Hello! I'm just gonna say that this chapter is going to make you feel things.

Oh, and Dotsey, don't worry. Hell won't last too long, and fluff will come back.

Chapter 21

Annabeth listened with a goofy smile on her face, how Percy rambled on and on about all the stuff he had learned on his fourth day of work. She had never seen him talking so excitedly about anything before, so she didn't mind when he used terms she didn't understand or describe complicated processes that were not interesting for her. But she loved seeing him like this, so she settled for nodding and making some simple follow up questions. That had been their routine for the last four days, while they dinned outside.

With each day that passed, Percy's excitement grew, and Annabeth was glad her plan was working smoothly, despite the ache in her heart getting bigger and bigger. She knew letting him go wouldn't be easy, but at least an email carrying good news had arrived one day ago and had lifted her spirit a little bit at the thought of going back home without the love of her life. Arachne had accepted her.

"The guys have so many good initiatives that I want to talk to my dad about," Percy added, as Annabeth took a sip from her wine.

"Isn't' that taking advantage of your position as the son of the supreme chief?" Annabeth asked, amused.

"Maybe. But I'm doing it for a greater good, so there's no harm in that." He finished eating and placed his fork and knife down. "It's so nice to finally feel like you're contributing to something you care about."

"I'm so happy you feel that way, Seaweed Brain."

They talked more about his job until the check came. Annabeth tried to grab it, but Percy was quicker.

"It's my time to pay," Annabeth complained, pursing her lips.

"I know, Wise Girl, but you need to save your money. You can repay me later when you start working at Arachne." He winked and she decided to drop it. She didn't want to ruin the good mood.

After paying, Percy suggested they visited Tyson and Ella, Tyson's girlfriend, in her bookshop. It was incredible that after only four days in the region, Percy was confident enough to grab her hand and taking her through the streets of the small town as is he own the place. She had never seen him so confident and full of determination. She liked that new side of him.

Ella was a quirky girl. She spat random facts that she had learned from books whenever they talked about normal things. Annabeth didn't mind her facts, but they were a challenge when she tried to have a conversation about their lives.

She was looking at books to possibly buy, when Tyson asked, "What did you do today, Annabeth?"

"Oh, um, I finished my book and I laid on the beach absorbing sunshine for a good time."

"And what are you doing tomorrow?"

"I don't know. Why are you asking?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to come to see us at work tomorrow?"

Annabeth blinked. "Can I do that?"

He smiled, broadly. "Of course." Then he lowered his voice and checked Percy was busy talking to Ella. "Percy says he didn't invite you because he would get distracted by your beauty. But if you come with me, I'll make sure you stay away from him."

Annabeth laughed. "He really said that?"

"Something like that. So, what do you say?"

She turned to look at Percy who had a confused look on his face while listening to all of Ella's facts. She would love to spend a whole day, watching him enjoying his job.

"Sure, count me in."

HeythereimalinebreakenjoyyourdayHeythereimalinebreakenjoyyourdayHeyth

The boat was smaller than she had expected, and Annabeth had struggled to find a quiet place where she could throw up in peace, without being mocked by all of Percy's workmates.

Apparently, Tyson had invited her on the day that his group was assigned the recollection of samples. The good news was that Percy was also scheduled to join them that day, so she had been able to spend more time with him. The bad news was that she was very prone to getting seasick, so she had to hide several times from them to have a moment of composing herself.

At least the boat had stopped in mid-sea, so the diving team could start their job. That was the other good news: Annabeth had seen Percy in a very tight and expensive suit, and he had looked hot as hell.

Now, she was trying hard not to vomit, as she waited for him to come to the surface again. Although, her retired place didn't last long, as someone patted her back, breaking her tranquility.

"How are you doing?" Tamara asked with a smirk.

"Oh, I'm wonderful."

"Really? Isn't the seasickness hitting you hard?"

Annabeth grimaced. "Is that obvious?"

"Well, your green face gave it away. You look like the Grinch."

"Thanks for that."

Tamara leaned against the rail and smiled. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, and it's a lot more common than you think. Most of us used to get seasick when we started our journey as Marine Biologists, but sooner or later you get used to it." She looked towards the place where the diving group was supposed to be scouting. "I'm actually surprised by Percy. He handles it like a Pro, even if he spent all his life living in a city. He really has a natural gift with the sea."

Annabeth sighed.

"Yeah, I know."

"That's why we all think he should take the job," Tamara continued, carefully. "We could really use his help, and I think he belongs in the sea."

"I want him to take it too." She admitted, and Tamara looked at her surprised.

"You do?"

