A/N: Hey guys! I'm back! I'm so sorry for not uploading as frequently this past month or so, but it's because I've been updating my new drabble series!

It's called Semantics of Love and has a different type of writing style that I am so into right now, so please check it out! I've been updating that weekly!

Anyway, to make up for the missed updates, here is a longer holiday special!

Here ya go:

It was that time of year, when Starbucks brought out the eggnog lattes, people's electric bills spiked, and his mom would give him her slightly concerned, sympathetic look when he told her that he wasn't bringing anyone to dinner, again.

But really, he loved the holiday season. He just wasn't sure he could take another look from his mom when he inevitably had to update her on the status of his nonexistent love life.

Which happened to be his current source of worry because it was officially December 1st and the question was only a few weeks away.

He was pacing around his apartment in an early onset of worry when his doorbell rang. Who was trying to visit him at eight in the morning on a Saturday? Walking over, he peered through to see a head of blonde hair, which only added to his confusion.

But upon opening the door he recognized her as the girl who had moved in a door down from him. He had only seen her in passing up until now and seeing her properly for the first time he was a little blown away.

She was… wow. Definitely an upgrade from crabby old Mrs. Walker, who'd finally moved out last month.

"Hello?" he asked tentatively after realizing that he had sort of been staring.

"Hi." She smiled at him and, honestly, he felt a little weak. "I'm Annabeth, I moved in not too long ago, but haven't been able to properly introduce myself."

"Percy," he managed to respond.

She held up some envelopes. "I gathered as much, they accidentally delivered your mail to me."

"Oh." One-syllable replies, real smooth. "I mean, thank you." He accepted the letters.

Annabeth smiled again. "No problem! It was nice meeting you, Percy."

She had really striking eyes, he noticed, a stormy dark grey.

"Uh, yeah, nice meeting you too." He quickly replied.

Her eyes dropped down to his legs. "Oh, and… nice pants."

There was mirth in her tone but he still blushed when he looked down to see that he was still wearing his old Star Wars pajamas.

"Thanks," he mumbled out with an embarrassed smile.

He shut the door and dropped his head to rest against it. He had definitely made a fool of himself. She had been contributing actual sentences to the conversation and he had added awkward responses, Star Wars PJs, and probably a bedhead too . Great.

He could be a more coordinated human being. Next time.

-.-.-.-.-.-

He was proven wrong the second time she showed up at his door in the morning, dressed for work in a pencil skirt.

"They messed up the mail again," she explained and handed him the sheaf of papers.

This time he had been even more rumpled, hurriedly dressing for work while trying to eat a piece of toast.

"Thwanks," he mumbled out, swallowing the last of his bread.

"No big deal, have a good day," she responded.

"Y-you too!" he called after her.

Definitely not functional.

-.-.-.-.-.-

He had to figure out this situation.

Annabeth showed up at his door a total of three more times with his mail over the next week and a half and each time he still hadn't been able to redeem himself.

He figured that's what led him to her door the next day, with jeans and a t-shirt and a plate of cookies, to prove he was a coordinated human being.

Definitely not because he had been unable to stop thinking about her.

She swung open the door and greeted him with a confused smile, but he couldn't help but notice that her hair wasn't in a ponytail and it totally looked like a freaking Disney princess's. Were those natural curls?

"Percy! What brings you here?"

"I, uh, thought I'd bring over some cookies to officially welcome you and all that." He offered her the plate of various Christmas themed sugar cookies.

"Oh! Thank you." She accepted the plate and stepped back. "Would you like to come in?"

He carefully stepped inside the cozy apartment. It seemed that Annabeth had successfully moved in and done a little decorating. A small tree sat in the corner.

She gestured towards it. "I wasn't able to get a bigger one, so I'm sticking with the little guy this year."

"It's nice, you seem to have adjusted quickly," he replied. See? A normal sentence, he was capable of those.

She shrugged and set the plate down on the counter.

"It wasn't too hard. Would you like some coffee, hot chocolate?"

He turned to her and blushed. "Oh it's okay, I'm not-"

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "I'm offering, don't worry about it. Besides, you brought cookies. No one else here has done that."

Percy ducked his head and shrugged. "Well I figured I'd say thank you, you did drop off my mail. Multiple times. Plus I didn't really leave the best first impression, probably." He muttered the last part but she heard him anyway.

"I didn't think you left a bad first impression, you were very cute." She smiled warmly at him and he probably looked like a tomato now.

"Thanks," he muttered. This seemed to be a reoccurring trend.

"So coffee, hot chocolate, anything?" she asked again.

"Hot chocolate would be good. I, I uh don't like coffee." He figured she'd seen him in a worse state and admitting this probably couldn't do much harm.

Her eyes widened at the response as most people's did when they find out. "No way."

"Yeah," he mumbled, looking a bit sheepish.

"Me too!"

That was… not what he was expecting.

