two things.

first, i usually try to make the titles of my oneshots unique, something for you to smile at. but gabe sucks. period. so i simply left it at smelly gabe.

second. we have hit 14k reads here. annabeth ? is wattpad miscalculating ?

lol, tysm ❤️❤️❤️

this chapter is dedicated to bookish_owl_, thanks so much for the awesome request !!

onward !

Annabeth took a deep breath as the icy wind brushed across her face, smiling at the exhilarating feeling she received.

Percy walked along beside her, enjoying the cool weather camp let seep through the border too, as well as their quiet surroundings.

Annabeth sighed. "It's too easy."

It took Percy a moment to realize what she meant. "I agree. It's way too quiet."

"Maybe we should just enjoy it," Annabeth suggested.

Percy looked around. "Eh. Kinda boring."

Annabeth laughed. "I hate to admit it, but we do need some healthy action. Keeps us going, huh?"

Percy nodded.

As if the Fates had heard them, shouts sounded from the border. Percy and Annabeth shared a look and smiled, despite the situation, before dashing off in the direction of the commotion.

Annabeth was the first to spot the quarrel, grimacing.

One of the younger campers, someone who'd only recently arrived, was cornered by another younger camper. The victim was holding his ground, but Annabeth could tell he was fighting a losing battle.

Percy furrowed his brow when he caught sight of the fight. "Hades," he muttered, pushing ahead.

Annabeth followed him.

The bully spotted Percy. His tough facade wavered for a moment, but only enough for Annabeth to catch. He turned back to the kid in front of him and sent a fist his way.

Percy caught his hand and twisted his arm backwards, only enough to startle him.

The bully yelped and stumbled to his butt. Annabeth stepped in between him and the other kid.

Percy put a hand on the victim's shoulder. "Stop by the infirmary," he said.

The boy nodded his thanks, running off to the infirmary.

Then both Percy and Annabeth turned to the bully still sitting on the ground.

Annabeth opened her mouth to scold him, but Percy put his hand out, stopping her.

He walked up to him, offering his hand.

The boy tentatively took it, avoiding eye contact.

"What's your name?" Percy asked.

He didn't answer, turning away.

Percy stood calmly. "What's your name?" he repeated.

"Zayn," was his muttered response.

Percy nodded. "And your godly parent?"

"Unclaimed."

Percy nodded again. "You hungry?"

Zayn shrugged.

Percy gestured for Annabeth to join them as he walked away.

Surprisingly, Zayn followed him.

Annabeth caught up with Percy, making sure Zayn couldn't hear her. "I hope you know what you're doing."

Percy smiled softly at the ground. "This time, I know what I'm doing."

Annabeth nodded, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. She had a feeling Percy was about to dive into something deep with this kid.

They reached the mess hall where a few other campers were sitting, snacking on whatever they could.

Percy lead them over to the Poseidon table, and Annabeth watched as Zayn obediently took a seat.

"Zayn," Percy asked, "is there a reason you're doing that?"

Zayn looked up. "Doing what?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes, but kept her mouth shut.

"You know what I mean," Percy said.

"Why shouldn't I?" Zayn shot back.

Percy sighed. "Because not everyone has to suffer the way you did."

The table went silent.

"I understand, I know what it feels like to want everyone to realize just how bad you had it. But you're just as bad as the person who made you feel this way if you continue."

Zayn narrowed his eyes. "I do what I want, on my own accord. This has nothing to do with anyone else," he spat.

Annabeth herself was confused. But she still didn't say a word.

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Zayn, you have a choice. You can hurt others the way you were hurt, or you can do something about it. Why don't you be the person to prevent it from happening to others?"

Zayn sighed. "Look, I don't feel comfortable getting into this."

Percy nodded. "And you think I do? We want to help you."

Zayn looked from Percy to Annabeth.

"I get what you're saying," he relented. "And I've tried doing it your way. It got me nowhere."

"What did you try, Zayn?"

Zayn looked away. "Maybe I didn't want to deal with everyone. Maybe, I decided they were better of without me."

"Shutting yourself away from people isn't an answer. Obviously it didn't solve your problems."

Annabeth couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm sorry, but what are we talking about?"

Zayn stared at her hard. Percy looked at Zayn for a while before he finally said, "Abuse."

Annabeth's eyebrows raised. Abuse.

"You mean––?"

Percy nodded.

Zayn stood. "What do you even know about this?" he asked Percy. "This is a waste of my time."

"I know exactly what you've been through, because I lived through it."

Zayn stopped.

"I'm going to help you, Zayn. Don't you want friends? You don't really want to hurt anyone. I promise you."

Zayn gestured exasperatedly. "But you're––you! No one cares about your past, or your mistakes! I can see it just by looking around."

Percy looked at the table for a long time. "The biggest mistake I've made was a result of what I've been through. And I will not do it again."

Annabeth squeezed her eyes shut at the memory of Akhlys and the poison.

Percy put a hand on her shoulder. "I hurt the ones I love, and I do blame it on my stepfather. He––he would've been proud." Percy took a deep breath. "Do you think what you're doing resembles the disgusting actions of your abuser?"

Zayn didn't answer, but regret was clear in his hard eyes.

"Not everyone is against you, Zayn," Annabeth cut in. "We want to talk, and teach, and share things with you. I'm sure if you stopped for a moment and took a look around, you'd see everything through different eyes."

Zayn stared at the table in front of him for a long minute.

"Okay," he whispered. He met their eyes. "Thank you."

And then he left them there, a new purpose in his strides and his head not hanging quite as low.

Annabeth turned to Percy and flung her arms around his neck. "I had no idea," she whispered.

"Yeah, Zayn was a tough one. It's easy to see––"

"No, you idiot. I meant you."

Percy returned her hug. "Oh."

"I just thought––maybe it was mostly verbal? Or it was just mild––I feel so horrible."

Percy shook his head into her shoulder. "I don't talk about it much. Besides, he's gone and I don't think about it much anymore."

Annabeth pulled away. "Well, I hope that kid makes a difference. You really knew what he was talking about."

Percy met her eyes. They were duller than usual, after having talked about such a deep thing from his past, and Annabeth didn't like it.

"Stupid Gabe," she muttered, before pressing her lips to his.

"Smelly Gabe," Percy corrected.

okay so this is how i plan for my oneshots in case anyone was wondering :

bye !!

~ grace 💙🍪💙🍪💙🍪💙