Hey guys! So yes, I will try to be updating every Saturday, but I'm traveling all over the country in July, and I'll be at camp for a week as well, so I'm not sure how regularly July will be. However, I'll do my best! Thanks for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

January 13th, 1775

Annabeth, Percy found out, loved snow.

Which was strange, because she lived in Boston. Boston received bucket loads of snow every single winter, unlike London, so he would have assumed she'd be sick of it by now.

But she wasn't. Every time there was snow, she dragged him out to have a snowball fight at the wharf with her little although this winter hadn't yet brought any huge snowstorms, he knew that they would come eventually.

And he was right.

A few weeks after the Christmas party, the grey clouds above Boston got forebodingly darker. Percy glanced up as Blackjack's hooves clopped across the cold cobblestones. The air was frigid, but most of the previous snow had melted, and the rest of it had turned into muddy ice chunks sprinkled along the roadside.

It looked like that was about to change.

He urged Blackjack faster, hoping to get home before the storm struck. It was strange; he'd begun to think of the Chase's house as home.

Or maybe he just thought of Annabeth as home.

Just the thought of Annabeth, though, brought up a myriad of other feelings.

He wasn't sure if he was glad or angry that Annabeth didn't remember their conversation from the night of the party. On one hand, it was probably for the best that she didn't. They were back to normal now, or as normal as pining for your best friend secretly could be. He still hugged her tighter than friends normally would, was still a bit too protective when other soldiers yelled crude remarks as she went by. It was just – Annabeth. He couldn't just not care about her.

Percy jerked his thoughts back to the present. Honestly, if he could get over his feelings for Annabeth in that way, he would. It was something he thought about far too much, although it hadn't yet gotten in the way of their friendship.

Yet.

He reached the Chases' home just as the snow was beginning to fall; large, fluffy flakes swirling around Blackjack's hooves. For one second, he stuck his tongue out the way he used to as a child, trying to catch some of the elusive snowflakes on his tongue.

He quickly dismounted and sent Blackjack off with one of the servant boys, stomping to get the snow off his boots before entering the house. The warmth hit him like a blast, and he basked in it as he took off his coat.

Annabeth had her feet propped up on the stool as she read a thick book. Her hair was a mess under a stained mob-cap, and she had a thick knitted shawl thrown hastily around her shoulders, warding off the chill even the blazing fire couldn't banish.

She glanced up as he came in, a smile blooming. "Hello, Percy. You're home late."

He rubbed his hands together next to the fire. "Yes, I had some things to take care of at camp," he told her. "It looks as though a snowstorm will be passing through tonight."

Her features brightened. "Oh, a large one? Matthew and Robert will be pleased to hear it, I know."

Percy smirked at her, taking a seat next to her on the couch. "As though you will not be out sledding with them as well," he told her with a grin.

Annabeth opened her mouth indignantly. "You most certainly cannot talk, Perseus. It only snowed six inches at Christmastime, and you managed to win three snowball fights."

He stood up, stretching. "All right, yes, I admit I love snow. Satisfied?"

Annabeth laughed, going back to her book. "This time, I'm beating you soundly," she assured him. "I promise you that."

•

Percy was awakened the next morning by either Robert or Matthew (even after months of living with the Chases, he still couldn't tell them apart) jumping on his bed.

"It snowed, Percy," the little boy cried excitedly. "It snowed!"

Percy groaned. "Bobby –"

"I'm Matthew."

"Matthew, whoever – what time is it?" He flopped back onto the straw mattress, wincing it poked him in uncomfortable places.

"Annabeth said it's eight o'clock in the morning," Matthew said importantly. "She said you need to wake up."

Percy groaned again, but rolled out of bed. He pulled on an old wool coat of his – not his uniform – and his thick wool stockings and worn leather boots. After setting a delighted Matthew on his shoulders, he tromped downstairs, where he could smell the servants making breakfast.

"Well, finally." Annabeth didn't even bother with greetings as he walked into the parlor, Matthew giggling on his shoulders. Percy set the boy down gently, letting him race off to find his twin, and sat down wearily next to Annabeth on the sofa.

"Just because you got up with the birds –" he began indignantly, but she hushed him with a wave of her hand.

"It snowed almost two feet last night, Percy, and it's still snowing lightly. I promised the boys we would have a snowball fight and maybe take them to the sledding hill. How can I do that without you?"

