A/N: Once again, THIS STORY ISN'T MINE! I can't take credit for writing this masterpiece, I just copied and pasted it from tumblr so it can reach a larger audience! The writer of this story is tumblr user storiesoftheseven . Here's the link to the master post of Falling For the Devil : post/116271170930/fftd-master-post
I took my love and took it down, I climbed a mountain and I turned around, and I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills, till the landslide brought me down.
There was absolutely nothing to do and Annabeth was loving every single second of it. Especially since she had her favorite book, a hammock and the perfect view. Not a perfect view in the traditional sense, just the perfect view of her husband swimming in the pool that accompanied their villa.
They had been out here all morning and he was taking full advantage of slowly torturing her to death by parading his ridiculously in shape body around. He was lean and had a subtle build. Just looking at him, you wouldn't think he was all muscle but now… with his shirt off and his swim trunks swung low on his hips, it was all on display.
And she had front row view.
She had on a fairly simple two piece, one that she had thrown into her suitcase just in case they went somewhere tropical. It had gotten his attention when she walked outside and laid on the hammock.
Annabeth wasn't really sure if they would be intimate on this trip, she was trying to keep herself at a distance while still letting him know she was here- and she was ready. She wanted him, but not at the price of him reverting back. Annabeth didn't know if sex would do that but she knew if he experienced a true moment of intimacy with her then it would change everything between them.
And maybe it was foolish of her to hold out, or to want that, but she couldn't bring herself to change her mind. Even though waiting was just as hard on her as it was him. Annabeth flipped the page on her book and sighed into the pages, what she wouldn't give for a normal relationship.
"Want to go out to the beach?" She put her book down and saw Percy walking toward her, his hair in disarray as he dried it with a towel. She nodded and got up from the hammock, leaving her book but grabbing her sunglasses.
Percy put a hand around her waist as they walked down the stairs toward the sandy pathway that led to the beach. Annabeth peered up at him him as they walked, he had been uncharacteristically silent this morning. She figured it had something to do with his phone call to Reyna last night.
They were walking through the shallow water clinging to the other when she finally brought it up.
"How did your talk with Reyna go?" She asked looking in front of her, to the endless stretch of beach.
Percy sighed next to her and tightened his grip on her hips, "It was… okay."
Annabeth rolled her eyes and looked at him, "Seriously? You're not going to tell me?"
He stopped walking and looked at her, "I'm just trying to keep as much information off of you as possible… I don't want you to get caught in the crossfire if this goes south."
Annabeth lifted a hand to his chest, "I know you're worried, I can see it in your eyes." He shrugged and leaned down, dragging his lips across her's slowly. She kissed him back for a moment but not in a way that made him think he was winning.
Percy pulled back and glared, "You're not going to drop this, are you?"
Annabeth shrugged, "I'll give you some space but I don't want you, for a second, believing that I can't handle whatever is happening. If you're concerned for my safety, then I need to know." He shook his head and frowned before pulling them down the beach again. Annabeth curled into his side as they walked, not really saying anything. It seemed that they were at an impasse with the whole information sharing.
But she didn't want to back down, she didn't want Percy keeping things from her for the sake of her safety. She needed to know what was going on, especially if they were trying to have a normal relationship.
Which, now that she thought about it, was where it all stemmed from. Percy wasn't actively trying, well not that he knew of anyways, so maybe he felt he could keep things from her and it be okay.
When in reality, it was not okay. Annabeth didn't need him to be her knight in shining armor, how many times had she told him that already? She just wanted him, and only him, fucked up as he was- she still wanted him. She sighed and looked up at him, she wanted to ask him if he wanted her in the same way but kept her thoughts to herself. If he wanted her, he knew exactly what to do.
Annabeth curled her arm tighter around his waist and kissed his jaw just underneath his chin. The stubble itched her lips but it got him to smile anyways.
