Chapter 12

-Annabeth-

Annabeth clears her throat and Percy turns to her. She's holding his helmet and is looking up at him, smiling, a thousand thoughts racing through her mind. Her eyes catches his and her heart does somersaults and butterflies fill her stomach. The sounds of the dance around them seem to fade until it's just him and her. Percy and Annabeth. She really likes him.

She thinks about what he did for her, standing up to Luke and pushing him away from her. She was uncomfortable with Luke's touch and he knew it. He kicked off the battle in defense of her.

"Hey!" he says. "That's where my helmet went!"

She laughs. "Yup. And what are you going to do to get it back?" she challenges him.

"First I'm going to ask you to give it back," he says.

"First...?" she asks. "So what comes after?"

"I... don't know. I don't think I'd get past the first part," he says.

"Maybe you're right," she says. "But... there is a quick way to get it back."

"Call up my army and make you?" he jokes.

"Well, perhaps." She wraps her arms around his neck, still holding his helmet. "Or you could give me a dance."

"I don't really know how to dance," he says sheepishly.

Annabeth's jaw drops dramatically. "Perseus Jackson," she scolds. "You know how to sword fight but not how to dance?"

He shrugs. "Not really."

A slow dance comes on over the speakers and couples start taking to the floor.

"Surely you know how to slow dance," she says softly.

"That I can do," he says, smiling.

Leo runs up and takes Percy's helmet. "I'll hold this. You two get going! Go on!"

Annabeth laughs and takes Percy's hand, dragging him out to the floor. She then wraps her arms around his neck and he wraps his around her waist, holding her close. They gaze into each other's eyes and Annabeth's heart flutters in her chest as they sway to the music.

"You were amazing, tonight," she says softly.

"I don't like to lose," he says simply. "It was nothing though."

"You're being modest," she says. "You defended me."

"Of course," he whispers. "I mean, I didn't want to fight so soon after arriving, but I couldn't just let him move on you."

She smiles at him and pulls him closer to her so she can rest her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."

"For protecting you?"

"For everything," she says softly. "For never giving up on me when I walked out."

She breathes in his scent and runs her fingers through his hair. She really likes him. Maybe even more than that. But she feels it's too soon to love him. No, it's definitely too soon.

She really fucking likes him.

"You've done a lot more for me than I have for you, Annabeth," he says softly, giving her a smile. "You started clearing my name. While I was fighting, I heard you talking about me."

Annabeth blushes and pulls away just enough so she can see his face. Well of course I defended you, she thinks. "All I said was they should root for someone that hasn't hurt them before."

"Thank you," he says. "Do I owe you, or...?"

"I'd say we're even," she says. "But... I'm not the only one you should thank. Rachel wants to make things right with you."

"I'll... I'll think about it," he says. He keeps his eyes locked on hers and she smiles.

She wouldn't mind a date with him. An actual date, not just a hang out. But she's not going to tell him that. She wants him to figure it out on his own. She never felt in control over anything in her life before, especially relationships. This is uncharted territory for her and it scares her, but at the same time it's exciting. The song ends and somewhere in the gym, Jason's voice is heard on the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Goode High," he says into a microphone. Everybody turns their attention to the stage that he's standing on. "My name is Jason Grace, leader of the Storm group, second to Percy Jackson of Trident group. On behalf of all of us that participated in the battle, the other students in the Greek classes, and the rest of the student body, I would like to extend thanks to Mr. Brunner and to our school principal for their part in organizing this special occasion. I believe this was the best Halloween this school has ever seen to date."

The entire student body claps and cheers, a few students even started whistling.

"Now," Jason continues, once the crowd settles. "To the Greek warriors out there!" There's a few shouts from several students. "On my word, we're going to shout in respect to Mr. Brunner. You know the cry. Those guys from Luke's group, you've heard it. Percy Jackson, will you be so kind as to demonstrate?"

Annabeth turns to Percy and sees his lopsided grin. He turns away from her and shouts.

"Stratós! HA-OOH!"

Ten voices cry out once in response from all over the gym and Annabeth feels a chill down her spine and she clings to his arm, although she's having a lot of fun and is very happy to see Percy enjoying himself.

