my back started to hit the ground. The red rocks melted into a room and I could faintly make out a couch and fireplace. The last thing I noticed was Annabeth's absence. I took one final blink before completely blacking out. Percy: I woke up as if I fell asleep on a living room couch, although I know fairly well I did not. I rubbed my eyes groggily before sitting up on the comfy sofa. I looked around for Annabeth. I knew this was still part of Athena's quest, so I didn't worry when I couldn't find my girlfriend. I waited longer, staring at the fireplace before standing up and stretching my arms and legs. I carefully made my way around the glass coffee table and turned to face what was behind the teal couch. A contemporary kitchen faced back at me, a wall separating two parts of the room with a family portrait of Annabeth and I with some kids. I stared a little longer at the detail the artist put in my hair, before leaving to check out the other rooms. I walked to one door on the right, locked. Huh. I walk in between the two parts of the room and into a corridor with three doors. Each of those were locked. I tried opening the last door, before realizing they were all locked. I ran to the refrigerator and tried to pull the door open, my heart dropping when the door wouldn't budge either. No food! She's trying to starve me! I started hyperventilating, until I heard a front door slam. I heard Annabeth's heels clacking against the wooden tiles. There was no "honey, I'm home" like I expected. I walked back into the living room just as she came in. Her hair was in a tight bun, gray strands sticking out from her perfect hair. The smile slipped off my face when I saw her expression. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Oh," she genuinely looked shocked. "You have the audacity to ask me what's wrong?" I blinked. This wasn't Annabeth. What happened to her? "I'll tell you what's wrong. YOU forgot our child at school today!" "Um... Excuse me? Child?" I asked. Annabeth blinked before turning red in the face. She walked up to me and slapped me in the face. "You asshole! You forget your own child exists?" I decided to play along. "What, of course not." I tried to find some more words from my limited vocabulary. I was still trying to figure out what 'audacity' meant. "He," I took a guess. "Told me to pick him up after his after school club thing." "At 7:00 PM?" Annabeth asked. I looked at the kitchen clock and my face flamed. "I fell asleep." "I noticed the drool on the couch you insincere idiot," I put my eyes down in shame. I lowered my voice. "I wouldn't forget a child--mine or any others-- at school." I avoided Annabeth's eyes and she picked up my chin. "Well, you did. Go set up the couch, you're sleeping here tonight." Her harsh tone hit me like a bullet. I leaned into her touch just as she pulled away. "Yes ma'am," I whispered. She walked away and went up some stairs, ones that just popped up. I hated what Athena made me do, so I decided to go ask her enemy for help. Show her who's smart. "Oh Iris, goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering." Aphrodite Aphrodite Aphrodite, I mentally chanted. The goddess popped up in a matter of seconds, her blonde hair all over her face and her complexion make-up less. She still was quite beautiful. "What?" She mumbled. "Annabeth's mad at me," I started. "What? Power couple?" She slowly opened her eyes and finally took me in. "What!" She screamed. "What did you do?" "I... uh... Don't know? I left our child at school?" Aphrodite rolled her eyes and muttered something like "Ugh, men." "Well, what do I do?" I asked. I scratched my head, yet no new ideas came to me. "Just lie to her." "What? I can't lie to her! She's my wife!" "Normally, I would find that cute, but not today. Just tell her... hm," she thought. I hoped whatever she came up with wouldn't be too over-the-top. "That you were going to surprise her and the child played a part in it... He was picked up by a friends mother." "That wouldn't work," I sighed. "Why not?" "I'm pretty sure Annabeth got a phone call from the school saying he was still waiting for a parent." "So?" "What?" "Just say that was a part of the master plan to get her to come home." "Alright alright." I dragged my hand through the iris message. "Oh boy." Meanwhile from where Athena and Annabeth are watching... "HE CONTACTED APHRODITE?" Annabeth yelled. "Well at least he didn't want to lie to you at first." The words tumbled out of Athena's mouth, surprising both of the women. When did she become a Percabeth believer? Since when did she even think of Percabeth? "He failed mom, didn't he?" Annabeth casted a disappointed look to the floor. "The previous round, no. This level, yes. The next, I don't know. But I have a feeling he'll fail the next one too." "What are you going to do mom?" Annabeth asked, the worry trickling over her like spiders crawling on the floor. Goosebumps rose all across her arms. "You'll see. Some more champagne?" Athena gestured to Annabeth's empty glass. Normally, she wouldn't allow her underage daughter to drink, but this occasion required her to drink to. Annabeth, on the other hand, was eager to have some more. Little did she know that the next challenge would involve her herself, and the champagne she gladly was gulping..
