[A/N: I got three reviews! Yay! At least you guys liked it. Anyway, I mentioned I made some changes. Here's another one: Percy lost the curse of Achilles right after the Titan War. The reason will be explained in the next chapter.
Howl3: [I don't know if I remembered correctly] I did do that on purpose. The reason why everyone was like that is explained in this chapter, why Percy was always afraid of hurting Annabeth. All in here. :D
TeresaisthebestBrendasucks & CimFan, thank you for your reviews! :D
This chapter is a whole lot shorter than the first but oh well, I hope you like it still. :D ]
WISE GIRL'S SEAWEED BRAIN
Chapter 2: Insecurities, Doubts & Reassurances
ANNABETH
I kissed him again, feeling how soft and sweet his lips were. I would happily stay there, with Percy's arms circled around my waist except Chiron pounded his hooves loudly again and cleared his throat. "I believe you have made your point, my dear," he said.
I felt my face getting warm. I didn't kiss Percy just to emphasize what I said. I did it for the sole reason that during our fight that lasted for twenty-three hours and sixteen minutes – not that I'm counting or anything – I missed him terribly. But I guess I did the right thing – majority of the girls were staring at me in envy. Whatever. I kissed Percy again one more time and pulled him to my place.
Elliot seemed satisfied that Percy had made it up to me. "See little, dude?" Percy asked him. "She forgave me."
My brother nodded. "Annabeth's nice. I knew she'd forgive you. You just had to do it the right way."
"And he did," I said as I picked up the bouquets of flowers and stared at them admiringly. "Thank you for these, Seaweed Brain. You surprised me."
"I just couldn't let you slip away from me, Wise Girl," he replied, shrugging.
"Hey, that's almost a smart answer," I said, feigning surprise.
"Wow," he said, mocking me. Then he seemed to become aware of all the campers around us, hearing our conversation. He blushed. Percy leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Meet me at the beach in five?"
I nodded. "Sure."
He gave me a peck on the lips and walked away.
Malcolm grinned up at me. "I guess I'd be bringing your flowers back at our Cabin?"
"If you don't mind."
"Of course not," said Malcolm. He nodded to the direction where Percy had gone. "Go ahead and follow him before Drew tries to steal him away from you."
I chuckled. That would be impossible. Percy is the most loyal person I've ever known. "I'll see you later."
Percy was sitting at his usual spot at the edge of the beach, near the forest. His foot, like before, was in the water. I could see from a distance that he let the water wet his skin. I kneeled beside him and whispered in his ear, "What are you thinking?"
Percy gave a start but he grinned at me. "You."
"Me?" I asked. "What about me?"
He parted his legs and I quickly sat between them, snuggling to him and trying to absorb his body warmth. Now I regret going out here without grabbing some blankets. "I just missed you," he murmured in my ear, his lips grazing my neck. I closed my eyes and savored his hot lips against my skin. A soft moan escaped my mouth without my permission and he chuckled. "Sorry."
"It's okay," I said, craning my neck and catching his lips. "It felt really good."
He raised his eyebrows. "It did? Wow. I didn't know my lips are that talented."
I knew he was teasing me but I couldn't help but blush. "So much for being so good in everything."
"I'd say otherwise," he said.
For some time we just sat there, enjoying each other's warmth. With every breath I take, I took in his smell: a mixture of salt water, sweat and his body spray. I wondered what it would be like to personally take in the scent straight from the source. I shook my head. Stop it, I scolded myself. My mind wondered to what Malcolm said. Not that I was insecure of Drew or anything but whenever she set her mind onto someone, she usually gets them. And now she had her gaze on Percy.
"Can you tell me what you are thinking?" he asked.
I shrugged. "Us." Percy frowned. I smiled widely. He's really cute whenever he made a face. "I was touched with what you did Percy, just so you know. It takes a lot for someone to surprise a child of Athena. You were pretty good singing up there."
"Ugh. Don't remind me, please. I nearly exploded on the stage from embarrassment."
"Why? You sounded really good. I actually hate you now that you haven't sung to me before. Do I have to be mad for you to do that?"
Percy pouted. It's all I could do not to bite his lower lip. "You know you couldn't really hate me."
"You're right," I said. "If I could then I wouldn't have fallen for you."
Percy laughed. "Okay, enough of leading me away. What were you really thinking?"
I sighed. "You know me too well." I felt him shrug and his arms tightened around me. I didn't want to tell him. I knew I would sound like those possessive girlfriends and the last thing I want was for Percy to think I was trying to control him. "You know you're putting yourself on a dangerous position singing up there?"
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Don't you know Drew has a crush on you? And the majority of the female population of Camp Half-Blood?" The creases on his forehead deepened. "Come on, Seaweed Brain. Drew is practically throwing herself at you. And those girls? They were, like, giggling and staring every time you pass."
He was quiet for a moment. I've always had these fears; I just never had the courage to tell him. I always knew I felt something for him, ever since we were twelve. But we were too young; I didn't want to rush things up. Then there was Luke, who had been the biggest disappointment in my life. Ever since he betrayed me, I always lived with this fear that everyone in my life would leave me in the end and disappoint me. It was for this reason that I tried to suppress whatever feelings I knew I had for Percy. Until it became too much. I needed him to know. I wasn't stupid; I've seen how he acted around me and for a moment, I was happy, until the fear strikes again. But my feelings for him grew and grew until trying to keep them inside almost tore me apart.
