"Hey Percy, can you open the door? Are you okay?" Annabeth's panicked voice came from across the door as she continuously knocked on his door.

Percy raced towards the door, quickly pulling it open, he came face to face with Annabeth, a worried look on her face. She pushed open the door and entered the apartment, looking at him from head to toe.

He was shivering and sweating at the same time, his black button-down shirt, was open revealing his well-toned body glistening with sweat. Her worried look was melting his heart, and for once he was glad that he was sick.

"I uh..- I was - you were supposed to tell me if this was normal or if I needed to go to the hospital "he stammered between raggedy breaths "You didn't have it come here"

She moved towards him, throwing her purse on his couch, she placed her palm on his forehead and then grabbed his hand to check his pulse "It's fine, I was in the neighbourhood " Percy didn't believe that one bit, his neighbourhood wasn't even in the main city.

"Pulse is fine, it's a little racy, " she said stepping back as she pulled out a foiled package and opened it to reveal a roll "Here eat this, you're having a hypoglycemia episode and luckily this is just what you need, " she said smiling as she fed him the roll, it was sweat and crispy.

"Hmmm, this is good" Percy said with a mouthful of it, realising that it wasn't a pretty sight, he closed his mouth and chewed quickly.

Once he was done eating, and his breath had become somewhat normal, he turned towards Annabeth who was sitting beside him, watching him intently "Gosh look at you " he said finally looking at her outfit, his comment making her suddenly very aware and he felt bad "I mean you look gorgeous, you were out having fun and I messed up your night" he corrected.

Annabeth's face relaxed at the later comment, "It's fine. We were having dinner, and I was just about to leave." She said, shaking her head.

Percy nodded, Annabeth's eyes shifted to Percy's arm, the one in the cast and before she could ask he supplied for her " skateboarding accident "

Annabeth eyes returned to Percy's face, one eyebrow raised over a slightly amused expression.

"I thought, I would still be able to skateboard after two years but uh... Guess I'm not that good " he said sheepishly as he ran a hand, the one without the cast through his hair.

Annabeth laughed at that, her eyes closing as her head fell back slightly, and Percy took that as a win. When she looked at him again, her eyes glanced down at his exposed torso for a brief moment before they were on him again.

"I got too sweaty, so I thought, I'd change my shirt but uh" he lifted his forearm that was wrapped in a cast "It's hard with this thing.…. Usually Grover helps me, " he said

"Why didn't you just wear a T-shirt ?" she questioned

"I had to go to a wedding to take pictures, so it's not appropriate for me to just wear a t-shirt " he explained, " it was a black tie event."

Annabeth imagined him in a black jacket, all sophisticated, she shook her head "And let me guess, you were too busy taking pictures that you forgot to eat " she asked with a tilt of her head.

Percy grimaced knowing full well, that he was guilty. She shook her head " Percy you know you can't do that, you have diabetes now, and this kind of stuff can-"

"I know, I'm sorry. It won't happen again" he said defensively as he awkwardly tugged at his shirt, it was wet and clinging onto him, making it very uncomfortable, now that he wasn't shivering or sweating.

She hesitated before she asked "Wait let me help you" Before Percy could decline her help, her hands were already on his shoulder, slowly moving downwards onto his chest, her warm hands making his breathing hitch, she gently tugged at his shirt, pushing it backwards, with no avail, she scooted closer and pushed the sleeve of the uninjured arm down.

Percy angled his hand backwards while simultaneously leaning forward on instinct, he stopped realizing how close they were, and he could feel her breath on his cheek, His eyes glanced up to meet hers, and her movements went rigid, her one arm on his bicep and the other on his shoulder.

He glanced down at her lips, The last time they were this close things hadn't gone great, they had never talked about the kiss. He swallowed looking at her again, she blinked as if realizing something.

She cleared her throat as she moved back and Percy quickly pulled his arm out of the sleeve. He looked at Annabeth as he pulled the other sleeve carefully over his cast, struggling with the tightness. Finally, he tugged it off, and he got up " I'll uh change and come " he informed her and if he was not mistaken, he defiantly saw her checking him out, her eyes trialled briefly over his torso, going down until his pant buckle before they glanced away onto her fingers as she nodded.