0-0-0-0-0
Annabeth had long learned that people moved in cycles, good ones and bad ones. Everything sort of came full circle in everyone's life, sooner or later. Annabeth should have known everything was too good to be true, she should have known that sooner or later it would all go to shit.
It happened that morning as she was getting ready, her mother called her- she wanted Annabeth to meet her as soon as possible. It made Annabeth jittery and really snappy at breakfast, she was surprised Percy hadn't called her out on it. Especially after their last weekend trip to the Caribbean together, things had gotten even more solid between them in those three days.
He just kept his thoughts to himself. She had decided to wait until the late afternoon to go see her mother but part of her wanted to talk to Percy about it. But she thought that they were still keeping secrets from each other.
She sighed as she sat in her office, not really scared but anxious to know what in the world her mother wanted. She had never really admitted this to herself but she never wanted to take over Olympic Industries and she hoped with every single part of her that this wasn't what her mother wanted to see her for.
It was thirty minutes before she needed to leave that she found herself standing in front of Percy's office door, pacing. Trying to decide if she wanted to tell him, trying to decide if she wanted to trust him with this.
Her shoulders slumped because she should trust him with this. He had been so amazing lately, so willing to be affectionate and open. She should give him this, even if this was the sole premise of their marriage.
Her impending takeover of Olympic Industries was the only reason he had forced her into marrying him. It scared her that this was exactly what he wanted, all of this progress could go out the window the moment she told him her mother had summoned her.
"Mrs. Jackson are you going to go in?" Charles asked as she paced.
She stopped and looked at Percy's favored bodyguard, "Yeah."
He knocked and then opened the door wide, she walked in. Percy frowned at her and got up from his office chair.
"I'm assuming you're here to tell me why you were so… distant at breakfast."
Annabeth shrugged as he reached her, she started wringing her hands together. A look crossed his features, one that was unrecognizable. He grabbed her hands.
"What's wrong, Annabeth?"
She sighed and opened her mouth several times before he pulled her into his embrace. He hugged her as she felt her pulse race throughout her veins.
"Are you pregnant?" He whispered into her ear.
She laughed, a burst of air against his chest, "Oh gods, no!" She pulled back, "I almost wish it were that instead of this."
He narrowed his eyes as she continued, "My mother wants to see me… she made it very clear that it was an urgent matter and I have reason to believe it's because of my impending takeover of Olympic Industries."
He pursed his lips, "Oh."
Annabeth nodded, this was it. This was the moment he was going to revert back to his old self and not the person he had been since that day in the graveyard. She was scared and he must have seen it in her eyes.
"Annabeth," He said softly.
She bit her lip as he pulled her to the couch that sat in front of the fireplace. He sat down and pulled her into his side. She liked being there too much, she loved the feel of his heart beating against her own hand. And after this meeting she wouldn't be able to have it anymore because he was finally getting what he wanted.
He would cast her aside.
"How do you feel about this?" He asked, stroking her back.
She leaned back to look at him, "I was hoping it was years away… Athena has always been so adamant that I would take over one day but I had always assumed she wouldn't give it to me until she was on her deathbed."
Percy smiled at her, "What do you want to do, Annabeth. I will support you in whatever you decide."
She looked at him a bit taken back at his words, "You will support me even if I decide to give it to Malcolm? Who, honestly, deserves it more than me."
Percy nodded, slowly- deliberately.
Annabeth crawled into his lap, "You don't want it anymore?"
Percy sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "I… want you more."
She sucked in a deep breath, "Percy, we're not defined… we have a loose definition of monogamy. I mean I haven't seen any of the girls around lately but… that doesn't mean anything. If you want me more than my mother's company then you know what I want…. and last time I checked you were unwilling to give that to me."
He nodded, "I know… and I'm working on it."
Annabeth scrunched her eyebrows together, "You're working on what? Your fear of commitment?"
Percy glared at her, "You know what I mean."
Annabeth sighed, "Do I?"
Percy kissed her, "I'm trying to give you more, trying to trust you more," he paused, "I haven't been with anyone else lately… you were the last person I had sex with."
