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
Give me love like never before, 'cause lately I've been craving more, and it's been a while but I still feel the same, maybe I should let you go, you know I'll fight my corner, and that tonight I'll call ya, after my blood is drowning in alcohol, no I just wanna hold ya. give a little time to me or burn this out, we'll play hide and seek to turn this around, all I want is the taste that your lips allow, my, my, my, my, oh give me love, give a little time to me, or burn this out, we'll play hide and seek to turn this around, all I want is the taste that your lips allow.
Dinner passed in a blur of too much wine and laughter. It was a nice change from what was their old relationship, him making her laugh- being different than he use to be. She liked it. Actually, she loved it- she loved him, even more so when he was showing a different side of himself to her.
Which he was doing so much more now, it made Annabeth happy- it made hope roar in her chest. Hope that sooner, rather than later, they would be something so much more- so that all of the shit she'd put up with in the last five months had been worth it.
That he was worth it.
After the afternoon she had with her mother this was exactly the evening she needed. Annabeth needed to remember why she was giving up her mother's company- it was more than just her need to make her own name for herself- it was more than her simply not wanting to be CEO. Giving up the company while married to Percy had been the ultimate way to test out her theory that he did care for her. That he did, in his own way, want to be with her.
When he'd told her earlier that he wanted her more, her heart had leapt for joy. Her eyes pricking with tears because that was the one thing she had wanted to hear since she realized she would do anything to be with him.
Ever since the Fourth of July her heart had been out on the line and it was nice to know, now, where they were headed. Where she officially stood in his heart. He was trying to give her exactly what she wanted and that was enough to get her through whatever was coming next, whatever Kronos threw at them.
Annabeth knew that Percy was still dealing with Kronos, she had seen the bags under his eyes at breakfast. She had noticed the way his eyes darted from left to right when they were together in the city. He was keeping whatever was happening from her and it irritated her. She didn't need to be protected, she wanted to help him- even more so now that Luke was helping Kronos.
She didn't even know what she thought about that, what a mess she had gotten herself in with Luke. With his feelings and with hers- with her wanting to defy Percy by being with Luke. If Percy hadn't been so controlling and if she hadn't been so stubborn then maybe they wouldn't be in this situation.
Maybe… but it was all in the past and she couldn't go back and change it. She could only go forward- go forward with Percy and their new relationship.
"What are you thinking about?" Percy asked as he helped her out of the restaurant booth.
Annabeth shrugged as they started walking toward the exit, "Different things."
He frowned at her and held the door open, "Like what?"
Annabeth sighed and took his hand as they walked down the sidewalk, toward the car, "Mostly us."
"Oh."
Annabeth smiled to herself, that shut him up really quick, "Cat got your tongue?" She teased, tossing a smile over her shoulder.
Percy chuckled at her, "No, I just… don't want to say anything that would…. upset you."
Annabeth frowned at him, "Percy, my day isn't complete until you say something that upsets me one way or another."
He looked at her and sighed, "I know… my lack of tact isn't exactly ideal…. but I'm working on choosing my words more carefully."
She smiled up at him but instead of responding she kissed him. He pulled back and smiled at her before he kissed her again while they were standing in the center of an empty sidewalk. Their earlier passion giving away to something deeper and far more sweeter than before. The way his lips were brushing against hers, softly- no bruising force- the way his hands were holding her gently. It was enough to overwhelm her for a moment.
Annabeth had never imagined they would ever get to this point, it had seemed so far away. He pulled away from her and leaned his forehead against hers, both of them just reveling in the feel of the other- both of them content.
After a moment he pulled back and straightened up, he started to pull her down the sidewalk- only to stop a moment later. Annabeth looked around confused, there were five guys around them. One leaning against the car on the curb next to them, a couple standing several feet in front of them- one standing behind them and another leaning against the alley wall to the right.
Percy cursed and let go of her hand as the one leaning against the car spoke, "Take all the time you need to say goodbye, because after we're finished with you she's coming with us."
Annabeth shivered, she wasn't going anywhere without with Percy, "You do realize you just signed your own death certificates," Percy replied in the eerily calm voice she hadn't missed.
The guy laughed, "It's the five of us against you, I think we'll manage okay."
