Same chapter is published on my Percabeth One-Shots but just titled: Mortals at Camp.
Also, I had to change Fredericks character to make the storyline work.

Annabeth woke up from a surprisingly dreamless sleep. Maybe, Annabeth thought, the dreams of Tartarus were finally fading away after three years. She sighed contently and sat up in bed, almost bonking her head on the top bunk. She stood up, rubbing her arms in hopes of warming them up while she looked around her cabin.

Her siblings scurried around, some cleaning while others got dressed. In utter confusion Annabeth asked, "Why is everyone in such a rush?"

Malcom answered as he smoothed out his bedding. "Don't you remember?" She shook her head, looking for something to wear. "Chiron told us yesterday, our mortal families are coming for a couple of days." Then he smirked. "Or did you leave the campfire early to "hang out" with Percy?"

That resulted in a pillow getting thrown at his face. "No! I was there..." She trailed off, her cheeks tinged red. "I just wasn't listening." She grabbed on of Percy's sweatshirts out of her drawer and slipped it over her head after pulling on a pair of black sport shorts.

"Uh-huh," Malcom unbelievingly said. "You weren't listening because you and Percy were busy-"

"Okay! Enough!" Annabeth interrupted, pulling on tennis shoes. The information Malcom gave her finally settled in her head and she processed it. "Wait-" Her eyes widened. "Did you said our mortal families are coming?"

Malcom nodded, shrugging on a clean Camp Half-Blood T-shirt. "Yup. Today in about an hour they'll be arriving." He tucked a book under his arm after he finished tying the laces to his tennis shoes. "Why?"

"Oh, no." Annabeth shook her head. "This is not good. Not good at all." Malcom raised an eyebrow and she sighed. "My dad and I aren't on the best of terms right now."

"What do you mean?" He rolled his eyes, used to his sister not having a good relationship with her dad. Annabeth ignored him and instead started putting her curly locks up into a messy bun. "Annabeth?" She pulled a few curls out so they framed her face. "Annabeth?" Still nothing. "Annabeth!"

"What?!" She snapped, turning to him. "Oh, right. My dad and I got into a fight because I decided to go to college in New Rome instead of Harvard or Stanford." She waved her hand in the air nonchalantly. "He doesn't even know the reason."

"Oh," Was all Malcom said.

"So, he doesn't know I have a boyfriend either." Malcom widened his eyes and she nodded. "I know. Especially that the reason I went to NRU was because of a boy." She turned towards him, a frantic look in her grey eyes. "He's not going to like that very much."

Malcom patted Annabeth on the shoulder. "I'm sure everything will turn out fine." He gestured for everyone to go to breakfast. "Now, come on, we'll be late."

Annabeth followed her siblings outside and started walking to the dining pavilion where breakfast was served everyday. On the way, her eyes caught sight of a certain Son of Poseidon. He was walking a little way ahead of them, hands stuffed in the pockets of his sweatpants and his head held low. Frowning, Annabeth separated from her siblings and jogged over to Percy.

When she neared him, she slowed down into a walk and slowly wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Good morning." She rested her head between his shoulder blades.

"Morning, Wise Girl." He smiled down at her and stopped walking.

Annabeth lifted her head off his back and stood on her tiptoes to glance at him over his shoulder. "How'd you sleep?" She kissed his cheek.

He shrugged. "Eh." Annabeth frowned and moved to stand in front of him. She placed her hands on his cheeks and brushed her thumbs over the dark circles under his eyes. "I'm okay; just had a hard time falling asleep. That's all."

After making sure he was really okay, Annabeth dropped her arms and gave him a skeptical look. "Okay..." She didn't sound too convinced but she let it go. He'd tell her when he was ready. Reaching down, she slipped her fingers through his and they swung their arms between them as they started towards the pavilion. "Are you excited to see your family?"

At the mention of his family, Percy instantly brightened up. "Yeah, I really am." They entered the pavilion and he grabbed a plate; wishing for blue pancakes and grapes. "With us being in California for college, it will be good to see them. I haven't got to spend a lot of time with Estelle."

Annabeth forced a smile and grabbed a plate of her own, wishing for eggs and toast. "Yeah." She followed her boyfriend over to the Poseidon Table and sat down across from him. He raised his eyebrows at her, asking if she was excited. "I mean, not really." She stabbed her eggs with her fork.

"Why?" Percy reached across the table and took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

"My dad's upset with me because I chose to go to New Rome instead of Stanford, Yale, or Harvard." Annabeth squeezed Percy's hand as he looked at her in concern. "He told me that he was disappointed in me for not using my intelligence to the fullest. And he also doesn't know that I went to New Rome just to be with a boy."

Percy scoffed in mock hurt, holding a hand to his chest. "Just a boy?"

"You know what I mean," Annabeth laughed. "He's not going to like that very much when I found out I went to college with my boyfriend that he doesn't know about."

"Yup." Percy nodded, swallowing a bite of his pancakes. "I don't know why you didn't tell him when you visited him last."

She shrugged, taking a grape of his plate and plopping it into her mouth. "He wasn't interested in my life when I was younger so he doesn't need to know anything."

Percy chuckled. "Well, hopefully he takes it well because I don't feel like getting killed by my girlfriend's dad just yet." He looked down at the hand he was holding, her left hand and gently rubbed his thumb over the ring on her ring finger. "Not before I marry you."
Annabeth laughed, standing up to hand her plate to a Harpie who was on dish duty. "He won't kill you." She pressed her lips to his hair when she passed him. "I won't let him."

He stood up, following Annabeth over to where the Harpy was standing with a bucket halfway full of dirty dishes. "That's good." He set the plate down and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the pavilion and to his cabin.

