Chapter 10: Illness and Nightmares Suck

October 7

Annabeth

"ACHOO!" Annabeth sneezed violently into a tissue for the umpteenth time that day. She blew her nose and threw the tissue into the wastepaper basket which was filled with old crumpled up tissues.

"Bless you," she heard Victoria say from her bed at the opposite side of the room.

"Uh-thanks Tori," Annabeth responded through her clogged nose.

"Not to be mean or anything Annabeth, but you look like you were dragged through all nine circles of hell," Victoria commented. She was drawing something on her sketchpad, not even bothering to look up to see Annabeth's scowl.

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll make sure to keep that in mind next time you get sick," Annabeth snarked.

Victoria only gave her a thumbs up and went back to her drawing.

Annabeth had been feeling in the pits for the past couple of days. It started on Friday when she felt a tingling in her throat and by Saturday, she was getting a sore throat and a runny nose. Now on a Sunday, more symptoms had shown up as a fever, muscle aches, more nasal congestion, and the feeling of just being tired.

She mentally scowled her misfortunate. She had survived all kinds of threats before but apparently a head cold was what was going to take her out. As it turned out, nectar and ambrosia barely did anything to her symptoms, so she had to rely on over-the-counter medicines, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. Otherwise known as the normal way of dealing with sickness.

She pulled the blanket over herself, letting its warmth cover her shivering body. She looked over at Victoria at the other end of the room as she continued drawing. Her roommate had been making a conscious effort to stay as far away from the daughter as Athena as possible, but she did help Annabeth out from time to time. Things such as fetching her water and bringing her more tissues.

BZZT Annabeth heard from the nightstand next to her bed. Her phone had just received a text. She took it in her hands and opened it to see that she got a message from Percy.

1:53 PM- Percy:

Hey Annabeth, how are you feeling?

Better than yesterday?

She began typing her response.

1:53 PM-Annabeth:

I feel like shit

That's all she managed to type. Even the small gesture of texting was making her fingers ache. She saw the bubbles pop up before Percy sent his other message.

1:54 PM-Percy

That bad huh?

What if I come over and nurse

you back to health?

He was being thoughtful, but she didn't want to get him sick as well.

1:54 PM-Annabeth:

No, no I don't want to get

you sick.

1:54 PM- Percy:

I want to though.

You've helped me in the past.

I want to do the same.

1:55 PM- Annabeth:

Percy it's ok.

Stay home and healthy

I'll be fine.

1:55 PM- Percy

But I haven't seen my

Wise Girl all week.

I'm getting lonely here.

I may have to resort to kissing

Grover instead

1:56 PM- Percy

I don't think he'll like it

She snorted at the text but could feel just a hint of longing in his text. It was true that they hadn't seen each other all week. Schooldays kept them busy with schoolwork and their extracurricular activities only added to the fire. Percy wanted to see her yesterday after he got out of swim practice, but Annabeth insisted, he come back later since she was sick. Now that she saw how he felt through his text, she had fight back the feeling of longing.

She typed again.

1:56 PM- Annabeth

I know.

I miss you too Seaweed Brain,

but it's best you stay home.

I'll be ok I promise.

There was a pause for a couple moments. She guesses that maybe he had become busy and left his phone. After a couple more moments she placed her phone back on her nightstand and tucked herself again in bed, pulling the blanket over herself. She started closing her eyes until she heard the BZZZT sound again. She groaned and took her phone up again.

1:59 PM- Percy

I don't trust you

That's why I'm on my way there,

I'll see in an hour, babe

Hope you're hungry

She sat up in her bed, ignoring the pain from her muscles from the sudden movement. He was on his way here after telling him not to. She was about to text him back to don't bother, but once his mind was set, it was hard to change. She would be wasting more energy trying to get him to change his mind.

She looked around and saw herself on the mirror by Victoria's bed. Victoria was not kidding about looking like she had been dragged across hell. Her face was pale, she had bags under her eyes, her eyes and nose were red, and she looked like she could really use a shower. Her hair looked tangled and all over the place.

She lay back down with a heavy sigh, staring at the ceiling. She considered just lying in bed, wallowing in her misery until Percy arrived but then thought better. The least she could do was get cleaned up even a little. It would probably also make her feel a bit more put together.

