Chapter 1: The Morning After

Annabeth

Blissful joy… All my life, I've never understood that feeling.

In the past, if a lovey-dovey couple so much as kissed in the public, I would cringe and probably would have thrown up on the spot too, but now, as I laid my head on his chest, his steady breathing tickling my hair and the calm beating of his heart in sync with my own, I think I finally understood.

This was what being in love felt like.

"I love you, Percy."

Ever since the morning came, I woke up and found myself in Percy's arms. He held me close, and I had used him as a cushion all night. Still sleeping soundly through sunlight streaming into my room, the babyface he made being underneath me melted me whole, but at the same time, I just want to cuddle more against his softness. It was pure bliss.

"Promise we'll stay together forever, okay?" I rest my chin in the middle of his chest and tilted to look up, "I'm never going to let you leave my side, okay?"

Pure gibberish, he never ceased to have that effect on me. Well, he's asleep anyway, so I might as well get it out of my system before these feelings bottled up.

"I love you so much, Percy." I reached up and hug him close, "I wished we could spend forever in this bed, nothing to do, nothing to worry about…"

His gentle scent was so intoxicating being close to him. It felt like home, and something about this moment made me want to come home as much as I could.

"Percy…" I mumbled and snuggled close to the nape of his neck and shoulder, "You are home to me, so don't try to leave me all alone. You'll always be my home, okay"

It was pretty humiliating doing this, but the lovey-dovey side of my brain wouldn't turn off no matter what. Especially after what we did last night, the morning after was truly something to behold and be terrified about.

"Ughh…" A soft stirring snapped me out of it.

Holding him in my arms, realization dawned on me a little too late. I pulled away slightly and caught him looking at me with groggy eyes. It seemed he wanted to say something, but something was off. He tilted his head to the side and shot me a quick smile filled with smugness.

"Eeeek!" I jumped, literally!

"Good morning, wise girl."

Blushing as I played with my fingers and my pajamas, I almost couldn't reply. It could barely be classified as a whisper, "Good morning, seaweed brain."

"So…" He rubbed his left eye.

I hung my head down.

"How are you feeling?"

A breath I'd been holding released and I was so relieved he decided not to embarrass me. It made me want to thank him, but doing so would just make things worse. I let go too.

"Good! I am good!" I waved both hands.

Then I moved on to my arms and show him that my wounds were all healed. The only thing left to do was to remove the bandage from my shoulder and collarbone, though that would require some help.

I looked at my seaweed brain and felt my cheeks burn.

"That's good to hear. You can move your left shoulder, right?"

"Mm-hmm," Words paused, I tried desperately to say the next line, "Um… Would you mind… taking it off for me?"

Instead of blushing, he passed me an all-too-smug smirk, "You sure?"

I felt goosebumps roll down my arms and a pout went across my cheeks, "Don't tease me! Just… be careful and— Anyway, I'll smack you if you decide to sneak a peek, seaweed brain!"

"Yeah-yeah… I got you, wise girl."

What's with that attitude? Gosh, he's the absolute worst!

"Hmph."

I turned away with my back toward him, then once I made sure he wasn't being a mischievous wisecrack, I unbutton the first two knots, then lowered my pajama shirt and slide it off my shoulders. I had to hold my hands across my chest to prevent it from slipping off all the way.

"Don't look too much, okay…"

Honestly, it would have done the same thing if I bare my left shoulder only, but the chance of it being more difficult increased, and I wouldn't want accidents to occur when Percy was the one doing it for me.

I heard a somewhat heavy and awkward cough behind me, "So you just need me to remove the bandage… Hmm, let me see…"

Rolling my eyes, I wondered how hard it was to remove a bandage. It was wrapped around my back and underneath my arm, but of course, seaweed brain was going to be a seaweed brain. I should have known.

His fingers touched me.

"Eeeke…"

That reaction was suppressed, at least I hoped. It wasn't like I was that sensitive either, but after last night… Well, a lot of things changed after what we did. I still remembered, the bits and pieces of his gentle, smoothing, light touches across my skin, his lips reaching places I've never felt before. That intense feeling bubbling in my—

Ahhh! Stop… Stop thinking!

