Chapter Text
The evening was shining the last of the sunlight for the day as Camp Half Blood prepared for the Giant Feast. The battle was won, they stood triumphant and they were going to drink (butterbeer for the younger ones) for the people they had lost.
Sacrifices were made for the gods, the dancers and dramatists were ready to entertain the young warriors who had saved the world. Camp Half Blood hadn’t seen this grandeur since Zeus made a visit centuries ago.
However, the main attraction of the evening was busy elsewhere and nobody really wanted to disturb him, atleast for today. As Percy and Annabeth finally decided to show after certain activities underneath the bed of water, they were greeted with…. No one.
“It seems they are all gone.” Annabeth muttered.
“We weren’t… We weren’t in there for that long, were we?” Percy questioned.
“One goddamn hour.” A voice stated from behind that made them jump.
“Grover!” Percy exclaimed, “What the hell man? You scared the shit outta me.”
Grover did not look impressed, as he studied the new couple with determination and frankly, with a somewhat judgmental look. His gaze pierced through them as Percy and Annabeth did their best to not look him in the eyes.
“It’s just Annabeth Grover.” He imitated Percy a little too well for his comfort.
“Alright Grover-”
“Why does everybody think something’s going on? She’s like my si- umm… she’s like my good friend”
“Okay, I see what you’re doing-”
“I’m sparring with her this morning G-man, does my hair look good?”
“STOP!”
Percy yelled but it did not faze Grover even slightly, Annabeth for her part was doing her best not to snicker, A task she had failed profusely.
Grover turned to her next, his glare cutting through that rivaled her own, whenever she stood battle-ready but right now, she looked more like a teenage girl who was just caught by her older brother whilst making out with his best friend…. Wait a minute-
“He’s so infuriating! Ughhh!” Grover started imitating her.
“Don’t even try it-”
“Hey Grover! Could you um, could you tell him not to comb his hair before he trains? I mean it gets messier anyway so what’s the point, right? What? No reason in particular…”
“Grover please…”
“He has gotten so good with the sword, right? I wonder what else his arms are capable of-”
“SHUT IT!”
Grover finally stopped, his expression still unimpressed. A silence settled between the trio that was not exactly as awkward, as it was intense. After a good twenty seconds of torture, Grover finally gave in.
His countenance shifted to a small grin, he tried best to contain.
“Hey! You’re… Annabeth, He’s laughing at us!” Percy exclaimed.
Grover’s small grin had now shifted to a complete joyous laughter, as Annabeth joined in because the situation was utterly ridiculous.
“Come on!” Percy groaned, “Not you too!”
“I’m sorry Percy”, Annabeth said barely containing her laughter, “It is kind of funny.”
Percy huffed like an adorable puppy being teased by his owners, which wasn’t that further from the truth. He would do anything for these two, and well it was indeed kind of funny. Before he knew it, he ultimately gave in.
“Alright…” he sighed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, “Laugh it up G-man.”
“Oh come on…” Grover complained, “Do you know how long I have waited for this? I can’t believe it took a whole war to convince you two of something everyone, hell, even Chiron knew.”
“Okay, I doubt he cares about this-” Annabeth tried before getting cut off.
“You are the last person who should be saying this Annabeth, you are like a daughter to him.” Grover stated, “I’m half expecting him to give Percy a man-to-man when he sees you both.”
“Can’t wait for that.” Percy mumbled.
Grover gave them both one last look before moving forward to engulf them into a group hug.
“I’m so happy for the both of you…” Grover spoke softly, “You deserve it after all that you guys have been through, even if you both really tested my patience for the last couple of years…”
After squeezing the life out of Percy and Annabeth, Grover finally let them breathe and told them that everybody is waiting for them to join in on the Grand Feast. Annabeth excused herself to change into newer clothes that were not covered in muck and advised Percy to do the same.
“I’ll see you soon, seaweed brain.”, She whispered before pulling him into a kiss that was definitely not meant for the public.
“I’m still right here by the way.” Grover said before promptly being ignored.
“Something for you to remember me by...” She smiled after pulling away, their lips centimetres apart.
Percy was too entranced to say anything and just hummed, they broke apart and Annabeth started walking toward her cabin.
“So…” Grover spoke.
“Huh? What?” Percy awoke from his short trance. Grover rolled his eyes.
“Dude, even I wasn’t this bad with Junie and I’m supposed to be the awkward one?”
“Hey! Fuck you.”
“Language Percy… Don’t talk to grownups like that”
“You haven’t heard yourself when we are running for our lives”, Percy stated, “You swear like a sailor which should be my thing.”
Grover laughed, Percy joined in. They settled down near the porch enjoying the sunset, the birds cooed more enthusiastically today.
“How’d you do it?” Grover asked after a little while.
“Do what?”
“You know…”
“I don’t, actually.” Percy was clueless as to whatever Grover was saying.
“I don’t know how to frame this question but um, I have known her for a while you know… She’s like my sister", Grover said, “and well… While she has made friends, she always maintained some kind of distance where she wouldn’t let people get closer to her that easily but you… It’s like you hung the moon for her or something.”
Percy took in his words and well, it was kind of true wasn’t it? Annabeth was not exactly a person with many close ties, her family might as well be non-existent on both sides and she doesn’t have any mortal friends as far as he knows, atleast none more than acquaintances. The friends she does have at camp, although they admire her and work with her, they probably fear her to some extent. Not to mention, some people actually thought she was the spy- he might need to have a talk with them…
“I know she probably hasn’t shown it much in the past year or so” Grover continued, “with all that was going on but I saw how being away and distant from you was taking a toll on her, something I have never seen happen except when Thalia and umm…”
“You can say his name.” Percy spoke plainly.
“Luke… When Thalia and Luke left her, and even then she managed after a while, but you…” Grover places his palm on his shoulder, “It almost makes me emotional and stuff, how much you guys care for each other, even when it gets bad. And I guess what I’m asking is how’d you do it?”
Percy waited a while, thinking of the best way to formulate an answer. He looked at the stars that had begun showing now, they always reminded him of the way he held the sky a few years ago next to Annabeth. It was that moment where he silently promised himself that no matter what happens, he will protect her until he draws his last breath and even after that, if he’s able.
“I stayed.” Percy answered.