Annabeth
Her stomach has butterflies in it. Percy touches her shoulder.
"It's gonna be fine," he says.
She nods and smiles. "Yeah we got this."
Percy lets her go and walks away.
Annabeth takes a deep breath and answers the door. It's Bianca- Annabeth had invited her to come for dinner this evening and the opportunity to "meet" Percy.
Bianca smiles at her and give Annabeth a hug. "Hey!"
Annabeth hugs her back and invites her inside, shutting the door. Percy had retreated to the bedroom while they exchange pleasantries.
There would be no subterfuge this evening. No false names or attempts to disguise himself. It would be too jarring to introduce himself before she had even set down her purse.
"I'm sorry about the way I acted before," Bianca leaves her shoes at the door and follows Annabeth into the kitchen. "I've learned some things about myself that… well it leaves me with some clarity."
Annabeth opens a bottle of wine and pours two glasses. "Does this clarity have anything to do with Jason?"
Bianca shoots her a look. "Why do you say that?"
Annabeth shrugs. "He came by here looking for you the other day."
Bianca sighs. "Yeah. We had sex."
"Oh."
"But I think- well, I realized that I love him- and we broke up because I was too scared of loving him."
Annabeth nods. "Did you tell him?"
Bianca snorts derisively. "Yeah he doesn't feel the same. But I've accepted that I won't be able to find someone that completes me the way that… well the way you and Percy loved each other. You know, I suppose that's why I was so worried about your new relationship. Because it seemed like you two were just meant to be. God, he loved you so much… I don't think I'll ever have that. I guess I just didn't want to shatter that illusion of romance."
Annabeth taps her finger on the table softly, looking away from her sister.
"What's wrong?" Bianca takes a sip of the wine.
Annabeth looks up at her. "Are you ready to actually meet him?"
Bianca smiles. "Yeah."
"Okay," Annabeth takes a deep breath. "I lied to you before…. But it's because I need you to keep a secret…"
Bianca raises her eyebrows but doesn't say anything.
"We're ready for you!" Annabeth calls.
Bianca takes a sip of her wine and eyes Annabeth. "It's John, right?" Before receiving her answer she turns to approach Percy, extending a hand to shake. "How'd you guys meet…?"
She trails off as she observes his face
"On a hike…" Percy shakes her hand. He wore the glasses from the previous meeting so that there would be some recognition but decided against wearing the colored contact lenses.
She looks at Annabeth uncomfortably. "He looks like…" Annabeth tilts her head to the side, indicating she was aware of who he looked like and why. Bianca looks back at Percy again.
Percy removes the glasses. "Hey Bianca. It's been a while."
Bianca drinks all the remaining wine and sets the glass on the counter. "Is someone going to explain to me what the fuck is happening?"
Annabeth gestures for Bianca to sit. "Yeah.. First off, yes, it's actually him… and secondly, that's the big secret…"
Percy joins them in sitting at the table. Bianca still looks shocked.
When Annabeth finishes the briefest version of events, the three of them remain quiet for a moment.
Percy rubs his hands together uncomfortably.
Bianca closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Well first of all, fuck you. I hate you and I hate what you did to my sister," she stands up, Percy mirrors her action. Bianca moves around the table and gives him a hug. "But I'm really glad you're back."
"Yeah, me too."
"Who else knows?" Bianca steps back, retrieving her glass and bottle of wine before returning to the table and retaking her seat.
Percy and Annabeth look at each other, silently deciding who should answer.
"You, me and his mom," Annabeth says.
Bianca raises her eyebrows and begins outing the wine. "Does Jason know?"
Percy shakes his head. Bianca passes the glass to Annabeth and begins drinking straight from the bottle.
There was a frantic knocking on the door, startling the trio. Bianca, being the closest moves to answer it, Annabeth following close behind.
"Jason?" Bianca sounds surprised.
"Speak of the devil," Annabeth mumbles, looking over her sisters shoulder, it was Jason- out of breath, blond hair a mess. Something must be wrong.