"Of course. He looks so happy here, and I just want him to make the choice for him."

Tamara thought about for a moment and then shook her head. "Sadly, I don't think he's gonna do it."

Annabeth frowned. "Why are you saying that?"

"I can't believe you don't realize how crazy that guy is for you," Tamara said, smiling. "He wants you to be in every aspect of his life. I mean, the man literally dragged all the way across the earth so you could be with him in a trial period."

"What's your point?" Annabeth asked, a little irritated.

"I'm just saying it's scary how willing he is to follow you, even if it means putting everything he likes, aside. Don't get me wrong, because it's also cute. But a little scary."

Annabeth was a little mad. She wanted to tell Tamara that it was none of her business and that she was also crazy for him. But deep inside, she knew she was right. Wasn't that the reason she had agreed to come? To convince him to stay and be happy, and not be dependent on her, and because she was also dependent on him. Wasn't that the reason she had denied trying again with Luke?

The diving team finally made it back to the surface, pulling Annabeth away from her thoughts. Percy took off his oxygen mask and Annabeth almost melted under his toothy grin. She watched as he got back on the boat and placed several small containers on a portable fridge.

"Wanna try it?" Tamara asked.

"Try what?"

"Diving. It's really pretty down there."

Annabeth's heart skipped several beats. "Don't I have to be a licensed diver to use that expensive equipment?"

Tamara smirked. "Nobody from the high order needs to know, as long as you don't do anything stupid and stay by Percy's side."

"I don't know…"

But before she could protest further, Tamara grabbed her hand and they walked through the deck until they reached Percy.

"Hey!" he greeted, excitedly.

"Annabeth wants to go diving."

"Tamara!" Annabeth scolded, embarrassed.

Percy looked so shocked Annabeth was mildly offended. "You do, Wise Girl?"

"I mean it would be nice, but I don't want to get you guys in trouble. Besides, I've never done it."

Percy and Tamara shared a look.

"Just don't take her too deeply and keep track of her pressure levels," Tamara said. "She can use my equipment."

"Can't I just wear a snorkel?" Annabeth asked and Percy laughed.

"It'll be fine, Wise Girl. Just follow my lead."

She sighed. "Okay."

In a matter of minutes, Annabeth was wearing Tamara's equipment and she was getting instructions on how to handle it. "If you hear a beep, that's because your oxygen is running out. But don't panic, it'll give you enough time to get back to the surface. Since you're not going that deep you won't need to decompress, and don't touch your regulator. Okay?"

Annabeth nodded.

"Great. I don't think you'll be enough time down there for the oxygen to run out anyway." Tamara finished explaining and gave her a thumbs up. "Have fun."

Annabeth jumped into the water her heart still beating strongly on her chest. The water was cold, but the weather was perfect for a refreshing swim. Percy swam next to her and grabbed her hands.

"Nervous?" he asked, smirking.

"Me? Pfft, never."

Percy chuckled and said, "I'm not taking you too deep, Annabeth, and it'll be just for a few minutes. It will be like watching the ocean floor in Google Maps. Still, it's gonna be really pretty. Just relax, don't panic, and follow my lead. We'll descend slowly, okay?"

Annabeth nodded, they put on their masks, and together they started the descent.

She would be lying if she didn't say she had a great time diving with Percy. Actually, she loved it. The views were amazing and breathtaking. She saw fish she had never seen before in aquariums and who would have thought the sea could be so colorful under the surface. She had started to understand why Percy was so passionate about it, and she wondered if she could get diving classes herself.

When Percy signaled to her that it was time to go back to the surface, Annabeth found herself not wanting to. She was enjoying too much, being just the two of them in an almost magical place. But she followed him back, reluctantly.

"What did you think?" Percy asked excitedly as they floated a few feet away from the boat.

"What did I think? It was freaking amazing!" she yelled, and he laughed. "There were just too many different types of fish to count, and the colors of the reef were just incredible. I watched what look like an octopus walking through some rocks, but then again it might have been nothing…"

Percy pulled her closer to him and silenced her with a breathtaking kiss. His lips were salty and cold, but they had never tasted so close to her home like at that moment. They heard people mocking them, teasing them and some even whistling, from all over the boat, and Annabeth couldn't help but smile against his lips.

"We have an audience." She said, blushing.

"Let them." He said, and his eyes shined the same color of the sea. "Just take a deep breath."

Annabeth followed his instructions without asking why and managed to closer her eyes before Percy pushed them both back below the surface.

And it was pretty much the best underwater kiss of all time.

