For Percy, liking his best friend was never something good. Always catching the little things- like how Annabeth tucks her hair behind her ear when she's nervous, the way she grins in a certain way once she's found out a solution to a tough math problem, or how she always scribbles things in her journal when he visits.
1. he's such a dork.
"Can't you see that he's going to betray her?" Percy points to the t.v screen, exasperated. "Its obvious! He turned evil- why would he stick around to save her!?"
Annabeth scoffs. "You can't be serious! They have a bond of history, so why would he even do that?"
The t.v series they're binging in the background seems to fade as they throw around conspiracies around like a deranged youtuber. "The bad side tempted him!" Percy insists, popcorn and chip crumbs stuck on his face. "Power too! You seriously think there's no going back from that?"
"You bet there is!"
"Congrats, you're wrong."
"No I'm not," She argues. "the power of friendship prevails all!"
"The power of power prevails all!"
"Friendship!"
"Power!"
They argue for the rest of the episode, the characters long forgotten. They throw around food, Annabeth thwacks him with a pillow, and he continues to babble. It's like they're twelve again, lively compared to the dull age of eighteen. But then she laughs.
"I didn't think you were into these types of shows, Percy." She grins, sharing popcorn from out of a bowl as they lay in her bed side by side.
"And what is that supposed to mean!?" He sits forward and looks at her.
Annabeth snickers. "Nothing."
Percy huffs and tosses a piece of popcorn at her, the kernel landing on her pillow. "I say we watch Atlantis after."
"Only if I get to wear the blueberry scented face mask."
"Deal."
2. I love his smile.
They're watching the sunset.
Vibrant oranges, pinks, purples, and hints of blue paint the sky in a graceful way. The white clouds almost look like cotton candy- the texture soft and fluffy in the setting sun's light.
The shared blanket shifts beneath the two as Percy lays down. "You ever think that everyone secretly hates you?"
Annabeth looks at him weirdly from her spot on the other side of the blanket that shrouds the grass beneath them. There's about an arm's reach between the two; where they both outstretch their arms. So really there's only a couple of centimeters before their fingers touch.
"What do you mean?" She questions.
A leaf falls from the giant oak tree towering over them. He sighs. "Like maybe everyone just might be lying to you, behind your back. Don't you ever think that?"
"Oh Percy," She teases, grinning. "You don't have to think that when nobody even likes you in the first place."
Percy gasps dramatically. "Wow, thanks so much Annabeth! You're such a mood booster!" He pouts dramatically. "And are you saying you never liked me in the first place!?"
"Well, when we first met I thought lowly of you."
"That's because were were seven. And I knocked your ice cream on the ground."
"You still haven't apologized for that!" She exclaims sourly.
"Again, we were seven!"
"Whatever!"
Theres a beat of silence as they lay there, clouds starting to clear through the orange sun.
Annabeth speaks up. "But I guess if people really did hate you, they wouldn't do it behind your back. Plus," She sits up. "I'd have to be your only friend if that were to happen."
"So you do like me!" Percy insists.
"I can tolerate you." She says.
He frowns. "What a great friend you are."
"Kidding, kidding!" She laughs, sitting back down to lean on him. "Even if everyone hated you for some reason I'd still be your best friend. 'Cause that's what friends do, idiot."
"How sentimental." He deadpans. "Im pushing you out of the car when we drive back."
"But then the police will know who to suspect, a horrible plan, really. And we all know that you wouldn't do that to your dear best friend, now would you?"
Leaning more further into her, Percy sighs slowly. "You're right." He smiles, hiding his face by turning away from her.
But he's smiling. And Annabeth might think that he looks even more amazing when he does that.
3. I feel safe with him.
Percy, in fact, did not push her out of the car while they drove back.
It was about midnight when Annabeth left the library- about a time when walking home alone want the most smartest desicion.
This was a safer neighbourhood on the other hand, where kids played on the sidewalks and couples walked their dogs or went for a run. There had been no reports or crimes (well, not that she heard of) so it would be fine.
Right?
Even if her place was a little more farther away.
Annabeth feels drowsy; you know, from a whole day of studying from a laptop and some books. So why not head to the local convinience store to get some cheap iced coffee?
"Hey, you!"
Ah. So that's why.
