Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rachel slammed the door after her, causing the painting to fall off the wall. The painting she’d made for him before they got together. It was a portrait of him, stars in his eyes, his features a bit more juvenile than he appears now. Maybe she’s aged him—

She’s slammed that door more times than Percy can count. His neighbors have to be getting sick of this. Hell, he’s getting sick of this. But— he loves her. He loves her, and she’ll come back. She always does. 

Three days later, she knocks on the door she slammed, and he opens. She apologizes, he doesn’t hear it. She’s kissing him. He’s kissing her. She’s taking off her shirt, he’s taking his off. 

He loves her. 

“The painting fell off the wall, again.” Percy said, sighing. He went with his coworker, Annabeth, to a bar to blow off steam. It's been maybe three days since Rachel slammed the door, walking out, ‘ again ,’ but she seemed really mad this time, and maybe she’ll take more time before coming back…. 

“But you guys made up?” Annabeth asked, already knowing the answer. 

“We always do.” Percy said, sipping his beer. 

“Have you ever considered that, I don’t know, maybe you should break it off, for real?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean, you guys keep doing this. One of you gets pissed off, and ends it, but comes crawling back like an hour later.” Annabeth sighed, crossing her leg over the other. 

“That’s just how we are.” He hasn’t known any other way of having a relationship. Rachel was his first love, still is. 

“What do you mean?” Annabeth guffawed. 

“I mean, it’s how we love the other. Like, you’ve heard of love languages, right?”

“Sure.” Annabeth said, an eyebrow quirked. 

“This is ours. Like, we fight, we argue, we breakup, we fuck, and then it’s good again.” It made sense to him. It was normal for relationships to have their ups and downs. Every week, he hears from Grover a new annoying thing that Juniper did, it’s the same with him and Rachel. 

“Have you tried talking to her about it?” 

“About what?” 

“This cycle.” Annabeth said, exasperated. 

“It’s not a cycle, a cycle makes it sound like we’re stuck in a rut, if anything, we’re more attracted to each other than ever.” 

“No, I mean, you heard what you said, right?” Annabeth was looking at him like he had three heads. 

“How there’s stages we go through?”  

“Sure, let’s call them stages. These ‘stages’ aren't healthy.” Annabeth said, urging him to understand. 

“Are you saying couples don’t fight?” 

“Of course, couples fight, Perce.” Annabeth sighed, rubbing a soothing hand up and down his back reassuringly. 

“Then what are you saying?” 

Annabeth was speechless. What could she say? 

Percy got home late, tired, ready to climb into bed and forget about his girl problems. 

“What were you doing out so late?” Rachel turned on the lamp next to her, like a villain out of a movie. Now, only if he had that cat she wouldn’t let him get. 

“Rache, what are you doing here?” Percy laughed, a smile on his face. He walked over to her, and tried to give her a kiss. Maybe he was a little tipsy, but he was so happy she was back. They could get started on the good again. 

“What were you doing out so late?” She demanded. 

“I was having a drink with some friends, why?” 

“Some friends or a friend?” Rachel asked knowingly. 

“With Annabeth.” He said, like he doesn’t know Rachel doesn’t like Annabeth— or rather his friendship with Annabeth. Or maybe he did—

“It’s always her, isn’t it, Percy?” 

“What are you talking about— I didn’t even know you were coming over tonight.” He countered. 

“Percy, don’t you see, that’s the problem. I shouldn’t have to ask to come over. I should be able to just come over and you’ll be here. You should have anticipated it. I’m your girlfriend, it’s how this whole ‘relationship’ thing works.” She explained annoyedly. 

“I’m allowed to have a life outside of us.” He said like he was walking a toddler through a math problem. 

“Don’t patronize me.” 

“I’m not, but I should be allowed to see some friends after work if I want.” 

“Sure, but not if they’re of the opposite sex,” and almost like she knew how insane she sounded, she added on.  “At least not if I’m not there.” 

“Rachel, do you hear yourself right now?” 

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable. How else am I going to make sure you’re not cheating?” 

“How are you— Rachel, you can’t be serious. I love you, I would never do anything to jeopardize what we have.” 

“So, then text me the next time you’re going to see your friends.” 

“Okay. I’m— I’m sorry.” Percy said, earnestly. 

“It’s okay. We just need to have better communication.” She said, definitely not the one patronizing now. 

“I agree.” 

“I love you, Percy.” 

“Love you, too.” He said glumly. 

Percy saw Annabeth at work the next day, and had lunch with her. 

“So when I got home last night, Rachel was there.” Percy said, mixing his salad. 

“Oh, yeah?” Annabeth asked behind her burger, clearly knowing where this was going. 

“Yeah, and it’s no big deal, she was just a little upset since I didn’t tell her we were getting a drink.” He shrugged. 

“She gave you shit for going out with a friend, when it wasn’t implicitly implied you were back together?” 

“Yeah, but, honestly, I should have expected her to come over, I mean we had just made up, so it was honestly stupid of me not to assume she was going to stop by.” 

“Sorry I got you in trouble.” Annabeth said, kind of sarcastically, since she knows how Rachel can be for the most part. 

“Don’t be a dick.” He smiled at her, a little (too) lovingly. 

“I’m serious, Perce.” She smiled, holding her hands up as if she were innocent. 

“She’s not my keeper. I am an adult.” He tried to defend. 

“That’s what us adults say.” Annabeth tried to hold back a smile. He could be ridiculously cute sometimes. 

“I’m serious. She’s just a little jealous, it’s cute. I’d be worried if she felt nothing about our friendship.” 

“And why’s that?” 

“Well—” 

“What?” Annabeth asked, sincerity coating her words. 

“We have a ‘connection.’” Percy said, almost like he was confirming. 

“Well, yeah, but we would never act on it.” She said, as if Rachel had the place bugged. 

“Yeah.” Percy sipped his drink. 

“Anyways. I’m having a barbecue this weekend. You and Rachel should come. I’m inviting a couple of my friends, and a bunch of people from around the office… and I’d really like it if you came.” 

“I’ll check with Rachel, but I’m definitely a yes.” He smiled before finishing his lunch. 

Percy got home and found Rachel painting on the balcony. 

“Hey, Babe.” Percy said, walking up behind her and giving her a hug. 

“How was your day?” She asked, trying not to mess up the stroke she was in the middle of. 

“It was good.” Percy kissed her cheek, brushing her hair behind her ear. 

“Yeah?” Rachel asked, setting her brush and pallet down so she could wrap her arms around his neck. 

“Yeah, Annabeth invited us to a party at her house this weekend.” 

“She invited both of us?” Rachel asked, running her hands through his hair. 

“Yeah, she said, she wanted to have some friends over, and that she really wanted me— us there.” 

“Right, well, I’ll have to make sure, I know Daddy wanted me to do some marketing thing for him this week.” 

“Well, then we have no issues, right? Beth’s thing is this Saturday and your Dad’s thing is during the week.” Percy smiled. 

“Not necessarily, for all I know it could cut into the weekend.” Rachel explained like she needed a reason to get out of anything related to Annabeth.  

“Then you can meet me there.” Percy said, stepping back. 

“I’m not letting you show up to her house alone. You’re crazy if you think that’s happening.” She guffawed, disbelief seeping into her features. 

“What?” Percy asked, baffled. 

“You can’t go to this woman’s house without me. I won’t allow it.” Rachel said, turning her back to face her painting. 

“You won’t ‘ let’ me?” Percy tried not to laugh. 

“Yes. You’re not allowed to see this woman unless I am there.” 

“What are you saying? That I’ll cheat on you?” Percy asked, annoyance seeping into his voice. 

“I’m not worried about you. It’s her. I don’t trust her.” 

“I work with her, Rache. If something were to happen, don’t you think it would have happened?” 

“You tell me, Percy.” Rachel sighed. 

“What is that supposed to mean?” 

“You don’t think I know where you go when I leave? I know that every single time I walk out that door, you run to her crying. I know you have a thing for her.” Tears welled in her eyes. 

“So stop leaving!” Percy tugged at his hair. 

“I don’t leave because I want to! I leave because you force me out that door!” 

“How— How do I force you out of the door?” Percy hit his head with his hand. 

“This. What you’re doing right now. You start subtly but then you escalate it to this! You take something so miniscule and tiny, and you twist it and find a way to make it seem like I’m the bad guy.” She waved her hands to emphasize her point. 

Percy’s head was spinning, her words made sense but they didn’t. Had he blown this out of proportion? That was him?

“She’s a friend, Rachel. What’s the big deal?” 

“She wants to fuck you!” 

“She does not. Believe me.” Percy scoffed. 

“You don’t know.” Rachel said, a tear running down her cheek. 

“I do.” Percy stepped forward, using his thumb to wipe the tears away. “We’ve talked about it, we’re both well aware of our situation. Neither of us want to mess up our friendship.” 

“Really?” Rachel said, looking up at him, eyes rimmed red and wide. 

“Yeah, Rache, besides, I would never do anything to hurt you.” Percy said, before kissing her. 

Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck. He backed her up against the table, and her legs wrapped around his torso. 

“Promise me, you’ll be mine forever.” She gripped his hair. 

“Forever.” He said, sliding his hands under her shirt. 

Percy stopped by Dare Enterprises to pick Rachel up for the party that Saturday afternoon. 

“Hey, Percy, here for Rachel?” The receptionist asked. 

“You know it.” He smiled. 

“Here’s the keycard, you can head up.” 

“Thanks, Kate.” 

Percy hopped into the elevator and swiped the card. 

He stepped out onto the floor, and beelined for Rachel’s office. Knocking three times, he caught her attention. 

“Hey, Babe, ready to go?” 

“Go where?” She asked, typing away on her computer. 

“The party? That’s why I have my Hawaiian on?” He smiled giddily. 

“Right… the… the party.” 

“You forgot.” He sighed, disappointedly. 

“Sorry, but I have other stuff on my mind. I’m sorry my boyfriend’s silly party isn’t the main thing on my mind.” She leaned back in her chair. 

