A Little Ambrosia For Your Day (Percabeth One-Shots)

A Small Surprise

Annabeth's POV

"Keep your eyes shut! No peeking," Percy chided for what felt like the millionth time that day. His hand gripped my arm tightly as he steered me somewhere.

"I'm not peeking!" I promised. "Just go faster."

The air was chilly, and the breeze was slight. I had no idea where Percy wanted to take me on a random Saturday in September, but he had been giddy and insistent about it since morning.

He was being way too adorable.

I resisted the urge to open my eyes because I genuinely didn't want to ruin his little surprise. I mean, I really wanted to, but that's not the point.

"If I trip, I'm suing you."

"Stop talking."

"I'll tell Dionysus to turn you into a dolphin, not kidding," I told him again.

Percy sighed. "Do you ever shut up?"

"Says you."

I stayed quiet until we came to a stop. We were outside on what seemed like a flat, open surface. I had no idea why we would be here, but Percy was oddly enthusiastic. His grip on my arm grew tighter with excitement.

"Okay, you can open your eyes on 3-"

Oops.

"You said I could open my eyes," I said as I took in the scene.

It was absolutely breathtaking. The sky, now glowing a darker hue of blue, was the perfect backdrop to the endearing setup in front of us.

A picnic blanket was laid out with heaps of food and drinks. Golden lights were set up all around it, making the whole feeling ethereal.

I looked over at Percy, and he completed the perfect picture. He was glowing with joy, even I could see it. His bronzed skin had a pink tint to it from anticipation. His black hair, mostly combed but slightly untamed, remained still except for the slight breeze. Percy's green eyes, bright and gorgeous as always, were filled with promise — promise that he would do anything and everything for me.

I didn't doubt that for even a second. After Tartarus, I never would.

Tartarus. The hellhole. My mind began pulling me to the darker side of itself, and I could do nothing but follow.

Percy had scared me beyond belief, and he still did sometimes. Choking that goddess was unimaginable. Percy had more power than even he could understand. He could've turned dark so easily, so easily. I could've lost him. I went mad, but I was better off than Percy. His mind couldn't handle it as well as mine.

I think the only thing that saved him was me. Whenever he had a flashback, the best thing people could do was comfort him. Sometimes, comforting wasn't enough. They had to understand, but the only people who could understand were Nico and me.

Nico is brave beyond belief. I had no idea how he'd survived on his own. He's a powerful guy, way more courageous than he gets credit for. Tolerating that place had crippled me, and I couldn't imagine doing it without Percy. I wouldn't have lived without him, that much was obvious.

He still terrified me, though. I wouldn't ever tell him that, but his stunt with Misery had horrified me. Horrifying beyond belief. He would've gone all the way, but something stopped him. I'd never seen that kind of darkness in his eyes before. It didn't show up often now, but it still existed. I had seen it myself. And every time his green eyes darkened like that, it brought me back to Tartarus.

However, I knew that he wouldn't dare hurt me, especially since I could take him if I needed to.

We both knew that.