HeythereimalinebreakenjoyyourdayHeythereimalinebreakenjoyyourdayHeyth

Annabeth woked up in Percy's arms, both their bodies naked and pressed completely against each other. She smiled remembering how passionate their night together had been and how fervently they had given themselves to their intimacy.

The last week had been pretty close to perfection, but now it was the last day, and Annabeth knew it was time for them to talk seriously about his plans. Her heart pounded strongly in her chest asking her to be selfish and to take him back with her. But she loved him so much, she just wanted him to be happy and decide what was best for his future.

Feeling the tears as they started to build up in her eyes, Annabeth knew she needed to calm herself down. She needed fresh air. Careful not to wake Percy up, she managed to stand up from their bed and cover herself in her pajamas, before stepping into their little balcony.

She was definitely going to miss the view and the tranquility of the place, although she had always been more a city girl. It was not difficult to imagine her boyfriend waking up every day for a long time in this same bedroom and doing what he loved. Isn't that what everyone wanted in their life?

"Nice view."

Annabeth turned to see a still groggy Percy, wearing only PJ pants, walking towards her. She smiled. "It is. And the ocean has a beautiful color today."

"Yeah," he stood next to her and leaned against the railing. "Although, I wasn't talking just about the landscape"

Annabeth laughed and said, "You, Jacksons, and your way of flirting." I'm really gonna miss it.

He winked and surrounded her with his arms. "You know you love it." They stay a few more minutes in silence, admiring the beautiful morning. "I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow." He said, and Annabeth felt a lump in her throat. "I'm really gonna miss all of this."

Annabeth took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"Then stay." She said, weakly.

At first, she thought she hadn't heard him, but then he chuckled and said, "We'll see. I'll think about it when we get home."

She turned around to face him. C'mon, Annabeth, you can do better than that. "I'm being serious, Percy. This was a trial period that would help you with your decision. And, to be honest, I had never seen you so happy before. I think you should stay and accept the job."

Percy sighed and closed his eyes. "This is not an easy decision, Annabeth. I need time to think."

"You have been thinking for quite a time, Percy. Months, even. It's time to choose and make the right choice. You owe to you and to your dad."

He stopped hugging her and got back into the room, muttering, "I don't want to talk about it now." But Annabeth needed to succeed. She couldn't let him ruin his life. She followed him and said, "Well too bad because I do."

He sat on the bed and fixed his beautiful sea-green eyes on hers. "Why can't I wait till I'm home so I can choose?" he asked calmly.

"Because I know you, Percy, and I know that, once we get home, you're gonna run away from choosing, and you're just gonna postpone your happiness all over again." She said trying to keep her voice down. Everyone else was still sleeping, and they didn't need to hear their debate.

Percy took a deep breath. "Last time I checked, I'm the one who decides what makes me happy, so it's my choice, Annabeth, and you have no right to make that decision for me."

"You may be right, but this time I just want to help you see how happy it would make you stay here." He tried to argue but Annabeth stopped him. "I have never seen you smile so much before and talk about something with so much passion. I love seeing you this way, Percy, and I know you're not gonna be the same in New York." Percy clenched his jaw but said nothing, so she continued. "We're talking about your future, and I know there's nothing else for you in New York except your family and an awful assistant job. And even I know, your mom would agree with me." She sighed. "You really can't deny how happy you've been these last days, Percy. At least, not to me."

Percy's eyes were now fixed on the floor, and Annabeth decided to give him some time to think about her words. So, she sat next to him on the bed, and waited, resisting the urge of biting her nails off.

After what seemed like ages, her boyfriend finally took a deep breath and faced her, his eyes looking at her with determination when he said, "Then stay with me."

She hadn't expected that.

"What?"

"Stay with me." He repeated without hesitation.

Her heart stopped. Staying with him? Starting a new life with him in a different country? Was she ready?

"Why?" she asked, softly.

He grabbed her hands. "You said it yourself, Annabeth. I want to be happy, and you being with me is part of the deal. We can start fresh here. You and me against the world. What do you think?"

She couldn't speak. She loved him more than everything in the world, but could that life make her truly happy? What about her career? The best architecture firms were in New York.

"I can't" she decided. "I need to go back."

"Why?"

"My career…"

"What career, Annabeth?" he said, softly. "Every decent firm refused to take you in, and now you'll be working in something you don't even like." He pushed a blond lock behind her ear. "I bet there are amazing firms here in Australia, and we can even get a small apartment for us…"

"No," she said, trying to hold her tears back. "I'm sorry."

"Why not?" he asked more urgently.