Annabeth: I stumbled down the steps, three by three until I reached the floor where Percy was. I giggled at his black hair that was strewn all over his head. "Look, Annabeth, I didn't pick up our child because--" "What?" I giggled. "We don't have a child, Perce. But we can. Tonight," I whispered. I stumbled forward to him and grabbed onto his biceps, giggling at how strong he was. "Annabeth?" I lazily smiled. "Are you drunk?" "May-be." I hiccuped. "Come here, Seaweed." I pulled him into a hug and laid my head on his chest. "Brain," he whispered. "You forgot the brain." I giggled again. "Okay. Whatever." I went on my toes and pressed a feather-light kiss on his lips. "Let's get you to bed." Percy tried to lift me up, but I pouted. "But-but," I hiccuped. "I lo-ove you." I grinned. Percy shook his head. I grabbed his arms and threw them around my waist. "Kiss me, Pe-ercy." A blush grew up his face. I kissed the reddest spot under his chin. He shuddered. I dragged my hand up his chest before starting to unbutton his shirt. He grabbed my hands and held them while kissing my lips ferociously. I tore my hands from his and pulled his face farther down to mine. I felt him shaking his head right before I wanted to undress him. "No," he whispered. "I'm not going to take advantage of you." I pouted again. "Let's get you to bed." He pulled me up bridal-style and I snuggled into his chest. "Percy," I moaned. "I feel like throwing up..." He quickened his pace and walked up the stairs, carrying me into the bathroom. I burped and the barf went back down. "Never mind." I stood in the restroom. "I need to go pee." I sat on the toilet as Percy looked at me, bewildered at my drunken actions. He took his face into his hands and sighed. "Oh, Annabeth." He looked up and squinted at my hair. "Is that... Liquor?" I giggled. "Maybe?" I felt my hair and something sticky attached itself to my hand. "Percy!" I whined. "Shower," I mumbled. I finished going to the bathroom and pouted when Percy led me to the sink and washed my hands. He held my waist as I leaned back into him, closing my eyes for a moment. "I need to take a shower." I unbuttoned my pants and Percy reluctantly helped me lift my shirt over my head. He led me into the shower and turned on warm water right away. The perks of having seaweed brain. He lulled my head back into the water and massaged shampoo into my hair. I put my hands on his chest and used him to balance me. I peeked every once and a while to find him glancing-- but trying to avoid-- my bare chest. I even said, "You can look. I don't care." Percy grunted in reply. "Your moms watching. I don't want to seem... Weird." I blinked my eyes open and smiled. "Well, then you've failed." His smile faltered and I pulled him into a kiss. I threaded my fingers into his hair and he gripped my waist to keep me steady. "Conditioner," he mumbled in between breaths. He dunked me back into the shower and rubbed some more in my hair. He rinsed out the shampoo and conditioner before leading me out and helping me put on me PJ's. "Thank you Pur-Cee," I said as he slipped me into the master bed. He joined in shortly after me, his shirt off. I spun around to face him only to be met by his finger on my mouth. "No kissing," he whispered. I frowned before leaning my head on his chest. "I love you, you know that?" Percy asked. "Of course." "And I want to wait before we take our relationship to another level." "Right," I yawned. "Percy?" "Yeah?" "When will you ask me to marry you?" Percy stiffened under my head. "When do you want to become engaged?" "ASAP," I giggled again. "Well, let's make a deal." "Okay," I said. I really wanted to spend the rest of my life with the one and only seaweed brain. My one and only. He was my ocean, my water, my life, and much, much more. "When I pass this test, you and I'll live together, and in a months time... If you haven't killed me yet--" "Yet?" I laughed. "Then you and I can get engaged," He continued. I nodded my head against his chest. Okay. "I love you, Wisegirl." "I love you, Seaweed brain.".