Annabeth tensed next to Percy, she watched the way his eyes darted from left to right, "It's your funeral." Percy said just as a shot rang through the air.
The air rushed out of her lungs as Percy grabbed her and pushed her behind the car the guy had been leaning against. The guy behind them was laying on the ground- blood running down his face.
Annabeth looked at Percy with wide eyes as he placed a swift kiss to her forehead, "Stay here."
She didn't even have time to respond before he grabbed a gun from his jacket and rushed along down the other side of the car. She kept her head down and tried to keep from gasping too loudly anytime she heard a gunshot. Her heart beating in her chest, her palms sweaty. She looked up one time to see what was going on and she wished she hadn't.
Three of the five guys were on the sidewalk, blood coming from various body parts. Charles was taking on the guy who had been leaning against the alley, fists flying. Percy was struggling with the guy who had been by the car she was hiding behind. Both of them landing punches and kicks in equal measure.
Neither one of them had their guns, it was a battle of the strongest- and if Percy went down, Charles would too. She couldn't let that happen, she couldn't not do anything. Annabeth looked around the sidewalk, looked for something- anything that would help.
She spotted a gun a few feet away, she didn't know if it had bullets but it was worth a try. It would also get her in a shit ton of trouble with Percy later- if they made it through this ambush. The ambush that was undoubtedly Krono's work. Annabeth was determined that after this, if they made it through, he wouldn't keep things from her anymore.
Annabeth took a deep breath and darted for the gun, no one even paid attention to her. She grabbed it and prayed that it had at least one bullet and took aim at the guy who was, now on top of Percy- trying to strangle him- long past punches.
Her heart skipped a beat as she took aim, much like that day in the warehouse- when she shot Luke. She could almost hear Percy's taunting voice circling her and a part of her faltered- just for a second. But she shook her head, settled her gaze on the guy on top of Percy and pulled the trigger.
Everything seemed to flow in slow motion as the loud bang from the gun went off. All the fighting noises stopped and then she felt someone grab the gun from her. She focused her gaze and saw Charles, he had a small smile on his face as he turned and walked over to Percy.
Charles held his hand out to Percy and helped him up, like it was no big deal she had just shot someone. The guy she had shot in the back laid on his side next to Percy, his eyes closed- his body completely still.
"We need to get out of here." Charles said to Percy as he stood up.
Percy nodded and walked to Annabeth, "Are you okay?"
She nodded, woodenly- she had just shot someone and they were dead. She had just killed for Percy- she was momentarily shaken out of her stupor as Percy scooped her up and carried her to car that was only twenty feet from them.
Annabeth hadn't realized they were that close to the car, she probably should have made a run for it. The windows were bullet proof, she would have been well protected. She was faintly aware of getting into the car and it moving, fast, down the road. It wasn't until Percy grabbed her face that she came back to reality, "Annabeth." His voice was sharp, like needles pressing into her skin.
"I'm okay." She responded, lifting a hand to his face and rubbing the bruises starting to form. Percy nodded once before he took out his phone and dialed what she assumed was Reyna's number. He spoke in short clipped sentences and was off the phone before she had even taken two breaths.
When the phone was back in his pocket he pulled her against his chest. She buried her hands into the lapels of his jacket and held on for dear life. She was still scared but it was dying the longer Percy held her.
They didn't say much on the ride back to the mansion but she did feel Percy kiss her forehead. She felt his lips moving against her skin- the small breath of words blowing over her hair. If she concentrated she could probably make out those words but she was just happy to be in his arms.
When they arrived back to the mansion, Percy escorted her to her room. She walked in and immediately shed her clothes- today had been the most stressful day of her life. First, the meeting with her mother and then this ambush by Kronos.
She was exhausted as she walked toward the bathroom, ignoring Percy. She needed to be alone for a moment- needed some perspective on this whole day.
"I'm going to shower," She spoke from the bathroom, "Go make the calls you need to make."
Percy huffed and followed her into the bathroom, "I'm not leaving you."
Annabeth sucked in a deep breath, "I want to be alone, Percy."
He scowled at her, "I'm not leaving you, I'll be in your bedroom if you need me."
She rolled her eyes and stepped into the hot water flowing from the showerhead. The hot water bringing her back to the reality and easing her tense muscles. Easing the pain starting to radiate throughout her whole body- her muscles starting to unwind themselves.
