Chapter Four

They didn't talk about the attack until the next day. They'd gone to the New York Public Library to work on homework, then taken a break to go for lunch at a nearby restaurant. The weather was surprisingly nice for the time of year, sunny and relatively warm.

"I don't want to go back to the library," Percy said after lunch. "We can study later, when it's cold again."

Annabeth ran through a quick list of what she still needed to complete in her head and determined that she could spare a few hours. "Alright, Seaweed Brain. What did you have in mind?"

Percy shrugged. "Want to walk down to Central Park and wander around?"

Annabeth smiled. "That sounds great."

Hand in hand, they walked down 5th Avenue, zig-zagging around tourists and locals going about their weekend. When they reached the park, they made their way to the Hallett Nature Sanctuary and followed one of the trails until they found a relatively secluded spot near the edge of the pond. Sitting on the grass, watching the light ripple across the surface of the water, they let the silence settle around them.

"How's your side?" Annabeth asked finally.

"Pretty much completely healed," Percy said. He cut his eyes sideways at her. "The nectar and ambrosia helped my bruises, too."

"The ones that you got in gym class."

"Yeah."

Annabeth pursed her lips, not saying anything. After a few moments, Percy sighed.

"Look, it's honestly not a big deal, Annabeth. There's just a couple of guys in my gym class that are being jerks. They just go hard at me during games. I've got it under control." Percy met her eyes, his expression earnest. "Honestly."

Annabeth considered for a few moments, then finally nodded. "Okay." She lightly elbowed his arm. "But if you need me to punch anyone again, you know where to find me."

Percy grinned. "Oh, I remember. Pretty sure Matt Sloan probably still does, too."

Annabeth laughed. They were quiet again for a couple of minutes, just enjoying the day.

"How are you feeling today?" Percy asked.

"Better." Annabeth drew her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. "I didn't mean to go to pieces last night."

Percy shrugged. "You did fine. I'm still here, aren't I?"

Annabeth moistened her lips. "Yeah, you are. But for a few minutes, I was afraid you wouldn't be."

Percy didn't say anything, but he put his hand on the small of her back.

Annabeth took a deep breath. "The closer we get to graduation, the more I start hoping we really can have a future…but I've thought that way before. And then H—" she glanced up at the sky, "some cow goddess stole you for six months." Annabeth hugged her legs more tightly, then said quietly, "I just don't want to be crushed again."

Percy turned to face her full on, one hand on her back, the other coming up to rest on her pulled-up knee. "I'm doing my best to make sure that doesn't happen."

Annabeth managed a smile. "I know you are."

She leaned into him as Percy wrapped his arms around her. As she had so many times before, she felt safe while he was holding her. Last night had been a perfect example that, as demigods out in the world, they were never completely safe. But here, for this moment, she believed that they could be.

Just a few more months, she thought, almost turning it into a prayer to any deity that might be willing to listen. We only need to make it a few more months.

Unfortunately, she knew, a lot could happen in that amount of time. But she had to keep believing they had a shot at a peaceful future.

And for now, it was enough to just be here in this moment with Percy, cuddling in the grass, warm despite the chilly air.

They stayed that way for a while, holding hands beside the water.


The next week was hectic. Annabeth and Percy didn't have another chance to talk for several days. Thursday found them lying on their stomachs on Percy's bedroom floor, books and papers spread out between them as they did their homework. Percy seemed a little spaced out. When Annabeth asked him a question, it took him a few moments to focus on her and respond. And after a while, she noticed that he wasn't really making progress on his math homework; he was mostly just doodling in the margins.

Finally, Annabeth asked him, "What's wrong?"

After a moment, Percy lifted his head. His smile followed a few beats later. "Nothing. I'm fine."

Annabeth raised her eyebrows.

Percy's smile faded, his eyes falling to his pencil eraser, scratching against the carpet. "It's nothing. Really. Just had kind of a shitty day at school. Honestly, it's been a long week."

Annabeth reached over to lay her hand on top of his. "That sucks. But do you want to hear some good news?"

"What's that?" Percy met her eyes again, the side of his mouth quirking up.

"We just have to get through a few more months." She squeezed his hand. "Then we're going to college and we won't be stuck in the same classes with the same obnoxious people all day. You get to go to different classes and different buildings and stuff. Plus, we'll get to do some of our classes together."

Percy nodded slowly, his eyes on hers. Then, he put a hand on her cheek, pulled her close, and kissed her, with a lot more intensity than normal. He caught Annabeth by surprise, actually, but she definitely wasn't mad about it as she shifted closer to him.

Once they went back to their homework, Percy said, "Thanks."

"For what?" Annabeth asked, looking back up from her notes to him.

"For reminding me that it's going to be worth it."

Annabeth smiled and kissed his cheek. "Of course."