Demonology (a Percabeth AU)

The Exchange Student

"This is what you wanted to show me?" Annabeth asked, turning to face Percy. "His Instagram page? All there is on here is pictures of Mythomagic cards and pirates."

Percy pointed at her phone. "Look at the profile. It says 'Dancing with the Devil since 2017.'"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "It's a song title. See?"

She clicked on the link and it took them to YouTube. Annabeth deleted the tab and faced Percy. "There is nothing suspicious on his Instagram page."

"Then check out his Wattpad account!" Percy said.

Annabeth sighed and crossed her arms. "Listen, Seaweed Brain you're cute and all, but—"

"Just look at it!" Percy said, thrusting his phone in front of her.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, but consented. "Look at the stories he's written," Percy said.

Annabeth scrolled through them. "They're mainly Peter Johnson fanfics and a couple of poem anthologies."

"Not this one!" Percy said, clicking on one of them.

"When Satan falls in love with Adam, chaos ensues and the first angels fall from heaven," Annabeth read.

"It's Satan fanfiction!" Percy said. "What kind of person would write something like that?"

Annabeth put her hands on her hips and rose from Percy's bed. "I am the one writing my thesis on Satan."

She made to leave, but Percy grabbed her hand. His sea-green eyes looked at her imploringly so that he resembled baby seal. Annabeth sighed, pulled back her hand, and crossed her arms over her chest. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't leave this room and never talk to you again," Annabeth said.

     "Because Nico isn't who you think he is and neither am I," Percy said.

     He made towards his bed and nudged one of his two pillows. "Do you remember how soft these pillows were the night you stayed over?"

    Annabeth nodded. "You said they were stuffed with free-range goose feathers."

    Percy laughed. "Well, I lied."

     He picked up the pillows and snapped them together. Then, he pressed something. A bright light made Annabeth avert her gaze. When it had faded, she saw Percy holding what looked like a pair of large, white wings. He attached them to his back.

     "Where did you get those?" Annabeth said, pointing at them.

      "I'm an angel," Percy answered. "These are my birthright."

     "Then why do they come off?" Annabeth said.

     "Safety protocol," Percy said. "We are able to disguise them as common objects. It's so we won't have to wait a couple millennium for some man to dream of a ladder if angels."

     "But I thought they were attached to your bodies at all times," Annabeth said. "Angels don't just — this is some sort of joke. Well, I don't like it Seaweed Brain. I'm leaving!"

      As she turned to leave, Percy hovered over the ground. She looked at him, her mouth hanging open. "You really aren't human?" she whispered.

      Percy shook his head. Annabeth stepped forward. "Then, why are you here?"

      "Because I was assigned on a mission," Percy said, taking her hands in his. "All of us must experience life on earth before we get our certifications. I chose to spend it on this campus."

     Annabeth reeled back. This was too much to take. She left the dorm and returned to her own, still hoping this was all some sort of practical joke.