She removed the blanket, allowing the cool dorm air to touch her body. She felt goosebumps running up her arms from the cool air. She looked down at her attire, pajama pants, and a faded blue t-shirt that was about three sizes too big for her (it was one of Percy's shirts). She was the pinnacle of beauty and class. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed allowing her bare feet to touch the cool dorm floor, sending more goosebumps up her.

Victoria looked up from her drawing. "Bathroom?" She asked.

Annabeth nodded. "Going to get cleaned up a bit. Percy is coming."

Victoria perked up. "Mister Greek God is coming? Then I need to get ready too. He can't come in and see me look like shit like you."

"Excuse you?" Annabeth scowled. "I don't look that bad and stop calling him that."

Victoria smiled and shrugged playfully. "I'm just messing with you girl. Let me know if you need any help," she offered.

Annabeth stood up and went to her drawers, pulling out a clean pair of pajama pants and a long sleeve shirt. She also pulled out some clean socks and a clean pair of undergarments. She stacked her clothes on her bath basket adding a towel and bath room a moment later. After grabbing all her toiletries in the basket, she headed down the hall to the dorm's showers. Thankfully since it was the weekend, many of the students were with their families so the bathrooms were not busy. The same could not be said for schooldays when the bathrooms were a nightmare.

She claimed a stall and set her stuff on the bench. The stall was large enough that she could move freely without getting wet. She turned on the water, allowing it to warm up and then removed her clothes to get showered.

A half hour later, she felt refreshed. The steam had helped clear her sinuses somewhat, but she still felt tired and ready to lay in bed for the rest of the day. After getting dressed, she ran a brush through her hair and brushed her teeth. She gathered all her things and went back to the room where Victoria was getting ready for her own outing. When Annabeth asked, her roommate said that her family was picking her up soon for a family outing and would be leaving soon.

Annabeth sat back down on her bed and stretched out, feeling her joints pop in the process. It felt good to stretch out. There was a knock on the door and Victoria called, "coming."

Annabeth heard the door being swung open. "Oh, hey Percy, what's up?" Victoria asked cheerfully.

"Nothing much, just here to see Annabeth, told me she was sick."

"Oh, the poor thing has been lying in bed all day. Here come in."

She heard the shuffle of feet coming into the room. Percy smiled at her once he saw her. He was wearing his usual jeans with his AHS swim hoodie. She noticed that he bought a lunch bag as well. She wanted to throw herself at him and kiss him after not seeing each other the entire week, but she talked herself out of it.

He walked towards her, a bright smile on his face. "Hey Annabeth," he greeted. Instead of giving her a kiss like he normally would, he placed the back of his hand on her forehead. After a second he said, "you're really burning up huh? Why don't you lay down?"

She resisted to urge to roll her eyes. "Gee, why didn't I think of that? You must be a genius." She laid down.

He smiled at her. "Even when you're sick, you're as charming as ever my Wise Girl."

"You should have seen her an hour ago, she looked like shit," Victoria commented from her bed. Annabeth sent a glare towards the other girl.

"Did she now?" Percy asked, a grin growing on his face. He looked Annabeth dead in the eye with those loving green eyes. "Annabeth could never look like shit to me, she always looks beautiful. Even when we were trekking through…" he cut himself off. "Through Death Valley," he added a moment later.

She knew he meant to say Tartarus but stopped when he remembered Victoria was still in the room with them.

"That is so cheesy Seaweed Brain," she said, not taking her gaze off him.

He patted her gently on the head. "Doesn't make it any less true."

There was some shuffling behind Percy as Victoria was getting her stuff, ready to leave.

"Well, I'm going out. I won't be back until later tonight. No funny business you two," Victoria smirked with a knowing look. "I don't want to get kicked out of the dorm because of your horny asses."

"No promises," Percy told her. Annabeth pinched his arm which caused him to laugh.

Victoria waved them goodbye and then left, leaving the demigod pair by themselves.

"I told you not to come Percy. I don't want you getting sick," Annabeth sighed.

Percy shrugged. "You've helped me out in the past and I wanted to return the favor." He was gently using his hands to help her sit up. "Besides I missed you." He leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the forehead. She reached her hand out to caress his face.

Percy began rummaging through his lunch bag. He took out a soup container. "Are you hungry?" He asked. "I made you some chicken soup if you get hungry."

Now that she thought about it, she hadn't eaten all day. She honestly didn't feel that hungry, but that look Percy was giving her was telling her to eat. She nodded and he handed her the container, it was still warm. He pulled out a thermos shortly after and gave it to her. He said that it was lemon honey tea and would help her feel better.