AnnabethI awoke with Percy standing over me, shaking my shoulders."Annabeth. Annabeth!" He whispered. I blinked until my eyes focused."What?" I screeched. He leaned over me to get the water on his nightstand and poured the lukewarm water down my throat. I sat up and wiped the stray droplets from my chin when I realized where we were. "Are we back at camp?" I asked, my voice now clear. "Yeah. And look." He stood up from the bed and pointed out the window. He gave me a hand and I hopped out of the bed, joining him. There was no window. Instead, these thick burly vines wrapped around the cabin, blocking us from getting out and those outside from getting in. The room was dark, darker than usual, because the vines were blocking out the light. "Mr. D..." I said, shaking my head. "What?" Percy asked, clueless as ever."Dionysus' work. Those are his grape vines. Well," I started. "Looks like we have a break.""Unless this is a test..." Percy paced around the room, his hands around his head. "I doubt it. Come on," I patted the bed beside me. "Let's just sleep." "Okay." He walked to the edge of the bed and fell backwards on it. He scooted up until he was under the blanket and wrapped his arms around me. I faced him and gave him a brief kiss on the lips."I love you, Wisegirl. ""I love you too, Seaweed Brain, no matter what happens.""Nothing," Percy whispered, "Can keep us apart."*Poseidon grunted, about to say something to Athena. "You still giving my son that ridiculous test?""Yes, why?" Athena asked.Poseidon shook his head. "Why can't you just accept them being together?""I can't until I know he's suitable for my daughter!""You do know that they will still go behind our backs if Percy fails? He's just doing this as a gentlemen."Athena thought over it. Suppose he did fail, would there be any way to keep them apart?Instantly, Athena thought of a new test, a final one. She'd give a few more tests before assigning this one. This very last test would determine if Percy was fit to marry Annabeth. If he passed, her blessing would be his.
Sorry I haven't posted in a while ( I just checked, the last time was November). Please enjoy this! :) Percy awoke on the beach, his face looking up at the sky. "Argh... Annabeth?" He asked groggily. He looked around and couldn't find her. He scrambled until he realized he was alone. Or not. About 10 feet away, another boy was laying on his back. In between Percy and the other guy, two swords were lying waiting to be held and used. Percy quickly jumped up and rolled his neck around. He heard a popping noise or two before he crouched down to pick up a sword that looked like riptide, but wasn't quite. He stood up and stretched his calf muscles before fully standing up and looking down at the boy. He had black hair, similar to Percy's, and very pale face, unlike Percy's tanned complexion. Percy stretched his arms and turned to face the sea green water. "Annabeth!" Percy heard a raspy voice behind him moan. Percy sharply turned around to find the boy standing up. "What about her?" Percy asked. He was genuinely curious to find out who this guy was-- and why Athena decided to put him into this mission. "The love of my life. The women I love, the girl who is forever mine. My one and only. My true true love." "What?" Percy spit out. "No, no, no, Athena is just trying to confuse you--""Are you saying that my love is not true?" The boy was shaking in rage. "Who are you to be telling me about my feelings?" The boy bent down and took a sword in his hand. "I challenge you to a duel." "What--" Percy could barely finish his sentence before the crazy, delusional boy started stabbing at him. Percy dodged each stab and defended himself. Percy swung his sword in an arc, somehow missing the other boy. Riptide would have made it, Percy thought to himself. The boy cut Percy's shoulder as he tried to defend himself. "That's it," Percy said through gritted teeth. He lunged forward and swung his terrible sword in a way that would disarm the other boy. It worked and the other sword flew into the ocean. The ocean!Percy pulled on his core and felt the water's energy course inside of him. He made the wave enlarge and pushed it down on the other boy. The other boy... reacted in a way that Percy didn't expect. All of a sudden leafs and vines started forming together to make shackles. The boy raised his arms and willed the leafs to come and capture Percy for denying his love for Annabeth. This boy must have been Persephone's son.Percy dived into the water, to escape the vines. He heard from under the water the boy laugh and scream, "COWARD! RUNNING AWAY!" Percy didn't fall for it. "MY LOVE FOR ANNABETH IS SO TRUE, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND!" Percy fell for it.He fabricated a tremendous wave and rode the top of it. "NO! SHE IS MY ONE AND ONLY!" Percy shook with rage, his arms trembling at his sides. "YOU CAN NEVER TAKE THAT AWAY, AND YOU WILL NEVER EVER HAVE HER-- WHILE I'M ALIVE I AM HERS AND SHE IS MINE!" The boy disappeared in front of Percy's eyes and instead of being at the beach Percy was transferred to a new setting. He was immediately sent onto ground level, as if the ocean wave was never there. A cement room built itself around Percy and metal spikes rose out of the floor in front of him. "Woah," he stepped back. "This is way too intense," Percy murmured. He looked around and noticed two wooden beams running along the tops of the walls, directly over the metal pieces. The rest of the room was either metal or cement. A small child, about 2 years old, popped up behind the spikes. "Da-da!" He giggled and stepped forward towards the spikes. "Nononononononononononono," Percy shouted. The baby stopped and tilted his head to the side, unsure why Percy didn't want him to come closer. "Percy, save the baby." Athena's voice echoed throughout the entire room, but it felt like it was inside of Percy's head. Percy wondered if Annabeth was watching this, and though about what she would do to save the little boy. The baby took another step forward and almost fell directly over the spikes. Percy could imagine the boy being split open by the spiked and tried to shake the image out of his head. Percy hesitated for a second, wondering how far Athena was willing to go. The baby stepped even closer, which caused Percy's heart to stop. He reacted without even thinking and jumped into the air, his arms grabbing on to the wooden beams. Thank the gods I trained for something like this. Percy hung on and side climbed to the child. He used his upper arm and torso strength to make it across, but he almost fell off the wood twice due to splinters in his hands. It's worth it. He finally reached the child who hugged his legs and said, "Da-da" again. "What?" Percy breathed. The scenery changed and Annabeth appeared. "Oh Percy!" She ran up and pulled him into a hug. She ran her fingers through his hair, which he unapologetically claimed felt good. "That was genius!"Percy pulled back and planted a kiss on her lips. "I promise you an idea like that will never appear in my brain again," Percy joked. "Well, I'm glad it did. The child was just an illusion.""Good. I was worried how far your mom would go." "She wouldn't. Go that far, I mean," Annabeth assured him. "How many more tests?" Percy asked. He could already feel the tiredness setting in, but he would continue until he physically dropped, just for Annabeth. Percy hoped that at the end of this they would be together and that Annabeth would know how he felt without those three simple words needed.