"Hey, Let me in?" It's a question, but also a demand.
The sisters eye each other nervously.
Jason witnesses the glance. "Yeah. I know. More than you think. Let me in."
Was he talking about Percy?
Bianca steps aside, Annabeth looks back at Percy. He stands in the same position, a look of defeat on his face.
Jason enters and Bianca shuts the door. He looks across the room his eyes meeting Percy's.
He crosses the room in an instant, grabbing Percy by the front of his shirt and boxing him in the face.
"Oh my god!" Annabeth and Bianca both exclaim.
The fight continues, a wine glassfalls from the table and smashes on the floor. Jason has the upper hand, but Percy tackles him to the floor.
"Do we call the cops?" Bianca asks.
"No cops!" Percy and Jason both say.
Annabeth shakes her head in confusion and returns her attention to the fight. "Hey! Stop it!"
Jason has Percy in a headlock. Percy's nose is bleeding and the position looks uncomfortable. "You're out of practice," Jason says.
Percy grunts. "Out of shape. Out of practice. I'm out a lotta things."
To Annabeth's surprise Jason releases Percy, helping him to a seated position.
"You're outta time too."
Percy sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose- which looked a little lopsided. "It was Ivanov."
Jason retrieves a damp cloth and drops it into Percy's lap. "Yeah. You fucking idiot. If you're gonna die on us don't use that same insulin shtick. Dead freaking giveaway."
Percy wipes his face. "God, I'm so stupid."
Bianca explodes. "Excuse me what the hell just happened?!"
Jason helps Percy to his feet. He gives Bianca a look. "I had to get him back for blowing me up. Also he's a freaking idiot and he gave himself away. Now everyone knows he's not actually dead."
Annabeth crosses her arms.
"What are we gonna do?" Annabeth is frustrated- this whole situation was a nightmare. Percy is going to prison. Or worse, he's going to die. She can't go through that again.
Jason clears his throat. "I'm getting him out of here. Everything is going to be fine. But we have to go. Like now."
Percy kisses Annabeth. "Everything is going to be okay."
"You're leaving again…" she left the sentence unfinished, frustration evident in her tone. You promised you weren't going to leave.
"I have to," he touches her cheek. "This time will be different I promise."
Annabeth knows he has to go. It doesn't make it any more frustrating. But she loves him and trusts him. "I love you."
She kisses him again, passionately; he returns her passion, unconcerned with the presence of guests.
Jason coughs in an effort to command attention. "Percy, we have to go. Get your things."
Percy lets Annabeth go, retreating to the bedroom only to come back a moment later, black backpack slung across his shoulders. "Can you let my mom know?"
Annabeth nods.
Jason turns to both women. "If asked anything at all… He was never here. As far as you know he's dead. Do not text or call. Not even me. I'll be back in a few days and I'll update you then."
The two men walk out the door, leaving Bianca and Annabeth in a stunned silence.
Annabeth
She awoke with a start, inhaling sharply. The room was dark and quiet. Percy lay next to her, his sleeping form barely visible.
Quietly she got up, put on her sweater and slippers. She made her way down the hallway and out into the cool night air. There was the faintest hint of a glow on the horizon. Annabeth leaned against the patio railing, taking out a lighter and cigarette.
Not long after lighting up, the door opened and she turned to see Percy hobbling out the doorway. The crutches he used banged against the doorframe, but he made it.
"Hey," she said as he sidled up to her. "Did I wake you up?"
Percy shook his head."I was just worried about you."
Annabeth smiled. "Thank you. I'll be fine."
He set his crutches against the railing before leaning against the metal bars himself.
Annabeth rolled the cigarette between her fingers hesitantly before lifting it to her lips.
Percy gently set his hand on top of her free hand, a comforting gesture.
Feeling that she needed to break the silence, Annabeth spoke. "The gum wasn't really working… I'm sorry about the smell."
