A/N: Hey guys! Back again with a monster of a oneshot, so grab a snack lol I hope you guys like it!
"I'm so sorry, your highness!"
Trying not to trip over himself any more than he already has, he rushes forward, towel already in hand.
"I'll clean this right u—"
The words die in his throat when he meets her eyes for the first time. They're a sharper grey than the photos with something he can't quite put into words behind them, a… burning? "Longing?"
"What?"
His heart drops even further when he realizes he actually said that out loud. "I'm so sorry!"
He might as well be a record player at this point. Dropping his head, he starts to soak up the spilt lemonade. And then, since his luck can't get any better, the queen rounds the corner.
"Why are you talking to this servant?"
"I'm sorry your majesty," he squeaks (it's not a moment to be proud of). "I'll just clean this right up."
The princess takes a step back as he attempts to mop up the liquid. He doesn't dare meet her eyes again but can feel her gaze on him. She hasn't said anything beyond her one-word question.
"Come, Annabeth," the queen barks, and it's only when she follows her mother does he chance a glance at her. She looks back as she rounds the corner, sharp grey eyes still trained on him with an expression he can't quite decipher.
It isn't anger though, which is a relief because at this rate he'll lose his job before he even properly has it. It's a miracle they even hired him in the first place. On the verge of homelessness, this had been a desperate attempt at getting a job.
At least working for the royal family offered him a place to live and a wage, even if it is a small one. He's not about to complain when he's got a roof over his head and decent food.
He finishes mopping up the spilled lemonade and speedwalks to the kitchens. He's already late on delivering said lemonade.
Thankfully, Grover hands him a new glass within seconds of his arrival and he shoots him a grateful smile as he carefully rushes out.
Prince Malcolm is sitting in the study, submerged in a book, and fortunately doesn't mention the lateness of his delivery, just accepting it with a nod.
The study, or library, is maybe the most traditional-looking room in the whole castle, with a large fireplace with an even larger portrait of the royal family hanging above it.
He slows down to look at it as he walks towards the door. It does nothing to encapsulate the aura of the princess. The grey eyes on the canvas lack that something extra he had seen in her.
Shaking his head, he quickens his pace and walks out. He doesn't really have time to be thinking about the princess. There's always work to do.
-.-
A month in and he's finally got the hang of his duties—well, he's avoided running into princesses anyway so that's a marked improvement. But all that goes flying out the window when he's tiredly trudging his way to the servant's quarters late at night and bumps into another human being.
"I'm sorr—" His automatic reply stops short when he sees past the hood, once again peering into the eyes he hasn't quite gotten out of his head yet.
"Your highness? I'm so—"
"Shh!" she interrupts, tugging him to the side as a guard walks by.
It's all moving a little too fast for him to keep up with but the one thing that does register is that she's touching him. Luckily, standing still is what he's supposed to be doing anyway, because she keeps her grip on his arm as they wait for the guard to pass.
She peers down the hall to confirm he's gone before she finally lets go, taking a step back to look at him for seemingly the first time since this whole incident.
"Wait…" He can see the recognition. "Didn't you spill lem—"
"I'm so sorry about that!" He interrupts, face heating up because of course that's the impression he's managed to leave on her.
She waves a hand. "Oh it's fine, I just thought I recognized you…" She's still looking at him and he rubs the back of his neck under her gaze.
"Apparently I have a habit of running into princesses," he mutters beneath his breath. Apparently, it's not quiet enough, because she chuckles quietly.
She's not mad, clearly, but his mouth opens to automatically apologize regardless. She shakes her head before he can even say anything. "It's okay, you're allowed to make a joke."
To Grover and Sam and the other servants, but not to the royal family. He doesn't know how to respond to that, so he just stays quiet.
"Anyway," she speaks up, checking down the hall again. "I'll let you get on. Just remember, if anyone asks, you didn't see me."
He can't help but nod wordlessly as she slips the hood of her hoodie back up and continues down the hall, sending him a little wave as she rounds the corner.
Percy remains rooted in spot for a few seconds longer, wondering if this had been a fever dream. Because despite his tiredness, he can't help but wonder what the princess is doing, sneaking out at night.
-.-
"You're not wearing that."
"I'll wear what I want to!"
Something tells him this is a bad time to walk in, but he's already two steps into the room as it is.
The queen stands up, slamming her hands on the table, making him jump and freeze at the same time.
"Annabeth, the press are coming in an hour and you need to look presentable!"
"I don't give a damn what they think!"
"This is not about you!"
Yeah…he needs to back out, like, now.
Movement, even if it is a step back, turns out to be his downfall. The queen's sharp gaze turns on him.
