What If?

<14> Welp, That Happened...

The next few days were quiet, but also a bit hectic for Percy.. He had been trying to do better by taking off his shoes at the door, he remembered when he left the children anywhere. He knew where to go for work. He wasn't late. Or getting caught by certain police force friends.

Percy had been using his money sparingly, he always remembered the bills when he wanted to go get something and instantly rethought it. If he didn't absolutely need the item he wouldn't buy it.

Zoe was happy, but Luke still had a grumpy look on his face and a sarcastic regard for Percy every time he spoke to him.

Percy sighed as he washed the dishes. Annabeth was still acting a little mad at him also.. She wasn't giving him much attention and he kept his bed on the couch which only made his body ache more than it already was before that.

Also working out strained his muscles. His neck and shoulders were really tense. He was in a lot of pain but he knew he had to be doing something right if he was in so much pain.

That's usually how it works isn't it?

"Dad, you need help?" Percy heard Zoe speak and he looked over his shoulder to see his daughter standing there looking at him curiously with her beautiful bluebell eyes that often reminded Percy of how he had wrapped around her finger in the time he had spent with her.

"No, darling. I'm fine.." Percy said and Zoe nodded her brown hair bouncing in her pig tails. "You know where Luke is though?" Percy asked turning his head back to the bowl he was washing that smelled like it had Mac & Cheese in it at one time.

Percy heard light giggling erupting from behind him making him look to see a somewhat evil grin on Zoe's face. "Do I?" She asked mischievously before giggling more making Percy raise an eyebrow in suspicion.

"Zoe, where is he?" Percy asked drying his hands since he just finished the dishes a little smile on his face.

"Just in his room." She rocked her hips a bit her hands behind her back before she finished her thought. "Texting his girlfriend." 

Percy gasped and Zoe giggled before running off before Percy could say anything to her. 

Percy groaned looking in the direction she was last visible but then he looked in the direction of Luke's room. Luke... Had a girlfriend-? There was something unnerving about that thought. he was only around 14 years old, almost 15. That's way too young to be dating someone.

Around 16 was a good age... Maybe... Probably 17... Closer to deciding if you wanna marry the person... Less time to wait... 

But then Percy thought about it more. Would he want sweet little Zoe dating some pervert boy at the age of seventeen when both their hormones are out of bounds and young and in love. Especially when Zoe liked to hug a lot. What guy wouldn't like that?

Percy shook his head and threw the dish towel over his shoulder before starting to make his way towards Luke's room. "They're allowed to date when they are legally allowed to drink alcohol."

Percy went to Luke's room and quickly knocked not waiting for a response to open the door finding Luke laying on his stomach looking at his phone screen and the first thing Percy could think and say was.

"You have a phone!?" 

Luke looked over in surprise at first then narrowed his eyes at Percy who stood looking like a house made with a towel over his shoulder and an apron tied tightly around his waist.

What? The apron just wouldn't stay up, he needed to tie it tightly.

"Yes, I do... It was an Easter present remember?" Luke asked almost sounding bored.

Percy froze in his spot for a few seconds before moving again rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Right, I remember now." Percy chuckled nervously hoping he wasn't sounding to obvious that he was lying.

He didn't remember anything.

Percy let out a breath before sitting next to Luke who sat up and looked at the carpeted floor of his room as Percy did the same the awkward silence taking them over.

"So uh, What were you doing on you phone?" Percy asked smoothly (not)...

"Uhh, just texting a friend." Luke shrugged his cheeks dusting a light pink.

"Which one?" Percy asked and Luke sighed, "Phoebe... She was talking about how her mom complains about back pains a lot with being pregnant." Luke said and Percy suddenly remembered Piper's huge baby bump. She was ready to pop at any moment. And quite honestly Percy was hoping he wasn't in close range to her birth bed... She just looked like the kind of girl with a good voice and her screaming would be pretty loud.

"Oh, right... Anything else?" Percy leaned closer to Luke who shrugged his shoulders obviously trying to ignore his ears which were turning red.

"Just like pizza toppings and Undertale fan art." Luke shrugged again before finding Percy starring in confusion at him. 

"What is-?"

"It's a computer game." Luke cut him off and Percy nodded.

"Alright, just be careful what you talk about... and what art you look at. Some things can get pretty gruesome and inappropriate." Percy advised and Luke only nodded as Percy began to leave his room.

"I... I love you Luke... and If you ever need anything you know I'm here right?" Percy's body was out the door but his head still in Percy holding the door almost closed.

"I love you too dad." Luke smiled before nodding. "And I know."

Percy smiled before winking at Luke and pulling his head out closing the door behind him. Percy sighed in almost triumph before turning to find himself face-to-face with Annabeth.

Percy probably would've screamed if she hadn't grabbed his hand making focus on something completely different than being surprised.

"Percy... I'd like to apologize." She said and Percy gulped before nodding glancing at her up and done two times taking her in.

She was wearing jeans, no shoes, and a green t-shirt with arrows on it that said "Let's Get Lost." And to top it all off her hair was pulled into a ponytail.

"For what?" Percy asked paying close attention to how soft her knuckles were and how her hand fit perfectly in his own.

"For fighting with you..."

"..Oh...."

Percy nodded. "I'm sorry too Annabeth."

Annabeth sighed and looked up from the ground to his eyes which Percy found himself looking back into her own beautifully stormy grey ones that calmed his soul.

"I shouldn't have fought with you... Or yelled.. Especially with Luke in the house. He should've never heard any of that." Annabeth shook her head in disapproval of her own selfish actions Percy in full agreement with her about his own.

"So, I'm sorry... And.. I see you've been doing better.." She said and Percy lightly smiled.

"I forgive you... And thanks Annabeth.. I've been really trying." Percy lightly squeezed her hand. "Will you... Forgive me also?" Percy asked and Annabeth smiled at him her eyes lighting up for a split second.

Annabeth stood up on her tippy-toes and before Percy knew what was happening she kissed him.

"I forgive you."

Percy stood in shock and she smiled gently squeezing his hand before letting go and walking out of the hallway her hips swaying more than usual.

Percy nearly choked on his own spit.

Annabeth had just kissed him...

ON THE LIPS!

<~~>

And so it begins....