As she ate and drank, he pulled out a large container. "Paul was teaching me how to make the famous Blofis lasagna, so I bought some as well." He placed the container on her nightstand.

"That's sweet of you Percy, thank you." She said after swallowing a mouthful of soup then downing it with some tea. She couldn't taste much of it with her nasal congestion, but she felt the warmth fill her up.

"It's what we do for each other. We got each other's backs, don't we?"

"Always."

She ate the rest of her soup and then placed the empty bowl on the nightstand. She drank the last of her tea as Percy pulled out some pills to help her with her cold. She downed them easily enough. He then helped her gently lay back down. He put the back of his hand on her forehead and told her to get some rest.

"I'll be here when you wake up," he said cheerily. "Do you need me sing you a lullaby so you can go to sleep?"

If Annabeth hand't felt so exhausted she would have come back with a better witty comment. "No, I'm good. You sing like a dying horse. You'll probably destroy my eardrums too."

"Well excuse me for trying to make my girlfriend feel better." He grinned not taken aback from her comments. "You know I can sing alright, I just like singing badly to cheer you up."

She smiled. Yeah he did sing bad on purpose to cheer her up. It was funny when he went off key and his voice cracked on purpose. "Humor me then."

"You're bossy when you're sick."

"I'm always bossy."

He cleared his throat and went to sit on the floor taking his hoodie off leaving him with a black t-shirt. His back rested on the edge of the bed. He started a soft song that would lull her to sleep.

"Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound"

She looked at his shoulders and back of his head and wanted to pull him under the covers with her and sleep together until she felt better. Judging from the melancholy and longing in his voice as he sang he felt the same way as well.

His soft voice soothed Annabeth into sleep as her eyelids began dropping. She hadn't realized how tired she was until now.

"Hold onto this lullaby even when the music's gone, gone"

She pulled the blanket over herself and found herself going to sleep and straight into a nightmare.

She saw large tapestries on the wall. She looked from left to right. Most were tapestries that held the gods in low regards but one caught her attention. It was the tapestry of her and Percy sharing their underwater kiss after the defeat of Kronos. How she was able to weave that, Annabeth wasn't entirely sure.

She turned around to see the face of the monster she never wished to see again. Her hideous, terrifying face made Annabeth freeze on the spot. Arachne's eyes were like endless black holes that were tearing Annabeth down to her building blocks. She got closer and Annabeth could only stay frozen in shock. When she tried to move, it was as if she was moving through honey. She looked down at herself to see that her entire body was covered in webs like she was in a silk cocoon. She desperately tried to reach for her dagger only to find that it was futile, she couldn't move her hands to save her life.

She looked back up to see Arachne's face smirking at her. "I wouldn't try to move my dear, but go ahead, the more you more the more delicious you will taste."

A plan. Yes, she needed a plan. Athena always has a plan. If she couldn't fight Arachne head on then she would have to use her words to outwit the monster.

Annabeth opened her mouth to say something, only find out that her mouth was also covered in webs. Arachne's started moving forward and Annabeth nearly lost it, but she held strong.

"Ah, you children of Athena and your sweet words." Arachne cooed coming face to face with Annabeth. "You didn't think I wouldn't take some precautions after the last one?" Arachne used one of her large claws and motioned to a skeleton laying on the floor. "Young lad, quite charming but I saw right through his lies. Just like yours." She sneered. "Bah as if the Olympians would hang my tapestries."

Annabeth was breathing heavily. Ok, she couldn't move, and she couldn't speak, but there must be something that she could do. She wasn't about to go down without a fight. No way in hell. If she could just reach her dagger, she could free herself from this cocoon. She moved her arm but it wouldn't budge no matter how hard she tried.

Arachne only gave her an insidious smirk. The monster moved closer, barring her teeth which made her face look even more hideous. Annabeth fell on the ground and started trying to move away but it was futile. Her breathing was rough, and she was terrified. The fear was coming out of her. She had never felt so terrified before. She felt spider's legs brush against her and pull her back where Arachne's face was waiting. Arachne pressed her face against Annabeth's, and she laughed.

"I'm sure you'll taste delicious, daughter of Athena. I bet you'll be the most delicious one yet. And when I'm done with you, I'll give your bones to that son of Poseidon," she taunted. "You'll make a beautiful skeleton."