"You there!" she barks and he straightens up like a soldier in the military. "Clean this up." She waves a vague hand at the remnants of the lunch on the table.
That's actually what he was going in to do anyway, but he keeps that comment to himself.
"Yes, your majesty," he mutters, rushing forward with his head down to start stacking up plates.
Once again, he can feel the princess's eyes on him. He focuses on gathering the forks.
"Change, Annabeth," the queen calls as she walks out of the room.
There's a tangible silence that hangs around for a second after she leaves. It's rudely broken by the princess who groans in frustration.
"Ugh! It's all about the press!"
It's the first time he actually lets himself look at her. She's wearing simple jeans and a plain black v-neck and looks absolutely gorgeous.
"What?"
He needs to stop saying things he doesn't mean out loud. Not that he doesn't mean it, but—
With no choice but to double down, he clears his throat and prays that he won't get in trouble for this. "Sorry, I just meant, I think you look good."
The anger dissolves a little from her posture as her eyes meet his once again, a half-smile forming on her lips.
"Thank you," she says in a much calmer tone. "What's your name?"
"Percy."
She opens her mouth to say something that he never gets to hear since the door opens again and Grover steps through.
Not that Grover would get him in trouble, but he quickly drops his head and focuses on the dishes.
"Your majesty," he says quietly to the princess who nods back, starting to make her way out of the room.
She turns back just before she opens the door and he can't stop himself from looking back. Those grey eyes, that half smile, the shock on Grover's face.
It's all too much.
-.-
His next weekend off finds him at a bar. He doesn't normally go to them, because drinking alone is no fun, but he could use a drink after everything that's happened lately. (Namely a certain princess.)
So he ditches his usual laying in bed and watching Netflix to go to an actual bar. Which then results in him getting back late.
The employee entrance is at the back, and after waving at Frank he gets out his wallet to look for the keycard. There's already someone by the door, hunched over and clearly locked out.
"Can I help you?" he asks, figuring if they got past Frank they're probably fine.
"I can't get in."
The voice is so familiar he actually does a double take. Of course, his reason to go out tonight is staring him in the face.
"Your—"
"Shh," she hushes him. "Can you get me in without anyone noticing?"
He pulls out his keycard and holds it in front of her. "Yes, but I…"
Normally he wouldn't say anything, but he's had a few drinks and at this point he's doing her a favor, so he barges on.
"I need to know, what are you doing sneaking out?"
The door clicks open as he scans his ID and he holds it open for her. She shoots him a smile.
"Meeting up with a…friend."
Right, a "friend", that's why she's sneaking out. But it's not his place to say anything, so he just keeps quiet as they walk down the hall.
"Thank you, Percy."
The sound of his name from her mouth feels foreign and familiar at the same time.
He just nods back, standing outside the door to his room, and watches her flash that signature smile and dash around the corner out of sight.
-.-
"Percy?" He stops pouring the tea to look up at her.
She's leaning back in the armchair of the study, regarding him carefully. He's not entirely surprised when Grover walked up to him and said that the princess had requested that he specifically bring her tea.
"Yes?"
"Why did you help me?"
The question startles him, but luckily he'd already finished pouring. Well, it's not like he had that much of a cho—
"Because you did have a choice, you could have gone to my mother and she would've promoted you." A frown crosses her face. "Anything that 'keeps me in line' is great in her book."
There's a lot to unpack behind that but, luckily, it's not his job to do that. He's been alone for a while, no family or friends to speak of and it's moments like this where he really doesn't mind.
"Anyway," she interrupts herself. "Why did you help me?"
Now that it's established that it was his choice, he wonders why he did. He picks finishes stirring her tea and stands up straight, meeting her eyes.
Those sharp gre—
"You're very determined." The words leave his mouth before he can even process them.
A small smile tugs at her face at his words. "And?"
He shrugs, focusing his attention back to the tray he needs to pick up. "And I admire that."
It's probably too candid of him to say. He looks back up at her, ready to apologize. Something in his face must give it away because she smiles.
"Don't walk back your compliment," she protests lightly. He didn't really want to, it was more out of habit than anything.
He just nods, picking up the tray and getting ready to leave.
"And Percy," she calls when he's halfway there. He turns around to see the warm smile on her face. "You don't need to be that careful around me."
He knows what she's referring to, but something tells him he really should be that careful. It's a slippery enough slope as it is.
-.-
He fucked up.
Personally, he doesn't think it's that big of a deal. But Richard is beyond pissed. He zones out of the lecture on "clumsiness" and how wine "stains" to just stare at the balding man and envisions steam coming out of his ears.