"Because I can't move my whole life around you, Percy!" she yelled. "I already lost a great job by following you, and I don't regret it. But I want to fix my life, and not being the woman who gives up in her aspirations just to follow you around. I need to feel successful again, and I don't think I can do that by staying here with you."

There was a haunting silence.

"Do you regret being with me?" Percy asked, his voice shaking slightly.

"No," she answered quickly and without hesitating. "You've opened my eyes in so many things and I've never felt so alive like when I'm with you. I love you so much…but I wanna do it better, without all the fighting and insecurities. So, to achieve that, I just need to feel like myself again. And I think you need to work on yourself too. That's why, you need to stay, and I need to go."

There was a cacophony of noises outside the room, indicating people were getting ready to go to work.

"I need to get ready," Percy said before swiftly gathering up his stuff from the closet and exiting the room.

Twenty minutes later, he entered again, with his hair wet and wearing fresh clothes. Annabeth hadn't moved from the same spot on the bed, still in shock from their conversation. Percy placed the wrinkle PJ's pants on his open bag, which made her smile sadly and then stood in front of her, crossing his arms.

"What happens to us then?" he asked with a raspy voice as if he had cried.

That was it. A tear leaked through her cheek.

"Long-distance?" she asked, hopefully.

He snorted. "Because that always works wonderfully." His voice dripped with irritation and sarcasm.

Annabeth took a shaky breath and could have sworn she had never experienced so much pain in her life before. "Then I think that's it."

Percy frowned, and Annabeth shrank under his intimidating gaze. "That's it? THAT'S IT? We made love all night, showing how crazy about the other we are, and now you tell me we need to break up?" He shook his head. "That's just cold, Annabeth."

"What else do we do then?" she demanded, crying silently.

Percy closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, before saying, "I'm going to New York tomorrow."

"You're not being rational. Your professional development always comes first, Percy. It's your future." She said.

"I don't care, and that's your way of thinking. Not mine."

"You're gonna regret it."

"Maybe, maybe not. Who knows? But I'm going."

"No."

"Yes."

Someone knocked on the door, and Annabeth faced away from it, hiding her crying face. "Percy?" Tyson asked, his voice muffled.

"Yeah?"

"We are waiting for you downstairs…are you coming?"

"Yes, just give five minutes."

A moment of silence.

"Everything okay?" Tyson asked again.

Percy sighed. "Just go down, big guy. I'll be out in a moment."

"Okay."

They heard his footsteps walking away from their door. Percy knelt in front of her and wiped away her tears with his thumb. "Maybe it's better if we finish this conversation after work when we both have cooled down a bit."

She closed her eyes and nodded. "Okay."

Then he gave her a small kiss on her forehead, before grabbing his things and exiting the room. She waited for half an hour before showering and readying herself, and then she started packing her stuff. She knew that what she was about to do was a childish thing, but all her strength had drained out during their argument, and she knew that if she talked again with him tonight, he would end up convincing her to come with her to New York, and then he wouldn't take the job because that would have meant they had to break up.

She needed to be the one who took the hardest decision. The rational one.

Once everything was packed, Annabeth tore one page from her sketchbook and wrote him a small note.

Gone early to NY.

I'm sorry,

But this is for the best.

Thank you for everything,

Annabeth

HeythereimalinebreakenjoyyourdayHeythereimalinebreakenjoyyourdayHeyth

Annabeth opened her small cosmetic bag and got her concealer out. There were other women retouching her make up in the small bathroom, so she grew confident enough to do it too. She watched her face in the mirror and, as she had suspected her puffy eyes, a product of her excessive crying in the last week, were very noticeable again, plus her mascara was a mess. She tried fixing it as best as she could but gave up when her eyes were welling up again. Stop it! She scolded herself but knew, anyway, that it was a useless tactic to make her stop crying.

She walked away from the bathroom and approach the small reception to announce herself. The kind man told her to wait in a little room down the hall, while the head of HR came out to greet her. Arachne was severely smaller than her previous office, but then again, she couldn't exactly be picky about her job.

A few minutes later, Erica, the head of HR, asked her to go into her office, and Annabeth followed her hoping her face was less red and puffy and that her tornado of emotions wouldn't mess up her last sprint towards the finish line. She would finally be back on track, building her career.

Erica talked about how incredible her designs have been and that they couldn't wait to have her doing them for them, as Annabeth read the contract. She had been her usual self she would have speedread it and signed it right away. But because her head hurt from all the crying lately, she was forced to read word by word, and that's why she noticed those two words.

"Unpaid internship?" she asked, interrupting Erica from her speech of their core values. The woman cleared her throat.

