___♪___
It's December 24 - the air was chilly and buzzing with that electric Christmas cheer. People all over the place were wearing big smiles, while some were scowling because of the tight crowds. Everyone was fighting their way through the crowds - everywhere you look, you'll hear someone mutter, "excuse me".
Annabeth was normally a strategist, often considering buying Christmas presents beforehand - before all these craziness starts. But with finals on the horizon, Annabeth focused on her studies, forgetting to buy Christmas gifts. Now, she grumbles about procrastinating and forgetting to buy presents as she fights her way through the enormous crowds, her boyfriend Percy behind her.
Percy was holding Annabeth's hand as the blonde continued to push through the crowd. Sometimes, his head would turn and he'd gaze in wonder to all those Christmas lights around the city, leading Annabeth to tug his hand and get him off his daze. There was no denying that this boy loved Christmas. He loves being with his family, spending time with his friends, and most of all, spending the winter break with his girlfriend.
Annabeth was still fighting through the crowd, just wanting to get home. She'd already spent the entire chilly day out shopping for gifts, instead of just staying in and watching whatever crappy Christmas movie Percy likes to pick out. She and Percy were carrying shopping bags for presents - Percy did his own shopping too. While Annabeth bought stuff like perfumes for the girls and polo shirts for the boys, Percy bought foods. Dam foods. He bought his friend, Grover, a can fondant cake as a gag gift. Like a literal aluminum can fondant cake. You know those cakes that look like the thing they designed it after? That then turns out to be a cake? Yeah, that. Annabeth didn't know where Percy just find those. She almost berated him for buying those dam snacks and forced him to buy other gifts like a musical instrument for Grover or a box of LEGOs for Tyson, but she understood where he was coming from. And it was sweet, so she let it go, wondering if Percy bought a dozen soft pretzels or a gingerbread house for her.
As they clamber through the busy streets to their apartment in the middle of this bustling city, Percy could feel both excitement and nervousness on his insides. His intestines felt like it was rising up to his throat and forcing him to throw up the spectacular soft pretzel he and Annabeth ate in the midst of the chaos. He bought something for Annabeth while they were out. He was sure it was pretty, even he thinks that it was forged by Hepahestus himself. He just wasn't sure what Annabeth's reaction would be when she sees or when he gives it. He knew that he wanted it to happen, it was just so nerve wracking to do that he avoided it.
Annabeth sighed happily as they entered their apartment, dropping her bags near the door — in an orderly fashion — before flopping down on the couch. Percy dropped his bags messily on the table before opening the lights on their Christmas tree and flopping down beside Annabeth. The two admired the Christmas lights that danced before them. Their apartment was simple, small, but enough for the couple as they brave adulting. Annabeth was the one who designed the entire apartment. If it was her way, she would have designed their house. But because of high prices, urbanization, you know, the stuff, they couldn't. Although Percy bets somewhere that Annabeth has a blueprint of her dream house.
It was a two-bedroom apartment with a minimalist theme. Although it was tiny, it seemed so spacious and elegant, that their visitors (their friends) often teased them about being rich. Upon entering the door, you'd immediately see a view of the buildings outside with their big windows on the side. Their Christmas tree stood beside the windows, its lights flickering various colors of green, blue, and red. It was, by standards, a thin tree. Percy liked his tree big, but given the space of their apartment, it was impossible. So, they settled for that thin, green tree adorned with countless golden and silver colored balls - there was even a snowflake ornament and a golden star perched on top.
That attention to the windows would be stolen away as eyes would be on their cozy, L-shaped couch, in front of that is their white, pear-shaped coffee table where an architecture book lay on top of. Percy often likes to put his feet on the coffee table, which he just does to annoy Annabeth who likes keeping things and orderly in their house. Their television was mounted on the wall across the couch. On the side of the apartment was their kitchen, it was L-shaped with a dining table in the middle. The dining table seats four persons and has a modern theme. It was round that whenever they have people over, they just add chairs.
The couple stared off at their window which overlooked half of the city and the flickering of lights on their Christmas tree. The lights danced in a way that was enticing to the both of them and it was the only light in the room. The couple stared in silence, with Percy putting his arm around Annabeth, before she broke it and scrolled on her phone. Percy cuddled Annabeth on the couch before the blonde pushed him away for being heavy.
Annabeth let out a weird sound - somewhere between a scream and a squeal - as she saw something on her phone that Percy observed quickly lifted her spirits.