Stepping inside the cabin, they took their shoes off and Annabeth took a deep breath of the ocean scent that wafted around the small living space. She laid down on his bed on her stomach, hugging his pillow close to her. "Lay with me?" She asked, staring up at her boyfriend who was smiling down at her.

"Sure." He laid down next to her on his side, throwing an arm over her. "I love you."

She stared into his shining green eyes, smiling warmly. Annabeth didn't reply for a couple minutes but she lifted her hand and placed it against his cheek, caressing his cheek bone with her thumb. "How'd I get so lucky?" She whispered.

Percy smiled and started playing with her hair behind her back. "What do you mean?"

"You're so good to me. You're sweet and loyal. And you're pretty funny most of the time," She said, smiling.

"Most the time?" Percy pouted, moving his hand down to rub her back.

"Like, eighty percent of the time." She laughed at his face. "Some of your jokes are really bad." Percy shook his head and laughed along with her. "I'm just kidding. You could make me laugh without doing anything."

"I love you," Percy repeated, shaking his head in laughter.

Smiling, Annabeth snuggled closer to Percy, and he moved his hand up and down her back as he held her closer to him. With one arm still under the pillow, she used the other to trace his bottom lip with her thumb. "I really want to kiss you right now, Percy."

"I'm all yours." He smiled.
She inched closer until their lips touched, spark igniting in both their stomachs whenever they kisses. It wasn't rough or hard like sometimes when they kissed. It was soft and sweet, one of Annabeth's favorites kisses that she shared with Percy.

They both pulled away smiling and Annabeth buried her face in his chest, throwing an arm over his middle. "Oh, I love you too."

"Good to know," Percy muttered, the smile never leaving his face. He wasn't sure why she was acting like this, Usually, she'd never just randomly started cuddling but he enjoyed it when she did.

She pushed on his chest. "Lay on your back." He did as Annabeth said and she climbed on top of him, now laying down on his chest, not that he was complaining. She threw her leg across his hips and her arms wrapped around his neck. Annabeth's head was tucked into the crook of his neck and he could feel her warm steady breathing against his skin.

Percy couldn't help but smile as he reached down to grab the thin blanket that was lying at the end of the bed. He pulled it over them when a chilly June breeze came in through his window, causing goosebumps to appear on Annabeth's bare legs.

"Thanks, Seaweed Brain," She muttered when she felt the soft fabric against her skin.

Percy hummed and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "What's got you so cuddly today, Wise Girl?"

She shrugged. "Am I not allowed to snuggle with my boyfriend?"

"I wasn't complaining," He said, wrapping his right arm around her waist and absentmindedly ran his hand up Annabeth's smooth thigh.

She sighed and he could feel her smile against his neck. "I love you so much, Percy."

"I love you too, Annabeth."

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" She asked, tightening her hold around his neck.

Percy buried his face in Annabeth's curls. "You don't have to ask." He hugged her close and soon he felt her breathing slow, signaling that she was now asleep. He decided, since they have a good forty-five minutes until their families get there, that he'd get a little bit of sleep as well.

----

Percy woke with a start to a knock that came from the other side of the door. He sighed and looked down at Annabeth who was still sleeping on his chest, her breath hitting against his neck in small puffs. "It's open!" He called as quiet as he could, hoping it was just a friend and not a random camper.

The door opened and Grover stepped inside the cabin. He caught sight of them laying on his bed and smiled. "I hate for you to have to wake her up but the mortals are here." With that said, he turned around and walked out of the cabin, his hooves clicking against the ground.

"Annabeth," Percy whispered, gently shaking her shoulders. "We've got to get up."

He heard her groan before lifting her head up to look down at him. "Why?" But then Annabeth must have figured out why because she tucked her face back into his neck, shaking her head slowly. "I don't want to go."

"We have to, Wise Girl." Percy sat up causing Annabeth to roll off him and onto the bed. He watched in amusement as she pulled the blankets up of her body, still shaking her head. "Come on," He laughed, taking the blankets off her and pulling her off the bed.

"Ugh, fine." Annabeth stood up and started putting her shoes back on before opening the door. She noticed he wasn't following her and she turned around with a raised eyebrow. "Are you coming or not?"

"Yeah." He caught up with her and laced their fingers together. "Ready?"

Annabeth snorted, a forced smile on her face. "As ready as I'll ever be with facing my dad."

Together, they walked up Half Blood Hill along with all the other demigods who were getting ready to meet their families. Behind the barrier, the mortals were starting to get impatient and tried banging their fists on the barrier, trying to get inside.

Percy noticed and moved to the front of the crowd and held his hands up. "You won't be able to get in by doing that!" He shouted and the mortals dropped their hands. "We'll lift the fleece off of the tree to let you guys in." He looked over at Thalia's tree where, well, Thalia was standing and gave her a nod. She hesitantly lifted the golden fleece off the branch. The barrier faded.

"Now, hurry!" Thalia yelled. "We can't keep the barrier down for long."

The mortals shuffled hurriedly inside Camp and Thalia could soon put the fleece back on the tree. Annabeth, with her heart thumping wildly in her chest, looked around for her family. She spotted them making their way up the hill. Her dad, Frederick, was holding two duffle bags along with a backpack. Her grey eyes drifted behind him to see Helen trailing up the hill with the twins by her side.

Next to her, Annabeth heard someone take in a breath and she looked over to her boyfriend. He had a smile painted on to his face and he seemed to be looking over at something a few yards away. Following his gaze, Annabeth spotted Sally, Paul, and Estelle.

"Go." Annabeth lightly pushed on his back towards his family. Percy looked back at her with worried eyes that made her heart flutter. "Go, I'll be fine." She smiled at him and he gave her his lopsided grin before darting off toward his family.

