The drive was slightly less heated than the previous few minutes had been.
Part of Annabeth wished her life was a movie. Percy would have asked "Your place or mine?" and then there would have been a smash cut to them making out against his apartment door or something.
'But this is real life.' Her brain reminded her for the second time in a week.
So unfortunately, Annabeth had to live through every agonizing second of the drive to Percy's apartment. She had to exist through walking up three flights of stairs, Percy fumbling with his keys in the hall, and stumbling through his door, unsure if they should start kissing again now or–
But that meant she had time to think. And so when Percy Jackson turned from deadbolting his door, gave her that lopsided grin and began sauntering over, she knew it was now or never, before her resolve wavered.
She held out an arm, stopping him from coming closer with a hand to his chest. His eyebrows raised.
"First," She started, "We talk."
Percy seemed to mull it over. "No." He finally decided.
Annabeth wrinkled her nose, "Excuse me?!"
"No." He leaned in, "I think first, you need to change. And get warm. And then we can talk."
She hadn't realized she had been shivering.
Percy loaned her a tshirt and some boxers that were far too large for her. It was strange, wearing the underwear of a man she hadn't even had sex with yet. ' Yet.' Her brain repeated. Annabeth ignored it as she pulled her damp hair into a messy bun, padding back out to the living room.
Professor Jackson had the kind of apartment you'd expect from a bachelor, but not one you'd expect from an academic. It was cool toned, blues and greys with splashes of yellow. There was a dining room table with two seats, but only one half of it was covered in papers and signs of living. The couch was deep blue and plush when Annabeth sank into it and crossed her legs. The desk in the corner looked equally lived in. However, it was surprisingly clean, surprisingly minimalist, at least in the living areas, and surprisingly devoid of books. Annabeth had never met a professor with no bookshelves.
And then there was the cat.
Annabeth wasn't against animals. She loved big ol' dogs that could tackle you in a pounce. But she'd never been around many cats, and so it was a bit of a shock when the tiny black creature came scampering from around the corner and hopped right into her lap.
"That's Blackjack." Percy called from the bedroom. And Annabeth tentatively scritched the kitten under the chin, eliciting many happy purrs.
Soon enough, Percy was sitting across from her, shirtless, in sweats, his glasses gone once more. Annabeth avoided looking directly at him, trying not to think about how fit his body was. He watched her with the cat intently, silent, waiting for her to speak.
Annabeth cleared her throat, "So… I think we should establish some rules."
"Rules…" He repeated slowly, obviously not sold on the idea, "Well this is a total mood killer."
"If we're going to sleep together we need to have ground rules so it doesn't get messy."
"I think we're going to do more than sleep." He waggled his eyebrows and she rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean."
"Okay, so what are they?"
"Rule number one should be obvious."
Percy's smirk returned, "Enlighten me, Princess."
She brushed past the nickname, "Rule number one is that you don't fall in love with me."
He chuckled, "And I suppose rule number two is vice versa?"
"You don't need to worry about that."
"Awfully confident, to think that I'd fall for you but there's no chance of falling for me. One might even call it hubris."
"Will you save your classics themed jokes until after I've finished?!" Annabeth took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure all whilst Blackjack headbutted her hand insistently. "Rule number one; neither of us will fall for the other."
Percy nodded, "Noted."
"Rule number two;" she continued, "no sleeping over at each other's homes."
"...Why?"
"To help facilitate rule one." Easier to accidentally catch feelings if you're cuddling after and waking up together, Annabeth reasoned.
But ever the contrarian, Percy shook his head, "No. No way."
"Why not?!" She demanded.
"Like hell I'm letting you take the bus home in the dead of night."
She huffed, "I've done so plenty of times. You aren't my father."
"Maybe not but I could be your daddy–"
He was cut off by a pillow to the face.
They decided to table rule two for the evening.
"Rule three," she resumed, "no telling anyone."
"Embarrassed to be seen with me?"
"Yes."
"Fair."
"Four is that we will act like nothing has changed between us at work or around friends. Five is that if any of rules one through four are broken, we stop this. Immediately."
"Sounds strict."
"I'm just trying to ensure we aren't making a mistake, doing this." 'And to make sure I protect myself.' She added silently.
"And that's all?"
Annabeth nods, "That's all."