"This is unacceptable!"
Shit. He snaps back to attention, suddenly deathly afraid that he's about to get fired. He, quite literally, cannot afford that. He needs this job.
He wonders if bringing up the fact that it's dark carpet will matter.
Probably not.
So he stands there with his head low mumbling apologies, trying desperately not to lose his job when another voice joins the conversation.
"What's going on here?"
His already pounding heart quickens at the sound, eyes snapping up to meet hers. They're more stormy than usual, matching the frown on her face.
"Your majesty!" Richard sounds like he just had a metal pole shoved up his ass and despite the circumstances, Percy can't help but smile a little.
He catches her eye again though, and quickly stops. The last thing he needs is for her to think he doesn't care.
"What's going on?" she repeats.
"Oh, nothing you need to worry about," Richard rushes to explain. "A small thing, we'll get it sorted."
Apparently, he's not the only one who thought it was medieval because the princess crosses her arms. "Given that it's my home," she begins coldly, "I think I'm entitled to worry about whatever I want."
Richard looks like he just got slapped in the face.
"Right, of course, I didn't mean…" He pauses to clear his throat. "This young man just spilled wine on the carpet."
"Where?"
All three of them look down at the ground where Richard is pointing. It's half a shade darker than the already red rug.
She raises an eyebrow. "You can barely see it."
Richard looks offended. "Yes, but—"
"So," she continues on, ignoring his reply. "I don't really see the problem, or why you're yelling at the poor man for a harmless mistake."
Percy didn't know humans could achieve that shade of red.
And then, the realization that she just helped him and probably prevented him losing his job hits and he has to suck in some air.
"Right…of course, not a big deal." Richard turns to him. "Just…don't do it again."
Automatically, he bows his head, mumbling another apology that Richard doesn't really stay long enough to listen to before scurrying away.
There's a moment of silence before he looks back up at her.
She's got a smile on her face and he opens his mouth to thank her, but she beats him to it.
"We have to stop meeting like this."
It's clearly a joke by the way her eyes are twinkling, but he can't help but turn red, hyper aware that this is all too similar to when he first met her.
"Annabeth!" The sharp bark of the queen interrupts the gratitude he still needs to express. Her face morphs into a frown at the tight leash around her name.
But she still manages to shoot him a smile before walking away, leaving him with an unsaid thank you and a barely visible stain at his feet.
-.-
He's off duty and waiting for Grover to wrap up one evening when he decides to go to the secluded part of the garden to enjoy the first warm day of spring in a while.
Passing by the roses, he hears what seems to be a gasp that stops him in his tracks. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he inches closer to the sound only to realize it's more akin to a sob.
He can't hold back from moving towards it, rounding the corner to see a figure sitting on the lone bench, slumped forward and clearly upset. The sadness of the scene tugs at his heart. He remembers being the one with tears that no one would see.
"Are you okay?" He speaks quietly, not wanting to startle the person as he takes another step forward.
Their head snaps up. It's not a storm, just downpour giving the sense of drowning.
"I'm sorry…" He hesitates, wondering if he should say something else or leave her alone. He can't bring himself to do the latter so he continues. "Are you okay?"
Obviously, she's not, but he wants to give her an out. She just shrugs in response, wiping at her face. It's strange to see her like this, like she's given up the battle she's been fighting every day.
"Anything I can do?" he asks.
She scooches to the side of the bench a little and it looks like an invitation. Hesitantly, he takes a few steps forward.
"Unless you can magic a flash drive out of thin air, I don't think so," she says wryly, a more familiar edge coming back into her voice.
"What, um, if you don't mind me asking…happened?"
She sighs, running her hands over her face. "It's a long story."
"I have time."
Surprise overtakes her tear-streaked face, but this time she pats the place on the bench next to her.
Even though he has permission now, he hesitantly sits down.
"I've been sneaking out to meet Luke Castellan."
His mouth actually drops open.
No one has ever said those words that causally, and no one probably can. Castellan is a name that no one likes to hear, let alone say. The…clan, for lack of a better word, have their finger in every pie, too much money than is good for them, and a dangerous tolerance for illegal activities.
The royal family could fall if that kind of association was ever made.
"I know," she says bitterly in response to his reaction. "For what it's worth, the rumors are true, they're disgusting scumbags. And I can't believe—"
She breaks off, tears returning to her eyes again.
"It's okay," he says softly, not really knowing what he can say but wishing he could ease her hurt.
"But it's not," she cries, trying to regain her breathing. "He's not…" She turns to him helplessly.
"I thought he actually cared…seems dumb now. I don't know why I thought he wouldn't use me."