Annabeth breathed in deeply once she saw her family walking over to her. A few seconds later, her dad stopped a couple feet in front of her and with no expression of sign of excitement in his voice he said, "Annabeth."

"Dad," She greeted back in the same tone, wanting to be anywhere but there at that moment. Annabeth looked over her father's shoulder and made eye contact with Helen, her step-mom. She smiled and waved and Helen returned it.

"Annabeth!" Her brothers ran forward, enveloping Annabeth in a tight hug.
"Hey, Guys!" She exclaimed, pulling away from the hug.

Bobby looked around the top of the hill with wide eyes. "I can't believe we're actually here." He bounced a little in excitement.

"I know. It's so cool." Matthew agreed then looked back up at Annabeth. "This is where you-"

"Matthew," Frederick intervened. "That's enough. I doubt your sister wants to answer questions right now." He returned his eyes to give her a look up and down, disappointment very evident in his eyes. "You've grown."

"I would hope so." Annabeth rolled her grey eyes. " I am twenty."

Genuinely surprised, he asked, "Twenty?" His eyes widened comically. "You're already two years into college?...if you can even call it that."

"I've told you countless times," She sighed, clearly annoyed with her dad at this point. They've been together for not even five minutes and he was already bringing up college. "It's a good college."

"I wouldn't call a college for demigods or legacies, good," He said, not impressed with his daughter's college choice whatsoever. "I thought you wanted a break from this horrible demigod life?"

"It's not horrible." Annabeth was appalled. "I wouldn't change my life as a demigod for anything. It's not boring unlike life as a mortal." She shook her head and then there was just plain awkward silence. Annabeth looked over at Percy who was holding Estelle in his arms, kissing her cheek.

He caught her eye and she silently told him: Help. Percy walked over, Estelle still in his arms, and his family right behind him. "Hey," He whispered as he neared Annabeth, giving her a side hug. "We'll talk later okay?" She nodded with a tight lipped smile and nodded, walking over to Sally.

"Hey, Sweetie," Sally whispered, hugging Annabeth tightly. "How's it going?" She pulled away and stared at the younger girl with worried blue eyes.

Annabeth shrugged and gestured to her family who didn't seem to take any interest in her. "He doesn't agree with my college choice and apparently didn't even know how old I am." Her voice cracked slightly and Sally pulled her in for another hug while Paul patted Annabeth's shoulder in a fatherly matter. She separated herself from them. "It's fine, though."

"Annabeth!" Percy called over to her. Annabeth walked back over to him and took the three year old out of his arms when Estelle reached down for her. "It's just slightly awkward to stand here with your family without you."

"Right, sorry." Annabeth shook her head. "Dad?" Frederick continued to talk to his wife about something. "Dsd!"

Frederick sighed exasperatedly and looked over at her. "Yes, Annabeth?"

Annabeth gestured to Percy. "This is Percy, my b- my friend." She caught herself and grimaced when she called him just a friend. Percy was so much more. It just kind of stung to call him that. Percy looked down at her, giving her a disapproving look to which she just glared up at him. "This is his sister, Estelle." She gestured to the toddler in her arms. "And this is his mom, Sally. And his step-dad, Paul." They waved at her dad.

"We've met before, Percy." Frederick gave him a slight nod before turning to Sally and Paul. "Pleasure to meet you all but I believe Chiron is showing us where we will be staying. So, if you don't mind..." He grabbed Helen's hand and pulled her towards the other mortals who were all walking down the hill. The twins followed.

Annabeth placed Estelle back on the ground and watched as she waddled over to Sally. Annabeth turned back to Percy and leaned her head on his shoulder. "You okay?" He muttered against her hair and she shrugged, reaching down to intertwine their hands. "Just remember that I love you, okay?"

She smiled and nodded. "And that's all that matters."

Together, they made their way down the hill to the pavilion where the mortals were seated. That's where they'd find out where everyone would be staying.

The demigods and mortals were settled into the pavilion and apparently the demigods had to sit with their mortal families. Annabeth was not happy about this and she found herself glancing over at Percy frequently. He seemed so happy with his family as he laughed and talked with them.

All attention was brought to the middle of the pavilion where Chiron stood with a welcoming smile plastered to his face. "Welcome, Mortals, to Camp Half-Blood!" He exclaimed, opening his arms wide in a welcoming gesture. "Now, before we explain where everyone will be staying, Piper McLean will explain the rules."

Piper stood from the Aphrodite table and came to stand next to Chiron, a rule book in her hands. "Hello, Mortals! I'm Piper, Daughter of Aphrodite, and I'll explain the rules." She opened the book and peered down at the pages. "First of all, the weapons will not harm you. Second, please don't trash the cabin. We try really hard to keep those clean."

Annabeth had to hold in her laugh because the Percy couldn't keep his cabin clean for more than a couple days.

"Third, respect all Camp's property and campers. Also, don't go into a cabin you were not assigned to unless you have special permission from Chiron. And, please, don't go out after curfew. The Harpy's have full permission to eat anyone outside after lights out" She gave a wink in Annabeth's direction. "Oh, and don't pick a fight with any of the campers. More specifically, the Ares cabin or Percy and Annabeth. If you do pick a fight with Percy or Annabeth, find the other and they'll help you out." She smiled and closed the book.

"Now, for sleeping arrangements." Piper pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of her jeans pocket. She unfolded it and cleared her throat. "Sally Jackson-Blofis, Paul Blofis, and Estelle Blofis: Poseidon Cabin. Frederick Chase, Helen Chase, Matthew Chase, and Bobby Chase: Poseidon Cabin..."

Annabeth zoned everything else out at the thought of sharing a cabin with her mortal family. She had asked Percy if she could sleep with him so she wouldn't have to be in the same cabin as her dad, assuming he'd be in the Athena Cabin.