“It would just be nice if you tried to remember when I tell you things. Especially when said thing is something we were both invited to.” 

“I’m swamped here, I’ll just meet you there later, okay?” Rachel dismissed him as if he were an entry level employee, easily replaceable, dispensable; unnecessary. 

“Really?” Percy asked, shock evident in his voice. 

“Yeah, whose party is it again, and where?” 

“It’s uhm. Annabeth’s and I’ll text you her address, I’ll see you there. Don’t want to take up any more of your time now.” Percy nearly bolted out of the building like a kid whose parents mistook a Friday for a Saturday. 

Percy knocked on Annabeth’s door, his Hawaiian shirt collar popped for effect. He was late because of his stop at Rachel’s but, it’s a party, who cares? 

“Percy, you made it!” Annabeth said, wrapping her arms around him. 

“Like I would miss this.” He said, kissing her cheek. “You couldn’t stop me from coming.” 

“Where’s Rachel?” Annabeth asked, surprised he was actually here, alone. 

“Rachel’s coming later.” 

“Alright, well, we have booze, and karaoke is outside, that way the neighbors know exactly what’s up.” She said, nudging him with her elbow. 

“As they should. When did you move in? Like two months ago?” 

“Yeah, after Luke broke up with me, I just decided to fuck it. I always wanted a house, and so I took the money I’d been saving up and I bought one.” Percy’s stomach dropped, no wonder she stopped mentioning him… had he even cared to notice when she stopped mentioning him? 

“That’s badass.” He tried to cover up his guilt. 

“Oh shut up.” Annabeth blushed. 

“I’m serious, Beth. It’s hot. A stable woman.” He purred. “It’s hot.” 

“How many drinks did you have on your way over?” She laughed. 

“None, I’m hyping you up! Isn’t Piper coming from marketing?” 

“Yeah, but I don’t see Piper like that.” Annabeth said, hiding her face from him. 

“We’re hitting the bar tomorrow and I am finding you someone, and that someone will be hot.” Percy wrapped his arm around her as a promise, maybe to himself, but he needed to be a better friend. 

“Yeah, okay.” Annabeth said, looking at him. 

“Let’s grab a drink.”Percy pulled her into his chest, maybe he was feeling the effects of the party, but he really wanted to hug her. Not in a creepy way, more in a ‘my-girlfriend-isn’t-here-and-we’re-not-supposed-to-be-professional-so-let’s-hug-while-we-can’ kind of way. 

Percy found more people outside, all drinking and listening to Silena sing Charles a song, both of them drunk off their asses already. 

Percy swayed with Annabeth to the music, their eyes catching every so often, making his stomach fill with butterflies. Has she always been that beautiful? 

“What if Rachel sees us?” Annabeth whispered. Her concern was cute, but unnecessary, Percy’s a big boy, he doesn’t need anyone looking out for him. 

“She won’t like it.” He laughed. “But what is she going to do? Break up with me? She’ll be back tomorrow, apologizing.” 

“Percy, I hate that this is happening to you.” Annabeth said earnestly, taking his hands and making him meet her eyes, they were a beautiful shade of silver that gave the moon a run for its money. “You deserve someone who won’t yell at you for seeing friends, or having a drink on a whirl one night.” 

“She’s just protective, it’s because she loves me, Beth.” 

“Do you love her?” Annabeth tried to stop him for a second, at least, to just have a conversation he couldn’t breeze his way through. 

“Yeah, she’s my girlfriend, of course I love her.” He chuckled, breezing through despite her efforts. 

“Are you in love with her? Do you get those butterflies? Are you happy to be around her?” Annabeth pushed. 

“I’m happy to be around you.” He said, dipping his head so only she could hear him. 

“Percy, she’s hurting you.” Annabeth took his face in her hands, her fingers were gentle as she held him, he never wanted her to let go. “And as your friend I just can’t bear—” 

“What the hell, Percy!?” Rachel said, just like a record scratch. Rachel turned on her heel and bolted for the front porch, waiting to have it out with him. 

“Shit, sorry, Beth. We can finish talking tomorrow, I’ll call you.” Percy rushed out, chasing after Rachel. 

He found her outside on the front porch. 

“Rache, I’m sorry.” 

“You said there was nothing to worry about.” She snapped, her hands waving towards the house. 

“There is nothing to worry about. We were just dancing, having a nice time.” 

“And I ruined that, right? I’m always the bad guy. Besides, it looked like a lot more than dancing to me!” She yelled, almost like she wanted the whole party (Annabeth) to hear. 

“Rache, that’s not it, at all. I wish more than anything you had gotten here earlier so I could have danced with you—” Percy tried to find what she wanted to hear. 

“Oh, so again, it’s my fault, right Percy? It’s never on you! That’s just how it seems to go these days, right?” 

“Rache— no, I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant— Just tell me what I can do to fix this— I’m so sorry.” 

“Quit.” Rachel stood to face him.

“What?” 

“I want you to hand in your letter of resignation on Monday. Never see her again.” She took his hands, and locked their fingers. “If you’re serious about us, then you’ll quit, I have enough money to support us until you can find a new job, I can move in so you have nothing to worry about.” Rachel ran a hand along his face, infantilizing him in a way.  

“Rache, I don’t know….” Percy tried to turn away, he could see this being turned on him in ten different ways. 

“I don’t want to lose you, Percy, I don’t know what I would do if I lost you for good, and other than marriage, moving in seems like the next logical step for us.” 

“Rachel, I love you, but, don’t you think it’s too soon?” 

“For us to move in together?” Rachel nearly laughed at him. 

“Yeah, I mean we only started dating two years ago.” Percy didn’t see how moving in would do them any good, except take their space away from each other. 

“Most people get married after two years!” Rachel insisted. 

“Rachel, my mom didn’t even move in with Paul until they were married, okay? I just don’t see it as a good idea.” 

“Or do you just not love me anymore? One dance with your office whore and you’re over me?” Rachel scoffed, crossing her arms and turning her back on him. 

“I just need some time to think it over— let’s go back to the party, have a nice time, a couple of drinks, relax.” 

“I don’t know anyone there.” Rachel protested like a petulant child. 

“What better way to get to know them than through some drinks and awful karaoke?” He smiled his charming, slanted smile. 

“How late are we staying?” 

“I don’t know how long Annabeth wants people, but I was planning on staying to help clean up.” 

“Well, we’re not staying that late, but we can start now, that way you feel like you’ve helped.” Rachel dragged him inside. 

People were oddly quiet as Percy walked back in. As if they had gathered to listen to them fight. 

“Yikes, man, didn’t know things were that bad.” One of his friends, Frank, said, clapping him on the back. 

“We’re not— She’s not usually like this.” Percy tried to explain, lying through his teeth. 

Annabeth found him, and pulled him upstairs to her bedroom. 

“Percy.” Annabeth sighed, tears in her eyes. 

“Hey, what’s— what’s wrong?” Percy didn’t like the look of this— “If this is about what Rachel said about you—”

“You can’t be serious. You know what she just did was not okay, right?” 

“She’s protective.” He sat on the bed. 

“She demanded to move in with you.” Annabeth couldn’t have said it any more clearer. 

“She’s just being a little irrational right now. I can handle it.” Percy looked up at Annabeth as she paced. 

“Percy, please, I love you too much to let her treat you like that.” Annabeth walked over and held his face. 

“Beth, it’s no big deal, I promise. She’s—” 

“Percy, I swear to god if you come up with another bullshit excuse for her I will go out there and I will break up with her for you.” 

“Beth, everything is fine, okay? She’s ready for more, isn’t that a good thing? That’s what you were telling me to do last week when we went out!” Right? Isn’t that what she said? Break the cycle. 

“And then she screamed at you because you weren’t home when she didn’t tell you she was coming over.” 

“It was a miscommunication. I should have assumed, since it was a part of our usual stages!” 

“The word, Percy, is cycle. You are in a toxic cycle, and the only way you’re gonna get out of it, is by ending it with her, and not getting back together with her.” 

“You just don’t get it. You didn’t love Luke the way I love Rachel.” 

Annabeth kissed him. She ran her fingers through his hair, and made sure it stuck up. Percy kissed back, slowing down the kiss, taking his time to feel her. He got a taste and wanted so much more. He ran his hands up her hips and started to reach for the hem of her cropped shirt. 

“Percy, stop.” Annabeth said, breathlessly, pulling away reluctantly. Reality seeming to have been knocked back into her. 

“What?” He nearly whined, 

“The point of the kiss was to get you to shut up.” She blushed, half-lying through her teeth. 

“My lips weren’t exactly closed.” 

“You deserve so much more than what you have right now, Percy, there’s people out there who will treat you like a human being, they’ll treat you with respect and understand that you are not an object to be won, or controlled.” 

“People like you?” He smirked. 

“Yes, but not just me. Did you see how Frank even said that what Rachel did wasn’t okay?” 

“He just said yikes.” 

“Point is, Percy. You need to break it off with her for good.” 

“She said some things that were terrifying— if she ever lost me, Beth, I don’t want her to hurt herself.” 

“Perce, that’s classic manipulator behavior.” Annabeth held his face tenderly, her touch sparked something in his gut, looking at her face, he felt at home. Annabeth was always so kind to him, always so understanding, and always there for him

However, her words may be true, but pissed him off. Who was she to call Rachel a manipulator? Rachel could love him, she was his first love, and after everything that happened between his mom and Gabe, who was to say Gabe didn’t love his mother? Just because he showed love in a different way— what the actual fuck is he thinking? There was no excuse for how Gabe treated his mother, he begged his mother to end things with Gabe.  He knew even then what love was supposed to look like and it wasn’t that, and it sure as hell isn’t what he has with Rachel now. 

“She did love me, right?” Percy asked, looking at Annabeth like she knew the intricacies of his and Rachel’s relationship. 

“I think, honestly, she still does, but she’s not in a place where she knows how to express what she’s feeling. And it’s not fair, or right for her to figure it out when it affects you.” 

“Maybe I can wait for her to get better.” Percy said, anxiety taking a hold of him. 

