Hey! I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I would say sorry but I wouldn't mean it lol. To the person who said it seemed kind of out of character for Annabeth I'm sorry you think that- I just feel like she's a teenage girl who canonically has a lot of issues with jealous and does have a temper, by the time she got to Percy and Grover she had the time to get kind of annoyed and then said something she didn't mean which was out of line- I remember being that age and I did a lot worse than that when I was angry. Also- try and remember that Annabeth has a lot of her own issues which are part of why she gets so jealous and all. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm enjoying writing it at the moment.
The clearing filled with a horrified silence, the only noise was Grover's sharp intake of breath as Percy stared at Annabeth, a disbelieving look on her face.
"What did you just say?" her voice was barely more than a whisper. "What- what did you just say?"
"I-" Annabeth faltered, and Grover was looking between them a panicked frantic look on his face as he did.
"Oh gods. Oh gods this is not good."
"Percy- I didn't mean-"
"You didn't mean it?" Percy felt like she was going to be stick as she stared at her girlfriend. "You- you didn't mean it? Then why did you say it?"
"I-" Annabeth swallowed hard, "Percy I just- you're keeping secrets and- and I don't understand why and-"
"And you- it actually crossed your mind that- that what? That I somehow have feelings for him-"
"No- no I didn't mean-"
"But it's what you said!" Percy shouted the words as she moved forward, forcing back her tears as Grover moved quickly, hands on her shoulders, pushing her back.
"Percy- Percy calm-"
"No! No she can't just say that she can't!" her stomach was twisting uncomfortably, painfully. "Gods are you that insecure and jealous-"
"I'm not-"
"Yes you are!" Percy almost screamed the words, though she let Grover move her away from Annabeth as the tears started to pour again. "Gods you- he- after everything he's done to me after- I don't-" she shook her head, "Gods this is why I didn't tell you." she shook her head, "This- this right here is why I didn't tell you!"
"You're not telling me anything! You're lying and keeping secrets! And you never keep secrets like that from me never! Everything he's done you've told me about even if you told no one else so why is this time so different I- I didn't mean it like that I didn't but why would you ever not tell me unless you were scared of how I'm gonna react and you
know I'd just be worried-"
"Because I didn't want to worry you! Because you were sorting stuff out with your family and I didn't want to interrupt that and because I was ashamed! I was ashamed and
scared-"
"Of what? Percy you won't talk to me I don't know what's going on in your head anymore you're pulling away from me and I know- I know it's hard now that I'm not living with you anymore but I didn't think you'd just shut me off and replace me with some mortal girl!"
"He kissed me!" Percy screamed the words, "I tried- he- he showed up and he cornered me and he kissed me! I- I was so scared and I couldn't push him away so I had to
bite his lip to stop him and- and I-" her breath caught in her throat and she felt the anger seeping out of her as Annabeth reeled backwards, a horrified look on her face.
"Percy what- he- what are you saying I-"
"So yeah. Yeah I didn't tell you or Chiron." Percy frantically wiped at her face, trying to get rid of the tear marks on her cheeks. "I didn't want to tell anyone. Can you blame me? Can you blame me for not wanting to talk about the fact that the only reason he didn't manage to blackmail me into going with him was the fact that Rachel showed up?"
"What?"
"It was Alabaster who made me lose sight of Nico. He- he- I thought he had Nico and... and I was going to go with him and then Rachel spotted us and she managed to get him off of me and drag me out of there."
"Percy I didn't-"
"No." Percy shook her head, stepping backwards as she ran her fingers through her hair, "No- don't- just don't." her voice cracked slightly and she bit her lip hard. "I'm sure
you don't want to be with me anyway. After-"
"Don't be stupid." Annabeth surged forward, almost knocking Grover over as she collided with Percy suddenly- and there were tears pouring down Annabeth's cheeks as she
squeezed Percy almost painfully tightly. "I'm sorry I'm so sorry I shouldn't have said those things I shouldn't have shouted at you I- I shouldn't have pushed like that I am so sorry."
"Annabeth-" Percy's breath caught and then she was pressing her face into the crook of her girlfriends neck, "I- I know I should have told you-"
"No- no gods Percy." Annabeth swallowed hard, "I never should have said that. Never. I know you'd never... I know you don't have feelings for him and I know you didn't- I just... I was angry and I wanted to hurt you like I felt you'd hurt me but it's not your fault none of this is your fault. I'm sorry. I just- it's my stupid pride I- I let the fact you were keeping secrets hurt my pride and I decided to hurt you. Gods I am the worst."
"Y-you're not." Percy shook her head, "I-"
"No, no I am." Annabeth pulled back slightly, "I am so the worst, Grover am I the worst-"
"I mean," Grover shrugged, "Maybe not the very worst. But what you said was bad." his voice was stiff, his eyes narrowed at Annabeth- "You're both my friends and I love you both but that was way out of line."
"I-"
"It's okay-" Percy's voice was faint and Annabeth let out a weak laugh.
"Seaweed brain I love you so so much but by all the gods you are far too forgiving sometimes. Not that I'm not grateful but you should probably be shouting at me right now. You shouldn't be defending me when I said that to you."
"But I love you." Percy said simply, "I love you."
"That-" Annabeth blinked before shaking her head, "Gods what am I gonna do with you Percy?" She pulled back slightly shaking her head, "Seriously. If I was you I wouldn't be so quick to forgive."
"Annabeth I love you." Percy's voice was firm. "I- maybe it's stupid but... I don't think there's anything you could say or do that I wouldn't be able to forgive." she hesitated before admitting, "But... it does hurt that you said that."
"Of course it does." Annabeth shook her head as she stepped back, "I'll make it up to you somehow Percy." she glanced at Grover, who was starting to relax slightly. "Grover can you maybe leave us alone for a while? I think we need to talk."
