Archive of Our Own ^beta

Annabeth can count on one hand how many times she’s been to a wedding. The first time was when she was 5 and Helen stuffed her in this awful pink frilly dress. She was itchy and uncomfortable the whole time but she got told. You’re so difficult.

Next time was when Sally got married. She was officially Sally Jackson-Blofis. Her wedding was pretty. Annabeth matched Percy’s tux. Safe to say, Annabeth never thought anything would occur after that. But the fact she was sitting in a bridal boutique said so much differently. She was being teased every which way by their friends, calling her Mrs. Jackson and soon to be bride. They even went further with Rachel gifting her a sweater that said. Soon to be Mrs on the front.

Percy was excited. Annabeth saw how his face practically lit up in excitement when she said yes, he picked her up and spun her around. Kissing her so passionately. Annabeth never wanted the night to end. But every time something good happened to her. Something bad would come right after it. She didn’t know if it was Hera, the fates or just the fact she ruined everything she set out to touch. She didn’t know how Percy wasn’t crumbling down yet. An Architect. One who wants to build and she’s one who always makes them break.

It’s not like she wasn’t excited. The gods know she’s been staring and turning that ring on her finger ever since Percy gave it her. She should be feeling all happy and in love. And she does but it’s always accompanied by long hours of her thinking of everything going wrong.

Annabeth would be the first to admit she was difficult. Not so friendly to get along with. She was a hassle. What guy would really wanna marry someone who is so difficult. But Percy. He’s brave, kind, and loyal. Percy’s a true hero. He’s young and he could do so much better. She just comes with so much baggage and she’s, once again, difficult as Helen would put it.

Sally came with her for the dress shopping. She said she wanted to go alone but Annabeth’s an over-thinker and who better to bring then a woman who already got married and she’s happy. Annabeth wants to be like Sally if she ever becomes a mother.

She’d bring Rachel, Piper or Hazel but then she thinks she’d break down and cry over the dress she chose and everything that’s been building up in her brain. And the thing about them is that they’re most likely to advise her to tell Percy or tell Percy themselves. Snitches. Annabeth loves them but still, they’re a bunch of snitches.

At least with Sally, she’s less likely to cry (She quickly finds out that’s not the truth)

She hasn’t liked any dress so far and in Annabeth’s mind, it’s “Why is dress shopping this hard” she knows that brides are supposed to find this magical dress that they want to get married in but Annabeth thinks it just might not be for her. Maybe this magical dress doesn’t exist and she’s once again. Being difficult. But then she spots it. It’s long and flows like water. It’s like the dress she wore on Circe’s island all those years ago. It has a sweetheart neckline and if she ever had to. She could fight in it. It’s her dress. It might not be so flashy but she hates flashy anyways. It’s the dress she’s meant to wear as she gets married to the love of her life.

“Do you want to try it on dear?” Sally asks when she catches Annabeth staring at the dress she’s wanted all her life that she’s never known existed.

She sees herself in the full length mirror of the dressing room. It’s pretty. It’s nice on her. She can’t help but feel the fact that yes she can see herself walking down isle in this. Grover bawling into Juniper’s lap. She’d invite her Dad and step family. The hunters would put down their bows for a wine glass and Thalia would’ve been her maid of honor. Now Annabeth knew she said she wouldn’t cry. Not her. Not in front of Sally but she feels the tears slip out. It should’ve slipped in when she got the ring. It should’ve slipped in when Percy said ‘Will you marry me” But it only slipped in now.

Annabeth Chase. Annabeth Chase was getting married. This dress was the first step. Someone wanted to marry her. Percy wanted to marry her. Be with her for forever. She doesn’t know if it’s the dress or the realization that makes her cry but Sally holds her before she falls in a heap of tears.

“It’s okay. It’s okay.” She soothes her as if she’s a baby. But Annabeth can just not stop her sobbing. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.” Sally shakes her head and stifles a laugh.

“It’s alright. It’s a beautiful dress and we can get it for you-”

“That’s not why I’m crying.” She comes out snappier than she means to. And then she starts sobbing even more cause she doesn’t want to talk to her fiancee’s mother like that.

“Sorry- I- I- didn’t m-mean to be difficult.” She stutters out before she decides to shut up. Gods, why is crying over a stupid wedding dress. She isn’t even getting married right now. Is she going to be a wreck on the actual day.

“Annabeth dear. Look at me.” She blinks up through lousy tears and stares up at Sally. “You are allowed to cry. It’s an important time for you. You’ve had a difficult life I know that and you are allowed to cry over something as measly as a wedding dress and being so scared about getting married. It’s okay. You’re trying. And that’s all I expect of you- all Percy expects of you.” Sally wipes the tears from Annabeth’s eyes and immediately Annabeth looks down to see if she’s wet the dress she wants.

Surprisingly to her. It’s dry. Sally laughs, “I’m guessing that’s the one you want yeah?” Annabeth nods her faster then she’s ever done before.

Later. Percy greets her in their apartment, kissing at her cheeks softly. “How’d dress shopping go? any luck.” He asks. Annabeth sits on her laptop, and thinks about everything. She contemplates telling him but Percy’s smile is brighter then she’s ever seen it. He’s been bubbling with excitement at them getting married. He isn’t thinking about everything that could go wrong in their life. She is.

She stares at him and nods her head. “I found the one.” Percy pours himself a glass of juice that they’ve had sitting in their fridge since they’ve graduated from New Rome. “when can I see it?”

“In six months!” She answers cheerfully.

Percy tackles her to the couch. Gives her a bunch of kisses and repeatedly tells her how much he loves her and can’t wait to marry her. She can’t wait to marry him too. She loves Percy. He’s her everything. If only some people understood how much she loves him.

“I love you so much.” He whispers into her ears as they settle into cuddling on the couch. But why, her head immediately responds. “I love you too.” She responds back, and her voice almost cracks. She wants to tell her children how they met. Explain to young campers that they can have a happy ending if they just work for it.

Annabeth can’t explain how long she wants him to be hers. It’s kinda selfish. She wants to be with him till her hair turns gray and her skin is wrinkly. When she can barely remember her name but she can remember his. When her last words to him are “I love you”

She might be difficult but she’s getting married to a person who loves her so she did something right along the way.