"How are you sure I'll pass?" Percy asked Annabeth uncertainly. "Percy," Annabeth took his hands into her own. "I have my ultimate faith in you. You'll pass," Annabeth pecked Percy on his lips. Percy smirked and looked down. Then, his smile faltered. "I'm scared, Wise girl. I want to be with you, regardless of what your mom 'deems'... But I also want you to love me and by loving me all the way I feel like your mom's approval has something to do with it.""Percy that's idiotic, stupid. My mom has nothing to do with my feelings for you."They were standing in the middle of an apartment and house agency in Connecticut, not extremely far from the camp. Athena told the two of them that they had a break for a little under one condition. Annabeth and Percy could not stop blushing after Athena told them the condition. They weren't that far into their relationship, but eventually it would get there. Just not yet! Despite her word, Percy wasn't sure he could believe they had an actual break period, so he didn't let his guard down. In the agency, pictures of houses and apartments lined the walls, with prices and short descriptions below each picture. Percy and Annabeth were just looking for an apartment to move into, preferably one in the city where Percy could get a job and Annabeth could continue working at her architect internship downtown. Percy and Annabeth had been there once before and agreed to go on home tours with their agent. The agent who had been helping them walked out from the back with two files in his hands. "Are we ready to go look at some apartments?""Yes," Percy said as Annabeth said "Yep."Annabeth drove with Percy in the passenger seat, tailing their agent in the car in front. The first apartment they saw was a small one, with one kitchen, one bedroom, and one bathroom. The kitchen functioned as a living room and kitchen, so it was extremely small. "I figured you guys would have a pretty low budget, as we didn't really discuss that last time. This is the cheapest living area in all of Connecticut."Percy looked around with his lip between his teeth. Annabeth could tell he didn't like the apartment. She didn't either. "Don't worry about budget. We have... connections for money," Percy told the agent. "O.K. Just don't rely on them too hard," He chuckled. They left the apartment, waiting inside their cars for two minutes for the agent to make a quick phone call. "Did you like it?" Percy asked Annabeth. "No. No. I really hated it... I think I saw termites?"Percy gagged and Annabeth laughed at his face. Annabeth looked at him with a smile on her face. She rested her forearm on the wheel and leaned her forehead down onto it. Percy tilted his head to match her angle. "What?" he whispered to her. "I'm so lucky you're actually doing the challenges. That you're putting real effort into them.""Why wouldn't I be?" Percy put his fingers under her chin and she shut her eyes. "I don't know. Maybe other guys would just accept defeat right away and back away from the girlfriend and the challenge. Maybe--" Annabeth stopped talking as she felt a soft breeze on her chin. "Percy?" "Hmm?""How close are you to me?" Annabeth grinned, her eyes still closed. "Very close," he whispered. He put his lips on hers just as her elbow slipped and pressed on the car horn. "Crap!" Annabeth yelled as she moved her elbow from the horn. The agent looked over and squinted at them, his phone in his pocket. Annabeth raised her hand in apology. He laughed and shook his head before beckoning them to follow him to the next apartment as he entered his car. The next apartment had a kitchen, dining/living room, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. It was more a fit for them and the rent was really cheap. "Why is it so... inexpensive?" Annabeth asked. "The air conditioner is broken and there may or may not be a mouse problem..." The agent said, reading off of the file in his hands. He rubbed the back of his neck, which was red in embarrassment."Let's look at the next apartment, yeah?" Percy asked Annabeth. She laughed and nodded her head briskly. "Yes please.""Here is the file of the next apartment. It's quite a while from here, so maybe you should look at the pictures and read the information before we get there.""Alright, thanks." Annabeth took the file and brought it into the car with her. While she turned on the ignition, Percy started reading. It took a while. "Oh, it's nice..." He started off."Perce, can you read the info?""Um... A d...d.. beautiful... lin...lin... living area, fur...fur... furnished with a b..b.. bining table--""Dining table." Annabeth nodded her head, changing lanes to follow the agent. "And couch. A sleek, mo...mobern-- no modern kitchen. Two... bedrooms and three... bathrooms. Wow. Three bathrooms! I call two of them!" Percy exclaimed. Annabeth laughed."Wait. As a girl, don't I get to have two bathrooms? To fill up with all my makeup?" Percy and Annabeth laughed. He pecked her cheek as she changed lanes