Percabeth Oneshots

Birthday Surprise

By timelesslords

Percy turned the key in his and Annabeth's apartment, surprised to find it unlocked. He would've gone in a little more carefully if Annabeth's distinctive voice hadn't been drifting in from the kitchen.

"...don't worry about the cake, Sally's bringing it. I just need you to get Frank and Hazel from the airport and to the restaurant before six. Percy's shift isn't done until then so that gives you guys plenty of time to set up."

Annabeth was facing away from him, and for a brief second Percy considered turning around and leaving the apartment so he could pretend to re-enter much more loudly and with more warning, so it would seem like he had not heard what was very obviously a surprise birthday party plan his girlfriend was currently making for him over the phone.

His shift at the firehouse had ended early— someone had heard it was his birthday and offered to cover for him, and Percy had come home thinking he would get to take a nap in an empty apartment before his dinner plans with Annabeth had ended that night.

Before Percy could decide what to do, Annabeth was saying goodbye and hanging up the phone, and it was too late to turn around and pretend he'd just gotten back. So instead, Percy cleared his throat.

Annabeth jumped in surprise, whirling around, her eyes widening first in shock, then in horror of what he had probably heard.

"You weren't supposed to hear that," Annabeth said, the tips of her ears turning pink. Percy laughed. He couldn't help but think she looked really cute when she blushed.

"Well, you shouldn't be saying it then," he teased. She was standing strangely, and it took him a second to realize it was because she was holding something behind her back with one hand.

"I thought you weren't home," Annabeth groaned, "Gods, you're the worst. Why are you so sneaky?"

"Am I?" Percy asked, amused.

"Very. You should make way more noise for how tall you are," Annabeth said, sighing and leaning back against the counter.

"So you're planning a surprise party, huh?" Percy asked, grinning. Annabeth groaned again.

"You have to pretend to be surprised," she ordered, "I've been mean to everyone about keeping their mouths shut for weeks, if they found out I blew it at the last minute they'll never let me hear the end of it."

"I'll be very surprised. Completely shocked. Nobody will be able to tell," Percy promised, though he was biting back a laugh.

"I'm doomed," Annabeth said, listlessly.

"I can blame Frank instead of you," Percy suggested, and Annabeth snorted.

"You know, that might actually work."

"If my performance isn't convincing enough I'll give it a shot."

"Good thing I'm a better actor than you," Annabeth said.

"I resent that," Percy said cheerfully. "What are you hiding behind your back?"

"You think I'm going to spoil your surprise birthday party and your birthday present?" Annabeth asked, one eyebrow raised, "You're going to have to try harder than that."

"Worth a shot," Percy said, leaning down and kissing her softly. As he did, he inched his hand around her back, trying to grab at whatever she was holding, but she'd been expecting it and quickly switched to the other hand.

"Better. I appreciate the effort," Annabeth said, giving him one last peck before pushing him away. "Now close your eyes so I can go hide this in my purse."

"You're no fun," Percy complained, closing his eyes all the same.

"You're the one who ruined my surprise!" Annabeth called.

"No, that was Frank, remember?" Percy called back, and Annabeth laughed.

"If you can manage to say that without sounding like you're winking at me we might actually get away with this."

Her voice was closer, close enough that Percy felt safe opening his eyes again. She was back to standing in front of him, hands empty.

"I'll work on it," Percy promised. "And I'm sorry for spoiling your surprise."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.

"It's your  surprise. I'm sorry I wasn't more careful."

"Well, thank you for planning it for me," Percy said, "I'm sure you put a lot of work into it, and it'll be perfect and fun regardless of if it's a surprise or not."

Annabeth smiled, but it was a little less soft than he'd expected and a bit more mischievous.

"Good thing the party wasn't the only surprise."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Percy asked, knowing there was absolutely no way Annabeth was going to give him so much as a crumb of a clue as to what she meant. Sure enough, she just grinned.

"You'll see."