Annabeth Chase had always been certain of a few things in her life: she was a daughter of Athena, and her destiny was bound to the world of gods and monsters. She was determined, fiercely intelligent, and could always be counted on to have a plan. But what she hadn't planned for, what she hadn't seen coming, was the way Piper McLean could make her feel.
At first, it had just been small moments—casual conversations at campfire gatherings, training side by side during the mornings, and those unspoken moments when their eyes would meet across the arena, understanding each other without saying a word. Annabeth knew Piper was different from anyone she had met before. Strong, brave, and somehow carrying a quiet sadness, Piper had this way of cutting through the chaos of the world and finding a way to bring peace.
It had started innocently enough. Annabeth had always admired Piper's ability to negotiate, to charm her way out of trouble with just a few words. It was something Annabeth respected, though she could never pull it off with quite the same ease. Still, she found herself drawn to Piper, in a way she hadn't expected. And with the growing tension between her and Percy—something that had always been there, lingering in the background—she found herself seeking out Piper more often.
One evening, just as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, Annabeth found herself walking toward the Big House. She had spent the day reviewing the camp's defenses with Percy—something that used to bring her joy but had recently felt more like an obligation. Percy had been distracted, and Annabeth couldn't shake the feeling that something between them had changed.
But as she passed by the lake, she saw Piper sitting on a large rock near the water's edge, her legs dangling over the side as she strummed her guitar. The sound of the soft music called to Annabeth, and she hesitated for a moment before walking over.
Piper looked up, her smile warm and knowing as if she had been expecting Annabeth all along.
"Hey," Piper greeted, her voice light but with a hint of something deeper. "I didn't think I'd see anyone out here this late. Everything okay?"
Annabeth nodded, taking a seat beside her. "Just needed some space," she admitted, looking out at the water. "Things feel... off lately. With everything."
Piper paused her playing, setting the guitar down beside her. "With Percy?" she asked, her tone gentle, but there was a quiet understanding in her voice.
Annabeth hesitated, her heart tightening. "Yeah. I don't know. It's like we're not on the same wavelength anymore. I care about him, but..."
"But it's not the same," Piper finished, her voice soft, a little more than an observation. Annabeth turned to look at her, surprised by the insight Piper had into her emotions.
"I didn't know you noticed," Annabeth said, her voice small. "It's just hard to explain. I don't think he gets it, and I'm not sure if I do either anymore."
Piper gave her a reassuring smile, her eyes sparkling under the fading light. "It's okay. Sometimes things change, you know? We grow, and we don't always grow in the same direction."
Annabeth took a deep breath. She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear that.
Piper reached out, her hand brushing against Annabeth's. It wasn't anything overtly flirtatious—just a simple gesture of comfort, a reminder that sometimes, you didn't have to say everything out loud to be understood. But for Annabeth, it felt like something more. It felt like Piper was offering her a chance to breathe, to be honest with herself in a way she hadn't allowed herself to be in months.
"You deserve someone who understands you," Piper said softly, her fingers still gently resting against Annabeth's hand. "Not just because of your powers or your lineage, but because of who you are. Don't forget that."
Annabeth swallowed, her pulse quickening. Piper's words, her touch, felt like they were pulling her closer to something she wasn't ready to face—something she hadn't even known she was looking for. Her heart, which had always been reserved for Percy, suddenly felt like it had space for something else, something unfamiliar and new.
"I—" Annabeth started, but the words felt caught in her throat. She didn't know how to say it, didn't know how to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "Piper, I—"
Before she could finish, Piper smiled that soft, knowing smile again, as if she already understood. "You don't have to say anything. Just know that you don't have to figure it all out right now. Just... be with me, for a moment."
And so they sat, side by side, under the waning light of the setting sun. They didn't need to say anything else. Not yet. It was enough to simply be together.
