A/N: Hey guys finally back with another chapter, hope you guys like it!
She puts a hand on the door handle, a little afraid of what she might find. She did leave Piper unattended for almost 8 hours, after all.
Not by choice, of course, but she had two papers and an exam to get through, and a heartbroken Piper was not conducive for that. So she'd left her friend in a blanket burrito on the couch with a pint of ice cream and her favorite movie in hopes that she'd be okay enough for the next few hours.
"Hello?" she calls out, entering the apartment. So far so good. Other than the mess on the coffee table, everything is pretty intact. Though she gets no response and there is a distinct lack of Piper in the room.
Annabeth drops her backpack and wades further into the apartment, setting down the coffee she'd brought for her roommate on the kitchen counter.
"Piper?" she calls again, walking the short hall to the bedrooms. The bathroom is empty and the door to Piper's room is closed.
She approaches it, just about to knock when she hears a sound coming from the room.
Was that…
She stumbles at her own speed to back away from the door when it's confirmed that the sound was, in fact, a moan.
Retreating to the living room, she lets out a tired sigh. Well, that's one way to deal with a break-up. Probably not the healthiest, but it's not like Annabeth can do anything about it.
She considers her options, which are locking herself in her room with headphones or finding some other place to pass some time. But before she can make up her mind, a knock on the front door breaks her thoughts.
Unless Piper ordered food that she forgot about, Annabeth has no idea who it could be. Though it does occur to her as she's opening the door that it might be Jason, in which case everything is going to get a whole lot more awkward.
Thankfully, it's not Jason. The guy standing in front of her is undeniably attractive though, with black messy hair and the prettiest sea-green eyes she's ever seen.
"Uh, hi," he says, looking at her uncertainly. "Sorry to bother you, but, um, does Piper live here?"
Immediately, her guard is up. She's sure she's never seen this guy before (because she most definitely would have remembered) and he's asking about her friend?
"Who wants to know?"
"I'm Jason's friend," he starts, running his hand through his hair . "Her boyfriend, or ex, or whatever. Anyway, I was wondering if he's here. I mean with Piper, that is if Piper lives here."
"Um...I'm not sure…"
He shoots her a wry smile. "I promise I'm not a creep, I'm just trying to find Jason since the fucker slipped away under my watch while I was in the bathroom at the bar and I need to find him before Frank kills me."
Frank…she's pretty sure she vaguely remembers some guy named Frank being Jason's roommate. Well, this does make things interesting.
Annabeth smiles back. "No I mean I'm not sure because Piper is uh...preoccupied…"
She sees the moment it dawns on him. "Oh…OH."
"Yeah," she nods grimly. "I just got home so I don't know who, but now that you say Jason's missing…"
He tilts his head towards her. "You think it's Jason?"
She shrugs. "Well, if it isn't then it's going to be really awkward. But I mean, you wouldn't have come here if you didn't think there was a possibility he'd be here."
He nods, leaning in the doorframe and crossing his arms. She is a little entranced by the way his arm muscles flex against his t-shirt. "Yeah, he was tipsy and kept saying that if he could just see her…"
She sighs. "Honestly, I just finished two papers and an exam, I don't have the capacity to deal with this."
He chuckles and even that is cute. "Neither do I. I say it's their problem and wash my hands of it."
"I wish I could do that but I live here."
He smiles, his first actual smile and, well, fuck. "Well, I still got a tab open at the bar so you're welcome to join me if you want."
Annabeth raises an eyebrow. "How did you leave without paying?"
The grin he shoots her makes her heart leap with excitement. It spells trouble but it's pulling her in and she already knows she's going to take him up on his offer.
"My friend is the bartender, which means," he shoots her a look as a means to tempt her, "fast service." As if he isn't tempting enough, but she still pretends to think about it for a moment before shrugging.
"I guess."
He steps back into the hall, gesturing for her to follow him. She matches his smile as she quickly extracts her wallet and keys from her backpack and steps out.
"I'm Percy, by the way, sorry I should've introduced myself earlier."
"Annabeth," she replies, locking the door and turning back to him.
