Chapter Text
Annabeth couldn’t believe that it was already the last week of the summer. Percy’s term at camp had seemed to move at lightning speed, from their quest in the Sea of Monsters to the weeks spent training. They hadn’t had a dull moment in weeks. Annabeth was upset that summer was ending, she always was. But at least this year she had somewhere to go once summer session was over.
Presently, she was trying to focus on winning the last Capture the Flag game of the year. It was shaping up to be a big event. Teams always saved their best hiding spots for the last game, so this match would most likely go well into the night. She’d been talking strategy with Percy and the other head counselors all day, and it was almost time to begin.
She walked towards the clearing in the woods where the game commenced, a huge crowd of campers already gathered. She spotted Percy chatting with Travis and Connor in the corner, and she made a beeline for him. Travis and Connor dispersed when they saw Annabeth coming, which she didn’t understand. It’s not like she and Percy had to be alone.
“Hey,” Annabeth said when she reached him.
“Hi,” He replied, fiddling with the straps on his armor. Annabeth sighed. Some things never change.
“You’d think after over a year you’d be better at this,” Annabeth told him, pushing his hands off his armor and tightening the straps at the top. Her hands moved swiftly, falling into the usual motions and finishing before Percy could even respond. When she tugged the last strap taut, he finally spoke.
“But if I learned, I wouldn’t need your help anymore,” Percy told her like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Annabeth found herself blushing bright red, not really knowing why. “Exactly.”
Percy shook his head, not believing that Annabeth didn’t like helping him. She turned away from him, pulling her braids up into a ponytail and out of her face.
Soon, Annabeth and Percy’s eyes snapped toward Chiron, his booming voice carrying across the clearing.
“I’m sure you all know the rules by now,” he called. “But just to reiterate: no killing, no maiming. First team to bring the other team's flag back to their territory wins. Magical items are permitted.”
Silence fell across the crowd, and Chiron took that as a no. The conch sounded, and it was time to begin.
“So, am I bait again, Wise Girl?” Percy asked Annabeth.
“You know Clarisse can’t resist a rematch,” Annabeth replied, walking away from her team and towards the trees.
“Oh come on, really?” Percy whined, following her nonetheless.
“Relax, Seaweed Brain,” Annabeth told him. “I’ll be right there to help you.”
She nodded towards the head counselors of the other teams on her side. They already knew the plan, knew what roles they were supposed to play. Now, all they needed was to keep Clarisse distracted. And what better way to keep her busy than offering her another go at Percy?
“How will she even know where to find us?” Percy asked, holding back a branch from Annabeth’s face so she could enter the forest.
“I made sure that she overheard where we were going,” Annabeth explained.
“And where are we going?” Percy asked.
He could be so clueless sometimes, Annabeth thought. Clueless in an endearing way, though.
“Where it all began,” Annabeth answered. Realization dawned on Percy’s face, and he jogged to catch up to her. She strode quickly in the direction of the lake, Percy finally falling into step beside her. He always seemed to match her pace, and Annabeth didn’t know if that was effort on his part, or just that they were naturally in sync. If she had to guess, she would’ve guessed the latter.
“So,” Percy said. “You’re meeting Thalia at the boarding school after this week?”
“That’s the plan,” Annabeth reminded him. Thalia had gone up to the school early, not wanting to deal with the fanfare that was the end of summer. She’d had a weird go of it as it were, and Annabeth understood her wanting to escape the craziness. Sometimes Annabeth wished the same.
“How are you feeling about that?” Percy asked. Annabeth understood why he asked. Last school year, she was supposed to live with her dad in San Francisco. It hadn’t exactly worked out.
“It’s good to have Thalia back,” Annabeth said truthfully. Percy seemed saddened, just like he always was when Annabeth mentioned Thalia. Her shoes crunched loudly on the leaves underfoot as she added, “And I’ll be closer to the city. And you.”
Percy smiled, that weird crooked smile that she used to hate but now found endearing.
Soon, the clearing on the lakeshore appeared, and Annabeth’s boots went from stomping on roots to sinking in the sand. Percy didn’t seem affected, his step not interrupted by the unstable ground in the slightest. Annabeth guessed it was the son of Poseidon in him.
“Now what?” Percy asked. He squinted up at the sky, which was darkening quickly.
“Now, we wait,” Annabeth told him. She added, “And hope Clarisse hasn’t changed her mind about wanting to skewer you.”
Percy shook his head. “From the way she was glaring at me at breakfast, I don’t think she’s gotten a handle on that urge.”
Annabeth shrugged. “Works for me.”
Percy shook his head, trying not to grin. He plopped down on the sand, hand playing with the water close to him. Annabeth and Percy sat like that for a while, Percy making shapes in the water and Annabeth trying (and failing) to guess. “A blob!” she had guessed. “It’s obviously Mr. D,” Percy had replied.