----

After Piper was done reading off the sleeping arrangement, Chiron told the Camp leaders to help the mortals get settled in. So, Percy and Annabeth were leading all of the mortals to the Poseidon Cabin. Percy opened the door and gestured for everyone to move inside. It was only his family, Annabeth's family, and one other family of a demigod that she didn't know.

"Okay, so all the bunks are open," Percy informed them. "Just the bed without a top bunk in the corner over there-" He pointed to his bed that was disheveled because of their nap earlier that morning. "-is mine."

The mortals nodded and got to work making their beds and putting their bags underneath the bunks. Annabeth kept her eyes on her family as she moved to sit down on Percy's bed and she caught her dad's eyes. He sighed and shook his head at her before turning back to the bed he chose to sleep in.

"I don't understand what his problem is," Annabeth whispered as Percy sat down next to her. "Yeah, I didn't choose to attend a top notch intelligence school but-" She shrugged helplessly.

"Why don't you tell him your reason why you decided to attend NRU?" Percy suggested, placing his hand on her knee and squeezing it lightly. "It might change his mind."

"Are you crazy?!" Annabeth stared at him with wide eyes. "Do you have any idea of what he would say if he finds out I went to NRU to be with a boy?"

"I'm just trying to help," He calmly said. "He might understand."

Annabeth shrugged, falling back against the bed, and covered her face with her hands. "I don't know," She sighed, really not knowing what to do. She uncovered her face and stared up at Percy. "What am I gonna do, Seaweed Brain?"

Percy laughed and laid down next to her, propping himself up on his elbow. "It's up to you, Wise Girl." He tucked a stray curl behind her ear and smiling down at her lovingly.

"What?" She smiled up at him. Percy just shook his head and moved his hand down to rest against her cheek. His thumb gently the skin over her cheekbone and she laughed. "What?" She repeated again.

"Nothing," Percy muttered, removing his hand and flopping down on to his back. He stared up at the ceiling with a small smile. Annabeth raised an eyebrow but the smile never left her face. "Just thinking."

"About?" She pressed.

He turned his head to look into her grey eyes, his own green eyes were bright. "About how lucky I am to have you." Percy reached down and laced his fingers with hers. "And how lucky I am to get to marry you. You're also very beautiful."

Annabeth smiled and without thinking, she leaned in to kiss him but pulled away quickly when someone called her name. "I forgot people were in here," She whispered, sitting up.

"Me too." Percy nodded but then he pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. "But I wish there wasn't."

"Annabeth!" Her dad called from across the room.

"My gods," She muttered with an eye roll but raised her voice to reply, "I'm coming!" She stood up from the bed and walked over to where her mortal family was waiting for her. "Yes?" She asked as she came to a stop in front of them.

Frederick gestured to their bed. "We're done."

"Um, okay?" Annabeth looked around awkwardly. Did he really have to call her over to tell her that they were done unpacking? She could be talking to her fiance but no. Her dad has to call her over for no reason at all. "Is that all?"

"Well.." He drawled out, giving her a skeptical look. "You and Percy? I told you when you were younger-"

Annabeth interrupted with a frustrated groan. "We're just friends, Dad." She had to keep herself from wincing at her own words. She hated that she had to lie about her and Percy but it was for their own good. If her dad found out she only went to New Rome to be close to Percy, he'd throw a fit about it.

"Good." He nodded approvingly. "You need to focus on your studies before-"

"Yes, Dad." Annabeth restrained herself from rolling her eyes. "I know."

Frederick nodded again. "Anyway, what do we do now?"

"Lunch is in a few minutes," Annabeth said as she glanced over at the alarm clock on Percy's bedside table. "So, I'll tell everyone that we should start heading down."

"Very well." Frederick turned his back on her and started talking to the twins. Annabeth watched him converse with his family and she became a bit jealous. As he talked with the boys, a smile lit up his face and his eyes softened from the cold stare he gave Annabeth. With a shake of her head, she walked back over to Percy who was still lying on his bed.

Annabeth face planted onto the bed next to him and groaned. "Ugh."

"What did he say?" Annabeth felt Percy start to gently rub her back up and down soothingly. She could practically feel the concern spilling off of him.

She flipped around so she now looked up at Percy. "He told me they were done getting settled in then he just wanted to know what to do." Annabeth laughed humorlessly and fingered the ring on her necklace that he dad had given her years ago. "I said we'd head down for lunch."

Percy nodded and then his face lit up with an idea. "How about we skip lunch since we just ate and go for a quick swim?" He looked down at her pleadingly. "Please?"

Sitting up, Annabeth nodded which made Percy grin. "Sure, Percy."

"Yes!" Percy pumped a fist in the air. "I found a spot near the border that has a rope hanging on a tree. You can hold on to it and swing into the water."

"That actually does sound fun." Annabeth's eyes lit up. "Let's go bring these mortals to lunch."

-----

After dropping off the mortals, Percy and Annabeth snuck out of the pavilion and made their way back to his cabin. They quickly took turns using the bathroom to change and soon enough they were ready to go.

"Lead the way." She gestured to the lake as they walked outside under the blazing sun. Annabeth followed Percy around camp and through parts of the forest until he came to a secluded spot near the barrier like he said.

Percy stopped walking and turned to Annabeth, grinning. "We're here!" They were standing on a large flat rock cliff that dropped straight down to the pool of water glistening from the sunlight below them. "Come on." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

"Is the water deep enough?" Annabeth asked, looking down at the water from atop the cliff.

"Oh, yeah." Percy nodded, pulling his shirt over his head and Annabeth found herself staring. Her eyes raked over his broad shoulders and down to his chest and all the way down to his abs. "Like what you see?"

