PJO/HOO One Shots

Forever Like That

Percy stared numbly at the busy New York scene outside his window, twisting the ring around his ring finger. Rain poured down in thick torrents, and yet, all these people were still out and about, like Mother Nature wasn't weeping all over them.

Annabeth liked the rain, Percy couldn't help but find himself thinking of her. He was always thinking of her.

"Honey, I'm hoooome!" Percy exclaimed, stumbling into his and Annabeth's apartment. Rain clung to his clothing like an extra layer, dripping all over their welcome mat. "Wow, you will not believe how hard it is raining out there."

Annabeth grinned at him over her shoulder from where she sat on the window seat, making all sorts of butterflies flutter in Percy's stomach. It was a habit of hers, sitting at the window and cozying up with a book when it rained. "I've been sitting at the window, Seaweed Brain. I can see how hard it's raining."

Percy couldn't help but grin widely. Always a smartass, he thought fondly. Setting his bag of groceries on the floor, he meandered over to Annabeth and hugged her waist tightly.

"And just what are you doing, you fine fiancée of mine?" Percy asked, burying his face into the crook of Annabeth's shoulder. He could feel the warmth of her shoulder from where the skin was exposed by her gray tank top. She smelled like vanilla and lemon, an odd combination that drove Percy crazy. She was like a drug, and he was addicted.

"Ah, Percy, that tickles!" Annabeth giggled. "For your information, I am reading."

"Yuck, reading. Only losers do that. Awesome people cuddle with their amazing boyfriends," Percy grumbled, making no effort to move.

Annabeth tossed her head back and laughed, giving Percy ample access to her neck. Sighing contentedly as he kissed a line up to her jaw, she replied breathily, "Well you're the one who's dating this loser. Just come cuddle me while I read weirdo."

Percy shrugged, and shoved himself into the small space left on the bench, slotting himself right behind Annabeth. She was wearing those navy running shorts that made her legs go on for miles, and these weird fuzzy socks that were designed to look like Cookie Monster.

As if on cue, Annabeth perked up and said, "Hey, look at these socks Piper got me! They're Cookie Monster!"

Percy felt like his whole body was melting. "You're so cute," he sighed, twisting a curl around his finger and squeezing her tighter.

"Shut up you sap," Annabeth retorted, but she was blushing.

Percy was in love.

Percy was startled by the sound of his apartment door swinging open. There stood Piper in the doorway with a bag of groceries.

Percy felt his heart fall. Irrationally, he was expecting Annabeth, but he was just disappointing himself. She wasn't coming back.

"Heyo, so I grabbed some Cinnamon Toast Crunch, chicken noodle soup..." Percy briefly acknowledged Piper was talking, but her voice faded into the background.

Annabeth liked Frosted Flakes, Percy thought. Down below him, he saw a little girl swinging happily between her parents and splashing in puddles.

"Percy!" Piper shouted, startling him. She was next to him now, her kaleidoscope eyes piercing into him. "For the love of god, can you please eat? Anything works, just eat something."

Percy felt his stomach turn over. When was the last time he ate? Did it even matter?

"Percy, talk to me. When was the last time you ate?"