Percabeth Oneshots

Not Good Enough

Based on an incorrect quote I read. Written by me.
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Proposing to Annabeth was easily the scariest thing Percy had ever considered, but after getting the green light from his dad, Poseidon, he felt… oddly confident.

He knew he loved her, and more importantly, she loved him. Everything was set. Nothing could go wrong.

At least, that was what he thought until Athena intercepted him as he made his way back to Camp Half-Blood.

The goddess of wisdom and war materialized in front of him, her eyes sharp as ever, and Percy immediately knew he was in for trouble. Her gaze alone could cut through stone, but Percy kept his ground. He’d been through too much to be rattled by this.

"Percy Jackson," Athena started, her voice calm but laced with icy authority. "We need to talk."

Oh boy.

"Sure," Percy replied, trying to sound casual. "What's up?"

Athena folded her arms, staring down at him with a look of calculated judgment. "You intend to propose to my daughter."

It wasn't a question. Percy had to suppress a groan. Gods, of course, she would know. But he wasn’t backing down.

"Yeah," Percy said, meeting her gaze. "I love her."

Athena’s expression didn’t change. "You are not good enough for my daughter."

Percy blinked, taken aback by the directness of her statement. Part of him knew this was coming, but hearing it out loud still stung. He clenched his fists at his sides, not out of anger but out of determination. He wouldn’t lose his cool.

But instead of letting it go, something in him snapped, and before he could stop himself, Percy retorted, "You’re not good enough for your daughter."

There was a moment of complete silence.

Athena's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Excuse me?"

Percy felt a surge of adrenaline and confidence as he stood his ground.

"You heard me," he replied, his voice surprisingly casual. He could have been discussing the weather for all anybody knew.

Athena's lips thinned, and her jaw tightened in disbelief. "How dare you speak to me like that?"

Percy leaned in slightly, feeling the rush of courage that had carried him through countless battles.

"You may be a goddess, but that doesn’t give you the right to dictate her life. Annabeth deserves more than a mother who treats her like a pawn. She deserves someone who respects her choices and sees her as a person, not just a daughter of a goddess."

Athena's expression darkened, her fury palpable. "Do you truly believe you know what is best for her?"

"No," Percy admitted, surprising even himself with the honesty of it. "But neither do you. Annabeth knows what's best for her. She's smart enough to make her own choices."

He could see the flicker of anger in Athena's eyes, and he pressed on.

"You claim to know what it means to love, but love isn’t about control. It’s about support, trust, and letting the other person be who they are. You don’t own her, and it’s time you recognized that."

Athena’s expression shifted, and for a brief moment, he thought he saw something like uncertainty pass across her features. But then her eyes flashed with rage, and her voice was icy.

"You dare lecture me on love? I have watched over Annabeth, protected her, nurtured her. I know what it means to care for someone you cherish more than anything in the world."

Percy took a breath, ready to counter her, but he knew he had to choose his words carefully.

"I get it. But I love her too. I’ve fought for her, bled for her, and I will keep doing that for the rest of my life if I have to. I’m not perfect, but I’ll never stop trying to be the best for her. I’ll never abandon her, unlike you."

Athena's eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Percy had struck a nerve, and he could see it was leaving her speechless.

For a moment, there was only silence. Athena stared at him, fury and disbelief warring on her features. And then, without another word, she turned and disappeared, leaving Percy standing alone, the air crackling with the tension that had just passed.

He let out a long breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, wiping his palms on his jeans.

Well, that could’ve gone worse.

As he turned back toward camp, his heart swelled at the thought of Annabeth. He didn’t know what challenges the future would bring, but one thing was certain: he was ready for them, because he had her by his side.

And with that, Percy Jackson marched forward, ring in his pocket, ready to face whatever came next.