Percy groaned, letting his body fall bonelessly onto the rest of the sofa, his head falling in her lap. She kept reading, as though not aware of the interruption. "You could have waited another hour, 'beth. I know, I know, 'tis difficult to understand the concept of patience, but –"

The book clunked on his head, and he winced. All right, so he might have deserved that a bit.

"Besides, if you were up later, you would have missed breakfast," she pointed out, combing through his wild morning hair with her fingers. Percy winced as she tugged at a large knot.

"I could have simply stopped by the tavern for a plate of hot oatmeal," he argued. A bit because it was true, but mostly because he just liked arguing with Annabeth.

She rolled her grey eyes, long eyelashes fluttering. "We both know you love my mother's griddlecakes. Now get off me, you oaf. Let's go eat."

Percy gazed after her adoringly as she flounced out of the room before following. Annabeth was right; he wouldn't have missed the morning meal with the Chases for anything.

Especially when he could sit next to his best friend and listen to her laugh with her younger brothers, chat amiably with her parents, stifle yawns behind her hands, and give him the secret glances that he loved so dearly.

No, he wouldn't have missed it for the world.

•

"Alright, Matthew," he whispered, glancing quickly to make sure Annabeth and Robert, whom they all called Bobby, were out of earshot. "I need you to start making snowballs, while I make the fort. I believe the enemy will be storing their snowballs on their toboggan. If we can steal their toboggan, it will help up with the war because they won't have any ammunition, and we shall have ours and theirs."

Matthew nodded seriously, though Percy doubted the six-year-old had understood much of his speech. "Should I steal 'beth and Bobby's snowballs?" he asked seriously, dark eyes solemn.

Percy choked back a laugh; the child was adorable. "For now, just make as many snowballs as you can for us, all right?"

The boy nodded and sat down in the fluffy drift, mittened hands busily going to work.

Percy hastily began building a wall of snow, which would hopefully shield himself and Matthew from whatever plan Annabeth had begun. She was a master of planning, and Percy knew she was hugely competitive. She would do whatever it took to win the snow war.

Well, he and Matthew weren't going down without a fight.

After the wall, probably five feet long and three feet tall, was built, Percy and Matthew hid the myriad snowballs behind it. By then, Annabeth and Bobby's fort was built too, and Percy could see he was right; their toboggan was covered in mounds of snow.

"Matthew, all their snowballs are on their sledge," he whispered. "However, the hill is right behind their fort. We can't let them get down the hill with their snowballs, or we'll never get them. I'll distract them, you go for the sledge. Alright?"

Matthew nodded, a glint in his dark eyes. Percy grinned and the two charged, yelling like banshees.

Percy saw Annabeth to the left of her fort, her bright blue cloak swirling as red-mittened hands worked furiously to create more ice-hard balls of snow. He pounded her and Bobby with snowballs before realizing they were both guarding the fort, instead of the toboggan. He paused for a second and realized the trap.

"Fall back, Matthew!" he hollered, waving his arms as he retreated. "There aren't any snowballs on their sledge! It's a trap!"

Unfortunately, Matthew either didn't hear him or didn't care. He and the snow-filled toboggan teetered dangerously on the edge of the hill before he fell onto the sled. With a lurch, it began racing down the hill.

"No! My comrade," Percy howled, grabbing his own sledge and chasing after him. He threw himself onto the toboggan and began speeding down the hill headfirst after Matthew. "I'll save you!"

He could hear Annabeth chortling with laughter above him and Bobby's snowballs whizzing by his ears, but he managed to get to the bottom of the hill before his sled overturned, dumping him into the snow.

"Matthew! You alright there?" he called, staggering to his feet and wiggling uncomfortably, trying to get the snow out of his trousers. It didn't work and began to melt, trickling down his legs. He groaned inwardly, knowing his undergarments would be soaked by the time they got home.

"I'm fine!" Matthew yelled, furiously gathering snow. "Let's go get 'em!"

With another Indian-like war hoot, the two charged up the hill. Annabeth and Bobby ran to meet them, Bobby tumbling a bit before getting to his feet and racing towards them. The four crashed together in a jumble of arms and legs and mittens and snow.

