Percabeth Oneshots

Ink-stinctive Decisions

By me.

Annabeth was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone when the news caught her attention. The anchor, trying to keep a straight face, was reporting an odd story.

"Breaking news: A visitor at the New York Aquarium attempted to engage in a physical altercation with one of the giant squids today. Staff say it’s been a messy situation—"

Annabeth raised an eyebrow as she muttered, "Who would be dumb enough to fight a squid?"

Right on cue, the door creaked open, and in walked Percy, dripping wet, and covered head to toe in black ink. His hair was matted with seawater, and his face wore a proud yet guilty expression.

Annabeth looked him up and down, trying her hardest to suppress a smirk. "Percy... please tell me you didn’t."

Percy rubbed the back of his neck, leaving a trail of ink behind. "Okay, before you judge me—"

"Oh, I’m already judging you," Annabeth interrupted, setting her phone down and crossing her arms.

Percy sighed. "Well, maybe the squid was being annoying."

Annabeth blinked at him. "You fought a squid because it was... annoying?"

"It started it!" Percy defended, throwing his hands up in the air, sending droplets of ink splattering onto the floor. "I was just walking by its tank, minding my own business, and it gave me this look. You know, that smug squid look."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh. "A smug squid look?"

"Yes!" Percy insisted, pointing dramatically. "I’m the son of Poseidon. You’d think the sea creatures would show me some respect, but no. This squid was giving me attitude."

Annabeth leaned back, arms still crossed. "So you decided the best course of action was to fight it?"

"Well, I didn’t want to fight it," Percy said, a bit sheepishly. "But then it squirted ink at me—"

"And naturally," Annabeth added dryly, "your response was to fight back."

"I didn’t have a choice!" Percy exclaimed. "I mean, what would you do if a giant squid squirted ink at you?"

Annabeth tilted her head thoughtfully. "Probably not fight it."

Percy opened his mouth, then closed it again, realizing she had a point. He shifted uncomfortably, still dripping ink onto the floor.

"Okay, maybe it wasn't the best decision."

Annabeth finally let out the laugh she’d been holding back. "You think?"

Percy grinned sheepishly. "At least I won, though."

Annabeth shook her head in disbelief, wiping tears from her eyes. "You fought a squid... and you're proud of it."

"Hey," Percy said, wiping some ink off his face, "in my defense, it was a pretty big squid. That thing had like, eight arms. I had two."

Annabeth smirked. "Oh, I’m sure it was a heroic battle. The squid never stood a chance."

Percy plopped down next to her, still covered in ink. "You think they’ll put me on the news?"

"They already did," Annabeth replied, showing him her phone with the news report. "They didn’t mention your name, though. Just 'mystery man in squid battle.'"

"Legendary," Percy said, clearly impressed with himself.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, pulling a towel from beside her and tossing it at him. "Go shower, you ridiculous seaweed brain."

Percy caught the towel and grinned. "You’re not even a little impressed?"

Annabeth leaned over and kissed his inky cheek. "Oh, I’m impressed all right... just not in the way you’re hoping."

As Percy headed toward the bathroom, still dripping ink along the way, Annabeth shook her head with a smile.

Life with Percy was never dull.