What Time is It? Shipping Time!

Chapter 2: Annabeth

Annabeth loved her Seaweed Brain. Their descent into New Rome was spectacular in the multicolored sunset. They landed on a grassy hill overlooking the beautiful display of architecture of Camp Jupiter, and while Percy went to go get Blackjack some donuts, Annabeth studied the stunning structures. She had always dreamed of designing something this beautiful, and since the war with Gaea ended, she had much more time to keep building her masterpieces on Mount Olympus. She was lost in her thoughts until Percy came back, grinning wildly as he handed her a bouquet of fresh daisies.

"Hey, Wise Girl," Percy murmured with his adorable smirk that drove Annabeth crazy.

"Hello, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said, smirking back at him. "Thank you for the flowers."

They gazed into each others eyes until Percy remembered why they were there.

"I almost forgot!" Percy said, bringing out a picnic blanket and a large basket full of food.

"Oh, Seaweed Brain, this is so nice."

" Well, we've never really had an actual date ever since, you know, Tartarus and all that, so I figured why not now." Percy shrugged and smiled his sweet smile.

He laid down the blanket and brought out a feast of delicious things, including Annabeth's favorite Shepherd's pie, and even a bottle of champagne.

"Wow," Annabeth said, "How'd you manage to smuggle in that nice bottle of Perrier-Jouet without being caught?" She inquired, quirking an eyebrow.

Percy shrugged. "I have my ways," Annabeth giggled and kissed him lightly on the nose. "How'd you know that Perrier-Jouet is so nice?" Percy asked.

"I have my ways," Annabeth said, mocking him. He just chuckled and shook his head as they sat down.

The picnic was amazing, and the champagne was nothing like Annabeth had ever had before, almost like tasting the stars. For dessert, Percy brought out a huge blueberry pie that they shared while watching they sky, a rainbow of red, orange, pink, lavender and a seeping dark indigo.

Percy shifted suddenly and told Annabeth he had something to show her.

"What is it, Percy?" Asked Annabeth, using his first name because she knew this was serious.

He reached deep into his pocket to pull out a small square object, and got down gracefully on one knee. Realization hit Annabeth and she stuttered for a moment.

"Percy, wha-?" He suddenly grabbed her hand and opened the box to reveal a beautiful ring.

The band was silver, carved to resemble a branch of intertwining leaves. In the center, there was a gleaming, circular turquoise gem studded with minuscule diamonds around the perimeter, with a tiny inscription in the middle in Ancient Greek that said αει ερωσα (aei erosa).

"αει ερωσα," Percy started.

"Forever in love," finished Annabeth, her eyes swimming up with tears of joy. "Percy, I-"

"We've been through a lot together," Percy interrupted, "I know we're not old enough to be married just yet, but this Promise Ring is my promise to you that, no matter what happens, I will always love you, I will always be there for you, I will always care for you."

This was too much for Annabeth, and she finally burst out crying, whispering "I love you so much, Seaweed Brain."

Percy grasped her trembling shoulders and pulled her into his arms until she settled down a bit. Annabeth bit her lip and whispered in his ear, "Of course," very softly.

He took her hand and gently slipped on the ring.

The Sun said goodnight to the Earth and slipped away from view, as Annabeth and Percy shared a long kiss in the lingering twilight.