She turns around just as she's only a meter away from entering the store, the fluorescent lights above her flickering. She knows that she shouldn't say anything to the man, to stay quiet, but she's heard stories of the people who ignored others. And what bad things had happened to them.
"H-hm?" Annabeth slowly starts to open the door, wary. The old creeps- two of them- laugh to themselves.
"Why don't you come over here?" One of them asks. "It isn't safe out here!" The sentence may seem like they're actually concerned, but the hidden intent in their eyes say otherwise.
It makes her want to leave immediately. "I know." Is all she says before entering the cold shop. Surely, it could provide some distance from them.
Taking as slowly as possible (well, as slow as you can get when you're getting some coffee and a snack) Annabeth moves turtle-like as she finds her way to the cashier. From her perhipial vision, she can see the two musty-looking people still there. They lock eyes for a second- and grin. Annabeth looks away in disgust.
wisegirl π©β¨
She hides in a aisle, whipping her phone out.
hey percy?
γΌ
seaweed brain π
mhm?
γΌ
wisegirl π©β¨ are u free ? I kinda need you here rn
γΌ
seaweed brain π
uh- its late? and I just woke up FDGCBHJK great now im hungry
γΌ
wisegirl π©β¨
put your hunger aside fOR ONE DAMN MINUTe PLS π you know the store near the library I visit? the one that has the one blue food dye you like?
γΌ
seaweed brain π
yea wht abt ut? *uut **IT
γΌ
wisegirl π©β¨
there are a few creeps here,,, can you pick me up? im kinda on edge abt them like they just look weird
γΌ
seaweed brain π
already on my way
Before she can let out a sigh of relief, the cashier speaks up. "Excuse me," He says. "If you're going to just stay here, I'm afraid you'll have to buy something and leave."
already on my wayAnnabeth looks up. "A-ah, okay. But is it okay if I just stay here for... five more minutes?"
"No can do," He sighs. "I have to take my break soon."
Fuck.
"Alright." Moving her legs slowly, she makes a step forward. Then another. And then another. Annabeth places the items on the counter. Surely enough, the gazes are still burning into her side.
"Five thirty seven."
"Mhm."
Can't this process take any longer? She wants to ask. Why are you going so fast? And why am I handing over the money so fast?
The cashier looks at her expectantly as she takes the bag, a doleful expression painted on her face. But Percy will be there soon, and they haven't tried anything yet; so what's the harm?
Please ignore me, please ignore me, please just ignore-
"Wanna stay with us for the night, pretty girl?" Just great.
"No, thanks." Annabeth shortly replies, only sparing a very quick glance. And, fuck, they're approaching her. Every fibre in her body tells her to walk away, run, but how can she- when one of them has her hand in their grasp?
She scowls at the contact, tearing her hand away. Rubbing it on her shirt, she shudders in disgust. "Don't touch me."
Its two words. But it's all it needs to make their eyes flash with anger. "What was that?"
"yeah, c'mon babe," The other says, "You look pretty lonely tonight. Why not let us fix that?"
Oh gods, these guys are out of their heads. She starts thinking about all the Instagram posts on what to do in situations like these- or even what to do if you're kidanpped. Funny. Her minds starts to blank.
"I said no," Annabeth says again, venom lacing her tone. "What do you not understand about that?" A bold move, yes, but it's worth it if she can just leave sooner and go home.
And then he's grabbing her. Pulling her closer, and closer, so that she has to physically reach back to not touch him further. This must be a dream- this cannot be happening to her.
"What the-"
But just before she can pull back, Annabeth feels someone's presence behind her.
"What the hell are you guys doing to her?"
Percy?
She whips her head around. Lo and behold, as he stands with his hands shoved deep inside his pockets. The glare he gives makes her tense; though not intended for her. It might as well be when she finds herself tense at the gaze.
"And who are you?"
"Her friend," He snarls, stepping forward. "And who are you?"
The two back away as if they're intimidated. By the way their faces pale, they are. The person lets go of her with an uneasy chuckle.
"R-relax dude, we were just leaving." One of them scoffs with a pathetic stutter. It makes Annabeth hold in a laugh. Maybe Percy can sense it too, because he gives a slightly narcissistic grin.
"Then get the fuck away from her."
They pause- but then finally leave with a few colourful insults that leave Annabeth raising an eyebrow. When they do, he turns to her immediately.
