My dear readers, here is a short story about Percy and Athena. In this story they are all humans and not related. Coz like when they supernatural, them being related isn't a big but when they are human, well it felt wrong, so Zeus and Poseidon are not brothers.

Summary: Percy works for Athena and is fascinated by her despite her cold attitude towards him.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO, I just enjoy it.

POS*

Percy sat at his desk, he couldn't help but ponder the inexplicable attraction he felt for Athena, his older and decidedly harsh boss. She had a reputation for treating her subordinates like pawns in her grand chess game, and Percy had often been on the receiving end of her sharp criticisms and impossible demands. Most of his colleagues had a fear-hate relationship with Athena, but he found himself inexplicably drawn to her, even as he struggled to understand why.

He mulled over his attraction, wondering if it was some peculiar quirk of human psychology. "Is it the challenge?" he thought. "Maybe I'm drawn to the idea of trying to win her approval, to prove myself to her." It was like a puzzle he couldn't solve, and he had always been a sucker for a good puzzle.

But as he delved deeper into his thoughts, he realized it was more than that. There was an undeniable charisma about Athena, something that drew him in despite her icy demeanor. Her confidence was unwavering, and he couldn't help but admire it. It was like she had this magnetic aura that commanded attention, and it was intoxicating.

Percy had always been one to question societal norms and expectations. He wondered if, perhaps, there was a hidden layer to Athena that others failed to see. Maybe her tough exterior was just a façade, a defense mechanism against a world that had been unkind to her. Or maybe he was just deluding himself, hoping to find some redeeming quality that justified his inexplicable attraction.

As he continued to reflect, he couldn't ignore the thrill he felt when he made her smile, even if it was a rare occurrence. Those moments of approval, however fleeting, were like small victories. It was as if he was on a quest to unlock the secret to her heart, even though he wasn't sure if she had one.

Percy knew his life would be simpler if he quit and found a less demanding job, his father Poseidon had been not so subtly dropping hints that he'd love it if Percy took over Atlantis Aquarium when he retired, but that was never Percy's dream, he loved the sea and all that came with it but he never truly wanted to be a marine biologist or run an aquarium.

Percy also had to admit that the allure of Athena was a siren song he couldn't resist. It was like an addiction, a mixture of challenge, fascination, and the unyielding desire to unravel the enigma that was his boss. Athena might be mean and ruthless, but she was also the most intriguing puzzle he had ever encountered, and he couldn't bring himself to walk away from it.

POS*

Athena sat alone in her office, her thoughts a tumultuous sea of uncertainty. She had always been wary of forming emotional attachments, a lesson she learned growing up as a daughter of Zeus, billionaire playboy and all around terrible father, husband, brother and human being. Her life had taught her to be self-reliant and guarded, to never let anyone get too close, despite having many many half siblings, products of Zeus's numerous infidelities. Gosh, how many were they now, 17? No, definitely 19, as far as she knew anyway. Growing up she learnt that relationships were often fleeting, and she had grown accustomed to people coming and going.

But Percy was different. He had been working for her for three years, and that officially made him the longest she had ever held any human relationship. It puzzled her. She couldn't quite grasp why he had stayed. It wasn't as though she had been easy to work for; her reputation for being demanding and, at times, harsh, was well-deserved.

As she thought about Percy, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. There was a hint of gratitude that he had stayed, a gratitude she had difficulty expressing. It was as if he saw something in her that she didn't see in herself, something worth enduring her challenging demeanor for.

Athena knew that Percy had received tempting offers from her competitors, including his father, yet he remained loyal. That fact weighed heavily on her mind. It wasn't just the business acumen he brought; it was the sense of constancy that he represented. She couldn't deny that he had become an integral part of her world, a world she had tried to keep isolated and impenetrable.

But there was also frustration. She often found herself trying to initiate conversations with him, to bridge the gap that separated them, but social interaction was not her strong suit. The words that flowed so easily in business matters seemed to dry up when it came to personal interactions. In those moments, she felt like a child stumbling through a maze of emotions, searching for an exit that remained elusive.