Annabeth dumped more snow down Percy's exposed neck, causing him to howl indignantly. He managed to face-plant Annabeth in the snow and washed her face well, during which she half-sputtered angrily, but began dissolving into laughter before he was even finished. The two boys were wrestling in the drifts, snow everywhere, and Annabeth and Percy joined them, snowballs flying.

Finally, they were all far too worn out to do anything more, all soaked uncomfortably with snow. Percy was sure his undergarments had begun to freeze in the frigid air. The four fell onto the drifts, catching snowflakes with their tongues.

"See," Annabeth said suddenly, rolling to face Percy. "I told you I'd beat you."

"Ha, you think you beat me?" Percy asked lazily as he looked into the grey sky. The snow-filled clouds were thick and heavy; the dark grey color reminded him of Annabeth's eyes when she was angry.

"Why yes, I believe I did," Annabeth said smugly.

He rolled onto his elbow, facing her. "And what makes you think that?" he bantered back playfully.

"The fact that you," Annabeth leaned closer, "have snow melting through the seat of your trousers!"

Percy groaned with laughter. "I knew I should have layered more than one pair!"

Annabeth's bell-like laughter sounded through the frozen air. "So you see, I most obviously won. You hear that, Bobby?" she called over to where the little boys were making more snowballs. "We won!"

"Yes, I knew we could," Bobby shouted, beginning to dance happily.

"Percy, why didn't we win?" Matthew whined.

Percy got to his feet and ruffled the boy's hair. "We'll win next time, don't you worry. Now, where's your hat?" He offered a hand to Annabeth, and she got to her feet as well.

"I think I've lost my scarf," she announced. "Percy, help me look for it?"

After hats, mittens, and scarves that had been abandoned during the fight were found, the little boys sat on the sleds. Percy grabbed the string of one, and Annabeth took the other. Together they walked home in the snow, the twins throwing snowballs and catching snowflakes in their tongues all the way.

•

After the twins had been put to bed for their afternoon naps, Percy asked Annabeth if she wanted to go for a walk. She agreed, shrugging on her damp wool cloak, which had been drying by the fire.

"I love snow," Annabeth told him happily, spreading her arms as though trying to absorb the beautiful winter scene.

"Why?" Percy asked curiously.

"Oh, I don't know the exact reason," Annabeth answered, pausing to wave at a shopkeeper in the window of his store. "It's just so beautiful, and fragile, and yet deadly."

Percy raised his eyebrows. "So you like snow because it's both attractive and fatal?"

She laughed, nudging his shoulder playfully. "Well, when you put it like that – "

He chuckled, taking her arm casually as they walked. The smell of warm chimney smoke breezed by, reminding him of the warm fire at home. "Will Luke and Thalia be coming for dinner anytime soon?" he asked, changing the subject abruptly. "I know since Luke moved out and bought his own house, he hasn't been around as much, but…"

Annabeth shrugged, her features darkening a tad. "Well, he and Thalia are courting now, and they might even be married once he has saved enough money to pay off his debts on the new house. It's natural, that I don't see them as much now."

Percy put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer comfortingly. He knew Annabeth as well as himself, now; he could see how much the absence of her old friends was hurting her, however well she might hide it. "They're probably just busy," he reassured her. "In fact, if I see either of them soon, I shall invite them for supper."

Annabeth's face brightened, and Percy's heart twisted just a bit. "Thank you, Percy," she said softly. "That means a lot to me."

He smiled at her. "I know."

•

"Jason? Jason Grace?" Percy couldn't contain his amazement at seeing the friend he and Annabeth had made last fall at their doorstep. The snow had grown a bit heavier since his and Annabeth's walk that afternoon, and it was a wonder that Jason had managed to get to their house in the near-darkness.

"Good to see you, Officer Jackson," Jason said, wide grin in place. "'Tis been far too long. How are you? And how is your Annabeth?"

"We are well, as you can see if you come inside," Percy said, gesturing quickly. "'Tis far too cold for you to stand on the doorstep." Jason stepped inside, shedding his coat, and Percy led the way to the parlor, where Annabeth was reading.

She glanced up as they entered, and her features brightened. "Jason!"

"Annabeth," he greeted her with a bow. "I trust you are well?"

"Very," she obliged. "Come, sit down. I was just about to have Hazel bring us some tea."

Jason sat on the horsehair sofa, across from Annabeth's chair by the fire. Percy took a seat by Annabeth's feet, leaning against them and enjoying the warmth of the fire.