Arachne sunk her teeth into Annabeth. Annabeth screamed and the dream changed.

She was panting now, the ceiling collapsing, her ankle throbbing in pain. A large pit sat behind her where a car landed on Arachne, creating the pit and dragging the monster along with it. Above her, the Argo II was slowly descending. She saw figures moving down the ladders, but one caught her eye. Percy did. He was disheveled, he was bruised, covered in sweat and grime, webs covered his hair. Despite all this, she thought he never looked more handsome. He ran to her and enveloped her in his arms. She buried her face in his chest.

"Oh, thank gods," he panted. "It's ok, we're together" He gave her forehead a quick kiss and looked into her eyes.

She was calming her nerves after the ordeal of Arachne. She wrapped her arms around him and placed her head on his shoulder and she cried. As she cried, Percy comforted her and told her everything was ok.

Once the other members of the crew approached, she wiped the tears away and retold the events of Arachne. Percy held on to her hand the entire time. Once she was done all her friends looked at her with amazement.

She was quickly told the events of Nico's rescue and Nico gave them bad news. Annabeth's stomach dropped when Nico said that the Doors of Death needed to be closed from the mortal side in Epirus and Tartarus. Once he uttered the name it felt like the ground below them shook. The pit behind her was making her more uneasy each minute.

The Athena Parthenos groaned under Arachne's webs and the unstable ground. She told the crew members to secure the statue while Percy guided her to the ladder. Frank and Jason were working tirelessly to secure the statue. She reached the ladder when she felt a sudden tug on her broken ankle. She was suddenly pulled back and her face hit the ground. She was being pulled back despite digging into the ground with her fingers with all her strength.

Percy threw himself to the ground to try to grab her, but he was an inch shy from her hand.

She kept trying pick herself up and crawl out, but the weight kept pulling her down as if there was an elephant tied to her ankle. Her fingers and her knees strained from the exertion. She saw Percy stand back up and run to her, but he didn't make it in time. She was pulled down into the endless cavern where she was desperately holding onto a ledge. Below her Tartarus was pulling harder and harder against her injured ankle. Above her she could see Percy's face lidden with terror.

"Annabeth, don't let go!" He yelled. "Frank! Jason! Guys I need help!" He called. He turned to look down at her. "Just hold on a little longer, we'll get you out."

She shook her head. She felt her fingers slipping on the ledge, she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold onto the ledge. "Percy," Annabeth croaked. "Get away from here, get to safety!" She yelled.

"Never! We're not getting separated again! I'll climb down there and get you out if I must! He cried.

That's right daughter of Athena, pull him in too. Sacrifices. Beautiful sacrifices to wake the goddess.

Annabeth felt hot tears well down her cheeks. She knew it was hopeless, there was no way she could make it out, or hold on long enough to wait for help. She also wouldn't drag Percy in as well. She was not going to give Gaia the satisfaction of two sacrifices.

Her fingers buckled and with a final effort she cried, "Percy, I'm sorry," and the ledge gave way leaving her to drop into the endless pit.

The last things she heard were Percy's cries of anguish. "NO ANANBETH! NICO! HAZEL! LET GO OF ME! NO! ANNABETH!" And she plunged into the endless darkness.

The scene changed again. This time she was standing at the edge of chaos, backing away from Akhlys who was being chocked by her poison and her body fluids.

The goddess was coughing and crying out for Percy to stop. "Stop!" She pleaded. Her hands to her neck and falling to her knees.

Annabeth looked at Percy and her heart dropped to her feet. The unhinged look of fury on his face would have terrified even Zeus. His eyes were glowing, his body radiating power, and he was smiling. He was smiling as if he was enjoying what he was doing. Annabeth wanted to desperately cry to him, to break him out of this trance but her throat felt dry in fear.

"Why don't we play a new game Akhlys?" Percy taunted, the manic smile growing bigger on his face. "Why don't I remove all the water from your body until there's nothing left? What do you think will happen?" He laughed.

Akhlys continued trashing around, grabbing at her throat. The goddess started trashing more violently when water started coming out of her eyes, nose and mouth.

Annabeth started calling out to him, "Percy!" she cried. He didn't respond, instead he stepped towards Akhlys, and the goddess continued to beg and thrash on the ground as more water was removed. "Percy, stop please!" She tried again. Percy continued walking as if he hadn't heard her. "Stop please, you're scaring me!" She begged.