Athena wished he would just leave, even though she couldn't understand why she felt that way. It would simplify her life, eliminate the hours of mental wrestling over what to say to him, only to falter and say nothing at all. The disappointment in herself after each failed attempt at human connection was a burden she carried, and she wished she could make it disappear.

Athena was trapped in a web of conflicting emotions, unsure of how to navigate the uncharted territory of forming a genuine connection with another person, especially someone like Percy, who had managed to break through her walls in a way she had never anticipated.

POS*

Athena didn't quite imagine her Monday going like this. She hated Monday with a passion, she tried at one point to stop coming to work on Monday, being her own boss and all, but her distaste for Monday simply shifted to Tuesday.

So she was already disgruntled, but then she ran into Percy with his easy smile, charming demeanor and all round friendly disposition, and felt annoyed that she had nothing to say to him. Literally, even words of greetings failed her and she just grunted at him.

Then fate decided she wasn't suffering enough and the elevator broke down, and suddenly the walls started closing in. Theoretically, she knew that the walls were not actually moving, her very expensive therapist, had conducted several exercises to prove to her that she was quite safe, but phobia are phobias for a reason.

Trapped in that confined elevator, panic threatened to overwhelm Athena. Her claustrophobia had always been her closely guarded secret, and now it was on the verge of exposing her vulnerability. She clung to Percy, as he reassured her with a soft voice and calming words. His presence was an unexpected comfort, a lifeline in her darkest moment.

As they waited for the paramedics, Percy's meaningless assurances somehow carried the weight of the world off her shoulders. He had a way of making her focus on his voice, on his presence, instead of the crushing confinement of the elevator. It was an odd relief in the midst of the crisis.

When the paramedics arrived and Athena was safely on the gurney, a whirlwind of emotions coursed through her. She knew she might never find the right words to express the gratitude, the connection she felt in that moment, not just for his kindness in the elevator but for him staying with her all these years. Her inability to form the words was a source of frustration.

Desperate to convey what she couldn't say, she called Percy to her side, grabbed his arm, and pressed a kiss onto his palm. It was a gesture, a silent expression of appreciation, a way of saying, "Thank you for being there when I needed you the most." She hoped that in that intimate touch, he would understand the depths of her emotions, even if she could never articulate them fully.

Athena realized that her carefully constructed walls were crumbling, and it was both terrifying and liberating. She might not have been able to say all she wanted to say to Percy, but she hoped that he could sense the unspoken words and the newfound connection that had grown between them during their harrowing experience.

POS*

Percy was scared shitless when Athena started hyperventilating in the elevator. His mother often joked that he was an emotional chameleon, he reacted to the emotions of people around him. So when Athena started hyperventilating, his first instinct was to join her, but thank God for his mother, Sally had taught him that there was a right time for everything, and now, Athena needed him.

Standing beside Athena in the elevator, he couldn't ignore the raw fear in her eyes. Seeing his typically composed and stern boss in such a state had rattled him to his core. He didn't know what to do, not really, he never really paid attention when his mom gave him the first aid lesson all those years ago. He had no experience in calming someone with claustrophobia, but he emulated his mother, whenever he was sick or sad, his mother, would talk to him in her soft voice and rub his back. So he did the same to Athena, trying his best to make his voice a soothing balm in the midst of chaos.

When Athena kissed his palm later, he felt a rush of emotions flood through him. It wasn't a romantic kiss, and he didn't interpret it as such. It was a gesture of gratitude, a profound symbol of trust and connection that transcended words. In that moment, he understood the depth of her vulnerability, and he was overwhelmed by the responsibility that came with it.

He knew that he would always be there for her, to protect her from the fears that she had hidden from the world. It wasn't a promise he made aloud, but it was one etched into his heart. Percy realized that his attraction to Athena wasn't merely about her charisma or the challenge of winning her approval; it was about being the person she could turn to in her moments of vulnerability. It was a role he accepted willingly, knowing that he had found a connection that mattered more to him than anything else.

POS*

Athena's time in the hospital had introduced her to a whole new facet of communication. With her not cleared to work, Percy was in charge of running the company in her absence, so she was constantly texting him instructions on how to run the company, you know micromanaging.