Percy pushed out of his chair, approaching her briskly, scooping a complaining Blackjack out of her lap before tugging Annabeth to her feet, pressing their bodies together, "Then what are we waiting for?"
Her eyes widened slightly, the reality of the situation crashing down around her ears, "Oh, um–"
"If you don't want to, I can take the couch."
"No, it's… it's not that."
He looked down at her, waiting.
The fact was, the last two times they had kissed, it had been unplanned. Spontaneous. Unexpected. And that had worked for her. Annabeth knew she was an overthinker. And it was plaguing her now that they'd had space between the moment behind the bar and the current situation. She took a breath. Then another.
"Close your eyes." Percy spoke up. It didn't sound like a request.
"What are–?"
"No arguing."
"But–"
"Ah ah."
Annabeth grumbled under her breath but obliged, closing her eyes.
She felt his hands first. The palms were soft, but the fingertips tracing every feature of her face were calloused, like he used them often. She idly wondered if he played guitar, but soon there was no room for anything but what was happening now as his fingers trailed from her cheek to her jaw then her throat, sending shivers through her body. She felt hot breath tickle her ear, an errant curl brushed from her face.
"Relax." Came his voice, low, caring, "If you want to stop, we stop."
"I wasn't worried about–" She cut herself off. Then she nodded.
He nipped at her lobe before pulling back. She felt the hand on her throat move even lower down her body. His touch had a fire burning low in her stomach, tingles sparking against her skin, and her chest tightened, her body reacting almost immediately to him. Her eyes fluttered.
"No peeking."
Annabeth didn't mean to whimper, but she did. Percy chuckled, and she felt his lips brush against hers, their noses bumping together. But when she leaned in to close the little distance between them, he pulled back.
"Impatient, aren't we?"
Her eyes flew open, her nostrils flaring, "If you're not going to kiss me then I'll just–!" She turned as if to leave, but then his hand was grabbing her upper arm and pulling her back into him and his mouth was on her own and his other hand was gripping her hair and she was absolutely lost and found at the same time.
Which was too stupidly poetic to think considering this was a no strings attached arrangement between two colleagues who decidedly did not like each other.
But there was no time to dwell on that, because the tip of his tongue was gently tracing her lips and she parted them and that grip in her hair was getting tighter and suddenly he was yanking her head back, not painfully, but firmly, and his teeth were at her throat and she was moaning and grabbing at his bare skin, her nails digging into his shoulders and–
His hands came down to grip her ass, pulling her up and Annabeth understood immediately, wrapping her legs around his waist as he continued his ministrations and carried her to the bedroom.
'Ah.' She thinks, ' Here's all of his things… '
She doesn't have time to think too hard about it, but the room was a far cry from the minimalist bachelor pad the rest of his apartment was. There were a few shelves of books, still less than she would have expected, but books all the same. There were several boxes, still taped tight. And there were pictures. So. Many. Pictures.
But before Annabeth could get a good look at a single one, Percy was tipping forward, dropping her on the bed and crawling over her, a hungry look in his eyes.
Oh. That was the 'something' she had been seeing when he looked at her.
He had been famished.
And Annabeth was his meal.
He tugged her hips to meet his, biting into the soft smooth skin of her neck, and Annabeth bit back yet another cry.
"Don't do that."
"D-do what?" She stammered out.
"Don't hold back with me."
Annabeth nodded, any argument she had died in her throat as they kissed again, desperately, eagerly, almost vicious in the way they bit and scratched and pressed into each other. But everything Percy did, Annabeth went toe-to-toe with, meeting him halfway. It felt so… easy.
After who knew how long, Percy pulled back, the hungry look in his eyes still far from satiated. Annabeth sucked in a breath as he pulled up the hem of her shirt and began planting soft kisses along her stomach, down to where the thin boxers met her waist. He tugged at the waistband with his teeth, his green eyes fixed on her face.
She bit her lip, reaching down to run a hand through his hair before grabbing a handful, "Well?" Annabeth breathed, expectant.
"'Well what, Princess? Use your words."
"Well, aren't you going to…?"
"To…?" He wasn't going to let her get off that easily.
She groaned, lifting her hips off the bed but he pulled away teasingly.
"Please, just… just eat me out already!"