A dry chuckle escapes from her lips as she stares up at the cloudy sky. "Everyone uses me."
He stays quiet, letting her get out the story. She turns back to him sharply. "Sue me for hoping he'd be different."
There's a defensiveness in her look, daring him to tell her she was wrong. He just shakes his head.
"You can't fault yourself for whatever he made you feel."
His response takes the edge out of her and she slumps forward, holding her head in her hands. "I was an idiot though, because now…" She peeks up at him through her fingers. "He's blackmailing me."
His eyes widen. This is not the direction he thought this was going.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean," she starts with a scowl that he's pretty sure isn't actually meant towards him, "is that the man I thought I knew presented me with two options. Marry him or the flash drive with personal information gets leaked to the press."
"What the fuck?" He can't help the words that come out of his mouth. "Who in their right mind comes up with shit like this?"
She looks down at the dirt covered path by their feet. "I'm going to lose everything."
There's a beat of silence as he tries to figure out what to say to that. And then, as if he needed any more proof of his awkwardness, it decides to speak up for him.
"It's okay, you can live with me and I'll teach you how to make mac and cheese in a cup."
He can see her freeze for a second before she turns to him, disbelief coloring her face.
"What?"
He makes the decision then to dig the hole deeper.
"It's a two-ingredient microwave kinda thing, but it's not half bad. Especially if you can't afford much else, I mean I still make it to this day."
He forces his mouth shut.
There's another beat of silence where he mentally berates himself before she finally speaks up.
"I like mac and cheese."
"Good."
She shakes her head, still looking at him with that expression on her face. "Who are you?"
"Percy Jackson."
He's not sure where his tact has gone, but given that she doesn't look mad at him, he thinks it's probably fine.
For the first time, a small smile tugs at her lips.
"Thank you for offering your mac and cheese recipe."
He nods. "Of course."
She sighs, leaning back. "I guess the media is just going to burn me. I refuse to marry that disgrace. I can't believe I thought he actually cared. I was so du—"
"Hey," he interrupts, because, apparently, he interrupts princesses now. "You can't fault your past self for events of an unknown future."
She just stares at him.
"You're—" A rustling nearby stops her from finishing and they both spring up.
She turns to him and he nods, agreeing to the unspoken plan as they quickly turn and walk in opposite directions.
He walks towards the rustling, only to run into Grover.
"There you are! I wanted to show you something!" Grover pulls on his arm and he nods along, following his friend.
He definitely doesn't turn back to see the empty bench.
-.-
Percy has, in the vague sort of way that everyone does, wondered what it's like to rob someone. Turns out, it's pretty simple when you're dressed like the waitstaff.
He's also aided by Luke Castellan's egotistical belief that no one would ever dare rob him in the first place. Though that same ego also makes him the kind of businessperson that upholds his end of the bargain.
There might be a copy of the information on the flash drive somewhere else, but Percy doesn't think that Luke is the kind of person who would have, what would seem in his mind, careless backups.
It all happens so quickly that there's not even a story to tell. Luke hosts a party, he shows up as waitstaff, and no one bats an eye as he makes his way to Luke's office.
There's a drawer full of flash drives, unlocked, he might add (but that must be pure luck). He searches through them until he sees one labeled Anna.
Not the proper way to address a princess, but exactly what Luke would do.
The only hitch is when someone walks in as he's closing the drawer. But for once, his talent of spilling things is useful and he's trying to mop up spilled champagne when the person walks in, giving him the perfect excuse to be in there.
Twenty minutes later, he's out.
The princess' room is not really a familiar part of the castle, but he makes his way hesitantly towards where he believes it is.
Loud voices alert him to a partially-opened door and he knows he's in the right place when he hears the queen's angry voice.
He freezes, unsure of what to do. Leave is probably the right answer, but then the door opens and the Queen is storming out. He steps to the side, dropping his head as she walks past but she doesn't even spare him a second glance.
The princess soon follows, standing at the doorway, arms crossed, clearly about to close the door. She notices him right away though.
"Percy?"
Without saying anything he just holds up the flash drive.
Her eyes widen. Her jaw actually drops. And he thinks she might have forgotten how to breathe for a few seconds.
"No way."
He just extends it closer to her, dropping it in her open palm.
She stares at it for a second, before quickly grabbing his arm and pulling him into her room. Leaning against the shut door, she examines the flash drive closer.
"I can't believe…how?"
He shrugs. "No one looks past a uniform."
She freezes for the second time, staring at him for so long he wonders if maybe she fell asleep with her eyes open or something.
But then all of sudden, he's got blonde hair pressed to his nose, arms tightly wound around his body and an amazingly overpowering lemon scent.