"It's alright," Percy squeezed her hand and a moment of tense silence filled the air. She could tell he was thinking about it. She had been thinking about it too. She knew that had intuited what had been on her mind and the reason she had come out here. He was a bit hesitant, unsure of what to say. Annabeth couldn't blame him. Rape wasn't exactly an easy subject to discuss. "Did you ever talk to Bianca about…?"
Annabeth nodded her head, then shook it and took a drag. "A little bit…but not everything. I'm just- I don't know- embarrassed? Angry? In denial- well I must have been but now I don't know. Just frustrated. Hence-" she waved the cigarette to indicate her point.
"You haven't really talked to anyone about it?"
She shook her head. "I don't want sympathy. I hate feeling like I'm being pitied."l plus I already know how she would react: kind of over the top.."
Percy seemed to understand. Another moment of silence passed and Percy cleared his throat. "When was the last time you got a good nights sleep?"
She breathed out a stream of smoke. "I think that night. I was just so tired and i guess I crashed."
Percy nodded and watched her as she raised the cigarette to her mouth again.
"You don't have to stay out here," she said, exhaling.
"I want to," he said. A moment later he followed it up with, "but if you want me to leave I will."
She eyed him and smiled. "No, I like your company."
His face lit up. "Well, that's good."
"Are you cold?"
He looked down at himself and shrugged. It wasn't very cold but, with the sun being down, Annabeth found herself feeling a chill. She had donned a sweater before coming outside; Percy wore nothing more than basketball shorts and a sleeveless undershirt. "It's not cold. Why? Are you cold?"
She crossed her ankles- one behind the other- as she leaned forward. "Oh just a little, but I wore this," she shrugged her shoulders to indicate the navy blue garment. "Just noticed you didn't put anything else on…"
"You want me to go get you anything?"
"No no, I'm fine," she said around another smoky exhalation. "Thanks though."
Percy put an arm on her back, as if he could transfer heat to her via touch. "You wanna talk about anything with me?"
"Oh," She frowned in thought. "Well, I guess one thing is I got a callback from the hospital. The tests they ran were all negative. So that's good, no diseases…" she trailed off, feeling that this was rather inappropriate.
"That's really good news."
She took another drag. "Yeah… sorry that was probably inappropriate."
"No, it wasn't. I'm glad you told me…" he rubbed his hands together as he considered his words. "Did they say anything else?"
She thought for a moment. "Not much. They made sure I contacted their therapist…"
Percy nodded. "How did that go?"
"It was alright. I'll meet with her again a little later this week." Annabeth pressed the lit end of the cigarette against the railing, putting out the glowing ember. She turned to face him. "I love you."
He leaned forward and gave her a small kiss. "I love you too."
She had missed him; She wanted more of his intimacy. He was gentle and kind, every touch from him fulfilling a need she didn't realize she had. "Thank you for being with me." She stepped into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He placed a hand on her head as she leaned into his chest. She could hear the soft beating of his heart.
She stepped back after a moment, reluctantly deciding that the hug had gone long enough.
His hand lingered on her shoulder and he looked into her eyes. "You okay?"
Annabeth nodded. She was okay, her mind was calm and clear. She led the way back inside, shutting the door behind Percy.
The carpet in dim hallway dampened the sound of clicking from Percy's crutches as they made their way back to bed.
Back under the covers, she snuggled close to him. His strong arms held her close, but she didn't feel suffocated.
She closed her eyes, focusing on the feeling of his body pressed against hers. Her mind wandered; she found herself considering the possibility of something even more intimate than cuddles and kisses. Should she even be thinking about that?
It seemed so odd that her mind would drift that way, but being wrapped in his warm embrace- especially after his long absence- she supposed it made sense. She entertained the idea, envisioning his hands caressing her body as she kissed him passionately. She could almost feel him touching her.
"Hey," he whispered in her ear. "You okay?"
She realized she had been holding onto his arm rather tightly. Embarrassed, she released him and rolled onto her back. "Yeah I'm good, sorry."