again. "You, wise girl, don't need makeup." Annabeth smiled and took Percy's hand into her own. "Annabeth... Both hands on the wheel!" Percy exclaimed, grinning. Annabeth rolled her eyes and muttered, "Seaweed Brain." She put both hands on the wheel."Wait, but don't let go of me." Percy took her hand and held it, despite just telling her to keep both hands on the wheel. What could he say, he missed her!They parked in front of a large building, around 20 stories high. Percy and Annabeth hopped out of the car, Percy automatically wrapping his arm around her waist. The agent led them into the air conditioned building, showed the the security guard the file and received a key in return, and led them up the elevator. They listened to "Smooth Operator" as the elevator rose. When it reached the 16th floor (Percy frowned that the agent didn't take them to some mystical place like Mt. Olympus, like when in the Empire State Building the floors extended beyond the elevator buttons ), Annabeth and Percy followed the agent into the apartment. It looked nice, like the pictures had shown, and it felt home-y in a way. It wasn't as "modern", as the description had said. It even reminded Percy of his home with Sally. The rent made him whistle. They were working with a pretty high budget, but this went above what they were willing to pay. Or what Camp was willing to cover. Annabeth came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I really like it Seaweed Brain.""It's above our budget.""I know...""But maybe I can ask my dad to pull some strings?" "Percy! It's OK. We can find something else-- Percy." Annabeth's eyes got large while she put her hand to where her dagger rested. "What?" He looked behind him to find a gruesome monster dripping in a disgusting substance, with no mist covering him. Percy. Choose. Athena spoke to his mind. Protect Annabeth from the monster or prevent the mortal you cal your "agent" from seeing the monster. You have one minute for time to stop and to think of who to save and how. One minute to save one's sanity or life. Go
Percy couldn't move. The clock was clicking, who? Annabeth or the home agent... Annabeth could handle herself. Unless Athena wanted him to think that, and something would happen to Annabeth once the time started. He should save the agent-- mortals had to be protected under all costs. Maybe that's what Athena wanted him to think? Or was this a test to see how much Percy cared for Annabeth? Gah! He couldn't decide.Time is ticking, Percy. There are 30 seconds left.What if Percy got Annabeth to distract the agent while he killed the demon... he could then protect both. You must choose one. You cannot request the one you save to do anything. Percy didn't want to argue that she couldn't just randomly change the rules. It was set. Done.With his fatal flaw being excessive personal loyalty, Percy would kill the monster and protect both. There was no way anyone was dying on his watch-- besides the monster, obviously."I choose the agent," Percy declared. He hoped he made the right choice. Annabeth could handle herself.Really? All right. Athena's voiced conveyed no emotion whatsoever. It didn't show calmness, nor worry. It made Percy feel even more weird.The demon pounced immediately. "Annabeth, distract the agent!" Percy screamed. He hoped she listened and the agent didn't take it weirdly while he clicked the pen in his hand. Riptide slid out of the cap and sliced into the air. Percy aimed it at the monster.The creature was a tentacled thing, with a dark, muddy brown colored body and white tentacles. It sort of looked like an octopus, besides the fact that it had legs to walk on and clearly didn't need water to survive.Before the demon could attack, Percy cut off a tentacle. He dodged the rest of the arms but ended up getting pushed back to a position he didn't want to be in. He was near the corner of the corridor, and turning right would cause the agent to see the monster.Percy heard Annabeth and the agent talking while he swung his sword in arcs around the enemy."Can I see the master bedroom?" Percy heard his girlfriend say. As Percy swiped at the monster, he looked to his left and saw the bedroom. The agent and Annabeth were coming here! Annabeth hadn't heard him!No Percy. Remember what I said? You can't ask Annabeth do to anything. You are on your own."But first, I'd like to show you the view," the agent said. The two were walking to a balcony away from Percy and the demon. That's right! Percy had chosen to save the agent, so the agent-- he assumed-- would want to avoid trouble unknowingly.Percy thought how he could move the demon away from the eyes of the agent, just in case the man turned around and saw. He pushed the demon back and turned into another doorway. He was stuck in a small bathroom with the demon practically pressed up to him. Percy had to admit, though, it was a reasonably sized bathroom. Percy briefly thought that he liked the apartment, besides the demon that came with it.He