Can Be Both (A Percabeth AU)

Chapter 12

"Everything alright?" Annabeth asks, after Percy adjusts the AC for the sixth time. They're heading for the beach for the Jacksons' annual family reunion. Annabeth, as always, was invited and is attending.

The thing is, the entire ride there, he's been flip-flopping between hot and cold. Mostly because Annabeth's in shorts—and it's not the first time he's seen her in them, honestly, he's probably seen her in even less modesty—but that doesn't mean he's immune. Especially what with the new changes in his feelings for her.

Percy isn't a huge fan of using the word 'hot' to describe girls; he's always thought of it as a little crude and derogatory, even if it might not be. Annabeth, though—she's certainly something of that realm. His heart is alternating between not beating at all and beating too fast.

"Fine," he answers, after a very pronounced delay. Even if she's wearing sunglasses, Percy knows she gave him an unconvinced look. "Really. I'm just feeling kind of sick."

"Want me to drive?"

Percy shakes his head. "No, no. I'm fine, really. Besides, you can't drive stick anyways.." Best that he has something to do with his hands, at least, or he'll really be adjusting the AC every three seconds.

"Are you sure?"

He obediently slows down after spotting the yellow light, even if he could probably make it across the intersection in time. Giving her what he hopes is a convincing smile, he nods. "I'm sure. Sorry."

"You're being weird," she sing-songs, but doesn't press the matter any further. "I like that it's finally getting warm outside again, personally."

"It's always warm outside," Percy comments. It's one of the perks and downfalls of residing in Florida.

Annabeth's elbow presses against his on the center console, and it probably is a little too hot to be exchanging body heat. He can't find it in himself to pull away regardless. "I mean really warm. Like, worth going to the beach for a few hours warm. Even if you can technically go to the beach in December here."

Percy loves when it gets closer to summer. There's beach trips every day after school, sometimes knocking off seventh period just to spend a few extra minutes out in the sun. Florida is beautiful year round, but it's radiant in the summer time; entirely in it's element and attracting visitors from all over the world. Percy and Annabeth like to guess which people are tourists, oftentimes thinking of witty comments that leave them both in stitches.

The family reunions have gotten thinner and thinner as the years go by. Some of his family have passed away and some are too busy to make the trip down to Florida for a weekend. Percy gets it, but that doesn't mean he's not a little saddened when he arrives to only six people.

There's his Aunt Sharon and his Uncle Steven—who is really a family friend and not blood related at all—and a few of his cousins lounging underneath the pavillion. He latches onto Annabeth's hand and drags her over to greet his family. They remember her, of course, welcoming her with open arms. Sharon and Annabeth lapse into a conversation about college, so Percy releases her hand and wanders over to his cousins.

They're all a year or two younger than him, but he finds that there's still striking similarities between all of them. He promises Calvin that they'll surf before the day's over—his mom's arriving with food and other beach necessities a few hours behind him—and vows to mail his old iPod to Hailey, who broke hers on the drive down from Georgia.

He asks them how school is going and they give the customary answers. He's never been a sparkling conversationalist, but the group manages to kill an hour before Annabeth appears at his side.