Chapter 22

Annabeth POV

"Annabeth what are you wearing tonight?" Fiona asked me from my bathroom, as I sifted through my packed bag that was just becoming a disastrous pile on the ground.

It was New Year's Eve, and somehow Fiona convinced Percy, Bobby and myself to go to the club after dinner. Matthew and Sarah left to head back to their home a few days prior, and my dad and Whitney claimed they were far too old to stay out past midnight. I was shocked when I found out that the always quiet, broody, engineer Bobby would be joining us, but I had a feeling Fiona did a lot of the convincing. She was good at that.

The closer I got to Fiona, the more I learned to love her spunk, and bluntness. There was never a dull moment when you had people always suggesting a Wii tournament (where I absolutely wrecked Percy and didn't let him hear the end of it), forcing you to dance while cooking, or drink bottomless mimosas until very intoxicated on a Sunday morning. Fiona was that friend, and I couldn't believe that I didn't realize the ally that she could be.

All of the terrible things that plagued my thoughts for weeks before beginning the journey home, like judgmental stares from Matthew or Whitney cutting me off over the, proved to be insignificant when I would look over and find Percy sitting next to me through it all. Comments that would previously knock the wind out of me, like Whitney bringing up my living situation and student loans that kept growing, just became a laughing matter with Percy when we would sneak away from the dinner table for our alone time and he would poke my sides and tease me until I was gasping for air through laughs.

I don't know how I existed before him. I don't know how I would exist without him.

And that, was terrifying to me.

Our flights home were tomorrow at noon. But Percy's flight was from SFO to Denver International Airport, while mine was stopping in Denver for another layover, but then continuing on and taking me all the way back to NYC. We hadn't breached the subject, and I was wondering how much longer we both could avoid the inevitable fate of this bubble of bliss crashing down on us.

I had to return to my tiny, smelly apartment. I had to go continue to intern for a company that clearly had no actual need for me, besides their coffee courier. I had to return to a city where I had maybe three real friends, and nobody like Percy.

The thought made me sick to my stomach.

Speaking of the devil, my bedroom door burst open and Percy walked in, sweaty after his jog around the neighborhood. As soon as his bruise started clearing, he was able to remove the brace, and after a Zoom call with his physical therapist, he was cleared to lightly exercise. Knowing Percy, he would interpret this as 'as much physical exertion I can manage without dropping dead', so I was slightly worried about him, but I could tell he needed to begin training in any way possible.

I met Grover over FaceTime one night, and I could immediately understand why he was not only Percy's mentor, but best friend. We took turn taking digs at Percy, who would roast us both back, ending with all of us knowing each other as if we were family. Grover had big expectations for Percy in order for him to get back on track, and if daily jogs and light weight training were all Percy was cleared for, he would give them his everything.

Percy said "Hey Fiona," and walked over to me.

"Hey angel," he bent down and gave me a quick kiss, which sent a flush of color to my cheeks.

"Do you think Annabeth would look better in this," she held up the tight red dress with the low back that I knew had Percy territorial, "Or this set?" She held up a pair of her leather pants with a black tube top.

Percy met my eyes with his brows raised. Are you trying to torture me? He seemed to say.

Before he had the chance to reply, I hopped off the bed and brushed past him to join Fiona in the attached bathroom. "I haven't worn this dress since college," I said as I took it off the hanger. I glanced back at Percy to see his face looking a little red, though he tried to mask it with indifference to play it cool.

"Percy, I hate to break it to you but you're going to have to shower downstairs, this bathroom is occupied," Fiona didn't event pause to listen to Percy start to complain as she attempted to shove his massive frame out the door. All I could do was laugh as the petite model asserted her dominance over the 6'4" soon to be Olympic athlete, who grumbled but left the room with a slight chuckle.

He knew how much this new friendship with Fiona meant to me, and I bet he was secretly thrilled to see me laughing with her, and not hiding alone in my room as I would have done years prior.

Fiona was watching me like a hawk as I stared at the door that I closed behind Percy, after blowing him a quick kiss. I could sense a question that I wasn't ready to answer as she spoke.

"So, when are you going to cut the shit and tell me the truth about him? I have friends from the Denver area who were shocked to hear he settled down, and I overheard a conversation last week that had me questioning how long you've actually known this man."

I sucked in a breath at the end of her words. I should have known Fiona wasn't an idiot, and of course she had connections who personally knew Percy. I tried not to let it rattle me, hearing that he would never be the type to settle down, but I would save those emotions for a later time.