He stopped in his tracks, he looked at her. The look of fury in his eyes was directed towards her instead. She was momentarily afraid that she would be the victim to his onslaught once his attention was on her. The look of fury slowly disappeared. He looked away from Annabeth then to Akhlys and was horrified.

He released the control of the liquids and bellowed, "leave." Akhlys took to her feet and ran, wailing in the process. He fell to his knees, looking at his hands.

Annabeth ran to him and hugged his shoulders. "Percy, please don't ever," she sobbed. "Somethings aren't meant to be controlled."

Percy put his head on her shoulder. "Yeah, yeah, ok," he murmured. His arms wrapped around her shoulders as he too began quietly crying onto her shoulder. "I'm sorry Annabeth."

She felt a shaking at her shoulders and a voice calling out her name. Her eyes sprang open. She sat up so quickly that Percy didn't get out of the way, and she banged her forehead against his.

"Ow," they both cried.

She was rubbing her forehead then treaded lower into her face where she noticed wet patches below her eyes. She had been crying while her nightmare went on. Her vision cleared and she saw Percy looking at her, an expression of worry on his face.

"Hey Annabeth, it's alright," he said soothingly. He held out his arms for her to hug him. She threw herself into the place where she felt the safest and most comfortable. She dug her face into the crook of his neck, bunching up his shirt with her hands and she cried.

"Hey, it's all ok Annabeth, I promise nothing bad will happen to you," he said. He was rubbing his hands along her back reassuringly as Annabeth continued to cry. "That's it, let it all out. It's ok."

She shook in his embrace, letting all the fear flow away. She looked up at him, putting her hands on his face and pulling him down to kiss him. She didn't care that she was still sick and judging from his reaction, neither did he. She kissed him slowly but deeply. She allowed the emotions to roll out her as the kiss progressed. When they broke apart, Percy looked at her wistfully. "If I get sick. I'm blaming you Wise Girl."

She threw her face back into his neck. Her sinuses had cleared up considerably. She took a deep breath, taking in his usual ocean scent. "Do you want to talk about it?" Percy asked. "You don't have to if you don't want to." He added.

She nodded and started telling him about the nightmares. "I felt helpless in those dreams." She began. "I couldn't do anything against Arachne. She had me trapped and she wouldn't let me move or talk." Her voice cracked. "Oh gods, I couldn't think of plan and then she bit me and told me she would give my skeleton to you. I was so terrified."

"Hey, hey, it's alright Annabeth. It was just a dream. You know those things didn't happen in real life." Percy tried to reassure.

"I know they didn't," she snapped without meaning to. Percy flinched back slightly. "I'm- I'm sorry," she murmured. "I didn't mean to snap at you."

He shook his head while running his hands up and down her back. "It's alright, just talk to me ok? What did you feel like?"

"I was so terrified. Terrified at my incompetency and terrified that I let everyone down." She whispered.

"Hey, Annabeth look at me," Percy called. He moved his hand under her chin, so she looked into his eyes. "You have never let me down or anyone down. I just need you to know that." He leaned in closer. "You're a daughter of Athena, you always come up with a plan."

Annabeth shook her head. "But what if there's a time where I can't come up with a plan? What then?"

"Don't sell yourself short Annabeth. You're the smartest person I know. You can always make a bad situation good." Percy traced a finger on her cheek. "And if there is ever a time where you can't come up with a plan, just know we are always behind you and we can make plans."

Annabeth laughed slightly. "Like your plans?"

"Hey! I'm trying to be supportive here," he said with fake hurt. "Just because my plans don't go according to plan almost all the time doesn't mean that they don't work."

"That's the strange thing about you. No matter what, things somehow work themselves out."

He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "See, I've got your back. You can count on me."

She took a deep breath. Calming her nerves before recounting her next dream. "I dreamt that you didn't make it in time and I fell into Tartarus by himself."

She treaded her fingers with his as she waited for his reply. "Never," he said simply. "There's not a single time in which you would fall by yourself. I would throw myself down there each and every time so I could be with you."

Her heart fluttered at his statement. She squeezed her arms tighter around him tracing her hands across his back. "In the dream, Nico and Hazel held you back so you couldn't jump in after me."

She felt his breath hitch. "They must have restrained me pretty well if they held me back." He took a breath. "I would have found some way to jump in after you no matter what. Even if I had run away I would have found some way to get to you."