"Wait, what?"

She started to stir in the hot chocolate as she talked. "Yeah, I'm not a big fan of coffee either, you're the first person I've found in a while that doesn't like it."

She handed him the hot chocolate with marshmallows and he might have found his soulmate.

"This might be the beginning of a great friendship," he told her.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Two days later he was back with another plate of cookies, Star Wars tickets, and a plea of desperation.

"Cookies? Twice in the same week? To what do I owe this pleasure?" Annabeth had questioned when she opened the door.

"It's a cry for help and the cookies are to help convince you. I also have Star Wars tickets cause you mentioned you liked it and I hear the new movie is good, but then again you might have watched it so that may be a waste but-"

She cut off his rant.

"Breathe Percy, and come in."

He walked in with an embarrassed smile and handed her the cookies.

"Okay, so what's up?" she asked when they were situated on the couch.

"I have a…request…" he started.

She motioned for him to continue.

"I was…wondering if…maybeyoucouldpretendtobemygirlfriend?"

"What?" she just looked confused.

He took a deep breath and started again.

"So my mom is the sweetest person you could imagine, really, and she's great. But she gives me this look that's a mixture of sympathy and concern and whatever else whenever I tell her I don't have anyone to bring to a family gathering, or even when I visit her." He paused to make sure Annabeth was following along.

"Okay."

"And basically, I didn't want to hear the disappointment in her voice, so I said I was bringing my girlfriend next time I visited."

"Okay?"

"And I don't have a girlfriend!"

"Ah, okay, I see your problem now." Annabeth leaned back on the couch.

"Right, so I was wondering, if you could pretend to be my girlfriend?" He rushed out the words and continued before she could respond, "I know it's a lot. And you don't have to, it's just you've been so nice and not to say I'm trying to take advantage of that, I just thought of you, and you're really pretty, not that that should be a reason wither, it's just you seem like a really cool person and I hope you can help me out and I'm gonna shut up now."

Annabeth looked amused at the rant and laughed when he finally clamped his mouth shut.

"Don't worry about it Percy, I'm down."

"Wait, really?" He was genuinely surprised.

She nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I get it. And besides I'm so tired of hearing my mom not-so-subtly hint that I'm not getting any younger to find someone. How about a deal: I'll go over to your place if you come over to mine. That way we both help each other out."

He nodded vigorously. "Yeah that works. God, Annabeth you're a life saver."

"Nah, I just do it for the cookies."

"Then I guess I shouldn't tell you my secret ingredient."

She rose an eyebrow. "Come one, what is it?"

He looked around then stage whispered, "The grocery store."

She laughed out loud at that, and he was secretly pleased with himself to elicit that response.

Annabeth calmed down then looked at him expectantly. "Didn't you say something about Star Wars?"

He grinned as he held up two tickets.

-.-.-.-.-.-

As it turned out Annabeth's family was first on the list and they ran down their story, which was essentially real life events that led to a relationship, before heading out. Percy was beyond distracted when he had opened the door to reveal her in a dark green velvety dress and he figured out very quickly this was going to pose a problem.

"Relax, it'll be okay. They'll definitely like you."

"I hope so," he clutched the steering wheel. Partly because he was nervous, and partly because Annabeth looked a little too good in that dress.

She laid a hand on his arm and he relaxed under her touch and when they got out she grabbed his hand. He might not make it.

Annabeth's family was kind and welcoming, and he managed to remember the names she'd mentioned. They all seemed to like him well enough, especially her younger brothers, who bonded over their mutual love of video games.

"So how did you two meet?" The inevitable question was asked, and Annabeth answered with the practiced response.

"I got his mail and decided to give it to him, we became friends, and he asked me out on a date to see Star Wars."

It wasn't far off from the truth, and part of Percy started wishing that was the actual series of events. But what really got to him was how easily it was for Annabeth to be his girlfriend. Many times throughout the night his arm slipped easily around her waist, she comfortably leaned into him, they effortlessly joked and teased each other. It was amazing really, and after the nervousness at the beginning faded the night seemed to pass like a breeze.

They got back into his car with smiles on their faces.

"That went well," he remarked as he backed out of the driveway.

"I told you it would," she teased.

"Know it all," he teased back.

"Mmm, you're just jealous cause I'm always right."

"Right, that's definitely it babe."

He froze for a moment. The word had slipped out without him realizing, it had been so easy.

"Yep, glad you agree," she teased back and he relaxed.

He turned to look at her for a brief moment. She was leaning back in the seat with her eyes closed looking absolutely gorgeous. God, he might die seeing her in that dress. He quickly turned back to the road and tried to quell any thoughts that involved it.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Percy wasn't sure who was more nervous, him or Annabeth. It was time to go to Percy's place this time, and he wasn't worried about Annabeth. No, he knew his mom would love Annabeth. He was afraid she might see through his lie. That and the little red dress Annabeth had on this time was mind numbing. He had actually straight up stared at her for a full minute when she had opened the door.

