Intertwined || Percabeth Hogwarts AU

Chapter 67

Percy loved Quidditch.

He really did, but it was infinitely more fun when he was out there kicking everyone's ass than sitting on the bleachers. But watching his girlfriend tear up the field was satisfying enough for him to not complain. He was her biggest fan after all. So today, he was dressed in Slytherin green, facepaint and all, leaned up against the railing and cheered louder than anyone else.

As long as he wasn't playing against them, Percy would always root for the Slytherins. He was good friends with a majority of the team, even Zoë Nightshade, their Keeper. Octavian and Phoebe, not so much. Phoebe, a Beater, hated all men or something and Octavian was an all around bitch so he didn't feel much of a loss in those regards.

The entire arena was jumping when Annabeth scored another, but, of course, none louder than Percy. Banging on the wooden rails and whistling, he drew more than a few glares.

"Calm down, Percy," Zia said from beside him, laughing at his enthusiasm. "You're gonna split my eardrum."

Percy laughed sheepishly. "Sorry, Zia."

"Aw, leave him alone," Carter said from Percy's other side, knocking against his shoulder. "My man Percy is in looove."

A faint red tinted Percy's cheeks making the couple beside him laugh. At least Zia had the courtesy to hide it behind her hand as she patted his shoulder consolingly. She was a good friend and teammate, a Chaser for the Gryffindors, as was Carter, a Chaser for Ravenclaw. The two Egyptians were transfer students from the Uagadou School of Magic, having joined Hogwarts during their third year.

"I think it's cute," Zia said, giving Percy a reassuring smile. "Carter took over a year to say he loved me when we started dating."

"I did not!" Carter protested.

Zia gave him a pointed look. "You did," she said gravely, her black eyes holding mischief. "I should've expected it, though. It did take you over three years to ask me out."

"And whose fault was that, hm?"

"I have no idea what you mean. Point is, you took too long to say those simple little words."

"How come you didn't say it first, huh?" Carter challenged, crossing his arms, but the smile on his face gave him away. "If you were so sure—"

"We're not talking about me here, mister," she cut in.

"Well, I would've said it on the day you kissed me."

Her eyebrows shot up, a slow grin beginning to form. "So why didn't you, Carter Kane?"

"Because it was too early, I guess?" Carter rubbed the back of his neck shyly. "I didn't want to be too forward and scare you away."

Zia fought a blush as she kissed his cheek. "Sweet boy. You could never scare me away."

"Well isn't that just adorable," Percy commented before Carter could say something equally as disgusting, laying his hands over both of their heads and ruffling their hair. They were both rather short. "And you two are over here teasing me."

Zia batted his hand away, cheeks still pink as she kept her eyes locked on the fast pace game in front of them. Hufflepuff was putting up a very good fight, the score pulling in their favor.

"Anyway, the point is don't be like Carter, Percy," Zia said, ignoring her boyfriend's indignant hey. "Tell Annabeth. You both deserve to hear it and I can tell she's been waiting on you."

Percy sighed resignedly and then winced when Tyson (a Hufflepuff Beater) nearly knocked Thalia off her broom. That guy was way too big. It was unfair.

"I want to tell her," Percy said, keeping his voice a bit low as if Annabeth would hear him otherwise. "But I haven't exactly figured out how to do that yet. This shouldn't be hard at all. I mean, I probably should've said it already, but I want it to be really meaningful for her, you know? So I feel like I should do something that's... out of the norm, I suppose."

Carter and Zia exchanged an amused look. They seemed to be having a silent conversation with their eyes. Percy could practically see the invisible text bubbles between them. You want to take this one, or should I? Nah, you got it. You sure? Yeah.

"Percy," Carter began. "It doesn't really have to be a huge, grandiose gesture. That much is already given if you think about what you're saying to her. And besides, it's not really the action you're trying to convey, it's your feelings."

Zia, while agreeing, couldn't help but giggle. "You're such a softie."

Percy thought those two things went hand in hand, but didn't want to sound like an idiot in case he was wrong. For him, loving Annabeth was as natural as breathing air, that much would always be easy, but sometimes the intricacies of this relationship business wasn't so. He was immensely glad that she had been his best friend first; a lot had changed since then and at the same time, a lot of things stayed the same. There wasn't a whole new dynamic he had to learn. Instead, they simply grew from what was already there. He wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

"Anyway," Carter continued, ignoring her. "I think you should just tell her when you two are alone one day. Like I said this is about your feelings. That's the part she really cares about."

"Yeah, and don't force it. It should be natural," Zia added, poking his shoulder. "And you want it to be meaningful for her? Are you kidding me? That girl looks at you like everything you do is sentient."

Percy's brows scrunched. "What the hell does that mean?"

She sighed and muttered something under her breath. "Percy, you could literally say anything and she'll love you for it. She already does so don't over complicate it and just tell her! I swear, men are such idiots."

"Why is that last part always a staple?" Carted asked, shaking his head.

Zia laughed as she wrapped an arm around his waist. "Because it's true, love."

Carter and Percy exchanged an exasperated smile.

Percy became thoughtful. While their advice was logical and probably true, he still had some qualms about the whole thing. But he didn't really feel like voicing them anymore now that the game had ended.

Slytherin had won 200-90.

The grin on Percy's face widened and he stopped clapping when he saw Annabeth, or more accurately, a green silver and blonde projectile, speeding towards him. There was a little flutter that went through him when he realized that she'd forgone celebrating with her team and came to see him first.

"Hey, Wise Girl," he greeted when she stopped and hovered right next to the railing. "Nice game. You were amazing out there."

Annabeth grinned proudly. "Thanks, baby," she said, already leaning over to meet Percy's lips for her congratulatory kiss.

The roar of the crowd got a lot louder after that.