She shouldn't be embarrassed, should she? That was stupid; it was normal- natural- to think of sex. Even with the recent history, it was almost like she had tasted something disgusting and needed a palate cleanser to get back to normal.
She propped herself up, turning to hover over Percy, placed her hand on the side of his neck, leaned down and kissed his lips. His hand moved to her side, acknowledging her.
He allowed her to build her own intensity, hesitantly kissing back. She stopped kissing him for a moment, hovering over his face. "Do you want to…?" she whispered, leaving the question unfinished.
Percy sounded unsure of himself as he answered. "Um.. yeah."
"You don't sound so sure," Annabeth suddenly had a thought, she laughed quietly in a self deprecating way. "Do you still find me attractive..?"
"Oh god, yeah of course I do. I do want to I just don't want to hurt you. Or make you uncomfortable."
She kissed him again; This time he kissed back without hesitation. Without breaking contact, she moved her leg up and over him, twisting the rest of herself to straddle his body.
He gripped her hips, pulling himself up to a crunch position, kissing her with more vigor. His fingers slid underneath the shirt she wore, exploring the skin of her back.
"Annie," Percy stopped and looked at her, searching her face. The room was beginning to lighten and she could barely make out his face in the dawn light.
"Hey," Annabeth said.
"Please make sure to talk to me. If we need to stop. Or if something doesn't feel right. Because id never forgive myself if you felt that I pushed you."
Her heart skipped a beat, and her face became flushed. She had never been consulted so much on her comfort level. No one had ever insisted she play such an active role. She loved him even more for it. "Oh my god," she whispered. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," he kissed her again and his hands resumed a gentle massage of her lower back. "Promise you'll tell me?"
"Promise."
She pulled off her sweater and shirt, tossing them aside. Percy sat up, removing his own shirt.
"Is your leg okay?" Annabeth realized she hadn't even thought out his ability to function around a broken and incapacitated lower leg.
"Its alright," he adjusted himself. "Can't really bend it though, so some things might be a little more difficult."
She removed herself from him, taking off her pajama pants and underwear. Percy touched her bare leg, his hand moving up her inner thigh. She gasped lightly, involuntarily. Suddenly the situation became very real. Was she really okay with this?
He adjusted himself again, leaning over her. His hand remained on her leg, her nerves tingled in a pleasurable way. He kissed her again. Yes, she did like this- she was more than okay with it.
"Keep going," she whispered, and he obliged, slowly moving his hand upwards. He paused at the spot where her leg met her body.
She pulled on him by the shoulders, kissing his lips- indicating approval. She gasped again as he pressed his fingers inside her body.
"You okay?"
"Yes," Annabeth whispered. He continued pressing his fingers against her, gently but persistently. He kissed her breast, dragging his tongue across her nipple. She ran her fingers through his hair.
He removed his hand from her, tugging off his shorts. Percy kissed her, twisting to lay on top of her. She felt him against her leg- something rigid and warm pressing against her. Her pulse raced.
She took a deep breath as he oriented himself. He grunted as he entered and pressed his forehead against hers. Percy sucked in a deep breath.
"Hey," he said, looking her in the eyes.
She smiled at him, "hi."
"Is this okay?"
"Mhm," Annabeth nodded. Was it really?
He began moving, slowly at first. She began to feel a knot in her stomach. Why was she feeling this way? She closed her eyes and focused on her breath.
This was Percy. She had nothing to worry about, she had no reason to feel sick st his touch. And yet the pit in her stomach grew.
His breath was warm on her neck. She was fine. She could do this. Annabeth placed her hands on his head lightly guiding it up. She kissed him and he kissed her back, lending her extra vitality.
"Fuck," he whispered. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," she said under her breath.
He kissed her neck. Annabeth felt lightheaded. She was conflicted. She wanted this, she had started this, but now she couldn't stop this feeling. She wanted him to keep going, but she felt sick as he did.
She had to see it through, she reasoned that her sudden revulsion was unwarranted and therefore inconsequential. She had initiated this, she couldn't just back out now. She closed her eyes, focusing on the pleasurable feelings, ignoring her growing discomfort.