“Percy, I know it can be scary to think of a life without her, but you’ll have friends and family supporting you, okay? I’m not going anywhere.” 

“I think I’m in love with her, Beth. I think I always will be.” 

“And that’s okay. Right now, for her own sake, you need to end things with her.” 

“I can’t do—” 

“I knew it!” Rachel slammed open the door. She really needs to stop doing that. “I knew you were cheating on me. All those times you said I was crazy, I was seeing things that weren’t there. Explain this then, Percy.” Rachel stood, her hands on hips. 

“Rachel, it’s not what it looks like. I was trying to cheer him up.” Annabeth tried to explain. 

“Oh shut the fuck up, you bitch. You don’t have a right to speak to me after stealing my man.” 

“He’s not an object.” Annabeth stood in front of him. 

“I’m not yours. At least— not anymore.” Percy said, standing, towering over Rachel, trying to protect Annabeth. “You can treat me like shit all you want, but you can’t come after the people who have done nothing but support me, and help me work through what you aren’t around to talk about with.” 

“Wow, Percy, I thought you were losing it before, but now, now I know for certain.” Rachel scoffed from her high horse. 

“I loved you with everything I had. I gave you my all, and you twisted every little word to fit your fucked up narrative, and I’m done, Rachel, You can’t control my life. I need to cut you out of my life.” 

“Did she tell you that? This, Percy, this is what I was worried about.” Rachel tried to hold him, trying to get him to understand. 

“Rachel, Baby.” He held her. “I love you, I do, but we're not good for each other. I never felt the way I do about you with anyone before. But, there’s a reason they’re called first loves. It implies that there’s more to come. There’s so much more out there in the world. I don’t want to hold you back from that, and I don’t think you want to hold me back from that, either, right?” Percy rested his forehead against hers. 

“No, but— promise me.” 

“Anything.” He whispered, feeling his freedom around the corner. 

“You won’t fall for her.” She wiped at her cheeks. 

“S-Sure.” Percy stuttered, looking at Annabeth, whose face was indecipherable. 

Percy showed up for work that Monday just like every other Monday morning as usual, and sat down at his desk, turned on his computer. He tried desperately to ignore the looks from the rest of his coworkers. Geez, people could be nosey. 

Annabeth only smiled at him when he walked in before immediately turning away and getting back to her work. 

He ate lunch alone that day… and the day after that… and the day after that. Every day, until he couldn’t take Annabeth ignoring him anymore. 

Before lunch that Friday, he stopped by her desk, not to confront her, but to ask what was going on. 

“Hey, Beth, uh, can we talk for a second?” 

“Sure.” She said, saving her files and closing her laptop. “What’s up?” 

“I owe you a huge thank you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have even seen that what Rachel was doing was not okay.” 

“What are friends for? Right?” Annabeth wouldn’t meet his eyes. “If you can even call us that, now.” 

“What— what do you mean?” 

“Well, you promised her you wouldn’t—” 

Percy took her hand, cutting her off, and pulling her to him. His lips crashed down on hers. 

“I needed you to stop talking.” He smiled. “That’s how we do it now, right?” He smiled his dastardly smile. “I know what I said to her, but she doesn’t control my life— not anymore, and it’s thanks to you. So, while I may need some time to figure out who I am as a person, I’m not going to stop pursuing what I know feels right. Rachel didn’t feel right for a long time, and I know I have no right, after being such a shitty friend, but every time I was with you, Beth, I felt… right.” 

Annabeth kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and taking her time. 

“We can still kiss while you figure your stuff out, right?” 

“It’s the only thing that makes sense to me anymore.” He smiled. 

Chapter Text

Percy loved mornings like this; Rachel on her side, her hair in his face, and the sun shining through the crack in the shades. He’s usually gone by now since he’s pretty sure they’re just fucking around and finding out. 

As he tries to slip out from under the covers, he’s taking mental notes of where his clothing is. He knows his boxers are somewhere outside of the bedroom despite his pants being on the chair, and his socks are on the floor as he pads down the hallway to stairs, because of course she has an apartment off fifty fourth and it has stairs in the middle of manhattan. 

His heart jumps when he looks at his phone, for a second he thought it was Monday. He’s starting a new job on Monday, and he knows it looks bad if you show up late, especially on your first day. He turns on her Italian coffee maker, trying not to make too much noise so he doesn’t wake her. Percy kind of wants to make her breakfast. It’s not a new feeling but he manages to ignore it most days. 

“Hey.” Rachel says from behind him as he slips his final layer on. 

“Hey, sorry, I know I’m usually gone by—” Rachel cut him off with a kiss. 

“Don’t be sorry, it’s nice.” She smiles and plays with his hair. 

“Really?” He asks, taking the chance to taste her lips again. 

“Yeah, maybe you should do it more often. Maybe even stick around for breakfast sometime?” 

“You’re fucking with me.” He smiles giddily. 

“I wish I was fucking you right now.” Rachel’s hand closes around his necklace. 

Percy takes her advance as an opening to push her against the doorway and slip a hand in her shorts. 

~

Monday morning he tightened his tie and checked his hair in the reflection of his mom’s old Prius before heading into the tall building. 

Stepping onto the floor he’s shocked at how little the building tries to hide its mundaneness. The white lighting and gray interior is bleak, cold and uninviting, but the pay is more than enough to make him want to stay. 

“Hi, I’m Percy?” He said as he reached what looked like the reception desk, where a woman was hunched over a filing cabinet, her blonde curls tied back into a ponytail as she was pulled away from her task. 

“Sure, I’m Annabeth—” She smiled, warming him to his core. “I don’t usually sit here—” She smiled, her cheeks reddening as if she were embarrassed to have been caught at the reception desk. 

“Where do you usually sit?” There was so much more he wanted to ask her, so much more he wanted to know. Her gray eyes burned into his soul like she could see right through him. 

“Oh, uh, right there.” She pointed to the two empty desks across from reception. 

“Who sits in the other one?” 

“You do.” She smiled, and Percy didn’t quite understand love at first sight, but that smile helps him understand what people mean when they talk about it. 

“Alright.” He smiled, a good twist swirling around his stomach. 

Annabeth sorted her papers and walked with him over to where their desks were. Percy tried to ignore the flutter of sparks that shot through him from where their shoulders brushed. 

“So, this is your phone, this one is mine. We make calls on them, this is your stapler and then here’s your computer.” She cleared her throat, seeming unprepared for his arrival. 

“Right, and what are these pressable numbers on this phone?” He asked a tug pulling at his lips. 

“Hey, I don’t know you, you could be some invalid who's never seen a screen in his life.” 

“The job application could only be done online.” He smiled amusedly.  

“Right– I– I don’t know why I’m so flustered, sorry—” 

“Hey, today is my first day, I’m the one who gets nervous and flustered.” He smiled, lightly tapping her wrist. A jolt unlike anything he’d felt before shot through his fingertips, and he was almost certain she felt it too. 

“I was an absolute wreck my first day, I’ll have you know. I spilled everyone’s coffee over me on a run back from the little cafe on the fourth floor.” She blushed.

“At my last job– full disclosure I worked for my stepdad at his school as a stand-in TA, and mind you, he teaches eighth grade, so how I was a TA is beyond me….”

Annabeth was hunched over by the end of his story, as was Percy. The rest of his work day was spent mostly getting to know Annabeth. How her dream had been to be an architect growing up, and how when she was younger she hadn’t had the best relationship with her father, and it hadn’t helped that her mom wasn’t in the picture. Which of course, prompted Percy to share how his father wasn’t in the picture, despite having a stepfather.

It wasn’t the typical first day at a boring office job, and Percy had a feeling he would love it.

Eventually they did have to do some work at points. While it wasn’t necessarily taxing, it was menial and boring, so having a deskmate like Annabeth was definitely going to be a plus. 

~

Percy returned home to his apartment, ready to pass out, when Grover texted him– he’d be over in fifteen minutes and Percy needed to get his windows shut, and the music playing. 

“Hey, G-Man.” Percy gave Grover a hug and he passed him a blunt. 

“Perce.” Grover smiled, his eyes already red. 

“Hard day?” Percy’s lips pulling towards his ears. 

“Juni’s pregnant.” 

“Isn’t that good news? I’m gonna be an uncle.” Percy smiled fully. 

“I’m not ready to be a dad.” 

“Sure, but that’s why babies take nine months. To give you time to get ready.” He playfully punched Grover’s shoulder. 

They moved outside and slipped their legs through the railing of the fire escape 

“What were we talking about?” Grover asked, squinting as if the night sky were too bright. 

“I started my new job.” Percy mentioned. 

“How’s that?” 

“There’s this girl, Annabeth, man, she’s—” Percy smiled, thoughts of blonde curls and gray eyes flooding his mind. “She’s awesome, man.” 

“And Rachel?” 

“What about Rachel? I still love her.” Percy held himself back as he felt the need to defend himself crawling its way up his throat to strangle Grover. 

“Does Rachel know about Annabeth?” Grover urged. 

“I’ve only worked there one day.” He went for a nonchalant tone in place of a defensive one. 

“And you’re in love with a coworker.” 

“I’m not ‘in love’ with Annabeth, you have to get to know someone before you can even say you love someone.” Percy reached for the roach in the ashtray, putting it between his lips. 

“Perce?” Grover asked through a small voice. 

“Yeah?” Percy asked, holding his hit in. 

“I love you.” 

“I love you, G-Man.” A warmth spread through his chest as he looked at his best friend, he adored Grover. 

“What time is Rachel coming over?” 

“I don’t know, we might be in a fight?” Percy honestly wasn’t sure. 

“What is it about?” 

“What is what about?” 

Grover paused for a second. “I don’t know.” 

Percy spluttered out a laugh, falling over with Grover. 

~ 

Rachel opened Percy’s apartment door with a smile on her face. 

“Percy!” She called. 

“Shit— Grover, I think that’s Rachel.” Rachel overheard voices from the window where she found Percy and Grover. 

She stalked over to where they were, a smile still gleaming on her face. 

“What are you two pot-heads up to?” 

