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Annabeth sneaked into the Poseidon cabin that night, something that had become common ever since she and Percy started dating. She leaves the Athena cabin, after her siblings fall asleep and enters it before they wake up, so that no one would suspect. Her invisibility cap really came in handy at times like this. However, her nervousness mixed with excitement sometimes made her trip on her way to Percy’s cabin.
Gods if Drew or the Stoll brothers knew about it, she’ll never be able to live this down. But Annabeth never regretted it, because all this paid off when she was pressed against Percy’s chest, inhaling his scent, just like she was now.
Annabeth and Percy were now cuddled together in his bed. Her head was resting on his chest and his left hand holding her waist while his right hand was gently caressing her hair. Annabeth had both her hands wrapped around Percy’s waist. She really liked this. Being in his arms, she felt so safe.
He felt like home.
“You know this is not fair, me having to sneak out at night, watching out for harpies and campers, and all you have to do is open the cabin door. Not fair.” Annabeth complained while looking up at Percy.
He had that smile, that teasing smile, that made her heart race.
“Oh yeah? Well, I’m sorry wise girl, that’s the only way because, unlike my cabin your cabin is full of your siblings.” Percy gently pushed away a strand of hair from her face.
“Well, I’m glad one of us has a whole cabin to ourselves. Imagine if I was dating someone else from Aphrodite or Hephaestus cabin? Then I couldn’t be like this you know.”
Annabeth said that one on purpose and response was immediate, which made her smile a little in victory. Because Percy’s arms around her tightened and he groaned.
“Really Wise girl? You really want to talk about an imaginary boyfriend, while being in your boyfriend's arms?”
His voice was barely above a whisper, because his mouth was close to her ear. His hot breath on her skin made her shiver a little, but she giggled in response to his question.
“Just saying you know, because now I can’t think about not having this as an option. I think I prefer being here with you.”
Wow, when did she get so brave? Annabeth thought to herself. Percy laughed and pulled her closer, as if that were even possible, but Annabeth didn’t complain.
“I like it too you know, you being here with me, in my cabin. I think I can stay like this forever.” Percy said, snuggling closer to her, and burying his face in her neck.
“You want to know a secret?” Annabeth asked, and Percy just hummed in response.
“During the labyrinth, after mount St. Helens, when you disappeared, I came to your cabin every night. I slept here, wishing you would come back to me.”
She could feel him going still. His hands that had been caressing her hair stopped, and he looked at her with an expression which she couldn’t quite figure out.
“I missed you, so much.” Annabeth told him and he just stared at her. His blue eyes met her brown ones before he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“I’m sorry.” He mumbled against her forehead.
Annabeth shook her head, “It’s not your fault Percy.” Annabeth assured him, “And it’s not really a secret either now that I think about it. Because Silena knew it.” Annabeth said in a soft voice. When she was breaking down, losing hope every day, about Percy’s return, it was Silena who kept reassuring her. Oh, how badly she missed Silena
“Being here in your cabin, made me feel a little closer to you.”
Percy let her continue. By now, Annabeth has snuggled comfortably against his chest, and he held her close. His scent made her feel calm.
“And also, to fall asleep, you know.”
“I know demigod dreams can be really annoying.” Percy agreed with her.
“Exactly! I pretty much had trouble falling asleep since I was young. It wasn’t just the dreams.”
“What else?” Percy asked, and she could hear a hint of genuine curiosity in his voice. Annabeth had never really talked about this with anyone, but this is Percy. He wasn’t just anyone.
“It was a long time ago.”
“Tell me about it.” Percy’s soft voice worked like charmspeak, because Annabeth wanted to tell him everything. I mean how couldn’t she when he asked her like that?
“You know I’m afraid of spiders, right?”
“Hmmm... yes.” He said, with no hint of teasing in his voice.
“It wasn’t just that Percy. When I was seven, I used to hear a voice, a horrendous voice of hers,” Annabeth exhaled a breath, “Arachne, the mother of spiders.”
She could feel Percy’s hold on her waist tighten a little, not hurting but steadying. His other hand was placed on the back of her head and his thumb gently caressing her hair.