"Are you okay? Where'd they touch you? Do they hurt you somewhere?" Percy tilts his head in different angles, cupping her face. Annabeth smiles brightly and tugs his hands away.
"No, no!" She insists. "You came just in time."
"Are you sure?" He asks, concerned. His eyes shine in the dim lights overhead. "But you looked pretty shaken up, and what if I didn't come here in time-"
She pulls in to hug him. "I'm fine. Really." Annabeth whispers against his neck. His touch is warm; soft against her skin and smells of chlorine. "Thanks."
Pulling away, he smiles. "You don't have to thank me. But, hey," Percy starts, looking at her bag. "Wanna go to my place? I'm thinking of baking cookies."
Don't ask Percy when he fell in love with his best friend.
Even before her mind can make up her mind, Annabeth is already saying: "Sure."
Really, please don't.
But somehow along their long running friendship, something just changed. he started to notice how cute she was when she tucks her hair behind her ear whenever she's nervous, or the way she grins when she's solved a tough math problem. The way she hugged him, so joyful and familiar. It made his heart pound. It made him think thoughts that friends shouldn't think about each other.
It's the little things.
For him, too.
He made it a point to avoid his fans after swim practice (as much as he could, which wasn't very much) and went out to study every other day with Annabeth. Even if their campuses were miles away. Sometimes Percy even showed up to her place with a box of comfort foods to just be together.
Like today, where he spins on the office chair in her room. Annabeth scribbles something in that journal of hers, smiling to herself.
"What're you writing in there?" Percy asks. "What, you have a schoolcrush or something?"
She snaps it shut and blushes beer red. "N-no! I'm just..." Annabeth fumbles for a excuse- not like Percy notices. "Taking notes!" She smiles nervously.
Something he always had noticed ever since a few years back; was that whenever he was around, she was always writing something down in there. And even after those years, he had never gotten a peak at it.
"Well okay then, nerd, you wanna go binge another show?"
"Yeah."
But of course Percy valued her privacy. Curiosity killed the cat, after all.
So when one day Annabeth leaves her journal wide open on her bed, Percy can't help but let his eyes drift off to it.
"I'll go get something at the store," Percy had remembered her saying. "Its okay for you to stay here, right?"
No! Its definitely not okay to leave him here!
Curiosity killed the cat, yes, but satisfaction brought it back. The saying burns into his head as his eye catches- at the sight of his name on one of the pages.
Alright. He shouldn't talk about the journal like it's her most deepest darkest secrets on a few pages, except it could possibly be, and it's right there. Simple enough. Just close it, place it in her drawer, and go back on his phone.
If only it was that simple.
No- a lot of the pages.
Holy shit.
ALL THE RANDOM THINGS I LOVE LIKE ABOUT PERCY
And it's bad, it's really bad, that he can't stop himself from looking.
What's inside, however, is something that makes his mouth run dry.
1. he's such a dork (but I like that)
okay, journal, I know you're a inanimate object but I've heard writing out your feelings can help you, and I also know that I'm a college student and college students don't do this shit. But you're my last resort; so do me a solid and help me. deep inhale. well, okay. here goes.
gods, he really is. his dorky grin, the way he fumbles on his words when he's embarassed, the way he rants about things he really likes. why am I so sappy all of a sudden FUCKFUCKFUCK- it's really cute. so cute. very cute.
I like him. I love him. is that too much? i don't know. but I really, really like him. so much that it hurts. that kinda sounds weird.
but, yes, even when his eyes are red from tiredness and a all nighter he never fails to make my heart flip. maybe I should go to a hospital.
2. i love his smile SO SAPPY UGH
his smile. I love Percy's smile. Whenever he's happy, laughing, whatever- it just brings me to life. it waters my crops. he makes me feel alive, like I just had the best sleep in all my years of living.
at the same time, somehow, he makes me feel dead. my heart beats much too fast for a living being. Percy makes my brain short circuit, and makes my everything feel like mush. putty, if you will. you know, these sound like symptoms for some disease.
I REALLY need to visit the hospital.
3. AWW I feel safe with him
Yes.
I truly do.
I believe it started when he saved me from my bullies back in elementary school (though he himself was shaking and cowering in fear) or when I got caught in a tree once and reassured me that I wouldn't fall. When I did, however, he caught me.
But I think it really was when I just felt like I could trust him.
