You're Not Getting Away From Me

CHAPTER NINETEEN: The Words in the Smoke

Percy's POV

    Did that really just happen? Did I really just do that? Did she really say yes? Yeah, it happened.

    You might call it bad timing, now that we had to go protect the world and put ourselves in danger and all the other hero stuff, but I can't think of a better time. Who knows what's waiting for us on this quest. As much as I hate to think about it, I had to propose now because I literally might never get the opportunity again. If something were to happen to one of us, and I would have never asked... no, I can't think about it. We would be fine. We've done harder.

    "What do we tell everyone? 'Sorry guys, we have to go on a dangerous mission, don't worry about us, oh and by the way, we're engaged now.'" Annabeth asked while we walked back to the dining pavilion. A few minutes late, but oh well.

    "I didn't think about it...  I don't know, what do you think Wise Girl?"

    "Well... it's going to probably be a big deal. I mean, as far as anyone knows, this might be a first for demigods. And all of our friends will want to know everything, and Piper and Hazel will want to start talking about the wedding-" we both smiled broadly at the word "wedding" "-and then they'll get all excited and if something were to happen to us..." she trailed off.

    "Ok, let's not saying anything to camp. But there is someone I do want to tell."

    "Who?"

    "Paul. I want him to know, so he can tell my mom and everyone else in case something goes wrong." I hated doing all of this "in case we don't make it back" talk, but as a demigod, you had to. You never know which day could be your last. I guess this really applies to all people, not just demigods. Car crashes, fires, you name it. You have to make the most of every minute you have.

    "I think that's a great idea."

    "Well now that that's decided," I started to say as we neared the horde of demigods in a mixture of orange, purple, black, and silver, "you should probably take the ring off and put it in your pocket or something. We wouldn't want anyone to see."

    "Your brain really is made of seaweed if you think I'm going to take this off right after you just gave it to me," she countered, smiling at me. "I'll just stick my hand in my pocket." I smiled back and said something real intelligent like, "Okay."

    As Chiron spotted us walking towards to the group, he simply stated "A little late, now aren't we?" He didn't sound mad. I think he picked up our good moods, and even though I couldn't read faces as well as Annabeth, I could tell it confused him. This was certainly no reason to be happy. He must have shrugged it off, though, because before either of us had the chance to reply, he turned around to address everyone.

    "Heroes, I bring... disturbing news." You could literally feel the tension level go up. Everyone whipped around to stare at Annabeth and I. It must've been pretty obvious that this involved us, considering we were the only ones standing next to Chiron. Plus, it seemed that everything always involved us. Note the bitterness.

    Chiron started to explain the whole ordeal to the camp. I didn't even hardly listen. I pretty much spent the whole time staring at Annabeth. She was staring at me, and pretty often she would give me a small smile. I just can't even believe that we're finally engaged. A few years ago, the thought would have terrified me. I had had random bursts of visions of us in the future, but I always shut them down quick. It's dangerous to plan out a future that you don't even know you'll have. But now I let myself think about it. Even though the chances of us living through the next couple of days weren't very high, the future seemed more realistic and attainable than ever.