The camping spot never failed to disappoint. It was still as beautiful as I remembered and I couldn't help but close my eyes and enjoy how the fresh breeze felt on my skin. And the best part of everything is seeing my friends' reactions to the surroundings, gawking in awe at how much better it was in person than in their heads.

Percy would love the lake that was so close by. To prove my point, he was already smiling at the clean water through the dock, giving me one of the most thankful glances that he has ever given me. And trust me, he has given me those a lot of times in the past. This was the happiest I've seen him the past few weeks, not counting those private moments where he and I were on our bed. There was no one to bother us. It was peaceful here, on our spot. I won't object if he suddenly changes his mind and decides that we should stay here longer.

It was on instinct for the group to start unpacking. We've been camping so much already and it was tradition to set up camp before exploring the forest. And, with everybody working together, it was quite an easy task. Nobody whined or complained. Even Silena, who didn't normally help out, was pitching up the tent she shares with her boyfriend.

We ate first, knowing that we need the energy for whatever we were planning to do. Jason suggests that we should go hiking but Percy contradicts saying that it was getting dark and that it would be better if we should just go swimming. Since my boyfriend was technically right this time, his cousin just mumbled his agreement and continued eating.

I had to hold Seaweed Brain back when he finished because I didn't want him to get cramps in the water. He was smart enough to figure that out and I guess this was one of those moments where his brain cells disappear all at once. But the moment those twenty minutes were over, he was immediately in the process of stripping to his underwear and jumping into the lake as if it was his shelter. Maybe it was.

It was pretty easy to laugh at everybody's faces. They were all staring at the trail of clothing leading to the dock that once belonged to my precious Seaweed Brain and was startled that this was what he was planning to do all along. "Feel free to follow" I mused, standing up from the felled tree I was sitting at.

Somehow, I gained the confidence to do what he did. I was pretty confident with my body but there are times when it was just embarrassing especially when people are staring at me as if I was something to eat…

Anyways, I didn't jump into the lake like he did. I just carefully lowered myself into the water and prepared myself for the very low temperature. Surprisingly, it wasn't as cold as I expected it to be. It was still cold but not too cold. "I'm glad you could join me, Wise Girl." He whispered to my neck, pressing a soft kiss on my collarbone. "And I'm especially glad that you're only wearing that."

I blushed to the color of tomatoes, "Don't push your luck, Percy. I could always leave you here." The sight of his pout made a small smile escape. It wasn't long before we were in a full make-out session and there was no holding back. If my friends weren't here, I would have done him right here in this lake. But they were here. And I had to control myself.

"I love you" I moaned to his lips in between extremely passionate kisses, "I love you so much"

Percy gasped when my fingers tugged at his hair. He loved it when I did that. It was the indication of my sheer need for him more than anything else in this world. "I love you, too"

My friends finally gave in and joined us about ten to fifteen minutes later. It wasn't all the time that we get to enjoy ourselves like this. Since our lives are pretty complicated, there was always something to worry about. This was one of those moments where we just let go and be who we want to be with all the people who treat us as family. We are a family. Whatever happens, we will forever be a family.

It didn't matter that not all of us are swimmers. As long as we can stay afloat, then there wasn't really a problem. Only Juniper stayed behind with Grover since both of them weren't really a fan of getting wet that much and trying to force them would bring you nowhere. They were just watching us with gleeful faces, only their toes submerged in the water. "Let's play tag." Percy suggested, causing all of us to turn to him at the same time.

"What? Here?"

"Yeah!" he exclaimed, pulling me closer to him. "It would be fun. We can work in pairs, by couples. But since Connor doesn't have a girlfriend, he can do it alone." The certain twin just shrugged nonchalantly, as if it were no big of a deal.

Since everyone agreed already, we decided that there should be rules. We don't want anyone to get hurt, now do we? "Okay, no one gets out of the water. No pushing or shoving or hiding." I told them, climbing on to my boyfriend's back just like the others did with theirs. This was going to be a fun game, especially since Nico, Percy, and Jason can be very competitive.

It was Travis who agreed to be it. And his first target was Chris and Clarisse. With my boyfriend's swimming skills, it didn't take long before we were very far from them, impossible for them to sneak up and take us by surprise without either me or Percy spotting them first. We weren't technically hiding and we had absolutely no physical contact with the others. This game does need strategy after all.

"I can't believe you even suggested this. Knowing Thalia, she's probably trying really hard not to kill you right now for making us play a silly childish game."

