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The princess of Athens could not sleep. She could not bring herself to retire for the night, walking in circles around her chambers as her thoughts whirled around her, like clangorous spirits.
She was furious with herself for falling for the trap of coming to Olympus in the first place, and more livid over the fact that she did not know what was going on.
Who was behind this? What could her aunt gain from this?
These thoughts plagued her with every step she took, weighing her down until she wanted to scream in frustration.
Some queen I would be, she scoffed to herself,I don't even know what's going around me.
She paced back and forth for a few more hours, deciphering a few more scenarios until her mind had enough until it began to pound on her to stop.
There was nothing she could do at the moment until Thalia, Luke and Jason came tomorrow to put together the pieces.
And as much as she hated unfinished puzzles, all she could do was wait. She would be of no use to anyone in her current state.
She leaned against her nightstand sighing.
She hasn't even changed out of her banquet gown and had no energy left to do so. The intricate bun that rested atop her head spiralled down to her shoulders, spreading out around her.
She shook her head.
There was one thing that seemed to always lift her spirits, and perhaps she could do that now.
As the night waned into an endless chasm, the princess of Athens knocked on the door of a certain sea-green-eyed boy, who had come to hold a special place in her heart.
The boy opened the door a dozen minutes later, groggily rubbing his eyes.
"I was wondering if you would take a stroll with me?" Annabeth asked, cursing at her own stupidity. She had woken him up for no reason.
The boy simply nodded, smiling at her as he shook himself awake.
They opted to leave the fort through a rather large window, considering the doors were all locked.
None of the guards nor servants were in sight as the young couple made their grand escape, landing with a light huff on the lush green grass below.
"I...saw a tree I wanted to share with you," Annabeth spoke as they began a brisk walk through the garden, brushing past the vast topiaries, "It reminded me of my mother's festival and well....it reminded me of you."
The boy's lips lifted into a soft smile and Annabeth couldn't help but feel butterflies.
He was extremely handsome.
"Come," she smiled back, taking his hand and leading him through an explored path until they happened upon a large tree, decked in lanterns.
It emitted a light glow amid the darkness of the night.
The boy's eyes sparkled under the softness of the twinkling fire and Annabeth couldn't help but reach out to stroke his face, resting her palm on the side of his face.
His arm wrapped around her waist as she did so, pulling her towards him.
Her breath hitched as she gazed upon him, her heartbeat picking up steadily.
She had never felt this way before.
He had been her support, her closest friend and advisor. She had learnt so much in her time with him, grown as a woman, grown as the queen she was meant to be.
She could not imagine a life without him in it anymore.
She didn't remember who she was before he painted all her days in vivid, sparkling colours.
"Thank you for coming with me to Olympus," she whispered, caught in his magnetic trance, "you have no idea how grateful I am to have met you."
The boy's arms tightened around her waist as she smiled, wrapping her own arms around his neck, holding him close.
She could feel the blood gushing to her face, as she held him. Her body ached to be closer, to claim his lips as hers. To show him how much he meant to her.
He moved a step back, letting out a long exhale.
He looked hard towards the horizon, where the sea pulled against the rocks and sand.
Come with me, he gestured to her, taking her hand as they set off on yet another path.
The boy led her towards a cliff, which overlooked the vast ocean. The moon beamed on its waters as it ripped through the silent night.
"It's a beautiful sight," Annabeth marvelled, taking it in, "how ever did you find it?" she asked.
A maid told me about it, the boy gestured, sitting back against the grass, Annabeth next to him.
"Do...do you see that?" Annabeth asked, noting a whirlpool forming beneath the waves as she held the boy's hand, "I....do you think I am imagining it?" she asked.
There was something almost magical about that cesspool of water. It seemed....otherworldly.
She could swear that she saw the ocean rise for a moment. She blinked.
You should rest, the boy motioned almost urgently.
"Perhaps you're right..." Annabeth replied slowly.
She was probably tired from the long day.
She laid down against the lush grass, slightly uncomfortable at the friction she felt.
She was used to sleeping on comforters and soft mattresses as opposed to the cold, hard ground. However, the stars and the ocean waves offered her solace as she rested.
Annabeth rested her head against the boy's chest, listening to his racing, heartbeat. It reminded her of the turbulent sea
It mimicked her own.
She cursed her own impulsivity. Her desperate need to be close to the boy had landed them both in a scandalous position.
If anyone from her aunt's court saw her here she would be in the whirlwind of trouble.
"I'm sorry...I should move, you're probably uncomfortable," the princess chuckled, hoping he could not hear her racing heart or see her flushed cheeks.
She moved lifting herself off the ground by the palm of her hand.
The boy's arm snaked around her waist as she did so, pulling her back down against him, her palm now directly over his heart.
He reached out and held her hand against his beating chest, offering her a smile as he kissed the top of her head.
They laid against each other, content in a deep silence, until lady sleep took the young couple into her lap, still nestled against each other's warm embrace, the only thing protecting them from the land and sea.
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Yay! I posted!
Any suggestions for the story?
Oh! And my other Percabeth fanfiction 'Half of my Heart' is complete now, incase anyone wants to check that out.
(Posted 12:20am - 27/4/23)
Stay tuned!!
—S