Annabeth snapped her head up and her cheeks colored. "Um." She cleared her throat. "How do you know it's deep enough?"

Percy waved his hand in the air. "Me and a water nymph hung out for a while and tried it out." He shrugged but then smiled at the face she made. "I'm kidding, Wise Girl."

She pulled the white cover up over her head and dropped it on the ground. That left her in just a grey one piece. "So you're not going on dates with water nymphs?" Annabeth smiled to let him know that she was joking.

"Of course not." Percy shook his head. "Now, let's do this."

"You go first," Annabeth said, wanting to make sure Percy was telling the truth about it being deep enough. So, of course she'd have her boyfriend go first. "Then I'll go after you."

He narrowed his before agreeing. "But if you're lying I'm going to throw you in." He grabbed onto the rope and pulled it back as far as it would go. "Ready for this?" He called behind her shoulder.

Annabeth shrugged and asked, "I don't know are you?"

"Definitely." Percy smirked and burst into a run, jumping off the edge of the cliff. He shouted out gleefully then let go of the rope, dropping down into the water with a splash. Annabeth smiled and leaned over the edge, looking down as her boyfriend swam back to the surface. He slicked his wet hair back so it didn't fall in front of his eyes and looked up at her. "Your turn, Wise Girl!"

Smiling, Annabeth grabbed on to the rope and took a deep breath before running off the edge. She shrieked as she let go and right before she hit the water she heard Percy laughing. Annabeth kicked back up to the surface, noticing that it felt like the water was helping her, and gasped for breath when her head came out of the water.

She reached out for Percy and he grabbed her hands, pulling her over to him. He chuckled, willing the water to keep them afloat so he could place his hands on her hips and pull her closer to him so they were flush against each other. Annabeth breathed deeply, ignoring the way their chests were pressed together, and stared into his gorgeous green eyes.

Percy let go of one of her hips to brush her wet hair away from her face. He smiled softly and bent down to press his lips to her forehead. "Wasn't that fun?" He asked when he pulled away.

Annabeth brought her arms up around his neck. "Yeah." She smiled, tangling her fingers into his black hair on the back of his head. "Thank you, Percy."

He shrugged and pulled her closer if that was even possible. "Don't mention it." Percy then finally connected their lip. He kissed her so softly and slowly like he knew that's how Annabeth liked it.

When they pulled away they were both breathless and smiling like idiots. Annabeth laughed before she bit her lip and leaned her forehead against Percy's. "I love you." She looked into his eyes and the only thing she could make a note of was the amount of love she saw swirling around the hurricane of blue and green as he stared back at her.

"I love you too, Annabeth." Percy kissed her again, lifting his hands off her hips so he could wrap his arms around her. He pulled away and smiled. "More than you will ever know possible."

She smacked his chest, laughing. "Don't start that game."

"Fine." Percy willed the water to bring them to where they could both plant their feet on the ground. He gave her his stupid lopsided grin that she loved so much. "Go again?"

"Race you!" Annabeth exclaimed, running out of the water and back onto the cliff with a laughing Percy following her. She wrapped her fingers around the rope and pulled it back, giving Percy a smile as she stood next to him. "I won."

"Of course you did," He laughed. "I'll jump in with you."

"Okay, ready?" She asked him, her eyes staring intently at the water ahead of them.

"Yup." He nodded, getting ready to run and jump. "One...two...three." They both broke into a run and stepped off the cliff. Percy cheered out in glee again before they both hit the water at the same time, dunking underneath.

Before Annabeth could reach the surface she felt arms wrap around her waist. She cried out in surprise when she was suddenly hoisted out of the water and thrown over Percy's shoulder. "Let me go." She hit her fist lightly on his bare back but she was laughing.

Percy shook his head. "Now, why would I do that?" He tapped his finger on his chin as he pretended to think.

"Oh, I don't know..." Annabeth trailed off sarcastically. "Maybe because-"

She was cut off by the conch horn. Annabeth let him carrier back to shore then he set her down on the sand. "I'll go get our stuff." Percy turned around and ran up to the cliff and was back down in a couple seconds. He handed Annabeth her white cover up and she slipped it over her head.

"Let's go before my dad gets suspicious." She grabbed his hand and they scurried off in the direction of the Poseidon Cabin.

-----

Once they were dressed in their former clothes, Percy and Annabeth walked over to the Arena where they guessed everyone was since there was a crowd outside of it. Annabeth spotted her family, kissed Percy's cheek, and strode over to them.

"Where have you been?" Frederick demanded when Annabeth stood next to him.

"Oh, I-uh- was helping a new camper learn how to-uh- us a bow." Annabeth nodded, satisfied with her response and she hoped that the guilt didn't show too much for lying to her own dad.

He gave her an unbelieving look. "Percy wasn't at lunch either."

"He was helping too," She quickly replied.

"Why is your hair wet?" He asked, pointing to her wet hair that was back into it's messy bun.

"I was sweaty so I decided to take a show." Annabeth bit her lip, hoping that he didn't ask anymore questions.

Frederick nodded. "Okay, but if I catch you with a boy you will be very sorry, young lady." He gave her a very stern look. "Am I understood?"

Annabeth nodded, not meeting his eyes. "Yes, Dad."

"Look at me, Annabeth." She met his eyes.
"You are not to be caught with a boy, okay? They are a distraction to you studies and since you decided to turn down Harvard of all places, you need to focus on school."

"Yes, Dad," Annabeth said, not really listening. "I understand."

"Good." He nodded before giving his attention to Chiron who cleared his throat.

"Our first activity while you guys are here is sword fighting!" Chiron exclaimed, earning cheers from campers all around. "Now, I will need two demigods to demonstrate. Does anyone volunteer?"