"My mom is gonna love you," he reassured her when she had asked nervously tugging at her curls. Of course, then he had been distracted by her hair which also look soft and perfect for tangling into if he ever brought her in for a kiss, which he was very tempted to do.

He was right, his mom had absolutely loved Annabeth the moment they met. And he was also somewhat right when his mom was able to pick up on something regarding the two of them. The night had been going amazingly well, with both of them slipping into their roles as if they had never stopped being boyfriend and girlfriend.

It was a slow moment when Annabeth was discussing books with his stepdad (while looking undeniably stunning as she was doing so) was he caught staring. His mom had broken his gaze with a smile and the words that momentarily froze him.

"You're falling for her, aren't you?"

He turned to look at her with a wide-eyed expression. Shit. His mom was right. He was so falling for her.

"That's good, I'm happy for you." His mom offered a smile.

It would have been great, except they weren't dating.

Annabeth walked over then. "You okay Perce? You look a bit shaken."

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm good."

She frowned but let it go, slipping her arm though his easily. "Come on, let's go by the tree."

"Ah! Not so fast there." His stepdad stopped them in their tracks. "Look up."

They looked up to find they had been caught under the mistletoe.

Percy immediately blushed. "You don't have to-" he started to mumble but was cut off by a pair of lips.

His brain promptly short circuited and he was completely caught in the overwhelming feeling of Annabeth.

They were both sporting a blush when they drew apart. It might have been the best kiss of Percy's life.

Clearly trying to have a pretend relationship with a girl he was genuinely falling for was not the best idea he had ever had. Because now every time she leaned into him he felt a pang in his heart at the fact that this wasn't real.

They left the house hand-in-hand, a bittersweet gesture for Percy.

"That was fun, your mom's very nice," Annabeth commented as they got in the car.

"Yeah," he replied distractedly.

She frowned at his reaction, and he looked away.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, for the second time that night.

"Yeah." The reply was the same.

Annabeth didn't say anything after that and they drove in silence.

It hurt Percy to do this but he had to figure out what he was going to do. He really liked Annabeth, and didn't want to lose her but at the same time it was hard to do this without wanting it to be real. On the bright side, this should be the last of it.

He quickly glanced over at her, she looked troubled as she stared out the window. And if he was honest he hated seeing her like this.

They arrived back at the apartment complex, Percy quickly thanking her and running away. Well attempting to run away. She caught his wrist before he could go.

"What's going on Percy? Talk to me."

She pulled him insider her apartment and shut the door. Percy just stood, fidgeting a little because how do you tell someone that you are fake dating that you actually fell for them.

After the momentary silence Annabeth spoke up. "If this is about the kiss, I'm sorr-"

"No!" he cut her off, then blushed. "No it's not about that, I just…"

"What?" she asked softly, gently turning his face to hers.

"I can't do this anymore,"

"Do what?"

"Pretend to date you."

"Oh." She took a step back. "It's okay. You don't have to anymore anyway…" She looked hurt. He hated seeing that expression on her face.

Well, it was now or never. He chose now. It was better than him beating himself up about it.

"I like you. Like really like you, I might be falling for you," he stumbled out the words. Really, we're back at this again. He really thought the awkward stuttering phase was over.

Her face broke out into a smile and she stepped back towards him.

"Good," she said softly, leaning in. "Because I might be falling for you too."

The second kiss was just as amazing as the first, if not more. They drew away breathless.

"I might have understated it," he said after they had caught their breath. "I've already fallen."

-.-.-.-.-.-

"Percy! Mail!" Annabeth called as she walked back into the room. Percy was lounging on the couch when she dropped the pile on him.

"Ugh, bills I'd rather not." He groaned as he sorted through the stack. He paused when he got to what looked like a holiday card.

"Wait, this one's for you."

Annabeth walked back in the living room with a mug of hot chocolate and took the letter from him.

"Seasons Greetings, Percy and Annabeth Jackson," she read aloud.

"Who's it from?" he asked.

"It's one of those ad things," she responded, flipping it over.

"We wish you the best, here are out best holiday deals!" Her bored look betrayed the fake tone of excitement.

"What are these super amazing holiday deals?" Percy teased, grabbing the card from her.

He perused through then frowned, "It's all baby stuff. We don't need that."

He turned to Annabeth who had a small smile on her face, "Weelll…"

A/N: So what did you think? Did you like it? Did I deliver the fake dating au everyone wanted? Did you even want it?

And once again, I have a new drabble series called Semantics of Love and I hope you all check it out!

And wishing everyone the best holiday season (whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I personally don't, but I enjoy the festivities) and a very happy and amazing new year!

Please Review! I'd love to hear your thoughts! And as always, thanks for reading!

See you all in 2018! :)