"What?" Percy bolted upright. "What happened?"
"This," Annabeth has a big grin on her face as she showed Percy her phone. It was a paused video of a curly-haired boy, sitting in front of the piano. Percy was confused, but he was interested as seeing it made all her exhaustion leave.
"And what is 'this', exactly?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow to Annabeth.
"Just turn on the speakers."
Sighing, Percy reached behind him and turned on their speakers. Annabeth quickly connected her phone and played something.
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you.
The first line of the song plays and Percy thought the voice was familiar, he just couldn't remember who. But he knew the song, his mother often played it while he was growing up. All the while, Annabeth has this soft smile on her face and Percy decided it was heaven. He could give her the world and it still wouldn't be enough.
"Who is this?" Percy asked.
"Shawn Mendes," Annabeth sighed dreamily, a big smile appearing on her face - she often reserved the smile for the special people in her life. Percy couldn't help the jealousy that stirred in him, but he shook it off, scolding himself as irrational. Instead, he raised his eyebrows, and a smirk toyed on his face - apparently, Annabeth is a big fan of Shawn Mendes.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God you're alive
Annabeth closed her eyes, feeling the way Shawn Mendes' voice just flow to her ears. It wasn't heaven, but it was pleasurable enough. She feels like floating on Cloud 9, where all her stress disappeared and everything else just melts away and all she could see was Percy's dazzling sea-green eyes, tousled jet-black hair, and his smile. Damn, that smile. The song wouldn't be the death of her, his smile would be. She couldn't deny all these feelings she has for him, even though they've been a couple for years now.
It all started out during high school. It was kind of cliche but Annabeth was glad she met Percy that young. Percy was a big part of her life, growing up as schoolmates despite not being close friends or enemies - he was just always there and Annabeth loved that about the two of them. They were always there for each other. Like that time in Mathlete where Annabeth competed against another school and won, she could see Percy cheering for their school in the crowds. Or when Annabeth rallied against their school overworking their teachers, Percy joined them. Or when Percy was awkwardly standing during Rachel Dare's birthday bash and Annabeth joined him. That was when they first started talking and it all went from there.
Funny how they went from strangers in high school to literally a couple living together in the middle of the city. Their journey up to now has been a wild ride, but Annabeth was glad that it ended here - in their apartment, with Percy beside her doing God knows what, but having his presence is a comfort to Annabeth.
Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothing else to compareThe sight of you leaves me weakThere are no words left to speak
While Annabeth closed her eyes during the song, Percy stared at her. He couldn't help but admire her. She was pretty, no matter how much she denied it. Her piercing gray eyes were Percy's favorite physical attribute of Annabeth. But what he admires most is her courage - she is brave beyond compare, often heading head first into whatever difficulties they face. In fact, she was the one who asked him out. Percy was the one who was about to ask her out that night but Annabeth beat him to it, much to his frustration and his surprise.
It was during their school prom night, both of them ditched in the middle of it, coming home to Percy's apartment to have a spontaneous movie marathon. It was in the middle of it and Percy was overthinking about whether or not he should ask her out. He'd liked her for years and had done nothing. They have also been friends of two of these. It was a boring movie when Annabeth abruptly faced him and asked, "Wanna go out to lunch tomorrow?". Percy was taken aback by that question and just stared at her. Annabeth misunderstood him as him rejecting her. She stood up to grab her things when Percy yelled, "No, wait." Percy was wearing a nervous, but boyish smile that made Annabeth stop and smile at him. Percy grinned and before they knew it, they were dating and Percy couldn't help but always notice her gray eyes, which he thinks turns stormy whenever she's intense.
Annabeth is captivating and Percy feels very lucky to have her in his life. He feels blessed by the gods to just be with her. Being around her presence made Percy feel whole. She is his best friend, partner, and love of his life.
Something was weighing down on his pocket and he palmed it, feeling the small box's sharp edges and velvet skin. Sighing, he set his hands on his palm and paced around thinking that Annabeth was probably too engrossed in the song to hear him pacing around.
He was going nuts, not knowing what to do with the item. He was sure he wanted to do it during the holidays. But the great Percy Jackson doesn't have any plans nor any ideas on how to proceed. He wanted to ask his best friend Grover, but Grover is quite chatty and he knew that it would spread within their friend group even before he does it, so no. And the others, well, it's not that Percy distrusts them, it's just that feeling that he wants to do this by himself if he can't tell Grover. And there's also the feeling of pressure if someone knows.
