The Stories of Our Heroes

August 18 - Part 2

Annabeth's POV - August 18

I woke up already happy, light streaming in the window and Percy snoring quietly beside me. I checked the time and decided that it was late enough to wake up my boyfriend without him complaining. Plus I didn't want to just lay here and think any more. I had done plenty of that last night, trying to fall asleep. Percy seemed to be having the same problems, but I'm not sure what he was thinking about. We both tossed and turned all night.

"Good morning, Seaweed Brain," I murmured, running my thumb along his cheekbone. His eyes fluttered open and he gave me his signature lopsided grin.

"Morning, Wise Girl." He wrapped his arm around me and kissed my cheek. Probably to spare me his morning breath. "Happy Anniversary."

"Happy Birthday," I countered. He just smiled again.

Soon enough we were walking to find a restaurant to eat breakfast, hand in hand. I noticed he kept fidgeting nervously, more than usual, and sticking his other hand in his pocket a lot. The pocket where he usually kept Riptide. He must be more on edge than usual, this being the day that five years ago the final Battle of Manhattan took place. I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, and he did the same back.

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"Uh, what are we doing?" Percy asked as I started pulling him towards Hazel's after we ate.

"Gotta grab something from Hazel."

"What do you have to get?"

"No more questions!"

He looked at me suspiciously, but didn't say anything else.

Pretty soon I was knocking on Hazel's door, and she answered almost immediately. Frank was right behind her. They both gave Percy hugs and told him happy birthday, and then wished the two of us a happy anniversary.

Hazel and I left the boys on the couch as we raced in the kitchen to get the puppy that was sleeping soundly. He was just so cute. I knelt next to him and petted his head. I scooped him up as his eyes opened.

"He's the sweetest little thing," Hazel whispered. "Percy will love him." I just nodded and headed back towards the couch.

"Hey Seaweed Brain," I called from behind him. He turned around but it took a few seconds for his eyes to land on the puppy in my arms. When they finally did, the dazzling green seemed to get even brighter.

"Did you really...? he asked, standing up.

"Yep. He's all yours." I handed Percy the yellow fuzz ball. The first thing Percy did was hold the pup above his head, arms outstretched.

"He's adorable," Percy cooed. 

"Why are you holding him like 'The Lion King'?" I asked with a laugh. Percy chuckled too and brought the puppy back down to his arms, scratching behind his ears.

"Does he have a name?"

"Not yet. I thought you'd like the honors."

"How about Simba, then?" Percy looked at me with a smile and it was hard to tell if he was joking or not. I'm fairly certain he wasn't.

"You're going to name your dog after a Disney lion?" Frank asked incredulously.

"You betcha. As long as Annabeth is okay with it."

"Of course," I responded. It was a cute name.

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"Thanks for the present, Wise Girl," Percy said as we were walking to my fake meeting with Reyna after Percy had gotten plenty of play time with his puppy. "I love Simba."