“Nothing.” Grover said, his eyes darting around. 

“Can I steal Percy for a sec?” Her voice pitched up like it does when she’s trying to get something she wants. 

“You have me, Rache.” Percy smiled as he stepped through the window back into the apartment, almost tripping. Thankfully, Rachel steadied him. 

“Close your eyes and put out your hands.” Rachel said, her curls bouncing as she motioned for him to close his eyes. 

“You’re not going to murder me, are you?” Percy asked, trying to peek. 

“I made this for you.” 

She handed him a painting of himself, his classic troublemaker smile painted beautifully with a gray background that reminded him of someone…else. There were silver stars in his eyes. 

“It’s gorgeous, Rache.” He pulled her to his chest and kissed her forehead. 

“The stars are silver because I know you have an affiliation to Greek mythology and like, Artemis and stuff, I don’t know, but you’re like a model and it was hard not to draw you and then paint it.” She twisted her body nervously. 

“Rache, I love it.” He said earnestly. 

“It’s also my kind of way of asking you to officially be my boyfriend?” 

“Wait— Really?” Percy started buzzing. 

“Yeah, I mean, if you’re okay with being exclusive.” 

“I haven’t had eyes for anyone else in a long time— or ever actually.” He looked at his shoes and scratched the back of his neck. 

“Aw, Perce.” Rachel cooed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him like if she didn’t she would die. 

“I love you.” He said, relishing the intimacy that in this rare moment lacked any promise of sex. 

“I love you too.” 

“Do you think it’s weird we’ve been saying love before we became exclusive?” 

“I think we’re perfect and our children will love the story we have to tell them.” Rachel said before locking him in for another kiss. 

Grover long forgotten as Rachel dragged him into the bedroom….(He was wrong) 

~

Percy sat down at his desk, when an overwhelming calm in the form of a lemon scent enveloped him. 

“Morning, Percy. Chiron wants to see us in his office.” Annabeth said, smiling sweetly, grabbing her laptop from her desk. 

“What’s that lemon smell?” 

“Oh— uh. I don’t know.” 

“Weird. What does Chiron want with us?” 

“We have to go find out.” She said, pointing to his office. 

“I have a girlfriend now.” He smiled. 

“Congratulations?” Annabeth said, blushing for some weird reason.. 

“Yeah, Rachel, her name’s Rachel and we’ve been friends since college and we started sleeping together and she finally asked me to be her boyfriend.” Percy talked about it like a high school relationship. 

“That’s really great to hear, Percy, I’m— I’m happy for you. Can’t wait to meet her one day.” She smiled, trying to get him to Chiron’s office. 

“Thanks, I’m glad I have a friend in the office to tell things to.” 

“Anytime, now we should really be getting to Chiron.” 

“Oh, right.” He smiled sheepishly. 

~ 

He followed Annabeth into Chiron’s office, an unnerving feeling akin to being in the principal’s office at school swirling in his gut. 

“Did we do something?” Percy asked Annabeth. 

“Are you nervous?” Annabeth laughed, warming his core, making him feel safe. 

“A little.” 

“He probably wants to talk to us about a sale or something.” 

“Oh— oh right.” He smiled. 

“I’ll hold your hand if you’re nervous.” She joked. 

“I know you’re joking but I think it would actually help. My mom used to hold my hand when I got scared—” 

“Good morning, Annabeth, and welcome to the business, Percy.” 

“Thank you, sir.” 

“I wanted to offer you a client, Percy.” Chiron smiled. His eyes looked like they’d seen things Percy could never comprehend. 

“Really?” 

“Yes. And I wanted Annabeth to help you close the deal. She’s one of our top salespeople in the company.” 

“Who’s the client?” Annabeth asked. 

“Marjoram.” Chiron smiled knowingly. 

“We got a meeting with them!?” Annabeth asked like it was the biggest deal of her life. 

“Yes, Annabeth. When I got the call I immediately thought of Percy, since they like fresh ones, but I couldn’t in good conscience send him in alone, and not send you.” 

“Thank you so much Chiron, we will start strategizing right now.” 

“Take it easy on him!” Chiron called after her as she dragged him into the break room. 

“What’s going on?” Percy asked chuckling. 

“Marjoram is one of the biggest clients in the market! If we got them as clients the commission alone would be enough to cap us both off for the year!” 

“Sounds….” 

“Big! Yeah. It is.” 

“So what’s the plan? How do we get them as clients?” 

“The CEO is Alexandra Venus, her whole view is family first, she loves love, and— shit.” 

“What?” 

“How comfortable are you with…acting?” 

“I was Caesar in my middle school production of Romeo and Juliet.” 

“I don’t think that’s the right Shakespeare play— or— whatever, point is we need to act.” 

“Act like salespeople?” 

“Like a couple.” 

“Oh.” He felt all his blood rush to his face. 

“It’s only for two hours and nobody has to know.” 

“What’s involved in acting like a couple?” 

“Lingering touches, eye contact, a good rapport….” 

“Okay, yeah, I mean, that’s fine.” 

“Okay, okay, yeah. I’m just going to make a quick call, and then we’ll start discussing the backstory.” 

“Backstory?” 

~ 

Percy grabbed some coffee, trying to ignore Annabeth pacing in the hallway outside the break room. There weren’t any actual doors separating them so he could overhear everything, and it sounded to him like the conversation was not a pleasant one. Believe him, he knows what a couple arguing sounds like. His mother and his ex stepfather used to argue and then Gabe would always escalate things and there was nothing Percy could do but beg his mother to leave the bastard. 

Annabeth came back in, her energy completely different compared to how she’d left. 

“Everything… okay?” Percy asked. 

“I— yeah. All good.” She smiled painfully. 

“So we’re a couple, right?” 

“For the sale— only.” She clarified. 

“Right.” Percy smiled. 

“I only just got into my first relationship if I’m being honest.” 

“Oh, it’s not that hard.” She assured him. “Just act like you like me and I’ll do the same.” 

“You don’t like me?” Percy smiled almost challengingly. 

“I meant— like— uhm.” She blushed. 

“I’m kidding.” He elbowed her. 

“Right.” She smiled, rubbing her arm embarrassed. 

~

Percy got home that night around five forty five, ready to kick back, have dinner and game plan how the sales call was going to go. He didn’t want to come on too strong, she has a boyfriend after all. Despite her princess curls and beautiful gray eyes, he has to act like a friend who is pretending to like her in the way he’s trying not to let himself like her. Does that make sense? This plan is bad for him in more ways than his feelings getting hurt in the end. It’s a one day thing, he knows this. He needs to stop making a big deal out of this. 

It’s not even a whole day. He’s being ridiculous. 

“Hey, Babe.” Rachel came out of his bedroom, startling him. 

“What the fuck—” Percy jumped up, startled. 

“Are you serious, right now, Percy?” Rachel asked, annoyed. 

“I didn’t know you were here.” He admitted. 

“So? You shouldn’t be surprised if I am. We’re dating now, remember. You’re all mine.” 

“Right.” 

“What’s the matter?” 

“I was just thinking about my sales call tomorrow— that’s all. It’s a pretty big client and Annabeth said that if we get it, this client could pay for our salaries for the year.” 

“Who the hell is Annabeth?” 

“My— My coworker.” Percy didn’t need this to become a whole problem. 

“Why haven’t I heard anything about this ‘Annabeth?’” Rachel asked accusatory. 

“It’s still my first week.” Percy said reasonably. 

“I feel entitled to know about other girls you plan on fucking.” 

“I— What?” 

“You clearly like this girl, Percy, if she’s on your mind so much that you’re thinking about her when she’s not even here.” Rachel argued. 

“Rache, she’s a coworker. She’s— she’s helping me make this sale tomorrow.” 

“Who’s the client? I’m sure I could be of some help if the client is so big—” 

“It’s Marjoram.” 

“You’re kidding.” Rachel said, straightfaced. 

“No, why?” 

“You can’t represent Marjoram.” 

“What— why?” 

“Well— okay, I take it back, do you get any benefits from Marjoram?” 

“I don’t know, why?” 

“Well, depending, Alexandra might hook us up with some fun toys.” Rachel said, invading his space. 

“I don’t know how appropriate that would be, Rache.” Percy chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. 

“What’s the point of you even getting this job if not to get some benefits?” 

“To make money?” 

“Please, you know that I could pay your rent, right?” 

“I don’t want you to pay my rent.” Percy argued. 

“I don’t want you to do a lot of things and yet you do them.” 

“Like what!?” Percy couldn’t stand it when she made accusations like this with no evidence. 

“Back in college when you got that cat, when you know I hate cats.” 

“I still want a cat but I know you’re allergic so I don’t have a cat.” He explained, feeling like pulling his hair out. 

“Get a cat, Percy, I’m sure it’ll make you happier than me.” 

Rachel slammed the door, causing the painting to fall off the wall. 

That was it. He had his first girlfriend and then just like that, she was gone. 

~

Percy got into work the next day, eyes puffy, and his hair more a mess than usual. 

“Hey, Perce, are you okay?” Annabeth asked, running a hand through his hair, trying to fix it. In a friendly manner.

“Yeah, why?” 

“You look— well, you look tired.” 

“Rachel broke up with me last night.” 

“Rachel was your girlfriend, right?” 

“Yeah, and I don’t even know why we broke up. One second I was relaxing on the couch and the next she’s yelling at me about a cat, and slamming my door. 

“Yikes, I’m sorry, Perce.” Annabeth said, looking him earnestly in the eye. 

“Don’t be sorry, if it was meant to be, then she’ll be back, right? Isn’t the saying ‘if you love someone, let them go, and if they come back it was true love’ or some shit like that?” 

“Something like that, yeah.” Annabeth reassured him. 

“Don’t call me weird, I just— I need a hug?” 

“Sure.” She said, pulling him up from his chair and burying her face in his chest. Percy wrapped his arms around her small frame and buried his head in her curls. He found the culprit of the intoxicating lemon scent…. “Are you going to be okay today?” She asked, pulling back from the hug. 