Percy laughed, pulling me close to him. "At least they're enjoying themselves." I was about to say something but he quickly added, "Plus, it would be impossible for her to kill me. Especially when I'm in the water."

This got me to slap him in the arm. He's underestimating the skills of my best friend. But sadly, a small part of me told me that what he said was true. He was pretty good in hiding underwater, plus the lack of light would make him almost invisible unless Thalia happens to bring a flashlight with her, which I highly doubt. She probably forgot to bring one in the first place.

Before anything else could happen, we joined the group once again. So far, the game was going quite well, seeing that no one actually wanted to kill anyone yet. They were all playing fairly, even the Stolls. "Who's it?" I asked, looking around for the people who are most likely the suspects.

"Silena and Beck." Thalia gestured to the couple who were currently chasing Jason and Piper.

"Why aren't you running?" My boyfriend asked Nico, realizing that he was just lazily standing there with Thalia on his back as if it wasn't a big deal.

The boy shrugged in response, "Do you know how hard it is to run for a good half hour on water? A person has to rest you know."

I glanced at my other friends who were following his lead. I suddenly felt really bad that I let Jason and Beck suffer this and immediately called the end of the game. They were pretty grateful as they neared the group again, placing their girlfriend to the ground just like everyone else- except for me and Percy.

After a few more minutes just swimming around and talking, we decided that we had our fair share of swimming for a day. Of course, 'we' did not include my boyfriend. He stayed behind after everybody else left and I couldn't just leave him there. I made the decision to get dressed first before heading back to the dock and watch him in one of his favorite places in the world.

It took a while but I finally convince him that he might get sick if he keeps this up, especially when he's been in that lake for already two hours. We can't afford him to get sick. He's the one who knows where we're going next.

He lifted himself up to the dock beside me. And being the kind girlfriend that I am- I think, I handed him a towel to dry himself off. "Had a nice swim?" I asked, placing my head on his wet but drying chest. Instinct made him wrap his arm around my shoulder.

"It was fun but it would have been better if you were there to keep me company." His laugh vibrated on his chest. And there wasn't a sound in the world that could compare to that.

I sighed in absolutely happiness as I sat there with the man I love, looking at the stars and sometimes pointing out the constellations. He, as always, was watching me with a smile on his face. I didn't mind. He was here. And he was mine. And no other person can take him from me.

Percy placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I love you, Annabeth"

"I love you, too, Seaweed Brain." I don't think he minds when I call him that after so many years, seeing that he didn't react as much.

Our friends were again huddled around the campfire when we returned. They didn't even bother to ask us where we've been, knowing that they would regret it when we told them. It was sort of like a cycle now. Percy and I would sneak out and stay for an hour and a half making-out, we would return to a very angry Thalia and she would start interrogating us where we've been, we answer her questions in full detail (sometimes, if we really want to, we would even describe the kisses that we shared just to gross her out more), and then she would leave us alone thus starting it all over again. Of course, we didn't get tired of it but I guess they did.

Not unlike before, we didn't follow camping tradition. There were no scary stories told, no marshmallows roasted, not even a simple game of Truth or Dare. It was just my other family and me talking every once in a while but mostly staying silent, enjoying the peace and the view that was given to us only by this place.

"Maybe I was wrong to argue over this." Katie mumbled, her head placed lightly on Travis' shoulder. "This is probably the most fun I've had in years."

We all laughed but soon realized that whatever she said was true. This was the most fun we had in years. "So this is an annual thing now?" Percy asked, not bothering to look up from staring at my face. "Every summer, we go on a road trip."

"That's a good idea." Jason agreed, "It helps us bond more. That's just exactly what we need after everything that's happened."

No one said anything different. It was clear that whatever it was that was pulling us apart was still present in the world and waiting for us but this trip keeps us closer and makes the bond between us stronger than ever. It might be cheesy but it is reality.

By midnight, Percy and I decided that it would be best to go to sleep. We've been so tired that it was impossible for us to stay up any longer. If we do, we might have just fainted on the forest ground. "Seaweed Brain, this is the best idea you had in ages. I'm glad you came up with it."

He smiled. "We needed it, some sort of escape from the world." His green eyes bore into mine as his strong arms encased me in his warmth. "Plus, it gives us time alone."

At the last comment, I gave him a slap on the chest but kissed him nonetheless. "Good night, Percy."

"G'night, Annabeth."

