Demigods: In Paris (a Miraculous Ladybug and Percy Jackson crossover)

Demigods are strange

Annabeth was sat beside Percy on a bridge covered in padlocks, eating a lunch of pastries from the bakery Marinette's parents ran. They were really good pastries - Annabeth was definitely going back there before they went home to get some for all of the Seven.

"Isn't this romantic?" Percy asked, leaning against the side of the bridge. "I wonder if all the padlocked couples are still together."

"Technically, it's vandalism," Annabeth said, finishing her pastry and licking the butter off her fingers. Secretly though, she agreed with Percy. It was pretty romantic.

"Oh. Well, Miss Goody-goody, I suppose you won't want this, then?" Percy held up a velvet lined box with a hideous French-flag patterned padlock resting inside it.

Annabeth laughed at the ugly lock, but something inside her melted at the thoughtfulness of her boyfriend. "That's a very beautiful... box?"

"I'll have you know that the box cost less than the padlock - even the trash in this city is expensive!"

Annabeth giggled, and leaned in to examine the lock. It was no less of a monstrosity up close. "Where did you find this gargoyle?"

"It was in the tourist gift shop at the Louvre. I got it whilst you were talking at that poor man about the architecture of the glass pyramid and how they could optimise storage capacity or some other mumbo-jumbo."

"I was talking to him, not at him, Seaweed Brain!" Annabeth sniffed indignantly, but couldn't hold back her grin. "Plus, he started the conversation."

"Biggest regret of his life, I'll bet," Percy shook his head in mock-pity. "Are you going to take the lock or not? It's specially made for this bridge - it's a unique design!"

"Probably because the designer made one prototype and realised it was the ugliest thing he had ever seen and resigned from pad-lock making for the rest of his life in shame at the horror he'd created," Annabeth joked.

"It was pretty darn expensive for a prototype," Percy looked horrified. "I'm tempted to go back and ask for a refund, but then they'd think I'd been rejected!" He pretended to wipe away a tear.

"Who's to say you're not being rejected?" Annabeth asked, lifting the padlock to let Percy know she was just kidding. The box beneath was empty. "Where's the key?"

He winked at her. "Like I said, it's specially designed for this bridge. 'There is no key, so make sure your love's true; once what's done is done, there's no way to return'," Percy read off the back of the box. "Uh, I think it rhymes in French?"

"Probably," Annabeth nodded. "Hear that, though? No way to return..."

"Isn't that what they said about Tartar-sauce, though?" Percy asked cheekily. "But this is definitely more important. Annabeth, think long and hard. There's no key, so you have to be fully dedicated to the vandalism, because when you regret everything tomorrow, you can't change it. The proof of your illegal activity will be here forever...." Percy make ghost-like Whoooooo sounds, and waved his hands a bit. Annabeth gave him a weird look.

"Well, if I'm going to regret a bad decision, I have to make it first," she shrugged. "Come here, Percy." She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss. Together, they clasped the padlock onto an empty part of the railing, where they had a good view of the Eiffel Tower, then Annabeth kissed him again.

Later, when they were heading along the streets back to the hotel, Percy frowned, struck by a worrying thought.

"Annabeth?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Earlier, when you were saying about bad decisions?"

"Yes?"

"Were you talking about kissing me, or the vandalism?"

Annabeth said nothing, just laughed and kissed him again.

They walked in silence for a little longer, then Percy said, "Wasn't Marinette's party tonight?"

"I think so," Annabeth nodded. "But I'm not sure we should go. We're new, and they're obviously all very close. I wouldn't want to intrude."

"My thoughts exactly," Percy said, trying not to look disappointed at the prospect of missing out on more - free - pastries. "So what are we going to do tonight?"

"I was thinking we could have a quiet night in, watch some French TV, maybe a documentary or two, get some room service..."

Percy's smile became positively fixed and Annabeth could tell he was trying really hard not to wince. "That sounds... lovely," he managed through gritted teeth.

"Relax, Seaweed Brain, I'm kidding. I was actually thinking this would be the perfect night to confront this so-called 'Hawkmoth' who thinks he can invade our minds and get away with it. What do you think?"

Percy's false smile dropped and he gave a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness. That sounds so much more fun."

"It's a date, then. Here's the plan..."