Annabeth was laying in bed, debating if it was too early in the morning to call.

She checked the time again- 7:27AM.

It wasn't too early, right?

Tomorrow hadn't come soon enough. Annabeth had laid in her bed and stared at the ceiling after their... conversation. They'd- well they'd done a little more than just talk, hadn't they? Perhaps she'd underestimated her own feelings.

But now, tomorrow was here, and all she wanted to do was hear his voice again.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she pressed "call" on the screen and held the phone to her ear.

It rang once, twice, three times, and she was about to hang up when-

Click.

"Morning." His voice was deeper than usual, husky and filled with sleep. She sucked in a breath, mind blanking. A moment passed.

He chuckled. "Is this going to be a pattern in all our calls, Wise Girl?"

Snapping out of it, Annabeth spoke up. "Right, sorry, ha… good morning!"

"Mmm." He groaned into the phone and she could hear the rustle of sheets.

"Did I wake you?" She curled on her side, cradling the phone close.

"Nah, I was up."

"Liar." She was unable to keep the smile out of her voice.

"For real!" he insisted, and she could hear a stifled yawn, "I've been up for hours, and hours-"

"Have trouble sleeping?" She interrupted, then winced. She had to stop doing that.

"I slept amazing." His voice was low again, soft, and she shivered.

"Me too." A pause. "Are you still in bed?"

"Yup."

"Me too." she repeated, quieter.

He heaved a sigh into the receiver and goosebumps climbed up her bare arms.

"It's almost like we're waking up together." He voiced.

"Mmm." The thought of it enticed her. She imagined him in her bed behind her, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "Someday."

"Soon." He agreed.

"...Last night," she cleared her throat, her free hand plucking at a loose curl, "I um… I liked that."

"I'm glad." His voice tickled her ear, "We can do it again sometime, if you want."

"Now?"

He laughed, "Do you want to, now?"

"No," she decided, "no I… I have too much on my plate today."

"That's a bummer." He made a sound as if he were stretching and her toes curled. "Actually, I was planning on calling you when I woke up anyway."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I've got a surprise for you."

"What kind of surprise?" Annabeth rolled onto her back, stretching out.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise!"

She huffed and he was laughing again, "Look, if you have time today, just… just stop by Leela's."

"The coffee shop?" It was a small, cozy cafe nearby that sold baked goods along with the best coffee in town. She hadn't been in forever, but it wouldn't exactly be out of the way…

"Yeah, text me when you get there okay?"

"If the surprise is you, I swear I'm kicking you," she teased.

"Hey now, no violence! Do you really think I'd just show up like that?"

"Probably not." She admitted softly, glancing at the clock again. She wanted more time with him, but it was running out already.

"We take this at your pace, Wise Girl." His voice was tender. "I won't go any faster than you want to."

"Thank you," Annabeth breathed a sigh of relief. "Not that I don't want to meet you, it's just-"

"I get it," he interrupted this time, "We… we have something good."

She nodded to herself.

"And we don't want to ruin it," he finished.

"Exactly, I… I don't want to lose you."

"You won't." His voice was reassuring, but she wasn't convinced.

Annabeth sat up, leaning back against her headboard, "Listen I… I really like you, Seaweed Brain."

"Well hey, I like you too."

"I'm not always…" She struggled to find the words, "I don't usually- I have a hard time putting others before my own wants."

He was quiet, patiently waiting for her to elaborate.

"There's this thing, something I've wanted since I was a kid and-" she took a deep breath, "I just… I don't want to disappoint you, if my plans are too much."

"You're worried I'll ask you to give up on them for me?"

She nodded slowly, before remembering the whole phone thing. "Yes."

"I would never, ever do that to you Wise Girl." His voice was earnest and she felt relief flood her body.

"Really?" Her voice was small.

"Really. What kind of friend would that make me?" His voice wrapped around her like a warm hug.

If Annabeth was being honest with herself, she was scared. Scared she'd fallen so hard for someone she would give up her dreams if asked. And the idea of someone having that kind of sway over her…

She felt lucky he didn't seem like one to abuse her feelings.

"A bad one," she admitted. "So… we're friends?"

"Of course we are."

"Just friends?"

It was his turn to suck in a breath. "Ah… a-after last night?" he laughed nervously, "I assume not?"

She grinned to herself, tracing the pattern on her comforter. "So, what does that make us…?"

"Boyfriend-girlfriend?" He ventured.

"I don't know, it feels weird to have a boyfriend I've never seen… I've been thinking of you as my text-friend." She confessed.

He laughed, "That's fucking adorable. I love it."

"So… text-friends?"

"Text-friends." He agreed.

She gnawed on her lip, "Have you… do you…"

"What?"

A deep breath, "Have you seen other people…?"

