Percy loved his job. He spent his weekends working in the aquarium downtown, and even though it's currently only the gift shop, they promised once he graduated with his marine biology degree, he could have a full time position working with the animals. His breaks consisted of him wandering round the exhibitions, admiring the different types of aquatics. He got to come in whenever he wanted for free too, and spent many afternoons studying backlit by the shark tank.
He really didn't think it could get any better. Thats until a new girl starting appearing frequently.
It was a Saturday afternoon when she walked in. The customers were a mix of locals who loved the aquarium, and tourists passing through. She must be a tourists, he thought. He's sure he would've remembered her.
He watched from behind the counter as a small boy tugged on her arm, eagerly pointing at all the stuffed shark teddies. She rolled her eyes, small smile on her lips as he babbled fun facts about different types of fish.
Her hair fell down her back in blonde curls, contrasting her tan skin. She had some denim shorts and a band t-shirt on, but Percy thought that she looked perfect.
He kept watching as she knelt down to the boy, pointing at the shelves. The boy lit up, eyes scanning the shop and they settled on a octopus teddy. She nodded, smile still adorning her face, and let out a small laugh as he gave her a hug and ran over to grab it.
His heart pounded as she turned to face him, walking over and plopping the teddy on the desk, the small boy clinging happily to her arm.
'Hey. Just this please.' She smiled politely at Percy, who shook his head out of a trance and grabbed the toy, putting it in a bag.
'Octopus? Good choice buddy! Did you know they have three hearts?' Percy asked the boy, who grinned at him in response.
'And they have no bones! I read that earlier didn't i Annabeth?'
She smiled down at the boy, ruffling his hair. Percy watching adoringly at the interaction, trying to guess their relation. Younger brother, perhaps?
'Yes you did! You're very smart for remembering!'
She glanced up at Percy and rolled her eyes fondly, showing him her card. He grabbed the machine and held it out for her.
'I don't remember seeing you around her before. Is this your first time?'
She nodded slightly and Percy watched as the sun from the window bounced off her face. She looked angelic.
'Yeah. Mickey's family moved here recently, didn't you?' She spoke, while Mickey nodded in agreement.
'Yep!' He happily replied. 'The fish calm me down and make me panic less!'
Percys eyes shot to Annabeth's, and she met his gaze a little sadly, tapping her card.
'You know,' Percy leaned down a little, meeting eyes with Mickey, 'When i get a little nervous or panicky i come here too. The sharks are my favourite.'
Mickeys eyes lit up as he eagerly yanked Annabeths arm. 'They're my favourite too!'
Annabeth laughed and smiled at Percy. He grinned as he met her eyes.
'What about you? What do you like Annabeth?'
Her eyes shot to his at the use of her name, but after seeing his playful grin she rolled her eyes and relax, smile on her face.
'The jellyfish are pretty cool i guess.'
He grinned down at her.
'Will i be seeing you more often then?'
Annabeth glanced down at Mickey, who had reclaimed his octopus toy and was currently yanking on her arm, eager to go see more.
She grinned as he dragged her away, shooting Percy a smile over her shoulder.
'That's if he even lets me leave in the first place!'
Percy laughed as they disappeared through the door.
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The next time he sees them, it's the following Sunday, and stashed under Mickey's arm is the octopus toy. He grins as he pulls Annabeth over to him.
Percy can't help but smile watching this 5 year old boy tug a 20 year old woman over to his counter, her rolling her eyes and weakly complaining, amusement clearly marking her face. Mickey comes to a pause at the desk, slapping his toy down on the counter.
'George wants to say hello!'
Percy's eyebrows raised questionably at Annabeth, who shrugs, pointing to the octopus.
'Ah! Hello george!' Percy leans down and pats the toy on the head gently, smiling at Mickey. 'Is he behaving well?'
'Yep!' Mickey replied enthusiastically. 'We even took him out for ice cream!'
'Yeah,' Annabeth interrupted, 'and he didn't want to share with you did he, so he had to get his own.'
Percy couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him. Annabeth narrowed her eyes at him, smile creeping onto her face.
'This is your fault!' She whispered as Mickey was distracted by the new stock of plushies. 'Its like babysitting two kids instead of one! I swear, that octopus is so picky.'
Percy laughed harder as Annabeth pointed threateningly at him. 'When i go into debt because that octopus didn't like the first two ice cream flavours i got for him, it's on you!'
Percy grinned down at her fondly. So she was his babysitter.
'Why George?' He asked with a raised eyebrows.
Annabeth shrugged and leaned against the counter tiredly. 'He's been watching a lot of Peppa Pig.'
Before Percy could answer, Mickey loudly proclaimed that he wanted to see the stingrays, before bounding out the door. Annabeth followed quickly shooting a small goodbye smile at Percy over her shoulder.
His heart sunk as she left his sight, and he decided the next time he would see her, he would ask her for her number.
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It was the following Friday Percy saw them again, although he didn't get excited like he normally does. Instead, he was concerned.