I knew Percy would hurt himself first before doing anything to cause me pain. His fatal flaw was personal loyalty. He would risk everyone for the sake of one friend, he had been told. I was scared that I might influence his decision in the end and the war would've gone sideways. But his loyalty saved us. All of us. Now I was clinging to this trait of him, hoping that he would stay loyal and wouldn't leave me. So far everything he had ever done made me beyond happy, but what happened last night awakened all fear and insecurities in me. What if Percy finds someone better than me? I couldn't even bear the thought of it.
"You sound upset," he finally said.
"I guess I am."
"And here I was, thinking we're okay now."
I turned to him. "It's not you, Percy. Gods, you are everything every girl could wish for. I couldn't ask anything from you." I took another deep breath before proceeding. "It's me, Seaweed Brain, okay? I'm afraid that a time will come when you'll find someone better than me. I'm scared that when you wake up one morning, it wouldn't be me you'll be looking for. I'm insecure, Percy."
He shook his head. "I don't know why you're thinking like that, Annabeth."
"Are you that blind?" I asked, getting more upset by the second. "If you leave me, you won't have any trouble finding yourself a new girlfriend. Di immortales, you can get yourself fifty if you want."
Percy opened his mouth then closed it again then open it again, making him look like a fish out of the water. "Where are all these coming from?" he finally asked.
"Listen, Percy. There's a reason why I was so upset seeing you being kissed by that girl last night. I know you too well. I can tell what you're thinking by your body languages. I knew instantly you didn't like what was happening last night. But when I saw that, it made me realize how easy it is for me to lose you."
Percy grabbed my chin and made me make an eye to eye contact with him. "Annabeth, you're not going to lose me, okay? I promise that. I will only leave if you don't want me around anymore. Remember the song? I won't give up on us, Wise Girl. I will do everything that I can to keep this relationship."
When I didn't reply, he said, "Don't you trust me?"
There was genuine pain in his voice. "I do!" I quickly said. "I do trust you, Percy. It's them I don't trust."
"You're not the only one with these fears, Annabeth." I looked up to his face. His skin was illuminated with the moonlight. He had this god-like appearance but that didn't hide the true emotions his always too-expressive eyes were conveying. "I do, too. I can't think of the time when you meet someone much more deserving of you than I am. I mean, come on, I'm a doofus; you're smart. I'm just sort of playing around; you have everything figured out to the littlest detail. But those fears? I bury them inside because I don't want them to get the best of me. Most of all, I don't let them rule our relationship. Besides, you told me you love me and that's all I need. Can't you do the same for me?"
I couldn't answer. His eyes were sad. I instantly felt bad. Why was I being like this? If Percy said he wouldn't leave me, I had to believe it. He hadn't broken any promise to me. Besides what he said was very unlike him. Usually it's me who comes up with those kinds of speeches.
"Are you sure you're not a son of Athena?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
He gave me a small smile. "If I am, then that would mean I'm not allowed to date you."
"I'm sorry, Percy." He sighed. "I didn't mean my insecurities get in the way of our relationship. I was afraid. I guess I'll always be. I never thought that we'd be together like this and I want this to last but I can't shake off the feeling that somewhere some time I'm going to lose you. I just . . . I just love you too much."
Percy's grin widened on that one. "What was that, Wise Girl?"
I glared at him. "I'm not repeating it, Jackson."
"Oh, come on! Please?"
He knew if he gave me those puppy dog eyes, I'd give him what he wanted. I shook my head but a smile was threatening to make the seventeen muscles in my face complain. I looked him in the eye and said, "I love you, Perseus Jackson."
Percy gave me his troublemaker smile but his eyes were shining with happiness. "I love you, too, Annabeth Chase."
I buried my face on his neck and felt the tears coming. I felt kind of stupid, here I was, hearing the most beautiful words from the only boy I've ever loved and I was seriously crying? I guess I was just so happy.
"Hey," he murmured in my hair. Warmth spread from the point where his lips touched my scalp up to the most remote nerves in my body. It felt so good. "I don't like it when you cry."
"I'm just happy, Seaweed Brain. Don't ruin the moment."
He chuckled. "All right, I won't but I want you to listen to me. Those insecurities, Wise Girl? I'll do whatever I can to make them go away. I will help you get over yours and maybe, along the way, you can help me get over mine, right?" I nodded. "And right here, right now, i'm promising you I will never leave you, not unless you see it fit for me to go away."
"I will never want you to go away."
"I guess it's settled, then," he said in my ear. "So now, Madam, is there anything I can do for you?"
I looked up. "Kiss me."
He grinned. "Gladly." Percy took me face between his hands and pressed his lips softly to mine. The way he held me, the way he kissed me, like I was the most delicate and important person in the world, made me feel all warm and giddy and satisfied inside.
I pulled away and settled my head on his neck again. The sight of the smooth, tanned skin of his throat did something weird to me. Before I knew it, I was leaning closer and my lips were at the side of his neck. I felt Percy shudder and I smiled.
I glanced at his face. His eyes were close, his mouth slightly open. I couldn't believe that I came up with such a naughty idea. Before I lose my confidence, I asked him, "You want me to try what I'm thinking?"
Percy nodded and my grin widened. He really shouldn't have done that.