She held him tighter. It bought back memories of when she held the sky. How everyone thought she was dead, but Percy snuck onto Zoë's quest. She didn't doubt that he would have found some way to get to her in Tartarus if she was by herself.

What did she ever do to deserve him? Someone that loved her so deeply and would sacrifice so much to keep her safe. He would even sacrifice his wellbeing for her.

Athena's words came to mind. How his loyalty would be his downfall. Would it be possible? What did the future hold for them? Another great prophecy on the horizon? A dangerous mission? Would they be able to live the calm happy life they deserve? Would they be like the heroes of old that died in tragic ways? Gods, after all the shit they've been through they deserved a nice quiet life.

She took a couple more breaths. All those questions would only bring her anxiety back. She had to believe that her future was safe if not she would breakdown. She couldn't afford to do that right now. She still had one more dream to get through. The one that was probably the hardest one to get through.

"Percy?" She asked. His arm hugged her tighter. "Do you remember Akhlys?"

She felt him tense but he nodded. "My last dream was about you and Ahklys." She grabbed his hand tighter. "When we were down there, the dream showed me that you were torturing her." Her voice broke. "It looked like you were enjoying it and then you made a game out of it. You started removing the water out of her as she begged for mercy." She felt his heartbeat grow faster.

"I'm sorry I scared you like that Annabeth. I… scared myself too," he said with sorrow in his voice. He took a deep breath, "I didn't mean to scare you, I was just so angry and well Akhlys was the breaking point. I don't want the people that I love to fear me like I'm some sort of monster." His voice broke at the word monster.

"I know Percy, I know. I want you to know that you're not that. You're not vindictive or a monster. We were under very extreme conditions that pushed us to our limits," she said. She looked into his eyes, "please promise me you'll never do something like that ever again."

His look softened and he nodded. "I promise Annabeth, I'll never do something like that ever again." He kissed the top of her head, "I'm so sorry you had to see that."

She felt some of the tension in her body leaving, leaving her in a more relaxed state. "I still love you Percy, even if you can be annoying and insufferable sometimes."

"Right back at you Annabeth even though you can be an impossible know it all."

"Hey!" She exclaimed indignantly. She gave him a light punch on his chest. He chuckled and cupped her face to give her another kiss.

When they split apart, she moved one of her hands to caress his cheekbones, taking him in in the dim dorm lighting. His cute boyish features that adorned his face when he was younger had matured and made him look ethereal.

She tried to piece together which features came from Sally and which came from Poseidon. His tanned olive skin to his beautiful sea green eyes that sparkled with life like the sun shining on the water, his strong angular jaw to his perfectly sculpted nose like a renaissance sculpture came from Poseidon. These handsome features were only complimented by the softer ones like his seemingly delicate cheekbones, that single dimple on his right cheek that appeared when she gave him that lopsided smirk to the light dusting of freckles on his nose and cheeks as if meticulously placed there. These features came from Sally, as well as the soft curls in his dark hair like soft ocean waves.

All these together made him unfairly attractive. Victoria's nickname for him made perfect sense. Maybe she could make a tapestry or have a sculpture made of him to preserve him… On second thought that would be creepy.

"You're staring at me. You're being creepy."

That comment broke her from her daze. She noticed how his smile morphed into that lopsided smirk with that single dimple making her heart flutter. Damn him, he had caught her checking him out. "Is that a problem? I can't admire my boyfriend's beauty?"

He looked into her eyes. He leaned closer and kissed her forehead. "I think you're more beautiful." After splitting apart that troublemaker smile still decorated his face. "Arachne sounds like a major bitch."

"Ugh you wouldn't believe it."

The room had become dark with only some small streaks of the sunset coming through the window. Percy stood up to turn on the lights and then sat with her on the bed.

He kissed the top of her head. "How are you feeling? All better?" Annabeth didn't respond but kept looking at him. Percy perked up slightly and reached into his lunch bag. "It's times like these that I need to bring out he big guns," he said. He took out a bag of blue cookies from his lunch bag. "I made these earlier, they're not as good my mom's but they always cheer me up when I'm down." He handed her the bag which she gratefully took.

She then sunk into his side. "I'm feeling better. What was in that soup anyway?"

Percy shrugged. "Oh, you know, the usual, chicken, onions, vegetables, noodles and the secret ingredient." He winked at her.

"If you say love then I'm breaking up with you," she joked.