Annabeth hesitantly raised her hand and gave her dad a side glance. He watched her with raised eyebrows and his lips in a thin line as she walked to stand next to Chiron. "I will," She told her mentor.

"Annabeth Chase, Daughter of Athena!" Chiron exclaimed. "We need one more."

"I will!" A grin broke out on Annabeth's face as Percy ran up to stand on the other side of Chiron but it soon vanished when she caught her father's eye. "I'll help demonstrate."

Chiron nodded, a soft smile making its way onto his face. "Percy Jackson, Son of Poseidon!" He grabbed both their wrists and lifted their arms into the air.  The campers all cheered for their favorite couple. "Let the duel begin!"

Everyone followed them inside the arena and took a seat on the bleachers that surrounded the fighting platform. Annabeth smirked as she attached a breastplate to herself. "Ready to lose?"

Percy shook his head, strapping the breastplate to his chest but it was crooked. "I think you mean that you're going to lose." He tried to fix the straps but they wouldn't budge."

"Here," Annabeth laughed and helped him fix the straps until the breastplate fit correctly against his chest. She held out a hand after helping him. "Good luck."

He grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze before letting it go. "Back at you."

The audience watched the two demigods in anticipation as they circled each other, weapons drawn out in front of them. Then, Annabeth took the first move and lunged causing the audience to gasp. Easily, Percy dodged and blocked her stab before it made contact with his armor. He pushed forward but Annabeth was having none of it and she pushed forward as well. Their weapons scraped together until they backed off. The duel lasted for a long time until the sun was almost setting.

Breathing heavily, Percy did a complicating arm maneuver and before the audience could register it, Percy had his sword at Annabeth's throat. He then lifted his foot and kicked Annabeth's dagger out of her hand. "You are so lucky that I can't distract you right now." She glared.

"Oh, Wise Girl." He teased. "Just accept the fact that you lost."

"You know," She seethed. "If my dad wasn't here I would have won."

"Okay, okay," Percy said. "Now surrender."

Annabeth, still glaring, raised her hands up in defeat. "I lost."

The mortals cheered and clapped but the demigods just stared at the two with their mouths hanging open. Annabeth never backed down that easy. They were expecting her to lean over his sword and kiss him but nope. The Aphrodite campers put away their cameras, disappointed that they didn't get to snap a picture of the two lovers.

Shocked, Chiron trotted out onto the battlefield and raised Percy's arm in the air. "Percy Jackson wins!" Then, the demigods started clapping because they had to support their leader, their friend, and fellow Half-Blood even if they were a bit disappointed.

Annabeth broke out of her funk and was about to give Percy a congratulations kiss and give the Aphrodite girls what they want but she looked over at her dad and decided against it. Frederick looked at her with an unreadable expression. He wasn't clapping; that's for sure.

Annabeth settled for a simple, "Good job, Seaweed Brain."

-----

On her way to the pavilion alone since Percy had to go to the bathroom, Annabeth felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, a bit startled but relaxed at the sight of Percy's family. "Oh, hi." She smiled. "You scared me."

"Sorry, Dear." Sally returned the smile. "But I've been wanting to talk to you about something."

"Yeah?" Annabeth pressed. "What about?"

"I've been noticing that you and Percy have been acting differently around each other. When you two are around each other you guys seem, I don't know, a little off?" Sally told her.

"Okay..." Annabeth raised her eyebrow.

"I also heard you say that Percy was just a friend." Sally frowned and placed a hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "What I'm trying to say is, are you two okay? Did you guys-"

"Break up?" Annabeth asked, trying to hide her amusement. Sally nodded and bit her lip. "No, we're fine."

Sally breathed a sigh of relief and placed her hand against her chest. "Oh thank goodness," She said. "I was really worried for a few hours there."

Annabeth laughed. "Yeah, we're great. Still engaged." She held up her hand with the ring on her finger. "I'm guessing you want an explanation?" Sally nodded. "Okay, my dad doesn't know that I declined Harvard, Yale, and Stanford to go to NRU with Percy. He also told me that if he finds me with a boy that I'll be sorry because they're a distraction and I need to focus on my studies." She rolled her eyes and waved her hand in the air.
Sally nodded and took all this new information in. "Have you tried talking to him?"

"No." Annabeth shook his head. "I don't want to start anything while everyone's here." She turned to smile in greetings at Percy who ran back over to them. "So yeah."

"Oh," Sally said, picking up Estelle who reached up for her. "Let's go get some dinner before it's too late."

As they continued their walk to the pavilion, Percy slipped his fingers through hers. "What was that all about?" He asked.

Annabeth let out a quiet laugh. "Your mom thought we broke up."

"Why?" He laughed.

"Because of how we're acting around my dad," Annabeth replied. "You know, being sneaky and all that stuff."

Percy pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Gods, I love you so much."

"That's good to know." Annabeth nodded, letting go of his hand as they entered the pavilion. "I'm sitting at the Athena Table with my family but I'll meet you for the campfire, okay?"

"Alright." Percy picked up his plate and walked back to the Poseidon Table.

Annabeth picked up her own plate, wished for the roast beef and carrots she had in Tartarus, and went to sit by her family. She sat down across from her dad who looked up and raised an eyebrow at her. "What were you and Percy talking about?"

"The duel," She instantly replied. "How to improve my blocking."

"Oh." He nodded. "Yeah, you should have beaten him Annabeth."

She rolled her eyes. She would have beaten him if her dad wasn't here, keeping her from doing so. Even her mother was more supportive than this. "Well, I'm sorry," She snapped.

Frederick's eyes widened. "Don't speak to me that way, Annabeth." He pointed his fork at her. "Is that clear?"

"Yes," She grumbled, taking a bite of the roast beef.

