Percabeth Oneshots

A Pinch Of Pride

By me.

Percy padded into the kitchen, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He blinked blearily at the sight before him.

Annabeth standing by the counter, stirring her coffee with an intensity that made him pause. She didn’t usually concentrate so hard on something as simple as coffee.

"Morning," Percy yawned, stretching. He walked over and grabbed his mug, pouring himself some of the fresh brew Annabeth had just made. "You okay? You look like you’re trying to solve a Rubik’s cube with that spoon."

Annabeth didn’t look up. "I’m fine," she replied, a bit too quickly.

Percy raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. He took a sip of his coffee, savoring the warmth, when suddenly, a pungent smell hit his nose.

He sniffed the air, frowning. "Uh, Annabeth?"

"Hmm?"

"Why does it smell like... the ocean in here?"

Annabeth’s eyes darted to the side, still refusing to look at him directly. "It doesn’t."

Percy glanced at her mug, then back at her. "Are you sure? 'Cause it smells like Poseidon made your coffee."

She sighed, finally turning to face him. "It’s fine, Percy. I just... might’ve used salt instead of sugar. But I meant to."

Percy blinked, trying to stifle a grin. "You put salt in your coffee?"

"Yes," Annabeth said, her tone defensive. "And honestly, it’s kind of... sophisticated. You know, like salty caramel."

"Salty caramel?" Percy repeated, incredulous. "In coffee?"

"Yes, in coffee," she shot back, holding her mug with defiant pride. "I prefer my coffee with salt."

Percy stared at her for a beat, and then burst out laughing. He leaned against the counter, clutching his stomach.

"You prefer it with salt? Since when?"

Annabeth’s face turned pink, but she crossed her arms, holding firm. "Since now."

Percy, still chuckling, leaned over and peered into her mug. "Annabeth, you don’t have to pretend. You accidentally salted your coffee. It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone."

"I’m not pretending," she insisted, lifting the mug and taking a deliberate sip, her face barely hiding a wince as the salty bitterness hit her tongue. "It’s... an acquired taste."

Percy grinned, his eyes twinkling. "You’re telling me the girl who meticulously plans out battle strategies and double-checks her blueprints accidentally put salt in her coffee and won’t admit it?"

"I’m not wrong, Percy," Annabeth replied stubbornly, though the slightest crack in her façade was starting to show. "I know what I’m doing."

"Uh-huh." He smirked, crossing his arms. "And this has nothing to do with you not wanting to admit you made a mistake, right?"

She shot him a withering glare. "I didn’t make a mistake. Salt adds depth."

"Depth?" Percy snorted. "I don’t think your coffee is supposed to taste like the bottom of the sea."

Annabeth’s jaw clenched as she took another sip, determined to stick to her story. She placed the mug down with a firm clink.

"You just don’t understand high-level coffee culture."

"Right," Percy drawled, leaning in closer with a teasing smile. "And that face you’re making? Totally from how great it tastes, huh?"

She glared at him, but this time her lips twitched, trying not to smile. "Shut up, Seaweed Brain."

"Admit it, Wise Girl. You made a mistake."

Annabeth narrowed her eyes, clearly contemplating whether she should double down or not. Finally, with a dramatic sigh, she gave in.

"Fine. It was a mistake. Happy?"

Percy grinned victoriously. "I knew it! And for the record, you’re not supposed to season your coffee."

"Well, at least I didn’t almost burn the kitchen down trying to make toast last week," Annabeth shot back, a smirk now fully forming on her lips.

"Hey!" Percy protested, throwing his hands up. "The toaster was possessed! It was trying to kill me."

"Mm-hmm," she said, sipping her coffee.

Percy took a step closer, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in. "Tell you what. How about I make you a fresh cup? No salt this time."

Annabeth leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Fine. But next time, you're making the toast too."

Percy grinned. "Deal. As long as the toaster behaves."

With a shared laugh, Percy poured out the salted coffee and brewed a fresh pot, the smell of the ocean replaced by the warm, comforting scent of coffee that, for once, was made correctly.

Salt or no salt, though, he wouldn’t trade these moments with Annabeth for anything. Even if she was too stubborn to admit it most of the time.