"Fine I won't tell you. But it looks like it did the trick. You look all better now." He wrapped his arm around her. "Are you feeling hungry? I bought some lasagna."

"Gods yes," she responded almost instantly. Percy chuckled and then reached out to grab the container with lasagna from the nightstand.

Percy looked around the room. "You wouldn't happen to have a microwave in here, would you?"

Annabeth shook her head. "It's against dorm rules and all."

"No microwave? What about a stove? An oven? Air fryer? Toaster? Electric kettle? Blender? Waffle iron? Hell I can make it work with a clothing iron."

"If we're not allowed a microwave, what makes you think we'll be allowed those things you just spouted. Especially an oven and stove." He was about to say something but she interrupted. "And no I don't have a clothing iron the dorm."

"Hey, just wanted to double check," he sighed. "How can you live in such a miserable place without a means to reheat food?"

"I mean there's the dinning hall in the first floor, but we're not allowed in the kitchen."

"We could always sneak in," he said cheerily. His mischievous smile grew on his face. "Connor taught me how to pick locks."

"You're going to get me kicked out. You know that."

"Oh I know, and then you can come live with me in my bedroom."

"Was this all a ploy to get me kicked out so you can take me to your bedroom?" She asked incredulously.

"I mean... you just figured out the whole plan. How smart of you. I knew you would catch on soon."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah right. I'm not going to get kicked out because you want to reheat some food." She slapped his shoulder with hardly any force. She knew he was just playing around. "We'll manage. Now let's eat. I'm hungry."

"Don't have to tell me twice."

As they ate, Annabeth noticed the vivid red marks on Percy's forearms. He must have been trying to wake her up and she must have dug her nails into his forearms. When she apologized, he said it was alright and that some water or ambrosia and he would be as good as ever. She gave him a light kiss on the cheek, and then returned to eating. She checked her phone and saw that it was almost 8 PM.

"You should really start heading home," Annabeth suggested. She was running her hands through his hair.

"I really… don't feel… like it." He said in between kissing her neck. If she hadn't scolded him earlier she knew he would be making hickeys on her neck.

"I would love to have you stay over, but the RA is really strict about nonresidents- ahh-" she breathed when Percy gently bit the spot on her neck that always made her gasp for breath.

He looked up at her. A smirk on his face, "what was that Annabeth? I couldn't hear you."

He returned to tracing kisses across her neck and above her collarbone. "I was just saying. I'm not going to get kicked out because of you."

He stopped kissing her then separated from her. "If you want me to go, just say so," he said, crossing his arms across his chest.

She leaned in to give him a gentle bite on his neck that made his breath hitch. "Sorry babe, rules are rules."

"Since when have we cared about the rules?"

"That is true, but please head home, ok? It's getting late. It's nothing personal." They looked into each other's eyes.

Finally, he said, "fine I guess I'll head home." He stood up and put his hoodie back on. He started clearing out the dishes then placed them inside his lunch bag. He turned to look at her. "Let me know if you want more soup. I can make you more," he offered.

"Thanks Percy," she answered. She stood up and walked him to the door. Before he left, she grabbed him by the waist, pulling his head down and gave him one last kiss, for luck. When they separated, she looked at him, "text me when you get home."

He grinned. "Will do Annabeth, love you, goodnight."

"Goodnight Percy." And with that he left the dorm, leaving her by herself for about two minutes.

Victoria came in looking exhausted. She plopped down on her bed then looked at Annabeth with a smirk. "Did you and Mister Greek God have fun today?"

For some reason, the image of Percy pressing burning kisses on her neck earlier came to mind. Annabeth had a smug look on her face. "Yep, we definitely had lots of fun."

Her roommate sat up. "Damn what an animal. You were sick, in the dorm, and he still fu-"

"Not that kind of fun!" Annabeth interjected.

Her roommate just laughed then went back to bed. "Whatever you say, ya nasties." Victoria would have to be added to the list of people who believed that Annabeth and Percy played cards in bed on a regular basis.

Annabeth laid back down on her bed, feeling much better than earlier in the day. She pulled her blanket on top of her and let sleep overtake her again.

October 9

Percy got sick two days later. He didn't get as sick as she did, but he had been moody and grumpy all afternoon after the coach told him to 'suck it up' and train like the rest of the team. The coach reminded Percy of the upcoming swim meet in a week and half and he needed to train hard if he wanted to make it.