The texts were a practical necessity, but it soon evolved into something more. Athena realized that she had no problems not talking about work with Percy via text, and she did just that.

As the texts became more frequent and less business-oriented, Athena discovered a newfound joy in conversing with Percy. A door had opened to a side of him she had never known. They weren't discussing profound matters; rather, they shared bits of their lives, like favorite bands or foods. Athena found herself looking forward to each exchange, relishing the opportunity to learn more about Percy, the man behind the messy hair and smiling eyes.

She guarded this new information jealously, almost like a prized possession. It was a strange dichotomy. On one hand, she had always been guarded and careful about revealing herself to others, and yet she found herself entrusting him with the personal details of her life. Athena couldn't deny the giddy excitement that came with each text, a connection that was slowly becoming more meaningful than any of her previous relationships.

Despite the limitations imposed by her hospital stay and her inability to speak, she felt a sense of closeness with Percy that transcended words. It was a connection she cherished, and she couldn't help but wonder where it might lead in the future.

POS*

Percy found himself in unfamiliar territory. As an extroverted person, he had always been social and outgoing, relishing in the company of friends and enjoying his fair share of romantic entanglements. However, Athena had turned his world upside down. Her stern and quiet demeanor had an inexplicable effect on him.

Receiving Athena's messages about food, TV shows or music made him feel like a blushing schoolboy with a crush. He couldn't deny that he eagerly awaited each text, and a wave of excitement washed over him every time his phone chimed with a new message from her. The topics they discussed were ordinary, but the connection he felt was extraordinary.

Percy had to consciously restrain himself from responding too quickly. He didn't want to scare her off or seem too eager, even though he was, in fact, eager to engage in their digital conversations. It was a delicate dance, navigating the boundaries of their newfound connection, and he was more than willing to be patient and cautious, because whatever this was, he didn't want to lose it.

POS*

Returning to work, Athena made a conscious effort to bridge the gap that had separated her from Percy. While most of their conversations still occurred via text, she found moments to engage in brief chats in person. These interactions were often filled with pauses and unspoken sentiments, but she always left feeling like she had achieved something significant.

Athena's newfound willingness to communicate in person, even if briefly, marked a change in her approach to relationships. She had come to value the connection she shared with Percy and the sense of camaraderie that had developed between them. It was a quiet, yet meaningful transformation, and she was determined to nurture and protect this evolving bond.

POS*

Percy's days were filled with an indescribable elation. He was genuinely pleased that Athena, his usually stoic and uncommunicative boss, had taken the initiative to engage in conversations with him. Even though their chats were often awkward, he deeply appreciated her efforts. He recognized that social interactions were not her strong suit, and the fact that she was making this effort was a significant gesture.

What surprised and delighted Percy most, however, was the noticeable shift in Athena's demeanor around him. She seemed to be growing more comfortable in his presence, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in that transformation. It was like he was witnessing her opening up, slowly but surely.

And then came that unexpected kiss. Percy was taken aback; he hadn't expected such a bold move, not this soon, at least. Athena was not one to shy away from what she wanted business-wise and he had always admired that about her but apparently personally as well. In that moment, he realized that what she wanted was him, and it left him in awe.

He was grateful that he was the one she had chosen, and he felt a deep connection with her that went beyond mere words. It was a revelation that filled him with a sense of wonder and a renewed appreciation for the intricacies of their evolving relationship.

POS*

Athena had thought that the idea of taking such a leap, kissing Percy out of the blue, would be terrifying or leave her feeling scared or regretful. However, the reality was quite different. They were in the middle of one of Percy's self-deprecating jokes, and suddenly, almost as if it was a natural progression, the desire to kiss him overwhelmed her.

So she did, without hesitation. In that moment, it was as though her heart was vibrating in her chest, and she knew with a startling clarity that she was willing to risk everything for a chance at being with this man. The feeling was electric, and it was unlike anything she had ever experienced.

Athena's actions were driven by a longing that had been growing inside her, and the kiss symbolized a willingness to break down the barriers she had carefully constructed. She had found something rare and extraordinary in Percy, and she was ready to take the risk, to explore the depths of this newfound connection, even if it meant challenging her own reservations and fears.

POS*

The end.