This seemed to be what he wanted to hear, and he grinned at her wolfishly before dragging the boxers off of her in one swift motion. Annabeth didn't even have time to think about being embarrassed before his mouth was on her and oh GOD it felt good.
Her thighs pressed tight around his ears instinctively, her back arching off the bed as his tongue swirled around her clit, sucking and licking and making her head feel fuzzy. He seemed to be testing different rhythms, seeing what had her moaning louder, what made her grip on his head tighten and her body vibrate with pleasure.
And he figured it out quickly. Too quickly.
The minutes of absolute pleasure passed.
Annabeth gasped, feeling that familiar ache for release build in her core, so soon, too soon, but she wanted it, she needed it, she closed her eyes, her legs shaking as she–
Stopped. Percy lifted his head away and Annabeth's body collapsed back on the mattress in disappointment, her face hot, her heart racing, her body protesting the sudden lack of friction, and her eyes fluttered open in confusion.
"What was that for?" She demanded.
"That," Percy licked his lips, his eyes flashing when he met her gaze, and smirked, "was for calling me insufferable."
Her eyes widened, memories of their closet excursion rushing back, "You–!"
He was over her suddenly, his chest pressed to hers, his knee between her legs and Annabeth gasped again, unable to tear her eyes from his even as they were inches from each other, "I'm going to have my fun. For every name you called me that night, I'm going to deny you. And only when I've felt you've suffered enough, when you've earned it, will I let you cum." He leaned in and his lips brushed against her ear, volume dropping and taking on a more gentle tone, "Just let me know if you want me to stop, okay?"
She shivered, her heart rate picking up again and every part of her body responding to his words. She… wanted that. Annabeth nodded, but when he pulled back she had her patented glare fixed on her face, "What about you? You called me names too."
Percy laughed, "I think holding back is punishment enough for me."
Annabeth opened her mouth to respond but all rational words left her mind as his hand slipped between them, grazing his fingers against her dripping wet pussy and making her body shudder. He rubbed slow circles against her, almost lazily, but if Annabeth tried to shift closer he'd pull away again, that infuriating smirk on his face.
"Wh-what insult is this one for…?" She panted.
"Arrogant." He rubbed his fingers between her folds, getting them nice and slick while Annabeth whimpered beneath him, and in moments he was slipping a digit inside. Annabeth gripped his shoulder, almost holding her breath as the finger curled and brushed against that spot that had been aching to be touched since they started this.
"At least that one was true…" She muttered, and he stopped his movements, holding himself inside her.
"You think I'm arrogant?" He sounded more amused than anything.
"Are you claiming you're not?"
The digit began to pull out and she was about to let out a huff of frustration when it suddenly, without warning, slammed back inside her, back and forth, fast and rough and oh God she couldn't control the sound that tore from her throat as he finger-fucked her. He slipped a second finger in and stretched her walls, whispering huskily in her ear, "What do you want, Princess?"
"I-I…!" She couldn't bring herself to say it, her body reacting and squeezing around him.
"I won't forgive you if you won't tell me." His voice had almost a sing-song lilt to it, and it sent Annabeth's body into overdrive.
"I want to cum!" She cried out, feeling the familiar build up once more, the sensation of approaching the precipice, knowing that if he just kept going, just a little more, she'd–
He pulled away again and Annabeth could nearly scream with frustration as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her temple.
"I-I thought you said you'd… if I said it…" She managed out, her whole body shaking.
"I said I'd forgive you. Not that you'd be rewarded." He was hovering over her again, pressing his hips to hers, rolling them, and she can feel how hard he is, his clothed member rubbing against her in the most delicious way.
Annabeth whimpered, not sure how much more of this she could take before breaking entirely. Percy leaned in and nipped at her lip, "Had enough?"
"N-no!" She said it defiantly, jutting her chin out though she could feel herself quivering.
"Mmm…" He hummed, taking her jaw in his hand and squeezing her cheeks. "But I have."
Disappointment and fury flooded her. She was about to protest, to ask him not to stop, when his hands were on her, flipping her onto her stomach, and with a small ' oh.' Annabeth's brain caught up to the situation. He didn't mean enough of her . Just enough of teasing her.
His hand was on her back, forcing it to slope downwards as he pressed insistently against her ass, leaning over her to chuckle into her ear, "I think next time I could be meaner. But I want you too badly."
