"I can't believe him! He doesn't tell me that when he recognized her!" Annabeth ranted.

Percy held Annabeth in her sitting position on the bed. "Annabeth, calm down." Percy attempted.

"I'm Annabeth Chase! I can't calm down!" Annabeth snapped.

Percy released her shoulders. "Let's go on a walk and you can rant there, okay?"

She nodded slowly so Percy did one of the least logical things to do when Annabeth's mad: he picked her up and slung her over his shoulders. She squirmed and kicked but to no avail. She growled and relaxed.

Percy carried Annabeth through the kitchen and back porch into the backyard where he put her down. She hit him playfully. "Don't ever do that again." She turned away but couldn't hide the smile creeping onto her face.

Percy turned her towards him. "You're the person who knows her way around. Lead the way my queen." Percy bowed and gestured.

Annabeth took the lead and Percy quickly caught up. "To the cavern we go." She announced and showed Percy how to climb over the gate.

(((())))

And to believe I ever liked you. Those words rang through Thalia's ears every second of the first 5 minutes in her room alone. She sat down. But the thing was for her, did he still like her? Even after she had been such a jerk? She doubted it. To give her something to do while she thought, she drew. She drew everything. She drew Luke, a lightning bolt, a detailed house. All Thalia wanted to do was escape. Once she got bored, she looked on the wood at the bottom of walls (A/N: What are those called?) to find the engravings from Annabeth's dagger still there. There was one that said Thalia and Annabeth=BFFs and Kill the monster or her favorite The punk chick was here bitch. That was one that 7-year-old Annabeth never saw because it was under a bunk bed but when they moved the furniture, it was revealed. One said I love Luke in tiny, light etchings. Obviously Annabeth. Thalia then thought about dreams that Annabeth had when she was little.

Maybe in one, Annabeth and Luke were getting married. In another, she had twin daughters with Luke and it was Christmas. They were sitting at the fireplace with hot chocolate hugging and Thalia was sitting of to the side, smiling, awkwardly alone.

Just then, there was a small knock on the door. "Yes?" Thalia squeaked out while forcing back something she's never had-tears.

Grover came through the door. "I just wanted to see if you wanted anything." He said quietly.

Thalia shook her head as she laid on the floor. "I'm good."

"Okay. Thals?"

Thalia looked at him. "Hm?"

"I love you like a sister." He said.

She smiled. "Love you too Grover."

He closed the door to leave Thalia alone.

But she didn't want to be alone. She wanted to be with him.

She doubted he would walk through that door. She doubted anyone would notice her wanting to spill tears over the edges of her eyes. But she wanted someone to see her crying. She wanted someone to hold her so badly. Not just anyone though, the son of Hades himself. She wanted to be the one who helped him when he was mad or the one who made him get goose bumps. She just wanted it so desperately when…

There was a pacing noise outside the door. Then a jiggle on the door handle. But it wasn't turning. Just a shaky hand grasping it was all. The door knob started twisting and the door cracked to reveal…

Nico DiAngelo.

Thalia turned around so she was staring intently at the wall again with its etching of I love Luke. She didn't want to look him in the eyes first. "Hi." He said as he closed the door.

She acknowledged him with a nod. "Do you want to talk about something?" She asked.

"No idea. I just want to talk to you." He said as he sat on the bed next to her.

"Why me? I'm pinecone face." Thalia spat.

Nico ran a hand through his hair. "I really like you Thalia. It's just… I hate the fact that you're a Hunter."

"I hate it too." She whispered.

Nico could feel his face heat up. "Why do you hate it?" He asked slowly.

Thalia looked up to meet his eyes. "Because I, Thalia Grace, am totally and completely in love with you." She diverted her eyes almost immediately.

Nico smiled and kicked Thalia's side gently. "Well, are you gonna get up here and steal the chance to make out with my gorgeous face?" He asked teasingly.

Thalia looked at him and smiled probably the biggest smile since she met Annabeth. She stood and climbed onto the bed next to him. She planted her lips firmly on his and it was the best thing that ever happened to Thalia so far.

(((())))

Annabeth led Percy through the pasture holding his hand. She had her head on his shoulder leading him towards her secret hideout. Not one soul knew except Annabeth. And now Percy. She stepped over another branch and sidestepped a hole when Percy caught his foot in it and tumbled downwards. She followed him since she was still holding his hand. When they stopped somersaulting, Annabeth realized that they were near the cavern. She stood and brushed her shorts off while Percy groaned. "C'mon Seaweed Brain." Annabeth said.

Percy staggered to his feet. "Where are we?" He asked.

Annabeth didn't answer just simply walked into a cave. Percy followed at her heels. "What is this place?" He asked with an echo.

"My hideout." She answered simply.

Percy noticed the rugs and pillows on the floor now. "Impressive." He said as he sat down on a pillow with hearts on it. "How'd you steal all the pillows?" He asked.

"Luke stole them. I asked for them so he gave me them without a question." Annabeth replied as she picked a dead moth from the floor.

"Well this is truly amazing." Percy said smiling.

"Thanks." She sat beside him and leaned into his side.

Percy wrapped his arm around her waist. "So who knows about all this?" He asked quietly.

Annabeth smirked. "Just us. Not a soul knows but us."

Percy smiled. "So it's one of our secrets?" He liked to share secrets with her.

"Yep." She said popping the 'p'.

"Cool." He whispered.

"Wanna draw?" Annabeth asked.

"How?" He asked.

Annabeth sheathed her dagger and started drawing in the stone wall behind them. "But I have Riptide." Percy said.

She handed him the dagger. "You can use it. We'll take turns." She kissed his cheek and watched him draw a trident.

When it was her turn, they heard a pitter pattering outside. The couple turned and it was pouring rain outside.

"We can't make it on foot. There's too much Georgia clay to slip in." Annabeth pointed out.

"Got your cell phone?" Percy asked.

"Nope." She said.

"Shit!" Both of them said at the same exact time.