"Oh, right," he nods. "The roommate, I should have known. Jason mentioned you briefly once."
"Wow, I had a whole lunch with him and Piper and he mentioned me briefly?" She rolls her eyes sarcastically but Percy's grin almost makes her break out into a smile.
"Well he was all Piper this, Piper that." Percy shrugs. "Can't relate though, I would've mentioned you a whole lot more."
It's actually ridiculous how quickly those words have an effect on her. Her heart is already racing as she answers.
"You should've been there, then."
He glances sideways at her, as if he's surprised by the answer, but she can tell he's pleased by the way his eyes seem to light up.
"Invite me next time."
"I'll consider it," she teases as they walk out the front door of the apartment building. The sun is low in the sky and somehow it's warmer than it was in the morning.
Despite her long day, it feels good to be outside. Now that she's done with finals, there's a lightness to her being. (Which may or may not also be impacted by the man standing next to her looking faux-offended).
"Consider it?" The corners of his lips are curving upward though, breaking his character.
He's flirty too, god he really is her type.
"Let's see how good this bar is first," she replies.
"I'm sure you've been there, it's not too far from here, Seven Doors?"
She does know the place, but she's only been there a few times, mostly because her schedule this semester didn't really allow for much going out time.
"Wait, didn't Piper and Jason meet there?"
Percy nods. "In retrospect, probably shouldn't have taken him there, but he was moping at his apartment and I got bored."
They turn right, heading towards the bar, shoulders brushing as they walk side by side. It's maybe the only time she's grateful for the narrow sidewalk.
Percy doesn't comment on it, though she notices he takes his hands out of his pockets which allows for even more occasional contact.
She tries to hold back a smile as she replies. "Was he that bad? Didn't they break up because of him?"
Percy shrugs and his fingers graze her arm, causing shivers up her spine. Is she that desperate for human touch or does Percy just have this effect on her? (She's pretty sure it's the latter).
"I don't know, probably. I'd believe it, he's an idiot like that."
"How do you know Jason anyway?"
She's extremely curious to find out why she's never met Percy before. Piper would have said something if she'd met him, especially since she knows Annabeth's type.
(Which just so happens to be flirty with a smile that screams chaos that she's helpless to resist. After all, she is walking to the bar with him about ten minutes after meeting him).
"He was in my first class of college, English 160, and the professor made us talk to the person sitting next to us."
"How romantic," she teases, purposely bumping into his shoulder this time.
He grins back. "Yeah, well, not as romantic as going to his ex-girlfriend's place only to find out he might be getting laid and meeting her gorgeous roommate instead."
Heat rushes to her face at the words. It's the boldest he's been so far in showing his interest and she really shouldn't be falling as quickly as she is.
"It was great except for the getting laid part," she manages to tease back, drawing close enough for their arms to be perpetually touching.
Percy chuckles. "Well, it's going to suck if we enter this bar and suddenly Jason's back there."
"If he is, we don't tell him."
They've made it to the bar and though there is a little more space here, he stays close enough to reach over her and open the door. His cologne is heavenly and she almost misses his next words.
"Moment of truth."
She doesn't immediately see Jason as they enter, but the place is longer than it is wide so he might be in the back. They step up to the counter with the bouncer who immediately turns to Percy.
"Where have you been? And where's Jason?"
Percy just shrugs, unfazed at the questions. "Probably sleeping with Piper. Also meet Annabeth, her roommate."
Annabeth raises her hand in a short wave as the bouncer turns his gaze on her. He's tall and well-built and could easily take on whoever would need to be thrown out. He fits the job description well, but he still shoots her a smile.
"Hi, I'm Frank, Jason's roommate," he introduces. "But what do you mean by probably?" He poses the question to Percy but she answers.
"Someone's there and I wasn't going to enter and find out who."
Frank nods. "Fair enough. Though," he says, turning back to Percy, "if he ends up on a random park bench then that's on you."
Percy smiles. "Sure."
"Has that really happened before?" she asks Percy as they walk past Frank and towards the bar. He's standing close behind her in the crowd of people and leans even closer so she can hear his reply.
