Percy let Annabeth drive to the hospital because he was in a horrible state. It hadn't been one of his greater ideas. Oh! Why don't you call your crush to come and comfort you!
His heart had dropped when she kissed him. "She just feels bad, and she's trying to console me." is what he'd thought. Man, she had gotten so angry and he found it scary attractive. And then she said she was falling in love with him. That couldn't compare to what Percy felt. He loved her. He loved everything about her. He was going to tell her. Then Jack had called. He was reminded of his worries and tapped nervously on the arm rest in the car.
They walked into the hospital together and signed in. Grandpa Jack had told them which room it was.
Percy wanted to hold Annabeth's hand. And he realized... he could. He stopped and blinked.
"Are you okay?" Annabeth asked, concerned. Percy smiled. He took her hand and led her down the hall. Truth was, he was nervous and worried out of his mind. They reached the room and paused just inside.
Grandma Jane was hooked up to all sorts of machines and Grandpa Jack held her hand, sitting on a chair next to her. He saw them and muttered something to Jane.
"Percy. Annabeth. Is that you?" she asked. They walked to her bed. Percy let go of Annabeth's hand.
"Hello." Annabeth said gently.
Percy felt his eyes sting again.
"Good to see you. I guess the store won't open up today, seeing three of its top employees are here."
Annabeth laughed and Percy relaxed. Jane was here, she would be okay.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Oh a nasty heart attack. It comes with age, I suppose."
"Will you be alright?"
"Oh, I feel better but..."
She chuckled and Percy's vision swam with tears. This lady had been so kind to him, she was like his second mother.
"Here, come closer Percy." she beckoned. "I have- what would you call it? A dying wish I suppose. Don't let Annabeth get away. That girl is something else. Promise me."
Percy did.
"Good. I hope I'm around to see you together. But for now I'll rest."
Grandpa Jack looked up and mouthed a 'thank you'.
Percy led Annabeth back to her car. They stood side by side outside, watching cars go by.
"You okay?" Annabeth asked.
He tried to answer, but words wouldn't come out. She leaned her head against his shoulder. Percy wanted to stay in that moment. It was so peaceful and for now, everything was alright.
She nudged him after a while.
"Watch, here comes the sun."
The sky spread out in oranges and yellows as the sun rose. The light caught Annabeth's golden hair and she was so beautiful, it hurt. Before he knew what he was doing, he had leaned in again, capturing his lips with hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he placed around her waist. "This is what is supposed to happen." Percy thought happily.
He rested his head on Annabeth's, their noses barley touching.
"I'm so in love with you." he tells her.
She grins and he'd be lying if he said it was their last kiss.
Percy decides to open Uncle Rick's the next day. It's the least he can do, really. He goes to his register and flicks the light on. Halfway through the day, Annabeth strolls through the doors. She makes eye contact with him, smirks mischievously, and proceeds to walk in the opposite direction of where he was. He glances at the clock and swears. His break isn't for another half hour. By the time Annabeth reappears, he's got five minutes left. She has a basket full of food. He scans them with a realization in his mind. He never formally asked her to go out with him. An idea picks at the edge of his mind. Percy scans her items, noticing a box of Coca-Cola. He smirks and glances up. Her grey eyes dance with intelligence and it takes all his willpower to not kiss her.
He takes his time with her receipt. After circling her savings he writes:
Will you be my girlfriend?
"Read it." Percy says, handing it to her.
She smiled and tilted her head.
"Yes."
And although he was pretty sure it wasn't store regulation, he leaned over the counter and kissed her anyway.