Annabeth sat down in the middle of the shower and started crying- she hadn't cried in forever. All of the emotions of the past few weeks were catching up with her, she needed to get away- maybe even away from Percy and all of the baggage he brought with him.
The baggage that followed him everywhere, but the thought of leaving him only made the tears come in torrents.
She was so screwed.
When she was finished crying she washed up and got out. She found Percy laying in her bed, shoes off, jacket, shirt and pants thrown over one of her chairs- he was sound asleep. Annabeth changed into something quickly and climbed into bed with him. She curled around him, spooning him, wrapping her arms around his torso. He let out a sigh and snuggled deeper into her, she cried a little more.
She kissed his bare shoulder blade and thought about waking him up to shower, to get cleaned up but the thought quickly vanished. She knew he hadn't slept well in weeks and she wasn't about to make him lose anymore sleep.
Annabeth buried her face into his neck and closed her eyes, hoping to forget all about this day.
0-0-0-0-0
Five hours, maybe?
That was how long she lasted until she woke up from the lack of warmth laying next to her. Annabeth sat up in the bed and looked around, she saw Percy sitting in front of her fireplace. The room dark, no fire lighting up the room. She eased herself out of bed and walked over to him, she saw the glass of bourbon in his hand.
Something he drank to ease the burden of his life. He looked at her and frowned.
"Why aren't you asleep?" He asked, his face and torso a myriad of bruises and scratches- but nothing too bad.
She shrugged and climbed into his lap, he set his drink down and pulled her closer to him, "Why are you sitting here in the dark?"
He kissed her hair, "I woke up about an hour ago, couldn't sleep any longer… I showered and then got a drink."
Annabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, "You need to rest just as much as I do."
Percy shook his head, "No, I need to figure out a way to pay that asshole back for trying to kidnap you and kill me."
She kissed his bare shoulder, "I'm fine, Percy."
He looked down at her, "Now you are, but what if he tries it again? I'm not willing to let this happen a second time… I will take retribution against him for this, he crossed the line."
Annabeth sighed, "Okay…. Can you come back to bed, now… you can think about it in the morning."
He nodded slowly and leaned down to kiss her, she kissed him back. It was sweet and chaste until something close to fear gripped her chest- she could have lost him tonight. She could have never had a chance to be with him again like this.
It had her sitting up and throwing a leg over his waist and straddling his lap. Their lips still connected in a desperate, I'm so happy you're alive, kiss. Percy moved his hands to her hair, pulling her so much closer. The desperation seeming to grip him too, or maybe it had always been there, maybe he was just better at controlling himself than she was.
He pulled away and rested his forehead against her own, "Annabeth." He whispered.
She was breathing heavy as she took in the look on his face- his eyes were bright, anticipation clear in them. Annabeth was all ready to go through a speech about how she didn't want to wait to be with anymore when he picked her up and walked her to the bed. She yelped slightly when he stood and clutched him closer until he sat her on the bed.
She scooted back when she was sitting on the downy comforter and he followed. Annabeth smiled wide and pulled him down to her again, lips crashing against her own. A desperate tangle of limbs, mouths eagerly molding over the others. He allowed her hands to roam freely, starting at his hair- down his neck, his back and then around to his chest. Percy panting into her mouth, lips just touching and not moving as she touched him.
It was so foreign, the last time they did this Percy only allowed her to touch him for a few moments before he took over control again. This time, though, he was allowing her free reign and she relished it. She relished the warmth between her fingers, the steady thrumming of his heartbeat beneath her hand.
Percy lifted his head back up to look at her, the fear of the evening written all over his face. He needed to be with her just as much as she wanted to be with him. Annabeth lifted back up and kissed him, slow- rocking her hips into his.
He responded to her immediately- it was wanton and eager.
After her movement it was all desperate clinging and clothes being pulled from the other's body. His large hands kneading her into her oblivion, his mouth moving down her neck. Something being whispered into her skin. She couldn't quite make out the words but she didn't mind so much because he was there and he was okay- they were okay.
The desperate pool of fear started giving away into something a bit deeper, something a bit more passionate. Their hands tangled together as they kissed, his hard body pressing deeply into her own until they were both flushed and ready.