Before I could defend myself, Fiona spoke again, softly this time. "I understand that we haven't had a relationship in the past, but you can trust me you know. I don't just want to be Bobby's wife to you, I would like to be your confidant and friend." Her voice cracked at the end, and she cleared her throat, trying to mask any sign of emotion that may have slipped through her carefully put up defenses.

So I told her. Everything. From the shitty life in New York, to the airport bar, the deal made, even details of their first time after the hot tub. I talked and she listened. When I started to explain why I was so concerned for tomorrow, and what would happen us, I had to swallow a few times to keep the tears down. Fiona wordlessly came to sit on the end of the bed with me, and I rested my head on her shoulders as I finally let myself feel the fear that roared through my veins when I thought about facing the world without him, and the sadness that would surely cripple me for a bit if he were to suddenly be gone.

I told her about all of the reasons that it wouldn't work. The fact that we lived across the country from each other. The fact that our relationship was built in a safe zone, not actually tested by the struggles of the real world yet. The fact that I had no money, and it wasn't like 'weekend trips to visit' were a possibility.

After 30 minutes of me talking, and sniffling by the end, Fiona finally spoke up. "That boy loves you. Don't be an idiot. Now let's put on some makeup and get you looking like the sexy bitch you are." She wiped my tears and held my cheeks as I laughed at her words.

"Thank you, Fiona. For the female companionship I never realized I needed," I spoke gently, before giving her a quick hug. Such a Fiona response.

…

I glanced at myself in the bathroom mirror in the high-end club bathroom, everything looking slightly wavy in that way it does when you're a few drinks in. My eyes had a smokey look, somehow my cheekbones were prominent, my hair straightened and silky, all courtesy of Fiona. I had decided on the red dress that hugged my hips and chest, and it was worth it when Percy would grab me closer each time someone of the male sex walked by.

I gave myself a final once over, before I stumbled out the door, in search of my group.

I spotted Percy's tall frame instantly. I saw only the back of his long onyx hair as he held my drink in his hand. As I got closer, I found him talking to a short woman wearing a short sequin skirt, who was speaking rapidly and had the flirty look in her light-colored eyes.

I don't know if it was the alcohol flowing through my blood, or the dread of tomorrow, or the feline jealousy that wouldn't simmer down, but I couldn't help myself as I slid my hand around his waist, ducking my head under his arm.

"Hey baby," I said, and his green eyes, lit up by the colorful disco lights flashing above met mine. His look of panic was replaced by one of relief and dare I say adoration.

"There you are," he smiled down at me and turned to the girl. "It was nice meeting you Nelly." Short, but not rude.

The girl gave us both a small smile, one of resignation as she realized her prey for the night was a no-go, and walked away.

Percy gave me my fruity drink that would surely be contributing to the hangover tomorrow and set his hands on my waist. He leaned his head down and stole a kiss. As best as I could with the drink still in one hand, I stood on my toes to deepen the kiss, opening my mouth, begging for more. As I arched my back to feel closer to him, someone bumped by drink and it spilled slightly on my leg, causing me to pull away from Percy.

We looked down at the liquid dripping down my leg and laughed at the tragedy.

"Another shot?" He asked me.

"This feels incredibly familiar," I shot back as he signaled for the bartender. I briefly looked around for Fiona and Bobby, and found them both drunk and dancing their hearts out, singing Katy Perry to each other like no one else was in the room. Sometimes I couldn't tell if Fiona actually loved him, but moments like this showed a different side to their relationship than the one we saw most other days.

A shot of vodka was set in front of me, and one in front of Percy.

"To the strangers who took a leap of faith in the Denver Airport," Percy said, and my breath caught in my throat.

I swallowed down my emotions, and clinked my glass with his before tossing the liquid down my throat, wincing as always.

I looked at Percy, who was studying me, as if he knew exactly where my brain was at.

"Annabeth I've been thinking about what hap-" he started, before I cut him off. I did not want to have my heart torn to shreds before the night was over. This conversation could wait.

"Stop," I spoke quickly and put a finger to his lips. "Let's just enjoy tonight, and start with another shot." I could have sworn I saw a glimpse of hurt cross his eyes, but by the time I blinked he was flashing me his confident grin, and signaling to the bar tender once again.

AN: It will be finished eventually! I have not forgotten it!