AN: This chapter will make a couple references to Percy Jackson and the Staff of Hermes. I decided to post this chapter earlier than usual. Pretty short chapter but hope you enjoy.

Chapter 5: A Salesguy Gives us Relationship Advice

August 17

Annabeth

Annabeth was getting ready to go out. Not on a date unfortunately, but on a shopping trip by herself. Things had calmed down a bit since the defeat of Gaia but there were still some issues at large. For one, communication seemed to be acting all wonky whether it be Iris messaging or through cell phones. Secondly, there had been some stirrings of monsters all around the city. Luckily, most monsters stayed away from her. It was as if they sensed the danger emanating from her and knew better than to attack her. She counted this as a win, any day she didn't have to fight monsters was a win in her book.

Today she had a very important mission. Today was August 17, which meant it was the day before her first-year anniversary and it also the day before Percy's 17th birthday. Her quest for today was to find both an anniversary gift and a birthday present. Maybe if she got lucky, the gift could count as both. Bonus points if she found a nice place for them to eat.

She hated that she had not planned accordingly. She hated leaving things to the last minute but what could she do? The war with the giants had just concluded, she worked on fixing the camp and delegated with the Romans, she worked to get herself back up to speed with school and her dorm and she worked to get the help she needed. Overall, there were so many things on her mind that she had almost forgotten about August 18th.

She had called Percy this morning asking if perhaps he had any plans for the following day.

"Huh, what plans?" he asked.

"You know plans… tomorrow is a special day for us."

"Crap! Did I forget one of our anniversaries again?" Leave it to Percy to forget their one-year anniversary and his birthday (not that she was any better, she had almost forgotten herself)

"Yeah, Seaweed Brain tomorrow is a special day."

"Will you at least tell me what it is I'm forgetting?"

"Nah, you'll figure it out," she teased. A smile crept on her face as she began imagining Percy's confused and annoyed expression on the other line. They said their goodbyes and Annabeth put her blond hair in a ponytail and stepped in front of the mirror to check her outfit.

It was a simple outfit. Nothing too flashy. Just some blue jeans, a black tank top, some white sneakers and she topped it off by putting one of Percy's flannels on. She had taken it the last time she went to his apartment. It fit her quite big, but that made it even more comfortable. It also smelled like him which was another plus.

She made sure to check that she had everything she needed. She ran through a mental checklist. Wallet, keys, phone, weapon to defend herself from monsters in case they attacked, check everything was in order. Although her drakon bone sword was a beautiful and effective weapon, it was large and hard to carry around. She had visited the armory before leaving camp and found a dagger that was similar to the one Luke had given her all those years ago. It was much easier to carry, and she felt more comfortable fighting with a dagger as opposed to a sword. She placed her dagger and sheath inside her bag before heading out.

She stepped out her dorm and entered the frantic streets of Manhattan. Her rumbling stomach made her grab lunch before heading to the department store.

Annabeth would like to say that she knew from the start what she would get her boyfriend, but that was simply not the case. Her mind ran frantically through all the possible options, and she gauged what his reaction would be.

She had entered various spots in the department store looking for the perfect gift. She wondered through the furniture section thinking perhaps a new blanket would be nice. Then she wondered into the men's clothes section thinking of all kinds of possibilities. Perhaps a new winter coat (in the middle of August)? Perhaps a nice scarf or some shoes? She would have to revisit this idea later.

One way or another she wandered into the perfume section. A decision that she regretted as the smell hit her nose and her nostrils started flaring. Now, normally she would skedaddle away as soon as possible but the ladies working in the section started haggling her and she was too polite to say no. In the end she ended up trying out all various kinds of perfumes and she was sure she smelled like a kaleidoscope of odors. Her bag had been stuffed with all kinds of perfumes samples as well.

She made her way to the men's section where a familiar smell hit her. It was the smell of a soft ocean breeze. It smelled like Percy but at the same time it didn't. She wasn't quite sure how to place it. She followed the smell and there was a young man on the counter handling out samples of what she thought was the ocean scented cologne.

"Hey, miss, can I interest you in the newest fragrance from some big perfume designer dude or whatever?" the young man joked. He handed Annabeth a sample.

She thanked him and took the sample. She took a smell and noticed it did smell like her boyfriend to a degree.

"You're by yourself huh? Perhaps shopping for your partner?" The sales guy asked.

"Yeah… tomorrow is his birthday and our anniversary. I wanted to get him a special something."

"I see, then I can help with that." He went back to counter and pulled out an array of different colognes. "Do any of these seem like the type that he would like?"

Annabeth started testing them out. After about 15 minutes she decided that perhaps cologne was not the best idea. She wasn't even sure if Percy would use it if she bought him some. Now that she thought about it, he never seemed to use any cologne, he just always smelled like the sea.

"These are all great, but I don't think they fit him. The ocean scented one was nice though" she admitted.

"Yeah, that one's pretty great," he answered back. He put the colognes away. "If cologne isn't his thing, then maybe something else is."