"Thank you," Jason says in his microphone once the cries fade.

Percy turns back to her and smiles again. "You're not deaf are you?"

"What?" Annabeth asks, pretending to not hear him.

He laughs and the chill she felt before is replaced with warmth.

"That's the cry we're going to give to Mr. Brunner. Are you paying attention, sir?"

Somewhere behind them, Mr. Brunner calls out. "I am."

"Alright. Greek warriors on my order! Any other students who wish to join, feel free to. Ready?"

"Yeah!" the crowd replies.

Jason raises his shield. "HA-OOH!"

He raises his shield a second time. "HA-OOH!"

The crowd once again shouts with him and Annabeth tries to join in, her voice mixing in with the rest of the students.

Jason raises his shield a third and final time. "HA-OOH!"

The crows repeats with more energy and passion than before. After that last cry, everybody starts cheering, whistling is heard and a few students chant Mr. Brunner's name.

"Alright, let's settle down," Jason says, then. Once everybody settles down again, he sighs and passes the microphone into his shield hand, running his now free one through his hair. "Wow, I think my ears are ringing after that."

Everybody laughs at him for a few moments, then their laughs turn into cheering once a popular song starts playing on the speakers. Jason gives the DJ his microphone back and the dance continues.

...

"That was so much fun!" Leo exclaims.

"Hell yeah!" Connor agrees. "When can we do it again?"

"I don't know. Maybe next year?" Jason says.

They're all walking back to Percy's apartment after the dance. Thanks to Leo being the workaholic that Jason claims he is, there were spare spears hidden behind the bleachers just so they could keep their costumes complete. He even had enough to replace the ones Luke's team were using.

The experience seemed to change Luke, too. He no longer glares at Percy every time they see each other - at least, not in the way he used to. This time it's more of a rival glare, similar to Jason and Percy's rivalry. Whatever anger he had for Percy must've been let out during the fight and in the end, they've formed a mutual respect for each other. Annabeth overheard them talking and from what she could make out, they've agreed to a mutual peace. Though she can tell from Luke's body language that he still really doesn't like Percy, but so long as he stops being a jerk to Percy she doesn't care how he feels about him.

"Percy said something to Luke right after the fight," Annabeth recalls. "I think they're going to fight one on one someday."

"When?" Leo asks Percy, eyes wide with anticipation.

Percy laughs. "Not anytime soon, don't worry."

"Aw man. I want to see that," Leo complains.

"That was some intense fighting, too, Percy," Annabeth says, placing her hands on her hips and eyeing him up and down with admiration.

Percy blushes. "I don't know what you mean."

"Dude, you're too modest! That was God tier sword play!" Connor says.

"Yeah. Grover and I wouldn't last ten seconds against you," Leo adds.

"I bet you could take on all five of us," Frank says.

"All five?" Percy laughs. "I don't think so."

"I bet you could," Leo says. "Or are you chicken?"

"Leo," Annabeth warns. "We all know he's good with a sword, but five against one is too much for anybody."

"Not Achilles."

"That's a myth," Percy says.

"How about we change the subject," Jason offers.

"Yes, please!" Percy pleads.

"Let's talk about you and Annabeth." Jason grins wickedly.

"Anything but that!" Percy shouts. "How about you and Piper?"

Jason laughs and simply says, "No."

He wraps his arm around Piper, who's been uncharacteristically silent the entire time. She doesn't look upset, just more content and happy to be with Jason.

A cold October breeze flows through the street and Annabeth shivers. "I should've brought a coat... It's really cold out here."

"Here, let me help you with that," Percy says. He pulls her close to him and uses his shield to block the wind. It helps a little, though her legs are still exposed. The bottom of her dress flows with the breeze a little, but the shield helps keep the worst of it away from her arms. What really warms her up is her closeness with Percy - the way he pulled her close and rested his arm around her shoulders, his hand gently rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm them up. She blushes and looks up at him, wanting to just take in his features and lock them into her memory. Her eyes trace his jawline, a hint of stubble forming a shadow along his jaw. Next she looks up towards his eyes, wanting to remind herself just how green they are. She can't see them due to his helmet, much to her disappointment, but she leans into his embrace anyway, doing her best to keep warm.