After practice was over, Annabeth waited in the pool until it was just her and Percy by the pool. She relieved his mood by pushing him into his school's pool (fully clothed).

When he surfaced, he gave her an unamused look. "That wasn't funny you know."

She kneeled down near the edge of the pool. "Perhaps not, but don't you feel better?"

He shrugged lightheartedly. "You know, chlorinated water doesn't heal me like salt or fresh water does. It just feels… strange you could say." He shuddered slightly.

"Huh, we'll that's good to know." She looked at him as he treaded water. "Do you at least feel a bit better emotionally that is?"

"A little, not much." He got closer to the edge and held his hand out. "Help me get out."

As if that would happen. She knew fully well that the second she let him grab her hand he was going to pull her in with him. "As if," she sneered.

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Wow, first you push your sick boyfriend into the pool and then you won't help him get out. After everything I did for you when you were sick. Don't you have any shame woman?"

"Can it!" Annabeth crossed her arms. "I know that the second I let you grab my hand you're going to pull me in then dunk me."

He gave her his mischievous smile. "Was it that obvious?" When she nodded, he conceded and got out the water. She noted he didn't will himself dry once he was out, she found out why two seconds later. He picked her and tossed her in the pool before she could fight back.

When she surfaced, she was glaring daggers at him while he kneeled at the edge of the pool with that lopsided smirk. "How's the water?" He asked cheerily.

She grunted and splashed him which did nothing but make his smirk grow. He stood up and took his shoes, socks sweatshirt, and shirt off and tossed them to the side leaving him in his jeans. She took a second to admire his toned torso in the process before he jumped in and swam to her side.

"You're insufferable you know that," Annabeth quipped, putting her arms on his shoulders.

"So, I've been told. But you love me anyway, don't you?" He put his hands on her waist to draw her closer.

"You're annoying, reckless, troublesome and-" She didn't continue once he pressed his lips to hers which caused her to run her hands through his hair. The kiss only lasted a couple seconds before they split apart.

"I feel better now," he said with a smirk. "Maybe you can give me another one to make me feel even better."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Get over here." She took him in for another kiss which didn't last as long since they were interrupted.

Percy's coach stood at the edge of the pool near to where the pair were together.

Percy's face paled. "Coach… ah what can I do for you?"

The man raised an eyebrow. "Having some fun aren't we lover-boy?" He looked at Annabeth but he didn't seem upset. "After the pool was closed?" He looked them for another second then turned around walking away from them. "Twenty extra laps and more weights Jackson. I'm going to build your stamina for the 800 free."

"Oh gods," Percy muttered. They heard the door closing. Percy looked at her with a look between amused and irritated. "This is all your fault, you know."

"My fault? You're the one that tossed me into the pool."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "We'll you're the one that pushed me in the first place. If you ask me, I think you're responsible."

"You're insufferable."

"I'll show you how insufferable I can be." He put his hands on her shoulders and dunked her.

Oh, it's on now Jackson she thought. When she surfaced she didn't hesitate to splash him which he splashed her back with more force. She tried dunking him but he wriggled out of her arms every time she got close.

"Lock the pool once you're done Percy!" His coach yelled.

"Will do Coach!"

After the coach left Percy started doing all kinds of things with the water. He made small whirlpools around her, he turned the pool into a wave pool, and he pulled her underwater to share a kiss. He also created horses, pegasi and hippocampi made of water. Ok he was just showing off with that last stunt, but they were beautiful.

Half an hour later they got out of the pool. Percy willed Annabeth dry while he put his clothes on.

"Wait!" Annabeth exclaimed as soon as Percy put his wet gray t-shirt on. His wet t-shirt clung to his skin. She may or may not have bitten her lip.

"Are you done now?" He smirked.

"Yes," she said unapologetically.

He put his sweatshirt on then willed himself dry. He put an arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the pool. He gave her kiss on the forehead. "You coming to the swim meet next week?"

She smiled and leaned into his side. "I wouldn't miss it."

AN: Going to be completely honest, this chapter was supposed to be super chill, them just hanging out but I threw some nightmares in there for the comfort afterwards. Percy is always thirsting for Annabeth in the series so why not do the same for Annabeth. Also took some creative liberties with Percy's powers when facing Akhlys. It's not shown in the books if he extract water from people/gods but it's not too far from the realm of possibility.

That whole pool scene was originally two sentences long but I got carried away. Hope you enjoyed the fluff.

See you in the next one.