“I’ll be okay, yeah. If it was meant to be with Rachel, she’ll be back.” Percy said confidently. 

“So Marjoram….” Annabeth went over the fine details of their relationship. 

Percy drove them to the sales call. 

The building was two domes at the bottom of a tall skyscraper. 

“It’s a giant dick.” Percy said, stifling a laugh. 

“Don’t mention it to Ms. Venus.” Annabeth chided, holding back a laugh as they bore up at the giant dick. 

“What floor are we going to?” Percy tore his eyes away from the giant penis. 

“The tip— The tip– the top. Her office is at the top.” Annabeth groaned, this was not going well. “Take my hand before we walk in, she has cameras everywhere.” Annabeth smiled a dazzling smile as she whispered in Percy’s ear, as if to contribute to their illusion. Percy would only admit later that he felt more in that week than he would for at least two years. 

In the elevator Annabeth pressed herself against him, and kissed his cheek.

“This is okay, right?” She checked.

“Yea– Yeah.”

“Put your hand on my hip.” Annabeth whispered against his neck. 

His hand found its way to the cusp of her hip and he felt as though he might faint. Annabeth was too beautiful for him to be doing this. 

They sat down together in the lobby, waiting to see Alexandra. 

“Hold my hand.” Annabeth whispered sweetly into his ear. Percy had to fight the urge to get on his knees for her then and there, and rather, just took her hand, and played with her fingers. 

“Ms. Venus is ready to see you two now.” The receptionist said, standing up and directing them into the office. 

“Ms. Venus, your twelve o’clock.” The receptionist said. 

“Thank you, Cu.” She waved him off. “Well would you look at you two love birds.” 

“How did you know we—” Percy started. 

“Please, darling, I know everything that goes on in this building.” 

“Right, my mistake.” Percy said, and Annabeth rubbed his back reassuringly. 

“How long have you two been a couple?” Alexandra asked. 

Percy was impressed that Annabeth knew so much about this client and that he remembered what they had discussed the day before. Granted he spent a majority of their study time staring at her beautiful gray eyes and princess curls, but he remembers some of what they discussed. 

“Two years.” Annabeth answered since Percy must have spaced out. 

“How did you two meet?” 

“In school.” Percy smiled and kissed Annabeth’s cheek, not even thinking about it. 

“And then you went into business together?” 

“Yes, we wanted to be as close to each other as possible, so when Percy said he wanted to get a job as a salesman, I decided what better way to spend the most amount of time with the sweetest guy than to work with him?” 

“Well aren’t you two just darling?” Venus cooed. 

“She’s my Annabeth. Almost all my thoughts are consumed with her.” Percy gushed, wrapping an arm around Annabeth, and pulling her close. What he expected to have felt awkward and tense, felt— right. 

“He’s my Percy.” She ran a hand along his thigh, leaning into his hold. 

“You two are so cute, I’d have to be just the worst kind of person to deny you two anything!” 

“Oh, well, we didn’t say it!” Percy chuckled. 

“No, no we didn’t.” Annabeth pinched him, trying to get him to back off of Venus. 

“Well, how about a two year contract?” 

“We could do it for a ‘three-year,’ if you wanted?” Annabeth pushed. 

“I’ll tell you two love birds something.” Venus started. “I will sign on for six months, and we’ll take it from there?” 

“Are you sure Alexandra—” Percy started. “Ra—Rachel Dare informed me that you were looking for something longer term—” Annabeth elbowed him in the gut, desperately trying to get him to stop. 

“You know Rachel Dare?” Venus seemed to perk up. 

“Know her?! She’s my—” Annabeth kissed him, effectively shutting him up. Percy couldn’t explain what was happening to him, his entire body ignited with want, and sparks filled his mind, just as he went to deepen the kiss, his hands now on her waist, she pulled off his lips with a pant, her eyes fixed on his. 

“I’m so sorry!” Annabeth pulled back, so red in the face, Percy didn’t know how they were going to come back from this. “He looks so cute when he talks ‘mutual colleagues,’ I— I couldn’t help myself.” She cleared her throat, flustered. 

“Darlings, I get it!” Alexandra explained, seemingly unfazed by Percy experiencing the best kiss of his life. “My now ex husband and I used to be absolutely inseparable, sometimes we would just go at it in closets!” 

“We do that all the time.” Percy laughed, trying to clear his head from the sparks that had never happened before. 

“All the time!” Annabeth laughed, taking Percy’s hand. 

“You know what!? I’ll sign for one month! I would love to keep up with the two of you! Plus I see I spend more when I do month to month, yes?” 

“Well, technically, yes, but we’re here for you, we would much rather you take the ten year deal than see us every month!” 

“I’ll go with the monthly deal just so I can see you two more often!” 

~ 

Annabeth let out a breath when they were both back in Percy’s car. 

“We did it!” Percy said, smiling. 

“Yeah, we— we did.” She wouldn’t look at him. 

“Is something wrong, Beth?” He put a comforting hand on her thigh. 

“My boyfriend is going to kill me.” 

“You have a boyfriend?” Percy asked, beside himself, obviously he knew but if it wasn’t something she didn’t want him to know then it was none of his business. 

“I know you knew I had a boyfriend, Percy.” She smiled, turned away from him. 

“We should go on a double date sometime.” He suggested, trying to play off his slighted rejection. 

“I— I would actually really like that.” Annabeth smiled. “That way when Luke finds out what happened, he’ll see you’re no threat!” 

“Right.” Percy didn’t know why what she said hurt so much. But it was also good so Rachel could see that Annabeth has a boyfriend and that anything that happened today was strictly business. 

“We should get back to the office, tell Chiron the good news.” 

“Right.” Percy cleared his throat. 

Percy drove to Rachel’s that night after work, knowing he should just tell her what happened so she could get her yelling over with. 

He hit the buzzer and waited.

“Hello?” A voice came through, but it wasn’t Rachel.

“Hi, I must have hit the wrong button, I was looking for Rachel.” He chuckled.

“No, this is Rachel’s apartment. I’ll let you up.” The door buzzed and Percy went up. 

Percy knocked and a girl with dark hair opened the door, if Percy didn’t know any better, he’d say she has a type.

“Hey, I’m–”

“The Boyfriend ! Come in!” The girl dragged him inside.

“Yeah, that’s– that’s me.” Percy couldn’t explain the sinking feeling in his gut when he looked at this woman and around Rachel’s apartment. It looked eerily similar to how it did the morning after he’d spend the night.

“Rachel’s just getting out of the shower, can I get you a drink or something?”

“I can get it–but, uh, not to be rude, but who are you?”

“I’m Reyna, Rachel’s girlfriend.” She informed him as if were common knowledge.

“G– Girlfriend.” Percy repeated.

“What can we do for you, Perce?”

“I– I just had to talk to Rachel for a minute.” He smiled sheepishly.

“I’m sure she’ll be out any second now!” Reyna said loudly, as if trying to urge Rachel out sooner.

“I’m right here, Rey, what is it?” Rachel asked, as if it wasn’t the first time they’d had this problem. A problem Percy also faces with Rachel after making her apartment look oddly similar. “Percy! Hey, baby, what’s up?” She kissed his cheek.

“I just– I just got off of work and thought I would stop by to see my exclusive girlfriend.”

“Exclusive? I never agreed to be exclusive.” Rachel nearly guffawed.

“But– You said, when you asked me to be your boyfriend, that– you–” Percy tried for a settling breath, trying to get his thoughts that were moving faster than his mouth could get them out. “You said, exclusive, I distinctly remember that.” He chuckled nervously, almost to compensate for the lack of words being said. He felt like he was going crazy– had he made that all up? 

“Baby, you know we’re in an open relationship, right?”

“Right.” Percy swallowed the uncomfortable churning in his stomach to a dull ache.

“Besides, you can’t just drop in on me like this. What’s up?”

“You remember Annabeth, right?”

“The one causing a rift between us, yes, I do remember you bringing her up.” Rachel ran a hand through his hair almost condescendingly. 

“She and her boyfriend want to go on a double date with us this Friday.” Percy made sure to accentuate the word ‘boyfriend’ as to assure her he had no chance.

“Oh– she has a boyfriend. I would love to meet the poor guy.” Rachel smiled sweetly. 

“Alright, that– that was all, so I’ll get out of your hair, Reyna, it was lovely to meet you.” Percy stuttered some kind of goodbye and raced down to his car, trying to not let the world fall in on himself.

~

He had a blunt lit in hand, legs dangling through the fire escape by the time Rachel called.

“Baby, I was thinking….” Rachel started.

“What’s up?”

“What if we brought Reyna with us on our double date?”

“I don’t– I don’t know how good of an idea that is. The whole point of this double date, is to show Annabeth’s boyfriend that I don’t want to get with her.”

“I already made plans with Reyna, Babe.”

“I’ll talk to Annabeth and see if we can reschedule.”

“Really!?”

“Really.” Percy smiled, and coughed. 

“I need to get back to Reyna. Love you.”

“Love you.” Percy mumbled, taking a hit.

~

Percy got into work the next day to find Annabeth blowing her nose dramatically and two women he hasn’t had the pleasure to meet yet.

“Annabeth, are you okay?” He asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. 

“Luke said he needed time to think about their relationship.” One of the other women said.

“And Luke is…?” Percy asked.

“Her boyfriend.” The woman said as if he were stupid for not knowing.

“Oh, oh– Beth, I’m so sorry.” He put a hand on her back, maybe lower than if she still had a boyfriend..

Annabeth didn’t really respond, and rather, she just wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his shirt.

“I’m Percy, by the way.” He smiled awkwardly at the woman. He couldn’t quite figure out what color her eyes were but she had choppy brown hair and an almost disheveled look to her shirt, but who could blame him when his crush was crying into his arms– The other had a jaw that could cut glass and beautiful ringlet hair. 

“I’m Piper and this is Drew. We’re in marketing.” Percy almost audibly laughed.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

“So what did Luke say? Did he give you a reason?” Percy asked, rubbing a soothing pattern into her lower back.