"You're an angel," she mutters. But all he can focus on right now is reciprocating the hug.
Heat floods his face as he mumbles back. "It's nothing."
She pulls away, those grey eyes staring into his in a way that's consuming his entire being. "It is everything."
Another beat of silence that's rudely interrupted by a knock on the door.
The hands around her waist drop as he jumps away, immediately lowering his head, unable to look at her as reality comes crashing around them.
"Yes?" She calls, clearing her throat, the only sign that she's just as startled.
Footsteps indicate someone else's presence, but he can't bring himself to look up.
"The queen requests your presence in the study." He recognizes the voice of Silena.
"Why can't she just text me like a normal person?" The princess mutters. "Thank you, Silena."
He hears the footsteps retreat and it's only after the door shuts can he bring himself to look up again.
She's already looking at him when he raises his head. "How can I repay you?"
He shakes his head. "It's fine. I'm just thankful to be here."
Even if he had time to think about it, he's not sure what he would ask for anyway. It had been a relatively simple task, despite the danger.
She bites her lip, something he hasn't seen her do before and distracts him right away. "I have to go…" She doesn't sound too happy about it. "But come to my room later tonight, I have something for you."
And then she strides out of the room, leaving him frozen in place.
What the hell?
-.-
Despite the clear invitation, he's not sure if he should show up.
But then his phone dings with a text that reads: See you at 7
It's from an unknown number, but given that the only person who's made any plans with him is the princess, he thinks it's probably her.
She probably has access to the employee database, getting his number wouldn't be a problem. So with the extra reassurance of the text, he knocks at her door at exactly 7.
The door opens before he can even knock again, and he's yanked inside within a second.
She's got a wide smile on her face as she shuts the door behind him. "Hey!"
"Um, hi." He did not expect to be disoriented so soon into this meeting.
She walks over to the rug on her floor where two big pillows lay and plops down on of them, gesturing for him to sit on the other.
"Thank you again, for everything."
He nods, hesitantly following her lead and gingerly sitting down.
"And I know this is really dumb," she continues, reaching to the side and pulling out a plain white takeout container and handing it to him.
Curious, he accepts the container, lifting the lid to see…mac and cheese.
"It's supposed to be the best mac and cheese ever from this place across town," she explains, clearly watching his reaction. He notes that her fingers are twisting the end of her shirt and realizes she's actually…worried. "I know it's dumb and doesn't even begin to repay you for what you've done for me but you said that you like—"
"It's great, thank you," he interrupts, offering a shy smile.
It's unfairly cute the way she offers a shy smile back.
She pulls a second container onto her lap and picks up the remote, switching on the TV in front of them.
"What's your favorite movie?" she asks as she navigates to the screen.
His mind blanks. Is this really happening? Is he seriously sitting down to eat mac and cheese and watch movies with the freaking princess?
"Uh…I like Wall-E?"
Her face morphs into a frown and he's worried he did something wrong before she speaks. "I don't think I've seen it before."
"How?" It's actually shocking. "I though everyone has seen it."
She shrugs. "I don't really watch Disney movies that much anymore. My mom wants me to keep up with what's popular."
"That's a crime," he finds himself saying. And then he realizes that her mother is literally the queen. "I mean…I didn't mean—"
She holds up a hand to stop his apology before it begins. "You're right Percy, she's insufferable. Don't walk it back." She smiles. "I'm not going to get mad, please speak your mind."
He just nods, taking a bite of the mac and cheese to have something to do and almost melts. She wasn't lying when she said it was the best, it's heavenly.
"Alright, let's go," she says, pulling up the movie and turning towards him with a smile. "I'm excited! Is it fun?"
"Um…" how is he supposed to say this. "Well…"
She's sobbing by the end.
Like full-on ugly crying on the floor, mac and cheese left forgotten on the side.
"You didn't tell me—" she cuts herself off, trying to wipe away a fresh set of tears.
He blinks back his own tears, very mild compared to hers but he's seen this too many times before. His first watch had had him sobbing like her.
She looks up at him and he sees the ink of her eyeliner mix in with the tears. "That was so…it was so sweet."
He nods. "Yeah, it's like they're just little robots, designed to do their tasks, but then they end up meaning everything to each other."
She wipes her face with the back of her hand, and looks every bit like a mess. It's surreal to see this side of her.
She notices him looking, and turns away. "Sorry, I look like a mess."
"I don't mind," he replies. Honestly, it's sort of beautiful to see her like this, so…raw and human.
"Is this what I've been missing out on?" she jokes, having collected herself.
"Have you seen Up?"