"Percy?"
"It's okay Grover." Percy gave a weak smile, "Annabeth's not yelling at me anymore."
"And I won't yell again." Annabeth promised, giving Percy as reassuring a smile as she could manage, "We just need to talk about everything."
"Fine." Grover nodded slowly, gaze flicking between them, "I should get back to Junpier anyway. I'll tell Chiron that you two are talking okay?"
"You can tell him what I told you." Percy let out a breath, "He does need to know I was stupid not to tell him-"
"I'll leave out this kissing part." Grover's smile was strained, "He doesn't need to know that bit- and for the record Percy, next time I see him I'm gonna shove my flute so far up his ass that when he speaks he plays a tune for daring to hurt you like that-"
"Grover!" Percy yelped the word with a scandalized expression as Annabeth let out a choked laugh.
"Oh I would pay to see that."
"It's no less than he deserves." Grover grinned- and Percy felt a flood of warmth and affection for the satyr- she'd almost forgotten that he had a violent streak when people he cared about got hurt. It was almost reassuring seeing it now- and it had broken the tension pretty well.
"I mean, you're not wrong." Percy grinned slightly at Grover, "You're the best, you know that right? Best friend ever-"
"Of course I am." Grover grinned, "And don't you two forget it. I might be the third wheel of our little trio but I'm still part of it gods damn it."
"Yeah." Annabeth's expression was amused, "You're the common sense."
"And here I'd have thought you'd try and claim that role." Percy remarked easily, making Annabeth snort and shake her head.
"I think I've proven today that I'm not the best on that front." Annabeth shook her head, "No, no I'm the brains- there is a difference between that and common sense."
"And what am I then?"
"You're the heart." Grover answered promptly, "I might be the common sense and Annabeth might be the brains but you're the heart of the group- and you're the crazy one too-"
"Now that's rude-"
"Uh huh, you still love me." Grover very politely poked his tongue out at the two girls. "Now if you'd excuse me I'm going to go and let my girlfriend know I'm okay and to tell Chiron that you two are having a talk." and with that he was trotting away and Percy let out a slow breath, glancing at Annabeth, who gave a wry smile.
"He definitely knows how to break the tension."
"I dunno what we'd do without him." Percy admitted softly. "Listen- Annabeth I... I get why you were angry I do. I should have told you I just-"
"I know." Annabeth held up a hand, "I know Percy you don't have to explain yourself- I'm upset that you didn't tell me but I get why." she moved forward quickly, grabbing Percy's hand, "I can't imagine how freaked out and scared you were."
"I thought he had Nico." Percy's voice went very quiet, "I- I know Nico can handle himself. I know he can but... I came close to losing him once before and the thought of anything happening to him again."
"I know." Annabeth pulled Percy into a gentle hug, "I know Percy I get it. I mean, I hate it a lot but I do get it." she shook her head, "And if it's possible I hate him even more now for kissing you like that. It was wrong and it wasn't your fault. And I do get why you didn't tell me. I shouldn't have lost it at you like that I know that."
"It's okay." Percy snaked her arms around Annabeth, resting her head on her girlfriends shoulder. "It's not like you did it just to be spiteful- you were upset."
"My stupid pride was hurt." Annabeth's nose wrinkled slightly, "Which isn't an excuse- I need to get a better grip on my pride or I'll end up screwing things up."
"We're both at fault." Percy decided. "I should have been honest with you and you shouldn't have said what you said to me."
"That sounds reasonable." Annabeth nodded slowly. "From now on I'll try and keep my pride under control-"
"And I'll try and tell you everything." Percy paused, "And if.. if there's something I can't make myself tell you yet then I'll tell you that something happened but I'm not ready to talk. Does that sound okay?"
"Yeah, yeah that works." Annabeth nodded, pressing her lips to Percy's cheek. "I really am sorry- I... I guess I haven't been handling the time apart that well either-"
"Annabeth-"
"I just- I've not really made any friends or anything and as much as I love my dad and my brothers I missed you so much- and I know you missed me to but-" Annabeth looked uncomfortable, "You're better with people than I am. And you- you met Rachel again and... you talked about her a lot- and then today-"
"What?" Percy frowned, "Annabeth I- Rachel isn't replacing you or anything-"
"It's cute that you don't see it." Annabeth shook her head, "I just- six months ago I was the one you were doing everything with and now... you have someone new to hang out with and I-" Annabeth looked like she was sucking a lemon. "I guess I get jealous sometimes."
"Annabeth Rachel is a friend. A really really good friend who totally saved my ass during the- when Alabaster tried to kidnap me again. But- Annabeth I am in love with you." Percy gave her girlfriend a small grin, "Even when you do get into one of your moods-"
"Hey-"
"Am I wrong-"
"I-" Annabeth faltered before pulling a face and rolling her eyes, "Okay, okay so you're not actually wrong." she paused, a hesitant look on her face, "I just.. you're..."
Annabeth's face flushed slightly, "My dad didn't want me. And the only person who did seem to choose me was Thalia and she died- or I thought she died. And... as much as I get along well with everyone I never really got that close to any of the other campers and then you came along and... even when I used to to win capture the flag knowing the Ares kids would target you it didn't screw things up somehow and... by the time the quest was over you were my best friend Percy. You were the one person who chose to stick around despite everything. And I thought after the quest we might end up drifting apart because of distance but we didn't and you kept in contact and we just got even closer and- you're the most constant thing in my life. And I- the last six months have been really hard and then I showed up today and- you were with Rachel and I just- and then I found out that you'd been keeping secrets from me and-" Percy cut Annabeth off, pressing their lips together.
"Wise girl." Percy's voice was soft as she breathed the words against her girlfriends lips. "No matter what else happens I am always going to be your Seaweed brain."