Percy wrapped his hand around the side of her neck as he kissed her. His thumb resting lightly against her throat. She gasped, finding it hard to catch her breath.
"Wait," she whispered. "Please not there."
He removed his hand as though she were a hot stove. He stopped moving on top of her. "I'm sorry."
Annabeth squeezed his wrist. She had promised to tell him if something wasn't right. "No… its not you its just me. I'm sorry.. I thought I could do this. I wanted to, I still do, but-"
Percy rolled off her, no longer pressing into or onto her. "Are you okay?"
Annabeth felt like screaming. This wasn't fair. She shouldn't feel this way. She was angry. She sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. He sat up next to her.
"I shouldn't feel this way," Annabeth mumbled. "God this is so stupid."
"It's not stupid," he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She faced him. His face was shaded in blue as the room grew lighter. "Fuck. Why are you like this?"
"What?"
She huffed. "Patient. Nice."
He raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize was a problem."
"Its not. Thats the problem." She sighed, laying down. She felt terrible for directing her frustration at him. "Im Sorry, That was rude of me. I didn't mean it as an insult."
He followed suit, laying next to her. After a moment he spoke slowly. "I watched my stepdad- beat my mom… For years. And i couldn't tell you what happened behind closed doors. I saw her cover up more bruises from him than I've probably ever received. She tried to hide how much pain she felt, but I knew. I hated seeing her go through that. She stayed with him for me. She thought it was the only way to have any sort of stability. Maybe she was scared to leave. I was angry about it for a long time- but I think I was only angry because I felt guilty. On some level maybe I still do."
He paused for a moment. "I have to make sure that I never end up like that. Because I know what I'm capable of. I've hurt people. I hate that I have."
Annabeth took a deep breath, she regretted having misspoken. "Percy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get angry at you."
"You want to know why I have patience? I've had to practice it. I told you how you wouldn't have liked me when I was younger- that's true. I was angry and had very little patience. I was mean to people, I regret that. I started fights. But that didn't ever help. I had a lot of growing up to do."
She remains quiet for a moment. "God, I'm embarrassed."
"Hmm," he thought for a moment. "Embarrassed because you want to have sex?"
She didn't answer. He looked at her, silently for a moment before kissing her with passion. Surprised, she kissed back.
"Lucky for you," he said. "Theres a few other things we can try."
Bianca
"Um… hello?" Jason gives her a friendly poke.
She had avoided him-ignored him- since the night Percy left. She stayed with Annabeth that night and in the morning went to work as usual. Annabeth seemed okay: Frustrated but okay. A few days later Jason had returned explained to Annabeth that Percy was fine and that it would have to be weeks or even months before they reunited she handled the news well.
Bianca hadn't been there for that conversation but she knew Jason had asked about her. Annabeth had advised him to give Bianca space- which he had done.
Two months later, here he was. Saturday was her cleaning day, she did her laundry and cleaned the bathrooms. As she had begun folding her laundry, he had stopped by her apartment.
He must have knocked a dozen times but, with music blaring in her ears she didn't hear the door.
He had come inside anyway, scaring her when he tapped on her shoulder. She freaked out and blindly began punching in his general direction before recognizing him.
"Jason?!" She ripped off her headphones.
He apologized for startling her and explained that he had knocked but there was no answer.
"That doesn't mean you can invite yourself in!"
Jason rolled his eyes, displaying his hands in a placating gesture. "You've been ignoring me, how else was I supposed to talk to you?"
She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. "Alright, fine. What do you want to talk about?"
"So…" Jason put his hands in his pockets uncomfortably. "I guess I didn't really think I'd get this far- umm… look-" he sat on the edge of the bed. "I've been thinking a lot. And I wanna give this- you and me- a try again."