"What brings you here, after so long?" Annabeth asked him eagerly.

"Well, I started a tanning business on the outskirts of town," Jason told them. "It's close enough to the Neck that I can make deliveries and see Piper quite often, and I make good money." He began to talk about how the business was going, and he and Annabeth conversed for several minutes.

On one hand, Percy was glad to see his friend. But on another, the fire was delightfully warm, and Annabeth's layers of warm petticoats made for an excellent pillow.

"We are both so happy for you," Annabeth supplied, voice delighted. "Aren't we, Percy?"

Percy felt her leg nudging his back, and he started awake. "Uh, yes. Yes, we are." His brow furrowed. "What are we happy about?"

Jason chuckled; Annabeth looked both annoyed and endeared. "That Jason's almost saved enough money to buy a farm outside of Boston," she supplied.

"I also found a minister who would be willing to marry Piper and me, once I have obtained the farm," Jason continued, ducking his head shyly.

Annabeth laughed. "I'm sure it will be wonderful. Will you have much of a ceremony?"

Jason shook his head. "I don't think so. Very few people would approve of me marrying her, let alone her becoming a housewife. I want to make sure she is as comfortable as possible with neighbors and friends, which will probably include introducing her to them slowly."

Percy saw Annabeth nod in understanding as his eyes began to droop shut again. They talked for a while, their voices blurring in Percy's head, until Jason suggested they play cards.

Percy's eyes popped open. "Cards?" he asked, ignoring Annabeth's snicker.

Jason rolled his eyes. "Cards, you bloody idiot." Hazel came in with a pot of hot tea, and Jason tipped his cup towards Percy. "May the best man win."

•

"Honestly, Percy," Annabeth murmured against his shoulder, breath tickling his ear. "It's almost two in the morning.

"I had to win, Annabeth," Percy said stubbornly. He waved good-bye one last time to Jason, who was riding his horse home in the cold night. After shutting the door, Percy followed her back to the parlor, rubbing his hands together. "My, 'tis cold. I pity Jason."

Annabeth rolled her eyes as she pulled the thick knitted shawl closer around her slim shoulders. Percy knew it was her favorite. "He wouldn't be riding home so late if you two hadn't been such children about the game."

"I won, Annabeth, and he wouldn't admit it," Percy protested. "So we had to play again."

Annabeth rolled her eyes again, but he could tell she was at least a little endeared. "'Tis your own bloody fault if you're exhausted tomorrow morning again," she announced.

Since they were sitting next to each other on the carpet, sipping tea in front of the fire, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. If he had been totally coherent he probably wouldn't have, but it was almost two o'clock in the morning, and his wits were, at best a little foggy.

He decided not to argue the point, for now. Instead, he asked, "Shall I walk you to your bedroom?"

"Oh, please," Annabeth answered him drily. "I most certainly cannot find my way to my own room without you."

He winked at her. "You know me, always the gentleman."

She huffed, but he helped her up, setting her teacup carefully on the table. They maneuvered the dark halls of the Chases' house until they reached her bedroom.

"Good night, Annabeth," he said when they get to her door, rubbing his arms to ward off the chill.

"Good night, Percy," Annabeth told him. "Thank you for a wonderful day." And before Percy can think, she raised herself on tiptoes and kissed him softly on the cheek.

He blinked.

Annabeth pulled back, a demure little smile on her face. "See you tomorrow," she said, opening the door to her room.

"See – tomorrow – night," Percy stuttered. She grinned at him before shutting the door.

Percy went to bed with a dorky grin on his face that he couldn't wipe off, not matter what he tried. And honestly, he wouldn't want to.

Not for the world.

And that's it! Yes, I realize I'm posting a snowstorm chapter in July. Because reasons. :P

As always, big shout out to Helena (GollyGeeWhiz), who always does an awesome job with editing (did I mention that I constantly randomly switch to present tense and she's the one who has to fix it? Because it's true.) Also, have I ever mentioned how much I appreciate her (because she really is amazing). :D On the subject of awesome friends, Mia (herecomesthepun) is also a sweetheart and never fails to make me laugh. Love you both! xx

Thanks to all who reviewed, favorited, and followed last chapter! You know it means the world to me. AND WE GOT TO 100 REVIEWS HOW CRAZY IS THAT?! Thank you guys SO much!

Until next week (hopefully),

WM