"Yeah, that's why I was on Jason watch."
If she shivers a little at the contact, that's no one's business. They manage to grab some counter space on the bar and she turns to the side to face him.
"Well, not anymore."
He smiles at her. "Yep, now I'm on Annabeth watch."
She has to give it to him, he's too good at this, which probably means he's had a fair amount of practice. Which sucks because she might actually like him and she's not looking for something casual. Because despite his complaints about Jason, he still came all the way over to her place to find him.
"Bet you say that to all the girls."
Percy shakes his head. "Nah, just you actually."
Well, fuck. She isn't sure how much she actually believes him but there's probably a blush on her cheeks that she's hoping the dim lighting will hide.
"Then what have you noticed on your watch then?" she asks, leaning closer to hear his reply.
"That you fidget with your necklace." He nods over to where her hand is, sure enough, on her necklace again. She immediately drops it. "And that you try to hide your smile." She bites her lip because it's ridiculous to smile just from him saying that but it just causes his grin to widen.
Then he leans slightly closer, the grin morphing into a smirk as he speaks. "And that you want to be closer to me."
Naturally, exactly a second later some dude shoves past her to order something, pushing her into Percy so that their bodies are fully touching.
"That guy shoved me," she tries to defend, entirely too flustered from the whole situation. Percy just chuckles.
"Yet he's gone and you're not moving away." And that's when she turns back to see that he has, in fact, left and there is space for her to move back again.
Blushing, she tries to take a step back only for Percy's arms to circle her waist. "Never said, I wanted you to though."
She's melting into his arms. Maybe she should be more embarrassed but it feels entirely too good for him to hold her like that. She can't even be bothered to play hard to get when he's got her like this.
"But," he continues. "I mean if you really want to go then…" He loosens his hold on her and she understands that he's trying to give her an out. It just serves to make her like him even more.
"I guess it's not that bad here," she tries to go for casual, but it comes out breathless instead. Percy's arms tighten as he smiles at her.
"Not bad?"
What's worse is that not only is he affecting her this much, it's that he knows it too. And something tells her he's not the type to let that go either. Percy might actually be the death of her.
She tries to come up with a witty retort because she doesn't want this to be this easy for him. But all the words escape her as he pulls her even closer.
So she pouts instead.
Surprised, Percy bursts out into a laugh. "What's the pout for?"
She pouts even harder because she'll be damned if she actually verbalizes her thoughts right now.
Percy laughs, slipping one arm away to get the bartender's attention, leaving the other still around her waist. "Okay, okay," he concedes. "What drink do you want, baby?"
There is an inordinate amount of pleasure from the word and she really should be mad (because who's he to call her baby anyway?) but she's kind of living for the princess treatment.
"Vodka cran," she replies. "And don't call me that," she adds, in an attempt to salvage some of her dignity. He orders her drink and a beer for himself before turning back to her.
Percy raises an eyebrow at her. "What?"
She's not about to repeat the word. "What you just called me."
"What? Baby?"
God, it should not be this attractive. The papers and the final today must have depleted all her brain cells because why is she floundering so much in his presence?
"Yeah." Her voice is smaller than she means it to be.
He shoots her a look that says he doesn't believe her, which is fair because she doesn't even believe herself.. "Really?" He's giving her another out.
It further solidifies how much she's starting to like him. Once again, she does not want to admit anything so she mumbles her "no" in the quietest possible tone.
Percy smirks, which clearly means he heard her, but he feigns confusion. "What was that?"
She glares at him because he's having entirely too much fun at her expense now.
He laughs, sliding over the drink the bartender just placed in front of him. "Speak up, baby."
She takes a sip of her drink instead of answering, hoping the glass can cover what must be a perpetual flush on her cheeks.
Percy picks up his beer just as someone else shoves her while trying to make their way to the bar. His arm pulls her even closer, out of the way, and he leans down to speak to her.
"Let's get a table?"
