Memory 10: Another Reunion
Annabeth shoved past a few more campers before stopping dead. A tall, tanned guy in a purple cloak was making his way through the crowd, a look of determination etched deeply into his sea green eyes. His black hair was ruffled, as if he had been running his hands through it nervously, the way Percy had done sometimes…
Annabeth broke into a run, barely looking where she was going. She ran headfirst into somebody, and as she looked up, muttering apologies, her words caught in her throat. She reached up her hand hovering above his cheek, watching his face for some sign of recognition. Annabeth was surprised when hot tears spilled onto her face. Percy traced them with his finger before wiping them away. His arms slipped around her waist, and Annabeth laced her fingers behind his neck.
"I missed you, Wise Girl," he whispered.
Annabeth's eyes lit up, and Percy swung her into the air and around in circles, completely disregarding the hundreds of onlookers. As he set her down, he pressed his lips into hers.
Annabeth's mind raced back to Percy's sixteenth birthday, and their first real kiss. This felt exactly like that, only it was better. In that moment, every worry was gone, their erasing almost Hera-worthy.
Annabeth wanted to hug him and kiss him forever, but first…
"Perseus Jackson, where have you been?!"Annabeth narrowed her stormy eyes, glaring up at Percy as soon as they broke apart. His smile melted into confusion. She poked a finger at his chest. "Eight months, Percy. What the heck were you doing that you could just blow us off, blow me off like that? How do you think I felt? You just up and disappeared in the middle of the night! I've been so worried Percy, and oh gods, I'm just so happy you're okay!" She pulled him against her chest. "Don't ever leave me again, Seaweed Brain."
Percy chuckled. "You haven't changed one bit. Of course, Annabeth. Never again."
The might've stayed that way all day, but eventually Annabeth pulled away with a sigh. "I guess I should go find Jason. We probably need to formally meet with everybody, make a plan for a quest."
Percy rolled his eyes. "No way. The plans can wait. I have some people to introduce you to first."
Annabeth laughed. The sun had set now, and the sky was black and filled with constellations. Frank and Hazel were called over by a guy with a jug of Kool-Aid, and Leo went to see if he could find Piper, leaving Annabeth and Percy alone. Percy's arms wrapped around Annabeth's waist, pulling her in. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed with pleasure. "I really missed you Percy. Missed this."
"So did I. But I still remembered you, or parts of you. Your hair, your smile, the way you used to laugh and kiss me when I did stupid stuff, which makes me wonder how I even got into high school," Percy chuckled at that.
"You remembered me? Out of all the things you've done, like return Zeus's lightning bolt, or defeat Kronos, you remember me?"
"Of course. Because I couldn't have done any of those things without you," Percy said, but his eyes weren't focused.
"What's wrong?" Annabeth asked, concerned.
"Nothing, it's just something Hera told me. It's nothing," Percy spoke a little too quickly.
"Something to do with the quest?"
Percy looked at Annabeth for a second, then sighed in defeat. "Yeah, kind of. But not just that. She said… she told me some stuff about you causing trouble, and having some task to do. I don't know whether or not to believe her."
Annabeth was silent for a moment, before speaking very quietly, "Percy, I don't know what that's about. I don't know what in all of Olympus and Hades is going to happen when we sail to Greece. But I do know I'll stand by you. That's one thing that is never going to change."
"Thank you, Annabeth," Percy said, and he pulled Annabeth into a kiss. After they pulled apart, Annabeth leaned her head against Percy's chest. She opened her mouth to speak. Her causing trouble… did that have something to do with Athena's gift? Annabeth very much wanted to scream the truth out, but her new secret stayed inside.
"I love you, Wise Girl." Percy murmured against her hair.
Annabeth drew in a sharp breath. "I-I love you too, Seaweed Brain."
Oh God what don't kill me. Yes, it's another version of my reunion. Suck it up and deal, hun.