Her blank stare is his answer. "Oh boy…"
She smiles at his response. Despite the tears it's bright and whole and her eyes look like they're gleaming with the reflection of the TV on them.
"You free tomorrow night?"
The question startles him and he wonders if she'll ever stop doing that to him. "Um…yeah…"
If she's going where he thinks she's going—
"Then we're on to watch Up tomorrow."
Holy shit.
He leaves with mac and cheese in his stomach and movie plans with a princess.
-.-
"Why do they do this?" She wails, wiping her tears at the end of another movie.
Percy shrugs, munching on the popcorn she'd offered him when he'd shown up. "It's the Disney Pixar effect."
He doesn't really know when watching movies and eating takeout with Annabeth had become the norm, but the way he's casually leaning back indicates that it really has.
"Ugh," she says, wiping her tears, face devoid of any makeup ever since she learned that movie nights usually led to tears. "I hate them."
He smiles, bumping her arm gently with his. "No, you don't."
She scrunches her face at him and it's a little unfair how his heartbeat quickens. Bumping him back, she stands up to walk to her bathroom to wash her face, leaving the door open. (He doesn't watch her walk away.)
"Wow…" she starts, looking at herself in the mirror. "My face without makeup is…" She doesn't finish the sentence.
Turning off the faucet, she disappears for a second, reappearing with a towel in her hand and a dry face. "I could never go out in public like this."
He frowns. "Why not?"
She just shakes her head, walking back to her seat. Is it just him or is she closer this time? "It's not…right."
"I like it," the words slip out before he really thinks about what hole he's digging himself into. "You seem much more…human."
That was supposed to stay in his head. Of course, she turns to him, confusion covering her face. "What?"
Well, he has to continue on now. "Well, you look great with makeup, of course. But without makeup, it's just…" he struggles to find the words. "Just you in raw, human form. You're not the princess, just—"
He can't bring himself to say her name. At some point he started unconsciously referring to her as Annabeth in his head. But he can't just…he needs to remember his place.
"Just what?" she presses. The closer she's getting the harder it is to remember his place.
"Um…"
"Tell me Percy." Her voice is soft and hearing her say his name like that breaks him down.
He sighs. "Just you."
"And I personally," he lowers his head a little as he mumbles the rest of his words. "Like that."
Glancing up reveals the sweetest smile he's seen yet. She doesn't respond, just pulls up another movie and scoots even closer.
As the music kicks up, all he can focus on is her lemony scent as her head comes to a rest on his shoulder.
He couldn't tell you what movie they watched, not with Annabeth curled up by his side.
-.-
Of course, the movie night bliss only lasts a few weeks before the other shoe of Percy's consequences drops.
Luke Castellan is back.
Well, he thinks, Luke Castellan probably never left. Their dreamy bubble was bound to pop sooner or later.
He gets a frantic text from Annabeth.
"The flash drive is in my room, it needs to be gone."
She's at some press thing, he knows because he set up the room earlier, so it's on him now. Without even thinking about it, he's running to her room as another text comes it with the location of said flash drive.
He makes it into her room using the key she gave him a week ago and beelines towards the drawer she mentioned.
Finding it isn't that hard, though he tries to ignore the fact that she has some really…ahem…nice…bras.
Shutting the drawer with the flash drive in hand, he quickly locks the door behind him only to hear a yell down the hall.
"Hey!"
He books it.
Luckily, Richard isn't fast enough to actually catch up to him and he keeps his head low to avoid any further recognition.
He only stops once he's made it to the garden, out of breath but away from Richard or anyone else. His heart is racing more from the fact that he was almost caught more so than the running.
It's the first time he realizes just how deep he's in with all this. All because he couldn't just mind his own business. He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
He's fine. Well, if he loses his job he's gonna be not fine, but he's fine right now.
Slowly, he makes his way back to the castle where the news of a thief trying to break into the princess's room has already spread like wildfire.
Annabeth is being ushered towards her room by Richard and he catches her eye as they pass each other on the hall. He gives her the tiniest of nods, hoping she knows that it's safe and he can see the tension dissipate from her shoulders.
He gets a text a minute later that simply reads: Thank you.
It doesn't help that Luke had actually sent someone in, leaving the room completely ransacked. Nothing is taken, but it's enough to cause a lot of problems.
Movie nights end due to increased security and though it just leads to hushed video calls at night in his room, he still finds himself missing her company.
"I wish you were here," she says, voicing his thoughts.
"I wish I was too."
He has to be quiet to make sure no one else hears his conversation, and his phone screen does nothing to encapsulate her. But the longing behind the grey is so apparent he can see it through the pixels this time.