Annabeth was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't been with Calypso? But, she had been naked underneath her robe and they had been so convincing.
"But… what about-"
He shook his head, "Gods no, Calypso was just a ploy to get you to believe I didn't care."
Annabeth laughed, she threw her head back and laughed. He really was trying. She looked at him and kissed him, long and slow, "Thank you."
Percy smiled against her lips and kissed her again. When he pulled back he asked, "So, what do you want to do if your mother offers you Olympic Industries?"
Annabeth knew what she wanted to do but she'd have to play her cards right. Because if her mother knew then she wouldn't give the company to Annabeth. She'd give it to the Vice President, Artemis, in a heartbeat.
"I have an idea… but I'll need more time to plan it out if it's to succeed."
Percy pulled her close again, "Do you want me to come with you?"
Annabeth nuzzled his neck, "No, I think I need to do this by myself."
Percy nodded, "I'll be in the city this afternoon, I could drive you and pick you up then we could get dinner?"
She pulled back and kissed him, "Sounds perfect, especially after spending the afternoon with my mother."
Percy frowned at her, "It'll be okay… you're a grown woman Annabeth, you had a successful career, graduated second in your class at Harvard… you are something to be proud of."
Her breath hitched in her throat, Athena had never uttered those words to her. In all the years of Annabeth over achieving, Athena had never uttered the words she was proud of her.
She smiled at him, just the lifting of one side of her mouth, "Thank you."
Percy kissed her hair, "I have a surprise for you, this seems like the right moment to let you in on it."
Annabeth eyed him suspiciously as she got up, "Okay." Percy smiled at her and pulled her from his office. They walked down the hallway and up the stairs, to a part of the mansion Annabeth had never been in before.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
He smirked over his shoulder at her, "You'll see." She nodded and continued to walk next him until they stopped in front of two dark wooden doors. He opened the door and they walked inside.
"Why are we in the master bedroom, Percy?" She asked quietly, looking at him. The room was bare and had nothing in it.
Percy looked over at her and smiled wide, "I've had the maids clearing it out and cleaning it all week."
Annabeth bit her lip and looked around at the large, spacious master bedroom, "Okay."
Percy laughed and pulled her closer to him, she went willingly enough, confusion still etched in her face, "This is my belated birthday present, well, second birthday present. I want you to design this room in any way you want it. You will have anything at your disposal, designers, contractors, money. Anything to make this room exactly how you want it…. and then when it's finished I would like for us to live here."
Annabeth's mouth gaped open for a moment, "Us? Live together?"
Percy nodded and watched her expression warily, this was honestly the very last thing on her mind. She didn't think he would want to share a room with her permanently. A wide smile spread across her lips, she reached up and kissed him.
"So, you want me to decorate our room?"
Percy smiled, "Yes." Annabeth laughed and looked around again, the possibilities endless with a blank palate and an endless amount of resources.
She looked back at him, "Okay." He pulled her body against his and buried his nose into her neck, nuzzling.
"The sooner the better, preferably." He muttered placing a kiss on her shoulder.
Annabeth laughed and pulled away from him completely, taking the time to walk around the outrageously large room. It was beautiful, recess lighting, crown molding, chandeliers, exotic hardwood floors. She wandered around the room taking in the large windows and the balcony that looked over the gardens.
She could already imagine drinking her morning tea out there, waiting for Percy to wake up- him joining her with his bed head. Annabeth walked into the large bathroom they would share and smiled. The bathtub in the center of the room was elegant and modern. The shower in the corner was spacious- she ran her hands over the cool metal of the fixtures on the sink.
Percy walked up behind her and she looked at him through the mirror and smiled. She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned into her and she kissed him.
She pulled away first, happy- too happy, "So, this is going to be our room?"
Percy chuckled, "If you want it to be."
She laughed and kissed him again, "Yes, I want it to be, idiot…. but as much as I would like to stay here and dream up exactly what I want in this room that will have to wait until tomorrow. I have to get changed for my meeting with mother."