“I told him that Marjoram signed with us, but that she wanted to see us monthly and he said we did it on purpose.” She sniffled, clinging to him tighter.

“I told Rachel about the double date, and she said that the same Saturday would work better.” Percy chose to leave off the fact that Rachel has a girlfriend and that was why she couldn’t do that Friday.

“Really? With– with an actual date, Luke might change his mind!” Annabeth wiped at her cheeks.

“Yeah, so if you want to go call him, I’m sure Piper, Drew, and I can cover for you.” 

“Really!?” Annabeth hugged them both and went to the bathroom.

“So, how long have you worked here?” Percy asked the two.

“You know Luke is a piece of shit, right?” Drew scoffed, causing Piper to roll her eyes and walk away from the conversation.

“I–” 

“He treats her like shit all the time.”

“I don’t know the guy well enough– or at all actually, to be able to say anything.”

“You don’t need to know him. Can’t you tell based on Annabeth? The way her mood is always significantly lower after she gets off the phone with him?”

“I think they got into an argument yesterday, before this event.”

“They’re never not in an argument.”

“Well, what can we do?” Percy took a sip of the coffee he must have left yesterday on his desk, wincing at how cold and disgusting it was.

“You need to break them up.”

“Me? How– what– How can I– no- Why would I do that?”

“Don’t you like Annabeth?” And the way Drew said ‘like’ sounded to Percy like something closer to how teenagers mean it when they ask if someone likes someone.

“I– uhm.” He swallowed nervously.

“Not like that, dipshit. Who’s your best friend?”

“Grover–”

“Don’t you like Annabeth the way you like Grover?”

“Well, yeah, she’s a really nice person, and she’s splitting the commission with me for Marjoram and she always asks me if I want coffee when she gets up, and–”

“You can just say yes.” Drew cut him off, leaving him smiling sheepishly. “I need you to be flirty during your dinner with her. It will set Luke off on some rampage and he probably won’t even make it through dinner.”

“But won’t Annabeth see through it?”

“You’re worried about Annabeth and not your own girlfriend?”

“She said we weren’t exclusive, it’s actually why I had to change it from Friday night to Saturday, she already has a date with her girlfriend.” Percy admitted begrudgingly.

“Whoa.”

“It’s not that big of a deal.”

“No….” Drew’s voice trailed off. “You can feel however you need to feel about it.”

“That’s– like, crazy insightful.”

“All in a day’s work.” Drew smiled.

~

Percy tightened his tie that he had trouble tying and buzzed Rachel’s door.

“Coming!” She called through the buzzer. 

“Don’t forget your comfortable shoes, we’re walking!”

“We don’t need to walk, I can pay for a cab.” Rachel said as she slipped on her heels.

Rache, I would really rather walk. It’s nice out tonight, and we can cut through the park.”

“I don’t have my comfortable shoes.” She smiled. “I kind of left them at Reyna’s last night.”

“Fine.” Percy held his hand out and a cab came almost like magic. 

Percy gave the restaurant address to the cabbie (reluctantly) and they peeled off. 

Sighing as he stepped out into the street, almost getting hit by a Cadillac. The very same car parallel parked in front of the fire hydrant the cab didn’t pull up enough to be in front of. 

Annabeth stepped out of the Cadillac in toe with Rachel. If Percy was being honest, looking back at it now, his eyes weren’t on Rachel. Annabeth wore a skin-tight, upper-thigh-cut dress that had him squirming in his own pants.

“Wow.” Slipped from his lips as Rachel wrapped her arm around his.

“Thanks, babe.” She kissed his cheek.

“We should– uhm. Go say hi.”

“You have to introduce me.” Rachel said in what could only be considered a posh mid-atlantic accent. 

“I know.” He said, again, reluctantly. Now, being pulled towards Annabeth, only to stop in his tracks when he caught a glimpse of Luke who whispered something in Annabeth’s ear, making her flush brighter than a stop sign.

Luke was maybe a couple inches shorter than Percy, but what he lacked in height was made up for in muscle.

“Perce!” Annabeth exclaimed as she tried to pull her dress down hurriedly.

“Hey, Beth, this is Rachel.”

“Ah, the infamous Rachel!” Annabeth hugged Rachel.

“Can I just say how beautiful you look tonight, Beth?” Percy said, hugging her.

“Percy–” She tried to play off her deepening blush–but Percy had to do what Drew said, right? (Not because he actually wanted to hit on her.)

“You’re definitely making me regret making this a ‘ double’ date.” He said slyly into her ear, just loud enough that Luke could hear while he looked at his phone.

“Come on, Beth, let’s go sit down.” Luke pulled Annabeth by the arm to the doors of the restaurant, almost tripping up the unreasonably tall steps that lead to every bar/restaurant in the city.

“Come, babe.” Rachel seemingly whimsically led Percy after them.

Percy found Luke at the head of the table like he was going to pay for the entire dinner, and while Percy(’s wallet) didn’t mind that, he felt as though if he was going to make it seem like he wanted to get with Annabeth (Because Drew Said So ™ ) he should pay.

Percy got Rachel’s chair for her as they all sat down.

“So….” Rachel started.

“So….” Luke laughed as if he and Rachel were sharing a joke.

“Annabeth, I wanted to congratulate you on the big Marjoram sale.” Rachel said in that high pitched voice.

“Thank you, but, if it hadn’t been for Percy’s quick thinking we wouldn’t have gotten the sale at all.” She blushed as if she were also trying to ‘Do As Drew Said ™.’

“Please!” Percy took Annabeth’s hand over the table. “You were the one that came up with the whole scheme! Honestly, Luke, if I wasn’t with Rachel, you would have some competition.” Percy winked at Luke, taking pride in visibly being able to see Luke’s blood boil. Ignoring the way Rachel seemingly had a similar visceral reaction to his obvious flirting.

“Yes, well, good thing you are with Rachel then.” Luke said, downing his water like it was something stronger.

After the waiter took their orders, Percy turned his attention to Annabeth.

“Have I mentioned how beautiful you look tonight?”

“Probably more so than anything else we’ve talked about.” Rachel said.

“Perce, can I– uhm, can I talk to you for a sec?” Annabeth asked, getting up from the table.

“Sure.” He smiled and patted Luke’s shoulder on his way to follow Annabeth. 

He found her by the bathrooms, where he started to apologize but was caught off by her lips on his. His mind went blank. No way this was actually happening. No way she pulled him off to the side to kiss him and tug at his hair so deliciously, and press herself against him the way she is. At least until her lips popped off of his, a strawberry scented pant ghosting over his lips as she did.

“Okay, now that that’s over with. What the fuck?” Annabeth undid his tie, and re-tied it properly.. Percy didn’t know what to say.

“I–”

“The whole point of this dinner was to show Luke that there was nothing between us.” She bit her lip. “Besides, what about Rachel?”

“Rachel and I are in an open relationship…apparently.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means the reason we couldn’t do this last night is because she was on a date… with her girlfriend Reyna. Who, honestly seems like a really cool person– if she wasn’t fucking my girlfriend.”

“And that gives you the right to blow up my relationship?”

“But what you just did isn’t blowing up your relationship?”

“You’re flirting with me, and you’re making it hard, okay?”

“Okay.” He stepped back. “What– what does this mean?”

“It means– I– I don’t know what it means.”

“You don’t seem like the kind of person to not know things.” He took her hand, urging her to choose him. 

“You’re in a relationship, it doesn’t matter.” She reasoned, mostly to herself.

“Right, but an–”

“Open relationship, right. ‘ I’m not .’ So. We’re going back to the table and we’re going to act like civilized colleagues having a celebratory dinner over the biggest sale the company has seen in over a decade.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He held his hand out for her to go first.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“I have to take care of something in the bathroom first.” He squeaked out, a hand over his pants.

“Tuck it into your waistband.” She scoffed teasingly, heading back out. 

~

On the stroll back to Rachel’s apartment, Rachel was uncharacteristically quiet.

“Hey, what’s up?” Percy nudged her, wrapping his jacket around her shoulders.

“What happened when Annabeth pulled you off to the side?”

A million different excuses raced through Percy’s mind, but the one glaringly obvious answer stuck out to him; the truth. The truth wouldn’t be a big deal, she was literally fucking someone else last night.

“Annabeth kissed me.”

In response Rachel’s walking sped up as she pulled the jacket around her tighter. Percy followed, confused by her reaction.

“Can we go back to your place tonight?” She turned to face him, taking a hold of his tie, seeming to notice the difference in how it was tied.

“Sure.” He smiled, leaning down to kiss her.

Percy never really had many other girls that he’d kissed before Rachel. Sure, there had been his first kiss at a high school party after a swim meet. A girl named Lacey. It wasn’t romantic or could have led to anything, merely a game of spin the bottle, because High School. It barely lasted thirty seconds before the whoops and cheers got to be too overwhelming and she pulled away embarrassed. But Rachel’s kiss had always been an impressive one, he could tell from their first kiss that she had done this before, that she’d been with people. Not in a slut-shaming way, just that she’d kissed more than one person before him. Unfortunately, now that he’s kissed Annabeth, kissing Rachel feels formulaic. Almost…bland.

“I actually forgot to tell Annabeth one thing. Can I meet you back at my place later?”

“I–”

“Thanks, babe, love you.” Percy took off in a comedically timed jog as he raced to somewhere he realized he didn’t have the location of.

He called her. What else was he supposed to do?

“Percy? Hello?” She sniffled.

“Beth! I– I need to see you.” He didn’t even know what he was saying.

“Luke just broke up with me.” He could hear her scowl through the phone, and he knew it was adorable. “Why would I want to see you of all people right now?”

“Because Luke just broke up with you.”

Percy was racing over there in an instant.

The only thing that would have made it cheesier would be if it had been raining. 

Annabeth was waiting by her first-floor door outside.

When he saw her, his body kicked into action.

His hand held the back of her head, a delicious tight grip on her hair, as she backed them into her apartment. She moved her mouth to his neck when he stopped her.