"While talking to you? Gods no! No I haven't dated in…" He seemed to be counting in his head, "Almost 5 months…?"

"Is that how long it's been?!" she squeaked. His first message had found her in August. It was now December.

"I guess so. And you, you don't secretly have a boyfriend I should know about?"

"Absolutely not."

"Good."

Annabeth checked the time again, "I should… I have to… go." The words didn't come to her easily. If she could she would spend all day in bed, just talking to him.

"Damn." He sighed, "Don't forget, Leela's!"

"I won't forget!" She promised.

A few moments passed, neither of them hanging up.

A laugh, and, "One of us has to say 'bye' first."

"I know! I know." Annabeth hugged her knees, "Can you do it?"

"Fine, fine." he chuckled again, "Bye, Wise Girl. Have a good day."

"You too, Seaweed Brain."

Annabeth was between errands when she remembered.

Leela's was a small shop, smaller than she remembered, but a bell rang as she walked inside and took a deep breath. The smell of fresh baked bread and coffee permeated her senses, and she found herself relaxing automatically, feeling at home.

"We'll be right with you honey!" a plump woman with rosy cheeks called from the back and Annabeth glanced around to make sure no one was looking before pulling out her phone.

2:08PM WISE GIRL
Okay, Seaweed Brain, what's the surprise?

2:09PM SEAWEED BRAIN
gimme a few minutes

She was so focused on the screen she didn't see where she was going, knocking into another person who promptly spilled their newly ordered coffee all over her.

Annabeth yelped as the hot drink streamed down her legs.

"Oh fuck, I'm so fucking sorry!" came a somewhat familiar voice. Annabeth looked up to see the girl who was dating Thalia's brother. She blinked in surprise, their eyes meeting, and she could see recognition flicker across the girl's face as well.

"It's… you!" Annabeth laughed, pressing her thighs together to try and alleviate some of the burning.

"Yeah! Um… Annabeth, right?" The girl smiled, and it was dazzling.

Annabeth nodded, "Yes, and you're… you're…?" She couldn't recall, a blush coming to her cheeks.

"Piper," Piper offered, glancing behind them. "Um, clean up on aisle three?"

The staff moved quickly, pulling out a mop, a "wet floor" sign, and passing a cool cloth to Annabeth for her jeans, which she gratefully accepted. Soon, she found herself seated at a table with the other girl, towel draped on her lap and awkwardly waiting for Piper's replacement drink.

"Sorry about that," she apologized again, but the brunette waved it off once more.

"I told you, I wasn't paying attention either, don't worry about it!" Piper grinned, scooting closer. "So like, this temple thing… You guys still want help?"

Annabeth blinked in surprise, "You remember that?"

"I may not remember a lot from that night but I definitely recall something about helping out!" Piper laughed as a barista brought her her new drink, sipping at it cautiously. "Fuck, they make it hot here."

"That would be… amazing, honestly." Annabeth's smile was interrupted by a call from behind them.

"Wise Girl? Order for Wise Girl?"

She jumped up. "That's me?" She approached the counter, curious since she hadn't ordered anything yet.

The boy there sniffed, sliding a coffee, a little pastry box, and another smaller, velvet box across the counter, "Here, a guy was in here earlier, dropped off this for you," he nodded at the boxes, "and ordered that." and then at the coffee.

"Thank you." she returned to her seat with a blush, cradling the items in one hand and glancing at Piper who looked extremely interested.

"Wise Girl?"

"It's a nickname." she pulled open the pastry box as soon as she sat down, her breath catching.

Inside was the bluest cupcake she'd ever seen.

Alongside it was a note, half covered in blue frosting.

Told you I'd make you a cupcake for Solstice :P
Miss you, Wise Girl.
xoxo, Seaweed Brain

His handwriting was messy, though she could tell he had tried really hard to make it nice for her. She smiled as she opened the smaller box, and gasped.

Nestled inside was a silver necklace, similar to the one she had left him- but instead of an "A", a coral pendant hung on it.

Piper's eyes widened as Annabeth lifted it out of the box to put it on. "Holy shit, did your boyfriend pick that out?"

"He isn't-" Annabeth started to say, but she found herself stopping. Yes, they just had a conversation that very morning about what to call each other, but she liked the way Piper said "boyfriend."

"Yeah, he is really sweet." She finished, hooking the necklace around her neck, "How does it look?"

"Very cute." Piper confirmed for her, peering down at the blue cupcake, "Do they sell those here?"

"No, he… he made it for me." Annabeth smiled, glancing around before snapping a picture of the pastry.

2:21PM WISE GIRL
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Oh my Gods it's perfect!
You really made this for me?

2:21PM SEAWEED BRAIN
of course, i promised didnt i?
did u get the other present too?

She snapped another picture of the necklace around her neck, careful not to include her face though she didn't see the harm in letting some of her blonde hair sneak into the photo.

