"I love you."
She should get it this time. They were overlooking a waterfall lit by the soft moonglow. Having just finished a conversation about how best friends sometimes turn into lasting romantic relationships, Percy was feeling confident. Annabeth was picking rocks out of her hiking shoes, her hair pulled to one side, her eyebrows furrowed gently in subtle concentration. When the words reached her ears she smiled tenderly, he figured maybe she thought it was a joke but then-
"I love you too, Seaweed Brain."
Not like that. Not like friends. How could he put it into words? This fire in his chest, this defensive airiness, this dizzying warmth?