She hears a quiet 'aww' from behind her and she peeks over her shoulder to see Jason and Piper grinning at them. Heat rises to Annabeth's face as she flips them the finger and buries her face in Percy's shoulder. The couple behind her laughs softly.

"They're watching us, aren't they?" Percy asks her quietly.

Annabeth nods. "Yeah, but it's not my fault you're so warm."

Her heart stops momentarily and she really gets embarrassed. "I mean, it's just cold out here and you're... I'm just... I don't want this to mean anything." The next part comes out quietly without her even realizing what she's saying. She just takes one look at him, sees his green eyes looking at her, and it spills out. "Unless you want it to..."

Percy blushes and laughs a little. "I get what you mean. Let's talk about it when we get back to my apartment, okay?"

She smiles and nods, a bit of relief washes over her and she feels like she can breathe just a little bit again.

Finally, they reach Percy's apartment and all the guys take turns getting out of their costumes and back into regular clothes in Percy's room. Piper and Annabeth are in the guest bedroom and changing out of their thin costumes and back into their sweaters.

"Annabeth," Piper says in a sing song voice.

Annabeth rolls her eyes, knowing what's coming. "Yes, Piper?"

"You like him," she simply says, like it's a matter of fact.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Annabeth says, keeping her voice steady and ignorant.

"I'm not saying what. I'm saying who."

"Then, I don't know who you're talking about," Annabeth corrects.

Her heart is pounding in her chest and she slips her sweater over her head before grabbing her costume off the bed.

"You were clinging to Percy," Piper says then, not even trying to hold back a knowing smile.

"I was cold and he was trying to keep me warm. Nothing else to it," Annabeth says convincingly.

Almost too convincing. She almost believes what she said. Her heart is filled with irrational fear, but she manages to keep herself together on the outside.

"Okay, what about at the dance?" Piper asks. "You had your arms all over him, then."

"It's a school dance," Annabeth counters. "People do that at dances."

"Then how about the way he protected you? And you kissing his cheek before the fight started?"

Annabeth's cheeks flush at the memory. The way she tried backing away from Luke. She was about to swat his hand away and push him but Percy stepped in, holding his shield in front. She can't help shake the feeling that he was fighting for her instead of it being planned. After all, he had told her that it started sooner than he wanted.

"Ooh so you do like him!" Piper exclaims, seeing her friend's pink face.

Annabeth finally cracks. "Okay! I may like him a little bit."

"Only a little bit? Girl I swear-"

"Ooh look at the time," Annabeth interrupts. "I should get going. See you later!"

Before Piper can protest, Annabeth runs out of the room.

"I'm headed home guys! Night!" She calls out.

"Annabeth, wait!" Percy calls.

"Can't. Gotta go," she says again. Her eyes scream 'Come with me' to Percy.

"Umm... Let me walk you home, then. It's cold out-"

Annabeth snatches his hand and dashes out the door with him. He only has time to grab a coat before being dragged out his apartment.

"Is everything okay?" He asks her, throwing on his coat. She leads him to the elevator since the stair well echoes and she doesn't want people, particularly Piper, to listen in.

"Yeah. It's just Piper keeps asking me ridiculous questions." She gives a sigh of relief when the elevators close.

"Her questions," Percy begins. "They were about us?"

Annabeth looks at him. "Yeah. How did you know?"

Was he eavesdropping on us? She pushes her thoughts to the back of her mind for the moment and focuses on Percy.

Percy shrugs. "Lucky guess. She's been bugging me about you all night."

"Yeah. So... That leads to what I wanted to talk about..." Annabeth says. Her heartbeat quickens and she gets nervous.

"About us, right? If tonight meant something?"

He sounds almost... Hopeful.

Annabeth nods. She glances at him and finds his green eyes staring at her. He quickly looks away, his face turning bright red.

Annabeth reaches up and places her hand on his jaw, having him face her. "What are you thinking?"

"I-I don't..."

"Don't what...?" She asks him.

Don't want to be with me? she thinks. If she's honest with herself, she'll be okay if they just remain as friends, but she does want there to be something special between them.