She nods and suddenly he's directing her away from the bar and towards some booths on the side wall. At this point, she doesn't even know where she's walking, she's just hyper aware of where his hand is on her lower back.
It's not something she'll ever admit out loud but she's actually upset when his hand leaves her body so he can sit across from her at the booth.
"Better?" he asks, as they finally have some space to talk.
No, because you aren't next to me is what she wants to say. She nods instead.
He leans back and she tries not to frown because apparently her love language is physical touch ever since she's met Percy.
"FInals crowd," he comments, nodding towards a new group of people walking in. "It's always the busiest around the end of finals week."
"How do you know the bartender?" She noticed that the guy had served them without asking questions or for payment, presumably putting the drinks on the tab Percy had opened.
"Frank's cousin. Their uncle owns this place and always gives me leeway since I helped Frank get the best thing that's ever happened to him, according to his uncle."
"And what's that?" It's interesting learning so much about someone new. She'd forgotten how cool it was given that she's mostly hung around Piper and her other friends, most of whom she already knows everything about.
"Hazel, his girlfriend."
"How did you manage that?"
Percy grins. "Well, she was my date, until I realized that I wasn't really into her like that and brought her here. She met Frank at the door and I saw him flustered for the first time and told her to go for it."
He shrugs. "She did."
Annabeth hopes there isn't any note of disappointment in her voice, especially since it's clear this Hazel girl and him weren't into each other, as she responds. "I was right, you do this to all the other girls."
Percy leans in and she matches his movement. "I don't put my arms around just anyone, and I certainly don't call them baby."
It's still somewhat hard to believe but she isn't about to fight him on something that she doesn't even have any ground on. It's not like they're dating, they met a half hour ago. So she just shrugs and tries to think of some way to change the conversation given how dangerously invested she's become in him.
But right as she's opening her mouth to ask him about his major or something, he frowns.
"You don't believe me."
No she doesn't, but she knows they have to move past this so she just shrugs. "What's your major?" she asks.
He doesn't respond right away, still frowning at her.
"Percy?" she prompts, heart racing with worry that she just messed something up before it even properly started.
"Annabeth." It's the first time he's said her name and it feels great to hear it come from his mouth. His voice is low and a little raspy and she has to lean forward even more to hear him properly.
"I hate showing my hand, especially since I love to see you blush and get flustered but let me tell you that I really like you, probably more than I should, honestly. And there aren't as many girls as you keep thinking, and they're irrelevant now anyway. I wasn't lying, I really don't just call anyone baby."
She doesn't even need to look at him to feel the sincerity of his words and at this moment she doesn't even think she can look at him without potentially imploding because holy fuck…how does she even process that?
She doesn't think she's ever wanted to kiss someone more badly than right now. As if she wasn't already falling for him before, she's definitely gone on him now.
"I…" Why are words so difficult? "I…I'm not flustered."
Probably the dumbest thing she could have said. If anyone asks she's blaming finals and vodka.
Percy's face goes from serious to surprised to raising an eyebrow. "You pouted the moment I let you go.."
Okay, so maybe she hadn't been as subtle as she thought. No choice left but to double down. "Well, you shouldn't have done that," she replies, crossing her arms.
Percy lets out a laugh and she tries to hide her smile at her success. "I'm sorry baby." And then he's sliding out of his side and moving next to her so their bodies are touching and arm is looped around her shoulders.
"Better? And don't lie this time."
She doesn't respond, but if she leans into his touch, that's not anyone's business.
Percy is satisfied with the response though because he smirks. "You always get what you want, huh?"
Annabeth shrugs. Not generally, but with him, apparently she is getting what she wants.
"You're the one making it happen," she responds indignantly. "You've got no one to blame but yourself."
Percy sighs. "Apparently… I can't help but give into you." Now that is extremely satisfying to hear because she's been melting internally at almost everything he's been doing and it's good to know it's not just her.
Her satisfaction must show on her face because he shakes his head. "And you love that, don't you?"
She just grins at him. "It's only fair since you've been laughing at my expense this entire time." He's well aware at how flustered he's made her, and made it well known that he is well aware of his effect.
