When Things Fall Apart

Chapter Two

Three months later, Percy was starting to get over the war. He spent his time at camp, but was also able to visit his mother and Paul.

Although things were clearing up for Percy, the same couldn't be said for Annabeth. All she did was lock herself inside the Athena cabin and design the architecture of Olympus. Although her hard work could have been viewed as impressive, Percy saw the deeper meaning behind it. Annabeth couldn't accept losing Luke, so she prevented her emotions from overcoming her by keeping herself occupied with work.

He tried to understand her thoughts- what it would be like to lose your childhood friend in front of your own eyes. Although Percy and Annabeth were sort of a thing, he hadn't gotten the chance to embrace her like a girlfriend. The only proof for their relationship was the kiss she gave him in the volcano.

Percy had given her some space, but he decided it was time to check up on her.

"Annabeth, you in there?" he asked while knocking on the Athena cabin door. He heard a bunch of movements- papers flying everywhere, objects falling on the ground. After that, there was silence. After thirty seconds, the door opened.

The only way Percy could describe what he saw was painful. Before him stood Annabeth, with droopy eyes and disheveled hair. Behind her were the scrolls and books he heard falling on the ground.

To Percy's surprise, she was quite aware of how bad this scene looked. "Look, Percy... I'm sorry-"

"Don't be sorry," he quickly responded. He understood what she was going through. "Listen, it's alright. I am sure you are busy." Although he said it was alright, he was beginning to feel helpless again.

She pouted. "Percy, I am sorry. I haven't given you any of my time. Honestly, I haven't even given myself any time. All I've done is kept myself at work with this Olympus renovation. I've spent hours making every detail was just the way I pictured it in my head. I just..." she paused. "I just am having troubles." She looked down in shame, as if she was disappointing him.

"You know what I think we should do?" asked Percy. He had a glint in his eye and a grin pulling on his lips. "I think we should go for a walk, maybe have a picnic in the woods. Just to catch up, you know?"

Annabeth looked behind her at the mess she made. She realized how unacceptable her condition was. As a child of Athena, she should have been able to rationalize the emotions she was currently feeling. She shouldn't have been trying to hide them with stress and work. She turned back towards Percy and wiped a bead of sweat off of her forehead.

She gave Percy a small smile, which, for Percy, was just the quiver of hope he needed. Not hoping that she'd spend some time with him. No, just hope that she was alright. "That sounds like a good idea. Let me change quick."

For someone who was in such a disarray, she sure did clean herself up quick. After five minutes, she left the cabin with a new shirt, her hair more managed, and an attempt of a smile on her face.

Percy smiled back and walked by her side. Although Percy was itching to grab her hand, he thought it was best not to. No need to introduce any more emotions to this situation.

They went to the Dining Pavillon and stocked up on food, putting it into a woven picnic basket that Percy found at the Athena cabin. Before they left, they went to the fire to offer up some food. Percy chucked in an apple and a sandwich. To the gods, specifically my father, Hestia, and Artemis, for reminding me to not dwell on the past, he prayed.

Annabeth threw some food in as well and whispered a prayer. After that, they walked down the path to the forest.

It was a beautiful day, as per usual at camp with the weather barrier. The wind blew a subtle breeze. The sun warmed up everything just right. Percy could smell the summer's dew in the grass.

"How are things going for you?" Annabeth asked, watching a mother bird feed her newborns in a nest up above.

"Things have been going well. I've been appointed as a combat trainer, so I give lessons to a lot of the younger kids on how to fight. Although I can teach them pretty well, I'm not sure if I will ever be as good as Lu-." He paused, wanting to kick himself for bringing up his name.

Annabeth just exhaled and let her shoulders fall. "It's okay Percy. Although I am still sad that he had to go, I know that he made the right choice. That day, you were a hero, and so was he."

Percy nodded. "He was a hero." After a bit of silence, and a sense of awkwardness was piling up, Percy spoke up again. "Anyways, although I can teach a sword, I will never be as good with a knife as you."

She smirked and lightly elbowed his stomach. "You got that right", she said looking into his eyes. Percy was ecstatic seeing her this way. He waited months to get back to this kind of relationship with her. "And, you know, us children of Athena aren't the best with a bow, but somehow you are able to make even us look like the best the world had ever seen," she teased.

He chuckled. "You better look out. One day, my intense bow powers will come back to bite you." He nudged her playfully.

"Oh really?" She gave him an inquisitive and cheeky look.

"Absolutely. One day, I am going to aim at the bulls eye and accidentally shoot you in the behind. Don't worry, I will use the bluntest arrows I can find so you don't cry too much at my impeccable ability to cause chaos."

"Hmm, that's interesting. But to be honest, you're so bad, if you aimed at the bullseye with the intention of hitting me, it might be the only time you actually hit the target. I think your aim always goes against what you want," she replied. This what the part of her that he could've waited a couple of months on- the part where she always gets the last word and wins.

After walking through the woods, they found a clearing not too far from Zeus' fist. They sat down and started to enjoy their meal.

"I'm really glad you got me out of the cabin." By now, they were laying right next to each other. Their arms "magically" touched, and soon they were holding hands (as you can imagine, Annabeth made most of the moves for that to happen. Percy is a hero, but naturally, also a Seaweed Brain).

"It's nice, isn't it? No prophecy, no war. Just some time to enjoy life. And I'm glad I get to enjoy it with you," he said. It didn't take much longer for Annabeth to be lying right next to Percy, her head resting in the crook of her neck. Although it took some courage, Percy eventually put his arms around her. They spent the afternoon taking in the moment.