Seaweed and Wise - Never letting go

25. Chilling

Percy's POV

With Athena's blessing upon us, we visited more than anyone could fit in a few days. The time slowed into an untiring stream of temples and stadiums, museums and monuments.
And while I wasn't an artistically ridden person, I appreciated seeing what I was made of, what my past stood for. Of course I knew more about architecture than just about someone you've met on the street... Annabeth talked, I listened.
"Percy-" Annabeth broke into laughter. It was about the millionth time she made fun of me for ordering pizza. Gods! As long as I didn't force them to add pineapple I considered it fine. It wasn't like I was murdering someone...
"I don't care how many times you laugh at me. Your mother could have invented pizza instead of olives, she might as well have finished the deal."
Annabeth rolled her eyes, probably hoping she wasn't listening. "Soo-"
"Yes, wifey?" I raised my eyebrows twice and chuckled.
"I was just thinking-"
"Obviously," I interrupted Annabeth and she nudged me.
"Shut up... Everything we've done so far was what I wanted to. Don't you wanna go somewhere or do something while we're here? I mean it's our last day and tomorrow we have to pack and leave when, or if, Aphrodite remembers us."
"What about the amusement park that we saw yesterday?" I suggested to find her a little jittery. "What's wrong about that?"
And in the moment I remembered.
"The monsters love those places Percy. But if you want to-" I'd never make her go somewhere she wasn't comfortable, and she was right. Closed spaces, nowhere to run, masses of people around...
"Not a good idea, got it."
I laughed at how she seemed so relieved.
It sucked being so irresistible, it was like being Hannah Montana in the early 2000s.
"Uhm, we can just stay at the apartment and- I don't know. Do whatever we want to," I said. A smile forming on my lips at her biting her bottom lip.
"Ehm... Sounds good to me, Seaweed brain-"
She grinned the kind of smile that made me fall for her all over again.
"Hey guys, here's your order." It was Victoria that brought us out of that little moment. Then even I could say that she was stressed about something.
"Hey, what's going on?" Annabeth asked, looking at me for as if I knew.
"Everything's perfect, I just had to help out for the lunchtime..." She put on a faint smile. 'My boss wasn't all that happy about the sudden move. She was my only friend here for all those years and now- I'm getting some bad vibes there... But that doesn't matter."
"I'm sorry about that," I said, and I was... Because I understood. Vicky put down our plates. "Thanks. And hey, you're all good? No second thoughts?"
"I'm okay. And no, I'm really excited to be back home... Gods I missed New York."
"So are you packed already?" Annabeth asked and I took a bite. She shot me one of those looks but I just took another one. I was starved after the morning spent on beach. We've built a sand 'castle' and obviously won the competition. Even though we didn't apply to it at all and it was for kids...
"Yes, we already sent most of the boxes. Now bon apetit and see ya later, I won't interrupt- oh by the way, mother will pick us up tomorrow, some time, don't know, she said you should be in our house by lunchtime and then she'll take us to Camp Half Blood."
We had just enough time to thank her and say goodbye before she left us alone again. I knew very well how hard it was to leave somewhere save, your home. It was rollercoaster ride of emotions...

----after the lunch----

"So?" Annabeth blurted when she plopped down on the couch, our feet touched lightly.
"What about... 21 questions?"
She just rolled her eyes. "I never know what to ask," her eyebrows got all scrunched together. "Plus I know everything about you."
"Fine then you figure it out," I said, well more like teased, and then I bumped her with my feet a little.
I was really asking for a beat up. Once, actually not only once but still, Annabeth almost killed the Stolls for a prank. Good for me that I was me. Hopefully.
She stared at me with those stormy grey eyes full of love and- I don't know what. Her eyes looked like the wildest storm ever.
I've seen her like that a few times before... Like when she found me afer all those months. It wasn't so long for me as far as I remember but knowing you love someone and not knowing whether you will ever see them felt like when I sparred with Clarisse and she pierced me like a marshmallow. But it could have been stitched up and healed with nectar. Missing your significant other? Not so easy.
If I was asked what love looked like I'd show them a picture of her. Annabeth grinned and started getting up slowly.
"Annabeth? What-"
She swung herself up and leaned over me, dragging her teeth over her bottom lip suggestively. Perhaps desire was the right word to flash over her head.
I smirked.
"Depends," she kissed me. When Annabeth pulled away Itook her face in my hands and kissed her back. "Love-" she said when I looked at her but I kissed her again. "You," she laughed. I pulled her hair from her face but the curls fell right back. I just stared at her, a smile plastered on my face. I always loved Annabeth. Didn't matter if as a friend or something more but by this time I was deeply, unconditionally in love with her. I'd fall with her a thousand times but I'd rather give my life than have her hurt. The only terrifying fact was that she'd surely try too.