Percy frowned and pulled away from her completely, "I'll see you later, in the city." Annabeth smiled at him and walked back to her room.
0-0-0-0-0
Athena had always been terrifying in her mind, it wasn't until Annabeth had moved out that she started to view her mother in a different light. It wasn't until she got some separation from her mother's goals and plans for her life that she had finally seen everything for the way that it was.
Her mother was power hungry and never going to change, she wanted Annabeth to follow exactly in her footsteps. When Annabeth deflected after college, in favor of starting from the ground up somewhere, her mother had cut her trust fund off.
Granted, her grandfather, Zeus had it reinstated not even an hour later. Stating that it was his decision, since he was the one who opened it for her. She never really touched the trust fund money, except in the case of an emergency.
Mostly she had just relied on the paycheck she made from her steady and oh so normal forty hour a week job.
She missed working, Annabeth missed the tension of meeting a deadline- when she worked the best. She missed being more than Percy's wife. Apart of her, the still bitter part, wanted to work again, wanted to work with more than just Manhattan's richest wives. It was like a reality show, whenever Elizabeth called a meeting.
But now that Percy had given her something she loved to do, designing their new room, she was beginning to feel a spark inside her that was dying out the longer she stayed with Percy. It made her sad as the car stopped and she headed into Olympic Industries, she had ridden into the city with Percy but Charles had dropped him off at his meeting first.
Gods, she had missed work so much.
Annabeth felt a different side of her begin to rise up, a side of her that had been dormant for way too long. The business woman ingrained in her, the woman who wanted to change the world without her mother's influence.
She deflated a little, she still wanted to change the world but not at the cost of being her mother's CEO. She knew it would still be controlled by her mother's hand picked board and investors. There was no way Athena was going out without a fight on her hands.
The trek up to the seventy ninth floor was mostly boring. She turned several heads, mostly because she looked identical to her mother and also because she was married to Percy. When she entered her mother's private floor the assistant noticed her right away.
"Ms. Chase, your mother is expecting you."
Annabeth almost rolled her eyes, "It's Mrs. Jackson now."
The assistant turned red with embarrassment, "Oh, yes… I'm so sorry- right this way Mrs. Jackson."
Annabeth followed behind her and noticed a few other people on the floor, they watched her as she walked down the long hallway. She felt strangely similar to a person who was walking toward their death.
The thought had her reeling and shaking her head, recalling all of the anti-anxiety techniques she had learned in therapy as a child.
Soon, she was standing in front of the large doors that led into Athena's office trying to remember how to act like an adult. Why is it that her mother always brought out the worst in her, always made her feel so inadequate that she reverted back to this bubbling mess she hadn't been in years.
She was married to Percy Jackson of all people, Athena Olympia should be no problem. Except that she was, she was her mother- a mother who had never acted like a mother- and someone Annabeth so desperately sought after for approval.
Percy's words from earlier in the day flickered across her mind, bringing a light sheen of tears across her eyes.
You are something to be proud of.
Annabeth smiled and straightened her back, she could handle her mother and whatever she threw at her today.
"You're late." Athena said, looking up from the tea glass she was stirring.
Annabeth forced a smiled and shut the office door behind her, "You look well, mother." Athena beckoned her forward. She sat on the sofa and looked at the spread before her.
"I wasn't sure if you'd had lunch before so I had my assistant get us something light to snack on while we talked."
Annabeth crossed her legs and looked at her mother, really wanting to cut through the crap and just have her mother come out with what she wanted. But Athena would never do that, there was a protocol, niceties that needed to be followed before Athena would confirm her suspicion of why she was here to begin with.
"Eat, Annabeth… There is much to discuss." Athena said with a sip of her tea.
Annabeth nodded to her mother and picked up a plate and placed a few pieces of food on to it. She honestly picked around her food as her mother kept alternating between answering her cell phone and eating her own food.
Finally, after what felt like years Athena turned her phone off and looked at Annabeth.