Trusting. A word that I'm not really familiar with.
Okay, yeah, I can trust a few people. But Percy... he just made me feel wanted for once. Valued.
or is that too weird? idk-
I... knew that when he skipped swim practice for me back then; when I wasn't in a very good place. he spent the rest of the day with me telling the most stupidest jokes ive ever heard.
I knew that when he made a hundred sticky notes for me saying all different things about the things he likes about me when I was stressed over my grades. I can still remember one: he drew two stick figures hugging and hearts all around them that said that's me and you!
why the hell am I crying? WHY A G?
But of course. Vulnerability can also link with safeness and trust.
What pushed me to finally realize my feelings for him was how vulnerable we could be with each other. It's not one sided. Or anything like that.
I think I fell in love with the Percy who bakes blue food at two AM just because he was feeling it.
The twelve year old Percy who came to my doorstep crying because his step dad just threw something at him and his mom wasn't home. (We slept over that day, and I hugged him the hardest I ever had)
The Percy who isn't just the cocky and sarcastic bitch person, but rather the insecure and raw side of him.
If only people could see that- get to know him- maybe they might see him differently. You know. Not just as that hotshot swimmer.
haha writer mode go brrr
All he can do is stand still- because shit, his head is racing. His fingertips- they're aching, and is he tearing up?
Annabeth feels the same way? All this time?
And Percy didn't know?
There's a step behind him, then a silent thump of a bag.
"P-Percy?"
It's Annabeth.
Over the span of him reading the pages, Percy hadn't realized that he was holding it firmly in his hands. When he finally notices, however, he throws it back into her bed rushedly.
"Oh! Annabeth!" Percy laughs nervously. Her eyes; they're blown wide open. "What brings you here?" Stupid. Why'd you say that!? Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"Did y-you," She points to the journal on her bed with a shaky hand. Her blood runs cold. "Did you see what's written inside?"
Crickets.
Something tells him he should lie, say no and shake his head, but he just can't. Percy never could bring himself to do such a thing in any situation anyways. "...Maybe? Yes?"
Annabeth sucks in a breath. "Oh gods." Turning away, she covers her blushing face. "I'm sorry! Please just ignore that! I'm so sorry!"
"No- Its fine! I-"
"Oh fuck, I just ruined our friendship. Great, going, Chase! She mutters to herself. "I-I'll leave now! Goodbye!"
But this is your house? Percy wants to interject, but she's already out the door and down the stairs. Her hair flies behind her in messy masses, face still flushed in heat.
"Wait!" He reaches an arm out to grasp her. She walks faster than anyone Percy's seen before. "Please,"
He finally grabs her arm. "Just wait."
"But I just ruined everything! You can't possibly stand to see me. I understand that you want to end things here, so-
"No." He firmly says, though his voice begs to crack. Are his hands sweaty? He doesn't hope so. "I like you too."
Annabeth nearly chokes- but opts to stay composed. Well, as composed as you can get when you're beet red and flustered. "...What?"
"I like you too," Percy repeats, holding her arm with much more softness before letting go. "Gods, and I've always had, Annabeth; so fucking much." I love you in the ways people can't notice, I love you in the ways that you can't notice.
I love you in the little things.
She stays silent. Did he say something wrong? Was that too much? Or was it too hard to understand? he's starting to regret this.
"...You do?" Her eyes shine with something Percy can't describe. But it's beautiful.
"Yes. Yes, I do." He pulls away, heart beating out of his chest. She's frozen. All the daydreams spent wondering about this moment- it's finally here.
But then Annabeth is kissing him.
Kissing him with screwed shut eyes, with her hands cupping his face, with her body pressed up against his.
Annabeth's lips are softer than he ever imagined. They taste like lemon lip gloss, a taste that makes his head spin. It's passionate; so passionate, heated, as they both lean in more. They both want more. More, more, and more, until they're breathless and panting.
She feels like she's on cloud nine.
Because holy shit, she's kissing Percy Jackson.
By the time they've pulled away, her wishes are granted and they're both breathless. Annabeth can't bring herself to open her eyes again.
"I love you too." She decides to say.
When they can finally kiss and hold hands in public and in front of his fans, Annabeth might think she's the happiest she's ever been. She's with her best friend, and he's finally with her.
After allβ its the little things that count.