Finding The Way Back To You

Nine: Light Me Like A Cigarette (even if it might be something you regret)

A/N: Sorry for the late update

Annabeth didn't mind living with Percy. It was honestly interesting. The last time she lived with him was in college, and having someone in her home was nice again. Mainly since he still acted like he did in college, galavanting around shirtless because he could. Maybe he knew it drove her crazy, but she didn't mind.

He started cooking dinner for the both of them, too. It was almost like they were a married couple, with how little sex they had and how little contact they had. Or just regular roommates.

"Hey, maybe we can check out that new movie this weekend?" Percy said as he whisked the eggs for his French toast.

"Oh, I can't actually, I have a date."

Percy dropped the whisk in the bowl at her words, splashing egg all over his shirt.

"What?" He asked, cleaning the egg furiously off his shirt.

"I have a date. With this guy Connor. He does marketing at my firm."

"You're dating? In— in your condition?"

"Percy, he's a really nice guy."

"He doesn't know." Percy said.

"No, and he doesn't need to."

"And what if this progresses?"

"I would hope it would! The baby is a minor detail."

"And the fact that I'm the father? You know? Your ex?"

"I'm charming enough that he won't mind, he'll be too busy falling in love with me, and how well we get along that it won't matter. Besides, no ones saying it definitely will lead somewhere. Just try not to be here Friday night? Please."

"I'll do my best." Percy sighed, pressing a piece of toast especially hard into the egg wash.

~

Connor picked her up outside her apartment, waiting, leaning on the side of his car, looking disinterested until she appeared.

"Hey Con!"

"Beth! You look great! You ready?"

"Yeah, where are we going by the way?" She laughed as he got in the driver's seat.

"To the movies."

"What movie are we seeing?"

"That new one."

"Oh! I was just talking to Pe— my roommate about that movie. They wanted to see it too."

"I mean, you could invite her if you wanted— I wouldn't mind."

"No, this is a date, we don't need any third wheels."

Connor took her hand as he drove.

After about an hour of trying to find parking, Connor hopped out and started his trek to the theater; Annabeth suddenly felt nauseous at the smell of the butter on the popcorn. She normally loved that smell. It usually reminds her of Percy and the movie dates they would do since theaters were dark and nobody (Peyton) would go looking for them.

"You okay?" Connor asked, holding the most giant container of popcorn she's ever seen.

"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed." She gulped.

"Come, sit down." Connor sat them on a bench.

"I'm okay, let's just go find our seats." She smiled weakly.

'Are you sure? You don't look so good."

"That's what every girl wants to hear on a first date." She laughed.