A/N: Hey guys! Back again! This chapter takes place after the events of chapter 19!
Percy is actually impressed with the turnaround time on the article—and the fact that it was even written, given that they had said maybe four sentences total.
"Annabeth Chase and boyfriend yell at reporter" may be the most idiotic headline ever. But given that it got printed later the next day, he doesn't think there was much thought put into it in the first place.
There's a picture, of course, of Annabeth mid-yell. (And somehow she still looks good?)
It's not one of the better-known tabloids, but it's a tabloid nonetheless, and enough to have Rachel call the next evening.
"He said the most vile things about Percy!" Annabeth is yelling into the phone, peaceful cuddling with a movie forgotten as soon as the phone had rung.
Her anger resonates loudly through the cabin, and he can just barely make out Rachel's voice trying to placate her.
Out of morbid curiosity, he's looking at the article in question, scanning over the words. As expected, it's utter bullshit and does not mention the harassment on the so-called "reporter's" side.
"I am going to say something about it!" Annabeth is saying over the phone. "I don't care if it'll bring more eyes to it, I am so fucking done with this and we need to send a message to people like this!"
Once again, his heart sinks at her anger and hurt. All on his behalf, all because of him. It's hard not to think that he's the problem here. But he also knows that saying any of this will hurt her even more.
So he keeps it to himself, and turns back to his phone as Annabeth hashes out the wording of her reply with Rachel.
The worst thing he can do right now is look at the public response.
So naturally, he looks at the public response.
It's a mix, the haters naturally jumping on it, but thankfully there's a fair amount of people being supportive.
They're literally on vacation, people need to leave them alone
The people who hate percy for being normal need to calm the hell down
How does she look good mid-yell?
That last one, he has to agree with. He decides to stop there, not mentally prepared to come across any of the negative ones.
Annabeth is furiously typing on her phone when he looks up, evidently done with the phone call.
Hesitantly, he speaks up. "Hey…"
"Don't worry, I'm not going to let this side," she says, not even looking up. "I'm posting a video."
He wants to tell her it's okay, that she doesn't need to do anything on account of him. But there's determination in those steely grey eyes right now and there's no deterring her.
This was supposed to be a peaceful vacation, just to get away from everything for a few days. With the uptick in Annabeth needing to travel for things, they hadn't been able to spend time together. And this vacation was purposefully in the middle of nowhere so they could just enjoy time together.
But of course, this had to happen. And right before they were about to leave too. He really wanted to enjoy this last full day.
Annabeth has moved towards the window for better lighting and is filming her video response. He only catches a few of the words as he comes out of his thoughts.
"—calling Percy those things."
He gets up and goes to the kitchen, not wanting to hear anymore. Not because he disapproves but because he just doesn't want to think about it anymore.
Absently, he starts to make a latte, just to have something to do with his hands. Annabeth joins him, just as he's pouring the milk into the cup.
"It's posted," she says, sitting on the stool across the counter. "Don't worry, I covered everything."
"I'm not worried."
Well, not about this article business. Right now, he's more worried about her, but he doesn't say that.
Putting down her phone, she seems to notice his silence.
"Are you okay?"
He runs a toothpick over the pour to create the traditional latte design. "Yeah."
She frowns, standing up to walk over to him. "You're quiet…"
He shrugs. Honestly, he doesn't have anything much to say about this. He tells her as much.
"You have to have some thoughts on it," she presses, frown growing. "I promise I addressed it well."
Dropping the used dishes in the sink, he turns towards her. "I know, I trust that you did. It's not a problem."
"Then what is?" There's a hint of…desperation? in her voice that makes him stop. "Because something is off and you're not telling me."
It hits him then that she thinks he might be mad, at her.
"Annabeth," he steps closer to take her hands in his. "Nothing is the problem. I just feel bad that you had to do all of this because of me."
"And," he continues, as she opens her mouth to respond. "I know that you don't want to hear that, so I didn't say anything."
Annabeth closes her mouth and slumps forward. "Oh Percy, I'm so sorry…"
"It's okay, you don't have anything to be sorry about," he responds, pulling her into a hug.
"What else did you not tell me because you thought it'll make me upset?" She mumbles after a few moments.
When he doesn't respond, she leans back to look at him. "Please?"
He sighs. "That I'm worried about you more than the article because you're not okay."
She presses her lips together and nods for him to continue, clearly trying to repress her own reaction. What a shitty cycle they've started.
"I know that you don't want me to feel bad or worry. But it's hard for me not to," he says, voicing the things in both of their minds.
"And mostly," he continues. "I just want to forget about all this and enjoy our last night here."
She steps back into the hug, face cuddling into his neck as her arms wrap around him. He hugs her back, pressing a small kiss onto her head.
"That I can do," she mutters.
They stand there for a minute before she looks up at him and asks if he wants to finish the movie.
So, they resume their places on the couch, ignore their phones and watch until the credits roll on screen.
Annabeth's lightly dozing against him, and he brushes her hair out of her face.
"Don't worry," he tells her. "When I write my memoir, I'll make sure to include this bit so people know exactly what he said."
"What?" Annabeth asks, sleepily.
It's too cute and he just finds himself smiling in response.
A/N: Shoutout to anon on tumblr for requesting a part 2 after the events of chapter 19, how to handle fame and paparazzi! Some relationship stuff and of course a happy ending!
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