Beyond Tartarus (A Percabeth Fanfiction)

Chapter 26-We Get Engaged and Seal it With a Kiss

Chapter 26

Percy

"So when do you plan to propose to her, man?" Grover asked. "I'm working on it, just figuring out the details." "Okay," he said "But you better hurry, it's already been about a month since we went to buy that ring." Grover bleated. I sighed, 'I KNOW, I know. I'm just worried, ya know, if she thinks it's too soon. Or even the fact that after the engagement comes a wedding, which costs way more than a few paychecks, not to mention that we would need to buy a house and-I'm just afraid she's gonna be unhappy." "I think you're the one that's afraid, dude." Grover replied. "You're focusing too much on what Annabeth might think, but you're not focusing on what you know now. Annabeth loves you, you're her world. She has been by your side through thick and thin, and you don't think she would wait a few months until you have enough money for a wedding? She would crawl to the ends of the earth for you,man." Grover smiled. I smiled back, giving him a huge bro hug and a quick thanks as the two of us left my apartment to go grab a bite to eat.

The days were getting colder, and the summer had neared its end. Even with Grover's exceptional speech, I still felt worried that I or my proposal is or won't be good enough. I kept thinking of different scenarios, how to approach her, should I make it comedic or romantic? Annabeth may not appreciate the sappy romance, but she might find the comedy too outspoken! I was on edge, and I had nowhere to run as my head just keeps spinning in a whirl of confusion. What was I going to do?

Annabeth

I was spending another day at camp, hanging out with some of my girls. Thalia was back for a visit, so I spent my day introducing her to Piper, as well as Piper's sisters and close friends. The three of us talked for a bit, when Thalia asked a shocking question,"Do you ever think that maybe, you and Percy will actually, I guess, move on from Camp Half-Blood?" I gave her a puzzled look. "All I'm saying is that, all you guys do is work and visit. You have this, this mind-set that you have to visit constantly. I just, I'm curious to know if you guys will ever just, move on. Get married, own a house, have kids. Have you two even talked about that?" I shook my head, "I understand what you mean, Thalia, and I think the reason we never talk about that stuff is cause', we're just, afraid. Afraid to, to grow up." "But why? You two could make so much out of your lives, but you come back to relive the past. Life isn't about wasting days looking back behind you, life is for improvement, it's where you can correct and-" "Okay, I get it Thalia, I don't know where this question of yours came from but, I get it. Maybe we could have our lives differently, but this is the lifestyle we choose and it makes us happy so, who are you the one to judge? Thalia, whatever this is you're getting at, whether it's the fact you were so sick of being at camp all the time that you became a huntress, or the fact that you were afraid to admit your feelings to someone, whatever it is, this is a side of you that I'd rather not have to talk to again. I'd really appreciate if you'd just leave me and Percy's relationship alone, okay? Because you know what, maybe I do want Percy to propose to me, and I do want to marry him, and have a baby, but it's just not our time." Thalia nodded, clearly understanding now that her question was inconsiderate of my feelings. She apologized and I apologized for my outburst, and that was about it, Thalia has always been the stormy type, but she'll calm down like any storm sooner or later.



The three of us silently headed over to the beach, the previous conversation making us tense. The silence was awkward, so to cool off and relax, a nice few hours at the beach was our solution. Percy was back at home today, so I didn't really have much of a choice but to hang out with the girls. I was starting to realize that I was spending too much time with Percy, sure he was my partner but I hadn't realized how little I've spent lately with my girlfriends. We sat down on the warm sand and it was like the tension just rose from the air and lifted up into the sky. We were all back to talking and taking a quick dip in the cool water.

A few hours later, we were drenched in water, drying off in the sun. Only problem? The sun was almost set, but the bold, beautiful red, yellow and orange lit up the sky with the most magnificent glow. The water was calm and soothing, and soon enough I could here my stomach grumbling. Thalia must've noticed, because she gave me a comedic grin, "Are you hungry, Annabeth?" I nodded, and Piper chimed in, "I'm hungry too, I'll go get us some food." she smiled as Thalia stood up too, "I'll go with you, I'm very picky about my food." she winked and walked off, the both giggling as they walked to the dining hall. Once they were completely gone, I laid down and took in the smell of strawberries and sea salt, what a bizarre yet perfect combination. I heard footsteps, assuming it was Piper and Thalia, so I sat myself up, preparing to help with the food. But of course, it was Percy making his way to the sand beside me. He gave me a huge white smile, as I gave him one back. "So what brings you to the beach?" he asked. "Me, Piper and Thalia were just hanging out." "I see." He moved his body closer to mine, wrapping his arm around my waist. I leaned my head on his shoulder, and the two of us sat in silence for a bit. After a few minutes, Percy finally spoke, "There's been something I've been meaning to tell you." he said quietly as I listened intently, my full attention on his sea green eyes, deep in thought. "It's taken me a whole year to finally figure this out, to figure out what I really want, for not only myself, but for you and me. I've realized that, no matter the struggles that lie ahead, no matter the pain we'll suffer, we always get through it together. No matter financially or mentally, I will always try to support you, through thick and thin. Til' the very end. And I wanted to tell you, Annabeth, Wise Girl, my one and only love, that no matter what may happen, what lies ahead in my future, it would not be complete without you. So I now ask you, Annabeth Chase, if you will...do me the honours of...being my wife? He reached for his pocket and took out a small box, a fairly large, silver band arranged with thousands of tiny, sparkling gems. But the biggest piece that made me gasp, was the pearl. A stunning, white crystal clear pearl atop the band, was unique and magnificent. I sucked in my breath, barely able to contain my excitement. I was on edge, but it only took me a few seconds to finally burst out the word, "YES!" He smiled, grabbing me by the waist and placing me on his lap. I held his neck as we made-out, our tongues wrestling and our smiles never fading. It was a Kodak moment, the sunset, the beach, the ring. Perfect. Nothing could compare to how amazing it felt, to be engaged to my one and only, Percy Jackson.



Percy



It felt infinite, unreal. I wanted the night to play on and on, but it was interrupted by Piper and Thalia's return. The two gasped as we sat their making-out, but we quickly stop and grinned wider than ever. You could tell they were freaked out, especially when Piper asked, "What is up with you two?" I looked at Annabeth as she moved her left hand up to Piper's view. Both Piper and Thalia's eyes widened, and their girlish screams echoed through the whole camp, we could even hear a few campers cursing in Greek. Despite that, the night was perfect, and I couldn't help but return back to Annabeth, ignoring everything around me, picking her up, and plunging us both into the water. We kissed for the longest time, and there couldn't have been a better way to end the night.