"Not laughing," he defends, "you're just really cute when you're blushing." He tugs a stray curl of her hair.
She wants to kiss him. Now.
But before she can figure out how to make that happen, Percy's phone starts buzzing and he has to let go of her to get it which does not make her pout, of course.
He takes one glance at the screen before taking the call.
"Where the fuck have you been?"
Jason? She mouths, asking him a question. He nods, listening to the other end.
"Yeah well could you maybe have told me that instead of slipping away when I was gone?" Percy continues. His fingers start drumming the table as he listens to whatever Jason is saying.
She has no idea what possesses her to grab his hand, halting his movement.
"Yeah, you better be," he says to the phone, raising his eyebrow at her action.
She takes his hand in hers and loops her fingers through his, curious to how he'll react. His fingers immediately close around hers.
"Uh huh, yeah, great, call you back later." It doesn't even seem like he waits for the bye before hanging up the phone and turning his full attention on her.
"What are you doing?" he asks, but it's clear he doesn't mind by the way their fingers are still joined together.
"What's up with Jason? Is he with Piper?" she asks instead of answering his question.
"Yeah, seems like they've made up. But you didn't answer my question."
"What question?" she replies as innocently as possible.
Percy's eyes narrow as he holds up their joined hands. "What are you doing?" he repeats.
She wonders if she should just go for it. He already told her he likes her, so…why not?
"You weren't paying attention to me so…" She leaves the sentence hanging, shooting him her sweetest smile.
Percy shakes his head like he can't believe her, but the smile on his face says otherwise. "And why exactly do you need my attention?"
"Maybe because I like you too."
There, she said it. It comes out quiet and sincere and they both drop the playful flirtiness for a second as Percy processes her words.
"I'm…I'm really glad to hear that," he finally responds, shooting her a small smile.
She smiles back. "Glad enough to do the thing you've wanted to do for a while now?"
Percy's eyebrows scrunch together. "And what's that?"
"You're not the only one who pays attention, you know," she tells him. "Your eyes have found my lips at least three times."
Percy grins. "Guilty."
"So what are you waiting for?" There might be a little bit of a whine to the words and Percy chuckles as he draws closer.
"This."
His lips meet hers and she's floating. The vodka cran feels like nothing compared to the high she's feeling from this kiss. When he tries to move back she chases his lips and sure enough, he gives in to her again.
-.-
"So really you owe me." Jason is a little too cheerful and she shakes her head, sharing a look with Piper.
"I don't owe you shit," Percy responds.
"Well, you never would have met Annabeth otherwise."
"And why is that?" Piper interrupts. "How did you not tell me about Percy beforehand?"
Jason shrugs but Percy turns to her with a grin. "What can I say, I'm too charismatic. He was probably worried I would swoon you. But he didn't have to worry," he adds with a wink to Annabeth. "I'm into blondes."
"And you are exactly Annabeth's type which is why I would've liked to find out about him sooner," she directs the last part to Jason.
Percy turns to her with a grin. "Your type, huh?"
It's stupid for her to be blushing at this, especially since it's literally at her boyfriend, so she rolls her eyes to cover it up.
As usual it doesn't work, and Percy's arm finds her waist to pull her closer. "Don't worry, baby, me too."
A/N: I know I've missed updates for the last three months for this series (It's supposed to be updated once a month) and I swear I tried making it happen. I have two different stories I started writing for this series which petered out about 600 words in and I wasn't able to continue.
This fic is the first that pushed past the writers block and I credit Jungkook's babygirl era for my subconscious inspiration to have Annabeth in her babygirl era for this one.
(Also I just really like writing flirty scenes and this fic is just one extended flirty scene with Annabeth basically falling for Percy because I think I write a lot more of Percy swooning than Annabeth swooning so here we are and here she is in prime babygirl era mode)
As usual when I struggle I think I go back to basics mode and this one is reminiscent of the style of the very first how we could have met chapters from 2018, so if anyone has been around that long (first of all kudos cause that's insane) this one's for you!
Please Review! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
As always, thanks for reading!