Mortals meet Percabeth

Stargazing

Annabeth's POV - Set before they started dating

The day had felt endless, a blur of swords clashing and shields clanging. Training at Camp Half-Blood was relentless, especially when the sun hung high in the sky, pouring down its relentless rays. I had worked hard to focus, pushing my limits to prepare for whatever challenge might come next. But now, as twilight descended upon the camp, I felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.

After our last training session, I spotted Percy sitting by the edge of the training grounds, a sea of tousled black hair and a faint sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. He looked up, and a playful grin spread across his face when our eyes met. My heart fluttered; he always had that effect on me.

"Hey, Wise Girl," he called, his voice brightening the cool evening air. "Want to sneak out for some stargazing?"

I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Aren't you supposed to be resting? You did nearly get yourself skewered by Clarisse's spear earlier."

He waved a dismissive hand. "That was just a minor setback. Besides, the stars won't wait for us, and I've got a secret spot picked out that I think you'll love."

With a sigh that was more playful than exasperated, I nodded. "Fine, let's go."

He jumped to his feet, and the excitement in his green eyes was contagious. Together, we slipped away from the camp, careful not to attract attention from any of our fellow campers. The sound of waves crashing against the shore grew louder as we made our way to the beach, the salty breeze carrying the scent of the ocean.

Once we reached the sand, Percy led me to a secluded area, shielded from the main camp by a cluster of rocks. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow across the water, and the stars began to twinkle overhead, bright and clear.

"Here we are," Percy said, gesturing grandly to the night sky. "The best view in the world."

I settled down on the cool sand, and he plopped down beside me, the warmth of his presence reassuring. We both stared up at the stars, our thoughts drifting in unison. It was quiet, except for the soothing sounds of the ocean and the distant calls of night creatures.

"Look at that one," I said, pointing to a particularly bright star. "That's Sirius, the Dog Star. It's part of the Canis Major constellation."

Percy chuckled softly. "You really are a nerd, you know that?"

"Only about the things that matter," I replied, turning to face him. His smile was infectious, and I couldn't help but return it.

"Fine, I'll take that. You're a cute nerd," he said, nudging me playfully.

A warmth spread through my chest and my cheeks at his compliment. "What about you, Seaweed Brain? What do you know about stars?"

"I know they're pretty and that one time, I almost fell into the ocean trying to catch one," he admitted, his tone half-serious, half-joking.

"Let me guess, you thought you could just swim to it?" I teased, elbowing him gently.

"Hey, I was young and impressionable!" he protested, a mock pout on his lips.

We both laughed, and the sound blended with the rhythm of the waves. As we lay back, side by side, I felt a comfort that only came from being with him. The night air was charged with unspoken feelings, and I could sense the shift in the atmosphere around us.

"What about you, Annabeth?" Percy asked softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "What's your favorite star or constellation?"

I paused, thinking. "Honestly, I've always loved the Pleiades. They remind me of the seven sisters in Greek mythology—strong and independent. It's like a little reminder that I have my own strength."