Percabeth Oneshots

Happy Now

*inspired by Loote's Your Side Of The Bed

They were as close to soulmates as a relationship could possibly get. Seemingly an endless love that would outlast those chosen by Aphrodite herself. A love even Eros couldn't hope to recreate.

The shock of those hearing the pair broke up could never be rivaled. How could an endless love possibly come to one?

How could soulmates break up?

It is just the way fate works.

Because it's cruel and never be tempted.

~~~

She had always liked the faint ringing of the old bell as a new customer walked in. Not because it meant more money for the cafe as she did not work at the small cafe she often frequented.

She couldn't quite place her finger on the why. Maybe it was the laughter that followed the bell's tune. Perhaps, the way it did not change. Despite how much the world around her did.

She ordered a coffee like any other day. At that point, the barista could put in the order as soon as she walked through those doors. Heat spreading to her hands as she picked up the coffee, the cup unable to contain its warmth.

The warmth disappeared as she turned around, the coffee spilling all over the man that had been behind her the entire time. No warning from the bell.

"Ouch! Hot, hot, hot!" The man shouted out when the liquid splashed on him.

"Oh gods, I'm so sorry!" She said, grabbing paper towels off the countertop and handing a few over to him. Keeping a few herself trying to wipe it off.

"I'm fine," the man chuckled before looking at her. Their eyes widening at the same time as they realized who was in front of them. "Annabeth?"

"Percy?" Annabeth said in response and let out a small little chuckle. "Long time, no see. What are you doing here?"

"A friend of mine works here, told me to visit while I was in town," Percy answered with a smile on his face, his eyes looking over the woman he hadn't seen in what could be considered ages. "Apparently there's no better coffee in the world."

"I can't disagree," she said. "How are you doing? I can't really remember the last time we talked."

"I'm doing just great, except for hot coffee you spilled on me, of course." Percy joked.

Annabeth's smile dropped from her face as she remembered the coffee she spilled on him.

"Let me make that up to you. Coffee on me."

"You don't have—"

"Come on, Percy. I insist." Annabeth said, turning back over to the nosy barista who had been watching the encounter. "Even if I hadn't spilled coffee on you, I would've bought some for you. Now, what looks good today..."

After Annabeth bought the coffee, the two sat down in one of the booths to catch up. Percy informed Annabeth that he was training to be able to compete in the Paris Olympics in 2024. Annabeth told Percy about her successful architecture business firm and how her business was the best architecture firm worldwide.

Somewhere in the conversation, current romantic relationships were brought up. Percy learned from Annabeth that she and her boyfriend of three years were engaged and soon to be married. Whereas, Percy had only recently gotten together with his girlfriend, Rachel.

Morning turned to noon and the conversation between the two felt like it had only just begun. The long time apart had created a lot for the two to catch up on.

"She did not!" Annabeth laughed as Percy was finishing his story about his little sister practically betraying him to his girlfriend.

"Oh yes, she did!" Percy said, barely able to keep from laughing himself. "I'm telling you I was mortified for weeks! Estelle's lucky my mom's so nice, otherwise, I would've taken all of the blue cookies for myself."

"How did Rachel respond to Estelle asking if you two were having kids? I mean, that couldn't've gone well." Annabeth asked using her laughter as a shield to hide the curiosity and true intentions.

"She kind of just laughed it off and played it off as no big deal," Percy said, asking the question without a second thought.

"Wow, look at the time," Annabeth said as the clock struck two. "I forgot how much time flies around you. I honestly cannot believe we've spent so much time apart, much less broke up."

"Do you remember why we broke up?" Percy asked, not bothering to hide the genuine confusion that he felt surrounding their former relationship. "Every time I think about our relationship, I can never remember why we broke up. I always thought we were so good together."

Annabeth considered it for a moment. "I don't really remember either, actually. All I remember is that we were together one day and the next we weren't, y'know?"

"It just doesn't make sense to me. Our fights were never that big and we always made up the same day. We so were happy— I was so happy."

"We didn't even bother to stay in touch... I can't imagine the breakup was that bad that we didn't even want to talk to each other."

"No," Percy insisted. "No if it was bad we would have figured it out or at the very least remembered. We just drifted apart, maybe? I mean, it was college, relationships usually end with drifting anyway."

They stared at each other for a while, as if the answer would magically appear in front of them. The sound of Annabeth's phone going brought them back to reality.

"Crap, I have to go," Annabeth said, picking up her things. "Luke and I are getting a jump on the preparations before our parents have a chance."

"Yeah," Percy said, reluctant to let her go. "I actually have to get going as well. Rachel wanted to hang out today. I completely forgot."

It was the single, best lie he had ever told.

Annabeth smiled. "I'll see you. Let's stay in touch this time, yeah? I really missed talking to you."

"Yeah," Percy said softly as Annabeth walked out of the café building. He couldn't bring himself to get up. In the extra five minutes he sat there, the only thing he could think of was going after her.

Not his seeing his girlfriend like he told Annabeth her would. Not getting back to the pool he spent years training in.

But going after the women he still felt for, despite the years apart and only a simple conversation.

But it'd be wrong if he went after her.

She was happy with her life.

And that was the only thought that kept him from giving in to his impulses.

The knowing that Annabeth Chase was happy now.

***

A/N: someone take away my writing privileges. I hurt myself with this one, but I couldn't help it. Lowkey self-destructive.

Be sure to vote and comment!

Completed: 7/27/20
Edited: 7/28/21
(literally forgot about my one-shots for a year, what)
Word Count: 1179 words