Praetor's legacy

Chapter 7

Percy knew his day was not going to end well the moment he saw Annabeth striding toward him with a determined look on her face. She jogged over when she spotted him, grabbed his face, and pulled him towards her so their lips could meet.

He felt something in the kiss. Passion, definitely. Perhaps love? But he also knew that the feeling he always had when him and Annabeth kissed had weakened. It used to leave him breathless and exhilarated. Now all it did was leave him breathless. It wasn't as powerful as it used to be. Something was missing.

When Annabeth pulled away, she stared at him panting. "I missed you," she whispered.

"You were the only thing I could remember when I woke up," Percy replied.

She smiled softly. "That doesn't technically mean that you missed me, you know. Eight and a half months and you didn't miss me?" Her eyebrows creased.

He smiled softly. "Annabeth, I've only been awake for about a month. Hera put me to sleep for 8 months, until the right time came along to wake me up and help the Romans. I woke up in the Wolf House, where Lupa taught me to inhance my senses and help me become more wolf-like and tougher than I already was."

She rolled her eyes and smiled. "Oh, please." She smiled flirtatiously. Her mouth popped open in the cute little expression she got when she realized something.

"So you've only known Reyna for two weeks?" she asked, with curiosity burning in her eyes.

"Yeah, she knew exactly who I was when I got here, though. Well, except the Greek part, but even I didn't know that by then."

She frowned. "And you're already that close to each other?"

"Well, yeah, I guess you could say that." Her eyebrows creased again.

"Annabeth!" We turned around. Rachel was running towards us from the direction of the ship. She panted, "Annabeth, Leo needs you to help him with the ship. And I know you guys are just catching up, but he seriously needs your help! He says it's urgent!"

Annabeth frowned. "Alright, I'll go help the nitwit. Honestly, that boy makes Percy look like a genius!"

"Hey!" Percy shouted indignantly.

She smiled brightly at him. "Relax, you know I love you. We'll catch up more later, okay?" He nodded his consent. Before running towards the ship, she kissed him sweetly on the cheek and smiled softly at him. "I really missed you, you know. Don't leave me without a warning next time, okay?" He nodded.

When she was out of sight, he sighed disheartedly.

Rachel, who he hadn't noticed was still there, gave him a pitying glace and asked, "Percy, are you alright?"

"No, I'm not." She frowned concerningly.

"What's wrong?"

He sighed. "I love Annabeth, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love Reyna too, and I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do about it."

Her eyes widened comically, but he wasn't in the mood to laugh. "Percy, I'd be flat out lying to you if I told you that I knew what to do in this situation. The closest thing I had to a relationship was with you, and we saw how that worked out." She smiled at him, which he returned. "But what I do know is that no one else can help you make this decision. The choice is yours to make. And I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's what you have to hear. You're my best friend, you know that. I'm here for you. Always."

She pulled him in for a hug, and he wrapped his arms around her. "Thanks, Rach. You always understand. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiled at him. "I don't know about that, but I appreciate it. We'll catch up later, okay? I better go help with the ship before Annabeth kills Leo."

As she said Annabeth's name, his face fell. She patted him on the cheek and whispered, "You always make the right decision. No matter what your choice, I will be on your side. Now go see your little boy. I have to go." She hugged him quickly, and jogged off towards the ship.

He watched her jog away with a small smile on his face.

He was so lucky to have Rachel.