Lips (Percy Jackson Fan Fiction)

Dark Eyes

"You were meant to be watching him!"

I cringed at her sharp tone.

"I know, Annabeth, but I'm sure he's fine. He's a big boy. He knows what to do if he gets lost," I tried to say soothingly.

She didn't buy it.

"I swear to God, Percy! If he is even remotely hurt, you will wish you were never born!" She threatened.

I was supposed to be watching our adopted son, Dean. It was my fault. But in a way, it wasn't.

I was distracted. By a guy across the food court. He had a full plate in front of him, but ignored it and just continued to sketch in a notebook.

I was barely listening to Dean's mindless chatter. At 3 years old, he was quite fond of his own voice.

He was brilliant though.

Annabeth often taught him important lessons you don't learn in school. Like about what to do if you get lost.

Thank God for that too.

I couldn't stand it if we lost him.

-

We were in our apartment when it happened.

Our last kiss as a couple. In my eyes, at least.

She kissed me softly, when I noticed how stiff my lips were against hers. I no longer felt the spark I used to. All the memories of us swirling in my head disgusted me.

I no longer loved her.

When I told Annabeth this, she grew sad.

She stayed in her room for days before coming out and telling me she knew what we needed.

-

"A kid, Annabeth? Really?" I asked, already bored.

She straddled me and I held back a cringe.

"Yes! Think about it! A family. We'll be a family!"

-

I don't know why I agreed, but I did.

We adopted Dean when he was 1.

He was a tiny little thing that made lots of noises. He was loud, cried a lot, messy, and we love him to pieces.

And I adore him as if he was truly my son.

-

When I looked down from the stranger, for he had picked his stuff up and thrown away his untouched food before leaving, I noticed my child was gone.

Just in time, too.

Annabeth decided to come back from shopping at that moment.

And here we are, looking for him.

-

I don't know what possessed me to go to Hot Topic, but it just felt right. I was thankful, too. Two things were there.

Well, two people.

It was the stranger from the food court sitting on a bench outside the entrance to the store with my son next to him, watching him draw.

"Dean!" I called out.

He looked up and waved.

The stranger looked up, too, dark eyes staring deeply into mine.

I walked over to them and sat next to Dean.

"Daddy!" He squealed.

I laughed and put my arm around his tiny shoulders, accidentally brushing against the stranger. I cleared my throat and attempted conversation.