"Sadly, we don't have the resources or the structure to hire another architecture. But you have so much talent that we want you to learn and help us, while a new position is opened. We hope you understand."

Shocked, Annabeth kept watching those words as Erica resumed her corporative speech. Had she left the love of her life for a simple internship? Would that even count as practical experience? She could almost hear Percy's voice saying she deserved something better and to look for a greater firm in Australia with him.

But she just wanted her life to be normal again, without so many emotions and her focusing only on her architecture. Just like it was before Percy arrived.

So, she signed, and then went back home.

Immediately after opening their entrance door, the smell of Mac and Cheese filled her nostrils, making her smile. Thalia had been cooking comfort food every day since she had arrived from Australia. Annabeth set her stuff next to their door, and an odd sense of familiarity invaded her.

"How was it?" Her friend asked as Annabeth rolled up her sleeves and sat on the kitchen table, waiting for the food to be ready.

"It was good. I signed the contract."

Thalia smiled. "Finally, some good news."

Annabeth bit her lip and debated if she should tell her that it was an unpaid job and they needed to figure out how they were going to pay rent. But she was so tired of difficult conversations that she only sat in silence until Thalia served her an entire bowl of delicious artificial cheese and pasta.

"You better eat it all," Thalia warned. "You've lost so much weight for being depressed this week."

"Yes, ma'am." She said joking but ate it all. She was actually starving. While they ate, however, Annabeth noticed Thalia playing with her rings and that usually meant she had something to say. "What's wrong?" she asked when they were both done with their food.

Thalia shifted in her seat and sighed. "I have some news."

"Good or bad?"

She grimaced. "It depends."

Annabeth sat straighter and said, "Shoot."

"While you were gone, The Hunters and I played on this bar in Midtown. It was great and the public loved us." Her voice grew in excitement with every word. "And, apparently, there was a manager in the crowd, and he seemed to have liked our presentation so much because he wants us to contract our band for regular appearances in a famous club." She stopped.

Annabeth smiled broadly. "That's so great, Thalia! That is definitely good news. It's what you guys have wanted for a long time."

She kept playing with her rings. "Yeah, but the thing is…the club is in LA."

Annabeth leaned back against her chair and said, "Oh."

"But, listen, I won't go if you don't want me to. I'm sure there are a lot of good guitarists and The Hunters can get…"

Annabeth frowned. "Why wouldn't I want you to go?! Thalia, this is a lifetime opportunity. It's what you have been dreaming of since we were kids. If something, I'm relieved that one of us is doing well on her job right now."

Thalia gave her a half-smile but still didn't seem convinced, so Annabeth grabbed her hands and looked directly into her electric eyes. "I'm gonna be fine, Thals. You have protected me for far too long, and I'm no longer a little girl. You should go and make your dreams come true, as so will I."

Her friend and took a deep breath and said, "Okay. I'm gonna tell The Hunters then."

Annabeth faked a smile. "Good." First, she had to leave Percy and now Thalia was going away. Her life was a complete mess, right now.

She knew she shouldn't have asked, but her heart was aching to know.

"Have you heard from…?"

"No," Thalia answered, squeezing her hands. "I'm sorry."

Annabeth nodded. Percy and she hadn't talked a single word since they had their argument a week ago. Well, to be more precise, since Annabeth had broken up with him. But, apparently, he had texted Thalia to know if Annabeth had arrived okay and to let her know that he was, indeed, staying in Australia for good.

It's what Annabeth had wanted. But that didn't make it any less painful.

Thalia sighed. "Hey, I know it's hard, but I think you made the right choice."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "You do?" She nodded. "Why?"

"Well, for much that I liked seeing you two together, I never saw you completely happy, and I know it was because of your job. So, I'm glad you came back to fight for it, and that you also pushed him to work on himself. Besides, frankly? Things were just too intense between you two at the end. It's good that you two are taking a break from each other."

"It's not a break, Thalia. It's over."

She shrugged. "Love works in mysterious ways, and you two are definitely in love with each other."

A little bit of hope grew in Annabeth's chest, but she tried to hold it down. "Thanks, Thalia."

As she washed the dishes, Thalia told her the details of their contract with the new manager. She tried to listen attentively, but her mind was wondering how in Hades was she going to pay the rent if Thalia was gone and her new job didn't pay her. She would have to call Connor and ask him for a night shift job. How would she get time to sleep? She didn't know, but there were more urgent matters.

After locking herself in her room, Annabeth grabbed her phone and made the call.

"Hello?"

"Hi Connor, it's me. I was wondering if you could help me with something."