She hadn't expected that. As far as she was concerned they were better off as distant acquaintances. Hadn't he said that he didn't feel love for her? That he wasn't sure if he had ever loved her? Why would she want a loveless relationship? Was he asking her because he didn't know how to start a new relationship? Was she just familiar and easier? She wasn't his first choice, that much was clear; had she been his first choice, he wouldn't have had his doubts when asked about his feelings for her. Right?
A gentle poke against her belly brings her back to the present. "Um… hello?"
Bianca sighs. "Yeah, I heard you."
"And?"
She resumes folding laundry. "Just because I don't deserve romance, doesn't mean I want to be treated like someone's second choice."
"I don't think you're a second choice."
She takes a stack of folded towels and walks toward the bathroom. "You sure about that?"
Jason lets her walk away without saying anything. When she returns, she finds him hanging her shirts in the closet.
"Thanks," she says.
He shrugs as if saying 'no big deal'.
"Yes," he says after a moment. "I'm sure."
Bianca looks over at him, waiting for him to elaborate. He looks nice today, but a casual nice, wearing a blue Henley shirt and dark blue jeans. He must have recently gotten a haircut, and his face looks clean shaven.
He hangs the last shirt in the closet and returns to stand by her at the foot of the bed. He smells nice too.
"The truth is, I was happier- more fulfilled when we were together. We had fun- we were pretty crazy but I think we worked well together. Maybe we didn't have that special spark that Hollywood tells people to expect, but that's all fiction anyway," he rubs his chin. "I don't think I've let myself think about it too much, but Bianca I'm different now- because of you. And it's a good change- well, actually, I don't know about 'good'- it's a mature change."
She can tell he's sincere. What did she expect? Hadn't she already come to the conclusion that she wasn't worthy of romance or love? By that metric her expectations should be exceeded. But she couldn't help feeling a little wistful of love and romance. "But you don't love me?"
"I care for you. I want the best for you; want to be a better person for you. I can't imagine a world where I don't know you. If that's not love what is?"
She doesn't know how to respond. He seems to read her mind. "I know I didn't say it the other day- or month I guess. In fact, at the time I didn't think it was how I felt but… I've had time to think it out. And I talked to my therapist about it. Which also helped focus my head."
Bianca scoffs. "Weren't you trying to sleep with her? The therapist?"
Jason laughs lightly. "Yeah I guess so- it was mostly a joke though. You jealous?"
Bianca shrugs. "Nah."
"Liar."
Bianca shakes her head. "Okay, maybe a little."
He grins. "Haven't you seen anyone since we broke up?"
She thinks about it. "No, I guess not."
The smile fades from his face and he looks down at his feet. "Yeah… me neither."
Neither of them can decide what to say. Finally, Jason steps closer to her. "I don't know if I can be the person you want- need in your life, but I wanna try."
Bianca examines him, his clothing and hair, most especially his face. His clear blue eyes peer back at her.
She kisses him. He wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her close to his body. His other hand cradles her head as he kisses her back. She had always enjoyed the way he kissed her.
The time disappears and she focuses only on the moment- their moment.
She pulls her lips back looking up into his eyes.
"Does this mean you want to try again?" He asks quietly.
"I don't know what it means," she whispers and kisses him again.
He takes off his shirt, dropping it on the floor and kisses her neck. He presses his body against hers, gently guiding her toward the bed. He holds her by the small of her back, kissing her lips and gently pushing her down onto the bed. She complies, pulling him with her.
Jason's hand slides under her shirt, warm fingers touching the skin of her belly. She pushes him back and sits up, removing her own shirt, tossing it aside and kissing him again. He returns the kiss, his hands expertly finding the clasp of her bra and unhooking it.
She lays back, tossing the bra aside and unbuttoning her pants. Jason stands upright, fiddling with his own jeans.
Bianca kicks the pants off and moves back on the bed. Jason watches her, a curious look on his face.
"What?" She asks. "It's not like you've never seen me naked before."
Jason shakes his head and crawls onto the bed, hovering over her. He kisses her and she touches his cheek.
Jason pulls back and looks into her eyes. "I love you," he says.
A/n
I'm almost done, promise.