Annabeth was pouring herself over one of her many books, trying to learn more was her biggest hobby. Though she also had different reasons for throwing herself into so many of her studies recently. She was trying to forget about her problems. More specifically, Percy. They made it through the war, against all odds, and afterward they went about doing normal relationship stuff. Not often though, since he's been living with his mother and step-father. But whenever they get a chance, she had even spent the following weekend with him at his house, she had slept on the couch of course. But that weekend changed a lot of things, and ever since then, things hadn't been quite the same, at least not for her.

They had both been exhausted from everything, and the moment Percy got a hold of his mother, she and Paul had rushed over to pick him up, they were sick with worry. But Percy couldn't leave Annabeth, not after everything that just happened.

"Can she come too, please? Mom, I can't just leave her here, she couldn't get a hold of her family, and I won't leave her alone right now!"

His mother agreed after a little bit of Percy's persuading, and they were taken back to their apartment. Sally made them both eat, though they hadn't put up much of a fight, and once they were full, she made Annabeth a spot on the couch. Not long after all the lights went out, Annabeth practically tip-toed into Percy's room.

She pulled back the blankets and cuddled up his side, putting her head on his shoulder and laying her arm across his chest. He blinked his eyes open very slowly, like they weighed a ton, and settled his gaze on her. "Hey there..." His sleepy voice made her all giddy, and she felt her stomach light up with butterflys.

She pulled herself up slightly to lay a peck on his lips. When she was about to pull away, Percy's hand came up behind her head and pressed her into another kiss, a much deeper one. Percy wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Suddenly the butterflys were gone, and she was sure there was supposed to be something else there, she had read plenty of YA books after all, but she didn't feel much but sloppy lips against hers. Percy seemed to be having a completely different reaction however, because he pulled away from their kiss with a shocked look on his face. She gave the boy a look of concern, and when she slid her hand in a downward arc, pulling it back to her side, she hit something and Percy pulled in on himself with a yelp.

She had no clue what was going on, but she knew she hurt him, so she was whispering urgent apologies. "I'm so sorry, oh my gods, Percy, are you okay? What did I do, what did I hit?"

When he straitened back out, she saw where his hands were laying and realized just what happened, and she felt her embarrassment deepening, along with her blush, that he hopefully couldn't see in the dark.

Percy had a boner holy shit I just hit Percy's boner

"It's fine." His voice sounded strained, and he put his arm back underneath her head, laying his hand on her shoulder.

Annabeth felt incredibly awkward, they were both silent now, just laying next to each other. A million thoughts were flying through her head, from "Gods of Olympus, I just gave him a boner, and then I hit it, talk about behavior conditioning." to "why didn't I react the way he had?"

Annabeth couldn't tell if it had been 10 seconds or 10 minutes, time felt like it was going drastically slow compared to how quickly chaos had taken over.

But then Percy rolled onto his side, and put his other arm around Annabeth's stomach and whispered that he loved her into her ear. They soon feel asleep in each others arms, and surprisingly, didn't get anything more than a chastising look from his mother.

But Annabeth continued to play the scene over and over again in her mind. Why didn't she feel anything. She always thought she was too analytical about their relationship, always doubting whether or not she was actually in love with him. She didn't know if she was truly in love, or maybe she just enjoyed him. The familiarity and comfort he always brought with him. This was a worn out topic in her head, one she had been nursing ever since their honeymoon phase wore off. But she just enjoyed being with him so much, she could never being herself to act upon anything. Maybe she was just going through hard times and didn't know up from down, let alone love from friendship.

Annabeth realized that she had gotten back on the topic she was trying so desperately to avoid, and continued using her books as a distraction.

They were nearing Camp Half-Blood and Percy could see some kids pointing and waving from over the hill. Percy let out a yell of glee, and he felt Nico's arms tighten a fraction. Without thinking, Percy layed his hand over Nico's and turned his head to look at him.

"You're good, I got you." Percy's hair was whipping in the air, and his smile had a mischievous glint to it. Nico loved the sight of him and could feel his bones aching with the desire to run his hands through that messy mop of black hair.

Blackjack landed gently over the hill, with many excited neighs, and Percy jumped off to pet him, and give him some treats.

Nico jumped down, following his friend, and instantly regretted the hard landing when his side set aflame. Without waiting for Percy, he walked toward the big house, his hand pressed to the side of his ribs. Percy saw him limping away, and was about to run to him but then he was attacked by a crowd of people who were excited to see the all might Percy Jackson back at camp. He tried getting away, telling them he had to go, but before he knew it, the relentless crowd had Percy on their shoulders and were cheering as they led him to Annabeth's cabin.

Nico heard them, and turned just in time to see them throwing Percy at Annabeth, and they were chanting for a kiss. Nico turned, and refused to look back at them as he ran into the big house. And the moment the door closed behind him, he slid against the door and sobs that had been on the brink ever since he realized about his feelings, were suddenly there, ripping through his throat and chest. He barely noticed a blurry figure run toward him. He didn't care enough to pay attention. He just slumped against himself, and let the sobs come.