Percabeth Oneshots

Waters Beyond Rivalry

By me.

Annabeth had always loved swimming.

Before she knew who her mother was, she spent hours in the ocean, feeling the cool waves caress her skin as she dove and twirled through the water. She'd always felt an inexplicable connection to the sea, like it was home, like it was calling her.

But everything changed the day she was claimed as the daughter of Athena.

The rivalry between Poseidon and Athena was ancient, and from that day on, the ocean seemed to reject her. It wasn't dramatic — no whirlpools or giant waves — but whenever she tried to swim, the water felt heavier, denser.

It was as if the sea itself was warning her to stay away. She still loved it, but she never ventured in past her ankles anymore. It hurt, but she knew better than to test the limits of divine grudges.

One evening, as the sun set and bathed Camp Half-Blood in a soft golden light, Annabeth sat by the lake, watching the campers splash and laugh in the water. Percy was among them, effortlessly moving through the waves as if he belonged there.

And, of course, he did.

He was the son of Poseidon.

Percy noticed her sitting on the shore, her gaze distant, and he made his way out of the water, shaking his hair like a wet dog.

"Hey, why don’t you join us?"

She sighed, picking up a pebble and skipping it across the surface. "Ever since I was claimed, the sea hasn’t exactly been… friendly to me."

Percy's face fell. "Because of the rivalry?"

"Yeah. I tried a couple of times, but it just feels wrong now. I don’t want to push my luck."

Percy sat down beside her, thoughtful. It wasn’t fair. Annabeth loved the water as much as anyone, maybe even more before she knew who she was. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being cut off from something she loved just because of some ancient grudge between gods.

He had to set it right and he knew just the way.

Later that night, Percy slipped away from his cabin and wandered down to the beach, the moon casting a soft glow over the ocean. He knelt in the sand, the cool breeze ruffling his hair, and closed his eyes.

"Dad," he began, feeling a bit awkward. "I know you and Athena have a... history, but Annabeth loves the water. She’s never done anything to disrespect you or your domain. I was hoping, maybe, you could let her swim again. Not just for me, but for her. She deserves it."

He waited, the sound of the waves his only response. For a moment, Percy thought his prayer had gone unheard, and he sighed, standing to leave.

But then, the water shimmered. A gentle wave lapped at his feet, warmer than usual, and Percy smiled. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.

The next day, Percy found Annabeth by the lake again, this time with her feet in the water.

"You should try it," he said, sitting next to her.

She gave him a wary look. "Percy—"

"Trust me. Just... try."

Annabeth hesitated but then stood, taking a deep breath. She waded into the lake, slowly at first, half-expecting the water to push her back.

But it didn’t.

It was cool, refreshing, welcoming. She took another step, then another, and soon she was fully submerged, swimming gracefully through the water like she’d never stopped.

When she surfaced, her eyes were wide with disbelief. "How—?"

Percy grinned. "I talked to my dad."

She swam closer to the shore, water dripping from her hair. "You did this?"

"I just asked. You did the rest."

Annabeth’s face softened, and for a moment, she simply floated there, letting the water cradle her. "Thank you, Seaweed Brain."

Percy chuckled. "Anytime, Wise Girl."

As Annabeth swam farther out, her strokes sure and strong, Percy couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. It wasn’t every day you got to help the girl you loved reclaim a piece of herself.

The ocean might have its rivalries, but it seemed, for now, that even the gods could set aside their differences for something as simple — and as profound — as love.

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Here's the question for this oneshot:

14. What was the name of the mysterious monster egg Percy gave to Tyson in The Sea of Monsters that eventually hatched?