"What do you have in mind?" She was interested now.

He shrugged. "A guy came in earlier, saying he needed an anniversary present for his girlfriend. Funnily enough he smelled just like the ocean scented cologne, but I digress. He told me about himself, and his girlfriend and I suggested a necklace." He took out a small box. He opened it and there was a small silver necklace with an owl centerpiece.

It's beautiful was all she thought. She remembered back to their time in Athens where Percy declared that the rivalry between Poseidon and Athena ended. And then he kissed her. Kissed her to the point where she was gasping for air and had weak knees. She wanted this necklace to symbolize the end of the rivalry between their parents. Yes, this was the perfect gift to mark their union together… well until they were engaged, but that was hopefully in the future.

"I take it you like it miss?" The salesguy asked.

She hadn't noticed that she had been staring for a bit too long. "Yes, I'll take it," she declared.

"Good choice. I have a feeling he'll like it." The guy was smirking as if he knew something that she didn't.

She paid and had the necklace wrapped in blue gift wrapping. She noticed his nametag that read 'Christian' and thanked him for this help before heading back to the men's clothing section. She had safely secured the anniversary present, now she just needed to secure the birthday present. After rummaging around the section for half hour she came to the conclusion that a new pair of shoes would be great.

He was always going through pairs of shoes, and it was practical gift that she knew he would use and would appreciate. She settled with getting him a pair of white sneakers. Like before she paid and asked if the shoes could be wrapped using blue wrapping paper.

Second mission completed. Now all she needed to do was perhaps find a nice place to eat tomorrow.

Her thoughts came to stop when she spotted something she didn't expect to see. In the children's section there were several children playing with toys and there were some children playing with pillow pets. She remembered the silly, yet upsetting story that Percy told her about Perry the Panda Pillow Pet.

Their first night together on the Argo II, Percy mentioned how he felt so lost and lonely during those days he spent on the streets after leaving the Wolf House. He said that his only company was a panda pillow pet that he named Perry. He then proceeded to tell her how he became his best friend through all those days he was stranded on the streets fighting monsters. Then he got to the part where Octavian murdered Perry in cold blood right in front of Percy's eyes and he was really upset. Percy said it was kind of silly to get attached to a toy like that, but he still felt upset whenever he thought about Perry.

Annabeth looked around the section hoping to find a panda pillow pet. Hopefully she wouldn't have to smack a kid to get what she wanted. Thankfully she didn't have to and found one which she quickly paid for and would surprise Percy with tomorrow.

Three awesome gifts for him. All she had to do now was find a nice place to eat. That would have been the plan until her phone started ringing. She picked it up.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Hey Annabeth, it's Percy." He responded. "Listen, I remembered what tomorrow is and just wanted to let you know I have a little surprise for you."

"Oh really?" she smiled. "Does this surprise involve us getting soaked in sewer water like in our first month anniversary?"

She heard him snort on the other line. "No! Nothing like that." There was a pause. "At least I hope not that would suck," he sighed. "Anyways, it's nothing too big, just something for us that I hope you enjoy."

"Can I have a hint?" she teased.

"Nope you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out. Meet me at my apartment at noon and we'll head out. It will be like a date but more on the casual side."

"So, no Paris then?"

"That was a one-time thing." She heard him chuckle. "Besides I don't think Hermes' staff was stolen again. That would be quite embarrassing if he had to come ask us for help again."

"I bet," she answered.

"Anyways, meet me tomorrow at noon at my place, and dress comfortably. I got us a sweet ride." She could pretty much hear his excitement over the phone.

They said their goodbyes and Annabeth figured Percy had their lunch plans set. She smiled at headed back to her dorm. Tomorrow would hopefully be great date.

Percy

"Nah, you'll figure out." Annabeth said from the other side of the phone call before she hung up. Percy just stood there, dumbstruck, thinking about what day tomorrow could possibly be.

He went to kitchen to check the calendar. If today was August 17, then tomorrow was August 18.

"Tomorrow is August 18… tomorrow is August 18…" he mumbled. Then realization hit. "Oh shit, tomorrow is August 18. It's our anniversary."

Crap how could he have forgotten. It was their one-year anniversary. A monumental date and he just forgot. What kind of boyfriend was he?

In his defense, so much happened over the past couple weeks that he just simply forgot. There was the defeat the Gaia, getting the camps to work together, his return home, seeing the doctor and talking to the publishing dude and getting a book deal. All those things had pushed the thought of their anniversary to the wayside.

Percy would have to figure out something quick. He did not want to disappoint his girlfriend. He made a quick plan to visit the department store and see if he could find something that she would appreciate. Since it was last minute, he wasn't sure what he would find, he just hoped that he knew when he saw it. Whatever that something was.

He took a quick shower and got dressed. Just his usual outfit. Blue jeans, gray hoodie and the skate shoes Paul had gotten him a couple days ago.

"Hey mom. I'm going for a bit. Gonna look for a gift for Annabeth," he shouted before leaving the apartment.

"Alright be careful dear." She responded.

