"What's this from?" Percy asked, brushing his fingers over the thin pink line on her wrist. Annabeth leaned her head against the pillows on Percy's bed. Percy was resting his head on her thigh, holding her hand in his and examining her skin.

"Hmm," Annabeth said in reply, drumming the fingers of her unoccupied hand against her stomach. "I can't exactly remember why I got that. I just remember I bled more than he expected, so he took me to the hospital and told them I tried to kill myself. I was kept under suicide watch for the night, and when they found all the bruises, he told them I hit myself, too."

"They must have been idiots," Percy grumbled, his finger tracing the scar. He looked upset, his eyebrows furrowed and his mouth pushed into a pout. "Who would believe a girl would hit herself on purpose?"

"The same people who were convinced that girl tried to kill herself. They didn't do it on purpose," Annabeth said soothingly.

"I know, I know," Percy sighed. His fingers pushed up Annabeth's shirt until her stomach was exposed. His tired, bloodshot eyes scanned her stomach until he found the scar that stretched from her belly button to her rib cage. She heard his lips part with an exhale and he shook his head.

"I just don't understand. Who would do this? Who would do this to you?" he whispered. His fingers traced the pale scar, frowning. "What happened?"

"It was after my miscarriage, during the months where he blamed and punished me. I don't even remember what happened. He was just in a rampage. He got in an argument with the neighbors over the fence. They said it was too far over on their side, and he came inside...and he just snapped. I think I blacked out, I'm not sure."

Percy rested his head on Annabeth's stomach, his eyes closed and his jaw tight. Annabeth could feel his tension and anger, so she reached down and ran her fingers through his hair.

"It's okay," she murmured. Percy lifted his head and planted a kiss on the scar. Her stomach dropped at the feeling of his lips against her skin. Then he peppered her stomach with kisses, his hands splayed across her hips.

Percy's hangover from last night was the cause of this lazy day. Lilly was in the living room, curled up on the couch with her stuffed animals and promising she felt better. Annabeth had woken up to the sound of the television in the living room, and she shuffled out there to find Lilly. She made her breakfast and made sure she wasn't sick anymore before she crawled back into bed with Percy. He woke up an hour later, his head pounding and his mouth dry. He curled up to Annabeth, complaining about the light seeping through the window. And somehow, now, Percy was exploring her, pointing out her scars and freckles and telling her how soft her skin was. She was silently wondering if he was still drunk.

Percy pulled himself back up next to Annabeth and nuzzled into her neck, his breath warming his skin. Her whole body felt warm and fuzzy and she was positive she had never felt this good in a long time.

Annabeth's eyes burned with tears. She tried to quickly wipe them away so Percy wouldn't see, but she accidentally sniffled and he caught her.

"Annabeth?" he asked softly, pulling himself up on his elbows so be could see her. "Annabeth, are you okay? Did I upset you? I'm sorry." He pressed his cheek against her shoulder and wrapped his arms tightly around her. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"No, no, it's okay. I'm not upset," Annabeth said, wiping her cheeks and willing herself to stop crying. It wasn't working.

"You're crying."

"I'm crying because I'm happy. I'm so thankful for you, Percy." She gave him a watery smile, feeling like a silly little girl who was in love. Percy blushed and then he smiled back. She adjusted her hips so she could look up at him, and she reached out, brushing her fingers against his jaw.

"I'm thankful for you too, Annabeth," he whispered back. He slid his thumbs over her cheeks, and Annabeth's breath hitched automatically. The last time they kissed was a few days ago, right after Annabeth told him everything about her. But Percy wasn't kissing her. He was just scanning her face. He probably assumed it wasn't safe to kiss her-not yet-but that was very debatable.

Annabeth pulled Percy down and kissed him full on the mouth, tired of the way they were dancing around each other. She wasn't afraid to have feelings for him anymore. Maybe she was a bit cautious, but she definitely wasn't afraid. Her husband-well, maybe she should start calling him her ex-husband-was well in her past. Percy was her present and she hoped he was her future, too.

They kissed until Annabeth's lips tingled and she was breathless. Percy trailed down her jaw and throat. Her skin erupted with goosebumps from where he touched her. She pushed him away for a moment so she could pull her shirt off over her head.

Is this too fast? she asked herself as she dropped her shirt over the side of the bed. No, she answered as Percy dipped his head to kiss the top of her breasts.

His hands slid over her skin as he trailed down to her belly button. He planted a kiss above her belly button before he stopped and rested his chin on her stomach.

"Well, well, well," Percy said. "It looks like we've been here before, haven't we, Miss Chase?"

Annabeth laughed and pushed her hand against his forehead. "Yes, we have, so you should know well enough what to do, Mr. Jackson," she teased.

He grinned. "I don't remember you giving me this much sass last time."

"I don't remember you being this slow."

Percy laughed and pulled himself back up to kiss her again. His fingers slid around to her back where he unhooked her bra. She was afraid he would hear how loud her heart was pounding because she was nervous that she would make it awkward or something like that. But Percy didn't seem to even pay attention to the sound of her heart.

He kissed her collarbones and shoulders and ribs and the inside of her thighs until she couldn't breathe. It was so different from their first time. The first time was rushed and quick, decided in the heat of the moment. But this time it was slow and lazy and comfortable.

Annabeth's hands traveled down Percy's stomach until she reached his hips. She snapped the waistband of his blue, wave patterned boxers, smiling, and he laughed again.

"We've got to be quiet because Lilly's awake," Annabeth whispered when Percy's fingers slipped under the elastic of her underwear. He nodded in agreement and slid her underwear down her legs.

She didn't even follow her own directions. Not even halfway through, she moaned loudly and Percy had to cover her mouth with his hand, trying his best not to laugh.

"Sorry," she mumbled through his hand.

"Shhh," he whispered before he removed his hand and kissed her, his lips warm and slightly salty. She dug her nails into his back and arched against him.

She wondered why she didn't give in to him earlier.

A strictly Annabeth and Percy fluff chapter C: with a lil spice too ;) please review