was about to stab Riptide through the body of the monster, expecting the demon to turn into dust, when one of the many tentacles hit him across the face. He fell down and almost hit his head against the sink counter, when he managed to stab the monster from under. Percy moved out of the way when the monster turned to dust."Percy?" Annabeth asked. He could practically hear her outside the bathroom door."Yeah?" Percy replied. He looked around the bathroom, turned off the sink faucet (in the heat of the battle, one of the monster's tentacles turned on the water) and started nodding his head, as if he was observing the tile works. Annabeth appeared in the doorway with the agent. "Just checking out the bathroom," Percy said to Annabeth, noting her cocked eyebrow and inquisitive look."I like this place, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said to him, ignoring Percy's fascination with the toilet. Percy walked towards her and wrapped his arm around her waist, both of them facing the agent."Me too, Wise Girl. Let's think about it, yeah?" Percy asked."Sure," Annabeth replied. They both shook hands with the agent."Hopefully I'll see you both soon. I just need to lock up behind you, so you can go if you need to," the agent told Annabeth and Percy.Percy took Annabeth's hand in his own and they walked out of the apartment and complex to their car. Once they were both seated in the vehicle, Annabeth spoke, "Wow, I can't believe there wasn't a trial there. That would be a total Athena move... Percy?" Annabeth looked at him and he raised his eyebrows at her."You didn't know?" Percy turned his blinker on and went on to the road. They were driving back to Camp Half Blood. "There was a test," he said as he switched into the second lane. "There was demon that I had to kill.""Well, at least you did it," Annabeth said with full confidence to Percy. She didn't bat an eyelash at the news of the demon. "Yep." Percy decided he wouldn't tell her about having to choose or anything like that. He thought about it-- more than he thought about most things-- and decided that by not telling her he would avoid getting her mad (at him, at herself for not helping, or at Athena), she could know that Percy had her back at all times, but mostly because Percy was worrying the trials were getting harder. The demon took much more time to destroy than in the original trial."What did you think of the apartment?" Annabeth asked Percy."It was amazing. What did you think? Oh, and that bathroom was huge!""Yes, I noticed. I didn't know bathrooms were a huge deal for you..." Annabeth shot him a weird look. "I really liked the kitchen. But the apartment is kind of expensive. Do you think it's worth it? I think you do," Annabeth rambled, "because of the bathroom. Right?""The more bathrooms the better!" Percy said, laughing with Annabeth. He grabbed her hand between their seats while he kept one hand on the wheel. He sneaked glances at her while she placed her forehead on car window watching the scenery move.He turned on the radio and let the car fill up with the lyrics of the hit-music. Percy tapped his fingers against Annabeth's hand. She tapped her fingers along with him.
Gah! I'm so sorry it has been literally FOREVER since I've posted. Please enjoy!After the events with the agent, Percy and Annabeth decided to go back to Camp Half Blood. The car ride this time was much shorter, and Percy felt a sort of relief that the test was over. He thought he even passed it.When the couple made it to the camp, their fingers intertwined, they slowly walked to Poseidon's Cabin, smiling at the other campers, aware that no one knew about their little secret. Just yet.Percy held the door open to the lonesome cabin, allowing Annabeth to come through. She went right to his bed and sat on the edge, crossing her legs and waiting expectantly for Percy to join her.He jumped beside her and flopped on the bed, his arm strategically placed under his neck, his other ready to hold Annabeth if she decided to also lay down."I had a lot of fun...you know, with the looking at houses part..." Annabeth started to say, trailing off at the end with a smile on her face."And..." Percy asked, his eyes closed."I'm just not sure," Annabeth stated. She looked over at Percy with a concerned look in her eye as he opened one lid and stared at her."About... what?" Percy cautiously asked."I guess about everything we're doing. I mean, I want to move in with you and everything, but I just feel like we're kind of... you know... young?" Annabeth grimaced and fell backwards onto the bed before rolling onto her side into Percy's awaiting arm, her face against his shoulder."We agreed that we don't know if we'll survive tomorrow. That's why we do everything early. I think we should do this before it's too late. But if you don't want to, I get it. I don't want to push you into doing anything you don't think you're ready for yet," Percy explained, sighing loudly. "Just keep in mind, I'm kind of risking