Utopia | Percabeth Royalty AU

7.

The days wore on into weeks and soon, it was the week of Annabeth's 18th birthday. She was almost vibrating with the thrill of becoming a legal adult but led grew heavier in the pit of her stomach, knowing that this was the first mark on her way to become queen. She was feeling antsy and trapped in her room, amidst preparations for the biggest birthday fiasco the kingdom had seen in many years so she decided to go and visit Nico and Will down in the infirmary. Recently, she had seen them wandering the palace grounds together as Nico grew stronger but she suspected that they would be in the infirmary right now.

Annabeth made her way down through the castle, friends and maids greeting her happily, all swept up in preparation for the gala. She was walking through the entrance hall when she spotted Piper and Jason behind a pillar locked in a, somewhat passionate embrace. Annabeth smirked, turning her eyes away from their private business and softening her steps as she quietly pushed open the entry way doors and slipped outside. She took a deep breath of the sweet July air into her lungs and smiled. Although castle life was lavish and entertaining , sometimes it was best to just get outside and enjoy the fresh air.

It appeared as though Cupid was hard at work for, as Annabeth walked, she saw many couples out in the garden. Drew and Nyssa sat on a bench, holding hands and blushing, Drew caught Annabeth's eye and winked before turning back to her date. Grover knelt next to his wife, Juniper in one of the small plots of land allotted to councilmen. Annabeth felt truly happy and calm until she walked into the infirmary and heard someone screaming.

"I don't care what you say I want my sister here now!" Nico diAngelo's voice echoed through the halls. Annabeth started to run, knowing that if Nico wasn't happy, nobody could be happy.

Surprisingly, it was Percy's voice, not Will's that replied. "Prince Nico, I am terribly sorry but the journey is too treacherous for Princess Hazel to make at the moment. We can't risk loosing her."

As Annabeth entered the room, Nico turned to her with pleading eyes. He and Percy were standing across the bed from eachother with Will in the corner, looking stressed. "Annabeth," Nico beseeched. "You've seen what my sister can do, you know that she is perfectly capable of handling herself in a fight."

Annabeth turned to Percy and was dismayed to see how tired he looked. His sparkling eyes were dull and dark rings rested under them. She tried to keep her worry out of her voice as she spoke. "Nico is right Percy. You know Hazel inherited her mother's gifts. It is quite obvious that she can handle the rebels, for Nico has told me that it was she who set the wards around Hades' castle, the wards that can be broken by no one." She looked to Nico to continue explaining.

To Annabeth's relief, Nico got the hint. "Oh yes, she did put up the impenetrable wards around our fathers castle and, if she was allowed safe passage here, I'm sure that she and the resident witch, Lou Ellen could make even stronger wards for this castle."

"Yes of course," Will jumped in. "Does it not seem prudent to put wards around the castle safe housing all of the heirs to Olympus?"

Percy sighed in defeat and Annabeth felt a great pang at the slump of his shoulders. "That does make sense. Alright Nico, I shall have your sister sent for at once."

Percy and Annabeth left Will and Nico in the infirmary, the two boys talking quietly. "So Seaweed Brain," Annabeth asked. "What brings you down to the infirmary?"

Percy smirked. "Well, I was actually looking for you, Wise Girl."

Annabeth smirked back, glad to see her best friend acting normal again. "Oh really?" She asked innocently. "And why is that?"

"To take you on a picnic and do combat training of course," Percy replied with his usual playful grin.

"Is this your idea of a date you idiot?" Annabeth laughed.

Percy blushed pink, "What!? Of course not!"

Annabeth smirked and playfully curtsied. "I would be honored to eat food with you and beat you at swordplay, my king."

Percy dropped and exaggerated bow, kissing her knuckles and sending shivers up her spine before playfully offering her his arm. "To the kitchen we go then, my queen."

***

After snagging a picnic basket from the kitchen and racing to the arena, Percy found himself on a blanket in the middle of the sword training arena, gazing at Annabeth as she told a joke. Her blonde curls bounced as she laughed, fracturing the sunlight. Percy had never seen anyone as beautiful as she was and felt a pang every time he looked at her, knowing that she couldn't feel the same way.

"Seaweed Brain! Are you even listening to me?" He realized that Annabeth had been waving her hands in front of his face.

"What?" He looked at her dazedly. "Oh of course."

She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I was saying that we should practice sparring or something because we've both finished our food."

"Definitely," Percy smiled. "Prepare to go down Wise Girl."

"Never gonna happen Seaweed Brain."

With that they put up their picnic and drew their weapons, Percy's an enchanted pin that could become a sword and Annabeth's a bronze dagger. They began to circle eachother before engaging in combat. They thrust and parried back and forth. Percy found himself growing more distracted by Annabeth every time she disarmed him. Her dagger was only a lightning bolt in the storm that was the daughter of Athena. Her skirts twirled and billowed as she moved, blonde curls snapping, grey eyes cold and calculating. Percy was in awe of her.

"Ha," she shouted triumphantly as she ducked under Percy's unguarded arm and pinned him to the ground. The two lay there, breathing heavily. Annabeth's eyes softened, becoming pure silver and Percy became uncomfortably aware of the rhythm of his own heartbeat and how fast it was. Annabeth leaned in towards him and he found himself leaning up towards her, closing his eyes in the process. Their lips were just about to meet when he felt a sharp shock shoot through his sword arm, his blade tumbling away. He opened his eyes to see a victorious Annabeth jumping up and twirling out of his reach.

"That's- that's not fair," Percy spluttered indignantly.

"What can I say," Annabeth reached out her hand to help him up beaming. She pulled him up to her and held his face a centimeter away before whispering, "All great strategists learn to use their enemies' weaknesses." She pushed him away and he tried to keep his jaw from dropping. "Now, if you'll excuse me, my dearest friend and betrothed, it would be best for me to return to the preparations for the gala tomorrow."

She turned and strode up the arena to the exit, leaving a star struck Percy in her wake.

A/N

So, first of all, I just want to thank everyone who likes and comments on this story, it's that support that encourages me to keep writing. Second off, I'm sorry if this is a bad chapter but I wrote the second half drowsy on Benadryl bc I have stupid hives on my face but I needed to update before tomorrow. Idk if this counts as fluff, oh well, I tried. I also love my small gay Italian son. The next chapter is gonna b Annabeth's birthday gala so hype yourself up for that.

I hope you all had a great Easter/Passover.

-Lailz

[WC ~ 1189]

[CP ~ 4.16.17]