I was burning up into a hot mess, and it wasn't for the lack of trying either. I sure hoped Percy didn't notice.

"Oh! Here we go,"

Starting with my back, he found the end of the white bandage and began to unwrap it to the front around my collarbone, crossing it back under my arm and repeating that process.

Grateful yet embarrassed, I turned away to the right side so Percy couldn't see how hard I was trying not to blush. He continued without making any dumb jokes. I was at least glad about that.

"You know, this could have gotten a lot quicker if Stella didn't wrap around so many times."

On that note, I completely agreed.

When it was finally done, the bandage was free. Percy rolled it up into a ball and tossed it in the garbage can next to my bed. He went back to me soon after.

"Uh, Annabeth? Unless you are waiting for something," Percy pulled his awkward face away from my gaze, "Maybe you should cover yourself up…"

I took a minute just sitting there, dumbfounded.

"Ahhh! You could have said something earlier, pervert!" I threw my pajama shirt back on and quickly button myself back up.

"Who are you calling a pervert?! Besides, you were the one who's looking at me like a lost puppy."

"Ugh! You are annoying!" I lifted myself off my bed and stormed off, "I'm going to take a shower! I smell like a wet dog."

"Hmph."

As I disappeared into my bathroom with new clothes, I couldn't hold back an irresistible grin and sank on my butt with the door behind me.

"Stupid Percy…"

.

Percy and I met up after my shower to clean off. A relaxation well-deserved after a rough night, this was the first chance I had to freshen up. Come to think of it, I never had the chance to do anything about the dirt and grime last night, meaning…

"Oh Gosh…"

Certainly, I hoped none of that mattered, but still, I wasn't a big fan of my first time smelling like I've rolled around in the mud, which in case of the battle yesterday, I most certainly did.

"What? You've got that unusual thinking face, wise girl."

Percy got the chance to clean up too. He told me a maid let him use a separate bathroom while I was soaking up in my bath. Looking at him now, he was even more refreshingly handsome.

"Nothing, idiot." I sped up toward downstairs, "Let's go. I want to see how everyone is doing."

"Okay-Kay…" He passed me a glance that said you are so bossy.

Again, his exasperated attitude with me was beginning to get on my nerves, yet somehow, I couldn't help but treasure this feeling.

I smiled, then took his hand and dragged him with me.

But I never could have expected what awaited us….

Everyone… and I meant everyone in our family, even Paul and those little rascals, were sitting around the long table and having a nice morning chat. It came to an abrupt stop when we entered the living room, as if the star of the show had finally come on stage to an awestruck crowd.

"Ho-hoo! Look who finally woke up!" Piper chimed with a loud cheer, "The destined lovebirds have finally gotten out of their love nest and— Guh!"

I threw a piece of bread right into her face.

"Shut it, Pipes!"

The daughter of Aphrodite recoiled with a loud Bonk, the bread bounced off her head and flew with uncanny precision, right between a narrow pitcher filled to the brim with orange juice. Another Bonk was followed by a wet slushing sound, orange juice splashed everywhere and onto everyone who was within proximity.

"Uh… sorry,"

The ones closest to the pitcher were Thalia, Paul, Bobby and Matthew, and finally Sally. They all got soaked, or at least, their clothes were damped with orange juice. It would be ways before it would smell nice and fresh again.

"Hey! Food fight!" Bobby cheered.

Matthew concurred, "Yea! Food fight!"

"No! No food fight, you two!"

Paul's intensely firm resolute calmed the boys down. I couldn't help but feel disappointed just looking at their downcast disappointment. Namely, because I was the one who started it.

Percy shook his head beside me. I gave him the stink eye.

Opposite the long-ended table, I heard an irritated sigh. It didn't take long to figure out that it was my mother, the Goddess of wisdom, Athena.

"Good morning, mom."

She sighed at my timid greeting, "Good morning, Annabeth. If you are done with your silly antics, then may I suggest you and Percy come and join us for breakfast?"

I sighed dejectedly.

