The Sun in the Shadow

Chapter 13

The first thing Annabeth did upon realizing exactly which idiot was falling from the sky was curse.

The dragon landed on top of almost all the skeletons and then swiped the rest away with its tail. Seconds later it transformed back into the muscly figure of Frank who ran straight to Hazel and picked her up bridle style.

"You seaweed-brained idiot!" Annabeth yelled as Percy came running towards her, his arms open for a hug. Once he was within reaching distance she grabbed his arm and twisted it around, then said, "Don't ever break a promise to me again, got it?"

"Yes," he mumbled weakly and she let go of his arm. With one swift move he grabbed her waist and pulled her into a kiss. "But I'd risk it a thousand times to make sure you're safe." 

As Frank walked over to them Hazel was cursing him from his arms while he looked humiliated and responded with simple answers.

"Never ever transform into something so big!" 

"I know."

"Especially something made of fire, you idiot!"

"I know."

"Did you come here thinking we would fail? Do you not trust us?"

"No, I do."

"Don't underestimate me Frank Zhang! Don't ever underestimate me!" 

At this he sighed pulled her against him and laid a kiss on her lips.

"I would never do such a stupid thing Hazel Levesque. You are much stronger than you look." Hazel blinked in shock and then sagged a little.

"Good, well then I guess I should thank you both," she said much softer.

Percy slashed down a skeleton as it feebly tried to stand and said, "No need, Hazel my dear. We came here as loyal boyfriends here to protect those we love. We couldn't leave it just to Will to carry out that sentence."

Annabeth pushed Percy a little farther away and asked, "Wait, you're okay with that? Even after the whole confession thing?" 

At this Percy's face got a little red and he laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah well I kind of realized what a jerk I was being about it. I guess I understand now how hard it must have been for Nico to feel that way about me when I had no clue and no intention of feeling the same way. I'm glad Will is able to make him happy because I realize now that I never could have." Percy smiled and pulled Annabeth closer again. "I already know what true happiness feels like and I want Nico to be able to find it as well. I'm cool that he liked me in the past now, I guess it just made me nervous back at camp so I made jokes about it. But I'm good now." He laughed again and Annabeth grabbed his face with one hand.

"That wasn't just me, right? You all saw Percy just act maturely? Do you think the underworld is affecting him?" She studied his face while Hazel and Frank laughed and then kissed him again. "I'm so glad you've figured that out, Percy," she said gently. "Otherwise I might have had to force you into apologizing for all the bad talk you were creating in Nico's name," she continued and her tone was fiercer. 

Hazel laughed and said, "No need, Annabeth. I was already this close to sending Frank after him." 

Frank frowned and grumbled, "I'm not your dog."

Hazel laughed again, kissed him and replied, "Yes, but you are a very cute dog."

"Anyway," Annabeth interrupted, "We had the plan to break through the wall and then break out Nico and Will. So lets get back on that."

"Wait, Will's in there?" Percy asked, pointing at the huge black fortress.

"Yup!" Hazel chirped, then jumped and pumped a fist. "And we're going to bust him out!"