Annabeth arrived at the ball (fashionably) late and was about to greet her parents when someone said, "May I have this dance?"
She turned around to see Prince Luke holding out his hand. Annabeth curtsied and replied, "Yes, of course, Your Highness."
They gracefully danced across the ballroom floor. Annabeth looked over at her parents and saw that they were pleased to see them dancing together.
"This is a wonderful ball. Thank you so much, but I must say I didn't need your family to do all this just for me," Luke said.
Annabeth brought her attention away from her surroundings and focused on her dance partner. "This is our way of giving you a proper welcome to our kingdom. Everyone wanted a chance to see the handsome foreign prince that has come to visit."
Luke chuckled. "Well, thank you. You're so kind."
They fell into an awkward silence, and as the next song started, Luke said, "I was hoping I didn't scare you off last night, asking so many questions."
"What? No! Of course you didn't. Don't be silly, Your Highness."
"Please, Annabeth. Call me Luke. We don't need to be so formal."
"Oh right. Sorry I forgot, Luke."
He smiled. "Don't worry about it."
Annabeth looked around the room to see what her friends were doing. Thalia and Nico were talking by the refreshments. Silena was flirting and dancing with Charles Beckendorf. But, where was Percy?
"I believe that I saw the Captain of the Guard go out on the balcony to get some air."
Startled, Annabeth began to reply, "How—?"
Luke smiled sadly and said, "I know you and Captain Jackson are close. It is pretty obvious from the way you look at each other. You two have a I'm in love with my best friend, but I'm really bad at hiding it smile that you both wear when you look at each other."
"I'm sorry, Luke." Annabeth gave him a worried look. "What will this mean for us and our kingdoms?"
"Don't worry about that. We've barely started the negotiations, and I wasn't excited about marrying a stranger either. Tomorrow we can begin working with your parents to come up with a different solution. Maybe a treaty?"
Annabeth smiled. "Thank you, Luke. You are amazing, I mean it. I would love that."
"Do you think I could maybe stay here as part of the treaty? I'm not on good terms with my father, and I think I would really like living here."
"Of course! You can stay as an honored friend and ambassador from your home."
Luke smiled back at Annabeth. "That sounds very good. I'm glad we can be friends."
Luke glanced toward Nico and Thalia. "Um, who is that with Ambassador DiAngelo?"
"Lieutenant Thalia Grace. She's one of my close friends."
"Hm, yes. Thank you, Annabeth." Luke blushed a little. "Well, I think someone is waiting for you on the balcony."
They stopped dancing by the balcony doors, and Luke bowed to Annabeth. Annabeth thanked him and watched him walk over to Nico and Thalia.
"Seems like he has a crush, too." Annabeth said to herself. Then she walked out on the balcony to see Percy leaning on the railing. He was looking up at the stars, unaware he was no longer alone. He sighed and whispered, "I wish..." Then he stopped and shook his head.
Annabeth smiled at her best friend. He looks so cute when he's worried, she thought.
"What's the matter, Percy?"
Percy jumped in shock and almost tumbled off the balcony.
"Percy!!!" Annabeth ran over and caught him, holding him tight. "I got you!"
Percy heaved out a sigh of relief. "Holy shit, Annabeth! Don't scare me like that." Percy began to blush and continued, "Um, maybe you should let go now..."
Annabeth smirked and adjusted her hold on Percy so that she could hug him and look into his eyes. "Hmm, why should I?"
Percy blushed more and said, "Well, the Prince, for one and um you're getting married, and you— well, if someone saw us..."
Annabeth smiled, finding Percy being flustered to be quite adorable. "We're just friends. Luke knows that. Why should us hugging be a problem?" Annabeth pulled Percy closer and rested her head on his chest. "Do I make you uncomfortable, Percy?"
"No! It's just, like Nico said, that I- we, oh crap." Percy sighed in defeat and rested his chin on Annabeth's head and held her tightly. "Maybe Luke isn't the one who's jealous."
Then Annabeth began to blush. "What do you mean?"
Percy pulled away and took Annabeth's hands. Then he looked her in the eyes and said quietly, "Please don't marry him."
"Why?" Annabeth asked, her heart pounding as she waited for Percy to say what she longed to hear.
Percy gave Annabeth a pleading look. "I— I need..." He slumped down, and rested his forehead against Annabeth's and gently wrapped his arms around her. "....you."
Annabeth decided to stop messing with him. "I'm not going to marry Luke. He and I decided tonight."
Percy's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Really?"
Annabeth smiled. "Yes."
Percy leaned back against the railing of the balcony, still holding Annabeth in his arms. "Geez, Annabeth, why do you have to mess with me like that? I thought I was gonna throw up, I was so nervous."
Annabeth laughed and then rested her hand on Percy's cheek. Percy leaned into her touch, and then Annabeth said, "I need you, too."
They locked eyes and pulled each other closer. With their noses touching, Percy whispered, "Can I kiss you?"
Annabeth breathed out a yes, and then what started off as gentle kiss became passionate and long, leaving them gasping for air.
"I love you, Annabeth."
Annabeth smiled. "I know." And she gave Percy another soft kiss. "I love you, too. More than anything."
A slow song started to play from inside. Percy and Annabeth stepped away from the balcony railing and began to dance, looking at each other as if they were the only two people on earth.