He hasn't asked what happened with Luke but apparently, it's over. Now they just need to wait for the break-in to blow over.
Or, until someone is caught.
What he doesn't except is that someone to be him.
He's just walking down the hall, which just so happens to be past her room, when he catches Richard's eye.
"It was you!" Richard yells, rushing towards him.
What?
Immediately he puts his hands up in defense. "I didn't do anything!" he protests.
But the security guards are already by his side, grabbing his arms.
"No, I remember now, it was you I saw coming out of her majesty's room."
The guard's grip tightens on his arm "No it wasn't! I haven't done anything!" He continues to protest, panic rising in his chest.
There's no way Richard could be this sure about seeing him. But then again, he's had it out for him ever since the spilled wine incident.
"Take him away," Richard orders. "I need to talk to the princess."
He has no choice but to comply, because fighting would just make things worse. A sinking feeling overtakes his body as he walks with the guards.
It's his word against Richard's and given that Richard is the only witness to this supposed theft, his word is always going to win out.
He is so screwed.
-.-
"Let's see how you fare with the princess," Richard sneers, pushing him down the hall. As if being handled by security wasn't enough, now this asshole needs to get in on it.
He doesn't respond keeping his head low. Annabeth knows he's innocent. All he can do now is hope she'll cover for him.
Because if he loses this job, he'll have nothing left.
"Your majesty," Richard announces as they walk into the room. "This is the scumbag that broke into your room."
Slowly, he brings himself to look at her, noticing the queen standing off to the side.
There is no storm in the grey, it's all still frozen, devoid of everything. Her face is just as impassive, and her words sound dull and dead as they leave her lips.
"You're fired."
His entire world crumbles before him. She's firing him. When everything he has done is for her, to protect her!
The anger is bubbling up in his chest and he tries to stop the words.
"How does it feel to sit over there," he growls in a low tone. "When I'm the one who—"
He cuts himself off.
She might have betrayed him, but he knows the value of a promise. Even now, the anger is dissipating into hurt and he can't bring himself to spill her secrets.
He slumps down, all the energy drained out of him and he hears Richard say something about pressing charges.
"No!" Her voice echoes through the hall. "Just see him out. There is no need to do anything else."
Richard shuts up, which is the only solace in this shitstorm.
He can feel her gaze on him as he's escorted out but for once, he doesn't turn back around.
-.-
It only takes twenty minutes for him to be pushed out of the back employee entrance with his small number of belongings in a backpack slung over his shoulder.
He looks at the door where she had once stood, unable to get in and requesting his assistance. The same door he was being pushed out of now.
The sun is low in the sky. In an hour's time he would have been standing in front of her door to watch a movie.
He had been a fool to think—
The door swings open and she strides out, face contorted with anger as she pushes past the guard to stand in front of him.
"I can't believe you came into my room!" She pushes into his chest, fisting his shirt. His hands automatically come up to defend himself.
"Your majesty, please," The guard ushers her back and she looks at him one last time.
Her words are cruel but her eyes are breaking, the frozen glass cracking to reveal the storm underneath. Anguish.
And then she turns away, walking back inside, leaving him clutching his heart, gate slammed in his face, and a fistful of cash in his hand where she had, quite literally, pushed it on him.
-.-
The money is significant, but he still goes to the cheapest motel to save as much of it as he can.
There's no note but he sees it for what it is.
An apology.
She had given him money, meaning she didn't want to fire him. The pressure was on to find the culprit, the queen was watching, he sees now why she made that decision.
He falls back into the squeaky bed and sighs. At least he's not on the streets. But every sense of stability that he has been building up has crumbled and he's left to, once again, start over.
Involuntarily, his mind supplies the image of Annabeth curled up by his side while they watch a movie. It's scary how easily he remembers the details, her scent, the weight of her head on his shoulders, the hand curled around his arm.
Now that he's looking back, maybe there was no stability, just a whisper of a dream that could never be.
-.-
He doesn't know what compels him to show up to the flight. Maybe it's because Instagram wasn't enough, or maybe it's because he just hates himself.
The royal family is flying out for business, so naturally a crowd has gathered to watch them board their private jet. He hides himself among the reporters as the prince finishes answering some questions and walks up the stairs.
And then, of course, her.
She looks as stunning as she always does, except for those moments at night when she's cried off her makeup at a movie and stuffing her face with pizza. Sunglasses cover her even more stunning eyes, making it impossible to read anything about her.
She waves to the crowd, shaking some hands as she walks.
And then she stops, abruptly.
He knows then, even with her sunglasses on, she's seen him.