"I... Really like you, Annabeth," he says, taking her hand. "Everything that's happened between us the past couple weeks... As scared as I am to admit this, I want it to be something."

Annabeth brushes her thumb over his cheek, the stubble scraping against her skin. She feels like there's a but in his words somewhere.

"But..."

There it is... Her chest tightens.

"I don't have the best record with relationships. I've had two in the past, but they were... messy in the end."

"Does it mean this one would be?" She asks him, her voice is hopeful.

He looks into her eyes, as if he's searching for something important to him. "I hope not."

Annabeth's pulse quickens and the door to the elevator opens. They exit the building and start walking to her apartment. They don't say anything during their walk, but Annabeth does lean into him for warmth. Percy wraps his arm around her and holds her close.

She keeps glancing up at him, resisting the sudden urge to drag him into an ally and kiss him.

She doesn't know where she got these feelings. She was always physically attracted to him. She thinks maybe it was during the dance when he protected her, or last week when they saw a horror movie together and he comforted her - his arms around her, rubbing her back soothingly and soft voice burning hot on her skin, even though he was also scared out of his mind. (He told her that afterwards.)

But she realizes she's felt something for him even before that. She thinks about everything they've done together and it finally clicks - the day she stormed out of Jason's car in anger. Percy had snapped at her, but he ran after her, spouting apology after apology, begging her to come back and talk to him. She wanted to do just that, then.

That's where it got started, and the past two weeks since then have only strengthened and confirmed those feelings.

She laughs to herself, softly, earning her a curious expression from Percy.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing," she says. "Just thought about something funny."

"If it's funny I should hear about it," he says. "I like jokes."

"It's not so much a joke, more of a strange realization."

"Oh?"

"I'll tell you in a minute. First, though... You want us to be a thing, right?"

Percy blushes. They reach her apartment building and go towards the elevators.

"Yeah," he confesses. "I'm scared to admit it, but... yes."

They get in an elevator and the door closes.

"Good," Annabeth says as she grabs two handfuls of his coat, pulls him down to her, and kisses him. It's a very simple kiss, just her lips connected with his, but it feels intimate enough for her.

Heat burns her face and electricity seems to arc through her body. Her heart feels like it's going to burst through her chest any moment. Percy is tense for a moment but he quickly relaxes and kisses her back. Annabeth's hands slide to the back of his head and she grabs a handful of his curly black hair, pulling him into a slightly deeper kiss. His left hand rests around her waist while his right cups her face, his touch gentle as if her skin was made of porcelain - fragile enough to shatter with just a hint of pressure.

Annabeth pulls away, gently biting his bottom lip as she retreats, and looks into Percy's eyes, both of them catching their breaths.

"Annabeth..." He sighs happily. His lopsided smile has never looked better to her before.

She smiles and grips his coat. "So... Is there something you want to ask me?"

"I think so? But I think my ability to think is gone."

Annabeth drops her forehead to his chest, laughing. "You dummy."

The elevator door opens on her floor and Percy walks her to her apartment. Annabeth knocks on the door and Thalia opens it.

"Hey girl!" She gives Annabeth a hug. "Did you have fun?"

Annabeth laughs. "You wouldn't believe it. Um, hey, you remember Percy?"

Thalia looks past Annabeth and spots him, complete with his messy black hair.

"Percy? Holy shit you've changed a lot since I've last seen you!" She gives him a huge hug. "How have you been?"

Percy laughs, returning the hug. "I've been alright. You don't look too bad for a high school dropout."

"I've been really busy. Why haven't you texted or called me? It's been years, you asshole!"

"It's a... Long and difficult story," Percy says, scratching the back of his head nervously. Annabeth puts a hand on his arm and squeezes gently.

Thalia notices this action and decides to change the subject. "So are you two a thing now?"

Annabeth blushes deeply. "I think so. But don't tell Piper. I can't stress that enough."

"Oh God, yeah. Don't tell Piper. Or Jason. Or Leo," Percy says, making Thalia laugh. "Actually just don't tell anybody for that matter."

"My lips are sealed," she says as her laughter dies down. "Come on in! You look like you've been sitting in a walk in freezer!"