Percy checked to make sure that he had everything, his keys, wallet, and skateboard. He decided to checkout a nearby department store so he could just walk or skate there. No need to take the subway or call a cab.

He arrived at the store a couple minutes later. Nothing too crazy happened other than almost getting hit by irate New York drivers three times and the drivers cussing him out. Percy being the nice New Yorker that he is cussed them back and made a not so nice hand gesture towards them. You know, normal everyday things.

Now, Percy had seen his fair share of scary things, but this department store scared him in a different way. Multiple floors filled all sorts of goods that he started doubting what to get Annabeth. Would she appreciate a new washing machine? How about vacuum cleaner? How about a new architecture book with tons of pictures? Shopping in the women's section turned out near hopeless. He was unsure about the sizing and eventually made his way to the perfume department.

Now that was one of the worst experiences Percy had in his life. He entered the section and was immediately bombarded by the ladies working there. They sprayed him with all sorts of fragrances that made his nose bleed and gave him a massive headache. Some of the younger and older women working there were making weird gestures with their eyes, and he was unsure why.

Perhaps they thought he was potentially big customer. He struggled to make his escape out of the crazy section of the department. He walked for a bit and noticed a guy handing out cologne samples at a nearby stall. Percy approached him hoping to catch a moment of respite. The guy didn't seem crazy like the ladies.

"Man, you look like you've been put through the ringer." The guy said.

"Thanks, I know." He breathed out. "Those ladies are crazy." He motioned to the section where had just come from.

The guy snorted. "Yeah, they get like that sometimes. Especially around potential big customers and cute guys." He winked at Percy.

Percy shrugged. "I guess they must have thought I was a big customer."

The guy looked a bit embarrassed but continued. "So, what I can do for you?" he asked. "You look like you could use some advice."

Percy slumped on the counter and breathed out. "Sorry, dude, it's just that I forgot about my girlfriend and I's first yeah anniversary tomorrow and here I am looking for a gift for her."

"I… see," the guy said. He sounded a bit disappointed. "Well why don't I make a couple suggestions?"

Percy perked up and started telling him all about Annabeth. Well, everything that he could without telling him that they were demigods. The guy listened intently and nodded along as Percy continued his story. Percy mentioned how he loved the ocean and all things marine life as well.

"That's pretty sweet," he admitted. "I think I may have something that she'll like." He pulled a small box from underneath the counter and opened it revealing a silver necklace with a seashell centerpiece. The shell was silver, but it had slight blue undertone.

Wow was all he could think. It was beautiful. He thought it would be symbolic gift. He had told her back in Athens that the rivalry between Poseidon and Athena was over. As a son of Poseidon, this gift would symbolize that there was always a piece of himself with her. Long story short, it was a perfect gift.

"I take it you like it then," the salesguy said, snapping Percy out of his trance.

"Yeah… yeah, it's perfect. She'll love it," he stammered.

"Glad to hear it, man." He bought the box to the register where he checked Percy out. Percy paid and asked if it could be wrapped. Percy had just noticed the nametag which read 'Christian'. Christian agreed to wrap the box in gray wrapping paper.

"Thanks for all the help Christian, I really appreciate it." Percy waved him goodbye and left the store.

On his way back home, he skated through Central Park and was suddenly hit with an idea of what to do tomorrow. There were some couples having a picnic under the summer Sun and the thought bought back memories of their one-month anniversary.

They had been going out for a month and they had picnic in Central Park. Unfortunately, the picnic took a turn when Hermes approached Percy about George and Martha being kidnapped by a giant named Cacus. Their rescue mission took a turn for the worst as it involved being chased by cops, fighting a giant, being soaked in sewer water and playing a giant game of claw crane. Fortunately, Hermes held his end of the bargain by sending Percy and Annabeth to Paris to have dinner, so the day wasn't completely ruined.

That entire mess occurred because Percy had made a promise to Annabeth, and he forgot about it.

This time he would make no such huge promises. He wanted to have a quiet afternoon with his girlfriend in the park, eating good food and just enjoying each other's company. Nothing too grandeur. Besides he didn't have the time to plan some huge elaborate date and hopefully the gods would stay away.

He smiled and skated back home. He would need a bit of help preparing the food, but he knew it would be a great date. He also had an idea on what they could ride to the park tomorrow.

AN: Short chapter, just them shopping around and making plans for the 18th. I promise I'll make it up by posting an extra-large chapter next update. I'm still writing it and it's like 11k+ words so far. I might post next week instead of taking two, it all depends on how I feel.

I got the necklace inspiration from Arishtistic on Instagram who drew Percabeth wearing nice outfits to the Olympus Met Gala. Check out their art! It's really nice.

Thanks for reading! And as always, I welcome ideas.

Here's also a sneak at the next chapter.

"Ah go shove it! My dead ex-stepfather drives better than you!" Percy yelled.

"We had the right of way you dimwitted nimrod!" Annabeth added.

They both gave the driver the finger. Weren't they just lovely?