"I didn't think anything could beat your mom's cookies," Annabeth says, her hand wrapped around his arm as they walk down the street towards his favorite bakery.

"They don't beat them, but they come close," he promises.

"I thought your cookies were the only ones that came close?" She squeezes his arm which makes him look down at her. Big mistake.

Annabeth's head is tilted back so she can meet his eyes even with the hood of his hoodie pulled forward. It's definitely her favorite attire, especially when they visit his parents, and the fabric practically engulfs her which all results in her looking painfully cute.

(He's pretty sure he felt his chest tighten.)

"Oh, uh…" His train of thought has left the station, what were they talking about again? Right…cookies. "They're good," he ends lamely

Annabeth smiles in a way that makes him think his mental short circuit was not lost on her and though he should probably be a little upset that she clearly did that on purpose, he can't really bring himself to care all that much.

That said though, he does have some dignity left and should say something clever right about now—

"Percy?"

He whips around at the sound of his name in a voice he hasn't heard in a very long time.

"Sarah?"

And sure enough, there she is, looking mostly the same. She's wearing that hoodie she always loved but her once long brown hair is cut short, ending just above her shoulders.

"Hey," she responds, lifting a hand up in a half-wave. "How are you?"

It is weird to see her, the most familiar stranger he's run across in a long time. He didn't think that he'd ever really see her in person again after their breakup and his move.

"Good," he replies, moving to face her. A tug on his arm reminds him that Annabeth is going to be exposed too.

"How are you," he asks. Sarah's gaze is already locked on where Annabeth's hood has now fallen off. Annabeth quickly puts it back up and Sarah seems to start at the action.

"Sorry," she says, "I didn't mean to stare. Melaine told me that you had started dating Annabeth Chase but I didn't…anyway, it's nice to meet you." She directs the last comment at Annabeth.

Annabeth nods, once again squeezing his arm, reminding him that he hasn't introduced them yet.

"Right, sorry, Annabeth this is Sarah, my…" he trails off, suddenly embarrassed to say it.

"His ex-girlfriend." Sarah completes the sentence for him. "And I'll be the first to admit you're a step up from me," she adds as a joke.

Unconsciously he makes a face, the same one he would make every time she would talk down about herself. It startles him how quickly he remembers old patterns.

"I know," she says with a roll of her eyes. "I'm working on self-deprecating humor. Believe it or not, my current boyfriend doesn't like it either."

Percy is glad to hear she has someone too. It doesn't surprise him, she's always been able to find someone, but he hopes that she's finally found the right one. It just hadn't been him, and he thinks she understands that.

"I'm glad you're doing well," he says, hoping she can feel his sincerity.

"I'm glad you are too." She gives him a little nod that makes him think she gets it. "It was nice running into you. Didn't think I'd see you again."

"I didn't think so either…"

Given he'd literally moved across the country, the chances were very slim.

Sarah chuckles. "Well, good luck with everything. From what Melanie says you guys are the cutest couple out there so…"

"How's Melanie?" It hits him like an afterthought, he had always liked Sarah's best friend.

"Good, still seeing that one girl, but I won't tell her you asked otherwise she'll pester me about Annabeth. You know how she is."

"Nothing bad, I promise," Sarah adds, directing the remark at Annabeth. "She's just an over excited fan."

Annabeth smiles back and Percy nods. "Good to know she hasn't changed. And, uh, good luck to you too."

"Yep, see you around, maybe." And with a two-finger salute she walks away.

He's still in a little bit of a daze when Annabeth tugs on his arm, making him snap out of it. She's looking up at him with some concern in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" she asks.

He nods slowly. He's just not fully over seeing a remnant of his old life. He hasn't thought about it in a long time.

"You sure?" Annabeth pushes.

"Yeah, it's just weird to see her again," he starts, trying to explain his thoughts for her benefit. "I really didn't think I would. That life feels forever ago. She was the last thing holding me to it, to here. And when we broke up, I wanted to start again, which is why I moved to LA."

He shakes his head. "Just crazy to see her again and be reminded of that life."

"Does it make you regret your decision?"

Annabeth is looking up at him curiously and he smiles as he shakes his head again. "No, it just reminded me that it was the correct one. I'm happier now than I ever was then."

She stays quiet, just presses closer to his side and they pick up their walk.

But after a few moments, she opens her mouth as if she's about to say something, only to close it again immediately.

"What?" he asks.

"Nothing, it's not important."

"How about you say it so I can get a say?"

She scrunches her nose at him which means he's won, and he doesn't stop his smile either.

"It's just, she was nothing like me, like we're complete opposites."

He considers her words. "I guess, in a lot of ways, yes."

Annabeth is quiet after that, which makes him prompt her further. "And? Why bring it up?"

"Nothing, it's just…"

"It's just?"

"It's just I'm not…your type," she finally finishes the thought.

Sometimes Percy cannot believe the things that come out of Annabeth's mouth, but this even surpasses the first time she said the words: I want to go on a date with you.

"Have you considered…" he starts. "That maybe she wasn't my type, and that maybe I found the girl who is?"

Annabeth scrunches her nose again but he sees the small smile playing at the corner of her lips. Clearly she knows she's been beat.

"Which is what?" she replies, too haughty for her own good.

He stops her pace to lean down. And when their lips are inches apart, he gives his answer.

"Annabeth."

A/N: Shoutout to anon on tumblr for the prompt of them running into Percy's ex! (I did write Percy meeting Luke, it's under how to handle fame and headcanons in case anyone is interested, it's over on ao3).

I've been trying to get back into the swing of writing and how to handle fame is always a treat to help me get started, so hope you guys liked this one! We even got some more Percy backstory!

Please Review! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for reading!