He hung up his work hat and grabbed his bag, heading towards the shark aquarium to do some work after his shift before he left. He paused at the door, pushing it open slightly to reveal a rather packed room of children. He remembers signing them in earlier, they were a school trip from across town. He sighed slightly, bummed that his plans had been ruined but as he turned to leave his eyes fell on Annabeth, crouched in the corner of the room.
He watched from a distance as she knelt in front of Mickey, who's eyes nervously darted around the room and chested rose quickly along with his rapid breaths. Annabeth looked like she was talking quietly to him, and he was gripping her arm so hard it was turning red. He walked up behind them and placed an arm on Annabeth's shoulder, causing her to jump and glance round, relaxing when she found Percy.
His eyes were full of concern as he took in the situation, and knelt next to Annabeth. Mickey was having a panic attack.
She leaned in closer to Percy, which normally he would've blushed at the contact. He could feel her hot breath on his ear as she whispered to him.
'Is there anywhere we could take him thats a bit quieter?'
Percy's eyes darted to hers and he saw the slight desperation in them, causing him to nod slightly and motion to follow him. He stood and walked to a door in the corner of the room, Annabeth who was holding Mickeys hand to guide him following closely behind. He unlocked it quickly before letting them through, closing it behind them.
It led to another room, which contained pots of feeding for the sharks, such as buckets of chum. From in here, you could still see into the shark tank, and Mickeys eyes calmed as he watched them swim back and forth.
Annabeth pulled him onto her lap where she sat on the floor and kissed his head gently.
'You're okay, it's okay. Everyone's gone.'
Percy knelt next to them as she rocked him back and forth slightly. His breathing subsided and he was completely absorbed by watching the animals. Annabeth let out a breath of relief, petting his hair slightly.
She shot Percy a thankful grin, and he shrugged slightly to show it was fine.
'You okay Mickey?' He asked gently, causing the young boy to snuggled further into Annabeth.
When he didn't reply, Annabeth spoke up for him.
'He's okay, just overwhelmed. He's gets panic attacks sometimes when places are too crowded, or if theres too much stimulation. Usually he loves the fish, says it makes him calm. Guess it was just too busy today.'
She stroked his hair softly and Percy's eyes softened.
'Well,' he spoke up, eyes settling on Mickey, 'if you ever want to come back here into the secret room, just let me know okay. No one if ever in here, it can be your little safe space.'
Mickey nodded slightly and Annabeth's eyes softened, glancing at Percy with admiration.
'Thank you.' She mouthed, causing him to blush and grin slightly.
They spent the next 20 minutes in comfortable silence, Mickey snuggled into Annabeth's lap, and Percy watching on protectively, his curiosity and interest in Annabeth only growing.
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The next time he sees her, shes alone. She walks into the gift shop, eyes lighting up when she meets his. She smiles affectionally, and walks towards him.
This is it, he thought to himself, ask her out!
'No Mickey today?' He asked as she came to a stop at the desk, causing her to grin.
'Nope, he's gone out of town for the weekend with his parents. Its his birthday next week, so i think they are visiting his grandma.'
Percy nodded on understanding, eyes flitting up and down her figure.
'So, how come you're here?'
She feigned her shock and placed her hand on her heart dramatically.
'Wow! Is this how you treat all your customers! How rude!'
He rolled his eyes playfully and gave her a little shove, causing her to laugh.
'I want to get him something for his birthday. If it's anything like that octopus I'll probably regret it but it makes him super happy so, i figured i'd add to his collection.'
Percy smiled fondly and rested his hand on his chin, smiling up at the girl.
'You know which one he wants?'
'I saw him looking at that shark a lot.' She replied, pointing to one behind his head. He grabbed it and carefully wrapped it in a bag.
He gulped nervously, eager to ask her for her number. She watched patiently as he slowly wrapped it, trying to build to courage to ask.
'You know,' he started. 'I know what else you should get him.'
Her eyes lit up, slightly curious.
'What?'
'Your number.'
Annabeth froze as he continued on babble on.
'Oh wait, thats what i want. Not him.'
They stared at each other blankly for a minute.
'Are you - are you serious?' She asked, shock lacing her tone. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
'Yeah?'
She paused, eyes narrowing on the boy.
Then, she let out a laugh.
'That was the worse pick up line ive ever heard.' She replied giggling. Percy's heart sank for a moment, until she reached over the counter and grabbed his hand, writing her number on his hand with a sharpie off the table.
He froze as she continued to laugh, and he glance down at his hand to see her number signed with a little heart.
He coughed nervously, heart racing with happiness as he passed her her shark.
'It worked though, no?'
She rolled her eyes playfully and swatted him with her shark, causing him to laugh.
She placed her money on the table, turning to leave with the shark tucked under her arm.
'You better text me!' She yelled back as she walked away, leaving Percy staring down at his hand, shock and happiness coursing through him.
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He texted her as soon as his shift ended.
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