Seaweed and Wise - Never letting go

25 (years of adventure)

*Victoire, as in Percy's sister and that kid they adopted, is not considered to exist for this chapter, though she does. She's just not convenient for this story

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It was after they finished college that they took off, Percy and Annabeth simply decided then, they wanted to see the world. The world as it is while they're not in a life threat from some immortal creature/s.
Kalokairy.
That was the island they settled on after almost a year on the move. Neither of them felt like ever leaving the place, so spectacular it was... It was almost 2 months since they settled in this abandoned farm house at the top of the second highest point of the island. Of course the owner let them stay there, she was an amazing woman. Annabeth sometimes got suspicious about her being secretly Aphrodite but it always passed, she was simply a good, big hearted, person.

Just as they were about to get up from the cozy but rather creeky bed Percy sighed heavily.
"I wish we could stay here."
"What's stopping us?" Exclaimed Annabeth in response. But then she realized. Annabeth sometimes kept forgetting, in the heat of the moment, that she had a family back in the states, that Percy had a family there too, they had all that mattered somewhere else, yet they could stay here on this island for an eternity. Annabeth'd never stop travelling, it suited her. A few years ago, Annabeth would jump at the mere thought of living in Greece, now it was the most beautiful but also the cruelest burning desire of hers. Annabeth sighed a little too and looked at Percy kinda sadly. "Like the gods had to leave Greece for the bigger empire." Annabeth scoffed.
"I'd want more time here too." Percy kissed Annabeth and jumped up.
"But now's what matters and we haven't gone diving in ages, let alone walk the land properly." Percy grinned.
"Not my fault." Annabeth propped herself up.
"Kinda is..." Mocked Percy, but Annabeth chose to just roll her eyes at him and scoot up from the lavender smelling sheets.

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"No help from you, water boy, needed." Annabeth said before she jumped into the clear sea, but Percy kept a close eye on his love still. They were diving for sea shells, for the sight of fishes and for the sole pleasure of the water empowering you as you dove deeper.
Percy and Annabeth just touched to the bottom when a fish hit straight into Annabeth's form, it wasn't looking on it's way, being too occupied with the "young lord of the sea". It's fin grazed Annabeth's back along the way. An invisible blade ran over her shoulder, pictures of her friends motionless on the ground emerged, her ears exploded with the clatter of swords and spears. It was a momentary trigger, a call from her old PTSD.
Annabeth gasped in the salt water and as it filled her lungs, she knew "nope" was the answer she'd give herself. Both of them went through so much but she wasn't going to let it destroy her future, or her happiness. She reached out and kicked herself from the bottom. Percy helped to lift her up and out, scared for his dear life, for her.
"Annabeth!" He shouted. "Annabeth come -"
Annabeth coughed and breathed in the fine sea air, it burned in her throat but she never felt more at ease after a panic attack, she, after all, hadn't had one in months.
"I'm okay, Perce, I'm good." Annabeth forced out.
"You sure?" Percy caught up with her.
"Yea." She smiled. Though as they climbed up to the boat she slumped down and lay on the wooden deck. Percy joined her side.
"So? You had me there, Annabeth, you-"
"I'm okay Percy, it was just the stupid sence thing again. And though I'm not gonna claim it's completely fine, I can say I'm good now, you know."
"I'm gonna grill that fish if I see it again. Hey, how about we go home for a bit now?"
Home... It was that by now.
"About that-" Annabeth caught her breath. "I wanna accept the deal." She finished with a curious look pointed at Percy.
"But we-"
"I know but this could be our summer home, you know, many people do that. And just imagine how will our kids love this place!"
"Plural?" Percy laughed. "I guess I can't say no if it's about our children's happiness." Percy grinned.
"Oh you, so? I'm not the one who started pinning dad posts on their Pinterest board."
"How do you know that?" Percy sat up.
"Accidentally of course, mister dad jokes, I needed something quick and your phone was closer." Annabeth sat up too and smirked. "Though we're not making the kid's room a woodland."
"Why so, may I ask?" Snorted Percy.
"Pirate bay is cooler, that's why, Seaweed brain." Annabeth smiled.
They looked the other in the eyes and without realizing, found themselves closer and closer.
"But what if I'm scared a pirate will take me, my lady?" Percy whispered to Annabeth.
"Then may I be it," Annabeth leaned to him and kissed him as she whispered those words with a cheeky smile.
.
.
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After moments of silence you could only hear some laughter and the scream of "Hey ho, the mad pirate threw Perseus of the boat", a yelp and a rather loud splash.