"Ooohh… Percy's girlfriend is in trouble…"

I shot a dangerous glare at Matthew. Meanwhile, Percy sat down beside me because of course he would. I wouldn't want him anywhere else but beside me anyway. There were two maids by our breakfast this morning. One of them was familiar to me. Her name was Hanna, a mature woman in her late thirties or so. The other was a gorgeous girl about the same age as me. Silky white hair as soft as marshmallows and red piercing eyes, I haven't gotten the chance to be well acquainted with her. What was her name again? Lia or something like that?

"Prince Perseus, would you like some orange juice?"

Almost immediately after we sat, she jumped in and offered my boyfriend a glass cup. Percy quickly passed me a nervous look. I hummed at him and my eyes suddenly narrowed on their own.

"I'm good. Thanks."

The girl backed off with an unbelievably beautiful and young smile, "I see. Well, let me know if you need anything else. I am always here to help, after all."

Something fired up deep inside me….

"Hahaha… I will, Illya."

She backed away completely with a seemingly different aura around her. It was as if she got exactly what she wanted out of that interaction, and now she was happy.

Illya huh? Wait a minute, didn't Percy say something about a maid who took care of him last night?

I felt myself glaring in her direction as confusion rolled through me. Illya was now helping the others with a plethora of food on the table, not even bothering to offer me the same thing. Of course, I was staring daggers at my boyfriend too, but Percy specifically avoided my stares which made this even more suspicious.

"Hahaha…" His nervous laugh made what had already happened even more incriminating, "Do you want some orange juice, wise girl?"

"Hmph."

Percy reluctantly retracted and ate his breakfast in silence. Of course, I was giving him the silent treatment as well.

Meanwhile, everyone around the table broke into smaller groups. The ones who were paying attention to us were Thalia and Piper. As for the rest of our family, Paul had so many questions, starting with the penthouse because he'd never been here before, but mostly, he was focused on Athena and Sally, wondering why his wife never told him any of this or what happened the night before.

I felt bad for her. After all, she knew all about the other side of our lives, yet she couldn't confide with her husband about any of it, reluctant to lie about everything. It was rather sad, but Sally didn't show an ounce of despair. She was all smiles as Paul questioned everything.

And as expected, the two boys formed their little group and were wrestling with their breakfast in eager joy. A mess quickly ensured while Hanna tried to put a stop to that ruckus. I felt bad for two people now.

"Ooof…"

Then out of nowhere, I was nudged hard on my right shoulder and that brought my attention to a girl gleaming with hazel brown eyes and same color hair. Looking at me with sparkle dancing like falling glitter, I shivered and recoiled away in fear.

"Come on, you can't expect us not to be curious, Beth," Thalia said on the other side of the table and looked at me with a similar smirk.

A grumble left my lips.

"Well, I see you've gotten better, Thals," Percy spoke matter of fact.

Thalia tilted her head and gave him a half-hearted smile, "Yeah, but that was really tough. You wouldn't want to know how much I cried last night after that."

Percy froze in horror, "Wait, you can cry...?"

That earned him a cold glare and a good scowl. Percy promptly chewed on a piece of bacon and chuckled away from the girl he just made fun of.

"Anyway, when are you going to spill the details, princess?" Piper's angelic voice was filled with elatedness, "I want to know everything, the dirty…" Her lips morphed into an obnoxious smirk and she winked suggestively, "Ahem… all the spicy stuff you and Percy did in your room, such and such…"

Percy choked on his meat and drowned out a cup of water already prepared in seconds.

"We didn't do anything! And speak for yourself, what happened between you and Jason then?"

Piper passed the accusation with a wave of her hand, "Nothing happened, captain obvious. Besides, you don't have to lie about it. You know I can tell already…"

Percy gasped in shock. A reminder about her unfair abilities as the daughter of Aphrodite, there was no point ever lying to her. That wasn't too surprising, and as such, seaweed brain muttered under his breath and gave me a look that said "Good luck", before burying his face into his plate.

Jerk.

I kept a calm face and pick up a fork, "Well, don't expect me to say anything."

"Hmmm….."

Oh, how I wish I could be in hell rather than this charade…