“Wait, wait. I– as much as I want this, and I really want this. I really want to make sure you’re okay before anything. I don’t want to take advantage of you– despite my smooth talking on the phone I need to make sure you’re okay.” He looked her earnestly in the eyes, holding her face between his hands.

“I’m okay, I promise, I really need this, Percy, okay?” Silently, she pushed him on the couch. “The safe-word is Throuple.” She smiled knowingly, before her dress was shed and they were wrapped in a lavender haze of shared ecstasy. 

~

Annabeth had fallen asleep but Percy knows Rachel is waiting for him at his apartment.

He kissed her forehead, making her stir as she slept, but he really had to go, and pray his Jr. would be ready in time for Rachel.

“Where are you going?” He heard Annabeth’s soft voice from behind him as he slipped his shoes back on. She was in an oversized shirt that made her look irresistibly adorable.

“I’ll see you Monday, okay?” He said quietly, as if he knew his words had edges.

“You’re going to Rachel.” Annabeth said as if she were heartbroken.

“I–”

“I’ll see you Monday, Percy.” Annabeth turned on her heel, only for her hand to be caught and pulled towards Percy.

“Listen, I–” Percy didn’t know what he could say. “I had a really great time.” He went to kiss her, but she pulled out of his grasp.

“You can be okay with being in an open relationship, and doing girls left and right, but I don’t think I can be one of those girls. I know myself, Percy and I’m just not built that way.” She managed out, like advocating for herself in relationships was hard for her. (it is)

“Neither am I. I really like you Annabeth, I think I might–” Percy stopped himself from letting the crazy slip through the cracks too soon. “I really really like you, Beth. I’m sorry if I’m hurting you, but I promised Rachel I would be back.” He held her forehead against his own like she was his little secret meant only for him.

“I really need a friend right now, Percy.”

He could hear it in her voice, she was in no position to spend the rest of tonight alone. He couldn’t bear to be the person who abandoned her after what she went through tonight. 

“Let me just make a call, okay?” He kissed her forehead, feeling her arms wrap around his torso. He couldn’t bear to be apart from her. “How do cookies sound?” 

~

After a quick run to a bodega for blue food coloring, Annabeth finally asked.

“And what does food coloring have to do with cookies?”

“We’re making them blue.” He explained like it should be obvious.

“Sorry?” She questioned.

“It was a thing my Ma did in spite of my first stepfather.” 

After a small flour fight, as every cheesy love story requires, they were back to kissing.

Percy couldn’t get over how much better he felt kissing Annabeth than anyone he’d kissed before. She was sat on the counter, Percy between her legs as they waited for the cookies.

“You’re a really good kisser, you know?” She asked, her fingers in his hair.

“Really?” He smiled, hiding in her neck.

“Yeah. Have you done it much before?” Annabeth half joked.

“One time in high school and then with Rachel.”

“That’s it?” Annabeth asked, pulling him off of her so she could look him in the eyes.

“Really. Why…is it a lot?” He tilted her face to look at him.

“I don’t– I shouldn’t say.” She giggled.

“Annabeth whatever your middle name is Chase–”

“My name is actually Anna and Elizabeth is my middle name, hence the nickname Annabeth.” She explained.

“Anna Elizabeth Chase, are you prude-shaming me?” He questioned.

“If anything, you are a marvel.” She giggled, wrapping her legs around his waist, and keeping him close. 

~

Percy ended up spending a good portion of Sunday at Annabeth’s as well. It wasn’t until wearing the same boxers for two days straight even after showering, and shower sex, did he decide he should probably change into fresh clothes. 

“I like your stinky boxers!” Annabeth reasoned.

“I promise to bring you back something special if you let me get clean clothes, okay?” He mimicked her pouty face, and kissed her sweetly before leaving his tie with her (for future fun) and making the trek back to his apartment on the southside of Manhattan.

He was worn out. He was tired. He was over the moon in bliss. 

Percy had never felt so at peace with himself, maybe it was the mindblowing sex, maybe it was having finally found someone who makes him feel good about himself, but he loves the way he feels with Annabeth. It feels great for too many reasons. She’s his coworker, she’s easy to joke around with, she has the same job as him, so she can’t make him feel bad for being in a lower tax bracket, and she’s like what he imagines aphrodite to look like if she were a person. (not that he would actually know…) 

He unlocked his apartment, already getting the first buttons of his shirt off, so he could change quickly and get back to Annabeth when–

“The prodigal son returns.” Rachel flicked on the lamp in his living room like she was a supervillain….”

“Oh fuck– I–”

“Have no excuse? You’re damn right you have no excuse, Percy, what the actual fuck?”

“Luke broke up with Annabeth and I–”

“Spent the entire weekend fucking her brains out?” Rachel scoffed like she was better than him.

“You’re the one that said we were in an open relationship.” He countered.

“Right but that didn’t mean I wanted you to go out and fuck someone!”

“But you get to?”

“Percy, I love you. Baby, I love you so much.” She had tears in her eyes. “I was so worried. I’m sorry. I didn’t know what happened to you. I was so scared. You know the southside, Percy. Please I thought maybe you had been mugged or godforbid, murdered. What would I have done? You don’t text, you don’t call, Percy, how could you do that to me? After a dinner we went to for you?! You go off and fuck another woman? Like I’m not you’re one and only? Like we haven’t talked about having children? Like we haven’t talked about–”  Her voice broke off as she broke into full on heart-wrenching sobs.

“Rache–” His heart broke, staring at the woman he loves cry over how worried she was for him. All because he didn’t communicate. Rather, he was off fucking his coworker like Rachel isn’t his entire world. “I’m so sorry, baby. I wasn’t thinking, what can I do to make it up to you? I’ll do anything. Anything you say.” He wrapped her in his arms, and kissed her temple.

“I– I don’t think this whole open relationship is a good idea. I love you too much to have to just watch as you fuck other women.” She wiped her cheeks as she walked towards him.

“I hate watching you fuck other women.” Percy cried.

“Can we just be exclusive? I’ll break it off with Reyna right now.” Rachel sniffled.

“I was never in any other relationships–”

“Okay, I’ll call Reyna.” Rachel sniffled as Percy went into his bedroom to change and shower again. 

~

Percy walked into work, feeling nauseous. Happy, but nauseous.

“Loverboy!” Annabeth spun in her chair.

“Hey, Beth.” Percy smiled weakly.

“You’ll never guess what happened after you left!” She said, a smile splitting her face.

“What?”

“Luke called.”

“Oh?”

“He said he made a huge mistake and wanted me back.”

“And? What did you say to him?”

“I told him about the weekend I had, and that I needed time to think it over. I didn’t add this last part, but I figured after our weekend together… I’ll reject…his offer?” Annabeth asked as if she were trying to figure out what they were.”

“Rachel wants to be exclusive.” He could almost hear her heart break in sync with his own, 

“I– Okay.” Annabeth swallowed whatever she wanted to say next and put her headphones in before returning to her spreadsheet. “I just have to input these sales, so talk later?”

“Sure–” Percy had so much he wanted to say. But knew that any words he could say would only add salt to her wounds. He didn’t want to be another person to abandon her.

By the next week, he invited her to the bar. They drank and laughed. It was like a date, but they were back to their starting point.

As the months went on, their trips to the bar became all the more frequent as their respective partners would periodically become unhinged. While most of the time it was unreasonable, and unhealthy, Percy would be the first to admit he could push Rachel there sometimes. Maybe it was so he could grab a drink with his best friend, maybe it was because he knew who he should spend his nights with. Even if it wouldn’t happen for a long time.

Luke and Annabeth eventually parted ways, after Annabeth had seemingly given up on getting anywhere with Percy. She bought herself a house in Riverdale, where she adopted a dog named Max.

Percy will eventually get his cat. (When he moves in with Annabeth, obviously.) 


 

Chapter Text

The best thing about working with a significant other, is not just the fuel efficiency, but having someone who gets it. Also, Percy knows what Annabeth is up to in every sense. He’s not staying up, drinking wondering if she’s out fucking someone or dead in a ditch. It turns out that communication in a relationship is the best thing– ever.

Not to mention that when he wakes up to blonde curls in his face, she’s just as excited about the prospect of breakfast and morning breath kisses as he is.

He can’t help but find himself wanting to do everything in his power for her, with her , to her–

The way her nose always crinkles at the smell of fresh coffee in her sleep is something so personal to him, he can’t explain it. Maybe it’s that he figured it out, or it could be that he’s the only one who gets to see her like this.

Her joints cracking as she sits up, bright-eyed and fresh faced, Percy wants to just squeeze her.

“Good morning.” He smiles and kisses her forehead, taking pride in the little displeased sigh she lets out when he pulls away.

“Come back here.” She motions for him to lay back down, and honestly, how could he ever say no to her?

Laying down in her arms, carefully having placed the coffees on the nightstand, crawling over her, and burying his face in her neck, he thinks he could die a happy man right there. Feeling her arms wrap around his torso and her legs lock him in, he’d never want anything more. (at least until they have to rush to work) 

When they had officially started dating, Chiron made them sign some papers with HR saying they weren’t going to sue the company or something, Percy’s not really sure, he was just happy the company wasn’t going to make them break up or keep it a secret.

Another great thing about working with a significant other is that it feels like there’s an inside joke that only you and the other person know. With the lingering touches and longing glances, it’s hard not to want to just shove her in the bathroom and have his way with her. (respectfully, obviously– he would never do anything without her consent) 

Lunch is another perk, always having someone to eat with.

“What should we do for dinner?” Percy asked through his sandwich, causing Annabeth to use a napkin to wipe at the corner of his mouth.

“We’re eating lunch and you’re already thinking about dinner?”

“You’re not?”

“We need to go shopping tonight– well, you do. I went this weekend while you went to the skatepark with Grover.” She smiled.

“Ugh. I hate going to the grocery store.” 

“I know, being independent sucks.” She laughed sweetly.

“Can’t I just come over tonight, and I’ll make us dinner?” 

“If you insist.” She sighed facetiously. “Though I did forget to get milk… and eggs… and carrots– oh and–”

“Shopping date?” Percy smiled.

“Shopping date.” She confirmed. 