Of course Mr. Chase knows -- he's already agreed on this whole thing months ago, when he pulled him aside during Annabeth's birthday, asking Percy when he'd do it.
Percy continued to pace around the room when his eyes laid on the bags of presents strewn across the apartment. Instead of just pacing, he decided to put it all under their Christmas tree.
Annabeth heard the rustling of the paper bags and opened her eyes. "What are you doing, seaweed brain?"
"Nothing," Percy answered quickly. Too quickly that his heart sped up. "Just-- moving the bags under the tree."
"Oh, okay," Annabeth answered, shooting him a small smile as he turned his back on her. Annabeth closed her eyes once again listening to the song. Percy released a relieve sigh as he saw Annabeth's eyes closed.
Later.
But if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it's real
The song ended quickly. Too quickly for Annabeth's liking. There was just something about Shawn Mendes' voice that sounded so satisfying that everything weighing her down just melted away.
She opened her eyes for a bit, setting the song to loop. And then closed it again, melting into her bubble of relaxation.
Percy was happy that Annabeth's in that state of bliss. Finals were stressing her out the last few weeks and today's Christmas shopping just happened to be the cherry on top.
Finishing up with moving the presents, Percy stood up, a smirk toying on his face as he got an idea. It was random and spontaneous, but Percy thought of it as romantic. The song was romantic and the ambiance set in the room with the Christmas lights and the bustling streets below just makes up a combination for a spontaneous slow dance in the middle of their living room.
Percy started moving stuff around the room quietly, careful not to make Annabeth open her eyes. He moved the presents around once more, lining them up under the windows to make more room. Then, he moved the coffee table to the side. He wasn't sure how he'd done it properly, stealth wasn't one of his abilities. People would always deem him as 'clumsy', but he would call it 'just someone not wanting to do it'. It was his way of denial that he was clumsy.
Anyways, he let another song pass by. He smiled as he saw his work - the room has more space and everything just looked so perfect in his eyes. He was also proud of himself because he managed to do it all without making Annabeth open her eyes.
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
As Shawn Mendes' voice in the beginning of the cover filled the room once again, he cleared his throat in front of Annabeth and offered his hand. Annabeth opened her eyes and stared at it.
"Come on, dance with me," Percy said, opening his arms, and doing a motion of what looks like a slow dance. Annabeth laughed as she stood up and Percy's breath was snatched.
The way she stood up was so graceful, like a princess, that even without the ball gown and sparkling glass shoes, made his jaw drop. His smile widened and he offered his hand once more. Annabeth took his hand and playfully curtsied. The two of them shared a soft laugh before Annabeth placed a hand on his shoulder and he placed a hand on her waist.
It took a few paces before the two of them were dancing in harmony. But when they did, it was amazing. It was like the whole world fits into his arms. He wasn't nervous anymore. He was Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase's boyfriend.
Percy swayed Annabeth and she followed along. If anyone could see them, it would be like two rusty robots dancing together. But for them, this is perfect.
"I love you," Percy softly said while swaying.
"Yeah?" Annabeth looked up at him, staring into his dazzling sea-green eyes.
"Yeah," Percy kissed her forehead, inhaling the scent of lemons. No matter how sweaty she was the whole day, her hair always manages to smell like lemons.
"You know," Annabeth started when they resumed back to their swaying.
"What?" Percy stared at her piercing gray eyes. It was mesmerizing, it was the only thing about her that makes her unique from Princesses. It was also one thing of Annabeth's that Percy loved, among all of them.
"I continually thank the gods for leading me to you. You're a gift to me, Perseus Jackson," Annabeth said, keeping her eyes trained on his chest. She noticed his outfit today which was a dark blue shirt and black pants which highlighted his height, which was six feet. She was shorter than him, by only a few inches.
"Hey," Percy lifted her face up, facing his hand under her chin. "I thank the gods, too."
Words can only do so much for the two of them. The two of them knew that it wasn't just gratitude to the gods, but it was also gratitude and love for everything they've been through. It was all those gratitude for moments they spent, even moments they spent apart. It was those things that led them to each other. That 'thank the gods' thing were just filled with unspoken words, unspoken feelings that both of them were unsure how to express. It was those fun moments they shared like dates and celebrations. It was also those sad, comforting moments they shared when Annabeth failed her entrance exams. It was also all those fights that led them here in this moment.