"Annabeth!" She hummed in response when Bobby called her name. "That fight with that boy was so cool! How'd you do it?"

Annabeth smiled and started explaining. "Well, I had to train for a very long time and..."

-----

Finally, dinner was over and now it was time for the campfire. Before heading over to the amphitheater, Annabeth ran to the Athena Cabin and grabbed her fuzzy grey blanket. After grabbing it, she sprinted to the amphitheater and noticed that the demigods were sitting on one side while the mortals sat on the other.

Her eyes ghosted over the crowd of demigods until she finally found Percy sitting in the fourth throw. Smiling, Annabeth walked up the steps and squeezed her way in next to Percy. "Hey, sorry I'm late." She held up the blanket. "I went back to get this."

Percy smiled and grabbed the blanket from her hands, spreading it over their legs. "No worries, Annabeth." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Annabeth reached up to tangle his fingers with his.

"Awe!" Someone behind them squealed. They turned around and saw a girl a couple years younger than them smiling down. "You guys are so cute!"

"Um, thanks?" Annabeth replied, giving her an unsure smile.

The girl took her camera out. "We have a Percabeth scrap book so could I take your picture?" She asked sheepishly, her cheeks turning a rosy color.

Percy shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

The girl smiled and moved to stand in front of them. "Smile!" Annabeth leaned her head against Percy's and gave the girl a smile like she wanted. "Oh my gods. Thank you!" She snapped the picture.

"Yup, no problem." Annabeth nodded and the girl moved to sit back in her seat.

Percy laughed and leaned his head on top of Annabeth's. "They have a scrapbook about us?" He lifted his head and looked down at his girlfriend. She just shrugged with a small smile playing on her lips. Percy couldn't help but think how beautiful she was at this moment. Of course, she's always beautiful but right now, gods.

Her grey eyes were brighter than ever as the orange colored fire bounced off of them. Her beautiful face was illuminated by the glow of the fire and her soft lips were displayed in a soft smile. Percy just wanted to press his lips to hers and forget about everyone around them.

But he was just so lucky. That the Annabeth Chase was in love with him and he was going to marry her in just a year.  After everything, here she was sitting next to him with her hand laced with his. She swayed to the music that came from the Apollo campers instruments and Percy felt his heart do jumping jacks in his chest.

She must have caught him staring because she turned to look at him. "What?"

"You're so beautiful," He muttered, his eyes roaming around her face and hair. "Four years later and I still can't wrap my brain around that you're mine and-"

He was cut off by her warm lips on his. Annabeth reached her hand up and set it against his neck, her thumb stroking his jaw. Percy, getting over his shock, closed his eyes and kissed her back just how he wanted to do a few seconds ago. One of his hands rested against her thigh while the other went up to rest against the back of her neck, pulling her closer.

However it was shortly loved because someone bellowed, "Annabeth Manerva Chase!"

They broke apart with a gasp and Annabeth looked into his eyes, fear and worry written all over her features.

She slowly turned away from Percy and looked down at the bottom of the stairs, trying to ignore all the eyes on her or how the talking and music practically stopped. Standing at the bottom of the stairs stood her father, red faced and angry.

He gestured for her to come down to him and she shook her head frantically, genuinely scared to face her father. "Don't make me come get you," He called to her. Annabeth didn't move a muscle and she watched as he sighed angrily and started making his way up the steps.

"Oh gods no," She muttered as he stood beside the bleacher she was sitting on.

"Oh gods, yes." He nodded and gestured for her to follow him. "We need to talk outside." Annabeth slowly nodded and stood but Percy grabbed her hand. "And, Percy, if you follow us or try to stop her... " He trailed off and Percy reluctantly let go of her hand.

"I'll be fine, Per-"

"Let's go, Annabeth." He gritted his teeth and grabbed on to Annabeth's wrist, pulling her down the stairs. "Stop making a scene."

"I'm not!" She exclaimed, following her dad outside.

Once they were outside of the amphitheater and could hear the music and talking start up again, he let go of her wrist. "Do not talk back to me." He crossed his arms and shook his head. "What did we just talk about, Annabeth Manerva?" Oh, he was mad.

"What?" Annabeth decided to play dumb.

"I told you, Annabeth," He said with clenched fists. "I told you that if I ever caught you with a boy that you'd be sorry."

Annabeth crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. "What would you do?"

He ignored her and started interrogating her in a not so kind way. "Were you with Percy during lunch or not? Answer me, Annabeth!"

"Yes, I was," Annabeth nodded.

Frederick ran a hand through his hair. "Gods dammit, Annabeth!" He shouted, taking a step towards her and she flinched so he backed off. "Running off with some boy is not responsible! You are smarter than this!"

"He's not just some boy," Annabeth grumbled.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you?" He sneered.

Annabeth stomped her foot on the ground in frustration. "He's not just some boy! He's my best friend, my boyfriend, and we're getting married next year."

Frederick's eyes widened and he laughed humorlessly. "Getting married, did you say?" She nodded slowly. "So unwise for a daughter of Athena. To marry someone you just started dating."

"What?" Annabeth questioned but then she realized that he never knew about her and Percy. "Oh, no, Dad. We've been dating for four years." And that ticked him off even more than he already was.

"You mean to tell me that before you even finished high school, you ran around with boy?!" He bellowed. "Please, Annabeth Chase, please, tell me that the reason why you turned down those schools wasn't for a boy."

Annabeth looked down to her feet. "I-no..yeah." She nodded, looking back up at him. "Yes."

Frederick just stared at his daughter, disappointment dripping off his body. It showed in his facial expressions and she could see it in his eyes. Her dad was absolutely and utterly disappointed in her. He slowly shook his head, glaring. "You turned down a great academic future for a boy." She nodded. "And you've been lying to me all day?" She nodded again. "I'm pulling you out of NRU."

