Percy had tried everything, but Athena still wasn't impressed. He saved her daughter from Luke and the general, defended her when she was hurt, and literally turned down immortality for her and only her. He fell into Tartarus for her, because he wouldn't let her go alone. And yet Athena still wasn't impressed.
What did get her attention, was when Percy pulled four all nighters studying for there math exams so he and Annabeth could be in the same classes. He was functioning on zero sleep and a shit tone of caffeine but he managed a 70 and that was all he needed. Percy and Annabeth had many normal mortal experiences that year, they went and saw that movie they missed because of the empousa, they went on normal non life threatening dates and Percy managed not getting expelled. And yet aside from all that, Athena still stood opposed to they're relationship.
What really impressed her was the day Percy asked for her blessing to marry Annabeth. It was around Annabeths 22 birthday and they were studying at the collage in new Rome.
Screw asking for her fathers approval he thought, it's Athena I should be worried about. She's always hated me dating her daughter, her pride and joy, the one to finally succeed following the mark of Athena. So he came up with a plan, a plan that Athena would understand. He formatted it like battle strategy. A step by step on exactly how he planned to propose to Annabeth, the time, the location, the ring and everything. It was probably the most genius and complicated thing Percy had ever come up with.
After weeks of planning he went to the Empire State Building and asked for the 600th floor, the man at the front desk had no problem letting him go ahead. Percy marched up to Olympus and demanded to speak to Athena, all the gods look shocked that anyone dare show up unannounced, especially Percy Jackson, but here he was. She agreed to talk to him, though she didn't seem happy about it.
''You know you shouldn't be here'' she said clearly not amused.
'' Lady Athena, I've come to ask for your blessing to marry your daughter Annabeth,'' he announced.
She looked at him and laughed, ''You are a danger to my daughter, what gives you the right to ask that'' she said it so calmly, as if she had already had the same conversation before. Percy was ready, he went over everything he practiced. The look on her face was priceless
'' well I- '' Percy cut her off '' I know, I know I'm still not good enough for her, but I fell into Tartarus for her and I would do it again. Annabeth is my everything and I don't see myself with anyone else, I want to marry your daughter. I promise to protect her with my life, I swear it on the river styx. '' he said running out of breath.
Athena looked impressed.
''Maybe I miss judged you'' she said '' you have saved her life plenty and I do indeed believe you will make good on your promises to her. So Perseus Jackson, Son Of Poseidon I give thee my blessing to marry Annabeth''
he blushed '' now if you ever pull a stunt like that again or brake my daughters heart I will assure you that you will be blasted to pieces understand? ''.
His sudden courage and determination gone, he quickly sputtered out, "Ye-yes ma'am!" 'oh and don't you dare ever show up here unannounced again'' and with that she was gone.
Percy made he way back to New Rome to discuss plans with Piper, and get a good nights rest, he even scraped some of his burnt offerings to Athena, who would soon be his mother in law assuming Annabeth said yes. On Annabeths birthday Percy and Piper spent all day setting up her surprise, decorating the hill top of new Rome with colourful lights and all the things Annabeth loved. Meanwhile Reyna and Hazel had the job of distracting her.
''This way, just a couple more steps'' he said leading Annabeth up the hill ''I had a little help from piper''.
She took off her blindfold to reveal a picnic basket, and blanket surrounded by the most beautiful lights ''Percy I...-'' ''Happy birthday wise girl'' for once monsters weren't trying to kill them, they felt quiet safe in New Rome.
''I hope this is better than our date to Taurus'' ''It's nothing like our date in Paris but I guess, anything's better than Taurus'' she chuckled ''HEY-''
she kissed him before he could finish that sentence. She kissed him like it was the first time again, like it was the last, like when they thought they were gonna die. Percy was her person and she couldn't see herself with anyone else. She never wanted this night to end. They pulled apart
''I love you seaweed brain''. They spent the rest of the night dancing and laughing under the stars.
It was about two in the morning when she said ''we should go get some rest, we have a big day ahead of us''. She started to walk away when Percy grabbed her hand pulling her back , then he got on one knee, to tie his shoe.
''Ugh you jerk, I thought you were gonna propose''
he laughed ''Annabeth wait'' and he pulled a tiny pouch from his pocket. ''I am'' he grinned ''what?'' She thought he was just joking around.
''Annabeth Chase, you have been my best friend since we were twelve and my girlfriend since we were sixteen. I love you with my whole heart, and I want you to be more than just my girlfriend or my best friend. Will you marry me?''
She looked at him tears in her eyes, smile on her face and said
''I thought you'd never ask''.
'' so is that a yes?''
he looked confused ''yes seaweed Brian of course I'll marry you''. He slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her forehead embracing her in his arms