Loverboy (PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 29

Percy POV

Jason's words still rattled in my head. Chill, Perce. Just chill.
Right. Like it was that easy.

We came down the stairs together, Jason a step ahead, his posture calm — steady like he was walking into any normal night with friends. I tried to match that calm. Failed. Every step felt heavier than the last, the creak of each stair too loud, too sharp in my ears. My chest felt tight, like I'd been holding my breath for hours.

The voices from the living room floated up before we even hit the last step.
Laughter. Plates clinking. The occasional burst of Leo's voice cutting through. Someone — Hazel, probably — was talking low to Frank. The smell of pizza hit me next, warm and cheesy, and for a split second, my brain tried to tell me this was normal. That I could just slide into the couch and pretend nothing was wrong.

Except... it wasn't normal. Not tonight.

We stepped off the stairs and into view. My eyes darted around the room automatically, cataloguing everyone's positions like it would help me figure out an escape plan.

Frank and Hazel were on the far side of the couch, Hazel's hand resting on Frank's arm while they bent their heads toward each other. Calypso was next to Leo in the big armchair, legs tucked under her, looking like she was halfway between amused and exasperated at something he'd said. Across from them, Nico sat on the loveseat with Will, who was talking animatedly, hands moving as he spoke. Nico just nodded now and then, the way he does when he's actually listening but won't give anyone the satisfaction of a full reaction.

Piper was cross-legged on the rug in front of the coffee table, her paper plate balanced on her lap, eating with the same casual grace that made everything she did look rehearsed.

And Annabeth...
She was at the far end of the couch, one leg crossed over the other, her hands folded loosely in her lap. She wasn't really looking at anyone — her gaze flicked across the group, but not like she was following the conversation. More like she was thinking about something else entirely.

The second her eyes met mine, it was like a quiet jolt. Not a smile. Not a frown. Just that unreadable Annabeth look — sharp, steady, impossible to get a read on.

Then Leo's voice cut through everything.

"You doggg," he said, dragging the word out so it curled into a grin. He leaned back in his chair, tossing the stress ball into the air and catching it again. "You didn't tell us you were dating Annabeth."

My stomach dropped like I'd missed a step. Jason shot him a warning look, but Leo just smirked like he'd caught me doing something scandalous.

I didn't say anything. My hands automatically slid into my pockets, shoulders tense. Maybe if I played it cool, he'd drop it.

No such luck. Piper glanced up from her pizza, one eyebrow arched, a knowing smile creeping onto her face. "So, Percy..." she said, drawing my name out just enough to make my pulse pick up. "When were you gonna tell us the good news?"

Now the air shifted. Heads turned. Hazel paused mid-bite. Will looked from Piper to me, curiosity all over his face. Even Nico's gaze flicked over, his expression neutral but his attention sharp.

I opened my mouth. I wasn't even sure what I was going to say — probably some half-baked excuse or joke. Just something to stall.

I didn't get the chance.

Because Annabeth's voice, clear and cutting, dropped into the space between us.

"Percy doesn't like me."