Chapter 14
Percy woke up in his seat, looking around rapidly to make sure they weren't falling out of the sky. He looked over at Annabeth, who looked ahead with a stoic expression as she made minor corrections with the controls, sometimes flicking switches or pushing buttons. She gripped the flight control stick and kept them steady.
"Annabeth." He said.
Annabeth jumped and looked over at him. She sighed, "Oh, it's just you."
"Are you okay?" He asked, "You look tired."
Her eyes were sleepy. Though there were no bags under her eyes, he could tell she was tired. He looked out through the glass, only seeing the tiny white flickering dots of stars painted against the darkness of the night sky. He swore he could almost see a faint blue in the sky. Now that he thought about it, he never realized how beautiful the sky really was, maybe he realized it now because he was alone with Annabeth up in the sky.
"I can fly if you want." He offered. He didn't know how but he was certain she could teach him.
Annabeth shook her head, "No, I'll just land us somewhere."
He nodded before asking, "Why didn't you wake me?"
Annabeth didn't look at him as she spoke, "You looked so peaceful. You deserve the rest."
He smiled as he reached out and placed a hand on her arm, "You deserve some rest too."
Annabeth looked at him with a soft smile. She didn't say anything as she steered them towards the lights of a distant town. They passed over plains, dark farmhouses, sleepy forests, and empty highways. Everything looked so beautiful in their own way.
The world looked so peaceful that it almost convinced Percy that it wasn't trying to tear itself apart.
Then he looked over at Annabeth. The lights of the controls barely illuminated her face as her eyes watched the altitude meter. Out of all the things he'd seen thus far, she was the most beautiful. Her blonde hair that looked like it was made of pure gold, her goddess-like features that brought him back down to Earth, and that look in her eyes that kept him from diving into the darkness, it all looked amazing. He wondered how he could be so lucky to have her.
He didn't mean to but the words slipped out of his mouth anyways, "You're beautiful." He almost didn't sound like himself when he spoke, he sounded…lighter.
Annabeth must've heard him because she looked over. She stared at him with that look that he loved so much. That look that meant she was curiously taking him apart to examine every single piece of him, that look that made her eyes fill with the kind of love that could only be forged through good days and hard times.
"Thank you." She said, turning away with a blush.
Percy had no idea what was getting into him right now, it was like he could let go of his problems and finally enjoy the world and what he had. Despite the chaos, the pain, the fear, it all came together to form one beautiful picture in his mind.
He wondered what was going through Annabeth's mind, what did that beautiful girl think of. Did she think of her next battle plan, her next great victory, or was she thinking the same thing he was?
His body started moving out of his control. He knew what he was doing was completely stupid and could get them killed but he didn't stop himself as he scooched over next to Annabeth. She looked at him with confused eyes as his hands went to her waist.
"What are you doing, Percy?" She asked as he lifted her up.
He set her on his lap and wrapped his hands around hers and helped her fly. Now that he and Annabeth were touching, it was almost like he could feel everything, her heartbeat, her thoughts, even her soft breathing.
Annabeth leaned back against him as she relaxed. He looked up at her face, it seemed all the stress and worry over the past few days seemed to fade away. A small smile spread across her face. Then she turned to face him.
His body moved again but he didn't care, he wasn't going to stop what was coming. Annabeth leaned forward too. Next thing he knew, their lips were touching. They looked each other in the eyes for a moment before closing them and continuing with their kiss.
The kiss wasn't heated or desperate like the ones before. It was soft and warm, like the feeling of being hugged by a friend or being wrapped up in a blanket during a cold winter night. Percy felt like he was where he belonged, like this was what everything was for. All the wars and monsters and failed math tests led up to this moment.
He felt Annabeth's hands release the stick of the chariot. His own hands released them too so he could wrap his arms around her waist. Annabeth's hands went to his cheeks, holding his face while they kissed.
The chariot seemed to guide itself in for landing near a small quiet town. The two demigods inside didn't seem bothered at all by the drop in altitude, they only seemed concerned with each other.
Percy had never had a girlfriend before, Annabeth was his first and probably his last. He never knew what true love felt like. He'd felt love from his family, like his mom and dad, but not the kind of love he felt with Annabeth. He almost felt…connected with her somehow. Even though they didn't share any blood and they at one point used to be complete strangers, he couldn't help but feel like they were connected. Maybe it was written in their fates to be together, he didn't know and frankly, he didn't care. He'd defy the Fates themselves if it meant spending an eternity with Annabeth.
The chariot landed with a soft thud. Percy broke the kiss to look around them. They were in a parking spot of an empty parking lot outside some old wooden motel. Annabeth looked around too, though her expression was dazed and confused.
"I think we should get a room." Percy said.
Annabeth nodded, "Okay."
Percy noted that her voice was breathless and high, like she'd just experienced pure euphoria. Maybe she had.
As they climbed out of the chariot, Percy looked to the front desk of the motel where a bored clerk waited behind a cash register. He seemed like he'd rather be anywhere else. He didn't seem to notice as the two demigods walked up to the front door. Only when they opened it did he look up.
"Can I help you?" He asked in a bored tone as Percy walked up, Annabeth waiting behind him.
"We'd like a room for the night." Percy said.
"That'll be thirty bucks." The clerk said.
Percy handed him the money, three ten-dollar bills. The clerk reached into a drawer and produced a key. Before Percy could grab the key, the clerk asked, "Are you two alright?"
"What?" Percy asked.
"You two look like you've been out for a while. Can I get you two anything? Some warm food? I don't mind, there's a Starbucks down the road, I could probably get you guys something to eat." The clerk offered.
"No thanks, we're fine." Percy said with a smile, it almost seemed like forever since the last time he'd seen a good mortal.
"Well, enjoy your night." The clerk said, "Goodnight to you both."
Percy smiled before wrapping an arm around Annabeth. They walked out of the front door and to one of the stairs leading to the rooms. They walked past the doors, eventually coming to their room.
When Percy shut the door, he found Annabeth reaching for the hem of his shirt.
The next hour or so was between them but if you asked Percy, it was Elysium.
Percy pulled the comforter over himself and Annabeth, wrapping an arm around her stomach. He felt safe, like nothing else mattered. The world could've exploded right then and there and he would've not been able to care less.
He kissed the back of her neck, "Goodnight, Annabeth."
She looked over her shoulder, her gray eyes gleaming, "Goodnight, Percy."
For once, Percy fell asleep knowing he'd sleep soundly.
A/N: This part is a little more fluff than actual plot. I just didn't feel right about them just suddenly appearing New Orleans after they'd just left Chicago.