“Well, that’s good.” He smirked.

“Why?”

“‘Cause I’m your ride.” He kissed her cheek.

~

Percy parked and helped Annabeth out of the car, not because she needed it, rather because he gets to kiss her when she gets out of the car and that makes everything worth it.

“Alright, I need to get some veggies, can you grab the frozen stuff and the milk and we’ll meet in the soda aisle?” Annabeth smiled endearingly.

Percy kissed her forehead and walked off towards the freezing sections of the grocery store.

He opened one of the freezer doors to grab her frozen fruit for smoothies when he was suddenly face to face with a redheaded woman.

“Percy.” She smiled as a looming feeling settled in his stomach. 

“Rachel.” He muttered, a chill running down his spine as if he’d seen a ghost. 

If Percy was being truthful with himself… he wasn’t upset to see her. If he was being honest, he was happy– if he was being completely and totally transparent… he missed her. 

“I took what you said to heart, Percy, honestly.” Rachel said, and he could almost believe her.

“You look good.” He smirked.

“So do you. You cut your hair.” Rachel ran her fingers through his more easily tamable locks.

“Yeah.” Percy blushed. “This is it but a little longer than the initial cut. I had wanted to try a new look, so we cut it pretty short.”

“You really don’t have the face shape for really short hair, anyone with a brain can see that.” Rachel scoffed, pinching his cheeks together condescendingly. 

“Annabeth likes it.” He shrugged.

“Annabeth–” Rachel repeated, coldly.

It seemed to occur to him that maybe she didn’t know he was dating Annabeth. And maybe she hadn’t done as much work as she said she did.

“Yeah, my uh–”

“Co-worker.”

“Yeah.” He swallowed uneasily.

“Well. I was hoping you and I could grab a drink sometime?”

“I don’t know how good of an idea that would be, Rache.”

“It’s just a drink, Perce, I’m not gonna take you out to dinner and invite you back to my place– though I think you did leave some stuff behind.” She trailed off, making Percy’s stomach swirl. What harm could one drink do? Before he and Annabeth got together, they went out for drinks, it was completely platonic, even after their Marjoram sale. (lies) 

“I guess you’re right.” He chuckled, feeling at ease at the sight of her smile.

“Here, I’ll text you tonight for what bar.” Rachel began to turn on her heel when she spun back around to add something to her sentence. “It was really great to see you, Perce. I hope we can be friends again.”

“Me too.” He felt himself say it, and he unfortunately meant it.

~

Percy helps Annabeth up to her apartment with her groceries, and his still in the car. She seemed to notice something was off, because of course she could read him like a book.

“You know you can talk to me, right?” Annabeth asked softly as if she were worried she over stepped in some way.

“Yeah. Why?”

“You’re acting weird, and I don’t want you to keep it bottled up. If I did something, Perce I want you to talk to me.”

“I ran into Rachel while we were shopping.”

“Oh.”

“She said I looked good.”

“How do you feel about seeing Rachel again?”

“Good? But also– guilty. But it was nice. Like we always had a good time together–”

“When things were good between you guys, you mean.”

“I– yeah, I guess, but, it was really nice. I always feel better after talking with her.” He smiled.

“When you guys are in the good part of the cycle.” Annabeth added on for necessary context.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Percy scoffed.

“You need to remember what she was like, Perce.”

“Or you’re scared that I’ll leave you for her.”

“No, I–”

“She invited me to drinks tomorrow. I wasn’t sure if I was going to go.” His words came out with edges, ready to slice her throat, and as if he didn’t already know he was going. 

“You’re having drinks with Rachel tomorrow?” Annabeth asked, something being held back in her soft tone.

“I was going to ask you, but I don’t need to, we don’t have any plans together, so there’s no need to ask right? Unless you’re going to get all controlling and try to tell me I can’t have a drink with an old friend.”

“You can do whatever you want, Percy.” She held his cheek gently, making him deflate a little. “I just want you to be careful. She’s hurt you before and I don’t want her to hurt you again. I like you too much for that.” She kissed his cheek.

Percy seemed to break from his Rachel induced daze and caught her hip as she pulled away.  He spun her back to him, and gave her a full kiss. His hands holding her face and hips against his own.

“I– I’m sorry.” He buried his face in her neck. “I’m so sorry. I don’t– I don’t mean to do that. It’s like– I don’t even know.” He hugged her tightly, feeling crazy.

“I know, Perce. You’re still working through some things.” She held his face and rested his forehead against her own. “When are you seeing Dr. Erikson again?”

“Next Monday.” He muttered against her hold.

“Didn’t she say you could call her if you had an emergency?”

“Yeah.” He sniffled.

“Do you think you want to talk to her about this?”

“I’ll text her, I don’t want her to worry.”

“She’s your therapist, Perce, you pay her to help you with your concerns.”

“I know, I just don’t feel right about texting her so late.” He scratched the back of his neck.

“She doesn’t have to respond. Just because you text her, doesn’t mean you’re entitled to a response the same night.” Annabeth kissed his forehead, sending him to go send his text.

~

Dr. Erikson didn’t get back before he sat down at the table in the bar with Rachel. 

“I’m so glad we could do this.” Rachel smiled, a gleam in her eye as she rested her hand precariously on his thigh.

“Yeah. I mean, we’re just catching up as friends. Nothing to worry about.” Percy shifted uneasily.

“Ugh, I should have eaten before we sat down. I do not want to end up hungover tomorrow.” She whined, resting her head on his shoulder. 

“Rookie mistake.” He brushed off her potential pass at him. He knows that some people are just physical people– they show affection through touch, even if it’s not sexual.

“Oh, whatever, Daddy doesn’t need me tomorrow anyway.” She giggled, waving the barkeep over.

“What can I get for you two love birds?” The bartender asked.

“Oh, we’re not–” Percy started.

“I’ll have a vodka-cran, and whatever he wants.” Rachel smiled.

“I’ll have a–uhm–whiskey-sour?” Percy cleared his throat.

As the night went on, (five drinks each)Rachel got more touchy, and Percy found himself enjoying it more. He really did miss Rachel and he was having trouble remembering why they even broke up. Like, yeah, he was kind of into his coworker, but is Annabeth who he’s supposed to be with? He’s known Rachel so much longer. Rachel knows him so much better than anyone. She knows his quirks, his bad sides, and he knows the same about her. If she’s working on herself, who’s to say she can’t do that with him. He’s also working on himself. They could work on themselves together.

“You–” He hiccuped. “You know, Rache, I– I’ve been thinking, and I think–” He hiccuped again. “I think you’re doing great, you’re seeing a therapist, I’m seeing a therapist.”

“Since when is Annabeth a therapist? Rachel giggled, nearly falling out of her chair.

“Annabeth’s not a therapist.” He slurred.

“I know, stupid, I’m fucking with you.”

“Shut up.” He leaned into her, her overwhelmingly familiar scent pulling him even closer.

“Oh, Perce, I really missed you.” She held his cheek as she leaned her head against his.

“I miss you.” He snuggled into her hold, her lips catching his, and Percy relishing the feeling of her lips on his.

“Why don’t we give us another shot?” She moaned into him.

“Well, I– I have Annabeth.” Percy seemed to suddenly remember.

“So? I had Reyna. It’s no different, baby.”

“Yeah, but I really like Annabeth.” Percy could feel the alcohol suddenly leaving his body like it knew he needed to defend himself.

“She doesn’t know you like I know you, Baby.” Rachel kissed his forehead.

“I want to know her that way.” Feeling every molecule in his body ignite with wrong and discomfort.

“Do you? Wouldn’t it be so much easier to come back to me? I’ll always have you, Baby.”

“I know but Annabeth’s so–” 

“Whorish?” Rachel answered.

“No, she treats me differently. Like a person with feelings.”

“I treat you like a person with feelings. But I also know that you happen to have a pair of balls on you. Which means, automatically you can handle more shit.”

“Can we get the bill?” Percy asked, swirling his drink in his cup, wanting to get as far away from Rachel as possible. 

“Sure, sweetheart.” Rachel gushed patronizingly.

Percy felt like he was going to be sick. He wasn’t just a person with feelings, he was a person with feelings and a dick. Annabeth should know that.

Instead of returning to his apartment, he went to Annabeth’s house. 

He bore at the door, feeling guilty. 

“Perce?” Annabeth called from her garage. She had a shovel in her hands as if she thought he were an intruder. 

“Beth.” He felt himself smile.

“Is everything okay?”

“I don’t– uhm.” He scratched the back of his neck like it would give him an answer.

“Percy?”

“I–” Why was speaking so hard? What was wrong with him?

“Percy, it’s okay. Whatever happened. I– I understand, okay? Let’s sit down, I’ll make you some tea, and if you want you can tell me what happened.” She took his hand.

~

Sitting down at her kitchen table, Percy’s mind stopped racing. He could breathe, and he could think.

“I need you to know that you’re too good for me, Beth.”

Annabeth deflated.

“I know I said you didn’t have to tell me, but did you– did you sleep with her?” A tear ran down her cheek as if she thought she lost him.

“No. She– she wanted to, but I couldn’t do that. I can’t go back to her. Sure, she’s like this ethereal being in my head and then when we’re in person– she’s– fuck, Beth she’s magnetic, but I couldn’t. All I could think about was you, and how you were home alone, and I’m not there. I’m not in your arms.” He hugged her, gripping her tightly against himself. She fit perfectly in his hold as he did to hers. “She– We kissed.” 

He wanted her to know everything. 

“Oh.” Annabeth pulled back as if she were disgusted with him.

“It didn’t mean anything.” He rushed out.

“But her lips were on yours?” She leaned in.

Percy swallowed. “Yes but, Beth, I– I lo–

Annabeth kissed him, cutting him off.

“Don’t.” She sniffled, holding his face gingerly. “I don’t want the first time to be because of your ex.” She smiled, holding his face.

“But, you know?”

“And I feel the same, but now is not the right moment.” She held his forehead against her own.

“I really really do. Okay? I’ll try not to be that stupid again.” He laughed into her neck.