Can tell by the way she stiffens, can tell by the way she clutches her phone tighter in her hand, can tell the month of radio silence from her is purposeful.
She recovers quickly though, continuing to walk forward, but just as she gets to the door, she turns around.
And he knows she's looking at him.
His heart is racing and he's not sure if coming was a good idea or not. He stays rooted to his spot even after she boards the jet, unable to move.
Unable to deny that she hasn't forgotten.
-.-
A few weeks later he's managed to get a night shift at a convince store that Grover's cousin owns and he's beyond grateful. He doesn't even mind the hours, because what else is he supposed to do with his life anyway.
Mostly, it's pretty quiet, and he busies himself in making sure everything looks neat and tidy.
The door dings and he moves from the soda/energy drink/lemonade section in the back towards the cash register to help whoever has just walked in.
It's a hooded figure, apparently perusing the gum options by the counter as they wait for him.
"How can I help you?" he asks, walking up the register. "I'd recommend the key lime pie if you can't decide," he adds, nodding towards the gum packets.
Wordlessly, they pick it up and drop it on the cash register as he gets the system ready.
"Is that all?" he asks, looking up.
Tired, longing eyes asking a desperate question and a makeup free face stare back at him.
BONUS:
She tells herself he's better off without her. Not an inaccurate assumption considering she's been nothing but trouble for him. In fact, she's never felt worse about herself.
What kind of person takes everything and gives back next to nothing?
"Annabeth! Posture! The media will—"
"Who cares!" She interrupts her mother. "Who cares what the media will say? I don't give a fuck!"
"Annabeth!"
The shock on her mothers' face is apparent. Sure, she talks back the most but never has she swore like this.
But she's had it. Because it's always something, makeup or posture or the stupid image and the media and she hates all of it.
She hates it even more with a broken heart.
She hates that she watches Wall-E just to cry.
She hates that she's just a robot, designed to do her little tasks.
She hates that he means more than she can bring herself to say.
-.-
"Annabeth, what are you doing?"
She looks up to find her mother standing in the doorway. She's midway through zipping her bag and her mother's eyes land on it.
"Are you serious?" She can feel the exasperation laced in her mother's tone.
Wordlessly, she finishes zipping up the bag and slings it around her shoulder.
"Yes."
Her mother sighs. "For him?"
"What?"
It's the first time she stops what she's doing to look up at her.
The queen shoots her a look. "That servant you fired."
Shock doesn't even begin to explain how she feels. How could her mother have know—
"You gave him money," the queen interrupts her thoughts.
She steps further into the room, shaking her head. "Why? What does he have that this family can't give you? He's too poor to provide you with anything."
Of course, her mother of all people would never understand.
"I just want to be somebody to someone."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Annabeth sighs. There's no good way of explaining this. "I want to be my own person, not the 'princess' designed to be a specific kind of way. I can't…I can't do that. I want to mean something…and he makes me feel like that."
Her mother throws up her hands "Are you crazy? You mean everything, you have the powers of the royal family, you can do anything, have anything."
Annabeth shakes her head. "I want him. He's my somebody."
Her mother purses her lips. "If you leave now, you're not getting the throne."
"That's okay with me."
"Annabeth—"
"I'm sorry, I'm not cut out for this." She looks up at her mother, her gaze softening. "Mom, despite all of this, I love you. And I hope you can forgive me."
She's never seen her mother at a loss of words. And then, with one last small smile, she walks out the door, out the gates and onto the sidewalk that feels like freedom.
This might be a dumb decision because he has every right to deny her. Not only did she fire him, but she never reached out again, never tried to apologize.
The only hope she holds is his face when he watched her get on the plane. The only reasons she thinks she might still have a chance.
She's told herself that he's better off without her.
But, as she checks the address on a crumpled-up piece of paper that Grover had handed to her, she's not better off without him.
So she walks into the harsh fluorescent lighting, drops a pack of gum on the counter and looks into the eyes of the one who makes her heart feel free.
A/N: Congrats on making it through this 7.9k oneshot lol I got a prompt request on tumblr for a royalty au and since I already wrote one I thought I'd make this one a modern royalty au to switch it up. (Also any OG How We Could Have Met readers get the reference at the end?)
This took forever to write and I really hope that you guys liked this! (Anyone watch Wall-E?) Also, shoutout to some tik toks that inspired a couple of the scenes that I then integrated into the (much) larger story. (Also it's completely coincidental that the Meghan Markle stuff happened recently lol)
There is some stuff to unpack with this and I hope to hear your thoughts on it in the reviews!
So Please Review! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this fic!
And as always, thanks for reading!
See ya! :)