Annabeth whimpered in response. He wanted her. She was desirable. She felt the heat of his chest move away and heard the shifting behind her as he removed his sweats.
"D-do you have a–"
"Of course." He reached over her to the backboard of the bed, grabbing a foil square off the shelf there. Annabeth tried to roll over as he was preoccupied with the condom, but a swift slap to her ass put an end to that notion quickly. "I didn't say you could move yet." Percy chided.
Annabeth's past partners had never been so demanding in bed. But she couldn't say she hated it as she felt him line up with her entrance and slowly, slowly press forward, eliciting a positively sinful moan from her lips as his hand pressed against her back once more, keeping her positioned properly. Her fingers dug into his sheets, her eyes squeezing shut as he spread her inch by inch.
And then his hips nestled snugly against her own, and Annabeth fought against her instincts to rock against him. She didn't want to be denied a third time.
Soon he was pulling out again, and it felt even better, making her moan into the mattress. A hand found her hair and pulled her head back, forcing a hiccup of surprise out of her.
"I want to hear you." Percy said simply, before slamming himself back inside.
The scream that came from her throat was unlike any sound Annabeth could ever recall making before.
She'd always considered herself relatively quiet in bed. At the very least, she'd had the self control and self awareness to keep all the sounds she'd wanted to make inside. But something about the way she and Percy fell together so easily, fit so perfectly, had her mind racing. Annabeth began babbling as he began fucking her hard and fast, the words spilling from her lips like honey;
"Please please please don't stop, don't stop, f-fuck me, god, oh my god, ohmygodohmygodohmygod Percy!" After being edged twice, it didn't take her long to finally plummet over the peak of her climax, her throat raw from crying out his name, her body sore from arching her back and spreading her legs. But Percy hadn't finished yet. He pulled out, flipping her back over and pressing her legs back against her shoulders as he slammed inside again.
The sound of skin against skin echoed throughout the room as he pounded into her oversensitive pussy, Annabeth still reeling from the high of her orgasm. Finally, he groaned, low and long. She could feel him harden then relax as he joined her in bliss, and her toes curled as he collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily.
The two of them lay like that for a minute. Then another. Listening to the other breath. Feeling their hearts beating, asynchronous, off tempo with each other. Neither dared to speak at first, afraid of breaking the spell. What if… what if it was bad for him? The thought crossed Annabeth's mind and began to take hold, which sucked considering for her it had been rather mind-blowing, and just as she was debating whether this whole thing was a mistake, Percy's voice filled her head.
"That was incredible."
"Really?" She didn't mean to sound shocked, and Percy pulled back, brow furrowed.
"Why did you say it like that? Was it bad for you?"
"No! No not at all, I just… I need validation sometimes." She blushed, and his gaze softened.
"I think we all do." A beat. "Now it's your turn to say it was incredible too."
Annabeth couldn't hold back a snort, "It was incredible."
He mulled this over, "Hmm. Well now it doesn't mean as much since I told you to say it."
"Fine, it was amazing."
"Not as good of a word as incredible."
"Okay, then it was…" She searched for a word better than incredible, "Godly."
Percy nodded. Her answer had been accepted.
He pulled out of her slowly, rolling over and slipping off the bed to dispose of the mess they had made together. As he walked, he called back, "Do you need anything? Water, a snack, a sweater? Are you cold?"
"Water is fine." She yawned, crawling under the sheets. It was true they had decided to ignore the second rule, just for tonight, but part of her wondered if it would be better for her to get dressed and hop on the next bus home. But his bed was warm, her limbs were sore, and she was tired. She didn't want to take the bus home in the middle of the night in slightly damp clothes. She wanted to curl up and go to sleep.
The curling up part was easy. She reached over the side and dragged Percy's comforter back onto the bed, wondering if it had mistakenly slipped off or if he preferred to sleep without it. Annabeth tucked herself in, snuggled into a pile of pillows, and closed her eyes.
She heard Percy quietly pad back into the room. She heard him softly call her name, a question, seeing if she was asleep. She didn't respond. She heard the light click off, felt the bed sink as he climbed in beside her, heard the sigh he heaved as he lay down.
And then an arm was around her. Only for a moment. It squeezed her tight, hugging her close, before it was gone, and he was rolling over, their backs to each other.
Annabeth, who had been ready to pass out mere seconds ago, suddenly found herself very much awake.