"What?!" Annabeth exclaimed. "No, you can't!"

"You will drop out of NRU and you can choose between Yale, Stanford, and Harvard!" He demanded. "I will not have a daughter who turns down intelligence schools for a boy. I will not live with that embarrassment."

"But, Dad!" Annabeth shouted. She could cry out of frustration. He couldn't do that, could he? He was her dad but still. Would a demigod school allow a mortal to pull their child out of it?

"No, buts." He held up a hand. "Now, you will not be attending NRU next year nor with you be getting married."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"You are going to school and you will leave that boy." Frederick held up a hand to stop her from speaking. "Do as I say or you're not my daughter."

Annabeth took a deep breath, stood her ground, and stared her father right in the eyes. "Then I guess I'm not your daughter." Now it was Frederick's turn to be confused.

"You choose him over your family?"

"Well, Da-Frederick, Percy is my family and as long as he's with me, nothing else matters." Annabeth shrugged. "Now, you have till next year to accept my decisions and decide if you want to walk me down the aisle."

"What... " Frederick couldn't believe what he was hearing.

She smiled sadly. "I suggest we get back to the campfire." He nodded absentmindedly, the realization that he just lost his daughter to his anger was just beginning to sink it. "They won't let you leave tomorrow. Too dangerous at night." Again, he nodded and watched as she walked back up to Percy.

Annabeth turned away from her father and walked back up to the fourth row where Percy was sitting and watching the fire worriedly. He must have sensed her presence or something because once she sat down he turned towards her. "Hey, are you okay?" Annabeth bit her trembling lip and shook her head, averting her eyes from his. Percy placed his finger underneath her chin and tilted her head up until she was looking at him. "Talk to me."

"H-he." Annabeth took a breath because gods did she need one. "He practically disowned me. He told me that he wouldn't live with the embarrassment that his daughter turned down the intelligence schools for a boy."

Percy said nothing but he opened his arms and she scooted into his embrace. Annabeth returned the hug and buried her face in his chest, breathing in his ocean scent. As his hands rubbed her back up and down, Annabeth smiled. He was her family and that was all she needed.

-----

After the campfire, Percy and Annabeth led the mortals back to the Poseidon Cabin. He held the door open and everyone filed inside, including Frederick Chase. On his way inside, he glanced at Percy but the demigod just glared at him. Yeah, yeah, it's disrespectful to glare at adults but he hurt his girlfriend; he couldn't help it.

Percy lended Annabeth a pair of his blueish-green plaid pajamas for the night and she took them gratefully. "Thanks," She whispered and went to change in the bathroom.

She finished buttoning up the top when she glanced at herself in the mirror. Annabeth blinked them away because she refused to cry. After taking her hair out and letting the curls fall around her shoulders, Annabeth exited the bathroom. The first thing she noticed was that all the lights were out and everyone was already asleep. She climbed into bed and accidently bumped Percy's side while climbing over him. "Sorry."

"It's alright," He said and blinked his eyes opened. "Come here." He opened his arms and Annabeth laid down next to him, his arms immediately wrapping around her. She threw her arm over his middle and fiddle with the hem of his T-shirt. Usually, he wouldn't even wear a shirt to bed but since there's people staying in his cabin he decided to.

"I love you," Annabeth whispered against his chest.

Percy kissed her head. "I love you, too."
"Don't worry about anything either, Percy," She muttered. "I don't regret anything and I'm still marrying you no matter what."

He laughed softly and nuzzled his face into her hair. "I wasn't worried but okay."

She nodded. "Good."

Percy rubbed her back up and down soothingly until her breathing evened out and she was asleep. He wrapped his right arm around her and tucked his hand under her waist. He kissed her one last time before drifting off into sleep himself.

-----

Annabeth blinked her eyes opened and looked around her surroundings. She remembered she was in the Poseidon Cabin and she smiled, looking over at Percy who was still sleeping. Laughing, Annabeth quietly wiped away the bit of drool on the corner of his mouth with the blanket but as she did so, she saw something white out of the corner of her eye.

Beside Percy's head, laid a folded up white piece of paper with her name scribbled on it. Annabeth grabbed it and opened it, her eyes drifting over the words;

I'm sorry, Annabeth. I don't know what came over me and I just wanted the best for you which I thought was going to one of those colleges. I didn't even stop to think about you. I now know that going to NRU and being with Percy is what is best for you and I'll learn to accept that.

Helen and I decided to leave early this morning because I didn't want it to be awkward and the boys were getting crabby.

You are still my daughter, Annabeth, and I will be happy to walk you down the aisle.

Sincerely,
Dad.

Annabeth smiled and folded the letter back up, setting it down back in its spot. She lay back down next to Percy and raised her hand to trace his features. Her finger ghosted over his lips, cheek bones, eyelids, and back down to his jaw. She continued to do this until he blinked his eyes open.

"G'morning, Beautiful," He mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Morning." Annabeth smiled and snuggled closer, burying her face in the crook of his neck. "How'd you sleep?"

"Pretty good," Percy replied. "You?"

Annabeth shrugged. "I slept fine but I woke up to a surprise this morning." Percy looked down at her with a raised eyebrow and Annabeth handed him the letter. "My dad wrote me this before he left."

Percy's eyes skimmed the paper and a smile spread across his face. "That's great, Annabeth." He set the note down on his nightstand and wrapped her in a hug. "I told you he'd understand."

"I should listen to you more often, huh?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow.

"You should." Percy nodded, pecking her lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She pressed her lips to his once more.

Even if her dad didn't come around, she had Percy and that was all that mattered.

The End.
Sorry if the end was crappy. I was tried and I don't really write well when I'm tired.