“She used to call me ‘my sweet’ and then the spiders crawled all over me, biting me.” Annabeth shivered by just recalling that. But Percy’s presence grounded her, which encouraged her to continue, and he listened to her without interrupting.
“And when I told my stepmom about it, she thought I was lying. She never listened, and she wouldn’t let me talk to my dad about it either. It’s not like he cared anyway. He was never around.” by this time tears started streaming down her cheeks, probably wetting Percy’s shirt in the process.
He might have felt it because his left hand moved to her arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“The next day the spider bites would magically disappear, and I was covered with cobwebs. When I showed my stepmom the cobwebs, she said I was making it up, that it was some clever trick. And since the bite marks vanished, I had no proof.” She sniffed, by now it was safe to say that Percy’s camp shirt was soaked with her tears.” She looked up at him to see him clenching his jaw, he looked mad.
“It happened again and again, then one day, I overheard my stepmom telling my dad that I was trying to act weird to get his attention, and that she didn’t mind being a bad cop. She said I was causing trouble in their home.” Annabeth choked back a sob, “I ran from there. After that living on the streets, sleep never came. It was either the spiders, or some other monsters coming after me all the time. The first time I slept properly was after Thalia and Luke found me. After seeing them fight monsters, I felt assured that I can go to sleep, because they’d look out for me.” She looked up at him. His eyes were misty.
Percy’s whole demeanor shifted. He looked more serious, and there was no hint of playfulness on his face. At that moment Annabeth regretted telling him her past, as she thought she might’ve ruined the mood.
“Hey Percy, are you alright? I shouldn’t have brought this up, I-” Percy cut her off.
“No Annabeth, don't be sorry. I am so glad you’re telling me what happened. You know you can tell me anything, right? You say and I will listen.”
“Thank you.” She cupped his cheeks, “I feel a lot better actually. You're a great listener seaweed brain.” Annabeth really tried to lighten the mood. She hadn't realized she would end up being a crying mess when she started talking about her past. Heck, she hadn’t even planned on talking about it tonight.
Percy looked at her in a way that made her feel so special. And then he leaned in and kissed her. Annabeth was taken aback by the sudden kiss, but she kissed him back soon after. It was gentle. It felt like a promise, definitely making its way into their top ten kisses. When he broke the kiss, his one hand cupped her cheek, and he gently kissed her forehead.
“I’m sorry.” Percy said, looking at her. “I am sorry you had to go through all that. I really wish I could do something about it.”
“Well, you are Percy. You being here makes everything a little less scary and a lot easier.” Annabeth said undoubtedly. Because she always felt like that with him. His presence was enough to give her hope and strength.
This made him smile at her softly, before gently pecking her lips.
“I am happy to hear that, but I’m still a little mad I guess.” Percy said.
“Mad at who?”
“Your father, your mother, and your stepmother and everyone else who made you feel like you don't matter.” His eyes never left her face, “I am mad at those who failed you and made you believe that you don’t deserve all the love in the world.”
Annabeth’s eyes were tearing up again. She never had someone get angry on her behalf, never had someone understand her so deeply. Percy slowly brushed away the tear that made its way down her cheek.
“You are the kindest, bravest, and the smartest person I’ve ever known. I honestly pity those who failed to see how incredible you are. Sometimes, I feel like there are words to describe how I feel about you. Sometimes, I hope you could see yourself from my point of view — so you could see how amazing you are.”
More tears were streaming down Annabeth’s face hearing each word Percy said to her. He was the first person who never made her earn a place in his life. Just being with him, talking to him, made her feel like her wounds were healing. Gods, she really loved him. Yes, she loves him. There’s no denying that.
All Annabeth could do was pull him closer by his shirt and kiss him again. He responded immediately. His lips were salty. She poured all her love into that kiss, hoping he’d receive the message. This time when they broke apart, she was slightly panting.
“Percy, I....I am really happy that we are together. I think I got the best boyfriend.” Annabeth said, making him grin.
“Yeah, can you tell that again, just making sure if I heard it right.” Percy said, smile never leaving his face.