my neck here to please your mother.""You were doing that before anyways," Annabeth muttered. The two continued to talk about their plans until Percy fell asleep. Annabeth kissed him on the forehead and nestled closely to him. She, too, soon fell asleep.Within minutes, Athena had entered both of their dreams separately. The goddess was more than unhappy to find the two sleeping in Percy's room at Camp Half Blood.In Annabeth's dream, Athena was dressed in a jeans and a sweater, a look she did not usually don—especially in the Hall of Mount Olympus. The cashmere of the baby blue top did wonders to soften her hard look, yet her piercing and all-knowing stare was still obvious."Yes Mom?" Annabeth asked, without Athena prompting she wanted to ask Annabeth something. "Are Percy's trials over yet? Or are you trying to get me drunk? Again.""I think his trials are over..." Athena continuously nodded her head, looking down. "Why him?""What do you mean?" Annabeth asked, not sure where to start."Why would you choose Percy? Of all people?""Mom!" Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to give you some love-sick, convincing speech about Percy and how amazing he is. There's no way I could describe to you how I feel about Percy—it would take hours, days even, for me to just scratch the surface. Yeah, sometimes he can be totally stupid," Annabeth shook her head and mentally corrected herself to all the time, "but that's the reason he's Seaweed Brain," Annabeth rambled.Athena scoffed. "I, personally, find him—""I don't care. He's not your boyfriend, Mom, he's mine."Athena grimaced at her daughter, clearly accepting the couples' fate she had tried to change for so long. "Come with me."Meanwhile, in Percy's head, he saw Athena in her full height, her godly robes wrapped around her so tightly as if she was restraining her fury, her eyes squinting down the long line of her nose at Percy."Your finals are over." Athena's voice boomed in the Hall, her voice echoing just enough to shake the foundations of the architecture. "Unfortunately, I have more pressing matters than to torment you," Athena said with a downcast look that made her look especially disappointed. Percy rolled his eyes."So did I pass?" Percy asked. He raised his eyebrows to Athena as she looked at him in disbelief."My daughter is not some result of a test—""That isn't what I said—" Percy interrupted."—that requires someone to pass. She is a demigod—""Which is why I shouldn't have had to fight for her in the first place!" Percy yelled. Athena looked at him in shock, shock that he was mad and shocked that he had the audacity to even scream at her, a goddess."Oh, Percy." Athena chuckled, menacingly. "We all knew you and Annabeth would find your way back to each other no matter what.""Then what was the point of the test? To mock me?" Percy didn't like the way this conversation was going, the way it was getting him all worked up. What was Athena getting to?"It's sad that you still cannot see it," Athena sighed. She moved her eyes to the side, as if she was reluctant about what she was going to say. In reality, Athena did not understand what her daughter saw in Percy. In her mind, he was no Odysseus—no one worth waiting for. For Gods' sakes, he was Poseidon's son! Athena knew that she would have to accept their relationship soon, because they would continue to love each other even without her approval. Even though she had no "biological parent", she knew what it was like to love someone, to spend as many possible moments when them because you never knew when it could be yours or anothers's last chance, and have a third person—ahem, Zeus—try to intervene and shorten these moments.For that, she needed to give him the final test. It could be a short one, depending on how he reacted. But it was a crucial one. One to see how much he'd truly fight for Annabeth, for their relationship. If he passed. Percy waited for Athena to speak by looking into her stink-eye. He had to admit, the way she studied him cracked him up instead of scaring him, so he desperately tried to keep a straight face.He could tell she was thinking about what to do, and he hoped it was leaning towards letting him and Annabeth be without any more trials. Be together and not worry about Athena's unforeseen and random tests. Their life was hard enough without Athena breathing down their necks.Percy wondered where Annabeth was and what Athena had told her separately. Percy had already begun to plan an escape to the Bermuda Triangle or any place remote where just him and Annabeth could live in peace, when Athena interrupted him."Percy, it has come to the end of your trials.""Finally," Percy said as Athena rolled her eyes. This conversation was finally going somewhere."It's unfortunate," Athena admitted."What is? That I'm done?" A mischievous glint shined in Percy's eyes as he turned around and began to saunter to the streets of Mount Olympus."No," Athena drawled, causing Percy to stop. "Why, you've failed."
