Percy Jackson One-Shots

Writing Prompt AU: What if Annabeth and Percy talked about the kiss in BOTL

Percy slashed Riptide through the air one, two, three times, making contact with the practice dummy each time until it was in pieces. Mrs O'Leary leapt at the remnants taking it in her mouth and running around like it was a new toy.

He sighed and set up another dummy, his shoulders burning with effort. The bright sun wasn't helping as it kissed his exposed skin. The battle of the labyrinth had given Percy new scars but he'd healed up for the most part. The only thing that hadn't healed was his relationship with Annabeth. Percy spun Riptide in his hands before moving through a series of defensive maneuvers and then pretended to jab an enemy.

"I don't think the dummies are gonna help you get any better, Seaweed Brain."

Riptide nearly slipped from Percy's hand as he turned to Annabeth's voice. He forced a smile on his face as she watched him from the entrance to the training arena. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and her hair pulled back in a messy braid, pieces of unruly hair framing her face in a way that was definitely not distracting to Percy.

Annabeth stepped forward, her grey eyes a storm in the making.

"Long time no see, Wise Girl," Percy said, flipping the sword down and leaning down on its hilt.

"I thought you were going to leave without saying goodbye," he admitted. Annabeth felt her face soften as she moved closer, stepping into the partial shade while Percy stood out in the sun, basking in the light like the sun shone for him and only him.

"I had to make sure to stop by and warn you not to do anything stupid without me," Annabeth said as she unsheathed her dagger from her side.

Percy smirked and lifted Riptide again.

"Wouldn't even dream of it," he said.

Annabeth moved first, spinning into offense, jabbing upwards with her dagger.

Percy easily moved against her, deflecting her blows, but he found himself moving backward, losing ground. Twisting his arm and sticking out his leg, he pushed forward harder, slapping the flat of his blade against Annabeth's arm.

She made a sound of indignation, and managed to get around him, kicking the back of his knee. Percy went down, and she laughed, kicking Riptide away before he could reach for it.

"Yield," she said, holding the tip of her blade against his chin. Percy sat up in the dirt, chest heaving as he held up his hands in surrender.

"I yield," he replied, eyes sparkling under the bright sun. A bead of sweat ran down the side of his neck but Annabeth made it a point not to stare at it. She moved her blade and held out a hand to Percy, helping him up.

For a moment they stood in the middle of the arena, and Percy's hand lingered in Annabeth's. They were about the same height now, and Percy could see the moment Annabeth dropped her eyes from his to stare at their hands. And Annabeth could see the moment his eyes dropped from hers to her lips.

Annabeth swallowed, and slowly took her hand back. Percy seemed frozen in the spot, his hand still hovering in the air, waiting for Annabeth to come back.

"We should talk-" Percy started.

"I have to go-" Annabeth said.

Annabeth made a move to turn around, but Percy reached out and grabbed her hand again.

"Wait, Wise Girl."

"What is there to talk about Percy?" She said, but she didn't snatch her hand back. Percy held it carefully, scared that she'd run away from him again and thought about his next words carefully.

"In the Labyrinth. Back at...," Percy cleared his throat, suddenly nervous, his tongue felt thick in his mouth as he tried to speak, "At Mount St Helens, when you uh-"

"What I kissed you?" Annabeth's face was burning, "What about it?" She didn't know why but a flush of anger swelled in her belly. Why on earth was he bringing this up now?

"I just- I wanted to know why," Percy stuttered, he loosened his hold on her hand, wondering if he'd made the wrong decision to bring it up. Whatever he'd been expecting, it hadn't been anger.

"Seriously?" Annabeth cried. She pulled completely out of Percy's hold and threw her hands up in the air.

"You can't think of a single reason why?"

"I mean, I can but-"

"But what Percy, you want me to spell it out for you?" Red seemed to flash in front of Annabeth's eyes as Percy dropped his arms to his side.

"You were going to die. I thought you were going to die. And you should've. No demigod should've survived that explosion. And I thought," Annabeth hiccuped, a sob forming in her throat, "I thought, if you were going to die, and the prophecy said...I couldn't leave you without doing that, at least once."

"Annabeth I-" Percy furrowed his eyebrows wanting to reach out to her but Annabeth had wrapped her arms around herself like she was cold and began walking away.

Percy nearly tripped over his feet as he chased after her. It felt like his heart was making his legs heavier, slowing his pace as he tried to catch up.

"Annabeth!" Percy cried as she stood on the hill. Annabeth spun around, more hair falling from her braid, creating a blond halo around her head.

"What Percy? Just leave it okay? We can just forget about it, okay? Pretend it never happened."

Percy felt his heart sink further.

"You're not dead, you're perfectly fine and you're gonna save the world next year so there's nothing to worry about."

Annabeth's words stung, hitting him deeper and deeper in the gut, more painful than a pit scorpion sting.

Percy struggled to come up with something to say, he had never been so lost for words with Annabeth, it had always been so easy with her. Why was everything so complicated all of a sudden?

"I don't want to forget about it....I don't think I can really," he finally said.

"Then what?" Annabeth asked, her voice suddenly exhausted, and Percy could see the fatigue in her eyes, constantly hidden with a mask of determination that she put on everyday.

"I want to say I'm sorry."

Annabeth felt her heart skip, but she clenched her fists to force herself not to react.

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because you're hurting and I know I'm part of the reason."

Percy stepped closer, until he was just an arms length away. He didn't dare move any closer just in case, but Annabeth stayed.

"I have to go," she said softly, and touched her hand to Percy's arm in goodbye.

"I'm scared too, okay!" Percy cried.

Annabeth froze in the spot.

"I'm scared too, and it's okay that you're scared. But don't push me away because of it. I'm not going anywhere, even if you want me to, I'm not leaving. And I'm not leaving you."

"I never said I was scared," Annabeth snapped, moving backward so quickly she almost tripped.

Percy moved forward quickly, catching her arm and helping her up.

"You didn't have to," he said his voice soft as he slowly wrapped his arms around her. Without meaning to, Annabeth felt her entire body relax, letting herself get enveloped with Percy's familiar presence.

"I'm not leaving you, we're gonna get through this, just like we did every other time. Together," he said, his voice partially muffled as he tucked his head into Annabeth's shoulder.

But it didn't matter how soft his voice was.

Annabeth heard him.