Percy Jackson Pirate AU

A Breath of Ocean Air

Annabeth looked down at herself and sighed.

Much to her annoyance, her Camp shirt was now ripped beyond wear. She was now stood in her room, dressed head to toe in the pirate outfit that had been left for her a few days prior. The cotton of the cream tunic was soft, yes, and the worn leather skirt (though Annabeth normally disliked skirts) made her feel like she was free to move around far more than her usual jeans or shorts. She would have usually considered skirts as a hindrance, but the lose fit felt comfortable. The thick belt, however, made Annabeth feel like some sort of at-sea wrestling champion. It was a thick strip of brown leather that neatly hugged her waist and stomach. Alongside the rest of the outfit, there was tall boots sitting by her door that looked around the right size, but she decided she'd rather be wearing her trainers if they got attacked again - which was more than likely.

Over the last few days, there had been many monster attacks on their ship. The battle with the hydra had been the worst by far, with Jason only just back on his feet (Annabeth thought he still looked pale, but when she overheard Piper telling him the same, he had proved too stubborn to listen) but Percy had spent a full day in bed afterwards. He was in and out of his room by now, although Annabeth had noticed his arms still shaking slightly in the evenings when he was particularly tired. It was definitely getting better though, so she didn't worry herself too much. She had more important things to worry about.

Annabeth slipped her knife into the holster which hung from one side of the belt and pulled her hair out of her face into its usual ponytail.

She was probably late a for breakfast by now, but she didn't really care. The pirates seemed to have very loose schedules, if any at all. For the most part, she didn't mind because it allowed her to do things at her own pace, creating her own schedule.

Realising how hungry she was, she made her way to the canteen just as the noise of rain began to batter the ship. Judging by the steady swaying, it was only raining. Not a storm. The panic that had momentarily flared up in her chest dissolved. Storms usually meant monsters.

Any day now, they would reach her destination. The island of Polyphemus. Any day now could be her last day on the ship. Any day now could be the last day of her quest.

Annabeth smothered her thoughts as she entered the canteen.

To her surprise, it was almost full. Everybody was there. Apart from Percy, she noted as she sat. Leo was talking animatedly to Piper and Jason, explaining a concept neither of them seemed able to grasp. Frank and Hazel were not talking, seemingly listening, too. Annabeth noticed them holding hands under the table, with Hazel's delicate dark hands swallowed by Frank's. She thought of Percy.

"Hey, Annabeth!" Leo greeted her, interrupting himself and whatever he was talking about. She looked over at him, her face set in its usual stern gaze.

"Percy is above deck. He likes the rain," Piper chimed in, before she could say anything as though she could read Annabeth's thoughts.

"Oh," replied Annabeth, picking up an apple from the centre of the table and biting into it. "How's he doing?"

"He seems fine. And Jason is almost entirely healthy now."

"I am entirely healthy, Pipes. Honestly, I'm fine."

"Mhm."

Without thinking much, Annabeth stood up and exited the canteen, making her way towards the deck. She could hear the rain pounding off the ship and beating the surface of the ocean, but the thought of being beside Percy filled her mind so much that she didn't even consider the rain, or the fact that she had only eaten one bite of an apple before leaving. She was desperately aware of how limited her time on the ship was. How limited her time was in general.