"You know I don't like to beat around the bush, so I'm just going to say it." Annabeth nodded and took a sip of her own tea, watching the way her mother folded her hands into her lap.
"Your grandfather wants me to resign as CEO of Olympic Industries, he said I could pick my replacement. I assume he thought I would pick Malcolm but you are much more suited for the job." Annabeth nodded and felt her nerves settle, so she had been right about why her mother wanted to see her.
"Okay, where do I come into this?" Annabeth asked, knowing exactly where she fit int.
Athena shifted in her seat, "I want you to be my replacement, you are the most suitable for the job."
Annabeth sighed and sipped on her tea again, "I have… other responsibilities mother."
Athena barked out a laugh, "You mean being a trophy wife to your husband, the criminal?"
Annabeth grit her teeth together, "He's much more than that."
Her mother grabbed her own tea glass, "You will take over Olympic Industries, your grandfather would be severely disappointed if it didn't stay within the family."
"So, if I don't take it you would still give it to someone else besides Malcolm?" Annabeth asked.
Athena shrugged, "He's not smart enough." Annabeth rolled her eyes, she'd had enough of her mothers prejudice against Malcolm. He had graduated from Yale in the top ten of his class, not smart enough would be like the pot calling the kettle black. Athena was brilliant in her own right but still didn't graduate in the top ten of her class at Stanford, where she had met Annabeth's father.
After her father had died Athena had tried to love again but failed, Malcolm was the product of that marriage. Annabeth didn't know if Athena resented Malcolm for existing or if she was just afraid to love anyone else who might leave her.
Annabeth sighed and looked at her mother, the plan she had been thinking of since she left the mansion resonating in her mind.
"I'll do it but only if Malcolm is my CFO." Athena pursed her lips.
Annabeth squared her shoulders back and looked at her mother, "He graduated from Yale with a degree in Finance…. he has worked his entire life for this position, Mother."
"And you graduated from Harvard, one of the top people in your class and you're playing trophy wife." Her mother said with a hint of bitterness.
"The point?" Annabeth asked.
Athena smirked, "The point is that sometimes we don't get to do what our degrees intended for us to do."
Annabeth tilted her head to the side, "If Malcolm isn't the CFO I won't do it, these are my terms mother." Athena leaned back in her chair and picked up her phone. She dialed a number and then spoke in hushed words.
When she finished she looked at Annabeth, "I'll have the contracts sent over to your home office tomorrow, have your attorney read over it and then send it back to me with revisions. I would like for this to be announced at the end of summer gala."
Annabeth nodded and grabbed her purse, "Okay." She hugged her mother and all but ran to do the door. When she was finally outside she took a deep breath, she looked down the sidewalk and saw Percy leaning against the car.
She smiled and walked toward him, "Hey."
He smiled at her and pulled her into his embrace, "You okay?"
She sighed, "Yeah, I guess… I was right, though."
He nodded and opened the door, "Want to talk about it?"
She slid in the car and waited for him to join her side, "Maybe tomorrow, tonight I would just like to be with you and forget about my mother." Percy smiled and leaned over to kiss her, she kissed him back.
His lips sliding across hers slowly, his fingers rubbing up and down her neck. She felt like an electric current was running all the way through her body. Annabeth didn't know how much longer she could go without being intimate with him.
It wasn't until they were pulling in front of the restaurant that they pulled away from her each other. She was basically straddling his hips, the divider separating them from Charles as he drove was up so he couldn't see them. Annabeth had the satisfaction of seeing his face flush and the obvious state of his excitement flush against her thigh.
She pulled him into another sultry kiss before letting him go completely. He frowned at her and fixed his clothing as she did the same. When they were on the sidewalk several minutes later, he pulled her into his side.
His breath washing over her ear as they walked toward the door, his hand squeezed her side, "Later."
She felt the familiar rush of pleasure race down her back with a shiver, she smirked over at him, "If you're lucky." He laughed and pushed the door to the restaurant open.