Soon the sun had sunk below the horizon, and Annabeth could hardly see Percy beside her. She pulled out the small flashlight she’d packed in her jean’s pocket, clicking it on and setting it beside them. She was careful not to put it too close to the water, not wanting to electrocute herself.
A wave of cold washed over the clearing, made all the worse by the water coating Annabeth’s ankles. Percy didn’t look bothered, the water not clinging to his skin and clothes like it would any other demigod. Annabeth immediately regretted not putting on a jacket, goosebumps covering her bare arms. She shivered, and Percy looked over at her, eyes leaving the water.
“Are you cold?” Percy asked. His blue eyes bored into hers.
“Just a little,” Annabeth admitted. “But I’m fine.”
“Don’t be a hero,” Percy told her. He pulled off the jacket he’d put on over his armor, handing it to her.
“You sure?” Annabeth asked. She didn’t want him to be cold.
“The cold never bothered me anyway,” Percy said in a monotone.
“Did you seriously just quote Frozen to me?” Annabeth laughed.
“The snow glows white on the mountain tonight, not a footprint-” Percy sang before Annabeth put her hand over his mouth.
“You’re going to give away our position!” Annabeth scolded, but she couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m just going to keep singing until you put the jacket on,” Percy told her.
Annabeth paused, not really believing him.
“A kingdom of isolation, and it looks like I’m the queen!” Percy sang out.
“Fine, fine,” Annabeth agreed, pulling on the jacket and immediately grateful for it.
“Are you sure you’re not cold?” Annabeth asked Percy, again.
“The cold never bothered-” Percy started before being cut off by Annabeth.
“None of that,” she laughed. “Seriously.”
“A little bit, but I’d rather you have it,” Percy told her. Annabeth didn’t really understand that, but she guessed he wanted her to be warm in the same way she didn’t want him to be cold.
“Let’s just share,” Annabeth told him. She pulled off the jacket, scooting closer to him so that their legs pressed together. She draped the jacket over both of their shoulders, huddling close to him for warmth. His blond curls pressed into her he leaned his head on her shoulder. She laid her head on top of his, and it was all she could do not to fall asleep, comforted by his closeness.
She could’ve stayed like that forever, staring out at the waves with Percy a breath away. But she knew all good things had to end, and that was proven by the sound of a twig snapping behind them. Annabeth whipped around, the jacket falling to their waists.
Clarisse stood at the treeline, sword raised and a smirk on her face.
“What are you guys up to?” Clarisse asked, a laugh bursting from her mouth.
“Shut up, Clarisse,” Percy told her. “It’s just cold.”
Annabeth knew he was lying.
“Whatever,” Clarisse said. “You and I have a score to settle.”
“You say that everytime,” Annabeth told Clarisse. She pointed at Percy. “And he always wins.”
Percy uncapped Riptide, readying his stance.
“Not this time,” Clarisse asserted. As she lunged towards Percy, they locked eyes wordlessly, the message easily passing between them. Just keep her busy long enough that the team can get the flag.
Percy nodded, starting combat with Clarisse. Annabeth knew Percy could handle himself, he proved it with every block and parry. But still, she waited close by, ready to step in if things got nasty.
She was right to have stayed close, because all of a sudden, Percy tripped over a rock in the sand, falling backwards onto his back. Clarisse stalked forward, sword raised. Annabeth knew she wasn’t afraid to draw blood, so without a second thought, the daughter of Athena flung herself forward, her own sword raised to cover her son of Poseidon. Annabeth’s sword clanged against Clarisse’s, and Annabeth managed to push her back long enough for Percy to get back on his feet.
“Go away, Annabeth,” Clarisse said. “This isn’t your fight.”
“Don’t talk to her that way,” Percy said, stepping in front of Annabeth and continuing his fight with Clarisse. Annabeth wondered how he’d gotten so good. She was still better than him, that was for sure. But he’d progressed at lightning speed compared to all the other campers.
The fight went on like that for a while, neither Clarisse nor Percy tiring. Annabeth stepped in occasionally to help, but for the most part, she strained her ears, hoping and praying the conch would come soon.
As if she prayed it into existence, the sound of the conch pierced the clearing, and the battle cries of the blue team filled the air. The red of Clarisse’s team's flag broke through the treeline first, followed by a swarm of campers.
“Until next time, Jackson,” Clarisse growled. Despite her words, Annabeth thought she saw a smile on the girl’s face as she stalked away.
Percy came up to Annabeth, immediately wrapping his arms around her waist and hoisting her into the air. Her team smiled and whooped as their captain was carried towards them, fists pumping the air.
“Put me down!” Annabeth said in between her laughs.
Percy obeyed, one hand still wrapped around her waist as the team celebrated.
Annabeth thought then, that regardless of what the future held, what her new school held, she’d be okay. As long as Percy was close, a call away, she’d be okay.