Percy:It seemed my heart had stopped beating. The world went to a quiet numb in my ears, and my breathing ceased.I turned around and faced Athena's smug face."What. Do. You. Mean."Athena raised an eyebrow. "Well, let's see, shall we? You first questioned me about the duration of the trials which was just... annoying—"Bewildered, Percy began to speak. "That's not a fair argum—""—for hesitating when choosing Annabeth to be your companion—""—Oh come on!""—taking too long to fight the hellhound, relying too much on Annabeth's help," Athena drawled. She rolled her eyes at that one. "Failing to pick up your child from school—""No, that one I deny completely! I deny it more than the others! There was no child even—!"She continued, blatantly ignoring him. "For almost taking advantage of Annabeth—""You said it yourself, almost—""For being too slow under pressure when the child was about to hurt itself on the spikes—""Yeah, that was a bad trial. I'll admit I was too slow, but—""Oh! And the monster attack, you completely ignored my directions from the get go—""Okay, not completely ignoring—""Completely ignoring," Athena repeated to herself. "See? How could you possibly—""NO! No, absolutely not.""Percy, don't live in denial—""What you have completely failed to notice, no offense," Percy knew he was talking to the goddess of wisdom and that he definitely did not want to insult her too much, "is that when I questioned you about the trials, I was trying to be organized, trying to plan, trying to show you that I think before battle. When I hesitated to choose Annabeth, I was doing so to purposefully show you I knew your tricks—Annabeth knew all along I would choose her. When I took too long to fight the hellhound I was dealing with a handicap I know I'll never have, Riptide always appears in my pocket. Always. And," Athena opened her mouth to respond, "I know what you're going to say." Percy held up his hand as if to stop her. "I have to get used to not having Riptide, blah blah, but you and I both know that I'm safe with relying on the sword." Percy hoped he wasn't jinxing himself and that Athena wouldn't now steal Riptide periodically from him. "And of course I relied on Annabeth's help, you and I both know what would happen if I didn't. I wouldn't be able to do anything—I wouldn't be alive now. Clearly.""Huh. I never thought we could agree on something so easily," the goddess smiled to herself."I told you about the nonexistent child already. I would never take advantage of Annabeth and you know that as well as I do. And the monster attack at the apartments? Come on. I would never win any battles if I didn't break the rules."Athena scoffed. "Spoken like a true son of Poseidon. A true hooligan."Percy ignored her. "You know you were right, earlier.""I was?" Now both of Athena's eyebrows rose."Yes. That Annabeth Chase is not some result of a test. In fact, she never could be.""I'm not following you," Athena cocked her head and looked Percy in the eyes."Let's say she was. That you would need to 'pass' a test for her. No one would. No one deserves her. Let's be real, I don't even deserve her." Percy looked down at his feet. He continued talking. "But you know what the greatest feeling is in the world?" Percy didn't wait for Athena when she opened her mouth. "It's knowing that even though you don't think you're worth it, that you could never deserve her, she's there telling you you are. That you are worth it, that she chose you."There was a pause in which Percy could sense Athena's calculative mind."Go." The word was so soft Percy was sure he imagined it."Go? Where?" Percy asked."To Annabeth you dimwit! Before I change my mind." Athena shook her head and turned around.She knew he would pass. She knew all along. And if she didn't accept it, she knew everyone in Olympus would turn on her and those alliances were valuable. Her relationship with Annabeth was valuable.She thought he had left, but then heard him breathe behind her."Thank you, Athena."&&&&&& do you guys think about a cover change? Do you like this one? Let me know in the comments!
2 months later:Percy and Annabeth moved to the apartment that had been attacked during Athena's trials. They had left Camp Half Blood and settled into this home a month after Athena had given up on testing Percy."You know Athena made me watch some of the trials that I wasn't involved in," Annabeth said one night as she and Percy were eating pizza on their new couch."And?" Percy gobbled down another slice of pizza, red sauce dripping down his chin. Annabeth leaned forward and flicked off the substance from his chin with her thumb. "Thanks," he said.She nodded her head. "I'm so happy that I have you." Annabeth looked up at the ceiling. "I don't know any guys who would go through that.""Well..." Percy said, clearly trying to act humble. "Would you say it was pretty heroic of me?""Percy!" Annabeth threw the TV remote at him. He laughed and caught it before it hit him in the forehead."What? I already picture the headline 'Percy Saves Annabeth from Mother. A Horror Story.'" Percy theatrically placed his hands in the air to emphasize each word."You," she pointed at him, "are unbearable."Percy winked at her. "Always."&&&&&& mentioned at the beginning of this story that there were two types of couples and that Percy and I were the type that truly loved each other. We didn't stay together for a title, or together because of the burden of our past holding us. We both did stay together because we were the only ones who understood each other. Understood the pain of Tartarus, the hardships of being demigods.I also wrote this, in part, to warn other children of Athena to beware. Beware of her intervention when she apparently can't find anything else to do.But also appreciate it. If the guy or the girl doesn't stick, then it wasn't meant to be. It seems that our parents may have the right motivations—meaning us, and our happiness—when it comes to their insufferable parental approval.