Before I Die (Split Souls part 1)

7: We Start To Get Along

Percy PoV

Clint and I walk into the kitchen, looking for lunch. We've moved Tony's toolbox twice today.  Bruce is missing three shirts and two pants from his wardobe. He'll find those later.

We're gonna wait a little longer for Steve's prank.

Tony walks in as we are trying to make mac n' cheese.

"So, you've got that secret government thing, right? Any progress on finding my mom?" I ask him.

He sighs. "No. It's like she vanished. I'm not giving up, though. You shouldn't either."

"I won't." I turn back to making the mac.

"You're handling this all well." Tony comments.

"For now." I shove those emotions down. No need to have to fix the plumbing.

"You think you're gonna snap?"

"Depends. I'm angry. If she's hurt... Well, you won't want to be anywhere near me when I find out." I'm gripping the spoon handle too hard, and I loosen my grip.

I look at the clock. "I'm going to go get Annabeth. You can finish the mac, right?"  I look to Clint. He nods, and I leave.

Somehow I make it to the library only getting turned around twice. She's still there at that table, looking through the books.

"Hey Wise Girl." I say, walking to her.

"Hey Seaweed." She replies.

I lean in and give her a kiss.

"We've got lunch upstairs. You should come eat." I invite.

"Okay. I'll come up later." She turns back to her books.

I lean down and wrap my arms around her waist, and manage to pick her up and carry her over my shoulder.

"Hey!" She protests.

"I'm not taking 'later' as an answer." I politely inform her as I carry her out of the library. I feel her take a breath, and add: "Shh, we're in a library."

"I hate you." She grumbles quietly.

Once we are away from normal people, I start to catch her up. "So, Tony is looking for my mom, Clint and Natalia don't think I'm a terrorist, and I'm kinda friends with Clint. Natalia is friendlier."

"That's good." She comments.

"Yeah. Also; Clint and I are pranking the rest minus Natalia."

"Which ones are they again?"

"Clint is the archer, and Natalia is the spy."

"Oh, okay. What kind of pranks?"

"Ghost style." I grin. She chuckles behind me.

I step into the kitchen with Annabeth still over my shoulder. Tony and Clint are getting out the dishes.

Tony raises an eyebrow at me.

"What? I had to make sure she wouldn't run away." I defend. I set her down, and she gives me a half-hearted  glare. I smile in return.

"Why would you run?" Tony asks her.

"I don't eat very much." Annabeth sighs, taking a seat.

I reach around Clint and grab a bowl, and serve it up. Stabbing a fork into it, I pass it to Annabeth.

"Such a gentleman." Clint teases.

"Only for her. And Mom." I say, serving myself a much larger plate and sitting down next to Annabeth.