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping and my boyfriend snoring softly on my ear. Thankfully, he didn't drool at all so I don't have to worry about getting anything out from my hair. My only problem was that I was too comfortable in his arms and I refuse to get up. I just buried myself deeper into him and placed a soft kiss on the crook of his neck, watching him smile and pull me closer.

He groaned when I said his name.

Since the netting on the very top of our tent wasn't covered, I could clearly see that it was a beautiful cloud-free day. And there was a breeze so it wasn't too hot. I snuggled more to the man that I love.

"Annabeth" he whined, his eyes opening slightly. "Stop moving."

This got a small laugh out of me. "Mm-kay, Seaweed Brain." I whispered to his ear, "You should get back to sleep. It's still very early."

He didn't argue with that logic. The moment I finished the last word, he was already unconscious. I still didn't want to go out of his arms but my ADHD was getting the best of me. I decided that I should keep myself busy by tracing patterns over his smooth, perfectly tanned skin and trying very hard not to jump him in his sleep. The best part of having a heavy sleeper as a boyfriend, you can do whatever you want to him at night and he won't even care. And no, not that kind of whatever.

My fingers played with his for a little while before they travelled up his arms and started drawing circles on his back, sometimes ruffling his hair or massaging his scalp when I get the chance. "I like it when you do that," he said, startling me. I didn't know he was already awake. How long has he been awake?

"Since when have you been staring at me like that?" I asked, partly annoyed and partly curious- though the curious side was taking over the annoyed side pretty easily.

He laughed, "Since five minutes ago," he answered, "Are you really that bored?"

I shook my head. "I like doing that to you. It calms me. Plus, I don't want to go out. I'm comfortable here and I have no plan to leave." Just to prove my point, I had to cross my arms and gave him my best stubborn face ever.

"Well, I don't want you to leave, Wise Girl." He flashed me a grin, a heartwarming grin that would make every single girl in the world swoon.

My fingers moved seductively on his bare chest, tempting both me and him at the same time. Maybe Percy's habit of sleeping shirtless has its disadvantages and advantages. I just never realized that it was that visible. "So we're just going to stay here the entire day?"

"As much as I want that, I don't think so. I promised Jason that we're going hiking today and he's holding it too much against me." He frowned when I gave him my cutest puppy dog face, "And I can't do anything about it anymore, Annabeth. Almost all of us are looking forward to it."

There was no arguing against him now that more people are pulling him to their side. Plus, he was technically the leader of this trip and majority wins most of the time. This wasn't any different. "Fine," I sighed. "But while they're all still asleep, we can make the most out of this."

He had me pinned under him in a heartbeat, his lips on my neck and his hands trapping my wrists. A small moan left my mouth when he sucked on that one spot below my ear. "God, Annabeth, you don't know how hard it is for me to resist you right now."

I moaned again for two reasons. One of them mainly is because I couldn't help myself anymore. I swear if he keeps that up, I would wake everyone ahead of time, thus, cutting short our time alone. That was something that I couldn't risk. And the second was because I wanted to tease him. I know it wasn't the best time to actually do something like that but I needed him so bad that my heart- and some other part of me, way down south- were debating on the logical part of my body.

"Percy," I breathed as he kissed me, "Percy"

His lips moved against mine professionally, telling me that he doesn't care if my friends would wake to this. But I know he was having the same argument as I was. The only thing that was keeping him from jumping me at that moment was his morals and our friends. He was thinking of them now. We both don't want Grover or Piper or Katie or Juniper to see what they're not supposed to see. I don't care about the others. They can handle it. Just not them, they're too innocent for this.

The kisses grew hotter and hotter. His hands were roaming now, from my hair down to my hips. They were always moving when his need for me intensifies. It wasn't any different to how I'm acting. Since he decided that it wasn't any fun when my hands weren't moving, he decided to let me go. And my touches do just linger more than his. "I can't do this anymore. Percy, please stop."

Thankfully, he did. He was sad but he did. It was the best solution at the moment. We all know where that make-out session was leading to. At that moment, his instincts were taking over and I was the only rational thinker. It was my job to keep what little decency we had. It was bad enough that we have too much PDA's. It was best to have our pride.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked, being the caring boyfriend that he is.

I just smiled at him, my fingers on his perfect face. "No, you didn't. Don't worry. It's just not the best time and place. When there's more privacy, I promise."

His eyes brightened, "I love you." Percy kissed me again, a soft one.

This was my most favorite part. After the heated kisses, the declaration of love would always steal my heart and make me fall for him even more than I already am.

"I will always love you." It's the most perfect answer in the most perfect morning.

Please Review!