Percy and Annabeth trudged up the stairs to their apartment building, both quiet and refusing to speak to the other.
When they made their way to their door they both paused and turned to each other.
Annabeth cleared her throat. "So...we're home..."
"After being married," Percy replied. They both knew what he was thinking about. The tradition to be carried into the apartment after the wedding. Something they had planned to do, again, up until the fight.
"Do you still want to do it?" Annabeth asked. "I mean, it's probably bad luck to not do it or something lame like that."
Percy shrugged. "True. Here, let me help you up."
Percy scooped Annabeth up and held her bridal style while she kicked open the recently unlocked door. As they headed in Annabeth wrapped her arms around Percy's neck.
"Do you want me to place you down on the couch, or-?" Percy asked hesitantly.
Annabeth nodded. "Yeah, that's good. Be careful, though-"
"I won't drop you," Percy promised with a glint in his eye as he gently laid her down on the couch. She smiled up at his sea green eyes, compelled to make up with him and to end their childish fight.
But one fact didn't change. She still didn't want children. He did. And they both didn't seem to change their minds.
Percy shrugged off their encounter and headed towards their room.
"Where are you headed?" Annabeth asked curiously as Percy walked into their room.
He returned back into the living room, a frown plastered on his face. "I thought you might want to be alone..."
Annabeth sighed. "No, not really. Stay with me."
Percy nodded and sat next to her. She leaned her head on his shoulder and for a moment thought they could make up...
A phone started ringing. Percy immediately sat up and rushed to the ringing phone.
"Hello?" he asked. He listened for a bit. "Yeah, Annabeth is with me. I can put it on speaker if you'd like."
He sat down by Annabeth again. "It's my mom."
She nodded as he placed the phone on speaker so Sally could address both of them.
"I just wanted to congratulate you two, an official married couple," Sally gushed. A hesitant smile appeared on Percy's face but Annabeth remained emotionless.
"Thanks, mom," he replied. "Are you at home right now?"
"Yes, I just finished making dinner," Sally answered. "Would you two like to stop by for dinner? I'm sure Estelle would love to see you two."
Annabeth stared at Percy, a frown forming on her lips.
"It's okay if you two don't want to come. After all, you are married now. You must have more important things to do," Sally joked snarkily. A blush appeared on both of their faces.
"I-I'll be there, mom," Percy answered. "See you in a bit."
Sally sounded overjoyed. "Great! Is Annabeth coming?"
"I'm not certain," Percy replied as he stood up. He tried to read Annabeth's face but her expression was blank.
"Well, I'll see whoever comes soon," Sally answered. "Love you!"
"Love you, too, mom," Percy responded as he clicked off the phone. There was a pause. "So, are you coming or not?"
Annabeth's pursed her lips. "I-I don't think so. I'm pretty tired from all the traveling. I think I'm just going to think some things over. You can go, though."
Percy exhaled deeply. "Okay. I'll...I'll see you in a few hours."
He leaned in and kissed Annabeth's forehead before heading out.
He hated how forced and hostile things had become between him and Annabeth. Both of them did. It was inevitable. When they had an argument as big as this, neither of them would step down.
Percy hailed a taxi before ordering them to drive him to his mom's house in the suburbs.
Sally had moved to the suburbs shortly after her book gained major popularity. Estelle was around three then. Her house was nice; not too big that it didn't feel homey. To Percy, although he never lived there, it felt like home.
He paid the taxi before rushing to the neat porch. He knocked quietly in case he'd missed dinner and Estelle was in bed. After all, it was almost nine.
Sally answered the door with a smile. She immediately welcomed Percy in.
"Estelle's asleep and Paul's grading papers. I saved some dinner for you." Sally smiled and gestured towards the table where a bowl of soup was waiting for him. "It's a bit cold now..."
"That's fine," Percy replied. He was moved by his mother's kindness. "Could-could we talk?"
Sally frowned. "Of course. What's wrong?"
Percy sighed. "I want kids but Annabeth doesn't. We got in a big fight on our honeymoon about it since I got a new job and I want to start saving money for kids."
Sally nodded, taking in all the information. Then she ushered him to the living room. "Sit and let me listen properly."
Percy poured his heart out about how he thought Annabeth was being ridiculous and how much he wanted kids.
"I know I'm a bit biased since I want grandkids, but I see both of you guy's opinions," Sally responded. "You both have well structured arguments."
"What?!" Percy asked, clearly outraged. "Mom, how can you agree with her?"
Sally blinked. "I never said I agreed with either of you. Now calm down. I'm just saying, you're not really considering everything and communicating properly."
"How am I not? I try to talk but it ends in arguments." Percy sighed. "I don't want a divorce, mom. But I want kids."
"Percy, Annabeth's fears are valid," Sally assured him. "You're two demigods. She's worried about the kids. And besides, you don't know how much a pregnancy effects a woman."
Percy nodded. "I guess I don't, but I would try and understand-"
"Some kids aren't for everyone," Sally replied. "I remember when I had you. Your father, he left. I felt awful for trusting him. Betrayed, even. It took me years to heal."
Percy flinched at the mention of his father, a man he didn't respect in the slightest. "I know, but I wouldn't leave Annabeth."
"I thought Poseidon wouldn't leave me," Sally responded with a wistful sigh.
"I just, I need kids." Percy shook his head. "I want to be with Annabeth, but I need kids."
They stared at each other for a moment, both looking defeated.
"What's that noise?" Sally asked softly.
"Oh, my phone," Percy replied and slipped it out of his pocket. A few missed calls from Annabeth. And a few messages. He scanned them.
Sally frowned as Percy's face contorted to sadness. "What's wrong?"
Percy sighed. "She-she heard us talk. I butt-dialed her and...and she's upset. She's...she's left our apartment...I have to leave."
Percy rushed out with Sally calling after him. She ran outside after him and tossed him her keys.
"Take my mini van! It's the green one on the street," Sally yelled as Percy climbed into it.
"Thanks, mom!" he yelled back, his voice breaking and tears welling in his eyes.
YOU ARE READING
Aftermath-Percabeth
FanfictionAll wars leave people damaged, wether it be physically or mentally. For Annabeth Chase and Percy Jackson, it's both. What happens when it's time for them to leave the safe spaces for demigods and to actually go out into the world? What happens af...