When We Were 'Us'

I Love This Idiot- Annabeth POV

I took the sandwich I'd snatched from the buffet table and walked to the canoe lake. Sitting at the edge of the grass by the path, I stared out at the rippling water and chewed at it absentmindedly.

"Annie?"

"Hi Luke."

I didn't look up at him, but heard some movement and was surprised to feel an arm around my shoulders a few moments later. I glanced at Luke, then behind us to see his wheelchair just behind him. He was getting pretty good at getting in and out of the wheelchair so he could sit places.

"How did it go?" Luke asked as I leaned my head on his shoulder.

I shrugged. "They got what they wanted."

Luke snorted. "That's not what I asked, Annie."

I didn't say anything and he didn't push it further. For a while we both just kind of stared out at the water.

The silence slowly became unbearable.

"I don't know what you want me to say Luke, I really don't." I crossed my arms, glaring at the sand. "They're together and they're happy, and I'm glad they are."

"I didn't say anything." Luke sounded just a little smug.

"It shouldn't hurt when I see them together. When I see Percy smile at Rachel, or when Rachel calls him dumb nicknames. I shouldn't care and I don't."

"Okay."

"I just can't believe that he ran all the way across the country to get away, only to come back when he found a relationship, shoving it in my face like he wants me to see it-"

"Annabeth."

Luke took my hand, squeezing it. "Percy will be Percy, Rachel will be Rachel. And you can be you and I can be me and we'll all find a way to coexist."

I sighed.

"Annie, c'mon." He tipped my chin up and kissed me briefly. "You dated for a long time, it's not just gonna go away. But you've got me now and I'm better, aren't I?"

I laughed a little and shoved him. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Castellan."

"I'm gonna take that as a yes."

"Of course you are." I snorted and got up, offering him help to get back into his wheelchair. He shook his head and wriggled his way backward on his hands, then dragged himself up into his chair.

"Ta-da!"

"That's... pretty impressive, but you should really let others help whenever possible."

Luke waved me off. "If I don't build my strength back up in my arms I can't prove I'm still the the greatest swordsman in 300 years."

I raised my eyebrows at him. "You really think you can outfight Percy in a wheelchair?"

"Dam straight." Luke claimed. "He's stolen that title for too long now." [A/N this was solely for the idiot who helps me write dialogue ;) that's the best you're getting]

I shook my head, smiling. "Good luck with that sweetheart... I think I'm ready to go back to the cabin, were you going to go join the party?"

"Nah." Luke spun his wheelchair in a circle so we could make our way back through the camp. "I mean I'm happy for them and all that, but I don't feel like sitting around and watching people fawn over the guy who makes my girlfriend unhappy, especially with the whole, awkward, ex situation. I mean, we know how he feels about you, even with you jumping through hoops to help him. Imagine his reaction if I wheel up to the party. Wait, now I'm kinda tempted..."

I grabbed the handles of his wheelchair and began to push him back towards the cabins. "Just go ahead, Luke. They've got all sorts of food, you could probably goof off with the Stolls and stuff, just because I'm not interested doesn't mean you don't have to go."

"Naaaaah, I'll probably just steal some food from the buffet table when no one's looking and go back to my cabin. Or yours. Either or." Luke grinned over his shoulder.

I snorted. "It's not stealing if the table is for anyone to go after."

"Let me have this, I'm basically the Prince of Thieves."

"Whatever you say, babe." I stopped at the split in the paths. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay Aladdin?"

"C'mon, Princess, you're not gonna let me walk you back to the cabins?"

I raised my eyebrows as I saw the smirk playing on his lips. "Don't you dare-"

"I can't- y'know- walk, but it's the thought that counts right?"

"I love you, go steal stuff, I'm going to bed." I rolled my eyes and turned.

Luke grabbed my wrist. "Annie wait-"

I glanced at him.

He grinned up at me. "I love you a lot, c'mere and give me a kiss."

I sighed and leaned over, pecking him quickly on the lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"That's all I get, Annie-Bear?" He laughed, leaning back in the chair.

"That's awful, I should start calling you Lukey-poo or something."