Annabeth’s hands snaked around his neck pulling him closer, “You are the best boyfriend ever Percy Jackson and I’m glad you’re mine.” Gods know how much she wanted to treasure that look on his face.
“And you’re the best girlfriend, Annabeth Chase, and I’m so very glad that you’re mine.” He pecked the tip of her nose, making her giggle. They kept cuddling, talking and stealing kisses from each other until sleep took over them.
When Percy woke up in the morning, the left side of his bed was empty. Looks like Annabeth left, he thought. He slowly got up and stretched. As he walked towards his dresser, he spotted a sticky note. That was another tradition of theirs, to leave sweet messages for each other. He picked up the note that was on top of the dresser and a smile instantly spread across his face.
You were sleeping so peacefully, so I didn’t want to disturb you, I gave you a morning kiss though.
Love,
Annabeth
That was another thing she did. She gave him a kiss on his cheek every morning, and sometimes he would be awake to notice the gesture and return the favor.
When Percy walked out of his cabin later that morning, he spotted Annabeth talking to Katie Gardener about something. She was wearing her regular jeans but instead of camp half-blood t-shirt she had a dark blue hoodie on her. His hoodie. Which was way too big for her. And Percy couldn’t take his eyes off Annabeth. The sight of her in his clothes warmed his heart. She looked so adorable.
She smiled at him when she saw him walking towards her.
“Morning boyfriend.” Annabeth said, and as soon as he reached her, he pulled her in for a quick kiss. “Morning girlfriend, by the way this hoodie looks familiar.” He said, still holding her by the waist.
“Oh yeah? It belongs to my boyfriend.” She said, slipping her arms around his neck.
“uhuh?”
“I hope he doesn’t mind me borrowing his clothes.”
“I mean, he willingly gave you his whole heart, I definitely don’t think he’d mind you taking his hoodie.” Percy said.
Annabeth giggled in response, “Really? Because I thought I’d give him a kiss in case he minds, you know.” She said with a playful smile.
“Now that I think about it, I guess I was wrong. Maybe he does mind. So, when are you planning to give your boyfriend a mind-blowing kiss?” He snaked his hands around her waist and lifted her up, which made her yelp at his sudden action, but she continued to laugh anyway.
She looked down at him smiling, and then, cupping his cheeks, she gave him a kiss. A kiss that was definitely going into their top ten best kisses.
After they broke apart, Percy didn’t let her down. Instead, he spun around, with her in his arms, making Annabeth laugh. He loved to see her laugh. That carefree laugh on her face, when she wasn’t worrying about the world ending or overthinking about anything — was his favorite kind. And he loved making her laugh. It always felt like a victory.
He couldn’t change the past, and he couldn’t erase the pain she carried. However, he could change the present and their future. So, he’d be that — the permanence she craved. When he finally placed her down, she held onto him tightly her laughter slowly fading, but a happy smile remained. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead. And the way she looked up at him and smiled, with her brown eyes shining, made Percy feel fuzzy in the head. Gods, he would never forget that look on her face.
She pulled him down by his collar, until their foreheads touched.
“Percy.”
“Annabeth”
“I want to tell you something.” Her voice was soft, and her lips were so close to his.
“What is it?” His voice was barely above a whisper, and his eyes shone with anticipation.
Her gaze travelled to his lips before meeting his eyes again.
“You drool when you sleep.” She said, biting back a smile. Percy fought back a laugh too.
But before he could lean in for a kiss, she backed away, grinning.
“Oh, come on.” Percy groaned.
“What? I already gave you a kiss for letting me borrow your hoodie.” Annabeth said.
“That’s not fair wise girl.”
“Deal with it seaweed brain.”
She said after pulling away from him and slowly walking backward. Percy only smiled wider.
“I’ll get the kisses you owe me tonight, Annabeth Chase.” He called a little louder, not caring about the glances his fellow campers sent him.
“Keep dreaming Percy Jackson.” She called back without turning around.
But Percy didn’t have to see her face to know that she was smiling, just like he was right now.
And that night Percy did get back all the kisses Annabeth owed him.