Ready, was actually an understatement for Annabeth. She had been ready to be with him for a while, he was the one who hadn't been ready for the commitment it would bring.
But after going through something like tonight, after the prospect of losing the person you cared deeply about, it tended to throw everything into perspective. It moved you into action, this seemed to be the case for Percy as his hands gripped her tightly. So tight that she was sure some fingerprint bruises would start to form.
"Annabeth," He whispered into her ear.
She shivered as his mouth nipped on her ear and then down her neck, her legs opening wider for him to sink into her. It was absolutely glorious when he, finally, did- her back arched into him as he met no resistance- just one fluid motion easing inside of her.
Her voice broke, a moan working it's way out of her throat- broken and ragged as they didn't move. Percy leaned back up to kiss her until they were both aching with the need to move. When he did move the motion caused her nails to dig into his back, he groaned, his mouth moved away from hers.
Percy leaned his forehead on her shoulder as he rocked into her, finding a rhythm that wasn't brutal but wasn't gentle either. The bed rocking into the wall as they moved, her hands grabbing at him as the pleasure rose higher and higher.
A desperate, heady feeling was working its way through her veins as their rhythm faltered and then picked up again. It had her crying out as one of his hands grasped at the pillow next to her. The other tight on her thigh- holding her like she was his anchor- grounding him to reality.
Annabeth felt his lips kiss her shoulder, moving up to her ear- words being breathed into her skin. She tried concentrating on it, she tried making sense of the words he had been whispering to her all night but she couldn't. Not with the way he was driving into her, his body making her feel entirely too unglued.
Her moans turned ragged with each thrust, his mouth moved to her lips- their kisses turning lazy as his strokes turned long and deep- him grinding himself against her to get deeper, to feel more of her wrapped around him. It was all too much for her, Annabeth pulled her mouth from his- she didn't even realize words had tumbled from her mouth until he stopped moving completely.
She felt dazed when she looked up at him, "I love you."
He blinked, his eyes wide, "I love you, Percy." She whispered again.
He sucked in a sharp breath as she leaned up to kiss him and pushed him, to roll over onto his back. He did and she straddled his lap, him laying on his back- his head against the pillows.
She sunk down onto him again, the words falling from her mouth for the fourth time, "I love you." Annabeth rocked back and forth watching his gaze, watching the way his eyes never left hers.
Their rhythm picked up again, only this time she was on top- his hands searing into her waist. She wouldn't last much longer in this position, especially not with the way he was looking at her. The awed and barely concealed joy hiding behind his eyes. It was all pushing her forward, pushing her higher and higher.
His hands left her hips and moved up to her face, he pulled her down against his chest
and kissed her. His arms wrapping fully around her back, not letting her move. She buried her face into his neck as the pleasure peaked, white spots dancing behind her eyes- moans erupting from her throat.
Percy's hips still driving up into her, seeking his own release. Annabeth clung to her husband as he moved into her not once but several more times before he let out a low throaty sound. He held her tight against his chest as he stilled completely, his body still shaking from his release.
Annabeth tried to sit up after a minute but he clutched her closer, Annabeth moved a hand to his hair and ran her fingers through it- something he usually found comforting.
"I can't lose you." He said after several moments of her running her fingers through his hair and him holding her firmly against him.
She tried to sit up again but he held her tighter to him, she laid her head back on his chest- right over his heart- she could hear it thundering.
"Percy," She whispered.
His hand pulled her hair over her shoulder, "Yeah?" He answered, his voice cracking.
She lifted her head slowly and found no resistance against his hold. She leaned all the way up to look at him, "You won't lose me."
Percy shook his head, "You don't know that… my world is so unpredictable… and I shouldn't- I shouldn't have…. I can't believe-"
Annabeth cut off his rambling with a kiss, "I can take care of myself."
"I know… but you're in this with me… whether you meant to be or not…. and I'm scared that," He paused and she could see the fear, the fear that kept him from getting close to people behind his eyes, "That I won't be able to protect you… like I wasn't able to protect my mother and stepfather."
Annabeth frowned, "Percy, that wasn't your fault… there was nothing you could have done to protect them from your father."
He opened his mouth to say something but she kissed him and got up, off the bed. She walked to the bathroom and cleaned herself up before emerging back into the bedroom. She found her clothing and slipped it on as early morning light filtered through her window.
