Chapter Text
It was so good to be back in New York!
Annabeth couldn't help a smile as she stepped out of the taxi, looking around and taking in the city. Man, she knew going back to Rome was the right decision for her, but nothing beat home.
Nothing beat her boyfriend.
She had to admit that, for a while, she was concerned about their relationship. The opportunity to go study in Rome had suddenly fallen into her lap. She and Percy had “discussed” it, going back and forth on stuff. In Annabeth's opinion, it was a great idea. The Ancient Lands were safer now that the gods and demigods were reclaiming it. It gave her a chance to spread her wings and experience new things and people. It gave her a chance to experience a better learning environment since Percy, of all people, was getting better grades than her. Percy was supposedly stuck on the “new people” thing.
What? Was he the only one allowed to have crushes on other people?
In the end, Annabeth had gone and had a blast. Now, she was back and ready to reunite with her boyfriend. It has taken a lot of work to find his new address, since supposedly he had transferred to New York University and found surprising success with Sally in books. She had to admit, the success showed in the nicer-looking brownstone townhouse she now stood in front of. Now that she thought about it, Percy probably begged money off Poseidon to help buy this place. Her Seaweed Brain was such a dope. Still, that didn’t mean she wasn’t ready for his happy expression and to be swept in his arms as he took her back.
Hopefully, Annabeth could fix the dopiness with this new stage in their relationship.
Annabeth marched up to the door. She knocked first and waited for about a minute.
No answer.
She sighed and reached for the welcome mat. Yep, like she thought. The Jacksons always had the spare key under the mat. It had come in useful more than once.
The door unlocked, and Annabeth marched in, dumping her backpack and suitcase by the door. “Hello?” she called, looking around. Once again, there was no answer.
“Maybe they're out?” she wondered. It was in the middle of the day. Maybe they were out getting groceries or something. That gave Annabeth plenty of time to look around and figure out the best way to surprise Percy.
The house was nicely decorated, with pops of sea blue sitting next to forest green. The walls were decorated with photos. Annabeth felt a brow raise as she noticed the lack of her face. Hm, maybe it was a family-only wall? That would explain why Tyson and Grover were on there since Percy viewed them as brothers, and maybe Nico, Thalia, and Hazel’s presences on there. Was that Leo there too?
She headed upstairs and away from that picture, looking around. She stopped when her eyes landed on Estelle on a door, resisting a shudder. Honestly, she wasn't sure why Percy had been so excited to be a big brother. She hated being a “older sister” to Bobby and Matthew. She hated having to be polite excited until they were out of Sally’s ear-shot
Now that she was up here, she could hear noises. What sounded like soft thumps and grunts echoed down the hallway. Annabeth felt a brow raise. Huh, maybe someone was home and just didn’t hear her come in?
She headed down the hall and felt herself come to a stop. Percy sat on the door where the noises leaked from. Oh! Of course, Percy was probably too distracted doing…whatever to hear her. Based on the thumps and grunts, maybe training in his room for some reason? That ruined her plans for any surprises, but Percy would certainly buy back her forgiveness.
“Hey, PerRRRAH!”
Percy was in there. So was Hermes, hovering over her boyfriend. Both of them were naked and it was clear what she had just walked into. Before Annabeth could note that Hermes looked younger, Percy burst into motion. “ANNABETH?! What are you doing here?!”
“I-” No! She had the right to be angry! “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! You’re cheating on me?!”
“Cheat- CHEATING?!” Percy shoved Hermes and his sh*t-eating grin away, not bothering to hide his naked form as he stormed up to her. He looked good, but Annabeth was more concerned with the anger in those blue eyes. “You do not have the right to accuse me of cheating! You broke up with me to go sleep with that guy, Felix?!”
“Adrien.” Annabeth snapped back. “And that doesn’t give you the right to sleep around! Especially with him!” She gestured to Hermes and nearly regretted it. “Cover up!”
“Absolutely not.”
Before Annabeth could lunge at him, maybe punch him in the face, because regardless of him being a god, he was sleeping with her boyfriend, Percy pushed her out of the room. It was a motion that nearly made Annabeth fall on her butt. “Get out, Annabeth.”
“Percy, don’t you-”
He slammed the door in her face.