Piper tilted her head as she did. "Braving cell phones? You must really like each other, Jason won't even keep his on for me."

"It's kind of hard to explain… but we really need to text each other." Annabeth set down the phone, scooping a bit of frosting onto her finger and licking it off. It was delicious.

"Fuck, that's adorable." Piper sighed, leaning back, "Jason used to do stuff like that for me, but… I don't know, I guess he got tired of it."

"Well, why don't you ask him?"

Piper looked confused. "Ask him?"

"Yeah, to do that stuff again." Annabeth took a bite of cupcake, chewing slowly and savoring the way the flavors sang against her tongue. Seaweed Brain hadn't lied- he really could bake!

"It's not exactly the same." Piper twirled a braid around her fingers with another deep sigh.

"Maybe not," Annabeth admitted, trying not to relish in her cupcake too much in front of the other girl, "But how will he know you want surprises and stuff if you don't tell him?"

Piper raised an eyebrow. "Are you giving romance advice to a daughter of Aphrodite?"

Annabeth laughed. "I guess I am."

"Huh." Piper cracked a smile, "Maybe I'll bring it up with him, then. Thanks. Can I have a bite?" She pointed, "That looks fucking delicious."

Despite her reluctance to share her treat, Annabeth ripped off a piece and handed it over. "So… do you have any experience with campaigns?"

"I have experience with convincing people to do what I want." Piper shoved the bite into her mouth, speaking nonchalantly. "Even without charmspeak, I can be very charming."

"I believe it," Annabeth had just shared her precious blue cupcake, afterall, "There's a dinner with the Mayor next month, you know, for the whole… honor thing."

"Right, you and Thalia slayed that dragon downtown like a couple of badasses."

"Yup. Anyway, if you could be there, I don't know, maybe help us convince him to endorse a vote for us…" Annabeth trailed off, and Piper hopped in easily.

"I hear the Mayor is a big fan of Aphrodite." She smirked, "Sure, I'll come. It could be fun… I haven't dressed up in a while, anyway."

"Oh Gods, I hadn't even considered what I'd wear." Annabeth groaned at the thought.

"I probably can find something for you." Piper waved it off, "I have a bunch of dresses my mom gave me and like, half of them are too fucking long."

"Really? Your mom gives you stuff like that?" The only thing Annabeth had ever received from her mother was her cap of invisibility, and that had been over a decade ago.

"All the time. It's kind of annoying, actually." Piper swirled her coffee cup nonchalantly, "But hey, more to go around. Skips the annoyance of shopping at least."

Annabeth sipped her own drink, picking back up her phone, "Mmhmm."

2:23PM SEAWEED BRAIN
looks beautiful on u
*heart*

2:25PM WISE GIRL
It's absolutely gorgeous
Where did you find it?

2:25PM SEAWEED BRAIN
thats a secret. ;P

"That him again?"

Annabeth smiled, "Sure is."

2:26PM WISE GIRL
Well it's amazing, thank you.
I don't have a gift for you!

2:26PM SEAWEED BRAIN
nah dont worry about it
u already gave me a necklace haha

2:26PM WISE GIRL
Wait…
Do you wear it?

2:27PM SEAWEED BRAIN
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Her eyes widened, seeing her "A" nestled against a blue shirt, with just a glimpse of his neck.

2:27PM WISE GIRL
Oh gosh!
I didn't expect you to haha

2:27PM SEAWEED BRAIN
still not gonna tell me what it stands for?

2:28PM WISE GIRL
Nope.
It's my own surprise.

A throat clear, and Annabeth raised her head sheepishly, Piper watching her with crossed arms and a knowing smile.

"It's hard to resist responding, huh?"

The blonde glanced back down, "... A bit."

"Well, I won't stand in your way." She laughed, standing. "Actually, let me put my number in your phone- call me and we can set up a day to pick out dresses!"

"Sounds good to me!" Annabeth handed over the device, taking another long sip. She wasn't sure how he'd done it, but the coffee was perfect- flavors of salted caramel mixing with light creamer, not too sweet but not bitter either. It wasn't what she would normally order for herself, usually she opted for something black and simple, but he seemed to have a knack for knowing what she'd enjoy.

Piper passed the phone back, pulling on her scarf, "Sorry again about spilling on you, are your pants dry?"

"Not yet." Annabeth patted the towel, "But it doesn't hurt anymore!"

"Good. Text me later!" Piper waved, and like that, she was gone. Annabeth turned back to her texts, not caring anymore if anyone saw her. They'd have no way of guessing she was a Demigod, anyway.

2:28PM SEAWEED BRAIN
i look forward to the reveal

2:34PM WISE GIRL
It'll be soon.
Promise.

2:34PM SEAWEED BRAIN
take ur time
i dont mind waiting for my wise girl