Percy sat on the edge of her bed, dressed in only his boxers. She walked toward him, he held his hands out for her- Annabeth wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I love you." She whispered into the skin of his throat, "And you're not going to lose me."
He hugged her tighter to him, "For my sanity, please, let me add extra security whenever you leave the mansion, okay?" He paused, "and, please, let me know where you're going whenever you leave home and please have your phone on you at all times."
She nodded against his shoulder, "Okay."
He let out a long breath, "Thank you."
Annabeth smiled and pulled back, "I'm going back to sleep and you're going to join me, I don't care if you sleep or not." Percy chuckled and leaned back on to the bed, pulling her with him.
0-0-0-0-0
Fear wasn't something he had felt in such a long time, since that night he got the phone call his mother had been in an accident. Since he had gotten to the hospital and been told they had died on impact. The fear he'd felt that night turned into desolation and then to anger when his father decided to prance into the hospital like he owned the fucking place.
He hadn't felt fear like that until tonight.
When he saw the idiots surrounding him and how close they were to Annabeth he wanted to kill all of them by himself- with his bare hands. As caveman as that sounded, he had been that pissed. If it hadn't have been for Charles sneaking up and giving them the advantage they would have overpowered Percy and there wouldn't had been a thing he could have done about it.
He wouldn't have gone down without a fight but… the odds had been stacked against him. For the minutes he had been bullshitting them, buying his time until he came up with a plan, he had been truly afraid.
Afraid he would lose the one thing he was fighting so hard to keep at arms length. He promised himself in that second, before the gunshot hit the guy behind them, that if they got out of this alive he would give her more. He would give her exactly what she wanted- as stupid as that was and as much as he shouldn't be in love with her- he was.
Not that he was ready to tell her that, he was barely ready to be married to her for real but he wouldn't let his irrational fear of losing people close to him keep him from her anymore. She had been waiting, so patiently, for him to get his shit together and he owed it to her to try even harder.
And he was going to do that.
Percy pulled Annabeth closer to him, easing his hand behind her. He wouldn't be able to go back to sleep- all of the scenarios that could have happen playing in his mind- but he could lay here with her.
He marveled at her, especially after tonight- when she had shot the guy who had, momentarily, gotten the better of him. She had killed for him and it was something he knew she wouldn't take lightly. They would have to talk about it, tomorrow or the next day. They actually had a lot to talk about over the next several days.
Things to work out between them- contracts and clauses he was going to rip up from the pre-nup they had signed when they married. Things that protected him from the wrath he would get if they ever divorced.
Not that he had been planning on divorcing her. When he had forced her to marry him it was with the intention of keeping her. The possessive asshole side of him held her as one of his things to do what he wanted with. But as a precaution he had her sign a prenuptial agreement, it protected him- his property- his belongings- his secrets.
The one thing he had learned over the past several weeks was that he could trust her, especially after tonight- he did trust her. After everything they had been through- after everything he had done to her- she loved him and he trusted her.
What a fucked up pair they were.
Annabeth shifted in her sleep, moving closer to him. He kissed her forehead as his thoughts turned to Reyna. He hadn't checked in with her since the car but he'd gotten a text message earlier- the reason he had woken up to begin with- that everything had been taken care of. The bodies had been removed, the sidewalk cleared of signs that a fight had happened and whatever traffic cameras that had caught the interaction wiped clean.
He couldn't have the authorities on his ass anymore than they already were. It was only because of his friendship with the District Attorney and his familial relation to a certain senator that kept the feds from raiding his home.
The sunrise filtered through the window, bright as his mind thought about all of things he needed to do today. Reyna would, no doubt, be here in an hour or two to discuss what happened and how they were going to handle the situation but he didn't want to leave Annabeth.
He didn't know how people did it, how people in love, trusted the outside world. He felt like he was going to get separation anxiety just from the thought of leaving her alone. It wasn't a feeling he liked, it made him feel out of control and too emotional.
It was something he would have to learn to get over, she wasn't his to control… but she was his to love. The thought made him smile. Percy knew, as he laid beside her- her breath slow and easy, comforting, he still had a long way to go until he was comfortable with all of this but at least for now he was giving her something in return.