Percy's lips twitched up, as he walked to his bedroom, he grabbed a T-shirt and pulled it over his head, his smile still unwavering as he walked out.

Annabeth glanced over her shoulder at him "You should eat something "

"I'm fine, I already feel much better after that sweet roll," he said as he slumped beside her.

Annabeth stood up "You need to eat, you just had a hypoglycemic episode, unless you want another one, you're eating," she said forcefully as she stared pointedly down at him.

"Do you wanna go out, have a stroll, I'll get something on the way ?" he asked raising an eyebrow as he looked up at her.

"No, no it's fine, I should leave, " she said protesting

"Come on. Let me at least buy you dessert, considering I ate yours " he said

"That's no problem, " she said with a chuckle as she picked up her purse, Percy gave her a look "Come on, please, I'll feel really bad "

Annabeth rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched up, with a smirk she said "I want ice cream "

Percy grinned "Of course and you shall have one " he held up his right arm, and she rolled her eyes, pulling him up nonetheless. He grabbed a jacket from the stand and turned towards Annabeth, holding it up "Uh could you-

"Help you-"

"Help me.…. Yeah," he chuckled, handing her the jacket as he turned around, keeping his arms outstretched backwards, as Annabeth pushed the jacket onto his arms.

He wiggled a bit, making the jacket fit comfortably. He pulled open the door, motioning for her to go ahead locking up as he walked behind her, entering the elevator.

The doors dinged signalling the arrival of the ground floor, they stepped out onto the street "I know a great ice cream place not far from here, we can walk…. or drive if you want?"

"No it's fine, let's walk" she said, and Percy shrugged "Okay then let's go" he said as he started to walk towards the left, the chilly winter night was quite evident, and the wind blowing slightly, making it feel colder than it was.

"So you and Thalia ?" Percy asked

Annabeth glanced at him "Yeah, who would have guessed ?"

"Not me " Percy mussed, and Annabeth chucked kicking a pebble out of her way.

"Thalia is rich, isn't she ?" Annabeth asked, her eyes still on the ground.

"Yah'd say so," Percy said nonchalantly, knowing full well where this conversation was going.

"And she recently told me, her dad owned a family business" she started to say, then hesitated looking at him "Doesn't that make you part of the family business?"

Percy sighed pushing his hands in his jacket pocket "Sort of, but Zeus - thalias dad took over my dad's part of the business when he passed away"

"Oh," she sounded almost apologetic, she side-eyed him and he glanced at her "he never offered me the business and I never asked "

"Why not?" she asked her eyebrows furrowed and he bit his lip "I don't know " then hastily clarified "It's just weird…. Asking for it...don't know why. Plus I'd make a terrible business person, I'd probably drive the company to the ground "

"Yeah you would" Annabeth muttered

"Wow, thanks for the honesty" he scoffed and she laughed at him.

Percy shook his head at her, unaware of the pedestrian in front of him who was on his phone, he slammed into Percy, knocking him off his balance.

Percy stumbled, throwing an offended look at the stranger who was barely affected and Annabeth laughed harder at him, he rolled his eyes as he stood staring at her bursting into peals of laughter. She calmed down controlling herself and winded her arm through his, tightly pulling him close to her side as they slithered through the pedestrian crowd.

They small-talked for a while and arrived at the infamous ice cream parlour, Percy pushed open the swinging door, leading the way.

The store was chilly but not more than the weather outside, the flavours set up were around twelve in number, all looking appetizing.

"So what would you like ?" Percy said his eye trained on the ice cream behind the glass.

" Hmm... How's.… winters mingle " she enunciated standing beside him, putting her palm against the glass, just above the pinkish tub of ice cream.

He turned towards her, his eyebrow raised "Nice choice " he said " and I'll have the...mischief marbles " he said pointing at the black and white-looking tub, to the girl behind the glass, who nodded and started preparing the ice cream.

With the cone of ice cream, they walked out onto the street "Those are weird names for ice cream " Annabeth finally let out.

