Olympia : Expansion Arc

Chapter 24

Percy felt happy with Annabeth. Although they haven't really confessed anything to each other, their feelings were evident for one another. Percy loved her and Annabeth loved Percy. It wasn't something that he could easily explain.

"So, what now?" Annabeth asked. "Will you be coming back?"

"I don't know yet." Percy said. "Rachel said I have to wait until Selene settle things on her end with her family."

"You can go back soon." Rachel said. "But before that, we have to be careful."

"So I won't be seeing you anytime soon." Annabeth muttered.

"Hey, I'll be with you soon." Percy said.

"You can stay here if you want." Rachel offered.

"Thanks, but I can't." Annabeth said, even though she wanted to accept the offer. "I have to go back to handle some things with Minerva."

"Sure." Percy said, feeling disappointed. "Will you be leaving soon?"

"Yeah, but I need to talk to you first." Annabeth said as she gestured Percy to follow her. Percy glanced behind him to see Rachel giving him a 'thumb's up'.

Percy entered his room with Annabeth. "What's wr-" Percy was surprised when Annabeth suddenly smashed her lips against his. Percy was surprised, but he pulled Annabeth for a deeper kiss. It got heated for a good minute and would've gone to more intimate territory, but Annabeth pulled away. Percy found himself yearning for more.

"Stay safe." Annabeth whispered.

"I will." Percy smiled. "You take care."

"I will." Annabeth said.

Line Break

They said their goodbyes before Annabeth left. Percy sighed in disappointment.

"Don't worry. You'll see her again." Rachel said. "I doubt Annabeth will let you go after just one night. Plus, we should get an update from Selene in a few days."

"You just like it because there's someone to keep you company." Percy said.

"There's that." Rachel smirked. "I'm gonna miss you when you leave."

"You talk like we're not gonna see each other after this." Percy rolled his eyes. "You'll be in Breaking Point, right? We'll see each other there."

"Wait," Rachel said. "You mean you'd want to stay friends?"

"Duh, dummy." Percy said as if it was obvious. "Did you really think our friendship would be over after this ordeal? That's not how it works. Plus, you owe me dinner."

Rachel was genuinely in shock. "You mean we can stay friends?"

"Uh, yeah." Percy said. "Why? Did you not want to be friends?"

"It's not that." Rachel felt like tearing up. "It's just that, we didn't meet in a normal way. Our relationship was just based on me needing your help. It was like mutual cooperation and I thought it'd be over after we've completed our mission."

"What?" Percy frowned. "You seriously think that?" He asked. Rachel nodded. "You're an idiot."

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.

Percy ruffled her hair. "Of course we're still friends, silly. Our meeting might not have been normal, but our friendship is real. So is yours with Annabeth and Artemis, and the others."

"Oh." Rachel muttered with a smile. She didn't expect this. She half-expected Percy to just leave after they finished their mission. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Percy grinned.