It was everything that made them. Sure, words won't ever be enough, and they both aren't sure if actions will be too. But for now, it is enough.
"I love you," it was Annabeth's turn to say the three words. She tiptoed and kissed Percy's cheek before they swayed again.
Even after hearing those three words from Annabeth countless times before, Percy was sure he would explode every time. He couldn't believe that he's here with Annabeth. Gods, he was completely smitten with her. It was an overwhelming feeling -- being loved -- that Percy thought he would explode. His love for Annabeth was also overflowing, he imagines it as something like the ocean - vast and immeasurable.
Before the high note starts, Percy starts swaying Annabethas if they're waltzing. And as the high note hits, Percy spun Annabeth around in which she turned all over the space in their living room.
I love you, baby
And if it's quite alright I need you, baby
Percy was sure he was watching it in slow motion as Annabeth spun around, her ponytail flowing behind her. She was captivating, percy was so sure of it as he stared at her. It took everything in him to just stay in the moment and not let his mind wander off.
The rest of the world falls away as the sight of her leaves him weak. Percy noticed the way Annabeth's foot crossed as she spun, a careless smile on her face. He could see her eyes twinkling as she spun.
Her hair hits Annabeth square in her face, making her stop. She stopped beside the Christmas tree and Percy could see just how bright she radiates beside their Christmas lights.
Percy looked at her and the two of them shared a laugh and a big smile.
"Come here," Percy motioned her to spin back to him.
This is now or never, Percy thought.
To warm a lonely night, I love you, baby
Trust in me when I say
Annabeth was sure she was shining brightly, big bursts of happiness were radiating off of her, as Percy motioned her to spin back to him.
At first, she felt ridiculous, just spinning round and round. But she let that feeling go as bliss took over when she realized she was sharing this moment with Percy. What was supposed to be a moment of relaxation after a long day of buying Christmas presents, turned out to be very joyous when Percy asked her to dance with him.
It was perfect. This moment.
If Annabeth could freeze a moment in time, this would be it - with the two of them dancing around their apartment to Shawn Mendes' voice and just that moment of joy before Christmas.
Stopping, Annabeth stumbled. Turning around a few times made her dizzy that Percy had to steady her before kneeling down.
But when he did, Annabeth took a step backward and her hands flew to her mouth where a gasp escaped.
"Is this happening?" Annabeth breathed out through her rapidly beating heart.
"Yeah," Percy said, opening up the small, orange, velvet box. It revealed a ring with a simple square diamond on top. It was perfect and Annabeth's eyes watered as she saw the sparkling ring and the look on Percy's eyes.
Percy chuckled nervously before starting his speech. "Annabeth Chase, when I first saw you, I was captivated. You were enchanting and perfect. But of course, me being me, let that go, knowing I was never up to your standards. But then that night at Rachel's party when you talked to me, I felt like I had a chance. And thus, blossomed a friendship, wise girl, that would lead to this. Gods, I'm so blessed to have you, wise girl. You are my best friend, my partner, and unmistakably the love of my life. So, Wise Girl, would you do me the honor of being your husband and marry me?"
Annabeth's eyes were welling up in tears and she released a small laugh, "Never knew you could stomach that, Seaweed Brain."
Percy chuckled nervously as Annabeth grinned at him through her blurry sight.
"But yes, seaweed brain, I'll marry you," Annabeth finally said, making Percy release a relieved laugh and throw his hands up.
Percy was about to stand up when he remembered the ring still not being in Annabeth's hand. "Oh right," he said, grabbing the ring out of the box and placing it on Annabeth's left ring finger.
It fits perfectly, Annabeth thought as she gazed in wonder at her ring.
"It's perfect," Annabeth told Percy when he stood up beside her, placing his hands on her waist.
"You're perfect," Percy told Annabeth, kissing her forehead.
The blonde faced her fiance and placed her hands around his neck before pulling him into a kiss.
"I love you," she said before pulling him again for a kiss, placing her left hand on his cheek. Percy smiled as he felt the cold metal of the ring on his cheek.
Now that I found you, stay
And let me love you, babyLet me love you
___♪___
can't take my eyes off of you - shawn meneds
oneshot - ao3, user -seabraenpereseas (aaapolloweasley)