Percy chuckled "Yeah, that was what I thought too but they make up for it in the flavour "

Annabeth licked her ice cream and sure enough, it tasted unlike any other ice cream she ever had. "This is heaven," she said plainly as she giggled

Percy looked at her amused but joined in, laughing as he licked his ice cream, humming in agreement. "God I haven't had ice cream in forever " she moaned, licking the ice cream, the sight made Percy breathless and his face felt hot, he looked away focusing on his dripping ice cream.

"It's been months since I've had some"

"Why!? Ice Cream is good for you" he said his lips curling in delight.

"Oh yeah? Pretty sure that's not how science works and I don't think it's good in winter, I bet I'll have a sore throat tomorrow " she said smiling at his enthusiasm as she walked beside him.

"But it'll be worth it," he said bumping his shoulder against hers, refraining from looking at her, not willing to make the same mistake again.

"Maybe "she chuckled biting into the dry cone, she checked her wristwatch, a little past nine.

"I should get going now, it's getting late, " she said sighing as she ran a hand through her curls.

"Oh, what time is it?" he asked a little surprised, pulling his phone from his pocket, the bright screen showing the numbers "Oh yah it's late"

"I can drive you home," he said in all honesty as he took a bit out of his cone.

"With a broken arm?" she challenged her lips twitched up, and he blinked realising he had an arm in a cast.

"Right," he muttered nodding as he accepted the embarrassment.

She chuckled "I'll take a cab, it's fine" she bumped his shoulder back.

"I'll walk with you, " he insisted, they could see his building from where they walked.

"No no it's fine, you still need to have diner"

"I'll get something, don't worry about it, " he said carelessly, dismissing her concern.

"U have to eat," she said forcefully again.

Percy huffed turning towards her, looking her straight in the eye "I'll send you a picture of my food "

"To be honest, actually do that," she said looking dead serious. Percy rolled his eyes a -you're unbelievable look on his face.

"You have a lot of trust issues, " he said dryly

She smacked his arm and huffed, a smile on her lips as she took another bite of the cone, her thoughts going back to the night when she shared a similar ice cream cone with her blue-eyed fiance.

Her mood changed from happy to bitter as the memories flooded her mind,Percy must have sensed something was wrong, he slightly bumped her "You okay?" he asked his eyebrows furrowed.

Annabeth gave him a reassuring smile , hoping that it was convincing "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know, you seemed like you were elsewhere " he supplied.

"Just have stuff on my mind "she said waving her hand.

They walked silently, the main road just a couple of footsteps ahead. Annabeth took her last bit of the ice cream, finally finishing it, she wiped her mouth with the scratchy tissue paper, chucking it in the bin.

They came to a halt at the curb, and Percy waved at a cab. The taxi made a sharp turn as it drove and came to a stop just in front of them.

Annabeth turned to Percy "Thank you for the ice cream "

"Ah it's my pleasure, and thank you for coming here," he said scratching the back of his neck "I troubled you tonight, I'm sorry bout that "

Annabeth shook her head "No you didn't, don't hesitate to call me ever " she said sternly "And it felt nice " she admitted fondly, giving him a genuine smile.

"Then maybe you should come here often " he replied a sweet smile making its way on his face, his soft features showing brightly. Annabeth blinked, wait, was he flirting with her?

"If I get an ice cream out of it, then maybe I will, " she said with a smirk and Percy laughed, his thick and carefree laugh making her insides tingle, she watched his Adam's apple bobble with a wave of laughter.

The cab driver honked loudly, startling her as she turned around, he was turned slightly giving them a glare through the dirty partitioned glass.

"I better get going, goodnight Percy " Annabeth said as she slid into the cab, looking at him through the window as he bent down to be level with her.

"Goodnight Annabeth, " he said softly, his hand on the roof of the cab, Annabeth smiled as she curtly nodded at him before the cab pulled away.

He stood there watching the cab until it disappeared in the thick traffic, he took a deep breath as he turned around, feeling dismal in the absence of the arm that held his.

Hi you guys, finally done with this chap. Soo happy how it came out , but I'd still love your input, pls let me know if you liked it and how i can make it better.

As always thank you for sticking around and hope you have a great day !