Seaweed and Wise - Never letting go

17. Percy's birthday

Sally had a big talk with us, she said we better enjoy the rest of the summer in peace with the option to sleep through the nights after our quests and battles. And so she had stolen Victoria for herself. I last saw her yesterday and my brain was still mushy with all the thoughts, it was crazy.
I'd wish my parents were like Percy's. My dad wasn't even going to come, probably, and honestly I sort of hoped that my mother wouldn't show up either.
I got up, shaking off the sour thoughts, and walked to Hazel's bed.
"Hey?" I whispered, shaking her slightly.
She opened her eyes.
"It's the morning so I'll leave now. You remember what to do?"
Hazel nodded and looked at Percy, then at Frank still sleeping, and me. Her hair was messy just like mine, maybe even more... We could form a club of crazy looking ladies just fine.
"Send him to look for me when he wakes up." I whispered and she nodded sleepily, laying her head back down and closing her eyes again.
My plan was to let Percy sleep in so that I could get some time to execute the party plans with our friends.
I'd pick up the cake from Sally and by the time he'd wake up, I'd be waiting where we kissed back then and became a couple. Officially.
We'd make it through the day pretending not to know about his birthday and we'd throw the party, eat cake, and play games after dinner in Mess hall. Camp protocol birthday.
It was simple.

Percy's POV
"Wake up, it's almost the noon, dude." I heard and opened my eyes to see Frank.
"What? Where's Annabeth?" I asked sleepily.
"You go find her. She said you'll know, but I'd go looking for important places." Hazel told me kind of funnily, implying on the importance.
"Crap!"
It was our first anniversary and I forgot. In the shock, I hurried through my clothes and stormed through the bathroom. I was out in a flash.
I found Annabeth sitting at my table. She was reading a book, probably one she's read a hundred times already... She loved a certain few more than others and she read those again and again. I knew they made her feel better.
"I'm sorry Annabeth, I forgot about everything."
I tried to catch my breath as I leaned onto the table and grabbed my ribs with the other hand. "Exercise, not good."
She put her book down and looked up. "I knew that you would, Seaweed brain. And you haven't forgotten our spot, that counts too." She smirked.
"Wait, you're not mad?"
I sat next to her and she kissed my cheek.
"For that? No, but don't you dare to forget our wedding date." She threatened.
"Are you like jittery too? I mean not that I'd be scared of anything- which sometimes..." I smiled devilishly and she rolled her eyes.
"I am in ways, but it'll be just fine. Now. Happy anniversary and one more year of surviving-ish!"
I was kissed again but this time it seemed like forever.
"Happy anniversary, Beth." I told her.
Then the camp didn't disappoint...
"Let's throw them into the lake like the last time."
Travis.
I grabbed Annabeth's hand and we tried to run for it but they surrounded us from all sides. Clarisse and her siblings stopped us halfway to my cabin. I wondered who ratted us out.
We ended up in an air bubble that I created once again, and this time we weren't even slightly drenched. I got better at focusing my powers.
"What is it?" I asked Annabeth and she checked me up once more.
"Nothing." She claimed. "I love you."

---------At the dinner---------

"Happy birthday to you."
I looked around, what date was it? It couldn't already be-
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear-"
Was it August 18th again? Was my birthday also our- Oh, blue brick cake!
"Percy..." They all sang.
Dam!
"Happy birthday to you." I looked at my friends who stared at me, laughing out loud.
"Seaweed brain, you're lucky you cannot leave your head behind." Annabeth grinned.
"Unless a monster attacks." Leo grinned.
"Not funny when you're a demigod." Someone called.
Annabeth kissed my cheek.
"Happy birthday, Percy," she said and I kissed her back.
Gods I love her so much.
We ate the cake that my mother made... It was just perfect.
Blue.

Later on, everyone who wanted joined us for a chat in my cabin... Somebody did my job, it was pretty cleaned up with all the beds on one side and blankets on the floor.
"And now I definitely won't find anything in here."
Annabeth and I, plus the squad, sat down and started playing kiss, marry, kill... And truth or dare combined with would you rather a bit. I loved those. They were silly, but they matched our age, what we were... Still a bunch of silly kids too.

I lost many bets, but I got to ask Annabeth anyway. Eventually. Probably just because they all took pity on my unlucky ass.
"Truth or dare?"
"Truth, Seaweed brain."
"Fine." I sighed, I wanted to give her a dare... I'd have a nice dare...
And so I started.
"Well. Just theoretically, and we're not talking right now so y'all should calm down... How many kids do you want in the future?"
People snickered and grinned. But to me it was a serious question I wanted the answer for.
Annabeth pushed her hair over her face, threw it back, and rubbed her forehead.
"Percy?" Annabeth gave me the best- Are you serious!!? stare down.
"Huh?" I replied.
"Eh, well... I guess I don't care but more than two and my dear lover ask those kinda questions when we're A.L.O.N.E. please." She had said.
I grinned at her. Annabeth lay her head on me, probably to hide the tiny blush on her face.
We enjoyed ourselves, and in those times everyone laughed, I missed someone. I missed Grover, he was my best friend, maybe more so a brother. I missed Thalia and the spark that filled the room when she was around. I missed all the kids that couldn't be laughing with us here, careless, drinking tons of coke and eating chips. It was too much, i felt like breaking down on a bed and falling asleep, but I forgot again for moments.
Later, long after the midnight, I fell asleep on the piles of beddings on the floor just a little while after Annabeth lay down next to me.
It was a great birthday.

Vendy